Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

06/05/2026

Not knowing what lies ahead, not having all the answers, and facing an uncertain future can easily make us anxious. Our minds can become consumed with "what ifs," causing us to spiral into fear and worry.

Matthew 14:22–32 talks about Jesus walking on water during a storm. As the disciples struggled against the wind and waves, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. He called Peter to step out of the boat and come to Him. Peter obeyed and began walking on the water, but the moment he shifted his focus from Jesus to the storm around him, fear took over and he began to sink.

How often do we do the same? When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on our circumstances, the weight of life's challenges begins to feel overwhelming. The uncertainties of tomorrow, unanswered questions, and situations beyond our control can quickly become burdens too heavy for us to carry on our own.

Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭
‬‬ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Yet God never intended for us to bear those burdens alone. He already knows every answer, every outcome, and every step ahead. Jesus reminds us in

When life feels overwhelming, let us turn to God rather than our fears. Let us bring our worries, doubts, and uncertainties before Him each day.

05/28/2026

In life, we face many trials and temptations. Some hardships come from circumstances beyond our control, while others are the result of our own choices and actions.

King David is a powerful example of both. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. Throughout his life, he faced many difficulties, especially from King Saul, whose jealousy drove him to pursue David relentlessly. These trials were not caused by David, yet God used them to shape his character and prepare him to become a great king. In time, God delivered David from Saul’s hand and established him as ruler over Israel.

Yet David was still human and struggled with sin. In 2 Samuel 11-12, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and later arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. This greatly displeased God. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David and reveal the seriousness of his sin. Through Nathan, God declared that calamity would arise within David’s own household as a consequence of his actions. Although David repented and God forgave him, the child born to David and Bathsheba died as a result of that sin.

David’s life reminds us that God can use trials caused by external circumstances to grow and refine us into who He calls us to be. It also teaches us that while God is gracious and willing to forgive any sin when we truly repent, our actions may still carry lasting consequences, whether intentional or unintentional.

Even in those moments, God does not abandon us. He walks beside us through the pain and burdens that come from our own mistakes. He offers forgiveness, guidance, and strength when life feels overwhelming. No matter how far we fall, God remains faithful, loving, and ready to restore those who turn back to Him.

05/24/2026

https://youtu.be/CmNXtMwvTDM?si=nVqrZ-Iz8VP5p20n

Wind, fire, surprise, a cacophany of languages, promises fulfilled, dreams, visions, gifts given and received, solidarity, and a radical change in direction-...

05/21/2026

In Galatians 5:13–26, Paul the Apostle commands believers to live by the Spirit and contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. But what does it truly mean to live by the Spirit, and how do we walk that out daily?

As Christians, we are no longer who we once were.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Because we are made new in Christ, we are also called to put to death the desires of the flesh. Yet in today’s world, that is often easier said than done. With technology, entertainment, and temptation constantly at our fingertips, sinful desires have become normalized and easily accessible.

Galatians 5:19–21 warns us about the acts of the flesh:

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, or**es, and the like…”

These behaviors are not only present in the world around us—they are often celebrated. But as born-again believers, God has called us to live differently.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭

Dying to the flesh is a daily decision and no amount of self-discipline or effort can overcome sin apart from God’s help. Thankfully, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, strengthen, and transform us daily so that our lives can be fruitful.

05/20/2026

Mark your calendar for our upcoming summer backyard gatherings, hosted by Tim and Sara. They’ll provide the main dish. Plan to bring a side or dessert to share. This year’s devotions will each focus on one part of the mission statement- BE WON - BE ONE - BE WANTING MORE
Please plan to RSVP one week in advance to ([email protected]).

05/17/2026

https://youtu.be/wVSW5uIOFWw?si=qZTNte88r1-v-0ec

If Jesus was giving instructions to us today, they'd probably sound...

05/14/2026

“Love and respect” - we’ve heard these words over and over again but what does it mean to love and respect?

True love and true respect go hand in hand. Love speaks with kindness, patience, and grace. Respect values another person’s heart, boundaries, feelings, and worth. God calls us to live with both.

Respect is not only about how we treat others—it is also about how we see ourselves. When we understand that we are created by God and deeply loved by Him, and accept his forgiveness, we can start accepting the love and respect being extended to us.

One without the other leaves relationships empty. Love without respect can become controlling, careless, or selfish. Respect without love can become cold and distant. But when both are present, relationships grow stronger, safer, and more meaningful in all types of relationships we have with one another. God gave us a free will although he is has all the power in the world because he loves and respects us whether we act worthy of it or not. We don’t pick and choose who is deserving of the love and respect God freely gives us.

God forgives us when we fail to act with love and respect, He encourages change, and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us carry out these changes. Let us seek God’s guidance so we can reflect the unconditional love and respect He has shown us to those around us.

05/09/2026

https://youtu.be/SSjjQj5eciE?si=ZlRsNDcDGG3sh2Vn

In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus speaks plainly of sending the Spirit, who will abide in us that all the world might believe. Paul tells the Athenians that wh...

05/07/2026

What’s so special about today?

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is a verse we have heard many times. It is simple, and yet it can be incredibly difficult to live out in our flesh.

It is easy to rejoice and be glad when things are going well, but as soon as even a small inconvenience appears—one frustrating interaction, one unexpected problem—our joy and gladness can suddenly disappear. That is because the joy and gladness we experience in ourselves are often conditional. The joy God offers us, however, is unconditional. Joy regardless of the situation at hand.

What does it mean to “rejoice” and “be glad” in something? In the Hebrew lexicon, these words are closely connected, yet they carry slightly different nuances. “Rejoice” refers more to an outward expression of joy, while “be glad” points to an inward sense of deep contentment and delight.

Human nature tends to focus on negatives in order to avoid perceived threats and protect ourselves. The fears and anxieties of daily life often prevent us from experiencing joy and gladness. Life in this imperfect world is filled with situations that trigger our instinct to respond with anger, fear, or panic.

Thankfully, God has given us the answer to this struggle. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, and He gave us His Holy Spirit to guide and help us when we call upon Him. Without God, our joy is easily drowned out by the pain, fears, and anxieties of this world. We were created to need Him. He is the source of an unlimited joy within us—a joy so great that it cannot help but flow outward into our lives.

God created this day with us in it, at this exact time and place, with meaning, purpose, and significance. Today matters because God made it. Our hearts should overflow with such joy in Him that it cannot be contained, becoming evident to the people around us.

05/03/2026

https://youtu.be/jft3smo99Rc?si=RuCDPXtBLZ0bNLsD

1 like. ""Master's Pieces" May 3, 2026 Sunday Messagew fromPastor Ted"