The word disciple and the word discipline have the same root. You cannot have disciples without discipline because at their root both words mean learning. Learning isn’t always easy, and in fact it can be hard and painful. Likewise, following Jesus is not always easy, but as we look at the Epistle Lesson from the…

Being at a sporting event is exciting, especially when you’re on the field. The crowd cheering can pump you up and inspire you to perform. The spectators watching the game inspire you to give it your best because you know everyone is watching. In a similar fashion, the author of Hebrews has us consider the…

We like our lives to go smoothly. We do everything we can to make sure we don’t have to worry about tomorrow. What happens when something happens to upset our best laid plans? We often become anxious and fearful. Regardless of what causes our anxiety, the Lord Jesus gives us a reason not to be…

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This word “vanity” is threaded throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. One might wonder if Solomon, the author, had depression or was just having a bad day. However, this word vanity might be better translated as breath. Breath is obviously an important part of…

We pray in the collect (that is prayer) of the day “O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You.” We see prayer in action in our Old Testament lesson as…

This heartfelt funeral sermon compares the birth of a child with the pain of death, weaving together personal memories and gospel hope. Karen, like all of us, bore thorns—grief, physical suffering, and loss—but through Christ, those thorns have become jewels. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12, the preacher highlights God’s grace in weakness, showing how Jesus’…

The author of Hebrews writes, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). Perhaps he had Genesis 18 in mind when writing this verse. Certainly it was not merely an angel that visited Abraham that day. Our text reads, “The Lord (Yahweh) appeared to [Abraham] by…

As we gather… One insurance commercial promises that they are there, like a good neighbor. The lawyer who stood up to test Jesus asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Our reading from Leviticus helps spell out what it means to be a good neighbor. Leaving extra for those in need, not stealing, not lying, paying your…

On this weekend we consider the many freedoms we have in this country. Certainly, devout and faithful rulers, good government and peace are the things in the laundry list of things for which we thank God in Luther’s explanation of give us this day our daily bread. But even more specifically, we thank the Lord…

Oftentimes we may ask ourselves, “Who’s in charge here?” If the service at the restaurant is slow, if you’re unhappy with customer service, or whatever the case may be, you wonder who is running things. Paul asks, “Who’s in charge here?” as it relates to our hearts and minds. Are you driven by your fleshly…