- 1,176
- Episodes
- 23
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2021
- First episode
About Reflections
Join HT for a reading of the days Higher Things Reflection. A short devotion directed toward the youth of our church, written by the Pastors and Deaconesses of our church, clearly proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! Find out more about HT at our website, www.higherthings.org
- Publisher
- Higher Things, Inc.
- Category
- religion & spirituality
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 4 May 2021
- Latest episode
- 30 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
1,176 episodes in the feed.
30 Oct 2026
Friday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity
October 30, 2026 Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 22 - Psalm 130:1-2, 7-8; (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130%3A1-2%2C%207-8%3B&version=ESV) antiphon: Psalm 130:3-4 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130%3A3-4&version=ESV) Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27; Matthew 20:1-16 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2031%3A30-32%3A27%3B%20Matthew%2020%3A1-16&version=ESV) “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Psalm 103:3-4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” That’s how Psalm 130 begins. The depths. Not the shallows, not the comfortable middle ground, but the depths - the place where you’re in over your head, where the water is closing in, where you can’t save yourself. Maybe you know what that feels like. The guilt of something you’ve done that you can’t undo. The shame of falling into the same sin again. The fear that God is keeping score and you’re losing badly. The depths are where you go when you realize you can’t fix yourself, when all your excuses run out, when you’re finally honest about how much you need help. The psalmist asks the question we’re all afraid to ask: “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” If God kept a record of our sins, if He tallied up every wrong thought, every selfish word, every broken promise, every moment of pride or lust or hatred - who could stand before Him? The answer is obvious: nobody. Not one person. We’d all be condemned. But then comes the word that changes everything: “But with you there is forgiveness.” Not because we’ve earned it. Not because our good deeds outweigh our bad ones. Not because we’ve finally gotten our act together. But because with God there is forgiveness. It’s who He is. It’s what He does. And you know where we find this forgiveness: at the cross. Jesus went into the depths for you - into the depths of suffering, the depths of God’s wrath against sin, the depths of death itself. He took your iniquities upon Himself so that God wouldn’t mark them against you. He stood in your place so that you could stand before God forgiven, clean, and righteous. That’s why the psalm says, “that you may be feared.” The fear of the LORD isn’t terror; it’s awe, reverence, and trust. When you realize that the God who has every right to condemn you has instead forgiven you, when you understand that the depths you deserved were suffered by Jesus in your place, you can’t help but fall to your knees in wonder. “O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” That’s the promise. It’s not just a little redemption, not barely enough to squeak by, but plentiful redemption. It’s more than enough. It's overflowing, abundant. It’s for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “From depths of woe I cry to Thee, in trial and tribulation; Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication. If Thou rememb’rest every sin, who then could heaven ever win or stand before thy presence? Though great our sins, yet greater still is God’s abundant favor; His hand of mercy never will abandon us, nor waver. Our shepherd good and true is He, who will at last His Israel free from all their sin and sorrow.” LSB 607:1, 5) Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself (https://www.cph.org/lift-your-eyes-how-to-live-outside-yourself?utm_source=Higher+Things&utm_medium=email&utm_c%3C526632%20Shame%20to%20Glory%20-%20HT%20%20BAN.jpg%3Eampaign=Reflections) author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
29 Oct 2026
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week After Trinity
October 29, 2026 Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of duties: of citizens (https://catechism.cph.org/en/table-of-duties.html) Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nobody likes being told what to do. We don’t like speed limits, curfews, or dress codes. We especially don’t like it when the people making the rules seem corrupt, incompetent, or just plain wrong. So when St. Paul tells us to be subject to governing authorities, our first instinct is to push back. But notice what Paul says: governing authorities exist because God instituted them. That doesn’t mean every law is good or every ruler is righteous. It means God has established government itself as a gift to restrain evil and maintain order in a fallen world. Without government, we’d have chaos - everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, the strong oppressing the weak, no justice, no protection, no peace. This is part of what it means to live in the world as a Christian. You have two citizenships. You’re a citizen of heaven, baptized into Christ, and your ultimate allegiance belongs to Him. But you’re also a citizen of whatever earthly country you live in, and God calls you to honor that citizenship, too. Pay your taxes. Obey the law. Respect those in authority. Pray for your leaders, even the ones you didn’t (or wouldn’t) vote for. But what if the government commands something that contradicts God’s Word? Then you obey God rather than men, as the apostles did when authorities told them to stop preaching about Jesus. There are times when civil disobedience is necessary. But those times are the exception, not the rule. Most of the time, being a good Christian means being a good citizen - not because the government is perfect, but because God has placed you under its authority for your good and the good of your neighbor. Here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t come to overthrow earthly governments. He came to save sinners. His kingdom is not of this world. That means you don’t put your hope in elections, politicians, or policies. Earthly governments can’t save you. Only Jesus can. So yes, be a good citizen. Vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve your community. But remember where your true citizenship lies: You belong to Christ. He’s the King who reigns forever, the Lord who will never fail you. Earthly governments come and go, but his kingdom has no end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You have established governing authorities for the good of Your creation. Grant us wisdom to honor those in authority, courage to obey You above all, and faith to trust that our true citizenship is in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself (https://www.cph.org/lift-your-eyes-how-to-live-outside-yourself?utm_source=Higher+Things&utm_medium=email&utm_c%3C526632%20Shame%20to%20Glory%20-%20HT%20%20BAN.jpg%3Eampaign=Reflections) author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
28 Oct 2026
St. Simeon and St. Jude, Apostles
October 28, 2026 Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A12-16%20%3B%2017-21&version=ESV) Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2030%3A1-20%3B%20Matthew%2019%3A1-15&version=ESV) “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Simon the Zealot and Jude, son of James, are two of the Twelve apostles about whom we know very little. They don’t have dramatic conversion stories like Paul. They didn’t walk on water like Peter or lean on Jesus’ chest like John. Jude wrote one short letter, and Simon didn’t even get that. In many ways, they’re the forgotten apostles. But Jesus didn’t forget them. He chose them, called them by name, and sent them out to preach the Gospel. And according to tradition, both were martyred for that Gospel. The world hated them because the world first hated Jesus. Jesus warns His disciples about this in today’s reading. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This isn’t meant to discourage you. It’s meant to prepare you for reality. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee popularity, success, or comfort. The world hated Jesus because He exposed its sin and proclaimed a kingdom not of this world. The world hates Christians for the same reason. When you confess that Jesus is the only way to the Father, the world calls you intolerant. When you hold to God’s Word, the world calls you backwards. But here’s what matters: Jesus chose you out of the world. You didn’t choose Him; He chose you. He called you by name in your Baptism and made you His own. He’s given you His World, His forgiveness, His Body and Blood. He’s promised that nothing can separate you from His love. Simon and Jude weren’t famous apostles, but they were faithful. They preached Christ crucified and risen. They endured suffering for His name. And now they’re with Him in Paradise, wearing the white robes of the martyrs. You may never be famous for your faith. But if you’re baptized into Christ, you’re just as much His chosen disciple as Simon and Jude were. And His promise to them is His promise to you: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon the Zealot and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. Grant that Your Church may always be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself (https://www.cph.org/lift-your-eyes-how-to-live-outside-yourself?utm_source=Higher+Things&utm_medium=email&utm_c%3C526632%20Shame%20to%20Glory%20-%20HT%20%20BAN.jpg%3Eampaign=Reflections) author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.6 / 5
- 9 ratings
- Spotify
- 4.7 / 5
- 14 ratings
Contact Reflections
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Reflections?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show
Podcast research with Pod Engine