Reflections

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The world has much to say to young people about who they are and what they should look for in life.

In recent years, this advice has gone from bad to awful. Our country has closed its eyes to the fact that God made human beings male and female, and that He gives a man and a woman into marriage. When these basic truths are lost, life gets harder for those who believe in Christ. How do we live in light of what is good when our society willingly calls good evil, and evil good?

Proverbs 31 speaks to us about what is true and valuable in life. The woman in this chapter is a believer in God. She's forgiven in Christ and He works in her to bear fruit in the good works she does for her family and neighbors.

The wife described here isn't saved because she rises early to work and cares for her household well. She's saved by God's grace. No woman does all these things all the time. But this chapter is of great value because it speaks honestly about the type of good works that are available to a married woman. She cares for her husband and children (if God gives them). She works diligently in whatever vocation she has. She cares for the poor, and she instructs others using words of wisdom and kindness.

A married life between a godly husband and wife is wise and beautiful. It provides tremendous opportunities to give and receive love. It helps protect you against the troubles of traveling through this sin-broken world. You'll rarely receive praise from the world for being a godly wife. But you will receive praise from the man whom you love and the children you share. Or you will receive praise from a wife who loves and values you as a husband.

Proverbs 31 doesn't promise you things will work out in the way it describes. Not everyone marries or has children. But it does guide you to be a woman (or a man!) who trusts in God for salvation and serves her family in love. If you don't marry and have children, you haven't failed. The Proverbs 31 woman had several vocations where she served others in love. Christ is always your Lord and He strengthens you in whichever way He provides. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Then here will I and mine today A solemn promise make and say: Though all the world forsake His Word, I and my house will serve the Lord! ("Oh Blest the House" LSB 862, st.5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:1-18

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. (Luke 1:76)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Church has been celebrating the incarnation of Christ since the Gospel was first proclaimed (Genesis 3:15). After Adam and Eve sinned, God called them out of their hiding place of fear and shame. He promised to send a Messiah to rescue them from sin and death. The Seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head.

The promise of the Messiah is woven throughout the Old Testament, through the words of Moses and the prophets, and through the sacrifices and feasts the Jews were commanded to observe. Believers looked with hope and anticipation to the time when God would send the Christ.

And ever since Jesus won His victory on the Cross, the Church has continued to celebrate the mystery of the incarnation. All year long we find events that remind us that the Son of God became man. From the Annunciation, Visitation and Birth of John, to Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and the Presentation, Christ our incarnate Lord is proclaimed.

The mystery of the incarnation is so wonderful that we think about it all the time, just as our brothers and sisters did in the Old Testament. Today, we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist, and we rejoice that his entire life was spent pointing to the incarnate Lord.

When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus the Messiah, he told her that her aged cousin Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Mary went immediately to see her.

At the sound of her greeting, John the Baptist, yet in the womb, leapt for joy because his Messiah, Jesus, was present in Mary's womb (Luke 1:41-45). John believed in Jesus even before he was born, and proclaimed Him as Messiah even before he could speak.

He did this all his life. Through his preaching and baptizing he called people to repent and be ready for Jesus. He still speaks that message to us today. On his birthday, we hear his joyful call to repent and believe in Christ, the incarnate Son of God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, You once proclaimed salvation. Now grant that we may know this salvation and serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Lord's Prayer, First Petition

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; John 20:1-18

Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God's name kept holy? God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father! (Small Catechism,Lord's Prayer, First Petition)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you could ask for anything in the world and be confident you would get it, what would it be? Before you answer, remember the old saying, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." Receiving what you ask for can bring unintended consequences.

Thankfully, Jesus guides you in the Lord's Prayer to pray for the best things possible. In the First Petition, you begin by asking for God's Name to be holy. This might seem strange, since God's Name is always holy anyway. But you're asking that God's Name will be holy in your life, in your family, and congregation.

God makes His Name holy in you through His Word, the Bible. He causes you to hear it and understand it and believe it. He sends you pastors and teachers who explain it clearly. He gives you a good congregation in which to gather to hear Christ preached and to receive the Sacraments.

In this petition you ask that God's Word would be given to you in its truth and purity. You're asking that no false doctrines would be taught, so that no one is deceived. You're also asking that you, your family, and your congregation would hear the Word of God and follow it faithfully, living according to what God says.

And finally, you're also pleading that anyone who has fallen away from believing or living according to God's Word would be drawn to repent and believe again. And may the Gospel of Christ also reach those who have never heard the Word. Lord, have mercy!

"Hallowed be Thy name." Rejoice in the teaching of Jesus and ask for this petition first. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Your name be hallowed. Help us Lord, In purity to keep your Word, That to the glory of Your name

We walk before You free from blame. Let no false teaching us pervert; All poor deluded souls convert.

("Our Father, Who from Heaven Above LSB" 766, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; John 19:23-42

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine you're on a nature hike. You're strolling down your favorite trail, taking in the sights and scents of nature. Suddenly you hear a loud ROAR down the path. You look up and see a lion prowling toward you. That would change your trek a bit, wouldn't it?

Peter compares Satan to a roaring lion, seeking prey to devour. His prey is a baptized child of God. He hunts with temptations to sin, lies about God's Word, and persecution from the world. A Christian walking through this world cannot ignore Satan's roaring threats any more than a hiker can ignore a lion on the trail.

When you were baptized into Christ, you were made God's child. You were marked by God as His own. He forgives your sins. He sends His angels to watch over you. You are redeemed by Christ the crucified.

And Satan hates all of that. He hates Christ. He hates you. As you go through this world, it is vital that you remember this. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows how to deal with a lion. Look to Him to keep you safe from harm.

First, be a humble sheep in His flock. Don't be proud and go running away from Him. Even when times are hard, follow where Jesus leads. He knows what He is doing.

Second, look to Him for all you need. As a sheep bleats when hungry or thirsty, you can bleat to Jesus, too. Tell Him your anxieties. Trust that He cares and can help. Thank Him for His mercy even before the help arrives.

Third, stay with the flock. You are not alone. The lion threatens all your brothers and sisters in Christ. You're all in this together. Together you hear God's Word, sing His praise, partake of the Supper, and help one another. You're much stronger when you go through trials with your church family.

God is faithful and He will strengthen you. His strength will be a blessing long after the hardships are over. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I walk with Jesus all the way, His guidance never fails me; Within His wounds I find a stay when Satan's pow'r assails me; And by His footsteps led, My path I safely tread. No evil leads my soul astray;

I walk with Jesus all the way. ("I Walk in Danger All the Way" LSB 716, st.5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Micah 7:18-20

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 24:1-22; John 19:1-22

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (Micah 7:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God is a just Judge and a forgiving Savior. God created a perfect world, but that world rebelled and turned to sin. He watches over all people and all things. He works to keep order and peace in the world through His Law. He judges those who are wicked, because He is a holy God and will not abide evil. As we walk through this broken world and endure the sins others commit against us, we understand how vital it is that God is just. It would be awful to have a God who didn't care.

But God's justice is applied to all people equally. The just Judge applies the Law to all of us and we are found guilty. We have sinned against God and against our neighbor. For that we truly deserve both temporal death and eternal damnation.

But God doesn't want to punish people. He rejoices to give grace and forgiveness. You can hear that in our reading from Micah 7. Israel had sinned badly. They lied about God's Word. They stole from the poor. They truly deserved the punishment God gave them. But that would not be the end of the story.

God also gives forgiveness. "He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). God rejoices to give forgiveness! "He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love" (Micah 7:18b).

But how can God be both a just Judge who holds people accountable for sin, and a gracious Savior who forgives sins?

The answer is the Cross of Christ. Jesus willingly took the punishment for our sins. God's justice was fulfilled as Jesus died. But since Jesus had committed no sin, death could not hold Him once the punishment was finished. He rose again!

All who believe in Jesus are forgiven by grace. God has punished Christ for your sins so that He can graciously forgive your sins through faith in Christ. Who else is a God like this? In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Since Christ has full atonement made and brought to us salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad and build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed,

For You have paid my ransom. ("Salvation unto Us Has Come" LSB 555, st.6)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 15: 1-10

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-20

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1,2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There are two groups of people drawing near to Jesus. Jesus loves them both. The tax collectors and sinners (TC&S) have been alienated from God because of their sin but Jesus has called them. He has forgiven their sins and they rejoice in His grace.

The Pharisees and scribes (P&S) are also there. They love the Old Testament. They know that Jesus is a great teacher, but they don't understand that He is the Son of God, the Messiah promised in the Law and the prophets.

The P&S see Jesus eating with the TC&S. They fear that Jesus is condoning their sins. This fear makes them angry at Jesus.

But Jesus isn't condoning their actions. He's forgiving their sins. He will pay for them by dying on the Cross. Their sins will be cleansed by His blood--and so will the sins of the P&S. The death of Christ is the only source of forgiveness in the whole world, but thankfully, it's available to all!

Jesus wants the TC&S and the P&S to live together as one flock, one family in God. In these parables, He teaches them (and us) how to be one Church.

The TC&S are the lost sheep and the lost coin. Jesus is the One who searches for them. If He doesn't find them, they will perish. The driving force of each of these parables is the great desire of the person searching for the lost thing.

After the One who searches finds the missing treasure, He calls His friends and neighbors together. They're invited to rejoice with Him. But do they rejoice? The text doesn't give their response. Will the P&S join to celebrate with Jesus that He has found the people who were lost? Or will they stand in stony silence?

Dear friend, remember two things. One: Jesus rejoices that He has found you, and you are His through repentance and faith. Two: Jesus also rejoices over the other people whom He rescues. Join Him in His joy, no matter what sins you or they have done. What Christ washes away is cleansed in truth. Christ makes you all one holy Church! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder Who in sin's delusions live and from God and heaven wander! Here is hope for all who grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive. ("Jesus Sinners Doth Receive" LSB 609, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the Third Sunday after Trinity

(Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20: antiphon: vs. 16, 18)

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:1-21; John 18:1-14

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins. (From the Introit for the Third Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In our Gospel reading for this coming Sunday (Luke 15:1-10), we hear about how the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to hear Jesus. These were people who had done things that were truly wrong. They'd harmed people in their families, their community, and their congregations. They could not fix the hurt they had caused. People looked down on them because of the pain they'd caused.

But Jesus welcomed them. He forgave their sins and healed their shame. They had sinned, but Jesus had taken those sins away. They could trust Christ to be their strength and their comfort.

Our Introit for this coming Sunday is from Psalm 25. It describes faith in God from the perspective of one who depends on God to forgive his sins and heal his shame. It gives words so the heart can understand the kind of love that God alone can give.

God gives this welcoming love to you. This psalm is given to you so you can pray it back to God. Your heart cries out to Him, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins" (Psalm 25:1,2a). Christ Jesus is the kind of Savior who hears you and turns to you in grace.

Jesus finds you lonely and afflicted and comforts you. He comes to you in your isolation when you've let down the people you love and let yourself down. He comes to you in the desolate place where your own thoughts about yourself are even more harsh than the things your worst enemies could say about you. He speaks another Word in that maelstrom of guilt and shame.

Jesus speaks peace. He speaks forgiveness. He speaks love. And what He speaks is truly yours. Christ alone has the power to give this to you. He is God Almighty. His love isn't yours on condition of doing better. It's not yours because you will try harder to be good. No. He just plain forgives you. He loves you. He brings peace to you. And no one else can. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed But yet in love He sought me And on His shoulder gently laid And home rejoicing brought me. ("The King of Love My Shepherd Is" LSB 709, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; John 17:1-26

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The world can be a confusing place for people of any age. You're introduced to opinions and ideas all the time. How can you evaluate them and embrace what is wise and reject what's wrong? How do you apply the wisdom of God to real life? The book of Proverbs is an ideal help--full of practical statements about how to live in a godly way. The more you ponder and remember them, the more the Holy Spirit uses them to guide you.

Look at our reading for today. There are 15 verses. They're short and to the point. Some speak to the same topic, like verses 10, 17, and 23. They teach you that God values honesty. He notices even small business transactions to make sure they are just, and because God values justice, you can look to Him when you're wronged.

Verses 18 and 25 teach you to contemplate what you should say so you don't speak rashly. Verse 13 teaches you to be diligent and work hard. Verse 19 warns you to watch out for people who repeat things that are told to them in confidence. If they tell you the secrets of others, they will tell other people your confidences, too.

Verse 20 tells you how much God pays attention to the Fourth Commandment. Honor your father and mother, that it may be well with you. Then it flips the coin to show you the other side. Those who curse their mother and father will have their lights snuffed out and be in darkness.

Verse 7 is related to that. A righteous man who walks in integrity passes a blessing on to his children. Give thanks to God for righteous parents who love God's Word. Strive to be a blessing to others as they have been to you.

But remember verse 9! No one can say that they have made their heart pure. No one can say they are clean from sin by their own deeds. Not you. Not your parents. Not your pastor or teacher. The most important wisdom is that Jesus forgives your sins by grace. We repent daily of our sins, daily He cleanses us, and daily He leads us in wisdom and love. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate our study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: 1 John 3:13-18

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 17:1-28; John 16:17-33

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today, the apostle John makes it clear that there are two groups of people in the world: those who hate their brother and those who love their brother. To which group do we belong?

We are those who have been loved by Christ Jesus. He rescued us from our sin, from the hatred we had shown against God and our neighbor. He has cleansed us in His blood and given us new life in Baptism. We are no longer children of the world. We are children of God (1 John 3:1). He then sends us out to love our brothers.

Sadly, the world is full of people who deny Christ and hate Him. As they hate Christ, they also hate those who are in Christ and part of the Church. Do not be surprised when the world hates you. This is the normal course of history.

Fear not, for you are in Christ, He goes with you through this sin-broken world. He looks after you. He sends His angels to protect you. And you are surrounded by your brothers and sisters in Christ who help you. Stay close to Christ and to your family in Christ in your congregation. This is especially important as the troubles in our world grow!

So how do we respond to the hatred of the world? Not in fear, for Christ is victorious. Not in hatred, for Christ loves and does not hate. Rather, we respond in love. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ and help one another. Sometimes we give help. Sometimes others help us. But our lives are marked by the love of Christ in deed and in truth.

We offer love to those outside the Church, too. Never underestimate the power of God's love when shared with someone who has only known the darkness of sin and death! Sometimes our love is rejected. Fear not! There's tremendous strength in giving love when you are hated.

Remember the power of prayer, as we ask God for justice and peace in the world (1 Timothy 2:1-4). The love of Christ gives great strength to the people of God. Sometimes we may forget that, but Christ will remind us of it, and it will be beautiful. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Lord's Prayer, Introduction

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 16:1-24; John 16:1-16

Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father. (Small Catechism, Lord's Prayer, Introduction)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine for a moment that you wanted to show tenderness to a little puppy you had adopted. What would you do? You'd stoop down to it. Pick it up gently. Hold it close to you. Speak softly to it and pet it. And you would do all of this over and over again, so this helpless creature would learn to trust you, to look to you for good, and to rejoice in your care.

How does God show you tenderness when He wants you to know that He is the One who has created you and cares for you? How does God show you tenderness when you have been adopted as His child in Baptism? How does God teach you to look to Him for good and to rejoice in His presence?

He teaches you this in the Lord's Prayer. Your Father tenderly invites you to believe that He is your true Father and that you are His true child, so that you may ask Him boldly for the things included in the Lord's Prayer, which encompasses all that you need for this daily life.

This prayer was given as a gift from God when you were baptized. Every time you pray it, you pray to your dear Father, along with Jesus, who taught it to you and prays with you, through the Spirit who draws you to faith.

You pray for the things Jesus taught you to ask. You ask for them from the Father who promised to give them. You receive them by the faith the Holy Spirit has worked in you.

Each time you pray this prayer, it's a miracle of the Holy Trinity into whom you have been baptized and by whom you have been saved. Your Father tenderly invites you to believe that you are His child by this new birth, so that you can come to Him with all the confidence of one who is saved by the grace of Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Our Father, who from heaven above bids all of us to live in love As members of one family and pray to You in unity, Teach us no thoughtless words to say but from our inmost hearts to pray. ("Our Father, Who from Heaven Above" LSB 766, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch