What aid do we have in the midst of affliction and persecution? We have the precious Word of our Savior Jesus Christ who teaches us what is true and right and good. His Word warns us about the trials that we will endure if we would bear and confess His Name in this world. And His Word promises that He will preserve us through our suffering and even work our suffering for our good. The reality is that Christians cannot avoid suffering or temptation or persecution living in a sinful world unless they deny Christ and pretend as though they never knew Him. But to deny Christ before men is to ask Christ to deny you before His Father who is in heaven. You endure hardship and trials of all different kinds. But the Holy Spirit bears witness to you through the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures to the saving truth of Christ so that you may be strengthened and endure and be granted the crown of everlasting life. Come and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the Word and the Holy Sacraments and rejoice in your salvation. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
~Pastor Ulmer
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