Bridged gap, standing in the gap!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are 2nd Corinthians 5:19-20, where St. Paul says, 

That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins again them. And He has committed to us this ministry of reconciliation, for we are God’s ambassadors, as though were making His appeal through us, be reconciled to God!

In Washington, D.C., it is truly something miraculous when people can bridge the gap between the great divides in our culture without demeaning what is precious to us in the process. In fact, it’s virtually impossible today. Why? Because in life in general, people more and more treat others as enemies to be vanquished rather than people to be loved and served. And politics, at its core, is ultimately not about service, but power. Oh, people speak about a “benevolent” government, but when you can tax people, garnish wages, and demand obedience, that’s power. When you can force people to do what you demand that they do, that’s power. True reconciliation of disparate people is a rare and miraculous thing in our lives in general, especially here in our nation’s Capital.

And that’s why our verses for today are so wonderful. There is a miraculous reconciliation that we can know and receive in our lives. And, yes, it can transform our lives, our relationships, and even our communities by extension. The message of the Gospel quite literally bridges sinful humanity’s gap with God by reconciling us back to God. And here’s what will really blow you away: It didn’t happen by power, coercion or pressure (That’s why even “good” government can’t save us, and even our best “policies” are never going to reconcile us where it really matters). No, the God of Scripture, who is righteous, holy, and even all-powerful, miraculously reconciled a sinful, rebellious world back to Himself through service, sacrifice, and mercy. God has done all that in Jesus Christ for you and me.

So, think about it today. You have been reconciled to God, despite your sin and guilt. You have been given a new lease on life, even though your own efforts testify to your heart that you don’t really deserve it. And you’ve been given an eternal “retirement” plan that is as sure and certain as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How about putting that perspective to work in your life? Get up every day and tell yourself the truth, “I am a redeemed and reconciled child of God.” Then, with that perspective on life, begin to take up the challenge of living graciously towards others in the same way He has toward you. Realize that the very reconciling power of God that drew you close again to Him is available to you and then through you as you prayerfully serve others the way that He has served you. Let faith in Christ “bridge the gap” in your relationships and may that faith give you strength and power to “stand in the gap” for others so that they might know His love too. Let that testimony be a reality in your life to bless you and those around you every day.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the power of the Gospel that reconciles the world back to You through Your cross and resurrection. By Your Holy Spirit, give me faith to trust that message for my life and then courage to put that reconciling power to work for others. AMEN.

See Also
THE ONLY SOURCE FOR ABUNDANT LIFE!
THE ONLY SOURCE FOR ABUNDANT LIFE!

Today’s verse is John 10:10, where Jesus says,   

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Pro-Life and Pro-Death Penalty: Can Both Be True for the Christian?
Pro-Life and Pro-Death Penalty: Can Both Be True for the Christian?

‍Forty-seven people were executed in 2025, the highest number of executions in the United States since 2009. Four have been executed in 2026 as of March 1, and 18 more are scheduled for this year.
The death penalty is a deeply controversial issue. A 2024 poll by Gallup reported that 53% of Americans were in favor of the death penalty. 43% opposed it, and the remaining 4% had no opinion. These numbers have fluctuated significantly over the past 50 years.
As a 20-year-old student at a public university, I had never given capital punishment much thought until my school’s newspaper published an article about the high number of executions last year. I realized I didn’t know exactly where I stood on the death penalty. So, as a lifelong Lutheran, I naturally turned to the LCMS’ frequently asked questions webpagefor an answer.
According to the FAQ, the LCMS’ official position is that “capital punishment is in accord with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions." It points to several verses in Scripture that support its position.

‍ ‍In Romans 13, the apostle Paul stated that every person is subject to the governing authorities because all authority is given by God.

May 2026 Bulletin Insert
May 2026 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

May 2026 Bulletin Blurbs
May 2026 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

HOLY HEARTBURN!
HOLY HEARTBURN!

Today’s verses are Luke 24:29b-35, where the Bible tells of these events after Jesus had walked to Emmaus with two of His followers on the evening of His resurrection:    

So, [Jesus] went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Salt of the Earth
Salt of the Earth

Pepper is the spice of life, adds life to the party, but salt makes everything better. Salt makes chocolate more chocolatey, butter more buttery, makes the perfect crust for the perfect steak. Taste your soup, and find it bland? Salt's absence is often the problem. Salt preserves and cleanses, melts the ice on a winter road. So valuable is salt that we get from it our English word for “salary.” And when a fellow can be counted on, we call him the salt of the earth. He's the guy who can be counted on, the kind of fellow who turns a town into a hometown that people love. Salt is marvelously a mineral, showing that God loves man, had us in mind from the very beginning.

SOME QUESTIONS NEED A RISEN SAVIOR’S ANSWER!
SOME QUESTIONS NEED A RISEN SAVIOR’S ANSWER!

Today’s verse is John 20:19-31, where the Bible says,  

“Jesus said to him(thomas), “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Equality vs. Egalite
Equality vs. Egalite

The Declaration of Independence speaks of us all being created equal. Such a notion is biblical, in as much as every human being has dignity, is created in the image of God. This truth is underlined by God's word to Noah: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man." Such an assertion of equality does not mean that we do not have roles to play. The father is the head of the family, and children are to honor father and mother. To the husband is given headship, along with the responsibility to sacrifice himself for his wife and to protect and provide for his family. To woman is given another glory. For good reason, the bride is adorned in white and rightly receives attention.

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION MATTERS TO YOU, TODAY AND FOREVER!
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION MATTERS TO YOU, TODAY AND FOREVER!

Today’s verses are Colossians 3:1-4, where the Bible says,  

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Jesus vs. Caesar
Jesus vs. Caesar

“Savior.” “Lord.” “Son of God.” If you asked someone in the ancient world who these titles referred to, they might tell you “Jesus.” But depending on who you were talking to, they might also tell you “Caesar.” Modern readers of the Bible often miss the fact that some of the language the New Testament uses to talk about Jesus was also commonly used to talk about the Roman Emperor, who was not just a political leader, but someone whom people worshipped and even offered sacrifices to.

April 2026 Prayer Partner Thursday
April 2026 Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

THROW YOUR PALMS DOWN FOR THIS, FOR HIM!
THROW YOUR PALMS DOWN FOR THIS, FOR HIM!

Today’s verses are Philippians 2:5-11, where the Bible says,   

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Faith in Politics
Faith in Politics

I post a lot on Christianity, a lot on Lutheranism, but also politics, and what it means to us as Christians. But when it comes to liberal and conservative, these are not two sides to one coin. It cannot be dismissed as CNN vs. Fox. I love God first and recognize that the family matters. Politics matter because our neighbor matters and because we care about the things needful, including the sanctity of life and the free exercise of religion.

 

But on the other side, it's different. I have a lot of liberal friends who post about liberal issues all the time, much of it to do with what they perceive as justice. But Christ hardly comes into view. In some ways, there was a lot more talk about Christ loving the immigrant or the homeless person, and that was used as an argument for bigger government. But among younger people, Christ hardly comes into view. Liberal Christianity was a kind of step on the way, but hardly holds the minds or inspires the hearts. And so it goes that a liberal Christian often finds her enemy is the conservative Christian, the one who cares about the Virgin Birth and Christ as the one redeemer, the only begotten Son of God.

ULTIMATE CONCERNS MATTER MOST, SO WHAT’S YOURS?
ULTIMATE CONCERNS MATTER MOST, SO WHAT’S YOURS?

Today’s verses are John 11:47-50. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44), the Bible tells us this is what happened next:    

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all!  50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

LGBTQ+ = Subverting the Created Order
LGBTQ+ = Subverting the Created Order

“The LGBTQ community." What other sin is talked this way? Is there a murdering community? A gossiping community? Since when does an alliance in sin spoken of in such positive terms? But this community is one that speaks lies that lead to the destruction of the family and to loneliness and isolation.

 

Typically, when attempting to cloud the issue, we are told that questions concerning sex and gender are "complicated." Really, it isn't. God created us male and female. The confusion arises from the deceptive ideology that pushes it. We are told that detransitioners are extremely rare. Have they not met and talked with those in the growing detransition community? We have members who have been lied to and have escaped the clutches of the deceivers, though they are not unscathed medically or emotionally. We are told that trans people do not simply decide to be trans. But they mention nothing of the work of Abigail Shrier and many others who have clearly demonstrated that the transgender phenomenon is a social contagion, especially now among women, an ideology that is spread by the secular left and through destructive influencers on social media.

April 2026 Bulletin Insert
April 2026 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

April 2026 Bulletin Blurbs
April 2026 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!
ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!

Today’s verses are Ephesians 5:8-9, where the Bible says,   

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

Marriage: Conforming Couples to Christ’s Image
Marriage: Conforming Couples to Christ’s Image

Love is not a red, red rose at all. It is work — hard, hard work. It endures sacrifice and pain for the sake of someone else. It subdues one’s own desires, opinions and needs, being patient and kind, not resentful or angry or insisting on one’s own rights or way. It does not live for pleasure and satisfaction or self-actualization. Christian love is defined by Christ and follows His example as confessed in 1 Corinthians 13. Christian love lives entirely for someone else.

TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!
TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!

Today’s verses are John 4:10-14, where the Bible recounts Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up: March for Life
Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up: March for Life

Luther grounded his understanding of civil government and its duties toward God in creation, teaching that rulers are a type of father. In the Large Catechism he wrote, “Thus we have two kinds of fathers presented in this commandment, fathers in blood and fathers in office, or those to whom belongs the care of the family, and those to whom belongs the care of the country. Besides these there are yet spiritual fathers.” Luther recognized the universal responsibility of all mankind to acknowledge and serve God in accordance with one’s particular station. All earthly rulers, whether of Israelite or Gentile nations, were expected to follow God’s Word. If they did not serve the Lord, like emperors Nero and Domitian, they would be held guilty by Him. Luther maintained a consistently positive estimation of Constantine and other Christian rulers throughout his writings — especially their aid in resisting the grasping tyranny of the papacy. He held up David and the other faithful kings of Israel as examples of the universal duty of rulers to acknowledge and serve God.

March 2026 Prayer Partner Thursday
March 2026 Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!
GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!

Today’s verses are John 3:16-18, where Jesus says,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Constantine the Great: Hero of Luther and Exemplary Christian Ruler
Constantine the Great: Hero of Luther and Exemplary Christian Ruler

Luther grounded his understanding of civil government and its duties toward God in creation, teaching that rulers are a type of father. In the Large Catechism he wrote, “Thus we have two kinds of fathers presented in this commandment, fathers in blood and fathers in office, or those to whom belongs the care of the family, and those to whom belongs the care of the country. Besides these there are yet spiritual fathers.” Luther recognized the universal responsibility of all mankind to acknowledge and serve God in accordance with one’s particular station. All earthly rulers, whether of Israelite or Gentile nations, were expected to follow God’s Word. If they did not serve the Lord, like emperors Nero and Domitian, they would be held guilty by Him. Luther maintained a consistently positive estimation of Constantine and other Christian rulers throughout his writings — especially their aid in resisting the grasping tyranny of the papacy. He held up David and the other faithful kings of Israel as examples of the universal duty of rulers to acknowledge and serve God.

NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!
NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!

Today’s passage is Matthew 4:8-11 where the Bible tells us one of the ways in which the devil tempted Jesus.   

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The Cross on my Forehead
The Cross on my Forehead

The pancakes, pączki, and pierogis still linger on my tastebuds as I walk the aisle toward the altar for the imposition of ashes. The richness of those foods recalls times of plenty—times of excess—times when I chased the wants of life instead of resting in the sufficiency of the needs God provides.

Praying Colors, Morning and Evening
Praying Colors, Morning and Evening

I’ve also sometimes struggled, I’ll confess, to reconcile my own civic duty to honor our nation’s flag with my Christian call to “fear, love and trust in God above all things.” The melody blaring from a speaker mounted high upon a tower reminds me eerily of church bells “chiming and calling” Christians to Sunday worship (LSB 645), or of a muezzin summoning Muslims to daily prayer. Although colors isn’t meant to be a spiritual act of devotion, the striking resemblance it bears to such ancient religious practices is hard to ignore. 

March 2026 Bulletin Insert
March 2026 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

March 2026 Bulletin Blurbs
March 2026 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

THERE’S ONLY JESUS!
THERE’S ONLY JESUS!

Today’s passage is Matthew 17:1-8, where the Bible tells us of this momentous event:    

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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