Podcasts about Higher Things

July 21, 2026Today's Reading: Romans 6:19-23Daily 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 justifying the hyperbole, he justifies the sinner. He doesn't minimize what slavery looks like. He just asks us to consider how freedom in regard to righteousness actually goes. You are either slaves to sin or slaves to God because you're not actually God. To Paul, it's not even a question of ability. It's a question of whether or not it would be a good thing if you were. If you actually were the most powerful being in the universe…how would that go? Back before you belonged to God, what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. It's your death because you're not God. But if you were, how would it not just be someone else's death who got in your way? Instead of arguing over whether or not your sinful flesh is powerful enough to escape the grave, Paul asks whether or not having sinful flesh is good in the first place. Whether it be your death or the death of everyone who got in your way, God would rather it be His. The wages of sin is death, and so He pays it for you. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are not free. You have a Lord. There are other lords. Many try to be lords themselves. But yours is the one who lays down His life to save yours. Rather than bickering about who's in charge, Paul points to the results—your salvation. You are not free in regard to righteousness. You are not free to sin. You are free from it, though. You are free from death. On the Last Day, you will rise. You are even free from having to deal with all the enemies in your way to live. Sin. Death. The power of the devil. All come undone in Him who owns you and treats you as a treasure. Calling the faithful “slaves of God” was never a comfortable statement. It was never supposed to be. Rather, Paul lets our comfort be in Him who sets us free from death. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.When You woke that Thursday morning, Savior, teacher, faithful friend, Thoughts of self and safety scorning, Knowing how the day would end; Lamb of God, foretold for ages, Now at last the hour had come When but One could pay sin's wages: You assumed their dreadful sum. (LSB 445:1) Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

July 20, 2026Today's Reading: Genesis 2:7-17Daily 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 tree? God said yes. We're not sure. We tend to think that if it's not a trap, it's at least a test. Which says plenty about what you actually think about the God who put it there. We still think He's, if not setting traps for us, at least testing us.A loving God doesn't "test" us with death any more than I, who love you less than God, would test whether or not you remember how a fire drill works by lighting the building on fire. Also, an all-knowing God would know this whole thing plays out poorly. What if the Tree that God called Good was not a test or a trap? What if He called it good because it was given with a good purpose, to reveal who God is? To teach Adam and Eve that all of evil should be contained on a tree for man to behold and know the peace of not having to die because God bore the sin that would kill them for them? What if the tree was good because it was the very first church? Adam and Eve could worship here, celebrate the mystery of the God who hangs evil on the tree that they would not die. The thing is, mystery is only good if you trust the guy behind the curtain. But if the tree wasn't a good thing, then it's pretty solid proof God who put it there wasn't so good either. This is how the serpent tempted. But God met them in the garden, not to destroy, but to promise a child born of woman to hang on a second tree to crush the head of the serpent forever. God saw the tree in the garden. God saw the tragedy that changed you forever. God saw everything that's gone wrong since and hated it too. So He assumes it. Climbs down from heaven to walk up the hill of Golgotha and die on the cross. For you. For them. For those who have faced the tragedies that leave us speechless and bitter and broken. For the forgiveness of all your sins. Your quiet mistrust. Your open rebellion. Jesus died for that. Because God still insists on gathering up all the evil in the world and hanging it on the tree so that death would have no power over us and sin would not define us. Look at the tree of the cross and call it good, because this is who your God is. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What mercy God showed to our race, A plan of rescue by His grace: In sending One from woman's seed, The One to fill our greatest need— For on a tree uplifted high His only Son for sin would die, Would drink the cup of scorn and dread To crush the ancient serpent's head! (LSB 561:3)Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

July 19, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-9Daily 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 hospital bed praying for healing while machines beep and nurses give sad smiles, for everyone looking around trying to find the supposed compassion and coming up short, let me go ahead and speak the collective “why?” we're all afraid to give voice to. Why do we have to wait? Why do we have to suffer? Why, if You can fix this, God, do we have to wait for you to get around to doing it? It's not a new question. I used to have the audacity to ask my mom why she didn't start dinner 15 minutes earlier so we could be eating now. It was shortsighted then. It's shortsighted now. It's just hard to see past sin and the pain it brings. This is what sin does. It finds excuses not to look to God for every good thing. To not fear, love, and trust Him above all things. The veil it casts over us brings that other kind of fear, the one that really struggles with love and trust. The one who loses sleep and trembles when compassion feels far off. The truth is that God does work in mystery, in His own ways and His own time, and yet always for good. It is always compassion that drives Him. Ultimately, it drove Him to the cross for the 4,000, and for all who hurt and suffer under sin. And again, they waited three days in fear and trembling, even after it was finished, before the angels proclaimed His resurrection. But Christ is still risen. So to everyone waiting with fear and trembling, who feels the same despair of the grave, remember. It is already finished. Even during those three days, it was finished. All of the blindness of sin could not prevent the resurrection. All our whys won't stop Him from working for your good in His own way and own time now. Take heart. Our Lord sees you and has compassion. He IS working, even now. To bring you out of darkness and sin and despair, and into the same resurrection. Take heart. Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it, and He gives it to you.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put away from us all hurtful things and to give us those things that are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

July 18, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 7 - Psalm 47:3, 6-8; antiphon: Psalm 47:1-2Daily 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 continues to wreck the world and Satan and his minions ravage and destroy, there is a God, and He hears the cries of those who suffer? It is true: the Lord reigns over all. He is the Almighty. His will is done whether we like it or not. Our God is all-powerful and deserving of worship, as the psalmist says. The Lord sits on His holy throne, and sinners cannot approach Him. Evil cannot stand against Him. This is our God. We can take comfort in knowing the God of all has made Himself known to us. But the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present God uses His “God-ness” to do wonderful things. God reigns over the nations on His holy throne, not to bring power to Christians but to forgive sinners.From His holy throne, He descended, taking on human flesh to make Himself known to all nations. He came not as a mighty ruler but as a servant. God heard the cries of hurting people from the time of Adam and Eve's first sin. To heal the open wound of a sinful, broken world, He sent forth His only Son. And this good news, this Gospel is not just for one people or nation, but for all people, that many more may come to faith in Christ. Even while the Lord sits on His holy throne, those who are in Christ are not excluded from His presence. Having been made holy, we will see the Lord in all His glory on the Last Day, when all nations and peoples will bow and proclaim the name of the Lord. The Lord our God is mighty and reigns over the nations. He calls them to Himself, that they may remain in His house forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What God's almighty pow'r has made, in mercy He is keeping. By morning glow or evening shade His eye is never sleeping. Within the kingdom of His might all things are just and good and right: to God all praise and glory!” (LSB 819:2)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 17, 2026Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-20Daily 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 her husband's other wife. So she prays to the Lord, seeking comfort and peace. Prayer, in any circumstance, is chiefly about comfort. It is a gift of God given to those who would seek refuge in Him. Hannah knows the Lord will hear her and has the power to grant her petition. Eli's benediction to Hannah is further comfort. Eli did not, in that moment, call upon God, of his own accord, to be the baby delivery guy, but to give comfort to a hurting soul—a soul burdened by sin and its effects. Eli, a priest, the shepherd of God's people, gives her comfort and peace. In that moment, God's Word was spoken to Hannah, and she would return to Eli with her son, Samuel, in due time. God's will was accomplished. It might be tempting to see this account as proof that if you pray hard enough or feel deep enough, God will hear your prayer and grant it. This turns God into more of a vending machine rather than the Almighty God, but what do you do when prayers go “unanswered?” Understand that “unanswered” is in quotes. God answers prayer, always, even when the answer isn't what we'd prefer. Our prayers do not sway Him; His good and gracious will is always done among us. His good and gracious will was to grant Hannah a son, who would grow into the faithful prophet and priest, Samuel. We don't know how many times Hannah, or her husband for that matter, prayed about her barrenness. But she knew that God heard every cry to Him and He would, in His time, answer her.When you are burdened by suffering or hardship or sin, call out to your heavenly father. He hears you. And when you have groanings too deep for words, He still hears you and sees you. Hannah's prayer was made in faith and made in something greater than a spiritual vending machine. The God of Israel is your God, who made heaven and earth, sent His Son to redeem creation, and gives the Holy Spirit that we might be first and foremost, reconciled to God, and also comforted in our affliction because God has given us His forgiveness and peace.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne'er forsaketh; His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy. (LSB 725:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 16, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - 1Daily 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 by washing away dirt. Water also has a great capacity for destruction. Too much rain leads to flooding, mighty tides of water that pummel everything they crash into, leaving devastation in its wake. Rough water can drag a person down into the deep to drown and die. Tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods are all deadly. They are an example of how broken and sinful the world has become. Instead of bringing life, it ends it. All of creation is no longer “good,” but tainted by sin and death. All things wither and die. Our sinful nature compels us to do harm to our neighbors and ourselves. The devil, the world, and our sinful flesh hate God, wanting nothing to do with him. We turn good gifts into weapons against the life God would have us defend and uphold. But God takes what is broken, sinful, and dying and makes new life. He creates abundant life in the midst of death, decay, and destruction. So, then, water, when combined with the Word of God, becomes a source of resurrection—a place where Christians are made. God names you in His Triune Name, marking you as one whom death has no claim over. Your sins are washed away, and a new, clean robe is given to you. The stain of sin, taken on by Christ, is no longer yours to bear. Jesus takes our sin and drowns it, burying it and leaving it behind. God restores life to where death and sin reigned. Water is necessary for life, and it is this creation of God, paired with His Word, that gives us life eternal. The Word of God, which spoke everything into existence, in Baptism, now calls the dead sinner to life, out of the waters and into light.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Though around us death is seething, God, His two-edged sword unsheathing, by His Spirit life is breathing through the living active Word.” (LSB 597:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 15, 2026Today's Reading: Galatians 3:23-4:11Daily 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 the eyes of God. Baptism makes us one with Christ, as we are united with Him in a death like His and in a resurrection like His. We all stand before God as justified, redeemed, and sanctified. We are all descendants of Abraham as heirs of the promise. The Jews believed it was their earthly, blood relation to Abraham that made them God's people. Their people had followed God's commands and observed all His statutes. This is why many of the Jewish Christians demanded that the Gentiles be circumcised - so they might be included in Abraham's line. The emphasis was on works of the law. In the minds of the “circumcision party,” the Greeks had to become Jewish before they could really be saved. St. Paul's point is that once a person is baptized into Christ, nothing else matters before God. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters before God. Your ethnic background doesn't have a say in your salvation, nor your sex, nor your status in this life. This is because when God looks at you, He sees an heir according to the promise the Lord made to Abraham, “in you will all nations be blessed.” This promised offspring was the Messiah, Jesus, Who would come through Abraham's lineage. Abraham's offspring would bless the nations by redeeming them - all people were redeemed through Jesus' death on the cross. So when a person is baptized, they are united to Christ and indistinguishable from any other Christian. And this Baptism is a free Gift, not tied to any work performed by us. God calls you His child, an heir of eternal life through the promise made to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ Jesus, your Lord. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In Baptism we now put on Christ - our shame is fully covered with all that HE once sacrificed and freely for us suffered. For here the flood of His own blood now makes us holy, right and good before our heav'nly Father. (LSB 596:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 14, 2026Today's Reading: Romans 6:(1-2) 3-11Daily 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, “That's not how this works. That's not how ANY of this works!” What does it mean, then, when he says, “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” He's talking about Baptism, where the old sinful self is drowned, and the new Adam is raised to life. We have been united to Jesus in a death like His that we might have a resurrection like His. Paul's point is that once a person comes to faith, everything is different. They do not act the same way or think the same way because the Holy Spirit is now working sanctification in them. What he means is this: Christians should act a certain way because Christians look a certain way - they follow a pattern. This pattern is coming from and returning to the gifts of Christ, freely given to sinners. Christians should not live in open sin - nor should they encourage others to do so. We are not competing to see who can be forgiven by God the most amount of times. That won't end well, and it's not a true representation of God's people. We do know that even while the Baptized are sanctified saints of God, we are still sinners, and we will be in need of Jesus' forgiveness until we die. But don't go out trying to be the chief of sinners. Live as one dead to sin and alive to Christ. Live the baptismal grace of God, that all your doings, being ordered by His governance, may be righteous in His sight. You have been made new. The sin and brokenness inherent in you have been paid for by the death and resurrection of Christ. Rejoice, dear Christian, for, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Christ Jesus is the ground of faith, Who was made flesh and suffered death; all then who trust in Him alone are built on this chief cornerstone.” (LSB 571:2)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 13, 2026Today's Reading: Exodus 20:1-17Daily 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 ground, saving them from Pharaoh's pursuing army, and providing them with bread from heaven and water from a rock. All of this was done so that they might be freed from the house of slavery. And now that God has brought them to the wilderness, He sets before them His Commandments. The Commandments tell us what God wants for His people. He wants to be their God alone. He wants them to love their neighbors as themselves. He desires His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The law of God is always good, even when we do not feel good about it. As you and I know, and as the Israelites constantly showed through their time in the wilderness, we break God's law. We sin. We choose to do evil instead of good. St. Paul even says we can't do good, even if we wanted to. We are, in Paul's words, “slaves to sin.” The people in the wilderness, while no longer slaves to the Egyptians, were still slaves to sin. But God did not leave them in that house of slavery either, nor has He left us to die in the house of slavery. The hope of the Israelites and the hope of us now is in the Messiah - the Savior Who breaks the power of sin, death, and the devil. In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. Our sinful flesh still wages war against us, but in Christ, we are strengthened to see the Law of God as a benefit, even when it accuses us. God's will is that sinners would be forgiven. When the law presses heavily on your heart, go and receive Christ's forgiveness from your pastor. Following God's law will not save you, but Jesus already has. He is the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the house of slavery that you might live in Him, eternally. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, and humbly worship at His throne, saved by His grace through faith alone. (LSB 579:6)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

July 12, 2026Today's Reading: Matthew 5:(17-19) 20-26Daily 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 religious leaders of the time, he will never make it into heaven. It may be easy to think you are more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, as theirs was a self-righteousness built on following the traditions of men rather than adhering to the Law of God. But Jesus is firm: anyone who relaxes the Law of God will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. The scribes and Pharisees crafted more than just God's Ten Commandments in an attempt to fulfill the law themselves, and they failed. Jesus' words are not a dare, trying to encourage people to try harder to get into heaven. He is condemning the self-righteous sinners and anyone who would twist the Commandments of God to elevate himself as more favored by God. The stark truth is that only Christ can follow God's commands. Only He can truly be called righteous under the law - you and I will never, on our own works, make it to heaven.And that is the point of Jesus' words. Not by our own merit can we achieve salvation. It is only by Jesus' merit, His work, that sinners can obtain eternal life. We cannot keep God's laws, and even if we were capable, we wouldn't choose to because ours is original sin - sin that we have inherited and that inhabits us all. But rather than leave us to be condemned for our own unrighteousness, Jesus stepped in to fulfill the Law perfectly and to take the punishment for sins that are rightly ours. Jesus is the only truly righteous One, and He shares that righteousness with you. In the waters of Baptism, you are united to Christ in a death and resurrection like His. When you come out of those cleansing waters, you are given the robe of righteousness, which marks you as God's redeemed child. When God looks at you, He sees Jesus. He sees His Son, Who fulfilled the Law perfectly, not for His sake but for yours. You have righteousness in Christ; your Heavenly Father will not forsake you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

Every form of Christian prayer must be a prayer of faith. Pastor Bankie teaches that faith is activated by the word of God, not by mere desire, and that prayer grows as we learn, obey, ask, and receive. He points to Daniel chapter 9 to show how prophetic words shape higher prayer points.

Higher Things is wrapping up two weeks of conferences in St. Louis and heading to Ft. Collins, Colorado for the last conference of the summer. Today we get to catch up with the executive leadership of Higher Things and hear what youth are learning in this summer's conferences, as well as what's on deck for the fall and next year.   As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Although Jesus does authorize His disciples to discern what is good from what is evil, Jesus does not authorize His disciples to bring the judgment of condemnation. That authority belongs to Him alone. Rather, with their eyes made healthy by the judgment of sin in Jesus' cross, the disciples of Jesus can see clearly to help others see the forgiveness of sins found in Christ alone.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 7:1-6.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. “The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

June 27, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 4 - Psalm 27:3-4a, 5; antiphon: Psalm 27:1-2Daily 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 opens with “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1, 5) 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? All this talk of light. Why? Because there is darkness in this life. There is suffering and hardship. And there are things we fear. On our own, we are left hurting and broken with no hope and no lasting help.Sin breaks stuff. The world is broken, and so are we. The suffering we endure in this life, often as a consequence of our own sin, is persistent and heavy, and overpowering. The devil seeks to devour us. The world seeks to destroy us. Our sinful nature hates God and would call evil everything He has called good. The sinful flesh has reason to fear the darkness and shadow. But God is not afraid of the dark. God's solution to this darkness and evil, and brokenness is not to turn His back on us. He does not leave us in the dark. He sends light and life. He sends Jesus. Jesus, the light no darkness can overcome. Jesus, who died that sinners might live eternally. Jesus, Who rose that we might also rise in Him to newness of life. There is much to fear, but you, dear child of God, need not fear. The Lord of life and death calls you His own. You have been given life and light, forgiveness and salvation, freely. You have been given the Gift of dwelling in the house of your God all the days of your life, now and in eternity. Though an army encamps against her, Jesus will not forsake His Bride, the Church, and that includes you. When you find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death, remember these words: Jesus is my light and salvation, Jesus is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike out hopes and fears; Jesus comes whate'er befalls us, cheers our hearts and dries our tears; Alleluia! Alleluia! Comforts us in failing years. (LSB 353:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 26, 2026Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-25Daily 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 called him “the power of God that is called Great.” It seemed, outwardly, he possessed great power. When the disciples came, preaching the Good News of Jesus, Simon the magician and many others believed and were baptized, having been amazed by signs and wonders. To magic Simon, this was power! Peter and John came to lay on hands, that the people might receive the Holy Spirit, and it was then that Simon came with money to purchase this power. Peter rebukes him harshly, warning of destruction for Simon if he does not repent. Simon believed he could buy the gifts of God with money. Simon then asks Peter to intercede with the Lord on his behalf. But the truth is clear: God and His gifts cannot be bought. The sinful flesh and world seek power and will take it by whatever means necessary. We see this in the account of Simon the magician, but we see it in ourselves as well. We want power over others; we want control. Simon's desire to literally buy power is the most obvious depiction of our inner desire to be God and use that authority our way.Thanks be to God, His ways are not our ways! Instead of having to pay anything to receive God, He gives Himself freely to sinners who believe. We should repent when we seek to wield the love of God as a means to our own ends. God's power cannot be bought. His love cannot be taken by force. It is only given, and this is Good News to you and me. Instead of withholding life and salvation or His own Spirit from sinners who misuse it, God, in His mercy, pours out Himself that sinners may be forgiven and the dead and dying may live. Jesus paid the price, in His death and resurrection, so we may be given life-saving grace, free of charge. Simon mistook the power of God as a tool for him to wield. He was wrong. The power of God is freely given to forgive sinners. It cannot be bought and does not need to be. It is yours, dear Christian, that you may have life in Christ now and always. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What costly sacrifice to cover human sin! Who but Christ Jesus had the right to enter in? His blood, that sprinkled price, so we might be assured that our inheritance in light has been secured. (LSB 564:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 25, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 6th PetitionDaily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25And 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, they are meant to remind us of God's many promises. The words, “lead us not into temptation,” are not merely a request. They are a repeating back of God's promise, but not because He's forgotten you. God does not need a reminder, but you and I do. Praying the same words day after day is to remind you, dear Christian, that God has already promised and granted these things. He sees you, knows you, and hears you. So pray the Lord's Prayer, not because it is the only way to get God's attention, but because He gave us prayer that we might cling to the promises therein, as dear children go to their dear father for comfort.The Sixth Petition is about our ongoing struggle with sin—sin we have inherited from Adam and Eve. The truth is, we cannot evade temptation because of our sinful nature. Apart from God, we are naked and vulnerable to the assaults of the devil, the world, and our own flesh. Without the Lord, we fail each and every time. So as God's people, we flee to Him for protection. Luther's explanation is clear: God tempts no one. But He doesn't simply watch us blindly stumble in the dark, either. Instead, God gives us guard and protection: Christ Jesus. Jesus was tempted just as you and I are, but He did not falter. Having kept the law perfectly, He suffered, died, and rose from the dead to impart His perfection to you. In Baptism, you were washed clean and were given robes of righteousness. So when you are tempted, you lean on Jesus and His saving work. And when you fall into temptation, you may receive the forgiveness won for you and freely given to sinners. We pray that God leads us not into temptation but rather to the great victory that is ours in Christ, our Lord, because He has already promised to do so. And there is our comfort.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Transcendent Comfort in our every need, help us neither scorn nor death to heed that we may not falter nor courage fail us when the foe shall taunt and assail us. Lord, have mercy! (LSB 768:3)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 24, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80Daily 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 people to repentance. He prepared them for the Gospel. He directly pointed to Jesus as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” when Christ came to be baptized. John, even in his doubts, when he sent his disciples to Jesus, bore witness to Christ. Jesus tells John's disciples to tell him, “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them” (Matthew 11:5). John did not point perfectly, but he pointed to Jesus. And finally, in his martyrdom, John pointed to Christ as he preached the truth to unlistening ears. John the Baptist pointed to Christ - that's the job of a hypeman.What's worth hyping up that much, though? Zechariah's words at his son's birth say it clearly: God visited His people and redeemed them. The Second Person of the Trinity took on human flesh (even at John's birth, Jesus was already in Mary's womb) and not only visited God's people but dwelt among them. And while He dwelt among us as Immanuel, he suffered and died that He might purchase, or redeem, us with His precious blood. This was the promise God made first to Adam and Eve in the Garden and reminded His people over and over again. The Messiah is coming. God even added that one would come to prepare the way for the Messiah to clue in the people that their Redeemer was coming soon. John gave a Baptism of water only, prefiguring the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to come. He, as a faithful way pointer, directed the hurting towards their Redeemer and Lord.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord, to do His Father's pleasure; Baptized by John, the Father's Word was given us to treasure. This heav'nly washing now shall be a cleansing from transgression and by His blood and agony release from death's oppression. A new life now awaits us. (LSB 406:1)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 23, 2026Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 or 1 Peter 5:6-11Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; Prov 28:1-29:27; John 20:1-18The 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, Paul, no, you aren't that bad. There are worse people than you. Don't talk about yourself that way.” By no means! St. Paul is not looking for sympathy. Paul is not telling Timothy he is the chief of sinners to boast in himself. In fact, Paul's claim that he is the chief of sinners says more about Jesus than it does about Paul. Paul is proclaiming the gospel. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners - even him, who persecuted Jesus and His church. God sought to be reconciled with His fallen creation. He sent His only son, Jesus, to do the reconciling. Jesus Christ did not wait until sinners worked hard enough to save themselves. He did not wait until they proved themselves worth saving. God stepped in because we can't save ourselves. And in this, St. Paul boasts and declares it trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. This gospel is for you as much as it was for St. Paul or Timothy or anyone else. When your conscience is burdened by the knowledge of your sinful condition, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. When all seems lost and you have failed in your vocations, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. When death draws near, and you come face to face with your own frailty, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He came into the world to save you. Jesus took on our frail human flesh to redeem our inability to fulfill God's commands. Jesus fulfilled the law of God perfectly, that we might be restored. He died and rose, that sinners might die and rise as well, in Holy Baptism. He came into the world to forgive you of your sins and to rescue you from the power of death and the devil. It is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, to save you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Sin, disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me since my Baptism did release me in a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus' blood? (LSB 594:2)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 22, 2026Today's Reading: Micah 7:18-20Daily 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 great fish in the depths of the sea - that is where your sins are. The compassion of our God would put His Son in our place. We should be dead in the grave, punished for our sins. We should be dead in the belly of a fish. But we are not. Instead, Christ takes our iniquities and sins and rids us of them, taking them upon Himself. In His death, he destroys death, and in His rising from the dead, he brings you with Him. The wages of sin is death, but you have been brought into new life. Death cannot hold Christ, and it cannot hold you. God will again have compassion on us. He takes on what we cannot carry. He defeated sin, death, and the devil. He, the God of life and light, shines forth into the darkness of sin and death and cannot be overcome. Those things that seek to crush and drown us have come undone. In Holy Baptism, water, which would kill us, unites with God's Word to make us alive. Old Adam is drowned and dies, and the New Man is dragged out of the water, leaving the wages of sin to sink to the depths of the sea.God looks upon sinners with compassion and love. We deserve to be crushed under His feet and thrown into the sea because we are sinful by nature. But instead, our sin and iniquity, which we have never lived without (in sin did my mother conceive me), is now dust and sand, cast into the sea. God looks upon us in love. He looks upon us and sees His Son. He does not consider your sin or iniquity. He forgives you and renews you. He is steadfast and immovable. He has made you His own, and He will not forget you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In a wat'ry grave are buried all our sins that Jesus carried: Christ, the Ark of Life, has ferried us across death's raging flood. (LSB 597:3)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 21, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-10 or Luke 15:11-32Daily 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 dead than alive. Then, he wastes all of his father's possessions and has the audacity to come home to his father. It's worth noting that the son wants to beg to be his father's servant rather than demanding his place as a son, but it is still insulting. You would expect the father to be angry with his son. But this is a parable told by Christ Jesus, and so it should be no surprise that things go differently than expected. Notice what has happened. “While he was still a long way off,” —the father kept an eye out for his son, waiting for him to return as if he knew the man would come back. The father looks for his son. We might think he'd be waiting to give his son a piece of his mind for trashing the good things he gave him. That's what we expect. But when the father sees his son, he feels compassion for him, not anger. He looks upon this starving, hurting son with mercy and love. And then the father runs to him. He does not wait for the wayward son to reach the house but meets him with love, hence the hugging and kissing. That's not the expectation. No self-respecting landowner would run, especially to a disgraceful son. But to the father, this is a joyous reunion and one of celebration. The father sends for fine clothes and a feast and for merriment because his dead son is alive again; he was lost and now is found. Our Lord tells a parable full of unexpected actions to show how God is. God sees a sinful world full of sinners who take His good gifts and abuse them. He sees a world so broken it would kill His Son. But even while we were far off, not even seeking Him, He ran to us and sent for fine clothes, reinstating us as His children. You are made a son of the Father because He has compassion on you. You are clothed with righteousness won by Christ Jesus on the cross. In your Baptism, you were made His child. You were dead in your sins, and He has made you alive. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lord God, heavenly Father, we all like sheep have gone astray and have allowed ourselves to be led from the right path by Satan and our sinful flesh. We implore You, graciously forgive us our sins for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Enliven our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Your Word in true repentance and steadfast faith, and so continue in Your Church to the end and obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 20, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 3 - Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:16, 18Daily 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 can often hurt. It is such a gift, then, to realize that God gives us the psalms to pray, sing, and meditate upon. In today's verses, we have the words we need to cry out to God. We get to admit that we are alone and bothered. We get to be honest about what is hurting us and causing us pain. We can share all that burdens us; we can call out when we feel troubled and are in need of forgiveness. We can say that we need help. It is amazing to realize that just as God gives us these words to pray and use, He also promises to hear us when we talk to Him. In fact, He longs to hear our hurts and cares. He loves us and desires for us to bring all that we carry to Him. In fact, He would not have us carry our sins and our burdens at all. He gives them to His Son, our Savior Jesus. And Jesus willingly carries them all to the cross, where He pays for them with His life. He defeats all that is broken by defeating death. He pays the price for our sin and reconciles us to the Father. We died and rose with Jesus and are now mercied, loved, and forgiven. We pray with confidence and hope. We are not alone. Every day, we live under the weight of sin. Luther's Small Catechism teaches us that our Old Adam must DAILY be drowned and die; we continue to struggle with sin and sadness. And yet, the grace that we have from our loving and merciful Heavenly Father is new every morning. We remember our Baptism and cling to the promises that we have in Jesus. We have an attentive, loving, and compassionate God. He hears our prayers and fulfills His promises. We go to the Divine Service and our hope is renewed; we hear our sins forgiven, we hear of the promises and works of God, we eat Jesus' Body and Blood. We are given good Gifts from our loving, Heavenly Father, who hears our prayers and promises to never leave us nor forsake us.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Sing praise to God, the highest good, The author of creation, The God of love who understood Our need for His salvation. With healing balm our souls He fills And ev're faithful murmur stills: To God all praise and glory! (LSB 819:1)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 19, 2026Today's Reading: John 18:1-14Daily 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 of the boat and onto the water to Jesus…only to look down and start to panic. He declares that Jesus is the Christ…and then suggests that Jesus shouldn't go to the cross. He's so sure that he is going to boldly claim his connection to Jesus…only to deny Jesus three times (just like Jesus foretold). And here, in this moment in the garden, he ‘tries again.' He cuts off the ear. Of a servant. Yikes, Peter. And here is where I would love to try and justify Peter's actions - all of them. ‘At least he's trying.' Or ‘he did his best.' Or ‘he didn't get things all the way wrong…all the time.' Yeah, I don't believe these excuses either. And here's the thing - the reality is, sinners trying…usually results in failure. We sure do try our best (well, some of the time), and yet nothing works out perfectly. Life is still usually messy. And hard. And awkward. And not quite right. Yeah, now we are starting to get it... Look at the rest of the statement that Jesus says to Peter: Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? Here's the thing. God had a plan for salvation, and it doesn't involve us trying. There is no ‘cooperation' or ‘partnership.' God's plan. God's work. For us. When we ‘try,' specifically in our salvation, we are always going to be wrong. In fact, the idea that we even could try is wrong. God's Word clearly teaches us that we were dead in our trespasses - dead things can't try. So, what does this mean? Are we just stuck being a bunch of awkward Peters - trying and (usually) failing? Rest, dear redeemed one. Your salvation is perfectly complete in Jesus. God the Father poured out His wrath on Jesus, and Jesus took it. Jesus died. Jesus rose. Jesus lives. For you. There is no trying or needing to try as you look in faith to Jesus. You have been reconciled. It is a gift. It is yours in your Baptism. It is yours in Jesus' Body and Blood. So now, you do get to try - but it's for your neighbor and it isn't to earn anything. Out of the love and mercy that you receive from God, through Jesus, you try, and you love those around you. It won't be perfect on this side of glory, but it will be redeemed. Thanks be to God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Be of good cheer, for God's own Son Forgives all sins which you have done; And justified by Jesus' blood, Your Baptism grants the highest good. (LSB 571:4)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 18, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 5th PetitionDaily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; Proverbs 21:1-31; John 17:1-26And 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 time.' Nope. We are begging that our sins be forgiven. We are stating it plainly: I have sins. A lot of sins. Forgive me. It is only from the mercy of God that we can continue to live and breathe and enjoy what He has given us. Without it, we would easily succumb to the weight of shame, despair, guilt, or even arrogance that our sins would demand. When we pray this Petition, we are rightly acknowledging that we have sinned and we need something outside of ourselves to get rid of our mess. It is such a gift, then, to know that Jesus taught us to pray this way because He knows God will hear us and answer our prayer! Jesus is our rescuer! He is the payment for our sins. He is the only one who can tell the Father: yep, that person is covered. I paid for her sins. He is one of mine, so he is one of yours. In Baptism, your Old Adam was drowned and died; a New Man was created. You, dear saint, belong to Christ and are therefore holy before God the Father. You get to come to Him in your darkest hour and trust in Jesus' Death and Resurrection for you. You get to pray with confidence; in Jesus, your sins are forgiven, and your prayers are heard. It is from that overflowing well - that unending grace and mercy - that we then turn to our neighbor and forgive them, too. We trust, we believe, and, in faith, we cling to the truth that our Father hears this prayer and does indeed forgive our sins. We then turn to those who have hurt us and share it with them, too. We know the power of sin, shame, and guilt - and we declare to those who are under it: there is forgiveness. Jesus paid for that sin. You are mercied. You are loved. You are forgiven - just like I am. Pray this Petition with boldness and humility; cling to the promises that are yours in Jesus, remembering that it is through Him that you get to approach the Father and know that His Gifts are for you. And then? Share that Good News with those around you! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.I, a sinner, come to Thee With a penitent confession. Savior, mercy show to me; Grant for all my sins remission. Let these words my soul relieve: Jesus sinners doth receive. (LSB 609:4) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 17, 2026Today's Reading: John 16:17-33Daily 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 before our Heavenly Father. The Creator of the world. The Holy and Perfect God. The Author of Life. This is an amazing gift. God the Father loves YOU. YOU belong to Jesus. In your Baptism, you are covered with Jesus - holy, blameless, and perfect. When God the Father sees you, He sees His Son, our Savior Jesus, and loves. In Communion, you are given Jesus' Body and Blood for your salvation. You are a guest at God's Table and get to feast on His gifts! Jesus was at the creation of the world; Jesus is the Word. Jesus knew what the cost would be once sin entered into the world. Jesus knew He would have to leave His Father, take on flesh, live a blameless life, die a terrible death, and rise again. He knew this was the plan to save sinners from eternal death. And in these verses, as He talks with His disciples before His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus is declaring that it is going to happen. He is declaring that you are loved. As we live in this sin-broken world, it can be hard to remember that we are loved. It seems as though all around us, everything is coming apart. We sin daily. We are daily sinned against. Something always hurts. Something always seems to go wrong. Our feelings lie to us. The world would have us focus on just today and wallow in despair. The devil would have us believe the lies that we aren't enough. But the Truth is not found in our feelings, the world, or in the lies of the devil. We are not without hope. In your moments of brokenness, remember your Baptism. Remember that you are not alone. You are covered by Christ and are seen by God the Father. You have the Holy Spirit, and in faith, you pray and cry out to a listening and faithful God. You are loved. Cling to the Truth, even if (and when) your feelings would want to declare something else. Be in God's Word; rejoice in the gift that is God's Law and Gospel for you. Remember that you have been claimed by Jesus, and God the Father rejoices that you are His. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Christ, the way that leads unfailing To the Father's house on high, Christ, the truth that frees the captive, Christ, the life that cannot die. Mediator to the Father, Sacrifice and great High Priest: Lead us to Your heav'nly mansions, There to share Your wedding feast. (LSB 540:5)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 16, 2026Today's Reading: Ephesians 2:13-22 or 1 John 3:13-18Daily 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 divorced, and you always seem to be back and forth - not really able to settle into one place. Or, you have had to move away from your friends, your school, and your familiar community. Separation is hard. If you aren't ‘in,' then you are ‘out,' and that is difficult. Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus. And these words—these bold statements of inclusion—are pretty shocking. Paul is declaring that the Gospel is for Gentiles, too. He is saying that Jesus' Blood covers all people; God's love ties together that which was broken or segmented. He is reminding the Jews and the Gentiles that their focus needs to be on the promises of God, which are for all people. The Gentiles had always been ‘out,' but the Jews had had their seasons of exile and separation, too. And yet now, all is united. Now, the promises have been fulfilled, Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, and there is no need for separation anymore. It would seem that everyone then and now would rejoice at these words. God has brought all to Himself, and there is no need to distinguish or separate. And yet, we sinners like putting each other in boxes. Whether it's by interests, looks, heritage, or some other artificial measurement that we've constructed, we like to compare and contrast. We want to be accepted - even if that means excluding someone else. Repent, dear chosen ones! For God has more forgiveness than you have sin. Jesus' Blood does indeed cover all. He has brought you to Himself - and there is room for more. Rest in your Baptism; Jesus has covered you and claimed you as His. Invite and include those around you - for God's desire is for all to be saved. You get to look at your neighbors, even in their differences, with joy and love. God has destroyed all that would separate or keep others ‘far off.' Share the Good News that Jesus is for all sinners - for those far off, and for you too. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In Baptism we now put on Christ Our shame is fully covered With all that He once sacrificed And freely for us suffered, For here the flood of His own blood Now makes us holy, right, and good Before our heav'nly Father. (LSB 596:4) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 15, 2026Today's Reading: Proverbs 9:1-10Daily 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! And yet, would you eat a meal that was prepared by a toddler? Would you feel safe with a doctor who was a toddler? You see what I mean, right? Being two or three years old does not make you an expert in, well, anything. Here's the truth, though. You aren't an expert either. You may be older than two, but are you still a sinner? (Martin Luther, in the Small Catechism, invites us to consider our lives according to the Ten Commandments…how's that going for you?) You make mistakes. You still hurt yourself and your neighbors. Age doesn't mean maturity or expertise. So how do we become wise? How can we know what is true? Those are great questions. And our reading today teaches us: start with God and His Word. When we start with God, we realize that we are dependent, humble, begging creatures who, without merit or worthiness, implore their Creator for mercy. In fact, Romans 5 teaches us that we were enemies of God - we were dead - when He chose us, redeemed us, and saved us. Indeed, when we start with God, we realize that we are nothing on our own. We have no knowledge. We have no skills. We have no wisdom. God's Word teaches us who He is and who we are. Start there. Be reminded that God is just, compassionate, and merciful. Be reminded that He made you and sustains your body and life. Be reminded that in Baptism, you are covered by Jesus' Blood and have been given the Holy Spirit. When you start there, you are then equipped to serve your neighbors. Rejoice as a student! Celebrate the roles you have in your family. Recognize the gifts you have to be on a team, in a class, or at a job. Rest in the knowledge that God is God and you are not; receive what He gives and use those gifts to love those around you (whom He has also given). Wisdom is indeed fearing and trusting God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Yea, Lord, ‘twas Thy rich bounty gave My body, soul, and all I have In this poor life of labor. Lord, grant that I in ev'ry place May glorify Thy lavish grace And help and serve my neighbor. Let no false doctrine me beguile; Let Satan not my soul defile. Give strength and patience unto me To bear my cross and follow Thee. Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord, In death Thy comfort still afford. (LSB 708:2) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

Today's Reading: Luke 14:15-24Daily 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 you will get an awesome cake; you cannot contain your excited anticipation for that day. Or maybe it's Thanksgiving - you can't wait to enjoy your grandma's homemade pie and your uncle's stuffing! Look again at the reading for today; a banquet has been prepared. There is literally nothing to do except come! And yet EVERYONE who was invited made excuses. That seems ridiculous. Surely they know a good thing when they are given it - a free banquet! Who says no to that? Well, let's be honest with ourselves. How many Sunday mornings have you wished to just keep sleeping? How many times have you sat in church and thought, “Why is this taking so long?” How often have you skipped Bible study because the teacher is really boring? Repent, dear invited one. You are making excuses. Our Lord prepares a banquet for us - a feast for us - every time we are in the Divine Service. He has equipped and called men to be our pastors; they stand in the stead of Jesus and pronounce our sins forgiven. Our Lord has given us His Word to hear, read, speak, and sing; the Word that points to His mercy and our rescue. He pours out His Blood and sacrifices His Body for our eating and drinking. Indeed, every time we attend church, we are at a banquet! We receive the most perfect, holy, beautiful Gifts from God: we are reminded of His adoption of us in Baptism, we are forgiven of our sins, and we literally feast on Jesus' Body and Blood for our salvation. Maybe you are still going to drag yourself to church, hurt, broken, and tired from the week. God's Gifts don't depend on how you feel about them - they are real and they are yours. Attend the banquet. Receive the feast that has been prepared for you. Rest where you are safe, holy, and loved. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Lord, since You never fail to help and govern those whom You nurture in Your steadfast fear and love, work in us a perpetual fear and love of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 13, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 2 - Psalm 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Psalm 18:18b-19Daily 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 caught in the lie of independence and self-reliance. I want to believe that *I* am strong. I want to believe that *I* can be brave, powerful, and mighty. And yet, in my most quiet thoughts - I know that I am not. I know that I am weak, I struggle, and I am not enough. When I look at myself, when I rely on myself, when I think only of myself - I cannot be strong. The Third Article of the Creed teaches us that we ‘cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to Him.' We are weak. In fact, in sin, we are dead. So this first verse in Psalm 18 is a gift - it reminds us that we don't have to be strong. In fact, we have the Lord who is strength. It is in Him that we are brought to new life and are made holy. We lean on Him and trust in Him; we are indeed strong in God. His might is given to us. The next verse speaks of God as our rock, fortress, and deliverer. Living in this broken world is hard. Sin hurts. This week has been rough. I have sinned, and I have been sinned against. It can often feel like there is no safe place to go. And yet, we are reminded that we are in Christ. He is our safe place. Church is where we receive His Gifts; we are forgiven, redeemed, loved, and shown mercy. We are delivered from evil and kept safe in God's House. Indeed, God is immovable - His character does not change. He is the protection that is needed from all that would hurt, harm, or kill. He is the only one who can deliver us, who can rescue us, from the brokenness of sin. God is your strength, your rock, your fortress, and your deliverer. When you attend the Divine Service, rest in the safety of God's Word and His promises. Trust that your Baptism is your identity and God's Word of Absolution is for you. Jesus' Body and Blood is yours; eat and drink His promise. You are not alone, but are protected, loved, and safe in Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Fear not! I am with you, O be not dismayed, For I am your God and will still give you aid; I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. (LSB 728:2) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 12, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 4th PetitionDaily Lectionary: Proverbs 10:1-23; Proverbs 11:1-12:28; John 14:1-17What 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 sufficient, right? I do have other things to get done - I have money to make, groceries to buy, errands to run…I'm taking care of my life! Hmmm. Maybe this Petition is worth some time and reflection. In the Lord's Prayer, we are given the Petition ‘Give us this day our daily bread.' This is not some type of magic incantation that allows pizza to softly float down to our dinner tables. No, this is a reminder that God DOES give us what we need. Our daily needs are met. Furthermore, none of this is done with our control or effort. As Luther explains, God certainly gives without our prayers.We are given this Petition so we might pause and reflect on God's character. God is merciful, abundant, and loving. He gives more than we can even imagine. He had a plan for our salvation before the world even existed. He certainly provides for our needs of body and soul. When we are tempted to think about our own efforts in ‘meeting our needs,' we should repent. We must remember that it is God who provides the sunshine, air, dirt, and seeds that will one day be wheat for flour (for that pizza!). It is God who equips farmers, truck drivers, and store owners - all those who help us find the food that is necessary for sustaining our bodies (which are also Gifts from God). And this Petition reminds us that God gives us ALL that is needed for our body and life - not *only* the food that we daily receive. Indeed, this part of the Lord's Prayer is a powerful and humbling reminder that God is in control, and this is good. God knows our needs and meets them - without our asking, our assistance, or even our thanks. We get to reflect on all that God gives and all that He is, and then give Him thanksgiving. We are reminded of who He is: the One who sent His own perfect Son to die in the place of sinners. The one who defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil for us. The one who calls us His own in Baptism and feeds us Jesus' Body and Blood. Yes! We have so much to give thanks for - we have a generous and loving God! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God makes the clouds rain goodness, The deserts bloom and spring, The hills leap up in gladness, The valleys laugh and sing. God fills them with His fullness, All things with large increase; He crowns the year with blessing, With plenty and with peace. (LSB 893:2)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 11, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 6:7-13Daily 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 were disciples, but being an apostle meant that they were sent out to teach and to preach. They were given authority by Jesus and were given directions by Jesus. Today, we remember the Apostle Barnabas. This is the guy who ‘vouched' for Saul. In the early church, after Jesus ascended into heaven, there was a lot of persecution. You may remember that Saul was a high-ranking Jewish leader who had made it his mission to hunt disciples of Jesus and punish them, even to death. And yet, Jesus comes to Saul and confronts him about his sins. Jesus calls Saul to be one of His disciples—and even more—to be an apostle. Saul (later named Paul) was going to preach about Jesus; he was called out of darkness into God's light. We sinners tend to be skeptical; the disciples in the early church did too. Did Paul *really* meet Jesus? Was he *actually* a believer? The disciples in Jerusalem, at the time of Paul's conversion, were afraid. Paul wants to join these disciples, but they don't believe him. However, Barnabas is not going to stay silent. Barnabas greets Paul, brings him to the other disciples, and witnesses to what he knows happened. He teaches his fellow disciples (and apostles) the truth that Jesus does indeed change hearts and minds. He declares that Jesus did, in fact, call Paul to be an apostle. You probably aren't an apostle, but you are a disciple of Jesus. You get to continue learning from His Word, receiving His Gifts, and witnessing about what is true. In your Baptism, you are safely tucked into God's family, and nothing can take that away. From that place, then, you can be bold to speak about Jesus. You can declare that He does forgive sins, He does keep His promises, and He is the Savior of the world. You can be like Barnabas - speak of what is true and real. Point to Jesus' Death and Resurrection. Speak of yourself as a redeemed sinner. Speak to the neighbors you have been given - in your school, your home, your neighborhood, your community - and tell the Good News of Jesus for sinners. You get to be a disciple; you receive God's good Gifts, and you get to then share His love with all that you meet. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.How clear is our vocation, Lord, When once we heed your call: To live according to Your Word And daily learn, refreshed, restored, That You are Lord of all, And will not let us fall. (LSB 853:1) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 10, 2026Today's Reading: John 13:1-20Daily 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 your stomach. You have a big test, a big game, a fancy dinner, or a presentation… something big is coming, and you know that it matters. Sometimes, in our desire to focus, we forget about other people or other things. Washing the dishes? Later, I have a paper to finish. Walking the dog? Later, I have an important dinner to get ready for. We focus on our next big moment and nothing else. In today's reading, Jesus knows what is coming; His ‘big event' is His crucifixion. This has been the plan of salvation since before the world was created, and now the time had come. And yet, who is His focus? Where does He spend His last hours before death? Jesus “loved them to the end.” Jesus, knowing all that is about to happen, stays focused on those whom He loves. In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. He shows, yet again, what it means to love sacrificially. He shows what it means to love and care for your neighbors. He continues to teach and to serve His disciples. He knows what His next hours are going to include, but He continues to love. He teaches the disciples that this is an example to them (and to us) - that we are to serve others. Jesus says in John 13:20 that, ‘truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.' You have received the one whom Jesus sends - you have been given the Holy Spirit! In your Baptism, you are made clean and declared holy; you are covered by Jesus and bear God's name. You are one of Jesus' own. On the cross, it was for you that Jesus willingly hung and willingly died. In the Resurrection, it is you that He brings into new life and unto life eternal. You are one for whom Jesus died. You are loved. And Jesus will indeed love you to the end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Yes, Father, yes, most willingly I'll bear what You command Me. My will conforms to Your decree, I'll do what You have asked Me.” O wondrous Love, what have you done! The Father offers up His Son, Desiring our salvation. O Love, how strong You are to save! You lay the One into the grave Who built the earth's foundation. (LSB 438:3) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 9, 2026Today's Reading: 1 John 4:16-21Daily 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 the best, and being first is definitely the best. And yet, this short verse in 1 John says that someone else was first. This verse says that I can love, can know love, and can give love only because someone else did it first. This verse says that He loved me and He loved you. This verse is clear - I wasn't the first to love. When I stop and think about it, this verse tells me that being first isn't really the point. When I admitted to liking to be first, to always winning, I was also admitting that my mindset is selfish. If I am winning, then everyone around me has to be losing. I'm not thinking about them; I am only thinking about me. Maybe I don't know what love is, because that definitely isn't love. These verses in 1 John teach us about what love is - about who love is. It isn't about winning, and it isn't about me (or you) being the best. Instead, love is sacrificial. Love is reassuring and is hope without fear. There is no competition in love. God is love. Love lays down His life so that others (sinners…you…me) can live. Love is given freely and is good. Love looks like something - it looks like Jesus on the cross. Love looks like an empty tomb. Love looks like God's Word and water. Love is in, with, and under Bread and Wine. God's plan to love is shown in the mercies and grace that are ours every day. It's a good thing that God loved us first. It's a good thing that before we were born or could even think about what love is and how we might have it, God loved and planned for our rescue. Now, I can know and you can know that love is resting in God, in His promises, and in His work, not our own. Then, out of that love, comes love for our neighbors. We get to look around, not at ourselves, and see the needs of those around us. We get to rejoice in the love we have and then share it with others. God loved you first, and that is very good. And, now you get to love too. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. (LSB 588:1)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 8, 2026Today's Reading: Genesis 15:1-6Daily 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, so Abram found himself in Egypt, where that (first) awkward encounter between the Pharaoh and Sarai happened. And then, Abram has to rescue his nephew Lot from war in Sodom and Gomorrah. What about the promises of being a great nation, being blessed, and having his name be great? Ever since Abram listened to God, it has been one issue after another; there doesn't seem to be any follow-through on those promises. In today's reading, God is making promises again: Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram pushes back: But God…what will you give me? I don't even have an heir of my own!Here's the thing. We sinners like to develop our own timelines and our own measuring sticks. Abram wanted those promises fulfilled now. He wanted what was coming to him. He wanted proof and assurance that this was going to be worth it. Abram is having doubts; he and Sarai hadn't had a child yet - how could they possibly be the great nation that God had promised? Abram doubts. You and I doubt too. Why is my life full of suffering? Why is the Christian life hard? When will I receive what God has promised? The rest of today's reading is the comfort we need. Abram expresses his doubts, and God hears them! God's character is one of mercy and patience. While Abram had no ‘right' to question God or worry about what was going to happen, God met Abram's question with assurances. God gave Abram more promises - Abram, you will have your own son. You will have more descendants than stars in the sky. And even more amazing - when Abram believes these words from God, God counts his belief as righteousness! What about for you? What about when you ask questions, worry, and doubt? God answers you, too. Remember your Baptism. You are named as a Child of God and covered by Jesus. Go to the Divine Service and hear God's Word of Law and Gospel for you. Be reminded that you are a sinner - one for whom Jesus bled and died. Rejoice that you are a saint and that Jesus' resurrection is yours also. Take and eat Jesus' Body and Blood. Believe in the One who always keeps His promises and always hears your prayers. God is faithful.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God gives me my days of gladness, And I will Trust Him still When He sends me sadness, God is good; His love attends me Day by day, Come what may, Guides me and defends me. (LSB 756:3) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

June 7, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 16:19-31Daily 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 fair then, the rich guy has to suffer in eternity, but Lazarus gets to be in comfort. It seems to make sense, right? It's only fair.And yet, this isn't about being poor or rich. This isn't a ‘fair picture' of who gets to have what. Instead, this teaches about the lie of independence and the idolatry of wanting to be your own god. This speaks to the heart of every sinner. The rich man had nice clothes and plenty of food; he lived lavishly. To us sinners who love control,  comfort, and excess, this sounds great! Lazarus, by contrast, suffers continuously. He wishes for crumbs. And yet, all he has are the dogs. When death comes, Lazarus is brought to heaven, and the rich man suffers in torment. Ephesians 2 teaches us that it is, “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is a gift from God.” We learn that Lazarus had faith. He trusted in His Savior, even in suffering. In Hades, the rich man still wants to control his destiny. He wants a drop of water - he wants some relief; he is told no. He begs that Lazarus be raised from the dead to give his brothers a warning about this eternity of torment. But, his brothers already have the Law - they have the words of Moses and the Prophets. If they will not repent when the Law is taught, they will have no use for someone being risen from the dead. Repent, dear sinner. Do not be deceived by independence, control, or the ability to chase your desires. God's Word of Law is for your good. It reminds you that you are a sinner. Remember that in your Baptism, your Old Adam daily drowns and dies; the New Man daily rises and celebrates the boundaries given by God. The New Man daily rejoices, even in suffering, because even in trials there is hope. Cling to the promises of Jesus, who has risen from the dead for you. In excess and in suffering, you need God's Law and His Gospel. You need to be reminded of your sin and your dependence on God. Rejoice in that reminder - for you have a God who does not spare His only, perfect Son, but abandons Him on the cross for you. You have a Risen Savior who daily forgives your sins and meets your needs. You are not without hope. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, the strength of all who trust in You, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing, grant us Your grace to keep Your Commandments that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

Psalm 116 finds its place in the life of the Church both on Maundy Thursday and during the Offertory in the Divine Service. Hearing the psalm first on the lips of Jesus, we hear Him pray for deliverance from death and receive comfort in knowing that the Father has answered Jesus by delivering Him into death for our trespasses and then raising Him from the grave for our justification. This helps us to cry out these same words in prayer to our heavenly Father who rescues us from death for the sake of Christ.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 116.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. Join Sharper Iron this spring to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

When Paul says "gospel," his Roman readers would have heard a political word. For them, "gospels" were the emperor's birth, his military victories, and his decrees. Paul takes that word and gives it back to God. The Gospel he preaches is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, Jew and Greek alike, and it reveals a righteousness that comes by faith. "The righteous shall live by faith," Paul writes, quoting Habakkuk. If you want to understand what the Reformation was about, this is where it starts. The Rev. William Cwirla, pastor emeritus and President Emeritus of Higher Things, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Romans 1:1-17. Why does doing the right thing sometimes feel impossible? Why do feelings of guilt follow us even when we've been forgiven? These aren't new questions. St. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans for a church he had never visited, and yet he addressed the struggles every Christian knows firsthand: the weight of the law, the persistence of sin, the sufficiency of what God has done in Christ. Romans covers enormous ground. Paul moves from the universal problem of sin through justification by faith, the role of baptism, the war between flesh and spirit, God's faithfulness to Israel, and the shape of life together in the body of Christ. There's a reason the Reformation was born in this letter. Join us on Thy Strong Word as we open up Romans, weekdays at 11am or on-demand anytime, at KFUO.org.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

When Isaac's age had led to near blindness, he desired to give his blessing to his favorite son, Esau, despite what the LORD had said when the twins were in the womb. Rebekah overheard her husband's plan and worked with her favorite son, Jacob, to secure the blessing for him instead. Rebekah prepared food like Esau would have and clothed Jacob with Esau's clothing. Isaac's poor eyesight prevented him from seeing the truth, and he prepared to give the blessing to the son dressed as Esau. Though deception was involved in Genesis 27, the story provides a picture of what God does for us with no deception as He clothes us with the righteousness of Christ in Holy Baptism so that we receive His blessing.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 27:1-25.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

When Adam and Eve name their first son Cain, they naturally wonder if this is the promised Offspring of the woman. Cain's faithless offering and subsequent murder of his own brother Abel quickly reveal that Cain is not the Savior. In the aftermath of Cain's sin, the LORD remains gracious to him, placing a mark upon him. Yet Cain wanders away from the LORD's presence, and his family line only departs further from the LORD. Nonetheless, the LORD is faithful to His promise in Genesis 3 and gives Adam and Eve another son, Seth, through whom the promised Child will one day come.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 4:1-26.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

December 18, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of Duties: To WidowsDaily 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 Higher Things devotions are widows at the moment, that doesn't mean we skip these. Because in your congregations, you will almost always find widows. Some are helping wherever they can. Some are unsure of what to do next. All have faced one of the greatest losses a person can face. In this world, we are encouraged to be alone. That a video chat is as good as being there in person. That you can do all your work virtually. That your physical presence isn't necessary. But it doesn't work that way in the Church. To put your trust in the Lord is to never be alone. Yes, God is always with you, and that is never to be underestimated. However, you are not a Christian in isolation. The Lord put you into a congregation so that you would have people around you. Brothers and sisters in the faith. All part of one family, the Church.Yes, widows need someone to be there. However, they are very good at being there for you when you need them, too. They've been through more than you can imagine, and they understand where you're at better than you do. And they can do so, because in their darkest hours, our Lord is there for them. They face the loss of death every day. But they can face it together with the One who has overcome death Himself. Jesus brings them into His Church so they will not be alone in this. Jesus brings you into His Church for the same reason. If we live to ourselves alone, we will find this world a very lonely and empty place. But that's not who our Lord made us to be. When we hear those words of Absolution from our Lord, we do so with our brothers and sisters in the faith. When we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we do so shoulder to shoulder with our Church family. So that whenever you feel alone, not only do you have the Lord to turn to, you have His Church to turn to as well.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.No saint on earth lives life to self alone Nor dies alone, for we with Christ are one. So if we live, for Christ alone we live, And if we die, to Christ our dying give. In living and in dying this confess: We are the Lord's, safe in God's faithfulness. (LSB 747:1)Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

November 29, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 1 - Psalm 25:4-5, 21-22; antiphon: Psalm 25:1-3aDaily Lectionary: Isaiah 5:1-25; Amos 1:1-9:15; 1 Peter 2:1-12“Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 25:22)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Advent strikes a truer chord in the Psalms. We wait for the God who has made great promises. Let me not be put to shame. By the devil, who prowls about like a lion seeking to devour me. By the world, who finds little worth in everything I call precious. By myself, because if I'm being honest, the devil and the world will probably ignore me, except for the fact that I take shelter under a God whose law I make a mockery of. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Even when his troubles are himself. Advent is a season of penitential hope. And we treat those two things like oil and water. Real hope has no shame. The truly penitent are too downcast to dare to hope. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul anyway. My escape from shame isn't myself. It's my God. It's yours. He advents to take away your sin, to bear your shame, and promises to return in glory at last to put right everything shameful that the devil, the world, and my own sinful flesh can do wrong. So we wait in penitent hope. That's the right kind. We won't be lost to dwelling in our shame. We'll take it to the Jesus who advents to bear it upon a cross, who advents to meet us at the altar with forgiveness for all of our sins, and who advents at last to free us from this vicious cycle of daily dying and rising to sin. On the Last Day, we'll only rise. Instead of a focus only on what's wrong, Advent says God will show up to be what's right. Our Redeemer. He invites everyone with shame. Bring the shame from all you've done. All the shame from what's been done to you. All the shame the world heaps on you, and all the devil can stir up, too. Gather it up and take it to where God advents to join you to Himself at His table, where He feeds you with His Body and Blood and joins you to angelic hosts and all the company of heaven who sing hymns just because they see you with them at the feast. The mark of freedom from shame isn't a perfect life. It's one of waiting for the God who takes shame away. Indeed, none who wait for Christ shall be put to shame.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only hope for sinful mortals! Come, O Savior of the world! Open are to Thee all portals. Come, Thy beauty let us see; Anxiously we wait for Thee. (LSB 350:1)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 28, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Workers of All KindsDaily Lectionary: Isaiah 2:1-22; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; 1 Peter 1:13-25“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The language here is…challenging. Slave. Obey. Earthly masters. Just as you would obey Christ. First of all, slaves. Second of all, I'm not even great at obeying Christ in the first place, let alone sinners like every earthly master. I'm not going to parse the word slave and come up with a definition that's more palatable. I'm not going to wax eloquent on the working class that can't escape poverty. Almost all of you have someone in charge of you. That's plenty to talk about already. When one sinner has power over another, that doesn't naturally produce a sense of peace. Those kinds of power dynamics are easy to abuse. But Luther sees only gift. Vocation isn't just “thou shalt not rage against the machine.” The gift of vocation sees God behind all things. Even sinners who are your boss. Ephesians says to serve them as if you were serving Christ. Because Christ works through your neighbor. Now there are two things to talk about. First, if your boss abuses you, that's always bad. That's never good. God is not pleased by this sin. You can tell, not because He gives you the boss, but because He gives your boss the same Ten Commandments. Second, you can expect God to work good through your boss anyway. Think about it, as sinful as all of us are, and as prone as those power dynamics are to abuse, we have not descended into anarchy. God brings more good from these relationships than we have any right to deserve, but we can expect them anyway because He is gracious. When it comes to your boss, recognize that God wants to care for you through them. Your role as a worker, in whatever phraseology you use, is challenging. Because all of us, in an uneven power dynamic, would rather be God than the Christian. Repent, and recognize just how much good we receive because God, who is powerful, is merciful to us. He even wants to use your boss to make sure you're provided for. It won't be perfect this side of glory, but we can dare to hope because God, who knows your boss too, dares to promise good here. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In what You give us, Lord, to do, Together or alone, In old routines or ventures new, May we not cease to look to You, The cross You hung upon— All You endeavored done. (LSB 853:4)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 27, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 17:11-19Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 1:1-28; 1 Peter 1:1-12“[the lepers] lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.'” (Luke 17:13)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today, we celebrate the blessed and historic feast of American Thanksgiving and try to keep the sarcasm off our faces. Pilgrims and Indians ate together, got along perfectly, and avoided arguing about politics. If you sprinkle some Jesus on it, there's a sermon in there about who you're thankful to. The problem is, I'm bad at it. All I can do is hang onto the losses. The what could have beens. I can come up with something to say at the table, but my heart just isn't in it most years. I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me a long list of stuff I can't list here because of word counts. This is most certainly true. Still, it's easier to find two things missing than all the ones there. That's why trying to be more thankful doesn't work for long. We don't need Thanksgiving sermons here. We need Jesus healing the least of these. Us. This is more than just a reminder to look on the bright side. Leprosy sermons aren't about feeling better with your lot in life; they're about Jesus helping people who can't help themselves. He's not with the worthy, but the outcasts, the unclean, and even helps those who don't know what thankfulness really is. Even the nine who fail to return are still healed. Because Christ isn't in it for the thank yous. He did it because He loves them. He bears the cross for them. And He loves you. It isn't measured in how many things you can list at the table to give thanks for. It's measured in the cross. Only Samaritan was truly thankful because thankfulness isn't halfhearted praise, but going back to the source for more. True thankfulness is getting seconds because that means more to whoever cooked for you all day than anything else. Go to the Thanksgiving Meal. The Eucharist. Communion. Then, go back for more. Thanksgiving is just returning to it over and over, heaping everything else that wasn't enough on a pile, and rejoicing in forgiveness and mercy for it all. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home; Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, In Thy garner to abide: Come with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home. (LSB 892:4)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 26, 2025Today's Reading: Revelation 22:1-21Daily Lectionary: Daniel 6:1-28; Daniel 9:1-27; Revelation 22:1-21“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” (Revelation 22:14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Bible ends with hope. Christ will return soon. The faithful pray, “Amen. Come Lord Jesus,” and the grace of the Lord Jesus is with them all. If there's that much hope, it can endure even when the evildoer still does evil. The filthy will still be filthy. The righteous still do right, and the holy still are holy. Don't worry. Hope. And in hope, live. It's going to look messy. As we live closer each day to the last when Christ returns, the evil and the holy will live alongside one another. It will look so messy that at times, we'll lose sight of who is who. We find ourselves in plenty of filth, committing plenty of sin, and arguing about the right context of it all so we can appear righteous. Every war is fought so that the winner can proclaim their deeds righteous at the end and vilify the loser. Every sinner knows the pattern of self-justification. People blame others. People excuse themselves. So do you. Everyone will just keep doing what we're doing until the end. But the Lord sees through the mess as to who is who. Not by your excuses. Not by your self-justifications. By His water. By His grace. By His Baptism. You who have been baptized, who have washed your robes, have the right to the Tree of Life. Even your sin can't take that right from you. For Jesus has taken that sin away through your Baptism. You are holy. Jesus makes you that way through your Baptism. Let the one who is holy still be holy. It's just who you are. Even when you fall into sin. Daily, you are washed clean again. That's why, in faith, you worship Christ. Keep doing what you're doing. Take your sin to Jesus. Let the one who is thirsty take the water of life without price. Rejoice in your Baptism. Live in hope. The end will be soon. But even while it's messy, never worry about who you are. You are baptized. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Spirit, water, blood entreating, Working faith and its completing In the One whose death-defeating Life has come, with life for all. (LSB 597:5)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 25, 2025Today's Reading: Colossians 1:13-20Daily Lectionary: Daniel 5:1-30; Daniel 7:1-8:27; Revelation 21:9-27“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This is what God looks like. Jesus. And you'll only see it here. On account of the “image of the invisible God” part. We rush to creation to find evidence of God, but can't see anything, even if we know that even there Christ was working. Psalm 19 is right. Creation shows there is a God. It doesn't reveal Him fully. You can argue about how complex a bird's wing is. There is plenty out there to support the notion of intelligent design. But even then, what intelligence? It's why everyone can look at the same bird, the same mountain range at sunset, and come up with different ideas about how we got here. Here's the thing, though. The chief work of God isn't creating. It's saving. This is the place you see God clearest. It looks like this. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). The cross He bore to redeem creation. Which is grander, making what can be broken, or redeeming something in a way that it can't be lost? It isn't just intelligence that shaped creation, but love. Mercy grand enough to see the depths to which we've fallen in sin, the darkness we get lost in, the pain we feel, and assume it unto Himself. God was made man that He would take upon Himself the fullness of our sin and bring it to nothing upon the cross. He did this for you. And it's finished. Now. You live in the kingdom of the Son. On the Last Day, that kingdom will look like the resurrection. A new creation, free from darkness and sin and pain and death. But Colossians tells us that He has already transferred us. Already delivered us. And again, you'll only see it here. On the cross. Not in creation. Because that part still looks pretty dark. So we look to the light of the world, Jesus, who darkness cannot overcome, who has borne death and left it broken and defeated. Even if you still live in the land of darkness, you live in the kingdom of the Son, who cannot die again. That means the darkness can assault you, but never own you. The creation can fall apart, but you'll just rise again. And if that ever gets hard to see, look to the cross, and know it stands. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Praise be to Christ in whom we see The image of the Father shown, The firstborn Son revealed and known, The truth and grace of deity; Through whom creation came to birth, Whose fingers set the stars in place, The unseen pow'rs, and this small earth, The furthest bounds of time and space. (LSB 538:1)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

November 24, 2025Today's Reading: Malachi 3:13-18Daily Lectionary: Daniel 4:1-37; Revelation 21:1-8“You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts?” (Malachi 3:14)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It doesn't seem to be going any better for the faithful than they were when Malachi wrote. We aren't marked as the richest or most successful. We aren't the healthiest. We don't avoid natural disasters. It hurts down here for believer and unbeliever alike. Even the people in Malachi's day noticed and dared to ask. What's the point of all this? So the prophet responds. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” It's not just, “Hey, one day you'll go to heaven and they won't, so you're way better off.” That's shallow at best, and pretty ugly at worst. First of all, who do you think seems to shine the sun on the good and the evil alike? It's God who gives even the unbelievers everything they have. It's Him who seems to set up a system where even the wicked receive daily bread the same as the faithful. It's almost like He wants sinners to receive good gifts. It's almost like He loves us all enough to die for the entire world. Evil people have stuff because God atones for all. Bleeds for all our sin. That's why the faithful have anything, too. Why do you think God giving you lots of stuff is somehow a great witness for Him and not just…like…really nice for you? The cross where God is even willing to die for His enemies makes a far better claim to His love. If you want to see the difference between the wicked and the righteous, don't look to how much they have. Don't even look to what they're doing. Look to the Lord, who forgives, saves, and names righteous. Yours is the God who insists on giving good gifts to those who don't deserve them. He insists there be order we haven't built, daily bread we haven't earned, all so that there would be space for us to hear His word that promises even more to us. Forgiveness of sins. Life. Salvation. All of us are born evil. And by the word and sacraments, you believe. Others are brought to faith, too. And if heaven happens to get a little more crowded, you can do more than just lament the fact that someone had nice things and salvation. You can rejoice with all the angels in heaven when one sinner repents. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home; Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, In Thy garner to abide: Come with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home. (LSB 892:4)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

The confrontations continue as the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, pose a ridiculous question about a woman with seven husbands. Jesus silences them, proving the resurrection from the books of Moses (the only Scripture they obey). A lawyer then tests Jesus, asking for the "greatest commandment." Jesus responds with the Shema and the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." Finally, Jesus turns the tables, asking the Pharisees how David's Son can also be David's Lord, which pressures them into considering His own divine identity. The Rev. William Cwirla, pastor emeritus and president emeritus of Higher Things, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 22:23-46.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In this special episode, we step into the theological deep end and ask a bold question: Who is God's Israel? Is the modern nation of Israel the fulfillment of God's promises? Are Christians obligated to support the reinstatement of Old Testament sacrifices in Jerusalem? And how do we rightly understand God's ancient people - the Jewish people—especially in light of Romans 11?   Special Guest Bio: Harrison Goodman serves as the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.  He's a husband, a father, a pastor, and an elder millennial for better but mostly for worse.  He's known online by literally 10s of people for talking too fast and spending the first half of his life on the secular side of Judaism.  Fortunately, as college is often seen as a time of experimentation, he was baptized at the age of 19 through campus ministry.  While it caused a rift at home, the Lutheran faith has been a comfort to him ever since.     Subscribe, Watch, & Share: www.3p1s.com

How have church work students connected with youth who are interested in church work vocations? Rebekah Saucerman (sophomore in the deaconess program at Concordia University Chicago) and Ryan Munro (senior in the pre-seminary program at Concordia University Wisconsin) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their journeys into their respective church work programs, the challenges they faced and overcame along this journey, how they were selected to serve as Young Adult Representatives with SAS at Higher Things conferences over the summer, the conversations they had with prospective students, and what they learned through this experience. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org. Christ's church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Where did Glenn Rollins get to travel this summer to share about Set Apart to Serve? Mr. Glenn Rollins (Manager, Set Apart to Serve) joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about the opportunities he's had this summer to meet with leaders and youth about futures in church work. He shares about the duties of the Young Adult Representatives at Higher Things conferences and what their interactions looked like at the conferences, the events he's been preparing for this Fall and how these events help leaders engage youth and adults in conversations about church work, and how he connects with leadership in LCMS districts to enable them to reach potential future church workers. You can learn more about the church work opportunities available in the Concordia University System and Seminaries at lcms.org/sas. Christ's church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

The LORD sounds His trumpet to proclaim His coming Day. His judgment on that Day is described with imagery of darkness, fire, locusts, chariots, and warriors, all reminiscent of the plagues against Egypt before the exodus. Those who have set themselves against the LORD will have no escape, for He is the One bringing His army. The only one who can endure the Day is the one who takes refuge in the LORD. Jesus has endured the wrath of God on the Day of the LORD in our place, so for us, the Day of the LORD at the end brings salvation and resurrection.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joel 2:1-11.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org