Today's Focus: Christ WITH Us   Over 500 years ago, Lutheran Christians were under tremendous pressure. They were forced to defend themselves on battlefields both metaphorical and literal. But they took comfort that Christ himself was by their side upon the plain with his good gifts and Spirit. Just 175 years ago, the Lutheran Christians who founded WELS were also under tremendous pressure. The pressure continues today with opposition to the truths of the Word of God. But we take comfort that Christ is with us in Word and sacrament, and we move forward with the promise of his presence.

Today's Focus: A God Who Demonstrates Love Unlike Any Other  Jesus tells us repeatedly, "I have come to seek and to save the lost." What do the lost look like to you? Maybe when we think of the lost we think of people living in far off lands, with a far off culture and religion. Maybe we think of someone in our social circle we would like to get to church. Maybe we remember a time in our own lives. Today gives us an opportunity to see God's unique and unconditional love in action: seeking and saving the lost. And today we get to see again how God graciously involves us in the mission of sharing his message of grace with the lost in our lives.

Today's Focus: Generosity Causes Gratitude   Gratitude is the appreciation we feel when someone does something kind to us or for us. Apply this to God. Deservedness. How deserving are we of his blessing? What does God owe us? Generosity. What has God done for us? What blessings has he given us now? What blessings has he promised us in eternity? As we answer those questions, we are stunned by the undeserved generosity our God has shown us. The effect? We overflow with gratitude.

Today's Focus: Increased Faith Increases Duty  As our faith grows, there are obvious benefits: the comfort of knowing you are a redeemed and loved child of God, the peace of knowing your eternity is secure. However, increased fiath also increases duty. There are ever more opportunities for service. This week, Jesus has sharp words for those who want the benefits of being Christian but would shirk those responsibilities. He helps us see that while increased faith increases duty, increased duty increases delight. The believer knows he serves the One who came to serve us first.