Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on October 31, 1517 on the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany, questioning the teachings of the Catholic church.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

(Matthew 9:37-38 -- ESV)

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; ²⁷ and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

(Romans 1:26-27 -- ESV)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed.

(1 Peter 2:24 -- ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(Matthew 11:28 -- ESV)

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

(1 John 2:15-16 -- ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

(Proverbs 17:22 -- ESV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 
(James 1:17 -- ESV)

Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
(Luke 12:48b -- ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16 -- ESV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16 -- ESV)








And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:9 -- ESV)

As the old saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." 
Converting unbelievers isn't our job . . . just show them the "water." 
_______________

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 
(1 Corinthians 3:6-7 -- ESV)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
(Romans 10:17 -- ESV)

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”
(Martin Luther)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Romans 12:2 -- ESV)

Praise the Lord!  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

(Psalm 106:1 -- ESV)

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.  
And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed.
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has risen; he is not here.  See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee.  There you will see him, just as he told you.”

(Mark 16:5-7 -- ESV)

The jack-o'-lantern legend, according to the Wikipedia of Halloweens past (World Book encyclopedia) . . .

 
 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

(John 8:12 -- ESV)

It wasn't all bad for the Native Americans (a.k.a. indigenous Americans). 

Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light

(Ephesians 5:7-8 -- ESV)

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.


(Matthew 5:15-16 -- ESV)

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.  ¹⁶ You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

(Psalm 145:15-16 -- NIV)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Galatians 1:3-5 -- ESV)

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.  And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

(Acts 11:26 -- ESV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:13 -- NKJV)

www.StevertS.com

Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. 
But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.

(Jeremiah 8:7 -- NIV)

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;  let the sea roar, and all that fills it;  ¹²let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy ¹³before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

(Psalm 96:11-13 -- ESV)

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.

(Jude 2:24-25 -- ESV)

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

(Proverbs 20:4 -- ESV)

Another seven-second sermon . . .

 

 
 

That's a switch.

Happy Friday . . .

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Psalm 16:11 -- ESV)