July 13, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 10:25-37

Daily Lectionary: Judges 13:1-25; Ruth 1:1-4:22; Galatians 2:1-21

“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’” (Luke 10:25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Do you see it? Do you see how the lawyer already misstepped?

I suppose we could start with how he *dares* to question Jesus, or that he wants to ‘put him to the test.’ But let’s talk about the biggest misstep of all—the one that all sinners make (including you and me).

The lawyer’s question asks, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He, a sinner, thinks he can achieve eternal life. He, a sinner, thinks he can work hard enough or do enough to ‘earn’ it.

The reality is, there is no amount of work that any sinner can do to get eternal life. This lawyer forgot, and we sinners routinely (daily) forget, that we are completely tainted with original sin. We have a condition. We have a death sentence. We have an incurable infection. No amount of work, attempts, or restarts is going to cure it.

Even before the lawyer asked this question, he had it wrong. When we look at grace, mercy, forgiveness, or eternal life as ‘achievable’ or earned by our works, we have it wrong. We want a way to save ourselves; we, like the lawyer, want to justify ourselves and our good works. We want to control our destiny.

Inheritances are received, usually by an heir, after someone’s death. Through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, His heirs, including you, receive eternal life. In Baptism, Jesus drowned the Old Adam and created a New Man; He killed the root of the original sin infection. In Baptism, He claims you as His. In Baptism, you receive forgiveness, life, rescue, and eternal life. You receive it! You don’t work for it! It is a Gift and it is yours!

Dear redeemed sinner, the next time you might want to work for your salvation, or ask God for a chance to ‘work for your eternal life,’ repent. Make the sign of the cross. Remember your Baptism. Go to church and hear the Gospel. Receive Jesus’ Body and Blood given and shed for you. You are a Beloved child of God, named as one of His heirs; all that He has, He gives freely to you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, in your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us. Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (LSB Collect of the Day)

- Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

July 12, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 5 - Psalm 136:23-26; antiphon: Psalm 136:1

Daily Lectionary: Judges 7:1-23; Judges 7:24-12:15; Galatians 1:1-24

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Thanksgiving has become “turkey day” in the United States (or tofurkey day if you are vegetarian or vegan). Thanksgiving in Canada is in October (that’s different). Some people eat cranberry “stuff” from a can, and others make fresh cranberries (you will know them because they will tell you incessantly how good their fresh cranberries are). I would say that mashed potatoes are a must, but people differ in their love or hate of lumps in their mashed potatoes (even if they have never mashed a potato in their life). I could go on, but I won't. The only thing that we all agree on is that we are thankful when it is over. Dealing with family can be exhausting. Getting ready to go shopping on Black Friday can be even more exhausting. We gather together under the guise that we are thankful but really want to control the situation to our liking. We are thankful for things being our way. But that is not what God intends.

God intends for us to be thankful all the time, not just seasonally or when it suits us. God is good all the time, not sporadically or when He feels like it. God is good when the sun shines, and the rain falls. God is good when the temperature is above 100 degrees and when it is 20 below. God’s love is ours when we are at our best and when we are at our worst. We give thanks to God because He is good, not because good things are happening to us, and certainly not because we are good, because we are not good enough.

So we give thanks to God on the good days and the bad. We give thanks to God then we are hungry and when we are full. We give thanks to God when we have no money and when we have plenty. We give thanks to God from the time we are born to the time we die because He is good. Eat turkey and give thanks. Celebrate Thanksgiving in October and give thanks. Eat whatever kind of cranberries and give thanks. Give thanks at Christmas, Easter, Veteran’s Day, and the 4th of July. Give thanks today because God is good.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done in whom His world rejoices; Who from our mothers arms has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love and still is ours today. (LSB 895:1)

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 11, 2025

Today's Reading: Acts 15:6-21

Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21

“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When I was a child I remember watching television with commercials! (Yes I am old). I seem to remember a number of commercials advertising different toys that all come in “assorted colors and styles.” It did not matter what the toys were, there was a variety of them. Similar yet different. Same name, different color. The description matched but it was a different size or shape. But all of them were toys! Toys to be played with, by ME perhaps. The commercials gave a sense of hope and optimism that those toys could be mine.

I was usually knocked back into reality when I did not get that toy. Not every toy could be mine, so I was jealous of my friends who had those cool toys. I wanted to be like them. Occasionally, I had the toy others wanted…and I liked that. No matter the circumstance, there was always some inequality. Something was unfair. It always seemed like life was out of balance.

But not with Jesus. No, Jesus is fair. Jesus loves everybody. Jesus always forgives. Everyone is the same to Jesus. This all sounds great…until…I meet someone who says that they love Jesus, but they are not like me. Don’t get me wrong; I know that believers in Jesus come in all shapes and sizes, young and old, from all over the world. I love that about the church. What I am talking about is when someone different comes into church. This person may look or talk differently, may have been born elsewhere, or think about the world and stuff differently than me. Jesus loves all of us, but didn’t they know how different they are (and how uncomfortable that actually makes me)?

When Jesus died and rose again, He did that for all people, to atone for the sins of everyone. In the waters of your Baptism, the Holy Spirit gives you faith and empowers you to live a life that you are humanly unable to do. So their faith is like my faith; their works are like my works. We are just in assorted colors and styles. God loves all of us equally because it is all His saving work and His sanctifying grace—no cooler toys. With Jesus, we are all the same. Praise God!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus! We praise you for your grace to us. Strengthen our faith that we might witness boldly to your great love for us. May others see your work in our lives and be emboldened in their love for you. Help us to love others as you have first loved us. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 10, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - Second

Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:1-24; Acts 14:19-15:5

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Second – What benefits does baptism give?

It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Praise God! It works. Baptism works. This is God's grace to us. It is not us doing the work; it is God Himself through the sacrament of holy baptism for you. God forgives you. God rescues you. God saves you eternally. It is all God, not us. That is how it works.

As you grow up, you will probably get a job. When you get a job, you have to do that job; you might have to “go to” that job…In other words, it might not be at your house. A job is work, your work. That is why you get compensated for it, usually with money and benefits. And you have to work for so many hours to get so much money. That is how you work. If you don't work, you don't get paid. That is also how you work. If you cannot be at your job for a day or a week, you have to take sick days or vacation days. You have to earn sick days or vacation days so that you can take time off. That is, again, how YOU work.

However, in Baptism, God does not work as the world works. Baptism is God's Gift to you. In the waters of your Baptism, God chose you. You did not decide for Jesus to come into your heart; God placed his mark on you. The world will try to tell you. That it is about the work of your hands. The stuff your hands do will break. Your work will fall short. In other words…it will not be good enough. The devil himself will torment you with this and make you question the efficacy of God’s work by making you focus on your own. Satan will make you think that you do not deserve God's love and that you cannot merit eternal salvation by the work of your hands. And you know what? He's right. So next time, tell the devil what made you right. God did.

Baptism does what you cannot. In baptism, God forgives you, rescues you, and saves you. This is God's grace to us. Baptism works. IT WORKS! Praise God!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I’ve traveled, All your might has come unraveled, And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me! (LSB 594:3)

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 9, 2025

Today's Reading: Acts 14:1-18

Daily Lectionary: Judges 4:1-24; Judges 5:1-31; Acts 14:1-18

“In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’” (Acts 14:8-11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God is awesome. God does incredible things every day. When you look around you see God working in creation over and over again. This is exactly what happened that day. God works through Paul to heal this man in Lystra. This man had never walked. Paul saw his faith and told him to do that which he never had. His faith made him well, so well, in fact, that he didn't just stand up; he jumped up. This wasn’t a better situation, this was the best possible scenario.

However, people are not so smart. (Not just these people, all people, even you and me). People are arrogant and prideful and like to pretend that they understand what is happening, even when they don't. People that day saw god heal that man, but said it was Zeus! People today will see God do amazing things in your life and bless you in incredible ways and (they won’t give Zeus credit, probably) they will say things like; it is luck, it is coincidence, it is fate, or (the worst one) that you were able to “manifest” good things by “thinking about them.” We poor sinners take credit away from God and His goodness any chance that we get.

Today, this week, and this month, God will bless you. I do not know how, and neither do you. Bad things will probably happen; I do not know what, and neither do you. But just because you do not know does not change that…God will be with you. In His great love for you, God is with you no matter what. God is not the blue genie from Aladdin waiting to grant your wishes, and He certainly is not waiting around for you to “manifest” it yourself. God will provide for you, bless you, love you, and forgive you. The world will not understand. But by faith…you will.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, open our eyes today to see your great work in your world around us. Strengthen our faith that we might see you more clearly. Bless our words and deeds so that others might be strengthened in their faith in You, the only true God. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 8, 2025

Today's Reading: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18

Daily Lectionary: Judges 3:7-31; Acts 13:42-52

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I can't focus. I'm distracted. I can't do what I want to do. I'm just trying to do my homework. I'm just trying to do my chores. No matter how much I try to check off my to-do list, my eyes always wander, and my thoughts are not focused on the tasks at hand. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO.

These are strong words from Paul for the church in Galatia, and they have not softened in 2000 years. This is a lofty goal and a difficult to-do list: DO NOT GROW WEARY OF DOING GOOD.

You know why? Because that is the first thing that we grow tired of. We poor, miserable sinners want to do good for about 3.2 seconds, and then we become selfish. We want to do anything else. We are lazy. We don’t have the energy to do good. We are bored. We can’t be bothered with the needs of others. Our need comes first, and then we sin. We can’t do it on our own.

That is how Christ did good (the ultimate GOOD) for us. Our needs came first. Jesus did good for us because we could not. We have eternal salvation in Christ because He did not give up on us.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can, and will, do good. You will make good choices and God will bring forth fruit from those good choices. We should pray for strength and opportunities to make good choices and put ourselves in situations that help us to do good.

However, you are your own person. Good choices are not always easy. You will get distracted, and you will FAIL. You will FALL SHORT. You will make BAD CHOICES. And you know what…God will continue to LOVE YOU, FORGIVE YOU, and GIVE YOU another chance to do good.

God’s love for you is always there. He is always good (even and especially when we aren’t). God has so much to do, and He takes care of you. God is focused on you because He loves you. God is GOOD, and He does not give up on us.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, keep our eyes focused on you. You have done the ultimate good for us. Empower us with the strength to share that good with others. May we love as you have loved us. May we forgive as you have forgiven us. May we live lives reflective of your love. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 7, 2025

Today's Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14

Daily Lectionary: Judges 2:6-23; Acts 13:13-41

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You might be at an age where you do not feel like you need “comfort” from your mom or dad. If you get hurt (it is no longer a boo-boo or an owie), you can simply console yourself. You do not need mommy (or daddy) to kiss it and make it better anymore. That time has gone. You are older and more mature. You simply do not need such things. That is not who you are anymore.

That is what the devil wants you to think. Satan wants you to feel COMPLETELY SELF-SUFFICIENT. He wants you to think that you do not need your parents, or anyone else, or even God to make it through this life. The worldly phrase is “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” In other words, do it yourself. But then, when things go bad, and they inevitably will, it is no one’s fault but yours. It is your fault, your guilt, your debt…it is you separating you from your heavenly Father and His peace.

Before you were aware (of anything!), God was there. Before you were born, God knew you. Before you could articulate faith or express your love for God, He loved you. God has always been there for you and will always be. Whether you know it or not, you have a connection to God that will never go away.

Why is that important? Because life is hard. Sin affects us. We cannot handle it all on our own. The world is telling us to try harder, and it seems to be getting worse. The more I do, the more difficult it is. No matter how good you are, you are not good enough.

People in your life will come and go (maybe even your mom or dad). God is always there for you. On the good days, God is there. On the bad days, God is there. On the best day of your life, God is there. On the worst day of your life, God is there…for you. Always. Forever. God comforts you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Father in heaven, you are the author and source of all consolation, the great provider. May we always look to you for comfort and assurance in a world that is neither comforting nor assuring. Fill us with your Spirit that we might be strengthened in our faith and share your love through word and deed. In Jesus' name. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 6, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Judges 1:1-36; Acts 13:1-12

“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus sent the 72. He called them. He sent them out. There was, after all, work to be done, and lots of it. So Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, called 72 ordinary people and equipped them for service in His Kingdom. They would carry His peace. They would heal the sick, drive out demons, and have the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions. Jesus called them to leave the comfort and security of their homes so that they would carry the love of God into people’s lives. Jesus called them to bring light to the darkness. Christ Himself equipped them to deliver the Gifts of salvation.

I never leave my house without three things. They are important. They are necessary. I would go back home to get them if I had forgotten. That is why, as I prepare to leave, I ask myself, “Do I have my wallet, keys, and my phone?” I cannot do most things without them. I need my keys to go anywhere (I live six miles from town) and to get in when I get there. I need my phone to be able to call someone (yes, I am old enough that my iPhone actually gets used to make phone calls), or to look something up. I need my wallet to pay for stuff (but I can do that from my phone now, too), but more importantly than that, my wallet has my ID—my identification. My ID tells me (and others) who I am. I know who I am, and I can go and do what needs to be done.

In the waters of your Baptism, Christ claimed you as His own and marked you as one redeemed. In that life-giving water, God bestows on you Gifts. You have God’s Gifts to share His love and shine His light. God will do awesome things through you, not because you are awesome but because He has made you awesome. You might be able to leave home without your wallet, keys, or phone, but you can’t leave home without Jesus. He called you by name.“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.