September 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-11

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6; Matthew 4:12-25

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Notice the certainty of Jesus, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus wants you to have humility. One way or another, it’s going to happen. You can either have humility or be humbled. For the Pharisees, it was important to make sure everyone saw them as someone worthy of praise and honor, even if they had to fight to shuffle around for the best seats. In the end, their own pride makes them enemies of Christ. We can be tempted to do the same in our own pride. Many have pride overtake them as they place the praise of men above the Word of God. Adjusting the Scriptures to fit modern ideas, such people place themselves above the authority of God to keep their seat of honor in the world. They enjoy their time of public approval from a world that does not want the truth. Jesus promises that such exaltation will end with humbling.

The antidote to pride is humility given by the Holy Spirit through faith. Baptized into the Triune Name of God, you have been bound up in Christ. You have died to the desires of the devil, the world, and your sinful nature. Pride is always seeking a way in, but it has been drowned. Humbling yourself comes by remembering how much of your life is a gift. God is the one who fashioned us (Psalm 139:13-14). God provides for our daily bread, even the daily needs of the wicked, as explained by the Fourth Petition to the Lord’s Prayer. Most importantly, God provides you with faith to cling to the promises of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and life everlasting. Christ rescued you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Did you earn this? Do you deserve it? Not a bit. What we deserve is death, Hell, and damnation. Instead, Christ cleanses us, and when God sees you, He doesn’t see your imperfect sins; He sees Jesus. Therefore, one day you will be in Paradise in the house of the King.

This week, God’s Word will cause us to think about humility. As you read His Word, pray for this virtue to be cultivated in you through the Holy Spirit, which has already been poured out on you. You aren’t playing some “game” where you pretend to be humble in order to get the better seat; instead, you can recognize that God has already given it to you by grace through faith.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, we implore You, grant Your people grace to withstand the temptations of the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow You, the only God; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.

Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

Today's Reading: Matthew 3:1-17

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 1:1-14; Matthew 3:1-17

“and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Israel, as God’s people, never held up their end of the bargain. They said they would do all the things that God had asked them to do, and they did not. They were warned repeatedly and fell short each and every time. The reading from Malachi contains a very sharp criticism of the religious leadership of Israel. They are called ‘priests who despise my name’ and are accused of offering polluted food on the altar. In our reading from Matthew, the Jewish leadership faces similar criticism from John, who calls them a brood of vipers and questions the status of their salvation. Their ethnic connection to Abraham is of no help. When it comes to God, there is no family hook-up.

The same critique can be made for each of us. We do not keep our promises to God, and we constantly fall short of the standards that He has set out for us. We have a lot in common with priests in Malachi and the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ time. We do not give our best to God and only begrudgingly offer him what is blemished. All too often, we do not bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Left to ourselves, God is not pleased with us. By ourselves, we are nothing more than a brood of vipers.

This is what makes the Baptism of Jesus so significant. He begins his public ministry standing in a place meant for sinners. The one who had no need to repent receives a Baptism for repentance. Where the people of God fell short, Jesus will not. Where Israel failed, Jesus will not. He is Israel reduced to one. Where Israel did not do what they said they would, Jesus will. Where Israel was critiqued by God’s accusatory voice, Jesus is hailed as ‘my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.’ Jesus now stands in Israel’s place, and because of Jesus, all Israel’s shortcomings are forgotten. When God looks at His people now, he does not see their sins; He only sees Jesus. Because God is pleased with Jesus, He is pleased with you. Your sins, your failures, and your shortcomings have all been washed away in the waters of Baptism.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

These fruits on Jordan’s banks were shown By mighty word and wonder. The Father’s voice from heav’n came down, Which we do well to ponder: “This man is My beloved Son, In whom My heart has pleasure. Him you must hear, and Him alone, And trust in fullest measure The word that He has spoken.” (LSB 407:3)

Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Modesto, CA.

September 26, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 17 - Psalm 119:1-2, 5-6; antiphon: Psalm 119:137, 124

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 2:1-3:5; Matthew 4:1-11

“Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.” (Psalm 119:137, 124)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You have heard the famous question about the chicken and the egg: which one came first? The same could be asked about the law and the gospel. The problem is that what can be a fun thought exercise when it comes to poultry is of almost no use when it comes to the things of God. Asking which came first, the law or the gospel, does not help to properly distinguish between them, understand them, or apply them to your life. Look at the words quoted above from Psalm 119. The Psalmist confesses that God and His rules are just and righteous, but at the same time does not want God to deal with him according to those rules. Instead, he asks that God deal with him according to His steadfast love and teach him his statutes. If God upholds his just decrees, then there is no hope for us. If God ignores our sins, then His righteousness is called into question.

Here, it does not matter which one came first. In fact, that question is irrelevant to how they function. The interplay between law and gospel is complex and does not depend on which one came first. Absent the gospel, the law can only bring despair, while absent the law, the gospel is almost meaningless. The law cannot give life, and the gospel makes no demands. The question of which one came first is of no help in making sense of either one.

The Psalmist understands this, and this is why he can at the same time call God righteous and ask that God deal with him according to his steadfast love. He asks that God deal with him according to the gospel and not the law. This is the same kind of language that Paul uses in Romans 3:26, where he calls God just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Here is the great truth of what Jesus did for you on the cross. The law has been fulfilled, and your relationship with it has changed. Jesus silenced the accusing voice of the law. God has dealt with you according to His steadfast love, and you can learn his statutes. Because of Jesus, your ways are steadfast, and you shall not be put to shame.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode. (LSB, 925:9)

Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Modesto, CA.

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.

September 28, 2026

Today's Reading: Proverbs 25:6-14

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Matthew 5:1-20

“Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” (Proverbs 25:6-7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, God gives His people wisdom regarding humility. This week, God’s Word offers an opportunity to reflect on humility as defined by God. Today, we focus on repentance as a Gift of humility given by the King.

There is only one King. God Himself is the Maker of the universe and is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. Here, many of us trip up because of our Old Adam. Simply put, we don’t like being told what to do. This is the sin we’ve inherited from Adam and Eve, who rebelled at the urging of Satan to be “like God” (Genesis 3:5). Rebelling against God, Adam and Eve sought a “higher” place than what they’d already been given. Pride blinded them to the fact that God had already put them as the crown jewel of creation! Yet, it wasn’t enough. The tempting serpent led them to rebel against God as they put themselves forward to stand in the place of the Greatest King. Afterward, they try to hide, but are called to account for their sin. Finally, Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden, far away from their previous place of honor as “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”(Proverbs 16:18).

This is the sin you’ve inherited, along with all mankind. Own up to the fact that this sin is a deadly sin that infects our thoughts, words, and deeds. Repent of pride, which is always present in our lives. Confess and receive the Absolution of the King. In our confession, we place ourselves rightly in the order of the universe; we admit what we deserve as we petition the King for mercy. God gives it freely and richly. Repentance is that gift of Spirit: humility. Through the Holy Spirit, cultivate a repentant heart, read God’s Word, see how the King establishes the universe, and acknowledge how far we fall short. The Holy Spirit enables you to desire the better things God has for you, not what your sinful heart chases after. Repent, believe in the Gospel, and follow the King.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“To Thee, omniscient Lord of all, In grief and shame I humbly call; I see my sins against Thee, Lord, The sins of thought, and deed, and word. They press me Sore; I cry to Thee: O God, be merciful to me!” (LSB 613:1)

Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.

Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

September 29, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 18:1-11 or Luke 10:17-20

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36; Matthew 5:21-48

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As we are going through God’s Word this week, we have been focusing on humility. Today, as the church celebrates the festival of St. Michael and All Angels, we look towards the spiritual war our Lord has won.

Throughout the Gospels, we see multiple times where demons harass and harm humans. Humans can’t resist these demons who harm, kill, and destroy. Can you imagine the power the disciples must have felt? Having been sent out as servants of Christ, the seventy-two come back to the Lord and proclaim awe and amazement. Even the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus! Demons that oppress and distress humanity can leave us mere mortals in terror. Now, the disciples are filled with joy, having been given authority over the demons. They have the tools to fight the demons and devils of this world!

Except that’s not what Jesus wants them to rejoice in. Yes, Jesus has given them great authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, without the threat of harm. However amazing this power might be here in the world, the only victory that matters belongs to Jesus Christ. His victory places Christians in heaven for all eternity. Only by the Savior’s power can mankind have any authority over the demons. As powerful as St. Michael and all the angels may seem, they are properly ordered as humble servants of God. After all, we pray, “Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me,” in Luther’s Evening prayer. Humility clings to Christ, who has victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. Humble prayer calls on God to send His servants to protect us. It isn’t about our power, but what Christ has done for us to overcome the Evil One. St. Michael and all the angels watch over and protect the people of God by order of Christ. It’s amazing how God cares for us! Humbly, we continue to pray for the angels of God to watch over us as we live in this world, rejoicing that Christ has written our names in the Book of Life through the waters of Holy Baptism. May God send His holy angels to watch over you as we humbly wait for our returning King.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.

Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

September 30, 2026

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15; Matthew 6:1-15

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As we’ve been going through the Word this past week, we’ve been examining the virtue of humility. Today, God’s Word leads us to consider how humility helps us in our relationships.

People are complicated and frustrating. You’ve worked on a class project all week, but one member of the group shows up on the day of the presentation completely unprepared. When you thought you did a great job on a paper, it comes back covered in red marks. Your brothers and sisters are getting on your nerves for the ten-thousandth time. While you were doing okay, your parents seemed judgmental. Sometimes, your own thoughts and self-talk are awful, as even you seem to be your own worst enemy. People can be frustrating, and the world's answer is to simply cut them off, make yourself feel better, and only do what makes you happy. It’s tempting some days more than others, but it’s a lie. This lie is the call of pride, which makes you see the faults of others while you seem so perfect. The call of pride says, “When you make mistakes, there was a reason for it,” or “You know better.”

Dear Christian, you’ve been called to something more.

By the Holy Spirit, you’re a Christian. In your Baptism, the pastor put the sign of the cross upon your forehead and your heart to mark you as one for whom Christ was crucified. You have the name of Christ on you; do not take that lightly. Called, gathered, and kept by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, you aren’t meant to walk in the ways of the world. Pride makes you think you’re so high and mighty when others make mistakes, but humility and the Word of God remind us of our own sin. You are complicated and frustrating. You make mistakes, get on your siblings’ nerves, and are judgmental. Lord, have mercy. Humility and gentleness should mark our attitudes as we are patient with one another, bearing with each other in love. Humility helps you to esteem others more highly than yourself (Philippians 2:3). Humility helps you to remember your own imperfections and helps you bear with the faults of others. This is what it means to walk with Jesus in the manner He’s called us. May God bless you as you, through the Holy Spirit, seek to walk in the manner of a Child of God and follow His Word humbly and gently.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Forgive we now each other’s faults As we our faults confess, And let us love each other well In Christian holiness” (LSB 845:3)

Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.

Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

October 1, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Daily Prayers: Asking a blessing & Returning Thanks

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37; Matthew 6:16-34

The eyes of all look to You, O LORD, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Ps. 145: 15–16) (Luther’s Small Catechism “Asking a Blessing”)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As we’ve been discussing humility this week, we’ve talked about repentance, angels, and how we bear with one another. Today, God’s Word helps us consider the Gift of prayer in our lives.

Prayer is part of the life of God’s people. We should pray at all times and in all places (Luke 18:1, 1 Timothy 2:8). Perhaps you pray every morning and evening during family devotions. You pray at the beginning or end of personal devotions. Before every meal, you pray, as the Small Catechism teaches us. Creating a continual habit of prayer is good. God desires to hear your prayers, and Jesus even taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Prayer is also a good exercise in humility.

If you could do whatever you wanted, you wouldn’t ask anyone for anything. You’d never need to look to anybody else for help or call on someone in every trouble. Definitely, you wouldn’t need to praise anyone, since you’d be able to do everything alone. Of course, you know you can’t do everything. Prayer reminds us of this every time.

When we ask for a blessing, we remember God is the one we’re looking to. God alone is in control of every single moment and minute of this marvelous miracle called life. Before we eat, we remember that this food is a gift from God Himself, who has opened His hand to satisfy our desires and the desires of every living thing. You’re humbling yourself to acknowledge how God is satisfying your desires. God is taking care of every living being, true enough, but take a moment and realize how amazing it is that God is taking care of you in this moment of prayer. He has put the food on your table. Not only does God know you need food, but God has provided for you in this moment. Prayer is humility in action, and it’s a good discipline to practice at all times and in all places. May you continually look to God in prayer, who provides the needs of body and soul through your daily bread, but most importantly in His Word and Sacraments.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Hear us, dear Father, when we pray For needed help from day to day That as Your children we may live, Whom you baptized and so received” (LSB 865:3)

Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA.

Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

September 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Daily Prayers: Morning & Evening Prayer

Daily Lectionary: Nehemiah 9:22-38; Nehemiah 10:1-13:31; 1 Timothy 6:3-21

In the morning when you get up/In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The catechism tells us to start and end our day in the same way, in prayer. In addition, both the Morning and Evening Prayers share similar content. Both begin with thanksgivings to God for what He has done, then look forward with requests for further protection during the day to come or forgiveness for sins committed during the day just past. In both cases, the prayer acknowledges God as the one who both keeps His people safe and forgives them where they have fallen short. Both prayers also ask for protection from the evil one. Both prayers confess that the Christian is never left alone.

That being said, these prayers are not so much about what a person may or may not have done during the day just past, or what they may or may not do during the day that is to come, or even what they might need protecting from. In fact, these prayers go beyond just a good discipline for the Christian to practice. They are more than just something that is good to do at the beginning and end of the day. These prayers are not about self-care. These prayers are not about the actions of the individual as much as they are about the identity of the one doing the praying. Both the Morning and Evening Prayers are about you as a baptized child of God.

This is why each prayer begins with the Trinitarian invocation. You start each prayer with the words of your Baptism. You can only pray the Morning and Evening Prayers because you are baptized. You can only expect God to keep, guide, protect, and forgive you because you are already one of His children. You can only pray to God for these things because He has already promised you these things in the water of Baptism. There, in the water of the font, is where the benefits of the cross were applied to you personally. You were recreated in the font as a child of God. In the water and word promises were made to you, and you can pray to God each morning and evening because He keeps His promises.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Come pray with me the prayer I need this day; Help me to see Your purpose and Your will–Where I have failed, what I have done amiss; Held in forgiving love, let me be still. (LSB 769:2)

Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Modesto, CA.