Today's Focus: Sainthood Gives Us Stamina  God grants the status of "saint" (which means "holy one") to every believer. Being a saint does not make life easier. In some ways it makes life more difficult as we struggle against a world that is hostile toward Christ. This week we get a peek at the saints who have died and now live in the glory of Christ's light. We realize what a precious gift this status of saint actually is. We understand that soon enough we shall join all the saints in that glorious heavenly city. And that gives us amazing stamina to face the challenges of this world with the strength Christ gives to all his saints.

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.