Reflections

August 11, 2026 

Today's Reading: Romans 9:30-10:4 or 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 26:1-25; 1 Samuel 27:1-28:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When I converted to Lutheranism in 2005, I was amazed by the clarity of confession and the certainty of the Lutherans I met. Though I had grown up in and around the church, I didn’t understand much of what was being said; however, every t...

August 10, 2026 

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 8:4-12 or Jeremiah 7:1-11

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 25:23-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

“I have paid attention and listened…” (Jeremiah 8:6a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When I was little, I learned to hammer nails into boards. Part of that process, unfortunately, included smashing my thumb with the hammer. The wise counsel of adults was to: “Stop hitting your thumb with the hammer, and it won’t hurt.” It was true! I hit my thumb less nowadays, but there’s more...

August 9, 2026 

Today's Reading: Luke 19:41-48

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 25:1-22; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

“Would that you… had known on this day the things that make for peace!” (Luke 19:42)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus sees His beloved city and her people carrying on in great busyness and happiness in preparation for the Passover celebration… so why does Jesus weep? Why the turning over of the money changers' tables? Because the people thought that maintaining longstanding traditions since the first Passover and making mo...

August 8, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 10 - Psalm 55:1, 4-5, 16; antiphon: Psalm 55:16a, 17b, 18a, 22a

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16

“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!” (Psalm 55:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Lord desires that we call upon Him in the day of trouble. That is what we learn in the opening to the Lord’s Prayer. We pray not to some big, scary God up...

August 7, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 21:1-9

“So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of Presence…” (1 Samuel 21:6a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Holy things for unholy people. That’s what happens in our text for today.

If you remember, David is on the run. Saul doesn’t like the man; he never has since that whole Goliath thing when the crowds gave David...

August 6, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - 4

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:1-23; Acts 28:16-31

“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Baptism isn’t a one-time thing. I mean, it is…. After all, we do confess in the Creed that we believe...

August 5, 2026

Today's Reading: Acts 28:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Acts 28:1-15

“After we were brought safely through…” (Acts 28:1a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It had been three long years since Paul had been arrested by a Jewish mob in Jerusalem and thrown before the High Priest Ananias. The Jews had made a plot to kill him, but that plot had been foiled, and he was skirted away to Caesarea to be put under the authority of Felix, the go...

August 4, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 18:10-30; Acts 27:27-44

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Paul is presenting a typology. Fancy word, I know, but it just means that one...

August 3, 2026

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 22:26-34

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:48-18:9; Acts 27:9-26

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God–his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:29-31)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

David isn’t...

August 2, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 16:1-9 (10-13)

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:20-47; Acts 26:24-27:8

“[Jesus said,] ‘The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.’” (Luke 16:8a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We want to make this parable about us— about us being the actor, about us being the active player; we want the Law to be the lens through which we view it. But, goodness, that is what we want to do with every parable. The problem is that th...

August 1, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 9 - Psalm 54:1-3, 7; antiphon: Psalm 54:4-5

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23

“For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 54:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

A Christian has enemies. From the moment when you were baptized, you became God’s child and Christ’s brother. But you also inherited Christ’s enemies: the devil, the world, and your flesh. Granted, n...

July 31, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Acts 25:13-27

“Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” (1 Samuel 16:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Martin Luther once observed that God’s gift of music was second only to His gift of theology. For no other discipline could drive away the devil...

July 30, 2026

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

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Acts 24:24-25:12

“How can water do such great things? Certainly not just water, but the Word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God’s Word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a wash...

July 29, 2026

Today's Reading: Acts 24:1-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 14:47-15:9; Acts 24:1-23

“So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” (Acts 24:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

There Paul stood, a prisoner before the Roman governor Felix. Jewish opponents stood spewing all kinds of false charges against Paul, all nasty things about his supposed guilt. The Roman governor was set to determine whether these charges were true or not. This was the...

July 28, 2026

Today's Reading: Acts 20:27-38 or Romans 8:12-17

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 13:1-18; Acts 23:12-35

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Were your ancestors slaves? Believe it or not, everyone should say yes. It doesn’t matter who your parents are, or your family lineage, or where your ances...

July 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23:16-29

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Acts 22:30-23:11

“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.” (Jeremiah 23:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Years ago, a man began attending my home church. He was enthusiastic, appreciated the Word that was preached, and it seemed like he was a potential new member. However, after the third time coming when the pastor was going to ask if h...

July 26, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 7:15-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 10:1-27; Acts 22:17-29

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

A wolf that looks like a sheep is deceitful. He passes himself off as if he were just like everyone else in the flock. Yet beneath that woolly coat lies a predator. A wolf dressed like a sheep is expecting a big lunch. He c...

July 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 10:35-45

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 9:1-27; Acts 21:37-22:16

“but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’” (Mark 10:40)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The sons of thunder don’t know what they’re asking for. “Let us sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left, in your glory.” I guess their nickname makes sense. It sounds like the...

July 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 8 - Psalm 48:1, 3, 11, 14; antiphon: Psalm 48:9-10

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Acts 21:15-36

“As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.” (Psalm 48:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Praise” gets met with hesitancy too much in our little pocket of Lutheranism. Yesterday’s reflection was about the dangers of enthusiasm. There are places where an insistence on praise goes awry. Measu...

July 23, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - 2

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 6:19-7:17; Acts 19:23-21:14; Acts 19:1-22

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.

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not be...

July 22, 2026

Today's Reading: John 20:1-2, 10-18

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 5:1-6:3, 10-16; Acts 18:1-11, 23-28

“They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’” (John 20:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Folks have spilled a lot of ink over Mary Magdalene’s chastity. Especially since the scriptures don’t ever name the prostitute who anoints the Lord’s feet with her tear...

July 21, 2026

Today's Reading: Romans 6:19-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 4:1-22; Acts 17:1-34; Acts 16:23-40

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Calling the faithful “slaves of God” in the year of our Lord 2025 feels uncomfortable. It feels like it needs a lot of context for what it isn’t. Paul doesn’t give it. Instead of his next words j...

July 20, 2026

Today's Reading: Genesis 2:7-17

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 16:1-22

“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

There's this Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, where if you eat it, you die in the Garden of Eden. And that kinda feels messed up. Is it a good...

July 19, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-9

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 2:18-36; Acts 15:22-41

“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.” (Mark 8:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile Jesus' compassion in wanting to feed the 4,000 with the three days it took Him to actually do it. For every one of the voiceless 4k with hunger pains and every family gathered around a hosp...

July 18, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 7 - Psalm 47:3, 6-8; antiphon: Psalm 47:1-2

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:21-2:17; Galatians 6:1-18

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” (Psalm 47:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What does it mean that God reigns over the nations? Does it mean He seeks power over all to control the people of the world? Or is it a declaration of His love for all of creation, and even as sin cont...

July 17, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 5:1-26

“Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.’” (1 Samuel 1:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Hannah’s prayer is for a child - and not even for a child she will keep and raise, but one she will give to the Lord for His service. She is burdened by her bareness and even tormented for it by...

July 16, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - 1

Daily Lectionary: Judges 16:4-30; Judges 17:1-21:25; Galatians 4:12-31

“Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water included in God's command, and combined with God’s Word.” (Luther’s Small Catechism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Water is necessary for life. Water helps plants grow, so all living creatures have something to eat. Staying hydrated is important, too, so drink more water, kids! Water cleans things b...

July 15, 2026

Today's Reading: Galatians 3:23-4:11

Daily Lectionary: Judges 15:1-16:3; Galatians 3:23-4:11

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:27–29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Baptism makes all equal in t...

July 14, 2026

Today's Reading: Romans 6:(1-2) 3-11

Daily Lectionary: Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1–2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

St. Paul is responding to a general vibe of “Well, if all sin is forgiven, then I can do whatever I want.” His “by no means” is a polite way of saying...

July 13, 2026

Today's Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

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

 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Lord tells His people Who He is and what He has done for them. He brought them out of Egypt, which included preserving them from the plagues, bringing them through the Red Sea on dry groun...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 +...