Sermon September 27-28, 2025

Title: Comforted by the word of Jesus!
Text: Luke 16:19-31

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29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Jesus ends our gospel for today with an important truth:

‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’

The reality of faith and life and eternal life as we understand it - as a gift given - is presented here in clarity by our Lord. No one comes to this knowledge on their own, and no matter your status in this life and the blessings you’ve received, you can’t attain what is unattainable through human means.

As we end this section of Jesus’ teaching over the last few weeks on lost and found and how you can become blind of the true riches made available in Christ, we see here the profound contrast of wealth and poverty, good and bad, life and death, in the lives and death of the rich man and Lazarus.

It has been said over the years that the gospel reading doesn’t say, “and he told them a parable.” But simply:

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.

So, whether it’s a story with a greater truth, or a truth contained in a real story, it remains the same; there is either prepared an eternity that Jesus says is in God’s presence, or separated from God in torment.

It is a reality that is hard to hear, especially for the Pharisees who have been described as “Lovers of money” - from Jesus’ own mouth, and had just heard from him in our lesson from last week about a dishonest manager who had not been looking out for his master’s possessions – saying:

You are those who justify yourselves before men.

The contrast of the haves and the have nots is clear here though not expected for the self-justified Pharisees.

The rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

The Pharisees – understanding this image of those who have and are lovers of money, and know the cost of wealth. The purple fabric of kings was not easily obtained. In 2021:

[Archaeologists, uncovered rare fragments of 3,000-year-old textiles stained purple — a color considered the height of royal fashion at the time — in southern Israel.

Radiocarbon dating of the fabrics revealed that they were woven around 1000 B.C., placing them in the time of the biblical kings David and Solomon.

The dye used to stain the fabrics was made from mollusks found hundreds of miles away in the Mediterranean and was extremely valuable as a result.

"For the first time, we have direct evidence of the dyed fabrics themselves, preserved for some 3,000 years," Naama Sukenik, curator of organic finds at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said.

The purple textiles were uncovered at a place called Slaves' Hill, which was home to highly skilled metalworkers.]

https://www.livescience.com/rare-purple-textiles-discovered-israel.html

It is always interesting how archeology confirms in some way the truths – even simple fabric truths – found in the Bible.

Now contrast that with:

… a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.

Lazarus - represents the outcasts in Jewish society, and are those without the need or means for anything purple and simply desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.

No archeology needed here, though the term Slaves’ Hill gives us a glimpse of the plight of the have nots throughout history and the archeological evidence confirms that truth as well.

Blessings in this life is not a sign of eternal reward and needs in this life do not determine one’s value.

We see this reality played out as this story from Jesus unfolds.

Death comes to the rich and poor alike. One has blessings and one curse but the reality is different than what we might expect from a worldly point of view and this is not lost on the Pharisees.

The rich man is cast into eternal torment and the poor man names Lazarus to Abrahams side.

I find it interesting that the poor man is named, which for me is maybe a nod to having our names written in the Lamb’s book of life, while those cast into outer darkness hear:

23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Those in the Lord’s presence are known by name and those cast out are unknown – forever.

The story continues.

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

Lazarus: carried by angels to Abraham’s side.
The Rich man: in Hades and in torment.

Eternal bliss contrasted with eternal torment.

Even in the hopelessness of Hell we see from the rich man no repentance.

Monica and I had a party at our house many years ago and our daughter Amy, when she was 3 was in her room and ae had a child’s gate at the door. She stood at the gate, holding the bars like in prison, crying out:

“Let me out! I’ll be good!” – A type of repentance for what she had not been good, I guess.

The Rich man has no similar call. He simply calls for Lazarus to serve him, to come and to dip his finger in the water, cooling his tongue.

Riches and status may still be on his mind, but circumstances have changed.

There is a great chasm, that has been fixed.

There is no way to bring together that which has been lost.

The eternal reality is set and fixed by deaths call, with no hope, no repentance, and no peace for those who are rich in their own self-righteousness and cast out.

His cry to Father Abraham indicates this was no ordinary unbeliever, but one who called Abraham his father – a most sad reality.

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

Here, a ‘Child’ of the kingdom finds himself cast away with no hope and in anguish.

The story could end there. But the rich man has one more concern. Relegating himself to his own condition he turns his plea to his family, crying:

‘Then I beg you, father, to send Lazarus to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

The eternal reality ignored in life is now a priority. If someone rises from the dead, they will understand and believe!

This is contrast to Abraham’s strong words:

29 … They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

The irony in the story and the rising from the dead of Jesus, who is and who was and who is to come continues to be a stumbling block in a sinful world.

Take the time to know him. First in the word of God, read and keep it close. Moses and the Prophets, illumined on the mount of Transfiguration with Jesus between, Moses and Elijah where the Father says:

“This is my Son my Chosen One; listen to him!”

And listening and learning through the word, tell other the Good News of a savior in Jesus who is the way the truth and the life, eternal!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon September 20-21, 2025

Title: The true riches are yours!
Text: Luke 16:1-15

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13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

In our lesson today, Jesus brings to the ears of the disciples, and all his followers, a parable or story which illustrates serving God and money.

The previous parables, from the weeks leading up to this, had been directed to the Pharisees, the teachers of the law and the scribes, and now the disciples too would benefit from the Lord’s words.

How do you deal with a bad manager? Especially one, who has not been looking out for the owner’s best interest?
2 And [the owner] called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

It is not an uncommon situation for many who serve in positions of responsibility.

As Pastor’s we are called stewards of the mysteries of God. We are called to faithfully divide the word of truth, to preach both the Law and the Gospel, and to administer God’s sacraments rightly.

As managers, in companies, you are given the responsibility of managing someone else’s money and possessions and you have to deal in a favorable way with it … or as the parable says … be replaced.

Or, as my brother-n-law Mark once said in speaking of a co-worker:

“He would make a great manager, if under constant supervision.”

So in the Gospel lesson much conniving and cooking of the books ensue.

Managers at time try to figure out a solution.

4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may [still think well of me] receive me into their houses.’

For managers and for us all, self-preservation is a strong motivator. What can we do in this life to better our situation or to preserve ourselves against bad business decisions or circumstances?

5 …, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 … ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ … sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 … ‘And how much do you owe?’ …, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

The object for the manager was to do damage control.

With this scheme the shortage would disappear, or the income would look to be much smaller than the owner thought. And if he is found out, the customers would still think well of him.

It has even been suggested that the manager had falsified the amounts in the original billings and pocketed the surplus.

Certainly this is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Popular Commentary on the Bible P.E. Kretzmann Pg. 354

At a meeting I attended many years ago it was made known that a co-worker had defrauded the company. He had sold instruments for the company but kept the trade-ins for himself and sold them for his own profit.

The company was unaware of the trade-ins, as the manager’s paperwork showed only a cash transaction with no trade in information listed.

The manager personally picked up the trade-in instruments, the customers thought they got value for their trades in their purchase, and then the manager sold them out of his garage – to other customers.

The company lost the profit on the trades and future company business.
The manager made some money being very shrewd.

Faced with a financial crisis many are clever though dishonest in solving problems.

Even the master in our lesson, when he received information concerning this latest trick of the manager, could not withhold a certain amount of praise.

He praised him, not on account of his unfaithfulness and his fraud, but on account of the cleverness in handling the situation and getting himself out of a very unpleasant predicament in this life.

Popular Commentary on the Bible P.E. Kretzmann Pg. 354

There was a saying that my boss told me many years ago. It was said about those who had paper wealth by speculating in internet stocks. He would say:

“Money easily gotten is money easily lost.”

10 “One who is faithful in little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in little is also dishonest in much.

Now, the world makes provision for the future, that is, they look to put themselves and their families beyond care, as soon as possible, it is the focus of their life and they make use of every possible advantage through: retirement investments, pensions, savings accounts , homes, and 401K and IRA investments to name a few.

Maybe after hearing them on the radio, we’ve all thought to call on the Investment firms that advertise to look over our money to make sure we are cared for in retirement - and to get the most out of our investments and social security.

Unfortunately, God’s children on the other hand, often are anything but energetic and diligent in the things that pertain to God and His kingdom.

We forget that death is real and the end is coming - Sometimes much sooner than we’ve expected - still we’ll all give an account to the Lord in regard to our work with the gospel for Him – in this life.

Jesus here admonishes them that they should so conduct their lives, and the money entrusted to them and as Christians: should use their money and time in the interest of the kingdom of God, in establishing and extending the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Kretzmann

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating - when God calls us to give of our Time, Talent and Treasure he doesn’t mean to pick one and forget about the others but to use all of our means to his glory and we get to decide how much of each we’ll give.

12 [But] if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

continued …

Interestingly, my boss’ son who mediated the affair of our dishonest manager at a meeting with all the managers of the company, had compassion on the worker and showing him, mercy allowed him to remain with the company, though under supervision of another manager, as he had a wife and two small children.

My boss wanted to still be kind to his family.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

God in Christ, has given us life through the death of His son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to live suffer and die and rise again for you and for me.

This bears fruit in service to our neighbor - not by works of righteousness that we do, but by true joy in Jesus Christ our Lord.

We can joy in the faith we are given as a gift as children of God knowing that all mercy falls under His control and that he uses you and me as his hands and feet in the world to reach the lost with the comfort of the Gospel message.

You are rich and truly bless because God has given you riches in Him and they will surpass and far exceed those promised by the world.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon September 13-14, 2025

 Title: Jesus saves!
Text: Luke 15:1-10

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6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Jesus came for sinners, and so Jesus saves!

That is good news, because He has found you!

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

The charge against Jesus has always been harsh. “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” How might that reflect on you and me and those with whom we associate? Are you accused of being like those with whom you associate?

Interesting, is it not? Jesus came for sinners and that very fact has the Pharisees and scribes grumbling.

Father Mike Verschaeve retired as a Catholic Priest after 43 years of service the end of June 2020.

"I thank God for all of you, and you will ever be in my heart," he wrote in the bulletin.

Father Verschaeve was ordained in 1977 and I came to know him when he came to a club I was playing at. He was a new Priest at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic church and came with my friend Jeff to hear my band. As we talked during a break he remarked,

“I wonder what my church would think of me hanging out in a bar and listening to a rock band?”

And then he added:

“It is probably the place I should be and the place that I could do the most good.”

When you think about it … where did Jesus spend most of his time? And who did he spend that time with?

For sure He was among the people, but here and in many other places in scripture He was with the Pharisees, rulers, scribes and the Jewish leaders teaching … calling … and at times … rebuking.

Being among the people is a good thing, both in the church and in the world but what does that say about sinners? They’re everywhere; in the church and out of the church. Those who are piously leading religious lives … or so the impression seems and those who are far away from God … at a bar … hanging out … or so the impression seems.

For Jesus and in His day the perceptions were the same. Some who seemed religious were not, and those who were seen as sinners, as in the stories of tax collectors and adulterers, were those God called to faith and used as witnesses to the working of God, through the word, in their lives by His Spirit.

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Father Mike followed sheep. Those sheep who wondered he looked for and called back to the father’s loving arms for 43 years.

Pastor Merrell served as Pastor for 42 years and then as Pastor Emeritus for another 8. They both served to seek and save the lost with the saving gospel and to call those in rebellion back to the safety of the sheepfold.

You were lost and have been found. Jesus came for you, the one lost sheep, just as each one of us are lost at birth, born dead in trespass and sin until God claims us as his own.

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those that were lost.” Luke 19:10
What sinners need is Jesus Christ and His Word and Spirit in their lives; all else is hopeless.

In Acts we read:

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.

Acts 15:36-39

Here Martin Luther writes:

"Here it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far.
It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united.
Indeed, the text indicates as much.

"Such examples are written for our consolation:

 
for it is a great comfort to us to hear that the great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort.

"Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins.
Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth;
Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death.
"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again.

Here this again:

"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again!
Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall.

Luther concludes:

If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again."

Martin Luther

5 And when [the shepherd finds the lost sheep], he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

The place of strength … the high Priest’s shoulders, is where the sheep is carried. In the Old Testament there is example of the making of the Ephod, which was an article of clothing worn by the High Priest of Israel:

6 “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together …

9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth …

12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance.

Ex. 28:6-7, 9-10,12

Jesus carries the lost sheep that have been found upon his shoulders we find as the parable continues.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The joy of the Good Shepherd is … you!

The joy for sinners is that you are not so lost that Jesus can’t find you.

As He says in the parable of the lost coin:

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, Greek - ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborer if she loses one coin, the lost sheep or you, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

Jesus Christ by the working of His Holt Spirit will continue to seek you.

9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’

It is a joy to find what was important that was lost because as has been said:

Objects are lost because people look where they are not instead of where they are.

Or … as might be said:

People are lost because we preach the gospel where they are not instead of where they are.

10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Rejoice dear friends! God has found you!

So just as our lesson began today:

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Joy in the good news that Jesus is willing and able to meet sinners – you and me - where we are.

He comes to you through the word preached and through the sacraments rightly administered, and that is exceedingly good and blessed news.

He also is with you when the gospel of promise is used by you to reach those friends or strangers as a comforting balm for the hurting and sinfulness of this life … that breaks us and others … saying that the only way out is death and despair.

The comfort of the gospel is there too because Jesus is the Gospel. He is the Good News. He is the comfort, and He is the Peace.

He will find the lost because He will never stop seeking you and those who need to hear this blessed joy that:

Christ came for sinners, and you dear friends … are found!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon September 7, 2025

Title: The cross we bear connects us to Christ!
Text: Luke 14:25-35

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25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

To live for Jesus is to deny life itself. Boy, discipleship is hard!
But we all know life can be hard. Harder for some more than others.
You might feel the difficulty of life now or in years past.

Whether success or failure, pressure is exerted.

How’s your health, job, family?
Do you have friends or lack thereof?
How about growing pains or just aches and pains?
And now Jesus tells these followers in the crowd:

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Sounds like a good way to cause those who were following Jesus to fall away, or to even run away doesn’t it?

In our Old Testament lesson today we hear the very familiar call.

... choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

The idea of choosing sounds good to we who, living in a democratic society, get to choose quite a lot of things.

We can choose where we live in the country,
We choose what career we might wish to go into,
We choose whom we marry. We even get to choose what we signed up for the picnic today or whether to just come and enjoy!

The call of … choose life … is often confused in the life of a Christian and applied to the work of evangelism - as though we could choose to believe just as we choose to be born in our family.

The gift of life is both given in our natural birth as well as the gift of faith is given in our spiritual birth, from a God who came to redeem those who were unable to redeem themselves and that is why the text here today is a good one for us to understand and rejoice in.

The call of God in this text is not to the world but to God’s people Israel.

Those chosen children of Abraham whom Moses had given God’s Law written on the tablets of stone by the finger of God, were called by Him to stay in the relationship with Him apart from falling away into sin, false gods, and idol worship.

This keeping of God’s commandments, his statutes and rules would bring God’s blessing to them as they entered into the land that He was giving them to possess.

So also our own lives, as we cannot be Christ’s disciple without bearing our own cross and following him.

The reality of Jesus’ call … to hate father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters … figuratively as opposed to literally, yes and even his own life, shows the difficulty of being a disciple.

This, none the less, is a serious matter meaning that we cannot let anything draw us away from the gift of following Christ and being his disciple, being his child and being marked as his redeemed!

Some years ago, when I was witnessing to a friend, he joyfully came to me to proclaim that the night before he had prayed to Jesus - receiving him as his savior. What wonderful news! He, was quite happy because this had been a long and tedious process with many and various talks about Jew and Gentile, Old and New Testament, and Sabbath (Saturday)verses Sunday worship.

I so wanted to help him transition into being a disciple or follower of Jesus.

To be a follower – a disciple – requires an active walk.

Jesus called, “Follow me” to those fishermen. He didn’t say, “Stay where you are, I got this!”

When I first thought of going into ministry I wanted to learn, to go to seminary and to sit at the feet of the professors and to learn.

I didn’t want so much the work of the pastor. I didn’t want to visit the sick, or hold the hand of a grieving family member who has just lost a dear loved one. I certainly didn’t want to do a funeral. But that is what being a pastor requires and I’ve done my share of funerals as you know.

I preach to those at funerals hoping that by God’s word and the working of the Holy Spirit some may believe or be brought back to active discipleship. I preach here so that the Lord of life by that same Spirit would strengthen our faith and walk as disciples to that end.

St. Augustine writes:

“Why do I preach? Why do I sit up here? What do I live for? For this one thing alone: that together we may live with Christ! This is my passion, this is my honor, this is my fame, this is my joy, this is my one possession! … But I do not want to be saved without you!

Augustine’s focus was on making disciples. Changing lives with the Gospel and the gifts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Saying:

“When I exhort you, I [first] peer into myself. For one is a hollow preacher of God’s word on the outside if one is not [first] a hearer on the inside”

Augustine and the Catechumenate Pg 188
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

There is a cost to becoming a Christian and with that we must place Christ first.

Many put family first - and it certainly is a great blessing to have a loving family - but the devil uses all things to divide and pull us away from Jesus and the family can be used in that way as well.

I did a baptism a few years ago for a little boy. The family doesn’t attend church here anymore though they desired baptism for their child. They had been a member once but moved.

As I spoke with them about the importance of regular worship and being fed God’s word the mom said, “Well we’re a sports family and the weekends are tied up with the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings!”

It’s funny how from Clarkston to Peace is too far for worship even occasionally is impossible, but driving to Downtown Detroit for a sporting event is no big deal and becomes a family tradition.

It puts a bit of perspective as to what Jesus is talking about. What is it that draws you away? Give it some thought.

What is it that draws loved ones away, or even our children?

The devil divides and he delight in division.

33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

The great work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer the Cost of Discipleship comes to mind.

He writes:

“The messengers of Jesus will be hated to the end of time. They will be blamed for all the division which rend cities and homes. Jesus and his disciples will be condemned on all sides for undermining family life, and for leading the nation astray; they will be called crazy fanatics and disturbers of the peace. The disciples will be sorely tempted to desert their Lord. But the end is also near, and they must hold on and persevere until it comes. Only he will be blessed who remains loyal to Jesus and his word until the end.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship Bonhoeffer Works Vol 4 1937

This is the message of Jesus. Let nothing come between you and him and his saving Gospel.

Some years ago, I officiated at the funeral. Betty had the ups and downs of life that we all know. She had problems, she lost her husband in 1971; she lost her oldest son and then her youngest son as well, she lost her eyesight and largely the ability to care for herself, dementia stole her memory at times and brought the sad times of her life into view as if it was happening all over again.

On some visits she talked about her sons coming to visit her but they had been gone for 25 years or more.
But sill, the Holy Spirit was always with her pointing out that:

Jesus died for her, that Jesus carried her cares and burdens and that Jesus was always with her and would never leave her nor forsake her.

To be Christ’s is to give away all that you are (sinful and unclean) so that you receive from him all that he is. (Righteous and just)

God does the work of discipleship in you and for you! So, do not lose heart, God will keep you in the faith by his word and spirit.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen