Podcasts about lutheran

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260921dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. Psalm 115:2-4 He Does Whatever Pleases Him “Where is your God?” Those who deny God’s existence may taunt Christians with that question. “If what you call sin is bad, why doesn’t God do something about it? If your God is real, why doesn’t he help you when you are hurting or in trouble?” Maybe we struggle with the same questions. The writer of our Bible reading today asks an important question: “Why do the nations say, ‘Where is your God?'” Isn’t it because we think too highly of ourselves? We think we know better than God about how things should be. And so, we criticize God for failing to act or for acting in ways that don’t seem right. How foolish and arrogant! Our God is not absent or powerless. He is not unjust or uncaring. He’s in heaven, far above everything else we might put our trust in. He wasn’t made by human hands or invented by human imagination. And he does whatever pleases him. He doesn’t need to answer to us. The good news is that what pleases God is to have a relationship with the people he created. When that relationship is broken by our selfish disobedience, what pleases him is to restore that relationship by sending his Son to suffer in our place. What pleases him is to demonstrate amazing grace by showing mercy to every sinner for the sake of his Son. If God were limited in any way, if God operated according to what we think is right, we could only fear him. But instead, he is pleased to love, forgive, and restore. And nothing can stand in his way. Prayer: Gracious God, in all of life’s circumstances, I know that you will do what pleases you and bless me by your amazing grace. Help me to trust your loving care. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260920dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 God’s Unique Way I thought for sure I would be first. But I ended up being last. It happened some years ago at a wedding reception. I made a special effort to sit at a table very near the buffet line. I thought for sure my table would get to eat first after the bride and groom. In a cruel twist, our table ended up eating last. I wasn’t very happy. Some people think that they will certainly be the first to enjoy heaven. They smugly say to themselves, “I’m a pretty good person. Sure, I’m not perfect. But at least I haven't killed anyone or robbed a bank.” Oh, what a big surprise awaits them. Those who boast in themselves or who refuse in stubborn arrogance to repent of their sins and cling to Jesus’ cross as their only real way will be last. They will be completely shut out of God’s heaven. They won’t be happy, but that’s God’s unique way. Mindful of our utter sinfulness and the many sins that we have committed against a holy God, may we ever remain sorry for our wrongs and kneel humbly before him. May we daily confess, “Lord, I don’t ever deserve to enjoy the buffet line of your blessings and grace in heaven because I am the chief of sinners!” Let us remember and believe that through faith in Jesus, who lived perfectly, died innocently, and rose triumphantly, our sins are fully paid, and our guilt is forever removed. As sinners we are “last” in God’s eyes. But by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, we get to be “first” one day in heaven. Then we’ll be eternally happy, all because of God’s unique way! Prayer: Lord, thank you for your unique way! I admit that I am a terrible sinner which makes me “last” before you. But I believe that Jesus has died for all of my sins. I am forgiven, because you have told me so. By your great love for me in Jesus, I rejoice to know that I will be “first” one day in heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260919dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 God Guides All Things for Good A man named Joseph spoke the words in our Bible reading today. Many years earlier, his own brothers had plotted first to kill him, then instead had decided to sell him into slavery. Can you imagine how much that must have hurt? Have other people hurt you? I know I have been hurt by other people. The truth is, every one of us has been hurt by someone. Hurt as badly as Joseph? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Regardless, what was true for Joseph is also true for you and me. God has promised to rule all things for the good of his people. If you believe that Jesus is your Savior, then you’re one of God's people, and therefore, God is ruling all things with your best interests in mind. And so even when another person intends to harm you, even when they sin against you horribly, God’s promise is that he will use it, somehow, someway, to bring blessing to you. He did it with Joseph. After being sold into slavery in Egypt, God guided things so that Joseph ended up becoming the second most powerful person in the kingdom, and through Joseph, many lives were saved from starvation. He could see clearly how God had guided things for his good and for the good of other people. Perhaps we will not be able to see it so clearly. That is okay. It’s not that we can SEE that God is guiding things that matter. What matters is that God has promised to do it. And God NEVER fails to keep a promise! Prayer: Almighty God, you have promised to guide all things for my good. Fulfill that promise! Assure me that, even when others sin against me that you will use it for my good and for the good of your people. Use that truth to heal me when I hurt and to enable me to forgive those who have sinned against me, even as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Original sin is not a minor blemish. We don't possess even a spark of good. Even when sin is not public, the corruption of our nature remains. Like a terminal disease, original sin cannot be removed by human effort. We must carefully distinguish human nature from original sin without separating them. Original sin corrupts our nature, but it is not the essence of humanity; otherwise, God would be made the creator of sin. Christ came to redeem our corrupted nature, and the Holy Spirit works to heal that corruption. Yet original sin is not fully eliminated in this life. We await Christ's return, when original sin will be destroyed once and for all.  Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of original sin. To learn more about Crown of Life, visit crownoflifesa.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260918dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'” Matthew 18:32-33 Canceled Debt Jesus once told a story about a servant who owed a king an enormous amount of money. The debt was so large that the servant could never repay it. When the king demanded payment, the servant fell to his knees and begged for more time. Then the king did something surprising. He did not give the servant more time. He canceled the debt completely. The servant walked away owing nothing. Soon afterward, that same servant found another man who owed him a much smaller amount. Instead of showing mercy, he grabbed the man and demanded his money. When the man could not pay, the servant had him thrown into prison. When the king heard what happened, he was furious. The servant had received incredible mercy, but he refused to show mercy to someone else. Jesus told this story to teach us about forgiveness. When someone hurts us, it can be difficult to forgive. The pain may be real. The offense may be serious. Forgiveness does not mean pretending that what happened was okay. But Jesus wants us to remember how much God has forgiven us. Every time we disobey God, we add to a debt we could never repay. We fail to love God as we should. We fail to love other people as we should. We think, say, and do things that go against what God wants. But God does not tell us to work harder until we have paid him back. Jesus paid our debt for us. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment our sins deserved. Because of what Jesus did, God forgives us completely. Our debt is canceled. That changes the way we look at people who sin against us. We do not forgive because their sin was small. We forgive because God’s mercy toward us is so great. The more we remember how much we have been forgiven, the more ready we will be to forgive others. Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for canceling my debt through Jesus. Help me remember your mercy and show that same mercy to others. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dr Adam Koontz talks about the confessional seal and what a pastor does when he hears confession of heinous sins. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260917dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22 No Keeping Score Three strikes and you’re out. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We all have limits for how often we will allow someone to offend us. We can understand and forgive one offense. Maybe even two. But if someone offends or hurts us three times? That’s it. So when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, he thought he was being generous by offering to forgive seven times. Jesus had just been teaching his disciples about forgiveness. Peter thought his question showed the lesson was sinking in. Jesus’ response showed Peter, and us, just how much we need to grow in our understanding of forgiveness. He turned Peter’s generous offer of seven into a fraction. “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a bigger number to keep track of. Imagine getting to offense number seventy-eight and saying, “Finally! Now I don't have to forgive you.” Jesus’ point was the opposite: stop keeping score. That is hard. When someone hurts us repeatedly, we remember. We keep a mental record. We can recall what they said, what they did, and how many times they have done it. Eventually, we decide they have used up their supply of forgiveness. Thankfully, that isn’t how Jesus treats us. How many times have you committed the same sin? How many times have you lost your temper, spoken selfishly, entertained the same sinful thought, or failed to love someone? Yet you have never reached the limit of Jesus' mercy. He carried every one of those sins to the cross and paid for them completely. Jesus doesn’t stand over you with a tally sheet. He stands before you with nail-scarred hands and says, “You are forgiven.” Because his forgiveness has no limits, we don’t need to put limits on ours. We can put down the scorecard and forgive again. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for forgiving me again and again. Help me stop keeping score and freely forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What does it mean to love your neighbor? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 1, Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher (Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of Certification, Concordia Seminary St. Louis) joins Sarah and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about "love" in Scripture. Dr. Fickenscher explores where "loving your neighbor" is recorded in Scripture, various Old and New Testament examples of love, gives an exegetical study of the words "love" and "neighbor," and shares what these words mean for us today as we live out our God-given vocations in our contexts. Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife. 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.

Date: August 24th of 2026  Speaker: Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard  Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11  Context: Sermon at St. Paul's Lutheran of Minot, ND  Manuscript: CLICK HERE  

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260916dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 God Meant It for Good Joseph didn’t call evil good. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him into slavery. Joseph described their actions honestly: “You intended to harm me.” But their evil intentions were not the only intentions at work. Joseph continued, “God intended it for good.” Through Joseph’s suffering, God placed him in Egypt. Through Joseph’s position in Egypt, God provided food during a severe famine. Through that food, God preserved Joseph’s family, including the family line through which the Savior would eventually come. The brothers intended harm. God accomplished salvation. That does not excuse what the brothers did. God did not approve of their sin. But their sin could not defeat his gracious plan. The same is true at the cross. Jesus’ enemies intended to silence him. Judas intended to betray him. Religious leaders intended to destroy him. Roman soldiers intended to execute him. Yet through their evil actions, God carried out his saving purpose. Jesus’ suffering became the means by which God rescued sinners. We cannot always see what God is accomplishing through the wrongs committed against us. We should not minimize evil or pretend that suffering is painless. But we can trust that evil never gets the final word. The God who turned Joseph's suffering into the saving of many lives turned Jesus’ death into the salvation of the world. He is still able to bend what others intend for harm toward his good and gracious purposes. Prayer: Lord God, when I cannot understand the evil and suffering around me, help me trust your saving wisdom and your gracious purposes in Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We head to southern Wisconsin for today's conversation! The Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador (President, South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey through school, his pathway to seminary, stories from his service in the parish after seminary, his duties as a district president and how he sees the district serving the local parish, how his service in the parish influences how he serves as President, what makes the South Wisconsin District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today. Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260915dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?” Genesis 50:19 In God’s Place Joseph had the power to make his brothers pay. He was a ruler in Egypt. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him as a slave. Because of them, Joseph had endured years of hardship, false accusations, and imprisonment. Now they stood helpless before him. Joseph could have acted as judge, jury, and executioner. Instead, he asked, “Am I in the place of God?” Joseph was not denying that his brothers had sinned. He was refusing to claim a position that belonged to God. Judgment and vengeance were the Lord's responsibility, not his. When someone hurts us, we often want to take God’s place. We replay the offense, pronounce the person guilty, and decide what punishment would be fair. We may refuse to speak to them, hope that they suffer, or look for an opportunity to hurt them back. But God has not called us to be his executioners. He calls us to forgive. That does not mean pretending that sin does not hurt. It does not always mean immediately restoring trust or removing appropriate consequences. It means releasing our personal claim to revenge. We place the matter into God’s hands. We can do that because God did not treat us as our sins deserved. Jesus stepped into our place and received our punishment. God’s undeserved forgiveness frees us to surrender our desire for revenge and show mercy to those who have wronged us. Prayer: Merciful God, keep me from taking your place as judge. Help me entrust justice to you and forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What does Lutheranism look like in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Mark Schroeder (President, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the history of WELS, the relationship between WELS and LCMS, what WELS looks like today in the United States and abroad, the current emphases of the WELS, how WELS does pastoral formation, challenges they've faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and what he's enjoyed about being among Lutherans from around the globe. Find the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at wels.net. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Finland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the recent challenges this church body and he personally have faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Finland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he's found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland at lhpk.fi. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Finland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the recent challenges this church body and he personally have faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Finland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he's found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland at lhpk.fi. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. 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.

What does Lutheranism look like in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Mark Schroeder (President, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the history of WELS, the relationship between WELS and LCMS, what WELS looks like today in the United States and abroad, the current emphases of the WELS, how WELS does pastoral formation, challenges they've faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and what he's enjoyed about being among Lutherans from around the globe. Find the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at wels.net. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. 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.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Finland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the recent challenges this church body and he personally have faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Finland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he's found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans. Find the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland at lhpk.fi. To learn more about Global Lutheranism: Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules. Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies. Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members. 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.

 "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you God" The prophet Micah (6:8)The words of the ancient prophet fly of the page, convicting and inspiring us.Yet they are quite difficult to put into practice! Reflection the 25th anniversary of 9/11 crystalizes precisely the challenge of doing justice and loving mercy in our world.The prophet Micah points us forward by reminding us that doing justice and loving mercy is grounded in humility. When our heart is humble, the seeds of justice and mercy bear fruit, even on terrible days like 9/11.Ultimately, though, Jesus does not come to us as a prophet, but a savior, one who doesn't simply teach about humility, but humbles us and makes our hearts alive through his cross.

What is the future of Lutheran higher education? Concordia University System President Jamison Hardy joins Zach to talk honestly about the state of the Concordias, lessons from Portland, Texas, and Ann Arbor, growing church-work enrollment, Luther Classical College, innovation in higher education, and why the LCMS needs to invest in the next generation. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260914dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 Forgive the Unforgivable Years had passed, but Joseph's brothers were still afraid. Long ago, they had been jealous of Joseph. Their jealousy turned into hatred, and their hatred led them to do something terrible. They sold their own brother into slavery and let their father believe Joseph was dead. But Joseph did not stay a slave. Through a remarkable series of events, God eventually placed Joseph in a position of great power in Egypt. Years later, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt looking for food during a famine. They were shocked to discover that their brother was alive and in such a position of power. Their father was thrilled to learn that his long-lost son was alive. All was well. But then their father died. The brothers were terrified. Maybe Joseph had only been kind to them in order to please their father. Maybe now he would finally get revenge. They could imagine punishment. They could imagine Joseph making them pay. What they could not imagine was forgiveness. Guilt can do the same thing to us. It reminds us of the worst things we have done. It tells us that some sins are too serious, too shameful, or too deliberate to be forgiven. We may believe that God forgives sins in general, yet still wonder, “But will he forgive this?” The answer is yes. God does not forgive reluctantly. He is not pretending to forgive while secretly planning to punish you later. Jesus already took the punishment your sins deserved. On the cross, he paid for every sin completely. Joseph did not take revenge on his brothers. He reassured them, cared for them, and spoke kindly to them. Your Savior does even more. When guilt tells you that God must still be angry, listen to Jesus instead. His cross says the punishment has been paid. His empty tomb says the payment was enough. What seems unforgivable to you is not beyond the forgiveness of Jesus. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when guilt makes me doubt your forgiveness, direct me to your cross and assure me that my sins have been paid for completely. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What if the kingdom of heaven isn't fair? In this episode, we unpack Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard, where those who work all day receive the same promise as those who arrive at the very end—and discover why the real problem isn't God's generosity, but our demand that God give us what we think we deserve. The last will be first and the first will be last because God's righteousness isn't about treating us fairly; it's about a God who is free to fulfill his promise and generous enough to give mercy to whom he chooses.GOSPEL Matthew 20:1-161 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."CARE OF SOULS: DEATHIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of SoulsSupport the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

How does a collection of church music serve the church at large? Dr. Elisabeth Urtel (Interim Director, Center for Church Music; Adjunct Instructor at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Center for Church Music housed on the campus of Concordia University, Chicago, including her extensive background in church music and hymnology, her recent dissertation studies on The Lutheran Hymnal, what the Center for Church Music is and how it serves the church, some of the exciting things you'll find in the Center's archives, and why this is an important resource for the church at large. Find the Center for Church Music at cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music. Other resources mentioned in this episode: hymnary.org Lectures in Church Music - cuchicago.edu/events/2026/10/lectures-in-church-music Anna B. Hoppe: Her Life and Hymnody by Elisabeth Urtel - fortresspress.com/store/product/9781942304333/Anna-B-Hoppe 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260913dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” Matthew 18:27 Forgiven How many times, just today, have you and I failed to love God with all our heart? Do you know? I don’t. Yet, every one of those failures was a sin. Or similarly, how many times, just today, have you and I failed to trust God completely? Do you know? Again, I don’t. Probably a whole bunch. Or again, how many times, just today, have you and I failed to focus our attention on God’s Word? Or failed to love our neighbor perfectly? Or failed to realize that someone needed a helping hand from us? Wow! How many sins have we piled up, just today? It’s probably quite a list. Hundreds? Thousands? More? Who knows? Well, God knows. And he knows not only about today, but about yesterday. And the day before that, and the day before that, and … well, you get the picture. And it isn’t pretty. What’s amazing is what God has done with all of those sins. He’s wiped them ALL away. Every single one of them. He placed all of them onto the back of his Son, Jesus, at the cross and paid for every single one of them. In doing so, Jesus canceled our debt because he paid for it in full. What a loving and gracious God we have! Prayer: Lord Jesus, to you I make confession of all my many sins. Thank you for paying the price for them at the cross. Help me live today in a way that reflects my gratitude for your great gift. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Maple Park Church Sermon - Speaker Marty Valder - September 13th, 2026 by Maple Park Church

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260912dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!'” Ezekiel 33:11 What does God want from me? “What does God want from me?” We’ve probably heard it; perhaps we’ve thought about it. In our Bible verse today, God first tells us what he DOESN’T want. He doesn’t want to send us to hell. He doesn’t want to condemn us. Oh, it’s true, that's what we deserve, because of our sinfulness. And if we consistently, stubbornly rebel against God, refusing to believe in him, then God has no choice, and he will send us to hell. But truly this isn’t what God wants So, what DOES God want? In short, he wants us. He wants our heart, our affection, our trust. He wants us to spend eternity with him. He wants you and me so badly that he—Jesus—became one of us, dying on the cross to pay for our sins in full. God wanted you that badly; God loved you that dearly. And God wants you to have the benefits of Jesus’ work—forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and much more—for all eternity. That’s what God wants for you! Prayer: O Savior, thank you for claiming me as one of your children. Although I’d rebelled against you, you wanted me. What grace! Lead me to always turn to you, to focus on you, to live in a way that makes clear that I appreciate what you’ve done for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus is NOT sin incarnate. God creates; Satan corrupts. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. When Christ took on our nature, He did so without sin. Although we are new creations in Christ, our corruption is not minor. Our corruption is so deep we need a perfect Savior with perfect blood to die an innocent death. This understanding is difficult to grasp according to reason, but it is a comfort to know that in this broken world, we can know with confidence that Christ has made us a new creation—one that awaits the perfect life in heaven at the final resurrection. Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of original sin. To learn more about Crown of Life, visit crownoflifesa.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

Dr Adam Koontz talks about the difference between Apologetics and Polemics and where the focus for Christians ought to be. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260911dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. . . “[We] know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 2:11,16 Hard Conversations The apostle Paul had to have a hard conversation with Cephas, better known as the apostle Peter. You know the kind of conversation—the one that puts your stomach in knots and that you'd really rather avoid. Paul had to call Peter out in front of the whole church because Peter’s actions were damaging the church. As more and more Gentiles came to faith in Jesus, cultural questions naturally arose. Did these non-Jewish believers have to follow Jewish customs to belong to the Christian church? Did they have to live like Jews in order to be true Christians? The Bible’s answer is clear: of course not. Yet Peter had stopped eating with Gentile Christians and ate only with Jewish Christians. By his actions, he was sending the message that faith in Jesus was not enough. If you wanted to be a true believer, you needed faith in Christ and obedience to the Old Testament ceremonial laws. Paul saw what was happening and recognized the effect it was having on the other believers. Without hesitation, he confronted Peter. Paul was not concerned about fitting in, hurting feelings, or offending people. He was concerned for the spiritual welfare of the entire church. He recognized Peter’s actions for what they really were: a threat to the very message of forgiveness through faith in Jesus alone. So, Paul reminded them that we are justified—acquitted in God’s courtroom—not by what we do, how we act, or how we live, but solely by what Jesus has done for us. Jesus calls us to confront a brother or sister’s sin not only for that person’s sake, but also for the good of the whole church. When we refuse to have those difficult conversations, our silence can strengthen others in their sin as well. Confronting sin is never easy. Yet God gives his people the privilege and responsibility to have these hard conversations for the greater good of his people. Prayer: Lord Jesus, please keep me mindful of the importance of having hard conversations about sin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The conversation doesn't end with this episode: In our Lead Time+ continuation, Dave Benke and Tim explore LCMS elections, the United List, divisions over worship, and who shapes the Synod's direction—and discuss what it could take to rebuild trust and unity. Join Lead Time+ to watch the full extended conversation, available now!In this episode of Lead Time - Twenty-five years after September 11, former LCMS Atlantic District President Rev. Dr. David Benke recounts what he witnessed in New York City, the Lutheran response that followed, and the prayer he offered at Yankee Stadium twelve days after the attacks.Benke shares the story of parents arriving at St. Peter's covered in ash, the creation of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, the thousands of grieving families gathered for “A Prayer for America,” and the controversy that followed his public Christian witness. He also reflects on the charges, suspension, trial, personal trauma, and difficult work of refusing to let resentment have the final word.Learn more about Dave Benke and his upcoming book "It's Okay to Pray", which will be available soon on the following websites: https://alpb.org/https://itsoktopray.com/Support the show⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Care about the future of the LCMS?Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Watch the Devotion Remember    It’s at this time of year where we hear that word “remember” or the words “don’t forget,” and they immediately tie our minds and hearts to the awful events that happened 25 years ago. Those of us who are old enough remember exactly where we were and what we were doing and how we reacted when we first heard the awful news.   There’s some of you who were (and still are) on active duty and cannot forget where you were or what you were doing because you knew what this meant for you in your vocation as a war fighter. Some of you were in high school, and you will not forget because those events moved something in you to join the fight and defend our nation so that something like this would never happen again. For some of you who went over there, you wish you could forget some of the things that happened over there.    There is a lot wrapped up in that word “remember.” Why would I want to remember? Part of us doesn’t want to remember because of how awful it was. We don’t want to remember because of people we lost to the war, people whose minds and bodies have been lost because of the war. And then we get to the deeper spiritual question, “God, do you remember where you were? What were you doing on that day?” And those who suffer may ask, “Lord, do you remember me in my grief and sorrow?”    What are we to do when remembering is difficult on the heart and soul? The only thing that we can do is to remember who our God is, who never forgets and always remembers – ah, with one exception. “I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). The most important thing God forgets is your sin, for he has hidden it in his Son's death on the cross.    When God looks back at the cross, he remembers. God remembers the pain and trauma and grief and death for God suffered it all for you and me to redeem us from it. God remembers why it was necessary for him to suffer. For God remembers the garden where we brought destruction and trauma and war and death—all the consequences of sin—into the world. God remembers he made a promise right there in the garden and kept that promise by going to the cross and grave for the world. God remembers what happened three days later, because it was on that day he guaranteed, “I redeem all things. I make all things right. I remember that I came to save you.”         Since our God is a God who does not forget, let us hold him to those things he remembers.   “Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath” (Job 7:7). “Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old” (Psalm 25:6). “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope” (Psalm 119:49). God remembers you. He remembers when he put his name on you, on your baptism day, when he claimed you as his own child, and tied you so intimately to his Son's death and resurrection. He doesn't forget you. He will not forget the awful things that have happened to you, your friends, your family, our country, because you are his.    He will remember to be your strength when you are weak, to be your peace when there is chaos, to be your joy when there is sadness, to be your life in death.   So do not forget 9/11. But do not forget your God. Remember him. Remember his promises. Because he doesn't forget them. And he doesn't forget about you.   Prayer: Father in heaven, remember your great mercy and love for your people. Remember what happened 25 years ago today and bring comfort and hope and healing to those who still suffer. Bring justice on those who harmed us. Curb the evil intentions of those who seek to bring harm on us again. Keep our police officers, firefighters and first responders diligent in their work. Keep watch over those who keep watch over us to keep us from the wolves. Defend us from enemies foreign and domestic so that we may live in peace. Do this, Father, for you are our loving Father, and we are your children, bought by the blood of your Son Jesus. In his name I pray it. Amen.    Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

In this episode, we look at the 8,000+ Christian denominations and ask whether all that division is evidence of a broken church — or branches growing off one vine. We'll walk through where the major denominations came from, why gathering with a local body isn't optional for a Christian, and how to actually choose a church without waiting for a perfect one.In this episode, we examine:- what the word "church" has meant since the assembly of Israel, and why a cookout with Christian friends isn't it- why John 15's vine and branches is spoken to a gathered community, not to you alone in your living room- the grace evangelicals are cutting themselves off from when church becomes optional- a fast tour of church history: the Jerusalem church, the 1054 schism, the Reformation, and the origins of Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anabaptist, Congregational, Baptist, Church of Christ, and Pentecostal traditions- the difference between denominations that split over doctrinal orthodoxy, over practice, and over mere preference- what each tradition does well, and what they need to learn from one another- four things to look for when choosing a church: doctrinal truth, social change, maturing community, and holding your preferences looselyIf you've been church hunting for years without finding the right fit, or you've wondered whether denominations are a problem to be solved, this episode is for you.Shop our verse-by-verse studies, books, and family discipleship resources ⦿ Every Woman a Theologian Shop:https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/shopSubscribe to Verity Podcast:https://apple.co/veritypodcastVerity Podcast is an Every Woman a Theologian company. We believe every woman should be a theologian—every woman a student of the heart of God.Order Every Woman a Theologian:https://tsfqr.com/EWATbookFollow along:Substack: https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.comInstagram: / phyliciamasonheimer EWAT Instagram: / everywomanatheologian Subscribe for weekly biblical theology, spiritual warfare teaching, and practical guidance for growing in discernment and confidence in Christ. #VerityPodcast #EveryWomanATheologian #FaithBuilding #ChristianWomen #PrayerLife #FaithLife #BibleStudy

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260910dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 God Wants Sinners to Live It’s the middle of the night. Loud banging pounds on your front door. The doorbell rings without stopping. Small stones tap against your bedroom window. Then your phone starts ringing and doesn’t stop. The ruckus is anything but welcome. But when you look out the window, you discover your house is on fire, and your neighbor has been desperately trying to wake you up and save your life. Thank God he did! And wouldn’t you do the same for him? Wouldn’t you do whatever it took to rescue him from the flames? That is what God is talking about through the prophet Ezekiel. Warning fellow believers about the danger of sin is rarely appreciated at first. But just as a neighbor makes a racket to save someone from a burning house, God sounds the alarm because he loves us. Through Ezekiel, God made it clear that a warning about sin is not intended to be an unwanted disturbance. It's a message of life! God rings our doorbell, pounds on our door, and sends fellow Christians to get our attention. Maybe it is your parents. Maybe a Christian friend. Maybe your pastor. However the warning comes, it comes in love, because God wants sinners to live. How much does he want that? He chose the death of his own Son over the death of the wicked. Jesus’ death gives you forgiven life. Jesus’ resurrection gives you eternal life. And as surely as Jesus lives, he wants nothing more than for us to be alive with him, forever, in heaven. That is why God sounds the alarm. Not to knock sinners down, but to lift them up with the gospel. Not to condemn, but to call them to the Savior who forgives. So, whichever end of the warning you are on, remember God’s purpose. His goal is never your death. His goal is your life! Prayer: Sovereign Lord, thank you for turning me from my sin and giving me life in Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What are the challenges of New Testament archeology, and what exciting things have been discovered just recently? Dr. Steven Notley (Dean of Religious Studies at Pillar College, Newark, NJ) and the Rev. Dr. Stephen Pietsch (Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Theological Research and Publication, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the third annual "These Stones Will Shout" biblical archaeology lecture set for Sept. 29th at Concordia Seminary. They discuss Dr. Notley's background and interest in biblical archaeology, the excavations at Khirbet el Araj, its historical and Biblical significance, how historical geography and New Testament archeology help us understand the scriptures more, where the el Araj excavation fits in the grand timeline of excavations in this part of the world, the challenges that come with New Testament archeology, and what attendees will hear at the upcoming lecture. Learn more about the lecture at csl.edu/2026/06/third-annual-these-stones-will-shout-biblical-archaeology-lecture-set-for-sept-29. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260909dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.” Ezekiel 33:7-9 Sound the Alarm It was two o’clock in the morning when I was treated to one of the most unsettling sounds ever invented: a tornado alarm blaring from the cell phone on my nightstand. As unpleasant as it was, it served a good purpose. A tornado had touched down nearby, and the alarm warned me to take cover. When God told the prophet Ezekiel that he was a watchman, he was giving him the responsibility to sound the alarm about sin so that the wicked would not die in it. If Ezekiel failed to warn them, the sinner would die for his own sin, but Ezekiel would be held accountable for failing to speak. If the warning was sounded and the sinner refused to listen, then the sinner alone would bear the guilt. Here God lays before his people an unsettling but loving responsibility. Whether you are a pastor, a parent, a child, a brother, a sister, or a friend, God calls you to warn sinners and urge them to turn from their wicked ways. That is not a responsibility to take lightly. To remain silent is not merely to leave someone in danger. It is neglecting the call God has given you. But when you sound the alarm, you are speaking God’s Word, not your own. Your motivation is love. The goal is life, not condemnation. Just as no one seeks shelter from a tornado they never knew was coming, a sinner will not turn to the Savior without first seeing the danger of sin. And what a privilege it is to say to those who turn from their wickedness: “God completely forgives your sin because of Jesus.” Prayer: Lord, forgive my silences and make me a vigilant watchman for your people. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We head to the northern third of Illinois for today's conversation! The Rev. Dr. Allan Buss (President, Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about where he grew up, his journey to seminary, where he served in parishes and what he learned from those experiences, why visitation is so important to him in his vocation, his duties as a district president, what makes the Northern Illinois District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today. Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260908dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 Binding and Loosing In Matthew, chapter eighteen, Jesus explains that, if a Christian sees a fellow Christian caught in a sin, they have a responsibility to point it out to them. He goes on to say that if the person refuses to listen to repeated warnings and persists in unrepentant sin, there comes a point when they are to be regarded as an unbeliever. But if they listen, acknowledge their sin, and turn from it, then, Jesus says, “You have won them over.” They are restored, and all is well again between them and God! Jesus explains why this is true: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). Jesus is not saying that Christians make statements on earth that somehow become true in heaven. It’s actually the opposite. What we declare on earth simply reflects what is already true before God in heaven. When a Christian continues to live in sin despite repeated warning from other Christians, that sin is bound to them. It is like a heavy chain they cannot break. As long as they persist in it, they remain guilty before God. Since that is already true in heaven, wouldn’t you want them to know it here on earth? By warning them, you give them the opportunity to turn from their sin and live. Because when a sinner acknowledges their sin, turns from it, and trusts in Jesus for forgiveness, that burden is loosed. The chains are removed. They are forgiven. Jesus has already paid for that sin by his death on the cross. Forgiveness was won long before they ever sought it. Since that forgiveness is already theirs before God through Christ, wouldn’t you want to announce it to them here on earth? That is what binding and loosing are all about. You simply declare on earth what is already true in heaven: warning the unrepentant of their danger and assuring the repentant of Christ's full forgiveness. Thank God for brothers and sisters in Christ who do the same for you! Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to confident speak what is true before you in heaven here on earth. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The early church didn't grow through programs or events alone, but through devoted relationships centered on the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Jesus' commission is lived out as ordinary believers walk together in authentic community—devoted to Christ and to one another. This is relational discipleship: not isolated faith or busy activity, but life-on-life investment where the Gospel is shared, believers are connected and trained in the Word, and disciples are released to multiply. God still builds His Church this way today—by grace, shared in friendships.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna

How does the Gospel of Christ bring peace, forgiveness, and restoration to women who are struggling after an abortion? Deaconess Dr. Chrissie Gillet (Director, Word of Hope, a ministry of Lutherans for Life) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about an upcoming retreat for women struggling after abortion. They talk about what inspired this retreat, who it is for, what attendees will experience, how this retreat will bring the hope and healing of Christ to women, and what makes this retreat different from others. Learn more at word-of-hope.org/rgr, 888-217-8679, or info@word-of-hope.org. Redeeming Grace Retreat October 1-4, 2026 Registration deadline: September 15 A Place of Peace, Forgiveness, and Restoration Wildwood Hills Ranch, St. Charles, Iowa 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260907dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15 Your Brother’s or Sister’s Keeper With these words, Jesus wants you to know that you are your brother's or sister's keeper. Now, because this concept can be so easily misunderstood, it's helpful to define exactly what Jesus means. In this case, a brother or sister is someone who belongs to the same spiritual family, someone who shares your faith in Jesus Christ. And this is a brother or sister who has sinned. They have done something God clearly forbids or failed to do something God clearly commands. This is also someone who needs to be shown their sin. Perhaps they are unaware that what they are doing is sinful. Or perhaps they know exactly what the Bible says but have chosen to continue anyway. Jesus is talking about people who have given themselves over to a deliberate pattern of sin. Understand, then, what Jesus is not saying. He is not sending you out to confront every stranger you meet. He is not telling you to correct those who think or act differently than you. He isn’t commanding you to challenge people simply because they disagree with you or irritate you. Rather, Jesus sends you to a fellow believer who has clearly wandered into sin and is persisting in it. Why does he do it? Why does he send us to be our brother or sister’s keeper? Because deliberate, unrepentant sin is dangerous. Left unchecked, it destroys people’s faith. If someone you loved were heading toward a cliff without realizing it, wouldn’t you warn them? How much more when their eternal life is at stake? There is another reason too. If a brother or sister repents of their sin, they receive full and immediate forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The Savior who died for every sin has already paid for theirs as well. Wouldn’t you want them to know that? Wouldn't you want to be the one to tell them that good news? Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen me to act as my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Thank you for allowing me to tell your people what they need to hear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What if there is no law that tells you how much mercy you have to give? Peter wants to put forgiveness back into a manageable number, but Jesus responds with a debt so enormous that it cannot possibly be repaid—and then simply wipes it away. We explore why forgiveness isn't something we master through better behavior, but something that happens to sinners when Christ's mercy finds them at the end of their own ability to save themselves.GOSPEL Matthew 18.21-3521 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked33 slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." CARE OF SOULS: DEATHIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of SoulsSupport the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

How can we express joy even in sorrow? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) joins Andy and Sarah for Part 3 of 3 on “serious joy” to talk about what "countenance" is and how it's related to joy, how we practice joy in sorrow, some misconceptions about joy, the difference between joy and happiness, and where we can turn to in Scripture for encouragement. Find everything from Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller at wolfmueller.co and youtube.com/@PastorBryanWolfmueller. 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.

Dr. Richard Stuckwisch President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The post Lutheran Schools and the Three Estates – Dr. Richard Stuckwisch, 9/7/26 (2501) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260906dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15 Forgiving and Forgetting When Jesus lived in this world, he demonstrated again and again his great love for people. He helped them with their physical needs, but more importantly he shared with them the message which satisfied their spiritual needs. He stated that he had come to seek and save the lost. The lost sometimes included people with whom he was well acquainted. Recall, for example, how Jesus went to Peter who had disgracefully denied his Lord and reminded Peter of his sin and then lovingly restored his apostle. In today’s Bible passage, Jesus is speaking about the personal ministry we have with and for other Christians. When we see a Christian slip into sin and continue to live impenitently in that sin, Jesus wants us to do something about it. Jesus’ concern is not that we try to reform a fellow Christian’s irritating habits or change his personality quirks. He is speaking about living impenitently in a particular sin which defies the Word of God. Can we dare to become apathetic about a person who is in danger of eternal separation from God? Hardly! Jesus says, “Go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.” Take the initiative. Don’t wait for the person to come to you. And go alone first. Keep the matter as private as possible. Jesus doesn’t want sin spread around. When you have pointed out someone’s sin, and he listens to you and agrees, then assure him that God forgives him and so do you. Then be sure to leave the sin behind. If not letting go of someone else’s past and forgiven sins is something you struggle with, take this to God in prayer. Ask your heavenly Father to help you forgive and forget the sin of others just as he has dealt with your sin through Christ. God declares, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Prayer: Heavenly Father, as you have forgiven me through Jesus, so help me to forgive others from the heart and gladly do good to those who sin against me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260905dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 Worth it? Is it worth it? We ask ourselves this question many times every day. Is it worth it to drive out of our way to save a few pennies on gas? Is it worth it getting the kids out of the car, or should we just use the drive-through? Is it worth it paying for next-day shipping, or can we wait a few extra days? Thankfully, there is one decision that is so clear we have no need to wonder, “Is it worth it?” God tells us that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us. In other words, if you piled all your sufferings on one side of a scale and on the other side the glory that awaits you in heaven, the scale would tip fast to the side of glory. In fact, the answer would be so obvious you would wonder why you even bothered to weigh them at all. Is it worth it to go through suffering on your way to heaven? Is it worth it to continue to fight against sin? Is it worth it to be made fun of and looked down on for your faith? Is it worth it to go through loneliness, poverty, disease, trusting in God’s power to save? Is it worth it to suffer things like these? God says that it will be so worth it that it isn’t even worth comparing. Think about your worst day. No matter how bad it was or what happened, a time is coming when you will be so happy, content, perfect, and at peace that your worst day won’t even be remembered. No matter how bad things get, God promises you that the good coming in your eternal future will far outweigh any bad you go through now. Is it worth the suffering to be with Jesus? God’s Word tells you not even to compare the present with the future. The glory God has in store for you is better by far. Prayer: Father in heaven, keep my eyes focused on the glory you promise me that I may not despair of my sufferings. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Original sin is the deep and thorough corruption of our human nature which requires God Himself to overcome for our salvation.  The Concordians were careful to teach that original sin was not the essence of a person; if that were the case, God would be the creator of sin. According to Scripture, we are God's creation but inherit this corruption from Adam's fall. This corruption is real, but even more real is God's love revealed by the blood of Christ!  Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study original sin. To learn more about Crown of Life Lutheran, visit crownoflifesa.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

In episode THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX, Mike is joined by Pastor Matthew Scharf of Grace Lutheran in Milwaukee. They discuss the difference between Lutheranism and other denominations. Check out Grace's podcast, This Is Most Certainly True. We hope you enjoy the episode! Let us know if you have questions you'd like us to address in a future episode.  For more about the show and the hosts, visit the Let the Bird Fly! website. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music and Image used in this Episode: “The Last One” by Jahzzar is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 International License. “Gib laut” by Dirk Becker is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License. “Whistling Down the Road” by Silent Partner. “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260904dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25 Waiting Patiently How many times did you wait today? Wait in line. Wait at a red light. Wait for a text. We spend a surprising amount of life waiting. Are you patient when it comes to waiting? The Christian life is a life of waiting. We wait for Christ to return. We wait for the resurrection of our bodies. We wait for the day when sin is gone, and every promise God has made is fulfilled before our eyes. Yet notice how the apostle Paul describes that waiting: “We wait for it patiently.” Patience doesn’t come naturally. There's a reason it's called a virtue. By nature, we want God to work according to our timetable. In a world where instant information is at our fingertips, this has only been magnified. But biblical patience is the quiet confidence that rests in God’s promises even when his timing remains hidden. Think of a farmer. After planting his seed, he cannot make it grow by worrying. He cannot rush the harvest by checking the field every hour. He waits because he trusts that, in the proper season, the crop will come. So, too, our heavenly Father has already planted every promise in the death and resurrection of his Son. The harvest is certain. The only thing left is God’s appointed day. That changes how we carry today’s crosses. We do not endure suffering to prove our strength. Rather, we trust that it is often through waiting that the Lord strengthens us through his Word. We wait because we know our Savior keeps every promise. One day the waiting will end. The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised. The crown that Jesus won will be a joyful reality, and every cross will be behind you. But until that glorious day, keep waiting, not with anxious uncertainty, but with joyful confidence. It will be worth the wait because no cross compares with the crown of glory that awaits. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have promised that you will come again to take your people home. Keep me faithful as I wait for that glorious day. Give me patience that rests in your promises, courage to bear the crosses of this life, and confidence that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dr Adam Koontz talks about the Seven Mountains Mandate, who its founders were, what the Seven Mountains are, and what it sees as the role of the Christian in the world.  Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260903dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 8:24 Saved In Hope When you say, “I hope so,” what do you mean? “I hope the traffic isn’t bad…I hope it doesn’t rain.” It’s a wish more than a guarantee. That is not the hope in our Bible verse today: “In this hope we were saved.” Notice the tense. We were saved. Jesus has already accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. On the cross, he declared, “It is finished.” He paid for every sin. He declared that whoever believes in him already has eternal life. So, if we are already saved, why do we still hope? Because while our salvation is complete, it has not yet been fully revealed. We possess God’s promises by faith, but we have not yet seen their fulfillment with our eyes. Think of a child on Christmas Eve. The gifts are already under the tree. They can see their name on the presents. Yet the child still waits eagerly for morning, longing to unwrap what has already been bought. So, too, our inheritance is already ours because of Christ. Yet we eagerly await the day when every promise is opened before us. That is why Paul says, “Hope that is seen is no hope at all.” If we could already see heaven, there would be no need for hope. If our bodies had already been raised, there would be no need for waiting. But we're not there yet. So, what do we do now? We live by God's promises, trusting that God's Word speaks a reality greater than what our eyes can see. A hospital room doesn’t look like victory, but Jesus says, “Your body will rise.” Tears of loneliness shed on a pillow don't look comforting, but Jesus says, “You are my child.” One day hope will no longer be necessary. Faith will become sight when we see Jesus’ face and rejoice in the glory that cannot be compared to present suffering. Until that day, we live in hope—not because we are guessing what the future holds, but because we know the One who holds the future. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for accomplishing my salvation completely. When my eyes are fixed on the troubles of this world, turn my heart again to your sure promises. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.