Reflections

June 1, 2025

Today's Reading: John 17:20-26

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 14:1-25; Luke 18:18-34

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” (John 17:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

To me, these are some of the most amazing (and humbling!) words uttered by God in the entire Bible. In what we call the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays these words in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before He dies. And just look at what Jesus is praying for before He goes off to be tortured and die. He prays for “all who believe will believe in Me.” That means He was praying for you!

Jesus was about to be betrayed by one of His closest companions and abandoned by the rest. He would be arrested and beaten and face unimaginable physical pain. He was going to bear the weight of every sin from every sinner. He was going to face the terrors of Hell itself as His own Father would forsake Him on the cross. Jesus knew that He had to face all these terrible things in the next few hours, and still, He took the time to think about and pray for you! Wow!

And what did Jesus ask the Father on your behalf? He prayed that you would be one with Him along with all the other believers so that you would always be with Him. Jesus wants to be with you always, in this life and in eternity!

Have things at home or at school ever been so messed up that you’ve felt like God has forgotten about you? Have you ever felt so ashamed or guilty about a sin that you’ve doubted if God could really ever love you? Do you ever wonder how you’re going to make it through another day? When these doubts and fears come, just look at this Highly Priestly prayer again! Jesus didn’t forget about you, even in His own most desperate hour! And He never ever wants to be apart from you.

In fact, Jesus wants to be with you so much that He didn’t stop at simply praying for it. He did what was necessary to make it happen. He willingly and gladly suffered, died, and rose again to defeat sin, death, and the devil for you. Then He sent out His apostles and built His Church so that He might come to you today in His Word and with His very Body and Blood to forgive, strengthen, and preserve you in the faith so that you would remain in Him and with Him forever. All this means that you can live (and die) in the confidence that you will always be with Christ, our Lord.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For us He prayed; for us He taught; For us His daily works He wrought, By words and signs and actions thus Still seeking not Himself but us. (LSB 544:4)

- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 31, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33; Luke 18:1-17

“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:39-41)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  

“With haste.” That means she went quickly. Mary didn’t dawdle. She didn’t waste her time. She got out of town and went to see her cousin. How long did it take? It was about 90 miles of a journey, so even going at a slow pace, she would have gotten there in a few days of travel. Even if she had taken a few days to pack and prepare for the journey, she would have gotten there about a week after the Angel Gabriel had visited her.

So, with the Little Lord Jesus (one week from conception!) in her womb, Mary greets Elizabeth. At the sound of her greeting, St. John (six months from conception) leaps within his mother’s womb because he is in the presence of His Lord! How big was Jesus at that time? Well, at four weeks, a baby is about .04 inches and .04 ounces. So, at one week? Not big at all! But there was God in the flesh, and John worships Him. 

The One who is mighty makes Himself weak. He scatters the proud but lifts the lowly. As He came to the lowly Virgin Mary, He still comes down to us, filling the hungry with His Body and Blood and clothing us with His righteousness.

Your Savior is not a Savior who reigns from high above. He is a Savior who comes down to us. He is not a Savior who doesn’t understand you or get what it’s like to be in your place. Jesus knows you. He knows your pain and your weakness. He knows what it is like to grow up, to learn to read, to get hurt by nature and hurt by people, even close friends. He knows what it’s like to be a child in the womb. He knows what it is like to be an infant, a toddler, a teenager. He knows what it’s like to die and to rise again.

Jesus comes for you. He comes to die that you might live.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Before he yet was born, He leaped in joyful meeting, Confessing Him as Lord Whose mother he was greeting. By Jordan’s rolling stream, A new Elijah bold, He testified of Him Of whom the prophets told. (LSB 346:2)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 30, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 7 - Psalm 61:3, 5-8; antiphon: Psalm 61:1

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 11:24-29; 12:1-16; Luke 17:20-37

“So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.” (Psalm 61:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  

If you’ve gone through the Rite of Confirmation, you’ve made some vows. If you haven’t, you’re likely preparing to. During the Rite, the Pastor asks: “Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully? Do you intend to live according to the Word of God and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death? Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?”  

Those are not simple questions. These vows are made to God. Solomon warns us in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’”

Vows aren’t something to say because someone else wants you to say them. Making vows that you don’t intend to keep is a dangerous habit to get into. When you go through the Rite of Confirmation, you vow that you intend to be in church to hear God’s Word, that you intend to live your life outside of church according to that Word, and that you will continue in this way to your death, even if someone were to kill you for it!

So, what did, or what will you vow? “I do, by the grace of God.” Left on our own, we would fall away at the first sign of discomfort. But you are not on your own. The Lord who comes to you through His Word and Sacraments will continue to strengthen you in your faith as you go through life. This is why we don’t want to stop hearing it! If you want to fulfill these vows, don’t forget to do what David says, “So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.” As you fulfill that first vow, to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully, He will cause you to live according to that Word and to continue in that Word. Listen to Solomon, and do not delay in fulfilling it!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew; Guard my first steps of thought and will And with Thyself my spirit fill. (LSB 868:4)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 29, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 24:44-53

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 11:1-23, 31-35; Luke 17:1-19

“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Think about those hands. Hands that were knit together in the womb of St. Mary. Hands that pressed up against that womb as they grew. Hands that grasped His mother’s finger as she cradled Him in her arms. Hands that held St. Joseph’s fingers as He learned to walk. Hands that did chores around the house. 

Hands that reached out to touch the lepers, the blind, the deaf, and the mute. Hands that reached out to grab Peter as he sank into the water. Hands that stopped a funeral procession in its tracks, touching the coffin of a young man and then taking that young man and giving him back to His mother. Hands that blessed the little children.

Hands that overturned the tables in the Temple. Hands that dipped a towel in the water and washed the feet of His disciples that would run away, or, even worse, deny Him that night. Hands that broke bread and said, “Take and eat.” Hands that raised the cup and said, “Take and drink.”

Hands that were pierced with nails. Hands that went limp in death. Hands that were laid in a grave. Hands that were shown to the Disciples on Easter Evening and to Thomas the next week.

Now, as Jesus ascends into heaven, those nail-scarred hands are raised and lifted in blessing. Those hands were taken into heaven and seated at the Right Hand of the Father. Those hands, hands of the One who is True God and True Man, have a place in heaven.

Those same hands now come to you in blessing. They work through the hands of your pastor who baptized you, who forgives, who delivers the Body and Blood of Jesus to you each week, and who raises His hands in blessing and says, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord makes His face shine upon you be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Crown Him the Lord of love. Behold His hands and side, Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified. No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bend their wond’ring eyes At mysteries so bright. (LSB 525:3)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 28, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - The Fifth Petition

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 10:11-36; Luke 16:19-31

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  

Why should God give us what we’ve prayed for? So far in the Lord’s Prayer, we’ve asked for God’s Name to be hallowed in our life, His Kingdom to come to us, His will to be done to us, and for all the stuff that the 4th Petition asks for when we ask for daily bread. Why should God give us these things? We’re just going to misuse them! Why should God give them to us? We don’t deserve them.

You don’t give a perfectly cooked steak to a toddler. They won’t appreciate it! You don’t give a brand-new car to a 16-year-old. They’ll just misuse it! You don’t give a raise to the worker who takes extra long breaks and is always on their phones. He doesn’t deserve it!

So why do we think God will give us what we ask for? We’ll just misuse His name as we don’t live Holy lives according to it. We won’t appreciate the gifts of His Kingdom. We don’t deserve His Will to be done in our lives. So, why would God give them to us?

“For the sake of Jesus Christ…”  

When we come before God each week, we ask for forgiveness. We don’t say, “I’ll try harder.” We don’t say, “I did better this week.” We say, “for the sake of Christ.” And the Lord hears that prayer and gives us what we don’t deserve or appreciate fully and what we will just misuse.  

Just as God deals with us, we can deal with others. Why should we forgive the friend who sins against us? Why should we help our brother who didn’t help us? Why should we give things to others? Because God has looked past our sin and given us what we need and more. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, That they may trouble us no more; We too, will gladly those forgive Who hurt us by the way they live. Help us in our community To serve each other willingly. (LSB 766:6)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 9:1-23; Luke 16:1-18

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23-25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Katy, bar the door!”

Where does that phrase come from? No one really knows. If you want, you can try to follow that rabbit hole, but it’s probably not worth it. It is fun to say, though: “Katy, bar the door!”  What does it mean? Danger is coming! Shut the gates! Lock the doors! Doom is impending!

Why do we shut gates? To keep the bad things out! The gates are shut at night when darkness rules. We batten down the hatches on the ship when the storm is coming. We tie down the tent when the wind picks up. We secure things so they aren’t destroyed. We shut and lock the gates at night to keep the cold, the dark, and the scary things out. 

But the gates will not need to be shut any longer. That’s what St. John tells us as he sees a picture of the New Creation. There, he sees a city with wide open gates that will never be shut because “there will be no night there.” No night, no darkness, no cold, no scary things. “Death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)  The former things have passed away. They are gone. That’s the promise. That’s why Jesus died. That’s why Jesus was raised. That’s why Jesus ascended. That’s why Jesus will come again.

The hatches won’t need to be battened down. Katy won’t need to bar the door! The gates will be open. Sin, death, and the devil will no longer be a threat. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? No darkness that will cause us to stumble when we walk. No terrors of the night. No devil prowling around like a lion seeking to devour. No sin crouching at our door.  

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Wide Open Stand the gates adorned with pearl, While round God’s golden throne The choirs of saints in endless circles curl, And joyous praise the Son! They watch Him now descending To visit waiting earth. The Lord of Life unending Brings dying hope new birth! (LSB 639:1)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 26, 2025

Today's Reading: Acts 16:9-15

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 8:5-26; Luke 15:11-32

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Have you ever been locked out? Maybe you left the keys in your car, pressed the button on the door, and then shut it, immediately having panic spread from your head to your heart. Perhaps you came home earlier than expected, and no one was home to let you in. Perhaps you arrived at work and realized you had left your keys back at home. What do you do?

You look for a way to break in! Maybe someone left a window down or the back door unlocked. Or, you keep pulling the same locked door handle, foolishly thinking that it will open up this time. It doesn’t work. What you need is the thing you do not have: the key.

Lydia’s heart was closed. The Lord had the key. “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” What did she hear? She heard about Jesus and His death and resurrection. She heard about the Gift of Baptism. She heard about how her sins were forgiven and how Jesus had broken down the gates of Hell to rescue those like her who were held captive.   

We are at the end of the Easter Season and the Festival Half of the Church Year. Way back in Advent, at the start of the year, we prayed: “O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death” (O Antiphon for December 20th). Jesus heard your prayer.

He has opened your ears, heart, and mind to hear and pay attention to His Word. When you were baptized, Jesus broke open your sin-locked heart and caused you to have faith in His promise. When He comes again, He will open up your grave on the Day of Resurrection.

Locks can’t keep Jesus out. He appeared to the Disciples in the Upper Room on Easter Evening, even though the doors were locked. He is in, with, and under the bread and the wine, with His very Body and Blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e’er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain. (LSB 908:1)

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 25, 2025

Today's Reading: John 16:23-33 

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 3:1-16, 39-48; Numbers 4:1-8:4; Luke 14:25-15:10

“[Jesus said,] ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’” (John 16:33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The next time you are in church, count how many times the word “peace” is spoken or sung. I think you’ll be surprised. “Peace” is all over the Divine Service! “In peace let us pray to the Lord…”; “Glory be to God on high and on earth peace;” “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace;” “The peace of the Lord be with you always;” “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” 

It’s even the last word you hear as the Lord places His name upon you in the benediction and sends you back out into the world: “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Why? Because in the world, you will have tribulation…people will sin against you…you will be mocked for your faith…, and your sin will cause problems. But take heart—Jesus has overcome the world.

In the midst of tribulation, amid the chaos of a broken, bent, corrupt life…Jesus gives you peace. Does that mean that life gets easy? Does it mean we won’t have arguments with our family and friends? No. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.”  But take heart: Jesus has overcome the world.

Jesus has suffered the wrath that we deserve because of our sins. He has paid the price for your friends that hurt you. He brings forgiveness and wholeness.

The peace that Jesus talks about is not a worldly peace. It’s not an absence of tribulation. It’s a peace that takes our broken world and broken lives and makes them whole with His forgiveness. This is why we come back to church week after week.  

In the world, we will have tribulation, but in the Divine Service, Jesus comes to you to give you peace. He is the Savior who comes, takes on our flesh, and brings His peace to the earth. He is the Lamb of God who gives you peace. He comes to you in, with, and under the bread and wine of His Supper and greets you with the same greeting He gave to His Disciples in the Upper Room on Easter Evening: “Peace be with you.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 24, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 6 - Psalm 55:4, 16-18; antiphon: Psalm 55:22

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 26:21-33, 39-44; Numbers 1:1-2:34; Luke 14:1-24

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

In the days of yore, before all farming was done by machines, the farmers used to attach their tools to cows or oxen to do the hard work of plowing their fields and getting them ready for planting. If you’ve ever helped to plant a garden, you likely know why. Getting the ground ready for seeds is not easy work. You have to get the rocks out. You have to smooth the ground to be relatively flat. You have to dig the holes for the seeds. You have to cover the seeds back over once they’re sown so that they are protected from the scorching of the sun and the animals who would eat them for food. It’s back-breaking labor. It’s burdensome. You can see why these farmers passed the burden to their animals. It made things a lot easier. 

You likely know burdens in your own life. You perhaps know that burden of manual labor. You perhaps know the burden of unending homework, responsibilities, obligations, and more. Additionally, you likely know the burden of Your sinful conscience. You remember that thought you had that was contrary to God’s will. You remember the slander you spoke against someone nearby you. You remember the harm you did to those whom you should have helped. All of this is burdensome, let alone the burdens we know of the sicknesses and sorrows from living in this broken and sin-fallen world. 

God has asked you to let Him bear this burden for you. “Cast your burdens on me,” He says. Jesus tells you that you are to come to Him, heavy laden, and He will give you rest. He takes the yoke of Your troubles, and He promises that He makes them easier. This is true most of all of that burdened conscience. He assures you that He has yoked that burden to His cross and buried it in His tomb. This means that as He has raised you as His own in Baptism, you no longer bear it all. It’s gone as far as the East is from the West. You are now righteous in Him. So, as Your burden is cast upon Him, as You are righteous in Christ, He will not let you fall. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed God, You are our strength and care in every circumstance. As we are burdened with the hardships of this life and our own sin, bless us to cast those burdens upon You that we would be confirmed as Your people forever. 

- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May 23, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 13:18-35

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 26:1-20; Luke 13:18-35

“He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’” (Luke 13:18-19)

In the Name + of Jesus. 

As people, we like stories of victories, don’t we? We love it when our sports teams win. We love for hard work to pay off. We love it when we see the fruits of our own labors come to fruition. All of these things bring us happiness and satisfaction, don’t they? 

But then Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. If you have seen a mustard seed, you know they aren’t much as far as seeds go. They aren’t acorns that are large and sturdy looking. They aren’t walnuts that you can see easily as they fall from trees. No, they’re small and seem insignificant. 

God’s work often looks this way. It often looks like the Church isn’t making much progress in the world. It often looks like we’re not making much progress in being good Christians. It often feels like we’re better at sinning than we are being faithful. And when you look at the cross, it’s the same way. On the cross, Jesus doesn’t look like a powerful God. He looks lowly. He looks like He’s defeated, and Satan wins. 

But then Jesus tells how a mustard seed grows. Yes, it looks insignificant, but it gets big enough for the birds to live in it and for them to be sustained by it. This cross is the same. Despite its lowly appearance, or actually even by it, Jesus accomplishes the greatest of things: the salvation of the world. By the seed of His body falling to the ground, the tree that grows in His resurrection provides for the needs of the many. 

You see, this is how God works. The little bit looks insignificant, but through its insignificant appearance, God is bringing about great works. Even today, through the lowly waters poured on a baby, or the bread and wine of His Supper, there He is bringing the cross and resurrection to His people and sustaining them in His eternal love. It doesn’t seem like much, but again, this is how God works.

This means that when you see the things that don’t look like victories, you can trust that somehow God is still working good things through it. Think of it: the cross is the worst possible thing— the death of the perfect Man, God in the flesh. But through it, God accomplished the greatest possible thing: the salvation of mankind. If He can do it there, He can do it in the worst things in Your life too. In fact, He promises that He will. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, when we see the lowly things of this world and Your Kingdom, bless us to see them with the eyes of faith and trust in Your promises knowing that through these You accomplish the greatest things, most of all our salvation. Amen.

- Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.