Reflections

4.6 (9)
Religion & Spirituality
Daily

Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org

8h ago

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week After Trinity

November 2, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 21:23-46 “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus must not be talking literal math here, because that would only make 490 times someone should be forgiven. If the tallies started when this 49-year-old pastor was born, and Jesus IS talking literally…YIKES! I mean, just do the math. If I’ve sinned ONLY 10 times a year, does that mean I’ve used up the forgiveness I’m supposed to receive? Clearly, that is not how God forgives. But the question the disciples ask isn’t about how God forgives but about how we are to forgive the one who sins against us. Again, Jesus must not be talking literal math here. I’ve been married for 26 years. If Jesus is really telling us to count up the times we’ve forgiven our closest neighbor, then my wife only has to forgive me about 19 times a year, and let me tell you, I’ve used it all up! What Jesus is after in answer to Peter’s question is illustrated by the parable that follows of the “king who wished to settle accounts with his servants” (Matthew 18:23). The king in the parable is God, who has forgiven us far more than we could even imagine. Not 490 times but every time, every sin, covered in the precious cleansing blood of the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). That makes you the servant who was ten thousand talents in debt to the king, and your friend the one who owed you a hundred denarii. When your friend sins against you, rather than focusing on the weight of their words or the breadth of their betrayal, this parable calls you to first consider the abundant mercy of God toward you and recognize that your Holy Heavenly Father has forgiven you far more than He is calling you to forgive your friend…the comparison isn’t even close. So bring your sins to Jesus, and those sins committed against you to Jesus, and weigh them all in the limitless scale of His forgiving love for you. He can handle it, even when you can’t. Jesus has already washed your crimson stain of sin in your Baptism into His death and resurrection. Let His forgiveness be the forgiveness you share. Remember who you are, a fully forgiven child of God. Which means you don’t need the strength to manufacture forgiveness; you already have it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains clean in His blood most precious till not a spot remains. (LSB 606:1) Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.
1d ago

All Saints Day

November 1, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22 “And [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ... ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied…’” (Matthew 5:2,6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Being satisfied sounds great, but when does that happen? Even when you’ve had a great meal, you’ll get hungry again. You did well on the test you prepared for, but another one’s coming. You trained hard, ran well, and the team had a record finish, but there’s another Cross-Country invitational next week. The music you’ve been rehearsing for months reached its resounding crescendo at last week’s fall concert, and now the work begins to prepare for the next performance. Those are just some of the outward things that, even in their accomplishment, leave us wanting more. What about the friendships, or lack thereof, that always leave you wondering if you’re enough. How about when you don’t think you can actually put in words what you’re feeling, or are afraid that if you did, no one would stick around. What are we really hungering for? What will satisfy that thirst for belonging? The real truth is that there is only one in whom we will be satisfied- Jesus. Although you may know the joyful truth and healing balm of the Gospel, sinners still sin in thought, word, and deed. That sin in our world, even in our own sinful flesh, breaks stuff. In fact, sin breaks us too. If we are looking to be satisfied by our accomplishments or the opinion of others, we will be left with the “many who say, ‘who will show us some good?’” (Psalm 4:6) But that same Psalm continues, “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” Jesus may well have said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for ME, for they shall be satisfied.” In Christ we find our most satisfying “highest good,” and He promises to be present as He delivers His body for our hunger and His blood for our thirst. So we gather with all the Saints where Jesus is, bringing all the sin-brokenness of our soul and declare the promise as we receive Him, “Thou, Bread of Life, alone art able to satisfy and make me whole: Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good!” (LSB 618:1). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy Communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.
2d ago

Reformation Day

October 31, 2026 Today's Reading: John 8:31-36 or Matthew 11:12-19 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Matthew 20:17-34 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. On October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He wasn’t trying to start a revolution. He was trying to have a debate about indulgences - pieces of paper people could buy to reduce their time in purgatory. The church taught that you could purchase forgiveness and that salvation was something you could earn or buy your way into. Luther said, “Wait a minute, that’s not what the Bible says.” The more Luther studied Scripture, the clearer it became: we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We are not saved by our works. We are not saved by our efforts. We are not saved by our money. We are not saved by anything we do. Salvation is a Gift, given freely by God because of what Jesus has done. This was revolutionary because it meant freedom. Freedom from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor. Freedom from the fear that you haven't done enough. Freedom from wondering if God really loves you. “If the on sets you free, you will be free indeed.” That’s what the Reformation recovered - the truth that Jesus has already done everything necessary for your salvation. But freedom doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want. Jesus also says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Real freedom comes from knowing the truth and being set free by it. The truth is that you’re a sinner who deserves death. The truth is that Jesus died in your place and rose again. The truth is that by faith in Him, you’re forgiven, declared righteous, and adopted as God’s child. That truth sets you free. The Reformation wasn’t about Martin Luther being some kind of hero. It was about recovering the Gospel that had been buried under layers of human tradition and false teaching. Luther didn’t invent anything new - he simply pointed people back to what Scripture had always said. Salvation is by grace alone. Faith is a Gift from God. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The Bible is the final authority. These truths are just as important today as they were 500 years ago. You still need to hear that you’re saved by grace, not by works. You still need to be pointed to Jesus, not to yourself. You still need the freedom that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven because of what Christ has done, not because of what you have done. So today, we give thanks for the Reformation. But more than that, we give thanks for the Gospel it recovered - the good news that the Son has set you free, and you are free indeed. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on the Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD.
3d ago

Friday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity

October 30, 2026 Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 22 - Psalm 130:1-2, 7-8; antiphon: Psalm 130:3-4 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27; Matthew 20:1-16 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Psalm 103:3-4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” That’s how Psalm 130 begins. The depths. Not the shallows, not the comfortable middle ground, but the depths - the place where you’re in over your head, where the water is closing in, where you can’t save yourself. Maybe you know what that feels like. The guilt of something you’ve done that you can’t undo. The shame of falling into the same sin again. The fear that God is keeping score and you’re losing badly. The depths are where you go when you realize you can’t fix yourself, when all your excuses run out, when you’re finally honest about how much you need help. The psalmist asks the question we’re all afraid to ask: “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” If God kept a record of our sins, if He tallied up every wrong thought, every selfish word, every broken promise, every moment of pride or lust or hatred - who could stand before Him? The answer is obvious: nobody. Not one person. We’d all be condemned. But then comes the word that changes everything: “But with you there is forgiveness.” Not because we’ve earned it. Not because our good deeds outweigh our bad ones. Not because we’ve finally gotten our act together. But because with God there is forgiveness. It’s who He is. It’s what He does. And you know where we find this forgiveness: at the cross. Jesus went into the depths for you - into the depths of suffering, the depths of God’s wrath against sin, the depths of death itself. He took your iniquities upon Himself so that God wouldn’t mark them against you. He stood in your place so that you could stand before God forgiven, clean, and righteous. That’s why the psalm says, “that you may be feared.” The fear of the LORD isn’t terror; it’s awe, reverence, and trust. When you realize that the God who has every right to condemn you has instead forgiven you, when you understand that the depths you deserved were suffered by Jesus in your place, you can’t help but fall to your knees in wonder. “O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” That’s the promise. It’s not just a little redemption, not barely enough to squeak by, but plentiful redemption. It’s more than enough. It's overflowing, abundant. It’s for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “From depths of woe I cry to Thee, in trial and tribulation; Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication. If Thou rememb’rest every sin, who then could heaven ever win or stand before thy presence? Though great our sins, yet greater still is God’s abundant favor; His hand of mercy never will abandon us, nor waver. Our shepherd good and true is He, who will at last His Israel free from all their sin and sorrow.” LSB 607:1, 5) Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
4d ago

Thursday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity

October 29, 2026 Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of duties: of citizens Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nobody likes being told what to do. We don’t like speed limits, curfews, or dress codes. We especially don’t like it when the people making the rules seem corrupt, incompetent, or just plain wrong. So when St. Paul tells us to be subject to governing authorities, our first instinct is to push back. But notice what Paul says: governing authorities exist because God instituted them. That doesn’t mean every law is good or every ruler is righteous. It means God has established government itself as a gift to restrain evil and maintain order in a fallen world. Without government, we’d have chaos - everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, the strong oppressing the weak, no justice, no protection, no peace. This is part of what it means to live in the world as a Christian. You have two citizenships. You’re a citizen of heaven, baptized into Christ, and your ultimate allegiance belongs to Him. But you’re also a citizen of whatever earthly country you live in, and God calls you to honor that citizenship, too. Pay your taxes. Obey the law. Respect those in authority. Pray for your leaders, even the ones you didn’t (or wouldn’t) vote for. But what if the government commands something that contradicts God’s Word? Then you obey God rather than men, as the apostles did when authorities told them to stop preaching about Jesus. There are times when civil disobedience is necessary. But those times are the exception, not the rule. Most of the time, being a good Christian means being a good citizen - not because the government is perfect, but because God has placed you under its authority for your good and the good of your neighbor. Here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t come to overthrow earthly governments. He came to save sinners. His kingdom is not of this world. That means you don’t put your hope in elections, politicians, or policies. Earthly governments can’t save you. Only Jesus can. So yes, be a good citizen. Vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve your community. But remember where your true citizenship lies: You belong to Christ. He’s the King who reigns forever, the Lord who will never fail you. Earthly governments come and go, but his kingdom has no end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You have established governing authorities for the good of Your creation. Grant us wisdom to honor those in authority, courage to obey You above all, and faith to trust that our true citizenship is in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
5d ago

St. Simeon and St. Jude, Apostles

October 28, 2026 Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Simon the Zealot and Jude, son of James, are two of the Twelve apostles about whom we know very little. They don’t have dramatic conversion stories like Paul. They didn’t walk on water like Peter or lean on Jesus’ chest like John. Jude wrote one short letter, and Simon didn’t even get that. In many ways, they’re the forgotten apostles. But Jesus didn’t forget them. He chose them, called them by name, and sent them out to preach the Gospel. And according to tradition, both were martyred for that Gospel. The world hated them because the world first hated Jesus. Jesus warns His disciples about this in today’s reading. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This isn’t meant to discourage you. It’s meant to prepare you for reality. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee popularity, success, or comfort. The world hated Jesus because He exposed its sin and proclaimed a kingdom not of this world. The world hates Christians for the same reason. When you confess that Jesus is the only way to the Father, the world calls you intolerant. When you hold to God’s Word, the world calls you backwards. But here’s what matters: Jesus chose you out of the world. You didn’t choose Him; He chose you. He called you by name in your Baptism and made you His own. He’s given you His World, His forgiveness, His Body and Blood. He’s promised that nothing can separate you from His love. Simon and Jude weren’t famous apostles, but they were faithful. They preached Christ crucified and risen. They endured suffering for His name. And now they’re with Him in Paradise, wearing the white robes of the martyrs. You may never be famous for your faith. But if you’re baptized into Christ, you’re just as much His chosen disciple as Simon and Jude were. And His promise to them is His promise to you: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon the Zealot and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. Grant that Your Church may always be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
6d ago

Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity

October 27, 2026 Today's Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35 “Put on the whole armor of god, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is someone who hates you. St Paul doesn’t want you to be naive about this. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The devil is real, and he wants to destroy you. He wants to separate you from Christ, to convince you that God’s promises aren’t true, that you’re not really forgiven, that you’re on your own. This isn’t a fair fight. You can’t defeat the devil on your own. You’re not strong enough, smart enough, or good enough. If it were up to your willpower or determination, you’d lose every time. That’s why Paul doesn’t tell you to muster up your own courage or try harder. Instead, he tells you to put on armor - but not your armor. God’s armor. Notice what this armor is made of. The belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. The shoes of the gospel of peace. The shield of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. None of this is yours by nature. You don’t generate truth, righteousness, faith, or salvation from within yourself. These are all Gifts. God gives them to you, and then He tells you to put them on. The truth is God’s truth, revealed in His Word. The righteousness is Christ’s righteousness, given to you in your Baptism. The gospel of peace is the good news that your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. The faith that shields you from the devil’s attacks is created and sustained by the Holy Spirit. The salvation that protects your head is Christ’s finished work on the cross. And the sword you wield is not your opinions or feelings, but the Word of God itself. See what Paul is doing? He’s not giving you a list of things to do for spiritual self-improvement. He’s pointing you to Christ and His Gifts. When the devil accuses you, you don’t defend yourself with promises to do better. You point to your Baptism. You cling to the Absolution spoken over you. You receive Christ’s Body and Blood. You open your Bible and read God’s promises. This is how you stand firm, so that when the Last Day comes, and the battle ends, you’re still standing. You’re still alive. The Christian life is spiritual warfare, but it’s not a war that you fight alone or in your own strength. Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. He’s given you His armor, and He stands with you in the battle. So when the enemy comes - and he will - you stand firm. Not because you’re strong, but because Christ is, and He’s made you His own. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that hath us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.” (LSB 656:1) Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
Oct 26

Monday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity

October 26, 2026 Today's Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22; Matthew 18:1-20 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the beginning, God created. He didn’t have to. He wasn’t lonely or bored. He didn’t create the world because something was missing in His life. God is perfect and complete in Himself - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - eternally blessed in the communion of the Holy Trinity. He created simply because He wanted to. Creation is an act of pure love and generosity. Notice how He creates! He creates by speaking. “God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.” He doesn’t struggle or strain. He doesn’t experiment or make mistakes. He speaks, and it happens. His Word is that powerful. When God speaks, things come into existence. When God speaks, chaos becomes order. When God speaks, darkness becomes light. This matters for you. The same God who spoke the universe into existence has spoken to you in your Baptism. He has called you by name and claimed you as His own child. The same creative power that brought forth stars and galaxies, mountains and oceans, is the power that has made you a new creation in Christ. You didn’t cooperate with God in your Baptism any more than the light cooperated with God when He called it into being. God spoke, and you became His. Six different times in Genesis 1, we read “And God saw that it was good.” Then, after creating mankind in his image, male and female, God looks at everything He has made and declares it “very good.” All of creation - including you - came from God’s hand bearing His stamp of approval. Sin has corrupted and twisted what God made; we know that. But it hasn’t destroyed the fundamental goodness of creation. You are not an accident. You are not a cosmic mistake. You were created by God, in His image, and He called you very good. But there’s more. After sin entered the world and ruined what God had made good, God didn’t abandon His creation. Instead, He spoke again. He promised a Savior who would crush the serpent’s head, and in the fullness of time, the Word through whom all things were made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entered His own creation to redeem it and restore it. On the seventh day, God rested from His work of creation. But after sin, God took up a new work - the work of redemption. And that work was finished on a Friday afternoon when Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished.” Now, in Christ, you are not only a creature made by God but a new creation redeemed by God. The same Word that brought you into existence has brought you back to life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, our creator, redeemer, and comforter, we praise you for bringing all things into being by the power of your Word, and for speaking that same Word to us in Christ Jesus. Grant that we may always remember we are Your beloved creatures and Your redeemed children, now and forever. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.

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4.6

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9 Ratings

Great start to my day

05/06/2024

JoyfullyRedeemed

Wonderful program. Great start to my day. Reminds me of what we we have in Christ. The transcripts are much appreciated. Thank you..