CD - Introduction (Preface)

In 1987, while serving as a Director of Christian Education, I began working on these Devotional Thoughts because of my love for the Catechism. I finally finished them after my first year of being a pastor. Eighteen years later I am expanding these Devotional Thoughts because of my continued love for the Catechism, I am also adding to my wrings because, as a pastor/educator, I know that I continue to learn as well. Here almost twenty years later I am now adding, editing and refreshing these same devotions.

One thing that I noticed as I reviewed the first devotions and as I began working on the expanded devotions was that I have not been as careful in writing these devotions as I am in writing sermons. In writing sermons I attempt to always take the listener to Jesus bringing out the Gospel. Sometimes that is easy, sometimes that is difficult, but in a sermon, that is always important. This “not taking you to Jesus” in every devotion caused me to struggle somewhat at first, but the more I thought about it and the more I asked, the popular question “what would Jesus do?” the more I realized that I do not have to take you to Jesus in every devotion. Even God in His Holy Word does not take us to Jesus on every page, but He does teach us the whole counsel of God over several pages. Thus, prayerfully and hopefully these devotions will take you to see Jesus, yet they will also help you to understand the whole counsel of God. So, do not stop after one devotion. Read them all.

One more thought, it is also my hope, as you read these devotions, that you come to a clear understanding of the central doctrine of the catechism and of Lutheran theology, and that is the doctrine of justification. It is this doctrine of justification, that is that we are made just and right, forgiven and saved by God’s grace, which He gives to us through faith, which He gives to us in Jesus Christ and His work alone. This distinction can be seen by listening to and following who is running the show, sinful human beings or Jesus.