Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to “preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). What’s the gospel? “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The gospel is the good news that God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son–Jesus–into the world to die on the cross for our sins and rise from the dead for our salvation. And here’s the best part: God gives that salvation as a gift to everyone who believes in Jesus. It’s not something that we earn or deserve. It’s a gift! I hope you can listen to this Ascension sermon: “Preach the Gospel.” Jesus loves you!

What is a sacrament? You’ve probably heard Christians use that word. Do you know what a sacrament is? As we study the Bible, we in the Lutheran Church teach that a sacrament meets these three criteria: 1) Instituted by Jesus himself; 2) Uses an earthly element combined with God’s Word; 3) Offers the forgiveness of sins.I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the sacraments and how God uses them to give us his grace and forgiveness. Jesus loves you!

Do I have a guardian angel? It’s very popular to think that each person has one specific angel assigned to them. Is that true? Do I have a guardian angel?The Bible actually offers you something better. Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the many angels of God whom God has sent to watch over you and protect you. God bless your day!

Does God speak to me through dreams? We all have dreams. Sometimes we wonder if those dreams are going to come true. Should we trust in what our dreams tell us?The Bible says, “No!” Jeremiah writes, “Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my speak it faithfully” (Jeremiah 23:28).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the hope and certainly that come from the Word of God.God bless your day!

I hope you are looking for truth. I hope you are longing to have a foundation for your life that you can count on no matter what. I can’t tell you if that internet meme or story is fake or AI or the real thing. However, here’s the truth for you: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That’s the truth about sin! “In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last” (Romans 1:17). That’s the truth about righteousness! In a world full of lies, may the Spirit of truth guide us into all the truth, so that one day we can be with Jesus. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The Spirit of Truth.” Jesus loves you!

When you’re sad, it seems like your sadness will last forever. When you’re in pain, it feels like your pain will never go away. When your relationships are filled with conflict, it feels like there is no hope. Is that true? No! Jesus says, “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy” (John 16:20). Jesus wants you to know that sorrow has an end date. No pain lasts forever. Just like Jesus changed his disciples’ sorrow on Good Friday into the greatest joy on Easter Sunday, Jesus promises that one day, we will see him face to face, and no one will take away our joy. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “A Little While.” Jesus loves you!

You can’t know Jesus for who he is until you know you for who you are. Who are you and I? According to the Bible, we’re sheep. Weak. Wandering. Helpless. “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). But once you realize you’re a sheep, you can see Jesus for who he really is: Our Good Shepherd! “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). There is no more beautiful picture in the Bible than seeing Jesus as our Good Shepherd who lays down his life for us sheep. In life, you are always following someone. Follow Jesus! I hope you can listen to this sermon about Jesus: “The Good Shepherd.” Jesus loves you!

Do I need to be re-baptized? That’s a common question when people switch churches or come back to church after a time away. Do I need to be re-baptized?

It all depends on whose name you were baptized into. Jesus commanded, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

I hope you can listen to this short devotion about the importance of being baptized in the name of the Trinity–the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God bless you!

Is baptism our work for God or God’s work for us? Many churches say that baptism is when you decide to fully commit your life to Christ. Baptism is our work, right?

No! The Bible presents a totally different picture. Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5).

I hope you can listen to this short devotion about how God gives us new birth in baptism. It’s all his work, not ours!  

Jesus loves you!

Does baptism save? That’s a big question. You are probably aware that sadly there are very different teachings about baptism in Christian churches. It often comes down to this: Does baptism save?

Thankfully, the Bible gives us a very clear answer: “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

I hope you can listen to this short devotion about how God graciously uses baptism to save us.

God bless your day!