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
Sixth Sunday After Trinity
July 12, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 5:(17-19) 20-26
Daily Lectionary: Judges 7:1-23; Judges 7:24-12:15; Galatians 1:1-24
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus is clear: He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. And He is doubly clear that unless a person’s righteousness is more than the righteousness of the leading religi...
Saturday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 11, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 6 - Psalm 28:1-2, 7; antiphon: Psalm 28:8-9
Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21
“Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever” (Psalm 28:9)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
In Psalm 28:9, David prays that God would save his “people” and bless his “heritage.” He then adds the image of a shepherd and his flock: “Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Psalm 23 and John 10 immediately come to mind. Yet what about thi...
Friday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 10, 2026
Today's Reading: Acts 14:19-15:5
Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:1-24; Acts 14:19-15:5
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
After preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Greeks in Iconium, Paul remained there a while, “speaking boldly in the Lord” (Acts 14:3), before departing for Lystra. However, a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed that Satan shot his flaming darts through the “poison” of the unbelieving Jews. He sowed the seeds of d...
Thursday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 9, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - The Conclusion
Daily Lectionary: Judges 4:1-24; Judges 5:1-31; Acts 14:1-18
“He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us.”
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
When Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11, he not only teaches them what to pray for, but also how to pray. There, he tells the parable of a man who goes to his friend at midnight...
Wednesday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 8, 2026
Today's Reading: Acts 13:42-52
Daily Lectionary: Judges 3:7-31; Acts 13:42-52
“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What were “these things” that those in Antioch to whom Paul preached wanted to hear about the next Sabbath? What are “these things” that Paul preached, which stirred the Jews and proselytes to follow Paul and Barnabas? Put simply, “these things”...
Tuesday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 7, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Daily Lectionary: Judges 2:6-23; Acts 13:13-41
“The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Each Sunday, amid a deeply disordered and violent world, we preach Christ crucified. We preach what the world calls foolish, weak, and despised. We preach a Savior who bore every sin in his body on the tree, who suffered the greatest evils this world has ev...
Monday of the Fifth Week After Trinity
July 6, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Kings 19:11-21
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Judges 1:1-36; Acts 13:1-12
“I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life” (1 Kings 19:10, 14)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Elijah, wearied from forty days and forty nights of wandering toward Mount Horeb, waits in the cave for “the word of the Lord.” He waits alone, afraid for his life. If it were only Jezebel who sought to kill him, perhaps he could endure it—but it is not j...
Fifth Sunday After Trinity
July 5, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 23:1-16; Acts 12:1-25
“And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets’” (Luke 5:5)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus blesses these unsuccessful fishermen with the greatest catch of all time, and through His blessing assures them and us that he will never let the godly grow hungry. He will give us bread and fish and will satisfy...
Saturday of the Fourth Week After Trinity
July 4, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 5 - Psalm 27:1a, 11-12, 14; antiphon: Psalm 27:7, 9b
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25; Joshua 10:28-22:34; Acts 11:19-30
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
As a young child, I don’t really think I was scared of the dark; I just didn’t like it. I wanted to be able to see where I was walking if I got up. And ther...
Friday of the Fourth Week After Trinity
July 3, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 7th Petition
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28; Acts 11:1-18
“But deliver us from evil. What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.” (Small Catechism: Lord’s Prayer - 7th Petition)
In the Name +...
The Visitation
July 2, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48
“‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42b)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Saint Elizabeth was blessed. Her young relative from Nazareth had arrived at her home, and she was happy to see her. You can just see her in your mind, coming to the doorway, seeing Mary, and shrieking with excitement! The crazy thing is, the Blesse...
Wednesday of the Fourth Week After Trinity
July 1, 2026
Today's Reading: Romans 12:14-21 or Romans 8:18-23
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 6:6-27; Acts 10:18-33
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It’s like Paul is saying, “Don’t lower yourselves to their level.” Only he isn’t wording it condescendingly or negatively. “Win them over by love and goodness.” Yes, that is more like it.
When Paul had been the Pharisee of Pharis...
Tuesday of the Fourth Week After Trinity
June 30, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 50:15-21
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Joseph’s brothers had a lot of specks in their eyes. They had gone for two decades without seeing him, after their tempers grew short that dreadful day. Nine of them w...
St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles
June 29, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24; Acts 9:23-43
“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Peter and Paul. The “Prince of the Apostles” and the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” They both are great movers and shakers in the first generation of the New Testament Church—heroes of the faith. And we re...
Fourth Sunday After Trinity
June 28, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 6:36-42
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17; Acts 9:1-22
“…first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.” (Luke 6:36)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
If you have flown, you have heard the spiel. In the event that the oxygen masks are activated, put your own mask on first, then assist others. What?! For a Christian, that seems so bac...
Saturday of the Third Week After Trinity
June 27, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 4 - Psalm 27:3-4a, 5; antiphon: Psalm 27:1-2
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” Out of the nothingness and darkness, God spoke, and light was created. And God said it was good. John’s gospel o...
Friday of the Third Week After Trinity
June 26, 2026
Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-25
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 8:1-25
“Now when Simon [the magician] saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 8:18–19)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Simon the magician likes a spectacle. He profited from the deeds and signs he performed. The people calle...
Thursday of the Third Week After Trinity
June 25, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 6th Petition
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25
And lead us not into temptation.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer is chiefly for comfort. It is not a way to barter with God for what we want, like a cosmic vending machine. It is a Gift our Heavenly Father gives to us to be a balm in a hurting world. When we pray the words Jesus gave us, t...
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
June 24, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:19-31
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Everything John the Baptist did pointed to the Messiah. His father, Zechariah, prophesied John “would go before the Lord, to prepare His way to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” John preached in the wilderness, calling the peop...
Tuesday of the Third Week After Trinity
June 23, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 or 1 Peter 5:6-11
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; Prov 28:1-29:27; John 20:1-18
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
St. Paul is not looking for sympathy. When he says he is foremost or chief of sinners, he is not self-deprecating. He is not looking for Timothy to say, “Oh...
Monday of the Third Week After Trinity
June 22, 2026
Today's Reading: Micah 7:18-20
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; Prov: 26:1-28; John 19:23-42
“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Satan’s head is crushed by the bruised heel of Christ. That is where your iniquities lie - crushed into dust under the feet of a victorious God. Rotting in the belly of a gr...
Third Sunday After Trinity
June 21, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-10 or Luke 15:11-32
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 24:1-22; John 19:1-22
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
You would expect a father to be furious with his son. First, this son asks for his inheritance while his father is still living - implying that his father is better to him...
Saturday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 20, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 3 - Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:16, 18
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-40
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” (Psalm 25:16, 18)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Loneliness hurts. Suffering hurts. Having troubles hurts. Knowing I’ve sinned hurts. Being sinned against hurts. There is a lot of hurt in this broken world. Life c...
Friday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 19, 2026
Today's Reading: John 18:1-14
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:1-21; John 18:1-14
“So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?’” (John 18:11)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Whenever Peter is involved, I usually end up cringing, feeling embarrassed on his behalf, or trying to justify his choices (because I see myself in them). Here’s the thing. Peter always seems to try. He walks out...
Thursday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 18, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 5th Petition
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; Proverbs 21:1-31; John 17:1-26
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. (The Fifth Petition, The Lord’s Prayer)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus taught us to pray boldly. We are coming to the Father with these words ‘‘forgive us our trespasses.’ We aren’t bartering. We aren’t conjoling. We aren’t suggesting that ‘we’ll get the tab next...
Wednesday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 17, 2026
Today's Reading: John 16:17-33
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 17:1-28; Proverbs 18:1-20:4; John 16:17-33
“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” (John 16:27-28)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
How amazing are these words!?! Jesus is vouching FOR US! He is claiming us befo...
Tuesday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 16, 2026
Today's Reading: Ephesians 2:13-22 or 1 John 3:13-18
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 16:1-24; John 16:1-16
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever been excluded? Perhaps you were picked last for a game or event. Maybe your interests aren’t ones that are seen as ‘cool.’ Or maybe the issue is bigger than that. Your parents are divorc...
Monday of the Second Week After Trinity
June 15, 2026
Today's Reading: Proverbs 9:1-10
Daily Lectionary:Proverbs 15:1-29; John 15:12-27
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever had a conversation with a toddler? They are sure of everything. They know how to put on their shoes. They know how to get dressed. They know what they want to eat. They KNOW!
A...
Second Sunday After Trinity
Today's Reading: Luke 14:15-24
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 14:1-27; John 15:1-11
“And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses.” (Luke 14:17-18a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever really looked forward to a celebration or a meal? Perhaps it’s your birthday - you just KNOW that your mom is going to make your favorite foods and...
Saturday of the First Week After Trinity
June 13, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 2 - Psalm 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Psalm 18:18b-19
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 13:1-25; John 14:18-31
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,” (Psalm 18:1-2a)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
These are words of witness. They speak of who God is and what He does for His people.
The Lord is our strength. And yet, I get...
Friday of the First Week After Trinity
June 12, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 4th Petition
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 10:1-23; Proverbs 11:1-12:28; John 14:1-17
What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
We need to be reminded to be grateful. Ouch. A quick ‘thanks,’ is su...
St. Barnabas, Apostle
June 11, 2026
Today's Reading: Mark 6:7-13
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 9:1-18; John 13:21-38
“And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Disciples are followers of Jesus - literally. Before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples went where He went. They did what He did. He taught, they listened. In this account in Mark, Jesus sends out the Twelve apostles. These men wer...
Wednesday of the First Week After Trinity
June 10, 2026
Today's Reading: John 13:1-20
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 8:22-36; John 13:1-20
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Do you get anxious before a big event? Maybe you get really excited; all those butterflies of anticipation are fluttering in yo...
Tuesday of the First Week After Trinity
June 9, 2026
Today's Reading: 1 John 4:16-21
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 8:1-21; John 12:36b-50
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
I have to admit, I like to be first. In school, I liked it when I was done with my homework first, and I liked it when I ran a race and got first place. Even now, I like it when my favorite team gets first. I want to win. I want to be...
Monday of the First Week After Trinity
June 8, 2026
Today's Reading: Genesis 15:1-6
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 5:1-23; Proverbs 6:1-7:27; John 12:20-36a
“But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’” (Genesis 15:2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Perhaps Abram has a point. At age 75, he was called by God to leave his home and travel to a new land, but life has been fraught with problems. There was a famine...
First Sunday After Trinity
June 7, 2026
Today's Reading: Luke 16:19-31
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 4:1-27; John 12:1-19
“He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
At first glance, today’s reading seems to suggest that life is the luck of the draw. The rich guy had it good during his earthly life, while Lazarus had it rough. And, because it is only...
Saturday of the Week of Holy Trinity
June 6, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 1 - Psalm 13:1-4; antiphon: Psalm 13:5-6
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 3:5-24; John 11:38-57
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, ‘I have...
Friday of the Week of Holy Trinity
June 5, 2026
Today's Reading: John 11:17-37
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 1:8-33; John 11:17-37
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
If you’ve been to a Lutheran Funeral, you have likely heard those words. In the Funeral order, the pastor speaks the words, the congregation speaks the Nunc Dimittis (Lord...
Thursday of the Week of Holy Trinity
June 4, 2026
Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer 3rd Petition
Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14; John 11:1-16
God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will. (The Small Catechism, The Lord’s Prayer, The Third Petition)
Wednesday of the Week of Holy Trinity
June 3, 2026
Today's Reading: John 10:22–42
Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 11:1-10; John 10:22-42
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’” (John 10:27-30)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
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