❓Do you over-apologize?

➡️ It’s appropriate to apologize for genuine wrongs (such as breaking the Ten Commandments).

However, if someone is simply showing us love or care  – this can actually diminish the gift they're trying to give. 🎁

Why? 🤔

When someone helps or supports us, they aren't creating a debt we need to repay. They're expressing love 💞.

Christ showed love through His sacrifice ✝️. We don't owe Jesus an apology for His sacrifice; we owe Him thanks 🙌.

Similarly, when friends and family support us, the appropriate response isn’t "I'm sorry for being a burden 😔" but "thank you for loving me 💖."

📜 The Ten Commandments serve two purposes: they show us what sin is and what sin isn’t.

If you haven't sinned but feel guilty 😟, that's often the devil stirring up shame 😈 where none should exist.

There’s a difference between wronging someone and being someone’s burden.

When we over-apologize for being "burdens", we're often expressing a deeper belief that we're not worthy of being loved or cared for. 💔

✨ We are worth more than gold or silver ✨; we're worth the holy and precious blood of Jesus. 🍷

The path forward isn’t to make ourselves smaller through constant apologies but through gratitude 🙏.

Test guilty feelings by asking the following questions:

✅ Have I actually broken a commandment? ❓

✅ If not, am I diminishing someone’s gift 🎁 by treating it as a debt?

✅ Could "thank you" better honor both their love 💝 and my worth in Christ?

🧡 Remember: You can recognize yourself as a sinner while still accepting that you’re worthy of love.

The gift here is that you are measured by what was paid for you.💰 That's to be received with joy and not embarrassment. 😊

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #guilt

🌍 What is God’s Sovereignty and Why Does It Matter?

✨ Sovereignty = Control ✨

God is in control of all things, and nothing controls him. 🛡️

💔 But it hurts down here.

A God who is in control of all things can feel almost harder to wrestle with than a God who’s doing his best on any given day. 🤔

For God to be all-powerful and good, while we have a world this messy, is a real problem every religion has to confront.🤯

👑 As a sovereign God, He could, with just a blink, send anyone who would ever make this world worse straight to hell. 

Then, he’d have a perfectly ordered creation where nothing bad ever happened.

❤️ But, that’s not love.

Instead, we find Him dwelling in the midst of creation. 🌱

✝️ He climbed down into this pit, suffered on the cross, and died for you.

God’s sovereignty is a gift because he uses it in mercy to save and to forgive. 🎁

We don’t need to control God because He’s already merciful and good. ✅

There’s a bajillion things wrong, and he hates it, too. That’s why He died on the cross, taking the world upon Himself. 🌍

God doesn’t use His sovereignty to bully us (like we would) but to die for us. 💔➡️❤️

He was not coerced. He did it willingly. ✨

Even when things seem messy, know that He’s not hiding or abandoning you. 🕊

He’s right where He’s promised to be — in control and for your good. 

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #sovereigntyofGod 

Short answer: Maybe. 🧐

It depends on the specific church, their activities, their beliefs, and what they’ll be teaching. This is why having discernment is so important. 🛡️

It's not necessarily a bad thing to go, but it’s wise to stay aware of what’s being taught there. You might encounter beliefs or teachings that don’t align with your own or even some that aren’t biblical. 📖❗

❓ So, what would be a deal breaker? 

If the group expects you to participate in activities or affirm beliefs that go against your faith or that are sinful, that’s a red flag. 🚩 (Remember, attending some events might imply that you support them.)

Understanding Different Types of Churches ⛪

Churches that teach beliefs contrary to yours. ❌

Other confessional Lutheran churches. ✅

Churches that are somewhere in the middle – Here is where discernment is key. ⚖️

💪 How do you grow your discernment muscle? 

▶️Study the Bible. 📚 This helps you recognize errors when you see them.

▶️Study the Small Catechism. 📜 Use it to compare foundational Lutheran theology with what you hear in other places. It’s a solid guide to help you know if a teaching aligns with your beliefs.

What’s the purpose of a youth group, anyway? 🤔

To guide youth in transitioning from childhood to adulthood in the church. 👶➡️👨‍🎓

To give practical skills, like running a meeting. 🗂️

To deepen understanding of the Christian faith. ✝️

To provide opportunities for service work. 🤲

To create a space for fellowship with others. 👫

Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #youthgroup

❓How Do We Know If God Is Telling Us to Do Something in Our Life? 🤔

 The Simple Answer: Is it in the Bible? 📖

Let’s dig a bit deeper . . . 🚜

📜 God’s Law: God instructs us through His Word. If what you believe God is telling you goes against the Bible, it’s not from Him. (See Gal. 1:8)

🐺 Looks Can Be Deceiving: We can’t base the truth of something on how good it looks or sounds because Paul says that the devil disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) 

💔 Feelings Can Mislead: We can’t rely on our emotions for truth, as Jesus says that evil things come from the heart. (Matt. 15:19)

❓ What about the “Messy Middle” where God seems quiet or unspecific? Questions like: Where should I go to college? Who should I marry? Where should I live?

🗣️ God Speaks to Us in Two Ways:

1️⃣ The Mediate Way – through means such as the Bible, church, or your pastor.

2️⃣ The Immediate Way – direct communication, like prophecies where God speaks directly (e.g., to Abraham).

📏 Testing the Validity of Immediate Prophecy:

>> 📜 Does it align with God’s Word?

>> ✨ Can the prophet perform a miracle? (In the Bible, genuine prophecy is often accompanied by miracles.)

⚠️ Note: The devil can do miracles, but he cannot teach in accordance with God’s will.  

🔍 Reasons Someone Might Misinterpret God’s Voice:

>> 🛍️ It’s something they deeply desire.

>> 🙈 They want to avoid responsibility for their actions.

>> 📜 They’re seeking justification for something they want to do.

💡 Remember: God’s will for us always aligns with His Word, not just our wishes.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran 

✨ What does it mean that God is immutable? ✨

👉 He does not mutate, which means he doesn’t change.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Heb 13:8) 📖

Why does this matter?

1️⃣ He is not a created thing. He is. He exists and will exist forever.

2️⃣ He’s not going to change his mind. This includes His will to save you.

3️⃣ He cannot be changed. God’s love for you cannot be altered. ❤️

What does this mean in light of Jesus being both God and man?

👉 Jesus has the attributes of both God and man, but when these attributes meet in Jesus, humanity doesn’t lessen divinity. ✝️

God is not less God by becoming man. When God becomes man, His human side is mortal, which means He can die on the cross. But it wasn’t just the human side that died; the second person of the Trinity died.

The blood that covers your sin is not just human blood — it’s the blood of Christ. 🩸(That’s huge!)

He promises to join His body and blood under bread and wine for you to eat and drink for the forgiveness of your sins. His body and blood aren’t made less when this happens because God is immutable.

✝️ You can take every wrong thing you’ve ever done and throw it at God, and He picks it up, carries it to the cross, bleeds, and dies for you. His will to save you is absolute and unchangeable.

 🎁 It’s a gift that God is immutable. Over and over, you can bring your sins to Jesus. Over and over, His will is unchanged: to forgive you, to save you, to love you. ❤️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #immutabilityofgod

📖 In Genesis 28, Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth. 🪜 
Jesus picks up on this in John 1:51, saying angels will ascend and descend on him, showing how heaven and earth meet in him. ✨🌍
The concept isn’t about us building ladders to reach heaven ⬆️. Instead, heaven invades earth, with Jesus bringing heaven directly to us. ⬇️
As Christians, heaven isn’t just a distant paradise or escape.🌴 It’s God coming to us, through Jesus, who took on human flesh to connect heaven and earth. ✨➡️🌍
This connection doesn’t wait for us to seek it out; it’s delivered to us in real-time through Jesus's actions, teachings, and the promise of forgiveness. ✝️
Heaven, in essence, isn’t just a place “up there” — it’s anywhere God’s presence is, including in baptism and communion. 💧🍞🍷
Going to church, then, becomes less about an escape 🏃‍♂️💨 and more about finding strength and comfort in a world that often hurts.
When we gather at church, heaven meets earth, and forgiveness, grace, and salvation are offered right there. ✨🙏 
It's about accessing the “ladder” 🪜 Jesus reveals to be himself. ✝️
Church can sometimes feel ordinary — no glowing lights or dramatic miracles, but every time you enter church, it's a small taste of heaven on earth, where you’re reminded that God’s for you and with you.⛪
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus #heaven

🌟 If we go to church because Jesus is there, does that mean He’s not with us in our lives? 🌟

The answer lies in God's promise to be present in a specific and meaningful way in church—through His Word 📖 and Sacraments 🕊️.

✨ God's Omnipresence vs. God's Presence "For You" ✨

This brings up questions about God’s omnipresence. Rather than saying God is everywhere, the two words that bridge this gap are the little words — for you. 🙌

Psalm 139 says, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalm 139:8)

It's not just that God is anywhere. It's that He is wherever you happen to be. 💖

⛪ The Specific Promise in Church ⛪

In church, God promises to be present for you in a very specific way, offering forgiveness 🙏, grace 🌿, and comfort ❤️‍🩹 through His Word 📖, Baptism 🌊, communion 🍷, and absolution ☮️.

Jesus is certainly with you in your daily life, but in church, He is doing something unique: forgiving your sins.

His promise of forgiveness is tied to the baptismal font 🚰, the communion cup 🍞🍷, and the words of absolution you hear in church 🕊️. These are tangible, concrete ways you can know Jesus is for you.

💪 Carrying Church Into the World 💪

Going to church isn't about escaping the world 🌍; it's about receiving what you need to go back into it.

Church is a place to bring your struggles 😔 and receive comfort 💓. It's where Jesus offers you the strength 💪, forgiveness 🙏, and reassurance 🌟 that you can carry with you throughout your week.

As a baptized child of God, wherever you go, He goes with you ✨—but it’s in church where you receive the gifts 🎁 to face whatever lies ahead.

🔄 Not an Escape, but Preparation 🔄

Church isn't a monastery 🏰 or an escape from the world 🌎. It's where you receive the forgiveness ✝️ and consolation you need to tackle the real world.

In church, we get the forgiveness of sins to cover our past week 🗓️ and the promise that God will not forsake us in the week to come ▶️.

It's the foundation 🛠️ that allows us to live out our vocations and serve our neighbors ❤️.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #church

If I'm baptized, why do I need to go to the Lord's Supper? 🤔✝️

We face three constant enemies:

🦠 Our sinful flesh — the “old Adam.” 

🌍 The world — with its passions, schemes, and temptations we must endure. 

👹 The devil — relentlessly attacking our conscience. 

As a result, we constantly need all the gifts that the Lord gives us. 🎁

So, why the Lord's Supper? Simply put, Jesus gave it to us 🙏

The catechism points to two reasons: it’s for you and for the forgiveness of sins. 

❓What does baptism do?❓

> 🧼It forgives your sins, washes you clean daily, and gives you a new identity. ✨

> 🌱Baptism kills the old self and brings the new self to life. 

> 💖It’s where God’s name is placed upon you. 

❓What does the Lord’s Supper do?❓

> 🍞🍷Jesus says, “Receive this. This is my body,” given for your forgiveness. 

> 🕊️ Where there’s forgiveness of sins, there’s also life and salvation. 

>  ✨This forgiveness frees us from guilt, shame, and dishonor.

The Lord’s Supper is the only place we receive Christ’s body and blood. ✝️

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper aren’t exclusive; they work together for you. 🤝

We also receive forgiveness from the preached word, Scripture, and confession and absolution. There’s a reason for so many sources of forgiveness. 📖🙏

So perhaps the real question is: Why would the Lord have us go to His Supper?

He tells us: for the forgiveness of your sins. ❤️

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Marsh Shamburger is Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA.

 #higherthings #lcms #lutheran 

❓Question: I know Jesus says not to be anxious, but I'm still anxious by the end of church. What am I supposed to do? 🤔
Here are some ways to tackle this . . .
1️⃣ Reflect on Jesus' Words: Jesus assures us that God cares for us, providing everything we need. Anxiety often stems from fear of what might happen, but remembering that while we are not in control, God is. Trusting in Him shifts the focus from our lack of control to His promise of provision.
📖 Matthew 6:25-34
2️⃣ Read your Bible: Find some passages in the Bible that are comforting to read and that you can return to in times of need. (Ask your pastor for ideas if you don’t know of any.) 📚🙏
3️⃣ Confession & Absolution: If your anxiety is tied to guilt, talk to your pastor. Confession and absolution remind us of God’s forgiveness and can ease our burdens. 💬✝️
4️⃣ Consider Christian Counseling: Sometimes, we need help working through struggles. A Christian counselor can provide guidance that aligns with your faith and addresses the root causes of anxiety. 💡🧠
Some things to keep in mind👇
💬 We need to care for the spiritual self, as well as the physical and mental self.
😟 If you are anxious, it’s not a sign that your religion isn’t working.
🙏 It’s good to pray, but prayer is for comfort… it may not take your anxiety away.
💊 Even if you get anti-anxiety medication, it’s important to solve the root of the anxiety.
✨ You need to learn how to imagine again. The devil will take the gift of imagination that God gave you and twist it into worry. To imagine again is to meditate on God's promises. Imagine if there was such a thing as a God who loved you enough to die for you, to conquer death, and to save you even in spite of yourself. 🌈✝️
🫂 You can’t do this alone. Seek help from your parents, pastor, and/or a counselor.
Anxiety turns us in on ourselves, and we need to find ways to focus on things that are external — such as God and his promises. They can help us refocus and give perspective. 🌟

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #anxiety

As Lutherans, Why Do We Practice Closed Communion? ✝️🍞🍷

It’s not a “no,” but a “not yet.” ⏳

Have you ever felt embarrassed 😳 when you brought a friend to church ⛪ and you had to explain that they weren’t able to commune?

Why don’t Lutherans just let anyone take communion? 🤔

It’s important to start with what we believe communion is.

We believe the bread and wine are the actual body and blood of Christ, offering forgiveness, life, and salvation. 🙏❤️

Not all Christians believe this. Many Christians believe that the bread and wine are mere symbols ⚠️ of the body and blood of Jesus.

While there are many wonderful gifts 🎁 we receive from the Lord’s Supper, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 that people have been hurt and harmed 😔 by communing improperly.

Since this is so powerful and real, it’s important that everyone understands what this gift 🎁 is before receiving it. (Just like you wouldn’t hand someone the keys 🔑 to your car 🚗 without knowing if they can drive.)

Closed communion is actually a gift! 🎁 We want all Christians to share in this foretaste of teh feast to come, but when they have a full understanding of what’s really happening. 💡

Closed communion isn’t about exclusion; it’s about bringing people deeper into the faith. 

It’s an invitation 📜 to learn more and eventually take part in something amazing. Think of it as a way to ensure everyone receives the full joy and benefits of communion. 😊💫

(And the truth is that every church practices some form of closed communion, even if it's excluding young children. 👶💒)

✨ Closed communion = NOT a “no,” but a “not yet” ✨

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #communion #closedcommunion #lordssupper