Here’s a word from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that we would do well to ponder within the first waking hour of every day: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” It doesn’t get any more practical than […]
[Mel Lawrenz is Teaching Pastor at Elmbrook Church and the author of numerous books including How to Understand the Bible: A Simple Guide.] How might the year ahead unfold? Or this month, or even this week? We can speculate about opportunities and challenges, pleasures and pains, but we just don’t know what this next piece of
Living in the Confidence of Providence Read More »
The story of what really happened in Bethlehem so long ago really does give us joy and hope… 12.15.19 Sermon Edit – Brookfield from Elmbrook Church on Vimeo.
What really happened at Bethlehem. Read More »
12.1.19 Sermon Edit – Brookfield from Elmbrook Church on Vimeo.
Song of Mary: Magnify! Read More »
[Mel Lawrenz is Teaching Pastor for Elmbrook Church. His newest book is a devotional for kids, Christmas Joy for Kids.] What about the issue of whether Jesus is the only way to God? This is a point of agitated conflict between Christians and non-Christians. Some would say that it is pure arrogance to say that Jesus
Is Jesus the the only way? Read More »
Is it possible to know with certainty that the God and the mission Jesus spoke about is true, and you can have faith in it all? How does one know it isn’t just fantasy? The difference between faith based on fancy and faith based on fact is a matter of evidence. Anyone may choose to
Certainty in an Uncertain World Read More »
Sometimes we see something, but we don’t really see it. We don’t look deeply, or we’re distracted or misled. Reading, understanding, and living the Bible must involve the deeper look. We must be enlightened by Scripture, and that is a work of the Holy Spirit. So the Apostle Paul prayers for people to be able
Open Eyes, Open Hearts Read More »
I am glad when I have the opportunity to speak with people who are having doubts about their faith. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not glad about the pain that they experience in one of the most intimate issues of life. And that pain can be intense–like a husband or wife who is whispering hints
Doubt and Deception Read More »
“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live [lit. “walk”] in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic
To download a PDF of “A Prayer to Start the Work Day” click HERE, then go to your downloads folder on your device. Here is the text of the prayer: A PRAYER TO START THE WORK DAY Lord, I’m going to work now. It seems like it was just an hour ago I was waking
A Prayer to Start the Work Day Read More »
Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church and the author of the brand new How to Study the Bible: A Practical Guide. (This Monday was Labor Day in the U.S., an observation that appears in different forms in dozens of other countries.) We all work. Those who work in offices or on highways, those
What the Bible Says About Work Read More »
[Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church. His writings may be found at www.WordWay.org.] _____________________ I am glad when I have the opportunity to speak with people who have doubts about their faith. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not glad about the pain that they experience in one of the most intimate issues of life.
Dealing With Doubts Read More »
A new look at a familiar story. What was really going on in Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well might surprise us. What Jesus offers us might surprise us as well.
An Unexpected Encounter Read More »
Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church and the author of Spiritual Leadership Today, among other titles. _______________________ In this day and age we know we need integrity, from our leaders, and within ourselves. But what does integrity mean? Integritas (Latin) means “whole or intact.” An integer is a whole number like 3, 7,
[See Mel Lawrenz’s brand new “A Guide for Studying the Bible” HERE.] ____________ It is important for us to understand the meaning of specific words in the Bible. But how do we do that? Individual words are building blocks, but we do not discover the rich meaning and truth of God’s word just by looking at
Growing Our Biblical Vocabulary Read More »