Reflections

October 23, 2023

Today's Reading: Acts 15:12-22

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21, Matthew 8:18-34

After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. (Acts 15:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You all probably know someone who does not believe in Jesus.  I'd be surprised if anyone reading this doesn't have a dear loved one, who does not trust in Christ. It's the saddest thing in the world. Today we observe the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of our Lord.  James was Jesus' brother (Mark 6:3). Yet, we are told in Scripture that Jesus' brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). In fact his family thought he was a downright cuckoo! (Mark 6:21) 

How sad that James couldn’t believe what Jesus had come to accomplish.  However, all hope is not lost. We know that at some point James believed in Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:7 that after his resurrection Jesus appeared to James after he appeared to his disciples. In Acts 1:14 Jesus' brothers, who didn't believe in him were in Jerusalem devoting themselves to prayer and waiting for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. James didn't only become a believer and a witness of the resurrection of Christ, but he is counted among the Apostles (1 Corinthians 9:5) and. Paul even calls him a pillar of the church! (Galatians 1:18-19; 2:9). The Epistle of James also is believed to be written by the same James.  We know that Jesus is able to sympathize with us in our weakness and was tempted like us in every way, except without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Yet, we also know that Jesus dealt with the pain of having his own flesh and blood reject him and not have saving faith. But our Lord continued to pray for his brother. He continued to preach and confess the truth. And those prayers and those words worked. James was baptized and led to confess Christ, and he died a Christian death.  

So while you have loved ones who aren’t Christian, Christ knows the same sadness and pain. He will not give up on them, just as He did not give up on James. You have the comfort that God hears your prayers for your loved one. And you have the encouragement to not give up confessing Christ. God's word has the power to create faith (Romans 10:17). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, shepherd of Your people, You raised up James the Just, brother of our Lord, to lead and guide Your Church. Grant that we may follow his example of prayer and reconciliation and be strengthened by the witness of his death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- 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.

October 22, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40, Matthew 8:1-17

And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”  (Matthew 22:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees today try to trap Jesus. They want to see if He would be for or against paying taxes to the Romans.  Jesus famously uses the image of Caesar on the coin to show that He wasn’t a revolutionary who refused to pay taxes or overthrow the Romans. He submitted to the governing authority yet knowing that the Romans or Herod would never have authority unless it had been given from on high. The image of Caesar meant it belonged to Caesar, but you are made in the image of God, which means that you belong to God. It is God who claims us, who made us in his own image. We do not belong to anything or to anyone else. We don’t even belong to ourselves. We belong to God in all our being, with all our talents, interests, time, and wealth. 

The consequences of belonging to God are really beautiful. First, it means that God will not forsake us. The Pharisees and the other religious leaders that Jesus denounces were notoriously bad at caring for the people. They neglected their responsibilities and the people God gave into their care. Second, it means that because we belong to God, we belong to the people of God, the body of Christ. We are baptized into this Body and no political or governing authority can take that away from you.  Pay your taxes?  Yes, as hard as it is to accept that. Pay your way to get back into God’s good grace?  No way!  Jesus paid the price for you so that you now live with Him in His kingdom. The cross was the final trap of the Pharisees, but through that cross Jesus paid the price in full for the life of the whole world.  You bear the image of Jesus in your Baptism, God has rendered to you His son so that you may be His forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have mercy on us that with You as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- 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.

October 21, 2023

Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 21: Psalm 121:1-4, 7-8; antiphon Psalm 121:5

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:1-20, Matthew 7:13-29

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Psalm 121 is a “song of ascent”. It was sung by the pilgrims who were making their journey to Jerusalem and the temple.  Their journey was often met with intense heat, rocky terrain, dangerous roads and even people who would rob or kill them. This Psalm is the perfect Psalm to describe the beginning and end of your life as a Christian.

In the life of the church we typically use Psalm 121 in the rite of Holy Baptism and sometimes at funerals.   Baptisms and funerals are the two events that are a part of every Christian’s life.  Baptisms and funerals go together perfectly.  In Baptism you are connected to Jesus’ death and resurrection, you are washed clean and walk in the newness of life.  At a funeral the first thing we do is acknowledge that the deceased “IS” baptized, not was baptized. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection the deceased will rise again on the last day in resurrection of all flesh, never to die again.  Likewise for us living today that means that in your Baptism you are clothed in Christ. Even as we journey in the treacherous paths of life, through danger, suffering, even in the valley of the shadow of death Jesus keeps you and guards you from all evil.  Jesus has placed the sign of the cross on your forehead to mark you as one who is redeemed by His blood. By all these promises God who watches over our comings and goings now and forever more. . In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure!  Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I’ll sleep secure.  Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising:  I am baptized into Christ; I’m a child of paradise! (LSB 594:5)

- 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.

October 20, 2023

Today's Reading: 

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29, Matthew 7:1-12

“Do not judge others..”. (Matthew 7:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ever watch a courtroom trial on TV, you will always notice the trial takes time. Sometimes the trial is a few hours, sometimes it takes months. You will always notice that the judge doesn’t immediately make a judgment at the start of a trial.  Judges listen carefully to the facts, they read the laws and take all things into account before bringing in the verdict. Their duty is to make sure that the trial is fair to all sides with all the facts put on display.  Today everyone loves to throw the Words of Jesus at us “Judge not!”  It’s probably the most memorized verse in and outside of the church today.  However, in Matthew 7, Jesus is dealing with the Pharisees, who spent most of the time immediately criticizing the sins and shortcomings of everyone except themselves. Jesus eventually became so frustrated with the Pharisee’s self-righteousness (viewing themselves as perfect) that He called them “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27).

“Judge not”. Most of the people who quote this verse don't understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. If we see what Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, He commands us to know people by the fruit of their life, and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to unconditionally love. But the Christian is not called to unconditional approval. We really can love people who do things that should not be approved of. Instead, Jesus is speaking against being judgmental, that is, judging motives and the inner man, which only God can know.  We can judge the fruit of a man, but we can rarely judge their motives with accuracy. Sin is an addiction and our neighbor cannot free themselves of their sinful condition. Most of our judgment in regard to others is wrong, we do not let all the facts be made known. Jesus will judge the living and the dead, but He will do so with a standard we cannot see in ourselves. His final verdict is given from the cross “forgive them for they know not what they do.”  That is your verdict in Jesus and it's our prayer, not judgment, that many more would be declared not guilty because the blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sins.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“The Law of God is good and wise  And sets His will before our eyes,

Shows us the way of righteousness, And dooms to death when we transgress”. (LSB 579:1)

- 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.

October 19, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism, Baptism Part 2

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37, Matthew 6:16-34

It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.   Baptism today is practiced by so many Christians throughout the world today.  It is a key to the teaching and practice of Christians since the great commission of Jesus to baptize all nations in Matthew 28.  However, if you take a look at the majority of Christian views of Baptism you will find that they are all over the map in terms of teaching and practice.  How much water is needed to baptize?  Who is old enough to be baptized?  Do you need to understand what Baptism is and do you need to give a testimony of faith?  Does Baptism require something from you first?  If you notice these questions, they center on one thing, you and me.  Baptism has been twisted into something that is empty, symbolic and centered on us and how we meet Jesus where He is.  However, Baptism is not something that you do.  It’s not about how much water, how old you are or if you even understand what is going on.  

Baptism is all about what Jesus is doing for you, not vice versa.  Jesus then drowns your old Adam in His water and blood that flow from His pierced side on the cross. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3).  It is critical that we as Lutheran’s hold strong to this simple yet profound teaching on Baptism: “It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil and gives eternal salvation.” Read the explanation again and again. Jesus is the one doing the work in Baptism, because apart from Him we stand guilty, death will consume us and the devil will lead us to hell.  The entire message of the Gospel is Jesus at work for you and His church.  In Baptism He does this in all places and times, with various amounts of water, various people of all ages and understandings. Rejoice!  Jesus has washed you in His blood and declares you are now His beloved child. 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.

October 18, 2023

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15, Matthew 6:1-15

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you. (Luke 10:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.Today’s verses have certainly been used by so many to give a pep rally for us to go out and proclaim the Kingdom of God in all that we do.  The 72 were sent and they were told not to worry about their earthly needs, so go out there and you can do the same thing!  The problem is that the whole passage of the 72 isn’t about you or me and how we can fulfill the harvest for the Lord.   Jesus is the one doing all the work in, with and under the 72 He sends out. 

Go back and look at the passage again and see who is doing all the work.  In the first verse, Jesus appoints and sends. In the second verse, He centers the entire mission on God. God is the Lord of the harvest, and God sends laborers into His harvest. The sent ones do not need to worry about their earthly needs because God will see to it they are provided for. Some would accept them and the peace they bring, others would not, if they are turned away don’t take it personally, for Christ bears the rejection Himself, and will do so ultimately on the cross.  In all that they do they are simply sent to proclaim what has been told to them by Jesus “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.” And when the seventy-two come back, they return with joy! But even then Jesus redirects their joy beyond their efforts and experiences to the gracious work of God, as the One who writes their names in Heaven.

That is the whole point of Jesus sending out the 72.  In the same way He sent out St. Luke as well.  They weren’t sent to equip others for how they could somehow be faithful fulfillers of God’s harvest announcement.  They were sent out to proclaim what God in Christ has already done for the life of the whole world.  They were sent to point people to Jesus and His greater work in the victory of eternal life.  Your pastor and your church are sent for the same reason today. As you live out your holy vocations as God’s baptized child He will work where and when He pleases in you because the Kingdom of God has come near to you.  Rejoice that Jesus continues His work of the harvest  by continuing to bring His kingdom to us through His Word and Sacraments in the church.  In all of this the Lord of the harvest is at work not only bringing more to faith, but also reminding you that your name is written in heaven by the blood of Jesus Christ.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For that belov’d physician  All praise, whose Gospel show   The Healer of the nations,

The one who shares our woes.  Your wine and oil, O Savior,  Upon our spirits pour,

And with true balm of Gilead  Anoint us evermore. (LSB 518:26)

- 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.

October 17, 2023

Today's Reading: Philippians 4:4-13

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36, Matthew 5:21-48

“The Lord is at hand…”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord is at hand..Rejoice in the Lord always…do not be anxious about anything”. Yeah that seems like it's not gonna happen.  When you look at everything around us today it seems like there is very little to rejoice over.  If the struggles and fears of life weren’t bad enough, Paul’s words today have been severely misused with Christians.  So much of Christianity today loves to beat people over the head with this passage from Philippians, as if this somehow a hand-book for being a happier and stress-free Christian. Paul’s words today are not some sort of self-help to make you more happy and anxious-free as a Christian, the key to all of this passage today is “The Lord is at hand…”.  Life truly stinks.  

The pressures we face each day and the sins we constantly love to swim in are drowning us.  Living a life of rejoicing and not being anxious is something you can’t accomplish on your own, it must be done by the Lord who is at hand. Our lives are lived under the cross of Jesus Christ who suffered and bore our sins, our shame, our guilt that have caused us despair and fear. We did our worst to Jesus at the cross and He rose from the dead victorious over death, not to give us some sort of example to follow but to give to us that same victory over sin and death.  Your greatest fear and source of anxiety has been covered in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Jesus  says to you each and every day, “Do not be afraid”.  

If you aren’t comforted by that, if you can’t rejoice in that, if anxieties don’ cease, then confess your sins to Jesus who forgives.  Pray to Him who hears your prayers and cry out “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief”.  He hears your prayers, He sees your suffering and fears and He promises that heaven and earth will pass away but His words will never pass away.  This means that this world of suffering and fears is not permanent for you.  He has overcome your death, He promises you that this veil of tears, anxiety, and negativity are not all that we have to look forward to.  Whether we live or die, “the Lord is at hand” shepherding you to that place He has prepared for in the glory to be revealed in heaven. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Rely on God your Savior   And find your life secure. Make His work your foundation

That your work may endure.  No anxious thought, no worry,  No self-tormenting care

Can win your Father's favor;  His heart is moved by prayer.  (LSB 754:2)

- 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.

October 16, 2023

Today's Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:1-18, Matthew 5:1-20

And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever.  (Isaiah 25:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Many of us can probably remember a very special meal that we were a part of.  It may have been a meal that we anticipated like a birthday party or a holiday meal.  Eating with loved ones and friends is a very beautiful thing when you think about it. I would love to be able to sit down to a meal with my dad and grandparents and aunts and uncles who have passed on from this life.  Our reading from Isaiah points to a meal that is prepared for you and all who are faithful in Christ.  This meal is exquisite with the richest and most luxurious food and drink.  However, the meal is more than just sitting down to a tasty meal.  

The meal Isaiah speaks of today is the Feast of Victory of our God.   Listen to what the Lord does with this meal: “And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever.”  Let those words sink in for a moment. “The Lord will swallow up death forever! Usually it is death that swallows us up. But the day is coming when the Lord will swallow up death itself. Forever. That is something to look forward to. For now death is like a veil, a shroud, a covering that is draped over all humanity.  Death is not something our Lord ever planned for us, our sins brought it upon us and death’s shadow has covered you your entire life. But the day is coming when that shroud will be lifted.  Until then we do not hunger or thirst.  Jesus continues to prepare a table here and now in the presence of our enemies of sin, death and the devil.  As you partake of the Holy Eucharist, you receive the forgiveness of sins that banishes death.  You are strengthened in the eternal promises of God are yours today and that a place is prepared for you at the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end. 

The day is coming when “the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.” “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Joy, because the Lord has promised to swallow up death, forever and seat us at the feast of victory.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Now no more can death appall,  Now no more the grave enthrall;

You have opened paradise,  And Your saints in You shall rise.  Alleluia!  (LSB 633:6)

- 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.

October 15, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 22:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6, Matthew 4:12-25

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  (Matthew 22:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you sit down to eat with your family either at home or at a restaurant, you generally eat with the people you know and love.  It would be rather odd to have some stranger sit down and start eating your food.  They haven’t been invited, they aren’t part of the family, get lost, you don’t belong at our table.  Jesus speaks of the King’s wedding feast today.  The table is set.   Who deserves to be at the table?  No one!  Not one single person born of Adam deserves a seat at the feast of our Lord!  We only deserve present and eternal punishment.  That’s it.  We deserve nothing from our God and Lord, which is why we cry out in repentant faith, “Lord, have mercy!  Christ, have mercy!  Not for my sake, but for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.  Forgive me all my sins.” And you know what?  He does exactly that!  In fact, He doesn’t just show us mercy.  He bestows on us His grace.  (Remember: Mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don’t deserve.)

Look to the font, the pulpit, and the altar.  This is the feast of victory—His victory!  You don’t have to wait to get home to heaven to start feasting.  I realize it will be inconceivably better in heaven, but the Divine Service is where the King has set up His now!  He continues to send His faithful servant, Jesus Christ, to feed us and nourish us with His grace, His mercy, His love, His peace.  Consider the gifts of life, grace, mercy, and peace given to you by God Himself in the waters of Holy Baptism.  Consider how your Lord feeds and nourishes you each and every Sunday, at this earthly side of the Master’s heavenly feast table.  Each Sunday our Lord is bringing heaven to earth, to a bunch of sinful beggars and lowlifes like us!  Consider the very words you hear, spoken directly to you precisely so that you can hear and trust, words spoken in the stead and by the command of the Master Himself.  “You are forgiven.  For the sake of Christ’s bitter suffering and death, you are forgiven.  Depart in peace.” Recognized through the eyes and ears of faith, how could you want anything else?  How could you even want to be anywhere else?  Hold fast to this blessed, Christ-centered Truth.  Fear not.  Be at peace.  Your sins are forgiven in Christ and because of Christ, have a seat at the Feast of Victory!I n the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You invite us to trust in You for our salvation. Deal with us not in the severity of Your judgment but by the greatness of Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- 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.

October 14, 2023

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 20: Isaiah 61:10; antiphon Psalm 146:2

Daily Lectionary:Malachi 2:1-3:5, Matthew 4:1-11

I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.  (Psalm 146:2)

In the Name of Jesus, Amen. Hallelujah is Hebrew for “praise the Lord.” The Greek word is alleluia. Alleluia is an invitation to praise God. That is why we sing it so much in our worship. We sing alleluia to ourselves and to each other.  We are encouraging and inviting each other to the joyful work of praising God, speaking of all he is, said, says, did, does and will do. Let us do this together! We sing praise in the congregation for the mutual blessing of knowing and believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is good to sing praise to the Lord.

Praise is not done for God. He doesn’t need it. We do. In praising God we bring to our minds and hearts what God has said and done for us men and for our salvation. God knows what He has done and said He doesn’t need reminding. Sinners tend to forget. Through praise God does His work of saving among us. Preaching and hearing God’s Word is praise that goes into our ears. The praise that comes out of our mouths is our joyful response. Within the congregation our praise also enters our ears and those nearest us. Hear what God has done for me! Daring to be Lutheran is praising God boldly and clearly in worship.

The liturgy is full of God’s Word. The Psalms along with the readings, sermon and hymns guide us in our praise. Through God’s Word, preaching and the sacraments we know that God is with us to distribute His gifts of life and salvation through the forgiveness of sins. We also know that God is present among us in our praise. The psalmist put it this way: You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). God reigns among His people in their praises! He distributes His kingly divine gifts to us. 

Christians give way to joyful praise because through Baptism they have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. Christian praise is to put our trust in God rather than men. Praise puts to death the old sinful man and raises up Christ, the New Man within you. The breath of men departs and they die. The breath of God that is poured out through our worship and praise brings forth life and eternal salvation. “I will praise Him as long as I live!” In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, 

   to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 

   to declare your steadfast love in the morning, 

   and your faithfulness by night,  

 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; 

   at the works of your hands I sing for joy.   (Psalm 92:1,2,4)

-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.

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.