The Lutheran Hour: Recent Episodes
Lutheran Hour Ministries
The Lutheran Hour was first broadcast Oct. 2, 1930 and continues on the air today, making it the world’s oldest continually broadcast Christ-centered radio program. To learn more and access additional show resources, visit lutheranhour.org.
Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is no siesta. It's a 5am wake-up call, a jolt out of bed that will turn your world upside down.
Christ is the King of an unlikely kingdom. Dr. Chad Lakies describes that kingdom's seemingly upside-down, illogical logic.
The lead (or 'lede') of a news story conveys the most essential information. What is the lead of the Good News, the Gospel?
Jesus alone is the Way out, rescuing us from sin, despair, and death. He calls us to live as people "on the way."
Are you feeling worn down or worn out? Through faith, God conforms us to the pattern of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the Helper who comes to dwell in and with us, to encourage and empower us.
Every age has a stage, not just a stage of life, but also a stage on which to perform and to serve.
We lost God's name along the way, but God found us and gave us the Name by which we can know Him: Jesus--"God saves."
A paradox doesn't make sense, mathematically. But it can be an accurate description of real-life experience.
God's love finds His people in the wilderness, the place where God gives bread from heaven, water from a rock, and streams in the desert.
Archives August--Dr. Oswald Hoffmann recounts the story of Gideon, an unlikely military leader.
After Jesus claimed the Old Testament was written about Him, the people of His hometown wrote Him off.
Of course, we should search the Scriptures, but we search them for Jesus, the One to Whom the Scriptures point.
God's Law-talk prepares us for God's Gospel-talk. Author Tim Carter (The Executioner's Redemption) is featured.
God's plans for us are not me-centered; they are Christ-centered. Dr. Zeigler talks with "Soul Surfer" author, Bethany Hamilton.
The Book of Job can teach us something about prayer and about how we can talk honestly to God, covered by Jesus.
The devil is real, but rather than fretting about the evil he can do, we rejoice in all that Christ has done to defeat him.
The Holy Spirit calls us to turn from the darkness of a self-centered life and come into the light of Jesus' self-giving love.
The Church is like a pot of Louisiana gumbo, a diverse stew bound together by the power of Jesus' love.
Our difficulties often become the backdrop against which God reveals His faithfulness. Each challenge is an opportunity for Him to display His power.
Jesus is the Truth Who will take you in to live like He lives, planted in God His Father's love.
God is the Searcher Who will not stop looking for us. In our lonely hiding place, He says, "I knew I would find you here."
When Jesus shows up, it's no longer "us vs. them," because Jesus is for everyone, even if everyone is not yet for Jesus.
The risen Christ has folded Death up and put it in its place. Now Christ invites you to trust in Him and find place and purpose in His new creation.
In Jesus, God showed up smack in the middle of life with forgiveness, love, and a promise never to leave us.
Jesus didn't deserve to die on a cross, but He died and rose again in order to give us better than we deserve.
God gets angry at sin, but behind that anger, God is love. We believe this only because of Jesus.
Jesus the Good Shepherd invites all to be His sheep and find pasture. His words of promise will amaze some but anger others.
Jesus is the Light of the world. However, He sometimes keeps that light out of the visible range. We can't see it, but it changes what we see.
Do you want a life that amounts to more than a hill o' beans? Hear how Christ's death and resurrection gives us life with God that can't be measured.
Life was not meant to be a do-it-yourself project. We need God's help, His strength, His gifts.
Jesus gives us Himself as the Bread of Life so that everything we need can be filled by Him and His gifts.
Jesus crosses borders and even breaks down the barrier of death to do the things that make for unity: shared worship, shared mission, shared harvest.
Like an overture that introduces a great musical work, John the Baptizer is the living voice sent by God to bear witness to Jesus' lordship and salvation.
God makes us believers and the more we believe, the more we become involved in the institutions God made--church, marriage, family, and work.
Do you need more faith? Then you need the Word. Faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ.
The Good Life--what is it? Pastor Chad Lakies says life is truly good when it's life the way God meant it to be.
Jesus sets a good example, but good examples can't help dead people. Only God's Son can make us alive again.
The church welcomes people, but does it also welcome their problems? Dr. Michael Zeigler says the church should be a place that makes room for both joy and sorrow.
Everyone has a story to tell and yours can be one through which Jesus is working to make the world new again.
A mother and her young son trade a life of privilege for one of poverty, a story that is borderline unbelievable, yet nonetheless true.
If everything you've ever thought or done was captured in a photo, how many of them would you save for all to see? Hear how God redeems all our snapshots--even those that don't seem "album-worthy."
God comes to renew us with His forgiving love, rename us in Baptism, and remain with us through His Word.
God's Law--a "system" that keeps the world from flying apart while it also shows us we need the Savior Who came to live, suffer, and rise for us.
It's been said, everyone you meet is fighting an unseen battle. God calls us to enter the struggle of those around us because, in Jesus, God has entered our struggle.
God turns lost losers into forgiven sons and daughters. Through Christ, we too become children of God's kingdom, members of His household.
With God, all things are possible, even how to deal with that difficult person in your life.
A strong knot in the right place holds everything together. God made Jesus to be the "Master Point" to bind all people to Himself through faith.
God loved us at first sight, from eternity. And He has given us Jesus so that we can know His love.
The story of Jacob's Ladder is not a prompt for us to climb higher; it's a promise that God comes down to our level.
The Book of Genesis is no fairy tale. It depicts real people--people like us, with half-truths, crooked ways, and sore necks--but also the God Who created us and bears with us because He loves us.
God's forgiving love for you in Christ is love that your accomplishments can't enhance and your failures can't diminish.
Archives August: We can never be too vigilant against the devil's attacks but in Christ we can always be confident that the victory is ours.
Archives August: The Child Who wanted to be born can make you glad to be alive! That joy for living comes when you hear His story.
Archives August: Don't let anger, disagreement, and stress damage your relationships. Hear how God changes troublemakers into peacemakers.
Archives August: A crucified Savior, a resurrected, living Lord: the public guarantee of God, at work in the world for you.
Jesus is making His people into a light for a world that's crying for help. He came to make God's light shine on us so that all people might see the face of God.
Dr. Jeff Gibbs and podcaster Jessica Bordeleau join Dr. Michael Zeigler to talk about St. Paul's harrowing journey to Rome.
The gracious words of God change our lives for the better, tell us of our inheritance, and remind us that we are part of a much larger family.
Like sheep that need a shepherd, followers of Christ need pastors who will come looking for them when they stray.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to open our mouths and share Jesus, so that all might have what none of us deserve.
People can be passionate about sports, gardening, video games, or family. All those things can be good, but none of them can save you.
God's mission is like water. Without changing what it is, the Good News of God's Kingdom takes the shape of its cultural container, crossing boundaries and barriers.
The Christians of ancient Antioch were known for their spirit of selfless sacrifice. The spirit of Antioch continues in the Church today because Christ Himself is with us.
The Law and Gospel light of Jesus is both an exposing searchlight that reveals our shortcomings and a warm grow light that nurtures us.
Memorial Day honors those who made "the ultimate sacrifice" in service to country, but there was one Sacrifice infinitely greater.
Jesus leaves His followers waiting for Him to return but He promises they will not be left alone.
It's been said that God's call often comes as a surprise. In Acts 9, we meet three men who found themselves called in ways they could neither forecast nor control.
Jesus calls His followers to undergo transformation, endure opposition, and engage others in conversation.
Whatever we ask of Jesus is probably too small, because Jesus provides more than what we expect.
The Holy Spirit breathes life into the Church and the Church breathes that life out to the world, with the love of Christ.
The top three best-selling books all present visions of hope, but how they hope to achieve it is a much different story.
"Tears of Hope" is a special presentation of The Lutheran Hour®. The excitement and anticipation for the annual camping trip with Dad ends with a devastating turn of events. Broken and blaming himself, Luke questions how a good and gracious God could allo
There are artists who can take old junk and turn it into something new and beautiful. Dr. Michael Zeigler tells how Jesus repurposes both the junk and the joy in our lives.
God promised to make Abraham the father of many nations through the gift of a son named Isaac. But then God asked Abraham to return that gift in a most shocking way.
The more you listen to the life of Jesus, the more you admire Him and the more grateful you are to be included in His company.
In Christ, losing is winning and winning is losing. Dr. John Nunes explains what that means.
Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about spiritual growth in the season of Lent and dying to self in a "do-it-yourself" world.
How do you encourage someone to receive the gift God has for them? That's what evangelism is all about.
Forgiveness is a gift Christ won for us on a cross, thousands of miles away and two thousand years ago.
Dr. Michael Zeigler explains why it's not a contradiction to offer forgiveness while insisting on justice.
When life becomes an endless roundabout of regret, Christ is your entrance to forgiveness and a new start.
This Christmas Eve, God wants to be found in the human community gathered in the name of Jesus and in the conversation connected with Him.
What happens when a passenger suddenly has to be the pilot? Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about the power of words to save.
A wilderness can be scary, but if someone is with you who knows the way out, you're not really lost.
Will those who do good things be saved? Or, will those who are saved...do good things? Dr. Dean Nadasdy says those who love Christ also love showing mercy to others.
Hearing many stories only once is not as good as hearing the same story many times. Hear again God's story of love, grace, and forgiveness.
We will all go through times of mourning, but we don't all necessarily face it the same way.
Our family and friends are with us in life but they can't shield us from life and all its uncertainty. Where will you find security?
Hear about the Savior Who walks beside us, at our pace, and teaches us to walk with others.
A musical about a choir of nuns led by a lounge singer provides the setting for Dr. Michael Zeigler's message, based on Psalm 80.
"The Lord is my Shepherd..." That's how the 23rd Psalm begins. It goes on to describe the ways in which our Good Shepherd leads, comforts, and protects the sheep of His flock. Every line gives us a reason to be thankful.
When the waters rise and enemies attack, the high ground is the place of safety and security. But who will take us there?
People praise that which they find laudable, valuable, beautiful. But when does praise become a problem?
Every day and everywhere they go, the followers of Jesus bring the "echo" of Easter with them.
What people think about something--that's a poll. What that something actually is--that's the truth.
The God who knows everything about you is also the God of grace who forgives on account of Christ.
Some ideas spread slowly. That doesn't make them bad ideas. Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about God's slow solution to setting a broken world right.
How did two young men start out with similar circumstances but end up in such different places? Was it the choices they made or the pull that others had on their lives?
The Law of God is a test that judges all who take it. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus passed the test, in our place.
Jesus changes the way we see ourselves and others, even our villains. He died and rose for them, too.
Finders, weepers; losers, keepers: Pastor Keith Haberstock talks about finding life by losing it, for the sake of Christ.
Despite their tears, prophetic Christians are on fire with the Word of God and always have a song to sing. We embody both the deep sadness and the unrelenting commitment of the God we serve, and we never lack a reason for praise.
The human 'heroes' of the Bible are normal people, deeply flawed and dearly loved by the God Who made them.
Why does God allow suffering? The answer cannot be that God is indifferent or detached from our pain.
A brand-new violin needs to mature through time and use. The same goes for followers of Christ.
Prosperity preachers promise health, wealth, and happines--but that's not what Christians should expect.
Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about the "air bridge" that saved a city and the cross-shaped bridge God built to break a spiritual blockade.
Anticipation, preparation, and action are the traits that make great leaders--and great followers of Christ, the King of kings.
Easter may be past--but it isn't over! Learn how we can bring the hope and glad good news of Christ's resurrection into the lives of those we meet.
Hell is a serious word, meant to be taken seriously. However, hell doesn't have to be one's inevitable destination.
When bad things happen, is it "bad karma" or an opportunity for our Good Creator to be doing a greater work?
A devoutly religious person has an arresting encounter with Jesus and learns what it means to be "born again."
Frequent family dinners are important, but none more so than the gracious meal to which God invites His family, the Church.
A social media star with a million followers can't possibly know all one million of them. However, there is one really famous Person with billions of followers Who knows--and loves--each one.
A body of water becomes stagnant when there is no outflow. The same could be said of us.
"Out of Egypt I called my son." With these words the Gospel of Matthew reveals the rich and interconnected history of the young nation, Israel, and the young Savior, Jesus. On their journeys to discover the true Israel and what He means to your life today
Dr. Michael Zeigler shows how even the smallest acts of kindness can go a long way, by God's grace.
We often feel our need for God's presence only when we see what it looks like when He's absent.
We see division and discord all around us, but there is one place where it all comes together—the fullness of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
God cares that we relate to Him with childlike faith and relate to others with Christlike love.
It might sound strange to regard God as a friend, and the more fear, awe, and respect you have for God, the stranger it gets.
God hears our cry for justice, not as an indifferent judge, but as our merciful heavenly Father.
It's only right to be thankful for what we have and what we are. The question is, to whom are we thankful?
Jesus wants us to take His Word seriously, not as a personal attack but as a word of warning—and promise.
What does the canning of a corrupt and incompetent accountant teach us about the undeserved mercy of God? Hear Jesus' Parable of the Shrewd Manager, this week on The Lutheran Hour.
When Jesus told stories about lost sheep and lost coins, He was really talking about lost people.
Jesus offers a gracious buyout, even as He speaks of counting the cost of following Him.
Are you prepared to face the worst, as one day we all must? Live without fear through faith in Christ.
Prejudice says, "These are not our kind of people." Charity says, "These are all people for whom Christ died."
Jesus is not a free pass to heaven; Jesus is the Reason why we want to be in heaven, the Source of joy in every place.
An unusual art project inspires Dr. Michael Zeigler's thoughts about life as God intended it.
The Book of Ecclesiastes offers perspective on life's alternating seasons of joy and sadness, gain and loss, war and peace.
Dr. Michael Zeigler says, "God wasn't and isn't a hermit. From eternity, God is the God of community and conversation."
God's world is like a big, beautiful choir in which everyone has a place and a part to sing.
Dr. Dean Nadasdy reflects on five images from the Book of Revelation and shows how God's Word plus faith and imagination equals hope.
Dr. Michael Zeigler outlines five principles to help us better hear what Scripture is saying.
To make sense of a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, one needs to know "the big picture." The Bible is like that, too.
The Bible is like an encyclopedia, a love letter, a self-help book, and a Good News article--but these comparisons all fall short.
How did Christianity become the dominant faith of Western civilization? It's partly arithmetic, but mostly, it isn't.
Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about people drawing the cross and how the cross is drawing people.
A costly and extravagant meal prepared by a master chef symbolizes the meal Christ serves to His people, the Church.
Why did God allow evil? The Bible doesn't answer that question. The question it does answer is, "In spite of evil, what will God do?"
Dr. Michael Zeigler recounts the life of Eric Liddell, the Olympic champion who ran with perseverance a much different race as a Christian missionary in China.
Law and Gospel are the two reins of Jesus' teaching that express His care for who we are now and His conviction about the people we will become.
Jesus said those who are poor in spirit are blessed. Pastor Roland Syens says poverty is not a problem in God's economy.
Dr. Michael Zeigler says the Jewish practice of observing the Sabbath is sort of like being in a long-distance relationship.
The story of a pastor who preached Christ's forgiveness to a congregation of criminals.
Words have power to catch the listener, the power of Jesus' words and story, even more so.
Life proceeds in stages marked by rites of passage. Dr. Zeigler talks about the changes we go through, and the Savior Who goes with us.
The drama surrounding the first airing of "The Charlie Brown Christmas Special" 56 years ago, against all odds, it gave viewers the true story of Christmas and doomed aluminum Christmas trees to near extinction.
The season of Advent is about living in the middle of a story that is still unfolding, between what is already and what is yet to come.
The world tells us we must be useful in order to belong, but that's not how God sees us.
Why does God let evil happen? Will that question take us down the path of doubt or lead us to trust God more deeply?
In Christ, God forgives our past and secures our future. Dr. Hector Hoppe says, here in the present, there is much we can do.
In one way or another, we are all broken, cracked vessels. Life leaks out, but Jesus keeps filling.
The story of David and Bathsheba is a scandalous tale of adultery, treachery, and murder—but it also shows God's undeserved mercy for David and for us.
The story of David and Goliath is often treated as a how-to guide to overcoming obstacles, but Dr. Michael Zeigler says that misses the point.
The Old Testament books of Samuel tell the story of Israel's King David and share the promise of the greater King to come.
Everything belongs to God and there isn't anything anyone could possibly give Him that He doesn't already have. And yet, there is one thing He desires: our garbage—our sins, our shame, our guilt—that He might put it all on Jesus.
God places Christians in neighborhoods, among neighbors who don't necessarily share their beliefs. How should they relate? Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about avoiding the pitfalls of isolation and approval.
We can start to make the world a better place by seeking the welfare of the neighborhoods into which God has placed us.
We can't build a more hopeful neighborhood if we don't know who our neighbors are and we go out of our way to avoid them.
We can resist temptation by using the "power tools" God provides: His Word and the shield of faith.
The New Testament book of Ephesians instructs wives to obey their husbands—but what does it say to husbands?
The life of a notorious saint shows how the grace of God makes the Church a sunny place for shady people.
"Archives August" begins with a classic message from Pastor Ken Klaus in which he contrasts popularly-held urban legends with the unchanging truth of God's Word.
A story about warring tribes and the peace which comes only through the giving of a son.
Is a last-minute conversion cause for joy or an insult to lifelong believers? Dr. Michael Zeigler explores both the problem and the promise of deathbed conversions.
An inheritance that's more than places, property, and possessions—the inheritance God intended for His people.
Christians are not against science. They just don't expect science to answer questions beyond its reach.
Some say Christians are too judgmental. But is the world at large any less critical? Dr. Michael Zeigler, with a clearly Christian view of judgment.
God is above all, but that doesn't mean material "stuff" is somehow beneath Him. Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about the unique nature of Christian spirituality.
Many think they know what Christianity is all about, but Dr. Michael Zeigler asks, what if what they think it is, it isn't?
The person who excels in their work will be noticed by kings. Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about the King who took note of us before we did any work.
Does someone need to hear words of rebuke-or redemption? A message about harsh words, gentle answers, and the wisdom of God.
Fear, love, and trust in the Lord is the way to Wisdom in person, and we meet God's eternal wisdom in Jesus, the Messiah.
A preacher who gets upset when people take his message seriously--that's the story of Jonah.
Speaking out against the prevailing culture might prompt ridicule but it could also produce repentance.
Broken doesn't mean "disposable." Dr. Michael Zeigler tells how God redeems and repurposes broken people.
Where does one go to hide from God? Dr. Michael Zeigler says the book of Jonah is about God, on a mission to get through to you.
Why end a good news story on a note of fear? St. Mark's Gospel wants us to see human fear as evidence that God is at work.
When you're in a pinch and out of options and someone says they've got you covered, it's good news.
We might not see weakness as a virtue. And yet, weakness is where God's strength is made perfect.
Why did Jesus commend a poor widow who gave all her money to a corrupt institution that oppressed widows? Dr. Michael Zeigler takes a deeper look.
A house is not a person—but, could a Person be a house, a place to belong? Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about finding that place, in Christ.
The world wields power with blunt force, but God hides His power in suffering, weakness, and humility.
Jesus surpasses all expectations as we see Him revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Dr. Michael Zeigler shares a story about people who had more in common than they thought.
Jesus' parables draw His followers out of the crowd and into the circle of His disciples.
The word of Jesus turns us out from ourselves and our problems to the faith, hope, and love that He brings.
When you open yourself up to hearing the backstory behind the apparent contradiction, you may encounter what the Bible is all about.
The book of Galatians gives us a glimpse inside the family of God. It describes the Christian family as one that stands firm in Christ's freedom, walks united in the Spirit, and bears one another's burdens in love.
We will never fully grasp the idea of God, but that doesn't keep us from experiencing God's love for us in Christ.
The prophet Daniel illustrates how to face the facts while never losing faith in how the story ends.
We sometimes hear the voice before we see the face that goes with it. Seek God's face where you hear God's Word.
How is God like a band director? Learn how God enables us to play our part in His "Magnum Opus."
Political turmoil is nothing new and political security is only temporary. We can't escape politics. However, Dr.Michael Zeigler offers good news of a kingdom that cannot be overthrown and will never pass away.
Big problems call for faith in an even bigger God. Pastor Gerard Bolling tells how the God Who is bigger than our problems works through us to bring bigger blessings to the people around us.
"The kingdom of God is not a game. The law teaches us how to love others as God first loved us. Our performance matters, but in God's kingdom belonging comes before performance." Dr. Michael Zeigler
"We've all been asked to testify, to give a witness to what it is that we're looking for. We're always sending messages to the people watching us: this is what I value, this is what I'm looking for." Dr. Michael Zeigler
A king's dream, a mysterious statue with feet of clay, an unearthly rock that grows to fill all the earth, and God's empathy for a weeping world, embodied in Christ-it's all part of Dr. Michael Zeigler's message, this week.
The thing about God is, He's winning-even when it doesn't look like He's winning. Maybe, especially when it doesn't look like He's winning. Dr. Michael Zeigler begins a series of messages based on the book of Daniel that tells how God uses history as a ve
Open doors and loud tables—places where God does His quiet work of changing lives, one dinner invitation at a time. God made room at His table for us so that we can make room at our tables for others. New Series "Households of Faith"
Jesus is the Guest who will become the Host for all who trust in Him." New Series "Households of Faith"
Are you living in fear or living by faith? We present a classic message from Pastor Ken Klaus. It's "Archives August".
How do you compare to your next-door neighbor, your brother-in-law, or the person you were five years ago? Comparing ourselves against God's requirements can prompt us to turn in repentant faith to Jesus, the Savior beyond compare. It's "Archives August".
Believing in Jesus Christ, we truly see things the way they are. It's "Archives August"
A 5-year-old boy once observed, "God has the whole world in His hands-but sometimes He drops it." Hear how Dr. Dale Meyer responded to that young philosopher in a classic message titled "Over the Darkness, God Hovers". It's "Archives August".
There is power in doing good works for the sake of others, but that kind of civic righteousness can't compare with the perfect righteousness of God which covers us through faith in Jesus Christ. In a classic radio message, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann shares the p
How do you react to the brokenness all around you? God gives His people the reflex to reflect His mercy in the world.
What kind of doctor prescribes a treatment that kills Him while saving the patient? The "Jesus Protocol" is the cure that kills and then makes alive.
Are you living in the reality of life as it is right now, life as it will be, or somewhere in between?
When we want something to be perfect, we practice it over and over until it becomes part of us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages His followers to practice being perfect, because God already sees them that way, through faith in Christ.
The human body can produce enough energy to power a tiny light bulb. Christ gives His followers power to light the entire world. Dr. Michael Zeigler reflects on the nature of that light and the power behind it.
Many of us know what it's like to try out for a team, for a role in a play, or first chair in the band. We might have been chosen first. We might have been chosen last. We might not have been chosen at all. So, how does God choose His team?
"Blessing is a condition that's true even if you're not completely conscious of it or even if you don't fully appreciate it. Only God can bless in this sense. Jesus, sitting in God's spot on the mountain, speaks for God as the Son of God and He blesses."
First, God saves. Then, He gives instruction. An incident from World War II helps us put God's Ten Commandments in perspective.
Words matter. People matter. You matter to God, and He will stop at nothing to get your attention.
When someone special pays you a visit, you stand a little taller in their presence. Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about dignity, humility, and life in the presence of God.
God doesn't have to figure out something about you that He doesn't already know. He doesn't have to figure out if He loves you or if He's committed to you or if you're worth it. God's not testing you to figure something out about you He didn't already kno
Being pursued is a terrifying place to be. And, unfortunately, we all live there. But the good news is that we're not the only ones being pursued. You and I have a Lord Who pursues the pursuer. We have a Savior Who will not let the enemy of His people hav
Christians are not immune from relapses into sin and doubt. A Christian is at the same time both saint and sinner. Dr. Michael Zeigler tells how God loves us through the relapses, in a message titled "You Haven't Lost Me."
"To believe is more than just acknowledging that Jesus is risen from the dead; it includes that, but there's more. It's about where you lay your fears, where you rest your concerns. It has to do with what gets your attention-with what gets you."
People can be unreceptive to God's love because they are very bad-or because they think they are very good.
The plagues described in Exodus show us the wrath of God and the lengths to which God will go to save His people.
A weed is a stubborn thing, pushing its way up through a crack in the sidewalk. The human heart is a stubborn thing, insisting on going its own way. Dr. Michael Zeigler says God is stubborn, too.
Confiscation is a bad word. No one likes having their "stuff" confiscated. But what if it's God Who does the confiscating? Dr. Michael Zeigler says God may take away some blessings He once gave in order to give back even more.
Something needs to be done and it falls to you to do it. You might feel alone-but you're not alone.
Jesus knows our failures and our fears; He knows how to lift us up and bring us through.
Sometimes, the difference between then and now, between what used to be and what is, comes in a single moment, a defining act. We call that a breakthrough.
"In Christ, God is writing a comeback story for you. But we don't call it a comeback if it's the same old you that's been here for years. You call it a comeback because life in Jesus means the death of the old you, and through faith in Jesus the real you
We might forget names and faces, dates and places, but God remembers those who are His through faith in Christ. To God, they are unforgettable. Dr. Dean Nadasdy says, as we remember Jesus in faith, even more so does God remember us.
"Words create a picture of life, life as it really is, life as it could be. And so, if you want God to be your Treasure, you need a vision of life with God. I want a vision of life with God because I want God to be my Treasure, even as I know that, in Jes
In the martial art called judo, the defender uses the force of the aggressor to defeat the aggressor. Dr. Michael Zeigler says that's what God did at the cross of Jesus. He performed "spiritual judo."
From the days of the prophet Jeremiah to our own, some things haven't changed all that much. There's still corruption, violence, injustice, tragedy, and suffering. That's the bad news. However, "the Word of the Lord endures forever." So does God's love fo
The spiritually homeless people of the modern world have written God out of their story, but God remains the one Way home.
Genesis Series - The fall of man... and still, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wants to relate to you and to me with grace and truth.
This week on The Lutheran Hour: Dr. Michael Zeigler says we each have a part to play on God's stage-with a script, without a tryout, with freedom and responsibility. How will you play your part? Dr. Zeigler and his guest, Dr. Charles Arand, discuss our pl
The book of Genesis tells us that God made all things. But it won't answer every question about when, how, and why God did it. That's because Genesis is mostly about getting to know God. Dr. Michael Zeigler begins a new series of messages based on the fir
August Archives - People often do what they do because they think the rules don't apply to them.
August Archives - Closing our minds to spiritual fads and embracing the words of Jesus opens up a great future for al who believe.
August Archives - Prayer flows from faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit helps us when we don't know how to pray. A classic message from former Speaker, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann.
August Archives - God's Word guides us along life's journey, where Christ is the Way and heaven our destination. We revisit a classic message from former Speaker, Dr. Gregory Seltz.
Anger belongs to God, it is not yours. When we feel angry we should be prompted to pray.
Communing with God--Lord's Supper. To a home buyer, it's "location, location, location." To God, it's "relationship, relationship, relationship."
Belonging to God--Baptism. "Baptism is a portal that puts the baptized person on the cross with Jesus. You get transported through time and space into the world's most important turning point. But how can plain water do that?"
Talking to God -Lord's Prayer. Learn how prayer becomes a conversation with the God Who is genuinely and eternally interested in us.
There's a big difference between knowing about someone and really knowing them. Pastor Paul Schult introduces us to a different way of getting to know Jesus.
The followers of Jesus do not wander through the wasteland of this world alone. We have a Guide!
The Holy Spirit is the Sculptor. Our lives are His medium. The image of Jesus is His goal.
Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd; He's the Good Fisherman, who draws the fish and fills the nets.
Doubt is a normal part of our present human experience. Only the presence of the risen Jesus will overcome it.
God is the true Gardener. He brought the soil of His garden into His being to make a new creation.
We are people of diverse backgrounds drawn together by Jesus. We want to share His life with you.
God works through the darkness to overcome the darkness. Even in history's darkest moment, the light is still shining.
Jesus calls us to hate life in this world, not because he wants hateful people. Rather, he wants us to more deeply love true life.
Some accept death as the end; others, as a new beginning. Jesus turned death into a sign that points us to the Author of life.
Strikingly, Jesus refers to his people both as "sheep" and as "gods" (Psalm 82). How does that work?
Art helps us to better see the world. John's Gospel, which is both history and art, puts the world in proper focus
There is a spiritual hunger beyond food that is expressed in food. Jesus provides for both.
What would you do if your Word was all-powerful? Jesus started a conversation with an outsider.
Hitting that snooze button may be doing more harm than good. It's time to stop spiritual snoozing and wake up.
God's gift of eternal life through faith in Christ is not a quick fix. It's a slow solution to the hidden problem that separates us from God and each from other.
Starting a new life involves surrender--a break with the past. In that surrender, the past can be restored.
As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, God rejoices over you. This week we explore our new name and identity as the bride of Christ.
Do you have a reason to believe that everyone should believe what you believe? John did. Come and see.
People use their words to build bonds of trust with people they love. In Jesus, God does the same-He turns His Word toward us.
As the year come to a close, we likely have regrets and guilt. We can beat ourselves up over work left undone, but Jesus Christ has assured us that He is your hope. His grace is more than sufficient to take us into another year and give us peace.
A true king's strength is seen, not in vaults and arsenals, but in the loyalty of his people. We celebrate the birth of the King who won the victory, not by taxing his subjects and killing his enemies, but by serving, loving and dying for them.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. With anxiety on the rise, the Apostle Paul's call to "rejoice always" seems all but unobtainable. While there are many helpful ways to cope with society's increasing anxiety,
When people use the word "redeem" outside of religious context, they tend to use it in a commercial sense-redeeming points from purchases or casino tokens for cash. In the Bible, the word "redeem" is used in a family setting. In the story of Ruth, Boaz is
The book of Ruth deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters, but deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in ordinary lives-like yours and mine. Ruth's story became an important part of the story of Jesus. Listening to God's
Rev. Dr. Tony Cook shares God's message of forgiveness--"In Jesus, our Great High Priest, we have found the perfect and permanent solution to our separation and sin."
God is the Author Who becomes part of the story--our story. The Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler presents his first message as Lutheran Hour Speaker
In a classic message from 1955, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann talks about all the things that change-and the God Who doesn't.
Dr. Oswald Hoffmann says, "Fear is a fact of life ... but faith in God harnesses fear and points it in the right direction."
Guest speaker, Rev. Perry Hart warns against our culture's devaluation of life and calls us to see ourselves and others as precious people, created by God, redeemed by Christ.
Sin is serious because it cuts us off from God. Guest speaker Dr. Lawrence Rast says Jesus was cut off from God, in our place.
In a classic message from 1998, Dr. Dale Meyer explains how a common table prayer reminds us of our dependence upon God and His gifts.
The undeniable hiddenness of God becomes the openness of God when you see His Son, Jesus Christ.
In a classic message first heard in 1937, Dr. Walter A. Maier tells how Christ comes to us in our world of change and decay with a message of unchanging hope.
In a classic message from 1968, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann says, "The Good News (of Christ) is really good; good enough to believe, good enough to trust."
Far too many people assume there are differences in commercial products, political candidates and school systems, but these same people believe all religions are the same. Today we join with the Apostle Paul in praying people may discern what is best when
Meditation is time to think, and Christian meditation thinks about God in the light of Jesus Christ. It is "a lamp to our feet and a light to our path."
Just when you think you are getting to know Jesus, He says something which can confuse. Today the world remains confused about God's Son, our Savior. That's because Jesus refuses to be pigeonholed by the world's desires or expectations. He's G
When the main goal in life is your happiness, you've turned in on yourself and away from others, especially God. Turn from yourself to Jesus and you'll know a peace that surpasses all understanding, and that is the basis for true lasting happi
The church is not some cruise ship sailing aimlessly about in this life and merely entertaining those on board; but, rather, it is the ark, the only boat whereby, as we traverse this stormy sea of life, we are being brought safely to the other side, to et
Every job looks like it's easy if you don't have to do it. That was certainly the case when Jesus told His disciples to feed the crowd. With no McDonald's in the area, they came back and asked Jesus to do what they couldn't. We would be wise if we did the
Emotions often drive our lives. When we think about our feelings in light of the Word of God, we are led to Jesus our Savior, but ignoring God's Word makes life a soap opera mess.
In a world of pain and violence, people ask, "Why doesn't God do something?" Pastor Ken Klaus answers, "He has."
When you get out of your religious comfort zone and meet people who don't know Jesus, you have opportunity to grow in faith and witness.
After seeing one of the Savior's miracles the disciples asked, "Who is this Guy?" After Pentecost, they knew Who Jesus was and why He had come. Even so, the world keeps coming up with wrong answers when they ask, "Just Who is this Guy?"
Jesus loves to tell us stories. In His stories about the normal things of life, Jesus teaches us about the reign of God in our lives. This Father's Day, what makes for a godly father, or mother or Christian? The willingness to tell our stories.
Paul had his problems. You've never met anyone who didn't. And yet, Paul called his problems "light" and "momentary". Today's message deals with the question, 'What does Paul know that we don't?'
Military personnel know what it means to be on the front line in combat. This message is about a battleground where we're between opposing forces and could easily lose our life, the Battleground of Time.
Can death hold us? Experience says, "Yes!"' the Apostle Peter says, "No." Today's sermon talks about making possible that which can't happen.
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on April 22, 2018
By Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Christians like to think of themselves as following the first disciples. That's uncomfortably true. The first disciples had trouble believing the promises of Jesus for their daily lives. Too often we do too. On Pentecost the Spirit of the risen Lord Jesus
There are times Christians might readily wish the Lord would airlift them out of this world. Because we have some work to do, the Lord Jesus prays we be kept safe. So, how's that working for you?
What do you really want? What does your heart yearn for most? A blogger recently asked her readers the question: "If you could say in one word what you want more of in life, what would that be?" Can you guess the number one answer? It was happiness.