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
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
April 24, 2024
Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-22
Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 16:1-24, Luke 10:1-22
“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today, Jesus ordains seventy-two apostles and sends them into the countryside to herald His coming and preach His Word. He gives them very specific instructions about what to do, and He also gives them His authority.
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
April 23, 2024Â
Today's Reading: 1 John 3:16-24
Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 10:1-20, Leviticus: 11:1-15:33, Luke 9:37-62
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. (1 John 3:23–24)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Love one another. That’s easy in principle, right? I can l...
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
April 22, 2024Â
Today's Reading: Acts 4:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 9:1-24, Luke 9:18-36
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11–12)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you think the world revolves around you? Sometimes, you can get so wrapped up in things and activities that you suddenly think t...
Sunday of the Fourth Week of Easter
April 21, 2024
Today's Reading: John 10:11-18
Daily Lectionary: Leviticus: 8:1-13, 30-36; Luke 9:1-17
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (St. John 10:17–18)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Introit for today...
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
April 20, 2024
Today's Reading: Psalm 23; antiphon: John 10:14, 15b
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 40:17-38, Leviticus 1:1-7:38, Luke 8:40-56
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (From the Introit for Easter 4)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Tomorrow, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It’s when you’re reminded that Jesus guides and shepherds you through this life...
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
April 19, 2024Â
Today's Reading: Luke 8:22-39
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16, Luke 8:22-39
And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. (Luke 8:36–37)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “We don’t like you, Jesus. We appreciate that you healed that demon-possessed guy and got him to be c...
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
April 18, 2024Â
Today's Reading: The Lord’s Prayer - First Petition
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 38:21-39:8, 22-23, 27-31; Luke 8:1-21
Hallowed be Thy name. How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. (The Lord's Prayer, the First Petition, Small Catechism)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God’s name is inscribed upon your forehead and heart in Holy B...
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
April 17, 2024Â
Today's Reading: Exodus 34:29-35:21
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 34:29-35:21, Exodus 35:22-38:20, Luke 7:36-50
And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. (Exodus 35:21)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ask most pastors, they would be ecstatic if they never, ever, ever had to talk about money in the Divine Service ever aga...
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
April 16, 2024Â
Today's Reading: 1 John 3:1-7
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 34:1-28, Luke 7:18-35
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. One of the hardest things for us to understand is what the resurrected life will be like. When we get to the New Jerusalem, the New Creation, how wil...
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
April 15, 2024
Today's Reading: Acts 3:11-21
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 33:1-23, Luke 7:1-17
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus’s healing miracles can sometimes make us feel less than. They can make us feel left out or unimportant. Why does this person get to be hea...
