Reflections

 November 22, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: The Sacrament Part 1

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 5:1-19, Matthew 22:23-46

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Hungry?  Sure, you’ve all been there. If you don’t eat, you get “hangry”, weak and will eventually die.  God takes care of you daily by giving physical food and drink.  In the same way He feeds you in this Christian faith.  He gives you forgiveness, life, and salvation. Are you hungry for forgiveness because of your guilt? Are you weakened and troubled by your sins? Then come and eat! 

Go to the altar and receive the gift of God’s forgiveness. There you are filled with Christ’s forgiveness that heals your soul and will bring wholeness to your body. Just like physical food strengthens you, so too the Eucharist is given to strengthen you in faith toward God and in fervent love toward one another. So come to the altar and be assured of God’s love for you. He loved you so much that he gave his only Son for you, that you would not perish but have eternal life.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving Bread,  May I in grace possess You.  Let me with holy food be fed,  In hunger I address You.   Prepare me well for You, O Lord,  And, humbly by my prayer implored,  Give me Your grace and mercy.  (LSB 625:1)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 21, 2023

Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 3:6-4:2, Matthew 22:1-22

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. (1 Thessalonians 5:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. During this time of year we are coming to the close of another church year. Between this time and the season of Advent, we hear an awful lot about the return of Jesus: the last day, the day of judgment. So many and Christianity want to know when that will happen. So many Christians are terrified by that day, and left in our sins we should be terrified!   So many in Christianity today like to act like they know when it’s going to happen because of signs and seasons all around us. 

Paul’s words today in 1 Thessalonians 5 show us how we should anticipate Jesus’ return. Holy Scripture is silent, we don’t know when it’s gonna happen.  Pray it happens, but don’t fret about it.  The Lord’s final verdict for you in Jesus is “not guilty”.  In Christ you are perfect, and without blemish or stain of sin. That is who you are now in your Baptism, and that is who you are, when the Lord returns to judge the living and the dead.  We don’t know when this last day will happen, but we should fervently pray for it to happen sooner than later. On that day, the Lord will return to bring us to that place where there is no darkness, no sin, no death. In Christ, we will see him face-to-face, and live in the light of his glory forever and ever, come Lord Jesus come quickly!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The One whom angels tended comes near, a child, to serve; thus God, the judge offended, bears all our sins deserve. The guilty need not cower, for God has reconciled  through his redemptive power all those who trust this child.  (LSB 337:2)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 20, 2023

Today's Reading: Zephaniah 1:7-16

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19, Matthew 21:23-46

Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.  (Zephaniah. 1:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine if your pastor started his sermon with “Be quiet!” It would get your attention.  This is how Zephaniah speaks in today's reading. Zephaniah tells the people of God to be quiet, in other words, “Hush up, you’re in the presence of the Lord.” Thanks be to God?

What Zephaniah says is meant to strike fear in the hearts of God’s people. The day of our Lord's return is nearer today than it was yesterday.  We do not know when it will happen and this time of year we are shaken up by the reminder of his return.  This shaking up is a reminder to repent, confess your sins.  

Where is the Gospel in all of this?  It’s all about Jesus!  Jesus, is the one who is returning to judge the living and dead.  But remember Jesus is the one who takes the judgment promised by Zephaniah onto himself. He is judged with your sins in our place on Good Friday.  The day of the Lord’s return can be scary stuff!  In Christ, however, it becomes good news for you and we pray for His return as soon as possible.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The night will soon be ending; the dawn cannot be far.  Let songs of praise ascending now greet the Morning Star!  All you whom darkness frightens with guilt or grief or pain,  God’s radiant Star now brightens and bids you sing again.  (LSB 337:1)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 19, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 21:1-22

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  (Matthew 25:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We can easily get bogged down by these parables to see who we are in the reading.  These parables are all about what Jesus is doing for you!  Let them be all about Jesus and His work for you!  Jesus is the good and faithful servant. Christ Jesus was entrusted with God’s Word.  He is the only one who perfectly kept the Commandments of God.  The Father entrusted the salvation of the world with a single life, His very own Son.  Jesus lived that life without fault, in perfection, in true faithfulness to His heavenly Father, for you!  In turn the Father says to Christ Jesus, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” You are forgiven in Jesus’ righteousness because of that the Father likewise says to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

His faithfulness spills over to us in your love and generosity to others in need. Jesus does all the work, by faith you get all the credit, pray that the lord would work His love and generosity in and through you for the benefit of your neighbor. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Dispel from us the works of darkness and grant us to live in the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that our faith may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (Prayer for Pentecost 25)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 18, 2023

Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 25: Psalm 143:2, 5-6, 10-11; antiphon Psalm 143:1

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Matthew 20:17-34

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy!  In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!  (Psalm 143:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. David was betrayed. There were those who ran after him to take his life. One of those who wanted him dead was his own son Absalom.  David’s very life was in danger, he felt crushed into the ground.  We have betrayed ourselves in our sins.  Not only have we betrayed ourselves but we are also being pursued by enemies of death, the devil, a fallen, wicked world. This is why we pray Psalm 143 and our Lord answers your prayer with His mighty deliverance.

Rather than running away Jesus is betrayed in your place.  He lets our sins hunt Him down for our sake.   He is hunted, beaten down, crushed, crucified, and died for you!  He is risen and now Jesus pursues you through the valley of the shadow of death.  He does not pursue you with betrayal or death.  He pursues you with goodness and mercy all the days of your life.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From depths of woe I cry to Thee,  In trial and tribulation;  Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication.  If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,   Who then could heaven ever win  Or stand before Thy presence?  (LSB 607:q)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 17, 2023

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-28

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27, Matthew 20:1-16

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 37:27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sin loves to eat at us. Even if it's not bugging you all the time, you still find yourself bothered at times. You just can't get over it! If it wasn’t bad enough looking at your sinful heart, we also hear that sin is a beast ready to pounce and consume you (Genesis 4:7). 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  Our sin and the devil are actively working to rule us and we have no problem with it.

It's all a matter of what your All-knowing and Almighty God says about it. It's the part we don't want to think about. While no one else may know except you, there is someone who always knows: your God.  He sees no life, no color, no blood pulsing from your heart of stone.  We are dead in our sins.  

Ezekiel was not only consoling Israel who were brought into their own land, but he was foretelling of the new covenant God has given to us. The name of God, the Word of God is made flesh and dwelt among us.  As the Word made flesh is crucified for you, blood and water burst forth from His side to cleanse you. That's why Ezekiel connects the name of God, with God washing us clean and giving us a new heart.  Daily as we live out our Baptism we are reminded that we are part of the family of God.  Stony hearts are ripped out and new hearts of flesh are given to us. And your hearts are alive, full of color and live, hearts that are now the temple of God. In Baptism your veins now pulse with the blood of Christ in 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)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 16, 2023

Today's Reading: 

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29, Matthew 19:16-30

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “The Lord be with you” is a statement you often hear your pastor say.  This is not a simple greeting, it is a blessing and consolation, of the promised presence of the Lord Jesus with you. 

Moses was 120 years old, he was told he would not be able to enter into the promised land. Now things are handed off to Joshua, to continue the Lord’s promise of the land they would inherit.  Surely there was fear, confusion, and uncertainty. We face life each day with the same things before us. Each, and every time we gather for Divine Service we are constantly reminded of the great blessing that the Lord is with you. He is with you, as the prayer of the day is being prayed in the congregation.  He promises to hear our prayers. He is with you as He prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies in the Eucharist. He is with you as He sends you out the doors of the church with his heavenly benediction, and blessing for you.  Be sure to catch that the next time you’re in the Divine Service where the pastor says the “Lord be with you.” It is key, it is intentional and it is Jesus’ promise said through your pastor.  No matter what we face in life do not be discouraged, do not be afraid, Jesus is with you promising you the everlasting inheritance that is laid before you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In these last days of sore distress  grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness

that pure we keep, till life is spent,  your holy Word and sacrament. (LSB 585:2)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 15, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: The Office of the Keys

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20,  Matthew 19:1-15

but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you go to a doctor, maybe you have a small issue that bothers you. Maybe it’s a larger issue that you can’t handle.  You’ve tried to give yourself a remedy but nothing works. The doctor enters privately, examines you and gives you a path forward for healing.  What is said and shown to the doctor remains with the doctor.  This is how you should view your pastor with private confession.  Luther calls the pastor the “soul physician”.  

In private confession Jesus is doing the forgiving when pastors forgive the sins of the people given into their spiritual care. Jesus says “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).  Unlike a doctor, the pastor’s medicine always works because Jesus is always the medicine you need.  Go to your pastor just like you go to your doctor.  Confess your sins as the self inflicted wounds that need help and healing.  Just like others wound you and a doctor heals those wounds, absolution heals the wounds done against you.  Jesus will take all sins away, even the ones done against you because by His cross, His death brings life and the medicine of immortality to you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For your Son has suffered for me  Giv’n Himself to rescue me   Died to save and restore me

Reconciled and set me free  Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish These dark fears and soothe this anguish

(LSB 608:3)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 14, 2023

Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29, Matthew 18:21-35

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Death is very confusing.  It’s really confusing for those outside of the church. For a non Christian, a funeral is pure grieving, pure loss, pure hopelessness, because death is only seen as permanent separation. And this is the approach the Thessalonians were drifting into when it came to death as well. Even as Christians we are not immune from the sting and confusion of death. Those of us who have had loved ones pass away do not hear from them anymore, do not see them anymore, do not find encouragement from them anymore. At death, they are removed from us and they seem to be completely gone. This was and is the assumption of those without the encouragement of God’s promises.

But because of Jesus we do not lose hope or insight to the future.  Death for Christians is not a permanent loss, it is nothing more than sleep!  What a joy!  We placed our loved ones in the cemetery, the place of sleeping.  We have a great hope when it comes to facing the death of those who fall asleep in Christ! Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection have an intimate connection to the believer’s life. Because Jesus paid for all of our sins and served as the first-fruits of the resurrection, we know that those who have fallen asleep in the Lord will be awakened from their death-slumber on the last day. God will bring those who have fallen asleep to himself. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Awake, my heart, with gladness– see what today is done!  Now, after gloom and sadness, comes forth the glorious sun.  My Savior there was laid  where our bed must be made  when to the realms of light  our spirit wings its flight.  (LSB 461:1)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 13, 2023

Today's Reading: Amos 5:18-24

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22, Matthew 18:1-20

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Justice is a big buzzword in our society today. Our world says we must have justice for whatever we are passionate about. Many Christians today  emphasize the Christian faith needs to be all about justice for everybody else.  Justice is why the church exists today. But what does that justice and righteousness look like?  

Amos’ message is harsh, it bites, it thrusts the Law of God’s sword into our hearts. We do not love God, or our neighbor, as ourselves. We, like the people of Amos’ time, have given God cheap lip service. We have felt that we have offered proper worship to Him and that we have done well in His sight. This leads us to ignore the needs of mercy and forgiveness that our neighbors desperately need from you.  

Confess your sins, confess you don’t know what you’re doing before God, or that you can know true justice and righteousness on your own.  But also give thanks to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s justice and His righteousness flow out of the pierced side of Jesus for your forgiveness. Strengthened and washed by the blood of Jesus, you now receive God’s undeserved justice and righteousness. As Christ now lives in you, you know justice, you know  true righteousness, you know, true love, and mercy for your neighbor, in need all because of Jesus.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Today Your mercy calls us To wash away our sin. However great our trespass, Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away, Your precious blood can wash us And make us clean today.  (LSB 915:1)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.