Together in the Word

January 17-23, 2021

How do unbelievers come to find out about Jesus? Does the Holy Spirit just strike them with lightning one day and bring them to faith? No. Paul tells us that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Ro 10:17). We can’t expect others to come to faith in Jesus if we remain silent. We’re reminded that Jesus is revealed by preaching repentance.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

January 10-16, 2021

“Why did Jesus need to be baptized? I thought baptism was for sinners.” That’s a common question among Christians. It does not make sense that our Savior, who was perfectly sinless, would need to be baptized. Why was he? Because a) the Father wanted him to, and b) Jesus came to be our perfect substitute. His baptism shows him to be just that. Even from birth he endured the effects of our sin. Jesus was not at all a sinner himself, but he was carrying our sickness and pain (Isaiah 53:4). He needed the assurance of God’s love, just as if he were a sinner himself. He needed strength. Jesus received such gifts in baptism, like we do.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

January 3-9, 2021

The season of Epiphany (the Greek word for “appearance”) recalls how Jesus proved himself to be the Son of God and the Savior of all people. The Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is celebrated on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and is often called the Gentile Christmas. In the lessons for this week, God makes it abundantly clear that his salvation is not only for his chosen Old Testament people but also for the Gentiles (non-Jews). Jesus is revealed as our Savior!

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

December 27, 2020 – January 2, 2021

“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we sing at Christmas time. Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” was a little town, but an important town too. There, in humility, the Savior of the world was born. Though his glory is hidden under the crosses of earthly life, with eyes of faith we see our Savior, who came to crush the devil for us. As we turn the page to 2021 this week, we do so with the confidence that God remains faithful to his Word and loving toward all he has made.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

December 20-26, 2020

This week we witness miracles – the miracle of a virgin birth, the miracle of God becoming man to save us, the miracle of faith worked in the hearts of sinners, the miracle of hope and light in a world of darkness and despair. Whether or not we have a “good Christmas,” as some may ask us, over and over we are reminded of the good news of God’s grace.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

December 13-19, 2020

We have many hopes and dreams in this world. Some even seem to have honorable motives. The Lord, though, steps in and outshines our plans with the miraculous. He sends his Son to earth in a miraculous way to set up an eternal kingdom. Then in an equally wondrous way he draws us into that kingdom through the gospel and establishes our place in it.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

December 6-12, 2020

We often become enamored with eloquent and influential speakers who promise wealth and ease. But Malachi said that the true messenger of God would be another Elijah. He would speak God’s Word and prepare people for God’s judgment. He would turn fathers’ hearts to their children and children’s hearts to their fathers. Through the Word comes real change in our faith-born outlook. Through the Word comes humility that longs to serve God.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

November 29 – December 5, 2020

God does not leave us to flounder on our own in this world but prepares us for the final great event―Jesus’ return at the end. He sends his messengers to point out the reality of sin and its consequences so we do not drift into complacency. He sends his good news of salvation in Christ and connects us with Christ in baptism. What a change that should create in our focus for living!

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

The daily readings that we begin this week will take you through the entire Old Testament and/or the entire Book of Concord (Lutheran Confessions) in a year. I also want to direct you to the resource page for more devotional tools for you and your family.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

November 22-28, 2020

Next Sunday, we begin a new church year with the season of Advent. Advent reminds us: Jesus is coming soon. The world will end soon. If we seriously look at our sins, we have plenty cause for fear and worry. But our lessons focus on the faithfulness of God, who calls himself our Father and who takes care of all the details. Instead of feeling down about the end drawing near, by God’s grace we see the richness we have in Christ and the gifts we have to serve him in these last days.

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use. If you have participated from the start, this week you will have read through the entire New Testament and/or through the entire Book of Concord. Next week, we’ll begin reading through the Old Testament and starting over in the Confessions.

I also want to direct you to the resource page for more devotional tools for you and your family.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner

November 15-21, 2020

Lord, keep us joyful in Christ our King! As we prepare for the final Sunday of the church year, we rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation through Christ our King. And we rejoice because our Christ our King reigns—the king who once came as a sacrifice; the king who still shepherds us day by day; the king who one day will conquer all our enemies. Rejoice in his reign and look forward to the day when every knee will bow with us before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Here is this week’s “Together in the Word” (click here for a more mobile-friendly version) for your personal and/or family devotional use.

May God continue to grow your faith, as you hear and study his Word this week!

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Wagner