July 6, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Judges 1:1-36; Acts 13:1-12

“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus sent the 72. He called them. He sent them out. There was, after all, work to be done, and lots of it. So Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, called 72 ordinary people and equipped them for service in His Kingdom. They would carry His peace. They would heal the sick, drive out demons, and have the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions. Jesus called them to leave the comfort and security of their homes so that they would carry the love of God into people’s lives. Jesus called them to bring light to the darkness. Christ Himself equipped them to deliver the Gifts of salvation.

I never leave my house without three things. They are important. They are necessary. I would go back home to get them if I had forgotten. That is why, as I prepare to leave, I ask myself, “Do I have my wallet, keys, and my phone?” I cannot do most things without them. I need my keys to go anywhere (I live six miles from town) and to get in when I get there. I need my phone to be able to call someone (yes, I am old enough that my iPhone actually gets used to make phone calls), or to look something up. I need my wallet to pay for stuff (but I can do that from my phone now, too), but more importantly than that, my wallet has my ID—my identification. My ID tells me (and others) who I am. I know who I am, and I can go and do what needs to be done.

In the waters of your Baptism, Christ claimed you as His own and marked you as one redeemed. In that life-giving water, God bestows on you Gifts. You have God’s Gifts to share His love and shine His light. God will do awesome things through you, not because you are awesome but because He has made you awesome. You might be able to leave home without your wallet, keys, or phone, but you can’t leave home without Jesus. He called you by name.“...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- Rev. Roger Stites, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Sequim, WA.

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

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 5, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 4 - Psalm 19:2, 4-6; antiphon: Psalm 19:1

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 23:1-16; Acts 12:1-25

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When Jesus, the bridegroom, comes for His bride, the church, the heavens, and creation itself will not hold back praise. On that day, all will be restored, and creation will dwell with its Creator again forever.

What a vivid scene. Come, Lord Jesus! While the psalmist writes, our minds read, and our hearts declare, “How long?” Indeed, how long will it be until that glorious day when the Bridegroom comes to take His Bride to the wedding feast and celebrate that glorious consummation of the age that will never end?

While waiting is depressing and this life can feel meaningless, we run our course with joy. Christ has come and will come again. Until then, He has given us every promise and blessing, including the assurance that we will stand with Him on that Last Day. How can I be so sure? I am baptized, and you, the baptized, will be with your Jesus, the one whose Name you were baptized into.

Though this course is long, and we grow tired and weak, we are strengthened by the wedding feast of the Lamb, given by the Lamb Himself for us, His bride, to eat and to drink. Jesus gives His Body for the feast and His Blood for you to drink to strengthen and sustain you until He comes to dwell with us fully.

On that day, we will be with Him in glory, with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, hearing the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky proclaim His handiwork.

What a glorious day that will be, as we continue to pray with the psalmist, the saints of old, and saints to come, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

All creation joins to praise You; Earth and sky Your works display. Art and music, gifts You lend us, We return to You today. Alleluia! Alleluia! God, Creator, source of life! (LSB 795:2)

- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.

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

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

July 4, 2025

Today's Reading: Acts 11:19-30

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25; Joshua 10:28-22:34; Acts 11:19-30

“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Man needs a preacher—someone to proclaim the Law that kills and the Gospel that makes alive. A man sent by God to that place to preach and teach the Word and administer The Sacraments. Antioch was no different, and St. Saul (Paul), although different, was that preacher.

Ever since Pentecost, the church had been growing among the Jewish people. Outreach to the Gentiles was not exactly the church’s area of expertise. Luckily, they had just the man for the job who had already been on the move preaching the Gospel in the synagogues in Damascus and Tarsus. Remember what God Himself said concerning Saul, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15).

Set Saul’s faults aside; God has made him His preacher to the Gentiles.

In the same way also, God sends you His preacher. He, like Saul, might have some quirks and might not do things the way we always want, but God has sent him to you to give you Jesus. Your pastor, like Saul, will sit with you, bear your cross and suffer with you, laugh and cry with you. In times of greatest doubt and despair, your Pastor is the one God has sent to you to proclaim that your sins are forgiven.

Like Saul, pastors are not perfect. They rely on God’s grace just as much as we do, and that grace sustains us even in the hard times. Saul would be no stranger to suffering for the sake of Christ. He had already been snuck out of Damascus in a basket and sent away from the apostles for his reputation. God was with Saul throughout his ministry and service to the church.

Saul and all pastors in Christ sent to serve His people in that time and place are sent to do what the church has always done. Care for you by preaching the Gospel that you are one of God’s elect, claimed in the waters of Baptism. God has not forgotten you; His words are written down for you and proclaimed to you by your pastor.

Thanks be to God for men like Saul, your Pastor who teaches, preaches, and cares for you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, help us walk Your servant way Wherever love may lead And, bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other’s need. (LSB 857:1)

- Justin Chester is a seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.

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

In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus’ farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.