Faith

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Many people nowadays are looking for ways to remain connected to their faith, and one of those ways can be found on SiriusXM.

Holy Culture Radio is a 24-hour Christian hip-hop and edutainment channel available on SiriusXM that features music, talk shows and cultural conversations designed to uplift, inspire and empower listener. The station’s programming blends music with meaningful conversation and features legendary and next-generation Christian hip-hop artists alongside talk shows that address purpose, culture, faith and community impact.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Aaron Koehn, Trinity Faith Church, Liberal

“My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you… Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 7:1–3 (AMP)

In the world we live in, many things compete for our heart and spirit. Turn on the news or scroll social media and you are met with conflict, fear, and negativity. It is easy to lose sight of what matters most. It is easy to lose joy. It is easy to lose heart.

God knew this would happen. That is why He calls us to examine what we allow to shape our hearts—before we drift off course.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

In Matthew 20, we see the graciousness of God on display, but we hear of man’s begrudging of God’s generosity.  We see examples of this throughout the Old and New Testaments as God’s people continued to grumble against Him as they begrudged God’s generosity, yet God still worked out their salvation.

There are many despicable things that man has done that are on full display for all the world to see, should the eyes of some be open.  We see that even great saints of the past are real sinners.  This reminds me of something that is often proclaimed at Installation Services: “Pastor, remember that when your people confess that they are sinners, believe them. Similarly, oh saints of the Lord, when your pastor confesses with you that he is a sinner, believe him.”  This is why the Divine Service begins with a confession of sins as we pause to reflect on God’s Word and think about our sins as we confess that we are poor, miserable sinners or that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

Let’s begin today’s devotion by asking an everyday question to those who have been behind the steering wheel. Where do you look when driving? Specifically, where do you look when you are driving at night, and the oncoming GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate has its brights on, shining bright as the sun? Where do you look when you are driving at dusk or dawn while the sun is shining brightly over the horizon, below the sun visor, and the sunglasses are out of reach?

You want relief, but relief does not come in the way that you expect. Hopefully, that truck has automatic high beam assist because the driver is probably talking on the phone, if not texting, and paying no attention to the others on the road. Hopefully, you’re turning soon, or able to reach those sunglasses, and the sun won’t be blinding you anymore. But what happens when it is Jesus shining like the sun? Do you dare look away?