Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

06/08/2026

I don’t remember ever competing to be the worst...

06/06/2026

Greetings!
Thanks for checking out this post. Here are my answers for Matthew chapters 19-20.

Who is speaking?
Pharisees, Jesus, a man, Peter, the mother of Zebedee’s sons, two blind men

What are they (is he) saying?
In chapter 19, Jesus teaches about marriage/divorce, entrance into the kingdom, and that children should not be excluded from his kingdom. In chapter 20, Jesus uses a parable to teach about service in the kingdom, he speaks plainly about his upcoming death/resurrection, responds to a request from the mother of two disciples, and heals two blind men.

What does it mean?
Jesus shows us God’s intent for marriage. Unfortunately, man’s sin has abused the Lord’s design. But our sin has not changed God’s intent. Other things taught in these two chapters…

Entrance into the kingdom is impossible for sinful humans. But God found the way. Jesus is the way. His life, death, and resurrection bring us back to our heavenly Father. This central truth is reflected as Jesus 1) speaks to the man who thought he had done enough to enter heaven 2) and as the Savior tells us plainly about his death/resurrection.

Positions in the kingdom and gifts of grace, not something earned or deserved.

Mercy comes from the Lord. The Lord is merciful.

What does it mean for me?
As usual, there is much in these two chapters for my comfort, learning, and encouragement. But one thing stands out right now. The two blind men. The account serves as a poignant reminder that our Savior is rich in mercy. Even as the crowds rebuke these men, they do not stop pleading because they know who they are addressing. Many could see this ailment as evidence that God is not merciful. But these blind men know the truth. They cling to it--and they find healing. Not because of their great faith, but because their faith was placed in Jesus, who is rich in mercy.

How do these words encourage my prayer life?
They encourage me to pray that God would continue to be merciful to me each day.

How do these words encourage me to live?
They encourage me to live with the confidence that a merciful God watches over me, forgives me, and helps me each day.

06/06/2026

Jesus did not plan to stay on earth...

06/04/2026

God loves sinners—and he wants us to say it out loud. Christians are sinners whom God has mercifully called.

Only mercy can explain why Jesus brings people to faith and promises them salvation. Only grace can explain how he calls them to serve as they are able, even in the ministry of the gospel.

Join us for worship this Sunday at 9 AM as we understand how God calls sinners to serve him and learn to say it out loud!

06/04/2026

These are some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples...

06/03/2026

In Jesus, grace is not abstract...

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

It's a small detail, but it makes you stop and think...

06/01/2026

Before anything existed, God was already there...

05/31/2026

Greetings!
Thanks for checking out this post. Here are my answers for Matthew chapters 17-18.

Who is speaking?
Peter, God the Father, Jesus, the disciples, the father of a demon-possessed boy, temple tax collectors

What are they (is he) saying?
In chapter 17, Matthew records the transfiguration of Jesus. Our Savior heals a demon possessed boy, predicts his own death and pays the tax due for the temple. In chapter 18, we hear Jesus teach us about greatness in his kingdom. He includes a warning against leading “little ones” into sin, shares the parable of the lost sheep, and teaches about sin and forgiveness.

What does it mean?
Chapter 17 shows us that Jesus is the all-powerful God of heaven and earth, who came to suffer and die in order to rescue us from sin and eternal death.
As the disciples argue about greatness, Jesus teaches them that service is the hallmark of his kingdom—not greatness. Along with service, a child of the kingdom will forgive as they have been forgiven by God, and help to restore those who have fallen into sin’s trap.

What does it mean for me?
As a child of the kingdom, I seek to serve others in love, forgive as I have been forgiven, and show the same love to others that Jesus has shown to me. When I faulter and fail, the forgiveness of Christ is there for me. It lifts me up. It renews me. It empowers me to serve, love, and forgive others.

How do these words encourage my prayer life?
They encourage me to pray that God would shape and mold me into a more faithful servant of the kingdom.

How do these words encourage me to live?
They encourage me to forgive as I have been forgiven, to love as I have been loved, and serve as I have been served.