Incarnation Lutheran Church

Incarnation Lutheran Church Incarnation; A church that cares! In the community at 15th & Keefe since 1917. A welcoming RIC .

09/05/2026

Walking in Grace
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
—Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
My friend Kelly and I have a tradition of celebrating our birthdays together by treating each other with manicures and pedicures at a spa. We both look forward to two hours of pampering twice a year—me paying when it’s her birthday and her paying on mine.

For my birthday last September, the nail technicians we normally used were off that day, so we had two different employees. Kelly ordered the usual for us, but it was a very different experience. Instead of lots of massaging and TLC, the duo rushed us through, skipped steps, and finished our mani/pedi in half the time it usually took. Kelly paid, and we left the salon.

I could sense we both felt a little cheated, but Kelly spoke up first. I agreed that the service was subpar. The two of us complained so much that I realized when I got in my car that I’d totally forgotten to thank her. I was mortified! I’d spent time with my best friend. I had cute pink toenails and fingernails. It was my birthday gift. I dialed Kelly’s number.

“I forgot to thank you, my friend!” That’s when it hit me—all my complaining had overshadowed my feelings of gratitude.

Expressing my gratitude reminded me how blessed I really was. Not only did I receive a mani/pedi for my birthday and spend time with a beloved friend, but I also had the gift of knowing gratitude couldn’t exist when I complained.

Dear God, help me to be grateful and see the good in every situation regardless of the circumstances. Amen.

—Stephanie Thompson
Digging Deeper:​ Philippians 2:14; Colossians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

09/05/2026

Today We Invite You to Choose Gratitude
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
—1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Time to Think
"When your mind is focused on God’s sovereignty over all your life, you’ll be able to thank Him in every situation, whether pleasant or difficult."
—Charles Stanley
Time to Act
When you catch yourself focusing on what went wrong today, pause and name three things that went right. Let gratitude redirect your attention to the blessings already surrounding you.
Time to Pray
Dear God, open my eyes to the good that surrounds me. Help me choose gratitude over complaint and recognize Your blessings in every day.

09/04/2026

Walking in Grace
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
—1 Samuel 7:12 (NKJV)
I’m in a daydreaming kind of mood. The kind that got me in trouble in grade school. Instead of focusing on what I’m supposed to be doing, I’m looking out the window. Actually, I’m looking at the windowsill in my office. A variety of objects are sitting there. A couple of stained-glass angels that catch the sun. A bundle of sage from a hike with dear friends through Sonoma Botanical Garden in California. Two jars of marbles from my youth. My great-uncle Johnny’s compass. Guatemalan prayer people (made of paper). A tiny Bible with a mustard seed attached. Some healing dirt from El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico. And so much more.

As my eyes fall on these pieces, I remember where I’ve been to acquire them, the people I’ve been with, and even holy encounters. Each of these pieces represents significant experiences that have shaped me into the man I am today. Indeed, my office shelves, in addition to books, are filled with such items. With each gaze, each touch, something deep sinks into my soul.

Perhaps I should daydream more often and look at my computer screen less. Maybe I should loosen the grip on focus and allow the grace all around me to become present. It might just be time to not do something and just sit there. And allow the Spirit of God to seep into my soul through all I see and say:

“Thus far the Lord has helped me.”

Lord, Your people are altar builders, marking their pilgrimage to Your loving presence. Remind me to build my own altars and to use them to proclaim Your everlasting love. Amen.

—J. Brent Bill​
Digging Deeper:​ Genesis 12:1–8

09/04/2026

Today We Invite You to Remember How Far God Has Brought You
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.
—1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)
Time to Think
"Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace."
—Martin Luther
Time to Act
Choose an object, photograph, or keepsake that reminds you of a meaningful time in your life. Let it remind you of God’s presence and thank Him for the ways He has guided you.
Time to Pray
Dear God, thank You for every step of the journey and for the ways You have carried me. Help me remember Your faithfulness and trust You with what lies ahead.

09/03/2026

Mornings with Jesus
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
—1 John 4:18 (NIV)
​
The four teenage foster girls my husband, John, and I adopted were excited and frightened by the idea of moving into our home. Their original home was unsafe, and being separated and sent to various foster homes was scary. When we welcomed them into our home, first for weekend visits and later permanently, I expected their hearts would settle and they would quickly trust our love for them.

They didn’t. Months passed, and they still resisted our affection.

John and I loved our girls, but from what they’d experienced, love was conditional. Opening their hearts to us was a risk, so they pushed our love away. Seven years later, we’ve watched their trust develop slowly, but even after all this time, our now-adult daughters don’t understand or completely trust our unconditional love.

Just as our adopted daughters struggled to trust us, I, too, have struggled to fully trust Jesus’s unconditional love. Why would He sacrifice His life for me? What if I did something and He rejected me? His plan of salvation seemed too good to be true. By taking a step of faith and opening my heart to Him, I made the conscious decision to not be afraid and completely trust Jesus’s unconditional love as His adopted daughter. I pray our daughters will one day trust Jesus’s unconditional love and ours too.

—Tricia Goyer
Faith Step:​ Write down any fears you have. Pray about them with Jesus and trust His unconditional love.

09/03/2026

Today We Invite You to Rest in God’s Unconditional Love
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
—1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Time to Think
"A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough. All is grace."
—Elisabeth Elliot
Time to Act
Notice when fear or doubt makes it difficult to receive God’s love today. Remind yourself that you are His beloved child and can trust His heart toward you.
Time to Pray
Dear Lord, help me trust the depth of Your love for me. Quiet my fears and remind me that I am always safe in Your care.

09/02/2026

Mornings with Jesus
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
—Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
After losing our home to a wildfire, we moved into a rental house while we rebuilt. I felt like an exile having to flee danger and resettle in a new community. Our situation is less dire than the Israelites’, but I’ve gained a new understanding of God’s desire for times of displacement. God told the exiled Israelites in Jeremiah 29:4–7 to build houses, plant gardens, multiply their families, and pray for the welfare of the place where He had sent them. God knew they were going to be there for a long time.

Jesus’s permanent home was not here on earth. He moved from place to place. He prayed constantly and ministered wherever He went. He also talked about His forever home in heaven. Knowing my husband and I were going to be living in our temporary place for a minimum of 2 years, Jesus’s example inspired me to do more than see it as transitional housing. We decided to build a life where we were placed.

So, we planted a garden. We had family dinners every Sunday night. I walked with our neighbors and traveled back and forth between houses to give and borrow things. And I prayed for the welfare of Boulder, Colorado. This city has had some rough times, including a recent shooting at a grocery store and the wildfire that took our home along with more than one thousand others.

I look forward to having our home again. In the meantime, I’ll bloom where I’m planted, pray for the welfare of this place, and look forward to our eternal home with Jesus.

—Jeannie Blackmer​
Faith Step:​ Take time today to pray for the city where you live. Write down ways you can be more invested in that community.

09/02/2026

Today We Invite You to Bloom Where God Has Planted You
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
—1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Time to Think
"Wherever you are, be all there."
—Jim Elliot
Time to Act
Look for one way to invest in the place God has you today. Encourage a neighbor, support someone in need, or simply pray for your community.
Time to Pray
Dear God, help me embrace where You have placed me and share Your love with those around me. Use me to bring hope and kindness to my community.

09/01/2026

Walking in Grace
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
—Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
I looked down at my notes as I ran through my argument again. I knew it by heart, but I wanted my delivery to be perfect. In a few hours, I would be standing before a judge.

Although I had been practicing law for several years, I’d not yet argued in a courtroom. The coronavirus pandemic hit shortly after I entered private practice. And, while the pandemic had since subsided, many courts now held hearings by video or phone. Remote hearings were certainly efficient. But I valued formality. In fact, I even carried my great-grandfather’s pocket watch with me today.

My computer chirped, notifying me of a new email. As I read it, my spirit sank. This afternoon’s hearing would be held by video. My anticipation evaporated. In a matter of seconds, everything had changed. The monumental had become mundane.

Absentmindedly, I reached into my suit pocket. My fingers touched the cold surface of my great-grandfather’s watch. I retrieved it. The second hand ticked steadily—as it had for generations.

The watch’s even cadence reminded me that, regardless of the hearing’s change in venue, my obligations remained consistent. As a lawyer, I was obligated to represent my client to the best of my abilities. As a Christian, I was called to do all things for and through Christ. Although a videoconference was less formal than an in-person hearing, it was no less important.

So, as the watch ticked on, I began to practice my argument once again.

Jesus, help me to do all things in Your name and for Your glory, regardless of the circumstances.

—Logan Eliasen
Digging Deeper:​ Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:8

09/01/2026

Today We Invite You to Honor God in Everything You Do
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
—Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Time to Think
"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can."
—John Wesley
Time to Act
Approach one ordinary task today with renewed purpose. Instead of focusing on whether it feels important, offer your best effort to God and trust that He can give meaning to even the most routine moments.
Time to Pray
Dear Lord, help me honor You in everything I do, whether the moment feels important or ordinary. Let my efforts reflect my love for You.

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1510 W Keefe Avenue
Milwaukee, WI
53206

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+14143721600

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