Reflections
Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org
The Conversion of St. Paul
January 25, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 19:27-30
Daily Lectionary: Zechariah 1:1-21; Romans 14:1-23
“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Has anyone ever made such a complete 180-degree turn in life as St. Paul? Writing to Pastor Timothy, St. Paul confesses, “formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” of the Christian faith (1 Timothy 1:13). He lists “persecutor of the church” as one of his bonafide to...
St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor
January 24, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 24:42-47
Daily Lectionary: Joel 3:1-21; Romans 12:14-13:14
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
In the space of just a couple of verses, Jesus plays the part both of a midnight thief and a delayed master. This fits with the broader context of Matthew 24, where Jesus prea...
Friday of the Second Week After the Epiphany
January 23, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for The Transfiguration of Our Lord - Psalm 84:1-2a, 4, 10-11; antiphon: Psalm 77:18b
Daily Lectionary: Joel 2:18-32; Romans 11:25-12:13
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” (Psalm 84:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
When Peter saw the Lord Jesus transfigured on the mountain with Moses and Elijah standing beside him, he offered to build three tents (Mark 9:5). Perhaps this was a purely practical response, to provide some shel...
Thursday of the Second Week After the Epiphany
January 22, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: Second Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Joel 2:1-17; Romans 11:1-24
“To confuse the devil, I say, we should always have this holy name in our mouth, so that the devil may not be able to injure us as he wishes.” (Large Catechism I 72)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever considered that the first person in the Bible to invoke the name of God was the devil? “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). It’s not God’s pe...
Wednesday of the Second Week After the Epiphany
January 21, 2026
Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33 or Romans 12:6-16
Daily Lectionary: Joel 1:1-20; Romans 10:1-21
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Love does not exist apart from those who love and those things they love. Love is intentional; that is, it is always aimed at something. Love finds delight in that which is beloved and is drawn to it. Love is not simply an e...
Tuesday of the Second Week After the Epiphany
January 20, 2026
Today's Reading: Exodus 33:12-23 or Amos 9:11-15
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 47:1-14, 21-23; Romans 9:19-33
“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’” (Exodus 33:18)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Moses has a request for the Lord. “Please show me your glory.” It is an odd request, considering that Moses had already seen the Lord’s glory. In the burning bush, Moses saw the Lord’s glory. In the Exodus, the Lord’s glory went before them and behind th...
Monday of the Second Week After the Epiphany
January 19, 2026
Today's Reading: John 2:1-11
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 44:1-16, 23-29; Romans 9:1-18
“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee” (John 2:1a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee…” Starting John’s Gospel at 2:1 needs a little more context. Third day of what? We need to go back a chapter.
Three days before the wedding, Jesus called...
The Confession of St. Peter
January 18, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 8:27-35 (36-9:1)
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-12; Ezekiel 40:5-42:20; 43:13-27; Romans 8:18-39
“And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.” (Mark 8:29-30)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus must have missed the evangelism workshop. As Christians, we’re supposed to tell everyone about Jesus, right? But when Peter very plainly—a...
Saturday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 17, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Epiphany 2 - Psalm 66:1-5, 20; antiphon: Psalm 66:4; 92:1
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 39:1-10, 17-29; Romans 7:21-8:17
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.’" (From the Introit for Epiphany 2)
In the Name +...
Friday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 16, 2026
Today's Reading: Romans 7:1-20
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 38:1-23; Romans 7:1-20
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me...
Thursday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 15, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: First Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 37:15-28; Romans 6:1-23
“You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” (The Small Catechism, The First Commandment)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
One of my favorite exercises in Confirmation is having the confirmands noodle on the question of how many commandments you can break at one time with one sin. It is alwa...
Wednesday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 14, 2026
Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36:33-37:14
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:33-37:14; Romans 5:1-21
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” (Ezekiel 37:9–10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
One of the mos...
Tuesday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 13, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4:1-25
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Are you clever and witty? Able to turn a phrase in a wa...
Monday of the First Week After the Epiphany
January 12, 2026
Today's Reading: Joshua 3:1-3, 7-8, 13-17 or Isaiah 42:1-7
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 34:1-24; Romans 3:19-31
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6–7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Too often, we see the Old Testament—and especial...
Baptism of Our Lord
January 11, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 33:1-20; Romans 3:1-18
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’" (Matthew 3:13-15)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
John the Baptist was right, you know. Jesus had no need to be baptized. He is God made M...
Saturday After The Epiphany
January 10, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for The Baptism of Our Lord - Psalm 89:1, 26-28; antiphon: Liturgical Text; Psalm 89:20
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Ezekiel 19:1-24:27; Romans 2:17-29
“I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will s...
Friday After The Epiphany
January 9, 2026
Today's Reading: Ezekiel 3:12-27
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 3:12-27; Ezekiel 4:1-11:25; Romans 2:1-16
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me…But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 3:17, 27)
In the Name + of Jesus...
Thursday After the Epiphany
January 8, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of Duties: To Everyone
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 2:1-3:11; Romans 1:18-32
“The commandments...are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Romans 13:9)
I urge…that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1)” (Small Catechism, Table of Duties, To Everyone)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Do you want to fulfill God’s Law perfectly? It isn’t difficult. Jesus said to one of the Pharisees who questioned him about the Law that loving God with every fiber...
Wednesday After the Epiphany
January 7, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 1:1-14, 22-28; Habakkuk 1:1-3:19; Romans 1:1-17
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away fro...
The Epiphany of Our Lord
January 6, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 66:1-20; Luke 3:21-38
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Strange men visiting from a foreign country, stately men bowing down to a toddler, and very odd gifts being given—the Feast of Epiphany can certainly seem a...
Monday of the Second Week After Christmas
January 5, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 46:1-7
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 65:8-25; Luke 3:1-20
“I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:3-4)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Several years ago, I received a Divine Call away from my home state. It was an existential crisis for me...
Second Sunday After Christmas
January 4, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:13-23
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 63:15-65:7; Luke 2:41-52
“And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Matthew 2:14-15)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
There is a deep thread of exodus that flows through Holy Scripture. And so often, that exodus crosses a body of water. God calls his people out of Egypt...
Saturday of the First Week After Christmas
January 3, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Second Sunday After Christmas - Psalm 8:1, 4-6; antiphon: Psalm 8:2
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 63:1-14; Luke 2:21-40
“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Christmas provides us with a unique lens to contemplate Psalm 8:2. Almighty God stills the enemy and the avenger. To still in the Hebrew is “lehashbit.” It is where we get the word “sabbath.” It means to cease or to...
Friday of the First Week After Christmas
January 2, 2026
Today's Reading: Galatians 4:1-7
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 62:1-12; Luke 2:1-20
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The word Paul uses for time here is "chronos," meaning clock time. The ticking of seconds. The seconds turned to minutes. The minutes adding to hours. The passing of days and the unfolding of hist...
Circumcision and Name of Jesus
January 1, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 2:21
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 1:57-80
“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
There is something remarkable and yet so subtle in the Christmas story: the Holy Child of Bethlehem is not called Jesus until the eighth day when He is circumcised. Before verse 21, He is referred to as the baby, the child, Christ, and Lord, all glor...
Eve of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus
December 31, 2025
Today's Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 60:1-22; Luke 1:39-56
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes…You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:37, 40)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Awake and ready! These are the words our Lord Jesus uses to describe the mission of His disciples, you and I included. In other words, Christ Jesus has served us with His everlasting love and mercy given on the cross, and He...
Tuesday of the First Week After Christmas
December 30, 2025
Today's Reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 or 2 Samuel 7:1-16
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 58:1-59:3, 14-21; Luke 1:26-38
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…” (Isaiah 11:1-2a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Our lives and even this world (our newsfeeds, our headlines, our daily burdens) can so often feel like a dead stump. Hopeless. Lifeless. Good for nothing. Maybe your heart feels like that today; cut down & good f...
Monday of the First Week After Christmas
December 29, 2025
Today's Reading: Luke 2:(22-32) 33-40
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 55:1-13; Luke 1:1-25
“...for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples…” (Luke 2:30-31)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It is now the fifth day of Christmas, and what is it that you see? Do your eyes gaze on a tree that was once brimming with anticipation, gifts, and loved ones? But now does it feel like an empty shell? Do you look at your house, dormitory, or apartment and see emptin...
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
December 28, 2025
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:13-18
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 52:13-54:10; Matthew 2:13-23
“Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted for they are no more.’” (Matthew 2:17-18)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Christmas is war. That may sound jarring in our ears, but we cannot forget that truth. Yes, the incarnation of our Lord has raised up the sons of Adam out of the sinful curse of thorns a...
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
December 27, 2025
Today's Reading: John 21:20-25
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 51:17-52:12; Matthew 2:1-12
“If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It’s easy to make comparisons to others. The flesh wants to be on top, number one, the best at everything. You see it in children who cry and throw tantrums when they lose at something or feel slighted by another child. Adults are no differ...
St. Stephen, Martyr
December 26, 2025
Today's Reading: Matthew 23:34-39
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:22-26; 50:4-51:8, 12-16; Matthew 1:18-25
“Truly, I say to you all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:36)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
This text speaks about Jerusalem’s rejection of Christ. Prophets and wise men will come from God only to suffer death, a pattern history reveals in the examples of Abel and Zechariah the son of Barachiah, the latter being “murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.” Nevertheless, vindication will come...
The Feast of the Nativity
December 25, 2025
Today's Reading: John 1:1-18
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The words “in the beginning” take us back to Genesis. We know the story: a perfect, pristine creation by God in six days comes crashing down under the curse of sin by one man’s trespass...
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025
Today's Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 44:21-45:13, 20-25; Daniel 10:1-12:13; Isaiah 48:1-22; Revelation 12:1-17
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Isaiah 44:21-45:13 makes the point that God is in control of conducting affairs and uses people according to His good and gracious will. His Word won’t return void but always accomplishes His purpose. So, despite how chaoti...
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Advent
December 23, 2025
Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-19
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:25-44:20; Revelation 11:1-19
“…I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
God charges every prophet, disciple, apostle, and pastor to speak His Word; thus, the wide sense of Deuteronomy 18:18. God gives His Word to His men bearing the task of speaking the full counsel of the divine Word. God desires His office bearers to speak what H...
Monday of the Fourth Week in Advent
December 22, 2025
Today's Reading: John 1:19-28
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-24; Revelation 9:13-10:11
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said” (John 1:23)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The Pharisees sent priests and Levites to scope out the preacher, the first of many encounters between God and His enemies recorded in the Gospels. Their questions aren’t for idle curiosity and genuine desire for the truth. The higher-ups want to kno...
St. Thomas, Apostle
December 21, 2025
Today's Reading: John 20:24-29
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-25; Revelation 9:1-12
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Thomas refused to believe his brothers’ testimony of the risen Christ. He wanted concrete proof, a living body he could feel, a real visual for the eyes. This makes sense. Jesus had prophesied His resurrection, and Thomas wanted evidence. Why would he give up everything for a lie? He’s doubting, thus the moni...
Saturday of the Third Week in Advent
December 20, 2025
Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 4 - Psalm 19:1, 4-6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:18-41:10; Revelation 8:1-13
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The heavens declare. The sky proclaims. The glory of God is spoken. The handiwork of God is revealed. Creation itself shows us who God is. Not fully; we have the Scriptures to tell us in detail who God is and of His great sacrifice on the cross on our behalf...
Friday of the Third Week in Advent
December 19, 2025
Today's Reading: Revelation 7:1-17
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17
"These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14b)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
As we said on Wednesday, Revelation is not a timeline of the last days, but an image of Christ and His Church at all times. And also, there is once again a difference between what is heard and what is seen. 144,000 is 12 (the number of...
Thursday of the Third Week in Advent
December 18, 2025
Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of Duties: To Widows
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10; Micah 1:1-7:20; Revelation 6:1-17
"She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives." (1 Timothy 5:5-6)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The Table of Duties tells us how we should live in the vocations that the Lord has placed us in. Even though not very many reading these...
Wednesday of the Third Week in Advent
December 17, 2025
Today's Reading: Revelation 5:1-14
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 33:1-24; Revelation 5:1-14
"...I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain..." (Revelation 5:6)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Revelation is not a timeline of the last days, but an image of Christ and His Church at all times. Sure, the pictures described inside make the imagination run wild. But all of Scripture tells us about Jesus and what He has done for us. This chapter is no different.
There is only one worthy to open or c...
