We humans always search for some sense of identity, security, and meaning in our harried and hurried lives. Some seek meaning in various philosophies, ecstatic experiences, or principles for successful living. Some find security in acquiring great wealth or power or both. Many look within themselves to discern their “true...

“Caiaphas … said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:49-50, ESV). Jesus had just worked His ultimate miraculous sign: the raising of Lazarus...

“Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3 ESV). To see Jesus during our Lenten journey, we need to see ourselves as the man born blind in John, chapter 9. As Jesus and His...

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water’” (John 4:10 ESV). Water is life. Without water, everything dries up and returns to...

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ... and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were...

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17 ESV). If there is one thing that humans don’t like,...

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19 ESV). Ash Wednesday forces us to confront the reality of sin and death. We know that death and sin are all around us, but we do everything we can to avoid it. We struggle to confront sins in...

“And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” (Matt. 17:8, ESV). Growing up, it felt like I was always at church. I was there on Sunday for worship and Sunday school, on Wednesday for weekday school, and often after school with my grandma when...

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” (Ps. 95:6, ESV). Psalm 95 summons God’s people to a posture that reflects the truth of our place before Him. Worship is not entertainment, nor is it negotiation. It is humble surrender before the...

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Missouri District, It is my duty to inform you about an issue that concerns our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) President Rev. Michael Mohr was arrested by federal law enforcement on allegations of production of child pornography. The Department of Justice...