Lent Wednesday 4, March 11, 2026. Matthew 26:37-39, Luke 22:44. Ever wanted to know what others were thinking? Imagine if God granted that. It might be fun for a moment, but then it would turn into a curse. Sometimes NOT knowing what others think, or NOT knowing the future--is a tremendous blessing. But often, the bliss of not knowing was something Jesus did not have.

Lent Wednesday 5, March 18, 2026. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Our country isn't perfect, but liberty and justice still live here. But when we turn our thoughts to Jesus, to meditate on the hours that passed before his crucifixion, we cannot help but see that justice was something Jesus gave up, in order to be our Savior.

Immanuel Lutheran Tour Choir Service, March 15, 2026. Psalm 23. Troyal Mayhew is a college sophomore in the pre-theological program at Immanuel Lutheran College. Here he talks about sheep, and how we are like them. Most of all--we both need a Shepherd. Praise the LORD, for he has given us a GOOD one.

Lent Sunday 3. March 8, 2026. Jeremiah 26:1-15. Speak the Truth in Love: God's command is to speak his word of warning. Jeremiah's fate was to be condemned for speaking the truth. Our mission is the same--omit not a word.

Lent Wednesday 3. March 4, 2026. Hebrews 5:7-9. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Control. It's impossible to think of someone more independent or in control than God. But when God the Son became human, that changed. Hebrews tells us that he "learned obedience from the things he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8 EHV). On the way to the cross he said--your will be done, Father. On the way from the cross he said--into your hands I commit my spirit. He set independence and control down, and trusted his Father to raise him on the third day. And he invites us to trust him in the same way.

Lent Sunday 2, March 1, 2026. Psalm 42. When Hopeless, I Will Hope in God: He has been, and will be, faithful. He uses his great power, for me. He listens to my open prayer.

Lent Wednesday 2. Feburary 25, 2026. Hebrews 4:14-16. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Rest. Jesus often went without physical rest for the sake of his mission to save sinners. He preached and healed for long hours, and habitually rose early to reconnect with his Father in heaven--no doubt to pray for the sinners he had come to rescue. But he got some sleep from time to time. What he never got was rest from temptation. He had to be perfect, or the sacrifice would not work. God? Yes. Human? Also yes. Can you imagine the toll this pressure would take on a man?

Lent Sunday 1. February 22, 2026. Hebrews 4:15-16. Jesus is Our Atmosphere: Each day we walk outside, unafraid of the sun. There’s something between us and its deadly radiation. Each day we can dwell in the presence of God, unafraid of his just and holy judgment. Someone stands between us and that wrath.

Lent Wednesday 1. February 18, 2026. John 13:33-35. What Jesus Gave up for Lent: Bride and Family. Jesus gave up a single, earthly bride and a short lifetime with a few children—to gain a huge family, and to be able to spend ETERNITY with that family in heaven.

Epiphany 6, February 15, 2026. God's Wisdom is Wiser than Human Wisdom. So don't change the gospel into what people want to hear. Don't think you can add to what Jesus did to redeem you. Just boast in the LORD, and how Christ covered our sins, set us apart, and bought us back for eternity with God.