WELS Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s Devotions: Recent Episodes
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Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.
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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Christians Answer Doubt with Faith“You mean he actually WANTED to die for me?”
During one of my first years of teaching four-year-olds, I had just finished telling of how Jesus could have used his almighty power to get down off the cross if he wanted to, but he chose not to because he loved us so much. As I was scanning the class, I noticed a little girl with tears in her eyes, mouth wide open. I asked what was wrong and she replied, “You mean Jesus actually wanted to die for me?”
This young girl may have been hearing the message of Jesus for the very first time in her short life. She found it hard to believe that someone would want to die for another person. I assured her that, yes, Jesus wanted to die for her because he loves her so much and wants her to be in heaven with him some day. Then I reassured her that no one could ever take that away from her. No one could ever take Jesus out of her heart.
How often do we doubt God’s love for us? How often do we remind ourselves of what goes on in the deepest parts of our hearts and think, “How could God still love me and want me in heaven?” Satan wants you to doubt God’s love. Satan wants you to doubt that God could ever love a sinner like you. Satan wants you to believe that there are powers that can snatch you out of God’s hand forever.
When doubts flood your mind and you wonder how God can still love you, remember Jesus’ words in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
Jesus already died on the cross and rose victoriously. No one can ever change that. You are already forgiven of all sins, past and future. No one can ever change that. You already have a place waiting for you in heaven. No one can ever take that away from you. When you find yourself, like that four-year-old, asking “You mean Jesus actually wanted to die for me?”, then reread the words in Romans, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Prayer:Dear Jesus, when I dwell on my shortcomings and doubt that someone could love a sinner such as I, remind me that I am already forgiven and that salvation is already mine. Remind me that no one can snatch me out of your hand. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in his heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians 1:3-10
Christians Trust God to Provide“Father in heaven, hear my prayer. Keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do and bless all those who love me, too.”
A child prays this bedtime prayer and then drifts off to sleep, trusting that in the morning he will still have a house to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat, and a family that cares for him. Meanwhile, down the hall, his father stares at the ceiling above his bed, worrying about the work that needs to be done the next day, the car that needs repair, the bills that need to be paid, and the safety of his teenager who will be driving home from work late that night.
Do you end each day asking your heavenly Father to provide for the next day? Or do you lie awake wondering how you will manage the challenges of the future? Our Bible reading reassures us that God already blesses us with every spiritual blessing and that through Jesus Christ we are his adopted children who will inherit everything he has prepared for us. As children of the Father, how much more will he provide us with every physical need?
Jesus reminds us in his Sermon on the Mount that he provides for birds and flowers, so how much more will he provide for us! In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Often, we are tempted to rely on our own strength and devices to face the struggles of life and provide for ourselves and our families. We like to have control. It’s part of our human nature. But the sooner we realize that God is truly in control, the sooner we will have peace knowing that God will provide our every need just as he has always done in the past.
Lay your head on your pillow tonight, confident that God will provide for the next day.
Prayer:Heavenly Father, I am grateful for all the blessings, both spiritual and physical, that you provide for me each day. Help me to rely on you to provide rather than on my own strength. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:14-17
Say it Out Loud: God Loves Sinners“Why is the sky blue? How do planes fly? Why is the ocean salty?”
These are just a few questions that you may have heard a child ask, and they may have made your head spin a bit when thinking how you might offer up a response. Some adults respond to a child’s question with a simple, “I don’t know.” That answer never satisfies a curious child, of course. Similarly, that answer does not usually satisfy the adult brain either.
What if someone asked you this question: “Why did Jesus save mankind?”
I do hope that your answer would not be the same as the one you might have given to a child’s questions about the color of the sky or the saltiness of the ocean. Paul gives us the answer to this profound question in his letter to Timothy. Why did Jesus save mankind? Jesus saved mankind because he is gracious!
“Undeserved love.” That is a common definition for the word grace. As Paul writes to Timothy, Paul recalled how he himself was a persecutor of Christians, saying he was the “worst of sinners.” Paul did not deserve God’s love, but “the grace of our Lord was poured out on [Paul] abundantly” (v. 14).
Can’t we all place ourselves in the category of sinners? What sin has been plaguing you lately? Have you cut corners in your job, had an outburst at your children, or gossiped behind a friend’s back? We all have sins that plague our consciences. We have failed to live up to God’s standard of perfection. From a purely human perspective, we don’t know why God would save sinners like us.
But God knows. God knows that he does not desire the death and damnation of any sinner. God knows that he is slow to anger and that his patience covers every time you’ve been impatient with your coworkers or family. God knows that his mercy is unlike any mercy or love we’ve been shown on this earth. In his grace—his undeserved love—God sent his only Son Jesus to be what we could not be: perfect. Jesus lived the life we could not and died the death of a sinner so that we didn’t have to. Finally, he completed the resurrection that we never could. And all of this gives God honor and glory for ever and ever.
Now, we do the same. Martin Luther summarizes this truth so nicely in the Small Catechism, “All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.”
You never have to answer the question, “Why did Jesus save mankind?” with a frivolous, “I don’t know.” Jesus died to save us because of his love for us, because of his mercy, and because of his grace. Just as Paul knew the effects of God’s love, so do you. Now go and share that wonderful news with anyone who needs to hear it this week. God’s grace and love ever be with you as you do!
Prayer:Dear Heavenly Father, friend of sinners, we thank you for showing us undeserved love. We are plagued by our sins daily, but you have washed our sins away by the blood of your Son, Jesus. Strengthen us to live in that grace everyday as redeemed children of God. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator Devotions will return in August. To view archived devotions visit wels.net/ecme-devotions. Have a blessed summer!
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 7:37-39
What’s the Difference? The Living WaterIf you spend your days around toddlers or preschoolers, you know a very specific kind of “thirst.” It’s that mid-afternoon feeling when the naptime transition was rough, the snack crumbs are everywhere, and your emotional reservoir is running on empty. We pour ourselves out for these little ones, wiping tears, tying shoes, and patiently repeating directions. When we hit that wall, we often ask ourselves: “What difference does it make?” Does it matter that we are Christians if we still feel this exhausted? We try to “fill our cups” with a few minutes of silence or sheer willpower, yet that restless, spiritual dry-rot remains.
In John 7:37-39, Jesus stood among a crowd of people who were also looking for satisfaction in rituals. During the Feast of Tabernacles, they celebrated God providing water during the years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, yet they were still spiritually parched. Jesus cried out: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
Our “thirst” often reveals our sinful nature: the moments we lose our temper, the times we seek our own glory instead of God’s, and our failure to trust him. We cannot manufacture our own “living water” or “try harder” to be joyful. We are, by nature, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
So, what difference does it make? It makes every difference because Jesus lives to pour out his Holy Spirit. Jesus is not a dead historical figure we simply try to imitate. He is the risen, reigning Savior who ascended for the purpose of drenching you in his grace. The “living water” isn’t a reward for being a perfect teacher; it is a gift for the empty. Jesus took the agonizing thirst of the cross to pay for every moment of your impatience. Because he rose from the dead, he now pours his Spirit into you through the Word and Sacraments.
As you serve this week, you aren’t just a caregiver, you are a redeemed child of God. The difference is that you don’t have to rely on your own dwindling reservoir. When you feel you have nothing left to give, look to the living Christ. He refreshes you with the promise that your sins are gone. Because he lives, his love can flow through your tired hands to those little ones, even on the days when you feel most empty. He is the well that never runs dry. May the Lord, who lives and reigns, pour out his Spirit upon your heart and give you peace as you serve his little lambs.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, thank you for being the source of living water for my weary soul. Forgive me for trying to find satisfaction in my own strength, and remind me that because you live, I am never alone. Refresh me today with your Spirit and your full forgiveness. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:6,10
The One in Our PlaceI was in 2nd grade. I had just won the monthly class spelling bee. It was my shining moment. As a 7-year-old girl, this feat made me feel on top of the world, so much so that when my teacher told everyone to line up for recess I felt as though I deserved to be first in line. The problem was, I didn’t make it to the door first. As any 7-year-old girl who is struggling with pride would do, I “butt in front” of my classmate and took the first spot in line. Then came the words I feared would come, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Back of the line with you!” Unfortunately for my ego that day, my teacher did in fact have eyes in the back of her head.
That “back of the line” feeling doesn’t disappear when we grow up. Our sinful nature still craves the top spot, convinced that our hard work, perfect lesson plans, or “better” parenting deserves a reward. We try to lift ourselves up by comparing our success to others. We harbor a quiet sense of superiority when we do things “the right way.” But the Law shows us that pride is a dead end. When we try to stand on our own merits, we eventually find ourselves spiritually empty and sent to the “back of the line” by our own failures and guilt. On our own, we have no right to stand before a holy God.
But look at the “God of all grace.” Jesus, the only one who actually deserved to be first in line, chose to go to the very back. He humbled Himself completely, taking the place of a servant and dying the death of a sinner on the cross for every time we’ve pushed our way to the front. He was lowered into the grave so that you could be lifted into eternal glory. Because he lives, your status isn’t a prize you win; it is a gift he bought with his own life. You don’t have to “butt in” or prove your worth because Jesus has already given you his perfect record.
God doesn’t wait for you to become good enough before he loves you. He called you to his eternal glory in Christ while you were still a sinner. Peter promises that the God of all grace will “himself restore you.” He doesn’t just give you a second chance to try harder; he gives you a new identity as his redeemed child.
When you feel small or overlooked this week, remember that your Savior has already moved you to the front of the line through his blood. He is the one who makes you “strong, firm, and steadfast.” You can rest under his mighty hand today, knowing that your place in heaven is secure, not because you won first place in anything, but because Jesus lived perfectly in your place.
Prayer:Dear Lord, forgive me for the pride that makes me want to be first. Thank you for the humility of Jesus, who took my place on the cross so that I could be your child forever. Strengthen and restore me as I serve you this week. Amen.
A Question to Consider: How does knowing that Jesus has already secured your “spot in line” change the way you handle moments when you feel unappreciated or overlooked?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meaningful Ministry: Tiresome Race – Certain Victory – Week of July 8, 2024
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:13-14
ECME Devotion July 8, 2024
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See series: ECME Devotions
I used to be a runner. And I say “used to” because I don’t often, okay, more like hardly ever, participate in that activity anymore… unless it is to run after a child who is running toward danger or has fallen and gotten a bad scrape.
But back when I did consider myself a runner, I used to use the last line from our Bible verses today as some type of motivation during my race: “be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
It might seem silly, but if I found myself at a point in the race or in my training where I didn’t think I could make it any further I would repeat that passage over and over again. My hope was really that God would take over my body and finish the race for me. Sadly, that never actually happened, and my very own strength had to keep propelling my legs forward one step at a time for each and every race. But it always gave me a little bit of hope!
The Psalm writer was certainly not writing these verses as he was running a physical race, but perhaps in a different sense you could say that he was, because life is like a race. There’s a beginning and an ending and in the middle of it we do often get tired of running this race.
Maybe it’s your ministry that’s wearing on you. You’re working day in and day out for the Lord and sharing his precious truths with little children and adults alike, but you struggle to see the impact you’re making, and your efforts often seem in vain. Possibly it’s your life at home. You know that serving your family is an invaluable gift, but there is little thanks and no reprieve from the chores. Or maybe it’s something completely different.
David, the Psalm writer, was also feeling tired and worn down. His life was filled with opposition, enemies, inner personal struggles, and death. Yet he writes our verses for today, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
While my hope was futile that God would take over my body and finish the race for me when my physical strength seemed to be failing, our true hope in the LORD is never futile. As we wait for him, it’s not a waiting that might not ever be fulfilled, rather it’s a waiting similar to a student waiting for his teacher to teach him, or a child waiting for his parent. There’s always fulfillment in our waiting, because our Lord always keeps his promises to us.
Ponder the words of Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This race we call life does not come without help, and actually it comes with someone who already ran the race for us: Jesus. Born into this world to take on sin, death and the devil, he came to make sure our victory was certain at the end of our race. He came to make sure our hope was certain. So now… we find confidence in the love, grace, power, and mercy of our living Lord as we wait for his final victory lap and our eternal life with him! And while we wait, we run on, proclaiming the goodness of God to all who might listen, because we know that our work is never in vain!
Prayer:Lord, our strength when we feel tired and weak, lift us up when we feel that we have nothing left to give, when our ministry at home or our jobs feel too heavy for us to carry. Remind us of the eternal impact you have on all people and what a blessing it is to be a part of your plan. Keep us in your Word that we may always be reminded of the certain victory you have promised us. We wait for you, Jesus. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Living Lord Completely Changes Our Viewpoint – Week of July 1, 2024
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
ECME Devotion July 1, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240701ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
At my wedding the pastor gave a beautiful sermon. It honestly didn’t start so beautifully though. Here’s what happened. We had asked him to preach on Lamentations 3:22-23 and he began his sermon by asking this question, “Who would ever want their wedding verse to come from the book of Lamentations? It’s literally a book about lamenting – sadness!”
Which is true… Thankfully he dug into the text and got to the heart of it all, which is this:
God’s never-ending goodness drowns out everything else and completely changes our viewpoint.
Read the verses from Lamentations 3 with me today, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
In a book of the Bible all about lamenting, why are these beautiful words written? They truly are some of the only beautiful words in Lamentations.
Here’s the back story:
God’s people, the Israelites, his chosen people, had sinned against him again and again even after he had…
• taken them through the wilderness
• defeated their enemies left and right
• fed and nourished them
• given them the promised land
• and made their nation thrive against all odds
And now because of their rebellious acts towards God in spite of the prophet Jeremiah’s warnings, the Babylonians had finally taken them captive.
What now? Is that it, God? That would be something worth lamenting about!
The prophet Jeremiah looks down on the city of Jerusalem, the city of David, the place where the Temple was built, and he has nothing but sorrow. God’s people, the ones Jeremiah had been prophesying to for many years about God’s impending judgment, had been swept away by the Babylonians and taken captive, leaving the city in ruins.
Okay, here it is, here is where the beauty comes in. I know you have been waiting for it:
After much talk of darkness and affliction and wrath… after much lamenting… Jeremiah’s hope arises. It is a hope that could only be rooted in the One, True God… because God is faithful. That’s when he writes our verses for consideration today (Lamentations 2:22-23).
The thing about God is that he never changes. He is not here today and gone tomorrow.
He is not for us one moment and then against us the next.
No, God is always faithful.
And so, after Jeremiah sits and looks upon the ruins that was once the promised land, he remembers! He remembers that over 900 years ago when God promised he would take care of his people, to preserve them, to be with them… he meant it! And he would follow through.
For you and for me, it’s the same! You may be in a time of your life where you feel nothing but sorrow. All might seem lost, broken; you may be captive to Satan’s lies that there is no silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel.
If that is you, look out over your life from the viewpoint Jeremiah took, from God’s viewpoint. See the brokenness and disrepair, see what seems to be in shambles and remember that God is faithful! Have hope because his compassions never fail – they are new every morning. Do not be consumed with grief and sorrow, for great, yes, GREAT is his faithfulness.
The commentator and theologian Charles Spurgeon wrote on the book of Lamentations and phrased it this way, “See where Jeremiah gets his comfort; he seems to say, ‘Bad as my case is, it might have been worse, for I might have been consumed, and I should have been consumed if the Lord’s compassions had failed.’”
Ah, there is the beauty: God’s goodness, God’s faithfulness, God’s compassion. That’s where the beauty always lies.
Because of God’s faithfulness, we have hope. Without God we would fail every time, our life would be in ruin with no hope for tomorrow. Praise God that he is faithful and our view is now always one of hope… true hope in life eternal with Jesus!
Prayer:Dearest Lord, you are faithful. We would be in shambles without you; our viewpoint would always be bleak. But you came to bring hope that lasts! Thank you for your goodness, your compassion, your faithfulness! When life does not seem to be going the way we hoped it would be, remind us that your plan is greater than ours and that you always keep your promises. There is so much beauty in that truth. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Was. Is. Always Will Be – Week of June 24, 2024
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11
ECME Devotion June 24, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240624ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
You have never been alone. There has not been one instant in your life that the Lord has not been with you. When your heart hurt from a strained relationship, the Lord was right there with you. When your brain couldn’t shut off for the night and you laid there in bed with anxious thoughts swirling frantically, he was there. When you cried in your classroom, because you were overwhelmed with the responsibility of training your students, he was right next to you. You have never been alone.
The Lord tells us to trust in him. He tells us to lay all our anxiety at his feet. He tells us to fix our eyes on him. We know we can give all our hardships to him and yet, at times, we still find ourselves to be downcast. We can trust that the Lord has our best interest in mind and yet, we still struggle with worry, doubt, and fear. It can be overwhelming.
It turns out, we are not the only ones that have felt this way. In our reading for today, the Psalmist writes, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior, and my God.” King David is the one who wrote these words. Even this powerful ruler was struggling with feeling downcast, yet he knew that the Lord was the only one who he could put his trust in.
That is the same remedy for our sadness. When you are downcast, go to the Word. When we go to the things of this world for hope and understanding, we will be disappointed repeatedly. We will find ourselves stuck in the vicious cycle of being downcast.
When the Devil tempts us to forget that the Lord is walking right next to us throughout this life, open the Word as your weapon against his lies. Find promise after promise of the one who has gotten us through our hardest days.
The Lord was with us when things were tough. He is with us right now, whether things are going well or not. The Lord promises to be with us tomorrow, the next day, and every single day until we finally walk the streets of heaven with him.
No matter what we are going through remember God and what he does and has done for us. He’s been faithful. He is faithful. He will always be faithful. So, look up. Be downcast no more. You have Jesus.
Prayer:I am trusting you, Lord Jesus;
never let me fall.
I am trusting you forever
and for all. Amen
Christian Worship ‘21 816:6
Question to consider:How has God been faithful in your life? Consider taking a walk or finding some alone time to recall the many ways he has brought you through the hard times and blessed you through them.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Seeds – Week of June 17, 2024
Again [Jesus] said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:30-32
ECME Devotion June 17, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240617ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Are you a good gardener? Maybe you thrive in planting a garden full of greens. Maybe you look at a plant and it dies. Whatever level of skill you have, it is pretty neat to watch what a tiny seed can do.
Teachers, you are planting seeds. There is no doubt that since the beginning of the school year you have seen growth in your students. Sure, physically they have grown. They are taller now, maybe bigger in stature. Most importantly, they have grown spiritually. Day after day of hearing the promises of God. Hours upon hours of singing his praises and praying with fellow classmates. Lessons upon lessons of learning about God’s love through so many Bible stories. You have planted so many seeds and you have no idea how many people have been reached by those seeds. Moms, dads, grandparents, people in Costco hearing your students belting out the song that they have been practicing for church, neighbors that constantly notice the joy that beams from your student hopping off of the bus after school. Breathe easy, because whether you are a good gardener or not, the Holy Spirit is in control of making these seeds grow. He is working in the hearts of each of your students. He is making those tiny seeds into something big and beautiful.
Take a second to imagine monitoring outside recess. This time of year, outside recess is pretty enjoyable. The weather is getting nicer and sometimes you find yourself taking a little bit of extra time outside to enjoy the sun. Imagine watching the eighth graders push the preschoolers on the swings. Both groups of kiddos are smiling and enjoying themselves. There is something just so pure about the moment. It is special to see how the big kids have grown in their faith walk, leadership abilities, and even their love for their schoolmates. It is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
This time of year, there will be many ways in which the big kids are celebrated. There might even be slideshows of how they have grown over the years. For the parents, and maybe even for the teachers, it seems like yesterday that those big kids were the youngest in the school. Oh, how they have grown.
The seeds that have been planted are just outstanding. The Lord has truly blessed your efforts. Hopefully some of your students will consider working in the full-time ministry someday. Perhaps some of them will be leaders in their church in the future. God-willing, they will be faithful in attending worship services and serve their congregations in an abundance of ways.
Keep planting. God is working in each one of your students. He is working in you. Be faithful in your work and praise him for the beautiful things that only he can grow.
Prayer:Dear Holy Spirit, how awesome are your deeds. You take something so little and use it to grow your vast kingdom. Help us to be faithful in our work. Strengthen the faith of our students and keep them close to you all the days of their lives. Amen.
Question to consider:Can you think of a way that each of your students has grown spiritually this year? What about a co-worker? Parents of your students? Yourself? Praise God for the growth that you have seen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y – Week of June 10, 2024
So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:14-15
ECME Devotion June 10, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240610ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Imagine, for a second, that you had a huge scoreboard in your classroom tracking all of your wins and losses of each day. Two students were sharing nicely with each other during recess. WIN! A student threw a tantrum during snack time, because she didn’t get the same amount of goldfish as her neighbor. LOSS! You got through a whole lesson without any major disruptions. WIN! You forgot to send home a time-sensitive note to the parents. LOSS! Wouldn’t it be stressful to keep track? Sure, somedays it would be nice to see the “W’s” rack up, but to see a whole bunch of “L’s” on days that you know very well, that you are losing, would just be discouraging.
Without Jesus, our track record would be devastating. Everyday would be full of disappointment and despair. Thankfully, we get to live our days with Jesus. He has already conquered death and the Devil. We are victorious, through him.
In our reading for today, God is telling the Devil of the permanent punishment that chains him forever. The battle has been fought and God has come out with the “W”. Because of God’s amazing love and grace for us, we get to claim that “W” as our own. We don’t have to go through life feeling overcome by defeat.
Teaching can bring a lot of ups and downs. We are constantly working on training our students up in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6) The Devil, the world, and the sinful flesh, will constantly tempt and battle for defeat. This battle can drag us down and make us feel like our work is in vain but take heart, your work is not in vain. Those battles are meant to draw us closer to God. Our strength is only found in Jesus. What comfort to know that our victory does not depend on us. Our victory is complete. Even in our earthly losses, we can shout our battle cry: V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!
Prayer:Dear Jesus, thank you for sharing your victory with me. Help me to lean on you in the hard times, praise you in the good times, and glorify your name all the days of my life. Amen.
Question to consider:Is someone on your faculty or staff struggling with, what seems to be, a string of losses? Take time to encourage them and remind them of their victory in Jesus.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Step by Step – Week of June 3, 2024
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2
ECME Devotion June 3, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240603ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
My family loves to go hiking. Well, let me change that a bit. My family, besides my youngest daughter, loves to go hiking. She would much rather sit in the car and drive around while looking at the breathtaking scenery, than get out of the car and hike to a peak to actually experience the scenery. Unfortunately, for her, she’s the youngest, so she is obligated to join in on the adventure. She usually makes sure that we take many rests along the way. On our most recent hike, I heard her saying to herself, “Every step gets you closer to the end.” It made me chuckle, but I was proud of her for finding a strategy to get through it.
Are you just getting through? No, I’m not talking about a hike, but rather, this earthly life that you are living. Are you just taking it step by step and waiting for your rest at the end? Maybe you are just trying to get through each day minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour. Maybe you look forward to laying your head down on the pillow each night and dread that beeping sound of the alarm in the morning. It can be difficult to feel fully rested, when our minds are racing and our calendars are full to the brim with activities that cannot be skipped.
In our verse for today, the Psalmist write, “My soul finds rest in God alone.” Exhale and read that again. “My soul finds rest in God alone.” Praise God. It takes the stress out of trying to figure out where we should turn to find rest. Sure, a nap gives us a boost and a nice walk might calm our mind, but rest, spiritual rest, comes from God.
When we feel overwhelmed, we can find rest in our heavenly Father. When we are overcome with anxiety or stress, we can go to his Word and be comforted with God’s promises. When we are tired and consumed with fears and doubts, we can pray to him and know that he hears every single word. When the guilt of sin weighs heavy on our hearts, God’s peace through his forgiveness is ours.
We don’t have to just “get through it”. We have the God of the universe on our side. The Psalmist calls him our “rock” and our “fortress”. There can be so much noise on the outside of that fortress, but we are on the inside, surrounded by him. God is protecting us from the chaos and blessing us with his peace. I hope that makes your shoulders go down. I hope it brings you rest to know that God has won every battle and is surrounding you with his love, grace, and mercy. Step-by-step, day-by-day, he is with you. You will have rest. It will be perfect. Keep going.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, you are my rest. Thank you for being a safe place for me to land when I am tired. Grant me strength to get through each day. Give me joy as I take each step and forgive me when I fail. My hope is in you, alone. Amen.
Question to consider:Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, could you ask a congregation member if they’d be willing to cut or laminate for you? This might be a good way to get to know your congregation members. Can you think of one or two people that you would feel comfortable asking for help?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Unbelievable – Week of May 27, 2024
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
ECME Devotion May 27, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240527ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Can you think of something that has ever amazed you? It could be the breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon or the magnificent number of stars in the Milky Way. Possibly you have attended a Cirque De Soleil show and you have no idea how the performers get their bodies to move that way. Maybe it’s something simpler, like someone completing a Rubik’s cube. Crazier yet, completing one with their eyes closed. A Rubik’s cube can be hard enough to complete with one’s eyes open, let alone the impressive feat of not even using their vision at all!
There are a lot of things in this world that are unbelievable. Our puny minds cannot understand them. Our verses today can seem unbelievable, too. How in the world can sinners like us, belong to a heavenly Father that sacrificed his Son, Jesus, to die and take away our sins? How in the world can God the Spirit be dwelling in us and testifying that we are God’s own children? It’s amazing. Unbelievable!
Thank the Lord it’s also 100% true. Although we are completely unworthy, God wants us. We don’t have to understand how it’s possible. God says it’s true and we can believe him. In the reading for today and surrounding verses, he says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Unbelievable!
As you look at your class this week, take a second to think of all of you as the family of God. A group full of sinful people who fall short each day and yet are a group of people that God calls his heirs. He wants us. We are his. Rejoice with your students that we belong!
To add the incredibleness of it all, one day we will join our Father in heaven. Our short time here on earth, with all its ups and downs, can’t even compare to the unimaginable length of glory we will share with him someday.
It’s unbelievable. It’s true. Thank you, Jesus!
Prayer:Triune God, you are unbelievable. Your love for me is overwhelming and I am forever grateful that you shower it over me each day. Spirit, strengthen my faith. Help me never forget the unbelievable blessing it is to be yours. Amen.
Question to consider:Who do you know that could use the reminder that they are wanted and chosen by God? Encourage someone this week by telling them the unbelievable truth of God’s love.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Busy – Week of May 20, 2024
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
1 John 15:26-27
ECME Devotion May 20, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240520ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Are you busy? May is usually a very busy month for teachers. There are so many end-of-the-year activities going on. It’s possible that you are preparing your students for a play, concert, or maybe even a preschool graduation. May is busy. You are probably finishing up fourth quarter report cards and making sure that everyone takes all their supplies home with them on the last day. God be with you in all of those preparations. May is busy, and then it’s gone. Quiet. Finally, a time to take a breath and reflect.
In our reading today, Jesus was busy. He was busy preparing the disciples for his departure into heaven. He was busy encouraging them to remain in him. He was busy commanding them to love each other and keep his commands.
Jesus had to go away, but he would be with them again, eventually, forever in heaven. Jesus had to leave, but the Spirit would dwell in them, and therefore, they would never be without him.
In verse 27 of our Bible reading for today, Jesus tells his disciples, “And you must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
Read that last part one more time. “from the beginning.” The disciples had been with Jesus, just like your students have been with you since the beginning. You might be leaving each other soon, but the Spirit never leaves them. He is with them and he is with you.
In the busyness of all of your end-of-the-year preparations, remind your students that even though your class will disperse for a time, they’re never alone. Even though they will be saying goodbye to the friendly faces at school and their daily time in the Word with their classmates is coming to an end, they have the Spirit dwelling among them. They can call on him, in Jesus’ name. He is available to them at all times.
Jesus had so many important things to tell his disciples, because he loved them. He knew that the most important thing was to see them in eternity. He wants to see us all there, too.
So yes, you’re busy, but busy doing his work. You are telling the next generation about their Savior! Your planning isn’t in vain. Your students will benefit greatly from your busyness. Their families will benefit greatly from your faithful work and urgency in sending them off with the news that they are never alone. May he bless your work and then may he give you time to rest, regroup, and then be busy doing his work again.
Prayer:Dear Lord, you are the God of all our days. The busy, the mundane, all of them. Slow us down, Lord. Help us be in your Word so that we know where to find rest, rejuvenation, and peace. Thank you for being our safe place and forgive us when we forget to go to you first. Amen.
Question to consider:Are you busy? Take some time to check if you’re too busy. Do you have enough time to unwind? Do you spend time with friends outside of school? Do you spend time in the Word? Ask a friend, family member, or co-worker if you seem too busy. Make sure to take time to rest, so that you have energy to do his work. May God bless you and give you strength in this endeavor.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Power Through Him – Week of May 13, 2024
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:2-5
ECME Devotion May 13, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240513ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Take a second to think of a student that has been struggling with sin lately. Odds are, it didn’t take long for someone to come to mind. Odds are, it didn’t take long for a couple of your students to come to mind. It’s no surprise that this world is full of sin. You turn on the news and it’s all you hear about. Sin is in your home, in your neighborhood, everywhere you go. In fact, you are just as sinful as that student you thought of. We all are. None of us are worthy of God’s love.
What the news won’t tell you, however, is the good news of our salvation through Jesus. That is why it is so important to constantly be in the Word of God. That’s where we find the truth of who we are and more importantly whose we are.
Our resurrection reality is that we will overcome this broken world. Of course, not by anything we do or have done, but completely by what God has already done for us. We are no longer slaves to sin, because Jesus broke every chain through his death and resurrection. Our debt is paid in full.
God says in 1 John 5:3, “In fact this is love for God; to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” So, while we live here on earth, he wants us to show him and others love by living in full obedience of his commands. Think about how much easier your school days would be if everyone lived in harmony with one another and obeyed his commands. Imagine if we were all convicted of our sins right after we committed them, then confessed them to one another so that we could encourage each other to live the way we know he wants us to.
Sin has consequences and God loves you so much that he wants you to avoid the pain and hurt that sin causes. This world is not our home. Earthly pleasures are just that, earthly. Life with Jesus is everlasting. We can bask in that resurrection reality.
As we teach those entrusted to us, pray that they cling to Jesus when temptation gets strong. Remind them that they have the power, through Jesus, to say no to sin. We don’t need to fear this world and sin, because he has already won. Praise God!
Prayer:Heavenly Father, we are weak. We know that our source of strength comes from you to defeat sin and temptation in this world. Strengthen our students to say no to sin. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can be role models for them with how we live our lives. Thank you for being the perfect example for how to live. We love you, Lord. Amen.
Question to consider:Can you think of a gameplan to pray for a specific student that is struggling? Maybe journal about it. Possibly write that student’s name on a couple of post-it notes and put them around your house. Sit in their spot before school and say a prayer for them. Sit in that same spot after school and say a prayer of thanksgiving for how the day went or a prayer for the next day to go a little better. May God bless that student and draw him/her closer to God.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Share It! – Week of May 6, 2024
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:15-17
ECME Devotion May 6, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240506ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Imagine you are sitting around a campfire with a couple of friends. You just enjoyed a lovely evening of conversation when all of a sudden, a few campers from the campsite over, offer you the last of their s’mores supplies. You happily accept their gesture and stay out by the fire a little longer, enjoying all the goodness that s’mores have to offer. What a kind thing for those campers to do. They just freely gave you something so wonderful. You make a mental note to pass on that kind of generosity to others whenever you can.
In our reading today, it says, “This is my command; Love each other.” (John 15:17) And how do we do that? Sure, sharing s’mores is lovely, but earlier in this section from scripture, it says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:9-10)
We love by putting him above all else. We love by building people up with our words, instead of tearing them down. We love by being happy for others, and being content with what we have. We love by cleansing our hearts of hate and loving others as he loves them.
Our resurrection reality showers us with so much love that we don’t deserve. We struggle with loving others throughout each day. Maybe it’s a student that has been giving us trouble, or a parent that isn’t partnering with us as much as we would like. It might even be a co-worker that we just don’t work well with. And yet, we are called to freely love the way that we are freely loved, to shower others with acts of kindness, patience, gentleness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23) People we know. People we don’t know. People that are easy to love. People that are notoriously difficult to love. There are no limits to his love, so there should be no limits to our love for others.
When we fall short, because we constantly will, give thanks to the One who loves perfectly, unconditionally, and constantly. It’s better than a sweet treat. It’s the love of Jesus and it’s ours! Share it.
Prayer:Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us when we fall short in showing love to others. Please help us love like you. Help us to share your love freely and often. Thank you for being our perfect example. Amen.
Question to consider:Write down a few names of people that you want to show love to this week. Be intentional on how to show his love to them. May God bless your efforts.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Living Lord Produces Active Faith – Week of April 29, 2024
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
ECME Devotion April 29, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240429ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
I have a few quotes to share with you today that were spoken or written down by men who walked this earth and were considered by many to be very wise in their time.
“It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.” – Gandhi
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King
These are all great quotes, and the truths behind them all are good to remember as we live out our lives, but here are three more truths about those quotes.
- Each of the men who spoke those quotes have since died.
- None of those quotes contain lifesaving truths.
- Those quotes hold no real power behind them.
I recently ran across the following phrase concerning another wise man who walked this earth: “Jesus is not some wise, dead sage whose advice is contained in dusty books. Jesus lives!”
Now, Jesus is not just a wise man who walked this earth as the aforementioned men were. We know Jesus best as our Savior from sin, God himself! Thankfully we have Jesus’ words in the Bible. His words hold real power and contain lifesaving truth. How incredible is it that God thought to give us his words in one book! Devote yourself to the words written on each page of the Bible. Our verses for today remind us: remain in him and you will bear much fruit!
Those three men, whose quotes I mentioned above, all did what many people from their time might consider wonderful works for others. And they all had various reasons to do those good deeds for their community. But the good works that we do for our friends, relatives, the students in our classrooms, and those we work with – they stem from the faith we have in Jesus! When we help others – we are sharing Jesus’ love!
You probably spoke or heard these words at Easter: “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” Jesus proved his power over sin, death and the devil when he took your sins to the cross with him, buried them in the grave with him, and then rose victorious on that joyful Easter morn! His words from the cross, “It is finished” are more powerful than any words you’ll ever hear or read from wise men who simply walk this earth. Take in Jesus’ words each day; live your faith out of love and thankfulness for what Jesus has done for you; remain in him.
Prayer:You are risen, Lord! The truth of your words has no time limit. Teach me to love to read your words. Refresh me each day with their everlasting truths. Then, guide me to take action by living my faith that those around me may see your goodness also. You are risen indeed! Amen.
Question to consider:Our God lives! Christ rose from the grave and is involved in our everyday life. List a few ways you see Jesus working in your life or the lives of those around you.
God met our biggest need by sending us his Son. There are always needs to be met in our communities and our circle of friends. Think of a few people you know of who have a need that you could help meet. Ask God to help you act on that this week.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Jesus’ Sheep-Folk – Jesus’ Wealth – Week of April 22, 2024
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:14-16
ECME Devotion April 22, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240422ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
If there is one thing in this world people chase, I think we could all agree that it is money. Now, don’t let me lose you here. Maybe you aren’t hoping to win the lottery or looking for the next side-gig or constantly checking your investments to see if they’ve gone up or listing everything you own on Facebook Marketplace. But I think we can all agree that a little more money wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for our lives and more often than not we tend to chase wealth.
Do you know what God chases?
It’s you.
He chases after the sheep of his flock. We humans are just sheep-folk in need of a shepherd to guide us and keep us safe from the evil one trying to steal us from the safety of what the shepherd promises us. So when we wander off, our Good Shepherd chases after us because we are his livelihood, in other words, he lives for us! Just as sheep are the wealth of a shepherd, we are Jesus’ wealth. We mean everything to him!
Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, lives to serve us. Jesus lives to plead for us in front of the Father. Jesus lives to free us from the guilt and shame of our sins. Jesus lives to prepare a place for us in heaven.
The world promises us so much, but the world fails us even more. Wealth in this world promises a life filled with freedom to live how we want, to travel, to eat well, to dress well, to be entertained. But no matter the amount of wealth we have or chase after, it will always leave us feeling empty in one way or another.
But Jesus… our Good Shepherd promises us a wealth that is beyond our comprehension. When we sheep-folk listen to his words, we hear of the freedom that is already ours in Christ, no chasing needed. We hear of the goodness of God who wants nothing more than to be with us forever. We hear of the peace that awaits us in the arms of our Savior. We hear the truth that we are worth more than life itself. Jesus lives for us. We are his wealth!
Prayer:Dear Good Shepherd, you chase after me daily and daily I listen instead to the words of this world. Tune my ears to hear your voice above the rest, to chase after you and be near you each day. Remind me of my worth in you. Remind me of your goodness, peace, and truth that I may tell others about my Good Shepherd too! Amen.
Question to consider:Jesus, our Good Shepherd, chases after us. What is one way you can chase after him today?
When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he proved that we were worth more than anything to him. List a few other ways that Jesus has shown us that we are worth so much to him.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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We Have a Meaningful Message to Share – Week of April 15, 2024
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:5-7
ECME Devotion April 15, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240415ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
You fill the sensory bin with water, put some sponges in it, give the instructions to the kids and let them play. They’re exploring and having fun! When a child puts the sponge in the water, lifts it up from the water and squeezes it… what trickles out of the sponge? Water, right? It would be some sort of absurdity if orange juice or milk was squeezed out of the sponge that only had contact with water, right?
The same is true of a Christian. A Christian is filled up with God’s Word; we take in the message of the gospel, of sins forgiven and the grace given freely to us through Jesus, totally undeserved. We are left in awe and wonder of the love of God, that he would give up his only Son to pay for our sins!
As a Christian filled with God’s love, grace, and forgiveness, nothing but the Gospel can flow out of us!
Unfortunately, this is not always true in our lives. We are filled up with God’s Word on Sunday at church and at our weekly bible study group. Maybe we even top ourselves off with a daily bible reading as a side to our morning coffee. Doing pretty good, aren’t we?
But then we’re also filled up with God’s name haphazardly used in our friend group, the TV show we’re binging that contains just a few scenes every episode of extramarital relationships, the slander of other people in the break room at work. And sooner or later we find anything but the Gospel message being squeezed out of us.
The people we work with or the friends we surround ourselves with don’t see God’s light shining through our words and actions, but rather the things of this world that are not from God. Those people we care so much about don’t hear the life-saving message of the Gospel come out of our mouths, and we miss the opportunity God is placing right in front of us to share his name!
So we pivot! God’s law convicts our hearts. The love of Christ compels us. We are blood bought sons and daughters of the Eternal God himself, heirs to his kingdom, and messengers of his love! The words we proclaimed on Easter morning, “HE IS RISEN INDEED!” become our tagline! Because of Jesus’ resurrection we have already won the battle and are victorious over Satan’s temptations to speak anything but the good news of salvation through Christ alone!
So what is going to squeeze out of your sponge today? May it always be the love of God. May you be filled with the gospel and squeeze it out onto everyone you come in contact with today – the children you teach, the people you work with, the family you serve. You have the most meaningful message to share: He is risen indeed!
Prayer:Fill our hearts today, Risen Savior! Fill us up with your grace and compassion. Convict our hearts when temptation gets the best of us and we fail to share the good news of the gospel with others. The message we have to share is an eternal one that has life-changing truth! Give us strength and eagerness to share this message always. Amen.
Question to consider:
Gossip, slander, sexual immorality, and the misuse of God’s name surround us far too often. Consider a few ways you can stand firm and not fall into temptation. Think of a few ways to fill yourself up with God’s Word instead of those things.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Living Lord Gives Proof and Peace – Week of April 8, 2024
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:9-11
ECME Devotion April 8, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240408ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Who do you want at your side every day of your life? Your answers could vary from a spouse to your children, a parent or grandparent, maybe a faithful coworker turned friend or a friend you’ve been praying for for years. Think of the qualities you hope for in this companion: loyal, trustworthy, faithful, shares your values, believes in you, honest, confident, forgiving, etc. The list could go on.
The presence of a faithful companion is envied and sought after by all people. When we have someone by our side to help us, guide us, keep us grounded, give us the honest truth, and keep us focused on the positive in our lives, we are blessed! It’s easier to make it through the hard times as a team rather than alone.
What hardships are you facing today? A child that challenges your authority? A relative who’s making poor choices? Anxiety that grips your heart at the most inopportune times? A tough financial situation that came out of nowhere? Or it’s possible that you might be thinking your life is going fairly well right now, nothing seems to be getting you down.
Whether you can outrightly name the hardship you’re facing right now or you’re struggling to think of something, one thing is certain: sin infects each of our lives here on earth. Greed slips into our thoughts, jealousy takes over our friendships, hatred ruins relationships, gossip sneaks into our conversations. Whatever it is, sin steals our peace and joy!
That’s why Psalm 16 is so important. We have proof from our living Savior that sin’s grasp on us is broken through Christ alone, who is our constant companion! There is no better companion than Christ. Read the Psalm again. He will never abandon us; he makes known to us the path of life, he fills us with joy and eternal pleasures!
Psalm 16 is a messianic psalm, meaning it refers first of all to the victory Christ won through his resurrection. Secondly, it means that the blessings referred to in this psalm are also ours today, freely given to us through Christ.
As King David penned this psalm, he knew his body would one day meet the grave, but he also knew he could rest assured knowing that because of Christ’s victory over sin he has a companion in the Almighty God for eternity!
Today, trust like David trusted. Christ has already proved it all on that joyful Easter day. In the midst of hardship, we have peace and joy in his presence forever!
Prayer:Jesus, you are my constant companion. Your friendship gives peace like none other because you have already conquered sin, death and the devil for me! In the midst of life’s trials, remind me of my victory in your empty tomb. Be with me, Lord; make known to me the path of life and fill me with the joy of Easter morning each new day! Amen.
Question to consider:
Think back to a hardship that you’ve gone through. How did you see God’s hand in that hardship? Think of a friend who is going through a hard time and share our verse from today with them.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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What Will You Proclaim – Week of April 1, 2024
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
Psalm 118:17
ECME Devotion April 1, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240401ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Do you ever wonder what birds are saying? My children are currently obsessed with watching birds. Anytime a bird flies overhead, it is of utmost importance to my toddler that I respect the command of her finger pointing upward and tilt my head straight up to see the flying creature in the sky, lest I be promptly “cawed” at! Birds make a variety of noises – and often I wonder what they are trying to say. Living in Alaska I wonder: “Are you trying to alert me of an approaching bear or moose? Or are you just giving me the daily bird news for the day? Might you be proclaiming your ardent love to a fellow bird?”
Whatever it may be, the birds are proclaiming something, which to my toddler currently just sounds like “caw!”
What do you proclaim? If a toddler points at you passing by, how would they imitate you? What do the people around you, whether they be children, coworkers, friends, or family members, hear you saying most often?
Often in our days we fall into the trap of proclaiming our frustrations of the day, our worries and complaints. Our grievances come out more frequently than the proclamations of what our almighty and faithful God has done!
Because of what our Lord has done for us, we have life! The ever-present fear of death in this world is squashed by the truth of the Gospel: because of Jesus’ perfect life, death and resurrection the Christian has certain hope that we will live forever with God.
If you check out the surrounding verses from our text today in Psalm 118 you see that it speaks of the greatness of the LORD and the covenants he has kept with his people. These covenants not only applied to God’s people 3000 years ago, but to you today!
What will you proclaim to those who pass you by today? What will they hear you say?
Let it always be that we proclaim what the LORD has done, that we have life instead of death, that the Christian has the certain hope of heaven! Let your words today mirror and proclaim these verses from Psalm 118:
v1: He is good; his love endures forever.
v6: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
v13: The Lord helped me.
v14: The Lord is my strength and my defense.
v16: The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
v27: He has made his light shine on us.
Prayer:Almighty and ever-living LORD, you are good and your love endures forever! It is so easy to fall into Satan’s trap of proclaiming my woes over the wondrous life you have won for me. Remind me that what I say matters and others are listening. Help them to hear me proclaim your faithfulness more than my trials. Help them to listen to me speak of your blessings more than my worries. I am alive in you and will proclaim what you have done! Amen.
Question to consider:
There is a saying that goes: “Actions speak louder than words.” Sometimes what we do says more than anything we actually speak. What are some actions you can take to proclaim Christ to those around you?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Rethinking Real Strength – Week of March 25, 2024
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners…
Hebrews 12:2b-3a
ECME Devotion March 25, 2024
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20240325ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Not many animals hold such wonder for children as the horse. Boys and girls, with little knowledge of the necessary care, dream of having a horse as a pet in their backyard. In reality, a child who comes near a horse can be overwhelmed by its sheer size. The grand strength of its unpredictable movements can be distressing to a nearby child. This is not the plastic animal that moves only with imagination on the bedroom floor! This is a living being with its own greatness that must be respected.
Coming before our God in his Word can have the same effect. When we realize that God moves apart from our own invention, we get but a glimpse of his strength and power. There is no way to wholly appreciate his might. Our God spoke the universe into being just as easily as he held children on his lap and blessed them. He changed water into wine just as effortlessly as he parted the waters of the sea. His might has no limit in both great and small ways. Perhaps the greatest show of God’s strength was when Jesus, true God and true man, set his strength aside. All of heaven belonged to him but he became nothing as a baby, as a boy and finally as a man. On the way to the cross, Jesus gave himself to be bound, his body torn and hanging. He did not stop to hide or find shelter from his Father’s almighty fury. He did not brandish his power. He stayed. He stayed weak and broken. He stayed ashamed. He stayed to take your place and mine, to endure the Father’s wrath meant for us. His weakness was his strength!
A man’s strength gives out at his death. No one walks through a graveyard and comments on the strength of the dead bodies there. But death did not strip Jesus of his strength. In a most unnatural turn of events, Jesus’ weakness stripped death of its strength. After three days, Jesus’ grave was empty! He was alive and rose from the dead! His weakness defeated death and not just his own! Since his death was a credit to each of us, his life will be a credit to each of us as well! We will live in heaven with him forever! Look to Jesus with eyes of faith. His weakness is strength and his strength is yours by faith!
Praise from my heart:
Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find;
Blest be his compassion,
Infinitely kind.
Lift we, then, our voices,
Swell the mighty flood:
Louder still and louder
Praise the precious blood!
Christian Worship 402:2, 6
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Because of Jesus, God looks at us as his daughter, his son, his child. Because of Jesus, we have the promise of heaven. And you get to tell that everyday in the Bible stories, the prayers, the songs, and the simple conversations with children and their families.
The next time you are in worship take a look around. Who could use your kindness, your welcome? Who could use a friendly face that simply says, “I’m glad you’re here."
The storms of life can shake our confidence and test our faith. They can leave us frightened and sometimes feeling helpless. The good news is that Jesus is there in the midst of our storms, walking alongside us.
I really need some coffee. I really need something to eat. I really need a new jacket. We have such a “need” mindset that is often focused on material things in our lives.
May God bless you with the enthusiasm of a young child and their seed cup and even more as you tell and tell and tell about the Savior!
We don’t have to wait to be in heaven with Jesus to enjoy the rest and peace we crave. It’s already ours because of what Jesus has done for us.
The life of a Christian is a daily fight, a battle against Satan. But we don’t fight alone.
He Lives to Pour Out His Spirit – Week of May 29, 2023
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed”, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord”, except by the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:3
ECME Devotion May 29, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230529ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
If you were given a choice, which superpower would you want to have? Would you like to be able to read people’s minds? Would you like to be able to see the future or visit the past? Or would you like to be able to “apparate” from place to place like in the Harry Potter books?
These gifts might be fun to think about, but none of them will really solve our problems of this world. Our biggest problem is sin. We sin every day in many ways, and no “superpower” that we can think of will make that problem go away. We can’t go back in the past and undo our sin. We can’t earn our way by doing good, and we certainly can’t “apparate” to heaven!
But Jesus lived a perfect life—the perfect life that that we cannot live. Jesus never sinned. He never disobeyed God. And then he took all of our sin upon himself, died on the cross, and came back to life. The only way to heaven is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
There is one gift that God has given all of us, and it is powerful! God has given us the gift of God the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus left the disciples, he told them that they would receive this gift that would make them more ready to tell others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts and give them the words to share with others, in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit gives the best spiritual gift ever—faith in Jesus as our Savior. This is a gift that God has given to all believers!
So what can we do with this gift? We can share it with others! We can pray for the right words to say. We can ask God to prepare our hearts to do his work when we tell him we are sorry and regretful of the things that we have done wrong. We humbly ask him to forgive us, and then confidently live a life that reflects this undeserved love that God shows us. We are thankful for this powerful gift that God has given us—the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gives us faith and helps us share the news of Jesus’ life and death with others.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, power divine, dwell within this heart of mine;
Fill me with your heavenly peace, let it grow and still increase.
Holy Spirit, fill my heart, cleanse my life in every part;
Your own temple I would be now and for eternity. Amen.
Christian Worship 21 – 593:4-5
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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He Lives to Give Me Eager Expectation of Glory – Week of May 22, 2023
When [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Luke 24:50-52
ECME Devotion May 22, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230522ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
“I don’t want them to leave”. This is what my daughter says every time that the grandparents come to visit. Except she starts saying it before they arrive. Before the RV even rolls into the driveway, she’s already tearing up knowing that they will have to leave!
When Jesus left the disciples and went up into heaven, it would make sense that they would feel some sadness, a feeling of “homesickness”, that their friend and Savior was leaving them. But the words say that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy”. Joy is more than just “feeling happy”. Joy also means the feeling of comfort and peace that God kept his promise to save us from our sins. The disciples went to Jerusalem, eager to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and to continue their work on earth for Jesus.
Some people assume that Christians are happy all the time. But God does not promise that we will only experience joy and happiness on this earth. In fact, he tells us the opposite—this world is filled with sins and hate, the wrong that we do and the wrong that others do to us. We cannot rid the world of this problem. No amount of “be kind” sweatshirts and “be a nice human” bumper stickers will rid us and the world of this problem.
The good news is, we do not have to fix this, because Jesus already did. Jesus came down as a baby and lived a perfect life in our filthy, sinful world. He took our filthy, sinful thoughts and actions and put them on himself when he died on the cross. He willingly substituted his life for ours, so that we are now made perfect in him.
And now we wait with eagerness and joy that we will be in heaven after this life. Like the disciples, we joyfully continue the work that Jesus wants to do here in our earthly jobs and vocations. We use the gifts that he has given us to bring more people to His Word, the Bible, and ultimately to see him in heaven. We wait for his return with joy and eagerness!
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, joy divine, cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Fill me with your heavenly peace, let it grow and still increase. Amen.
Christian Worship 21 – 593:3
A Question to Consider:
What brings you joy here in this world? How does that feeling of joy compare with the joy you feel knowing that Jesus took your sins away and promises the gift of heaven?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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He Lives and Calls Me to Live for Him – Week of May 15, 2023
[Jesus said], “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth.”
John 14: 15-17a
ECME Devotion May 15, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230515ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Quality time is one of my “love languages”. I feel loved when someone puts the phone away and works shoulder-to-shoulder with me. I feel loved when I feel like it is worth someone’s time to do something with me.
Jesus had spent a lot of time with the disciples. He was the perfect example of what quality time looks like. They had experienced so many things together! Now Jesus was preparing them for his own death, where he would die on the cross and reveal his power over sin, death, and the devil by bringing himself back to life.
Jesus had given them everything that they needed while he was on earth. He provided for them physically and spiritually. He gave them the promise that he would prepare heaven for them and come again to bring them there. And now, during his last few days with the disciples, he gives them another gift—the promise that the Holy Spirit would help them. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus wanted the disciples to give quality time to prayer, worship, serving others, and the mission of reaching those that are lost.
Do we give Jesus quality time? Or do we sometimes allow the joys and gifts of the world to be our priority. Do we “put the phone down” to devote time to our Savior, who came down to the earth and suffered, died, and beat the devil for us? Do we look for opportunities to tell others about God’s love and forgiveness? Do we really listen to people so that we can help them not only with their physical and emotional needs, but their need for Jesus?
What does quality time with Jesus look like? Jesus wants us to spend time with him by studying his word. We do that when we read the Bible and go to church. We spend time with Jesus when we surround ourselves with other believers that help us to study and live in God’s Word. We want to do these things out of love for what Jesus has already done for us. Jesus gave the disciples everything they needed, and he does the same for us—he gave us eternal life in heaven through his death, and he gives us the Bible to remind us of all that he has done and continues to do for us. Jesus lives and calls me to live for him!
Prayer:Holy Spirit, light divine, shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the gloom of night away, turn the darkness into day.
Holy Spirit, love divine, cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In your mercy pity me, from sin’s bondage set me free. Amen
Christian Worship 21 93: 1-2
A Question to Consider:
The good things that we do will not earn us a place in heaven, but how are our works “evidence” of our faith in Jesus?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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He Lives to Be the Only Way to Heaven – Week of May 8, 2023
[Jesus said], “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14: 1-4
ECME Devotion May 8, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230508ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
We take I-35 South from St. Paul, Minnesota. When we get to Dallas, we hop onto I-45 South and take it all the way to Houston. Then it’s just 1 exit and 4 turns to my childhood home. We have driven this 1,170-mile route so many times that we know exactly where we are going and how we will get there. We know every rest stop that has a playground, hotels with the best breakfasts, and how many miles to the next Bucc-ee’s. We count down the hours and exits until we can be with family again.
Before Jesus left the earth, he brought comfort to the disciples and encouraged them to continue to believe in him. Then he promised them three things: that he was going to prepare a place for them, that they would be together again, and that they already knew how to get there.
The disciples had been through a whirlwind of events! Their friend, Jesus, had shown them that he had power over the world with his miracles and he showed his power over death when he raised children and adults from the dead. Jesus spent days and months teaching the disciples about the sinfulness of their hearts and minds, and also about the mercy and forgiveness that God freely gives. They were just starting to put this all together—and now their friend is leaving them? But Jesus said “I am going there to prepare a place for you.” This place is heaven, where there is no sin, no sadness. And then it gets better! Jesus said “I will come back to take you to be with me”.” His words were very clear—the loss of their friend Jesus would only be temporary.
Hadn’t Jesus proved that he could be trusted and believed? Do you trust and believe these words? Sometimes we get stuck going around in circles in this world, trying to figure out how we can make it better. We think “if I just work harder, or read enough self-help books, or find the right support group, I can make things better”.” But the truth is, we can’t solve the problem of sin—not without Jesus.
And then Jesus said “You know the way”. Jesus had been showing them the way for the three years he lived with them. But, if there was any doubt, his very next words were “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is the way! We can live our lives knowing where we are going and how to get there.
Prayer:Thank you for giving us the comfort that we know where we are going and how to get there. Forgive me for sometimes looking to the world for answers instead of turning to you and your word. Help me to continue staying firm in your word, confident that you will bring me to the place that you have prepared for me. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Think of a route that you know really well. How confident are you that you can get there without a GPS? Consider the “route” to heaven– Jesus. What words can you use to confidently tell someone else about the way to heaven?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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He Lives to Be My Good Shepherd – Week of May 1, 2023
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness: “By his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2: 24-25
ECME Devotion May 1, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230501ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
We had just finished reading a picture book when a child jumped up abruptly and shouted “Hey wait a minute! Teacher!” He slowly scanned the room. “Teacher, where is your bed?” I was at school before he arrived in the morning and worked long after he left, so he just assumed that I lived and slept there.
Preschool teachers do not sleep at school, but shepherds DID sleep with their sheep. Shepherds needed to be always available, instantly ready to protect their sheep. They needed to lead them to water, counting them as they moved and retrieving any that had wandered off. The shepherd often slept right in the entry of the fold so that he would be alerted before predators could get to the sheep.
We see Jesus as our shepherd. Jesus provides for us and protects us. And oh, how we wander off. We wander off from our shepherd when we use our words to hurt our spouse, co-worker, or neighbor. We wander from our shepherd when we gossip or seek revenge or damage someone’s reputation. We wander off when we do not take words and actions in the kindest possible way. Or instead of clinging to our shepherd, we often think the treasures of this world will provide adequate comfort and joy. We are “like sheep going astray”.
Jesus took all of our sins to the cross. He suffered on the cross “so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” This means that, because Jesus took our sins upon himself, he has rescued us from our eternal death and he wants us to live lives that show that we love him. This does not mean that we can earn our place in heaven by doing good on earth. Rather, God wants us to grow in faith and understanding of God’s word, which will help us to live a life of service to him.
And Jesus never sleeps! Jesus is our shepherd, and he rejoices when each of his sheep are found again. He is our shepherd and “overseer,” the one who will bring us safely to heaven to live with him.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, Thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Thank you for protecting me from the dangers of this world. Thank you for bringing me back to you when I read and study your word, and thank you for the promise that you will bring me safely to heaven. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Think about what it must be like to be a shepherd. In what ways has God taken care of you as a shepherd would care for his sheep?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Where is Your Hope? – Week of April 24, 2023
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:21
ECME Devotion April 24, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230424ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
A child is hoping mom is going to pick-up him up after school, and dad comes instead. A parent hopes her child is going to have a good day at school and then hears she got into a disagreement and pushed a friend. You hope that parent meeting after-school will go smoothly, only to have it end with more questions than answers. In this world, it’s easy to be disappointed, to be let down, to be worn out, to be disillusioned when things don’t go as we expect or as we want. It’s easy for our hope to be broken.
And, too often, we place our hope, our expectations, in the wrong things – money, friends and family, possessions, vacation days, a new job opportunity. While all of those things are wonderful blessings from God, there is no certainty in them. They cannot assure us of happiness, of contentment, or of peace, and when we put our hope in earthly things, we are bound to be disappointed.
After his death on the cross, Jesus’ disciples were feeling disappointment and loss. They had thought Jesus had come to make their life under Roman rule better. They had hoped Jesus was going to give them earthly freedom and victory. And then, Jesus was dead, and along with it, their hope … until Jesus rose from the dead and their hope was restored! Jesus hadn’t come to merely solve a temporary earthly problem, he had come to forgive sin, to end guilt, to destroy death. His resurrection proved that he had succeeded, that sin and death were defeated.
And what was true for his disciples then remains true for us today. In Jesus, we have a sure and certain hope. We have peace with God. We have full and free forgiveness. We have a heavenly home to look forward to. God doesn’t promise us we’ll be wealthy or free from illness or have an easy life. He promises something much better – life with him – and because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can be absolutely certain that nothing, not even death, can take that away. He is the one thing we can place our hope in without fear of disappointment.
We can confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. We can trust God’s plans and timing for our lives. We can thank God for his blessings. We can dig into his Word and cling to his promises to us. We can live in peace despite the earthly obstacles that stand in front of us. We can expect that God will meet all our needs in the way he knows is best. We can look ahead in hope to our eternal home in heaven. May God remind you of his love and restore your hope this Easter season!
Prayer:Dear Jesus, thank you. Thank you for giving your life in my place to assure me of forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. In your resurrection, I have a sure and certain hope and trust your plans for my life. Help me to be encouraged by your Word and share this resurrection hope with those around me. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
What would it look like for you to live with “hope” this week – hope in God and his promises?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Proof Positive – He Lives! – Week of April 17, 2023
Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
ECME Devotion April 17, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230417ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Do you ever marvel how trusting young children can be at times? You give them an answer about how something works, and they take your word for it. You assure them that God loves them the most and will never leave them, and they believe it whole-heartedly. It can be harder for us as adults to trust things without seeing or hearing or doing for ourselves; it can be easy for doubt to creep into our lives.
Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, had the same problem after the resurrection. Jesus had appeared to his disciples after he rose from the dead, but Thomas wasn’t there. When he heard about it, he just couldn’t believe it – not without seeing for himself. A week later, Thomas got his chance; Jesus appeared again to his disciples, and Thomas got to see him with his own eyes and touch him in the flesh. There was no doubt – this was Jesus, true God and true man, risen from the dead!
Though we can’t see Jesus this side of heaven, we can be just as sure that Jesus is alive, that he rose from the dead and paid for our sins in full with his death and resurrection. In addition to Thomas, the Bible gives several eye-witness accounts to testify that Jesus is alive. As surely as Jesus died on Good Friday, he rose from the dead on Easter morning – no doubt about it. And what a necessary truth that is, for that alone – full forgiveness and new life in Jesus – gives us peace with God.
In and through faith worked by the Holy Spirit, God gives us this blessing of peace. He assures us that our sins can no longer separate us from God, that we can live forgiven and guilt-free, that we have an eternal home to look forward to.
In this life, trials will come. Doubt will find its way into our lives. We’ll forget to fully rely on God. We’ll get disheartened and disappointed. But regardless of the circumstances, when our faith is in Jesus, nothing can take away our peace and our inheritance in heaven. So keep telling your students that Jesus loves them and Jesus forgives them. Tell yourself, too. And let God tell you in his Word. Jesus lives for them. Jesus lives for you!
Prayer:Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times I doubt your Word and your promises to me. Thank you for assuring me of your resurrection from the dead and giving me peace and joy in you. Help me proclaim that peace to those around me, confident that you died and rose on my behalf. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
What do you have a hard time believing? Take those doubts and concerns to God in prayer. Spend time letting God speak to you in his Word. Consider using Christian music to help you express your worries and be reminded of who God is and what he has done for you.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Jesus Delivers – Even from Death! – Week of April 10, 2023
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
ECME Devotion April 10, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230410ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
What are you afraid of? Your students may share fears about the dark, a scary storm, that monster under the bed, being alone, or a bad dream, but what about you? Not being able to balance all your responsibilities? A looming decision about what’s next in life? A raging illness in you or someone you love? Having enough – money, time, answers for those around you? Death?
Like Jesus’ disciples in the days surrounding his death on the cross, we can live with fear even once we know who Jesus is and what he has done. Jesus came to perfectly obey God’s law where we could not and to die the death for sin that we deserved. Our sin separates us from God, and on our own, we have no way to remedy that. But, thanks be to God! He provides deliverance from sin and death for us in Jesus. Jesus, who not only died to pay the punishment for our sins, but then rose victorious over sin and death on Easter morning.
Through faith, we have Jesus’ victory as our own! In him, we are delivered from sin, from death, from hell, from guilt, from fear. In Jesus, as our text shares, we can “trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). Jesus’ resurrection is proof of that!
Where sin, regret, and mistakes try to weigh you down, Jesus says they are paid for, they have no claim over you anymore. Where the circumstances of this life lead to worry or exhaustion, Jesus says, “I am your strength and your deliverance.” Where sickness and death cause fear and alarm, Jesus says, “Look to me. Trust me. Because since I live, you also will live – eternally with me in heaven.”
Only Jesus has the answer to death, and don’t we long for that? To know what comes next, to know that this sin-filled world isn’t it. Don’t we long for peace, for belonging, for love, for forgiveness, for life? In Jesus, and him alone, we have it – all of it. Because of Jesus’ sure and certain resurrection, we can have hope, joy, and contentment despite the fears and concerns that creep into our lives. And, we can share that message of hope and deliverance with those around us – in and out of the classroom. Jesus’ resurrection literally changes everything! May it change the way you think and live today!
Prayer:Dear Jesus, you reign over sin and death. Thank you for taking my punishment for sin upon yourself and for rising victorious from the grave. What a reason to celebrate I have this Easter! Help me to live in the peace and forgiveness you freely offer as I look ahead to eternal life in heaven with you. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Reread or memorize the text for today, Isaiah 12:2. Consider posting it somewhere visible in your home or at work. How can that truth change the way you approach this week?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Shout for Joy! – Week of April 3, 2023
Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
ECME Devotion April 3, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230403ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Shouts of frustration. Shouts of surprise. Shouts of anger. Shouts of joy. Shouts of cheering one another on. You’ve probably experienced all of these in your classroom at some point, maybe even all on the same day. Young children often share their emotions in big ways. When they’re really upset or really excited, they often don’t hold back.
In our text, we read about shouts of great joy and are called to join in that refrain – a refrain to welcome a king. At just the right time, God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world, keeping a promise first made in the Garden of Eden. Jesus came to live as our substitute, true God and true man, to obey God’s law and pay the price for the world’s sin. This passage points to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as he prepares to sacrifice his life on the cross as that ultimate payment for sin. We can shout for joy that God keeps his promises, that Jesus came to be perfectly righteous – perfectly holy – where we could not be.
But, this passage also points us ahead to another celebration. Jesus, who died for sin, is alive. He is coming back to take us home to be with him, and what an occasion that will be! Jesus, our King, will arrive in splendor, proclaiming his victory over sin, death, and the devil. No longer will he appear meek and lowly, riding on a donkey. This is a king who rules eternally. We can shout in confidence that our God reigns, that our future is sure and secure.
And did you catch it? “See, your king comes to you.” This is not just some ordinary king for the masses; this is your king. And your family’s king. And your students’ king. And the world’s king. And yet, your king. A king who knows and loves you, who is great and powerful, who is gentle and good. That doesn’t mean that things always go the way we want or the way we think they should. That doesn’t mean we always understand God’s timing or provision. That doesn’t mean that the shouts of anger and frustration completely go away. But through it all, the ups and downs of each day, each week, each year, we can rejoice. So, look ahead. Look to Jesus. Shout for joy. Don’t hold back. Your King comes.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, what an amazing king you are. You paid the price for my sin and have given me that victory. Help me to praise you as my king and to look ahead in joy knowing that my future is secure in you. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
How does knowing Jesus bring you joy? What would help you keep that reason for joy in front of you through the ups and downs of the week ahead?
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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If Only… – Week of March 27, 2023
Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The ones who believe in me will live, even though they die.”
John 11:25
ECME Devotion March 27, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230327ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
“If only.” I would imagine that every person has thought this at least once and probably many times. “If only it wasn’t raining.” “If only I could pay off this one bill.” “If only I knew. I would have done or said things differently.” “If only I had someone I could count on.”
We all have our own “if onlys”. We think that if that one thing didn’t exist or could be solved, our lives would be fine, and we would be at peace. Worry wouldn’t keep us up at night and stress wouldn’t fill our days. “If only…”
In our Bible verses for today, Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus had died. Jesus is coming to see Mary and Martha. As they see him coming Martha goes out to greet him. In verse 21 we read that Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When we read those words, we can almost hear the heartbreak in her words. Her next sentence expresses her faith. “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” When Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, her words of faith are heard. “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” These words reflect confidence in Jesus the Savior. Even more importantly, they remind us who Jesus is—God’s Son and what he can do. Jesus is all powerful and even has power over life and death. Jesus responds to Martha with the words of comfort and assurance only he can share, “I am the resurrection and the life. The ones who believe in me will live, even though they die.”
Martha is grieving one of the closest people to her. Her sister Mary is as well. We are told that when Jesus saw Mary and those around her weeping, he also wept. Jesus, our Savior, our brother knows Mary and Martha’s grief and knows the same about us. His words to Martha and then to Mary and the miracle he does in raising Lazarus are incredible sources comfort and encouragement for us. Jesus cares deeply for each of us and knows our sorrows and our struggles. He came to earth and lived a perfect life to cover every one of our imperfections. He showed Mary and Martha and all of us that while death is a painful reminder and a result of a sin-filled world, he has power over life and death. Our Savior who has that power and who loves us so deeply, is always with us. We can believe and trust his words and his promises. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. For those who believe in him, the promise of heaven is already kept.
This side of heaven, the struggles continue. The challenges that come as a result of a sin-filled world are always with us. But our Savior, Jesus, is also with us. He promises to be with us in all of our “if onlys”. He kept his promise to be our Savior. Our sins, the worst of our “if onlys”, have been taken care of. We are forgiven. We can face our struggles with confidence knowing we are not alone. We have a dear friend in Jesus who will be with us through it all. “If only we had a Savior?” Done! Jesus is yours and he is mine.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, thank you for all you have done in keeping your promises to be our Savior and to be with us in all things. Help us to remember your powerful loving presence in everything we face—even the sorrow of death. Amen
A Hymn to Consider:
Consider using the following hymn to reflect more on today’s message. Sing it or simply read it.
CW21 502 Children of the Heavenly Father
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Light for the World – Week of March 20, 2023
For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8
ECME Devotion March 20, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230320ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
When I was a child, our basement had a section that I rarely entered. I don’t think it had a light. If it did, I’m certain I would have turned it on. It was dark and damp. The only reason to go in there was potatoes were stored there. So, it’s dark, it’s damp, and the potatoes have every opportunity to start growing sprouts. It’s dark, it’s damp, and I’m sticking my hand into a basket with creepy tentacles growing off the potatoes. I really dreaded that room. I couldn’t wait to get what I needed and scamper up the steps (likely panting a bit.) The light at the top of the stairs was a welcome sight!
This side of heaven, life can be like that corner of our basement. It can feel like the darkness is all around us. I think of so many people who are without the comfort and peace that comes from knowing about Jesus, their Savior. As they struggle with life, they have need for God’s grace and may not know it. They work to find peace and happiness only to come up short time after time. Or they think that life can’t get any better than its current allotment of joys and sorrows. For some, they hear the message of God’s grace and it’s as if a light comes on. They have a totally new perspective on life knowing how dearly they are loved by Jesus, their Savior.
For believers, difficult things seem to come from all directions as well. Sometimes the struggles are with relationships and the impact of Satan’s cunning. We hear about challenges in our cities, in our country, all over the world. Peace, craved by all, can seem unattainable. The worst of the darkness is our constant, relentless battle against sin. It’s part of every day. The impact of sin and the guilt that we carry can be overwhelming. The world can feel like someone shut off the lights and we’re stuck in the basement.
Jesus. There he is. He is our Light. A Light so much better than the light at the top of my childhood stairs. He’s the Light that is never turned off. He is the Light that brings us, through faith, out of the darkness of sin. As that Light, he shows us the grace he has won for us. We have the Light but notice what the passage says, “Now you are light in the Lord.” Because of all that God has done for us, we reflect his Light, his grace, his love for others. God doesn’t say, “Now go try hard to be the light.” He says, “You are light.” As God’s dearly loved children, we are lights to others since Jesus’ light shines through us.
Jesus is your Light. He has done everything needed to remove your sin and be the Light to show us the way to heaven. Today, as you go about your daily tasks, you can reflect that Light out of gratitude for all that Jesus has done. Your joy, your loving care for others, your forgiving heart all reflect Jesus, the Light of the world to those around us. “This little light of mine—I’m gonna let it shine!”
Prayer:Dear Jesus, I need your Light of forgiveness and grace every day. All those around me do as well. Help me to be a light to others, reflecting your love and grace for them. It’s in your name I pray. Amen.
A Hymn to Consider:
Consider using the following hymn to reflect more on today’s message. Sing it or simply read it.
CW21 – 713 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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While We Were Still Sinners – Week of March 13, 2023
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
ECME Devotion March 13, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230313ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
If you knew that someone really important was coming to your house, it’s very likely that you would get to work. You’d want the house to be spotless. You would carefully consider your outfit and be sure you were freshly showered with hair just so. What you wore to clean out the gardens will not work for this guest. You put on an air of togetherness. In your heart, you know it’s a façade. But for the short time the visitor is at your house, the game is on.
Today’s verse is another one of those that is completely upside down by our thinking. “While we were still sinners.” If Jesus were that guest coming to your home, (which he does every day without ringing a doorbell.), you would likely take all that cleaning and all that personal prep to the extreme. “I don’t want him to see me like this!”, you might think. And then there he is…early. Your house is still a mess, your hair looks like you’ve never met a comb, and you’re still wearing the grubs that are saved for cleaning. But your concern goes deeper. You know your heart and you know your sin. You know that there isn’t enough cleaning to get rid of the sin and guilt you carry. You are not at all ready. But Jesus is. And there he is, at your door, smiling with open arms.
That’s us. “While we were still sinners.” That’s us each and every day. We’ll never have a day where sin doesn’t impact our lives. Out of gratitude for all God has done, we try. We work at being kinder, more patient, more generous, more reflective of his grace. And every day we could make an embarrassing list of ways we fall short. And that’s only the things we remember. It makes no sense that Jesus would love us. And yet, not only does he love us, “Christ died for us.” What God sees when he looks at us is hard to imagine because what he sees, because of Jesus, is perfection. He sees you and I as redeemed (bought back) children of his. He didn’t wait for us to “get it right” or “to do better.” Nope. “While we were still sinners.” That kind of love for us is hard to grasp but it’s true. His love is only dependent on him and not dependent on anything we might try to do. He chose to demonstrate his love by his death on the cross. His death was much more than a tragic event. It was the day that God’s Son, Jesus, took all the sins of all the world on himself and paid for all that unimaginable guilt by his death.
So, what do we do now? We can begin with a thankful heart that recognizes that you and I bring nothing of value to God and yet he treasures us as his own dear children. We can continue to grow in faith by being in the Word. We can seek to reflect and share God’s grace to others out of gratitude for what he has done for us. “God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Thank you, Lord.
Prayer:Dear heavenly Father, it’s hard to put into words the gratitude I have for what you have done for me. Thank you for your love, your forgiveness, your grace, your Son Jesus, my Savior. Amen
A Hymn to Consider:
Consider using the following hymn to reflect more on today’s message. Sing it or simply read it.
Christian Worship 21 913 Come Away from Rush and Hurry
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Gift for the World – Week of March 6, 2023
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17
ECME Devotion March 6, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230306ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
There is a classic children’s picture book by Margaret Wise Brown called, *The Runaway Bunny. In the story, the little bunny tells his mother he wants to run away. Like any mother, she tells him she would run after him. His response? He will become a fish to escape. She responds that she will become a fisherman and catch him. The story goes on with the little bunny describing himself turning into a rock, a crocus hidden in the garden, a bird, a sailboat and on and on. Each time the mother responds with the lengths she will go to for her son. In the end, he concedes and finds himself snug in her care.
We are often like that little bunny in our relationship with our heavenly Father. We work so hard at doing things on our own. We constantly strive for what we want or even what we think we need. Challenges come and we address them with attempt after attempt at solving them on our own. We struggle with our disappoint over things in our life and especially over our own sin. Our wants often supersede what we truly need—God’s redeeming grace. It’s good to work hard at life, but not without also depending on God’s power and promises.
Today’s Bible verse is one that is known all over the world. You see it referenced on signs at a sporting event or on bumper stickers. It can become so familiar that we can miss the amazing message. “For God so loved the world….” God loved the world so much. Think about that. We don’t really have a lovable world. The evidence of sin is not hard to see all around us. When we reflect on ourselves, the perfection that God demands of us is nowhere to be seen. We can hardly put a foot on the floor in the morning without sin rearing its ugly head. And yet… God “gave his one and only son.” Why? A love that is beyond our comprehension. A love that makes no earthly sense. A love that is utterly undeserved and yet fully and freely given. God’s amazing love for his creation, for us. His love that sent his son, Jesus, “to save the world through him.” This is the message of John 3:16. God’s incomparable love to save those who can never save themselves from the grip and consequences of sin.
The mother bunny was relentless in her love for her little one. The love of parents for their children can be exceptional. None of this compares with God’s love for you, for me, for all. His love that sent Jesus because he wants us to believe in him, to trust in him, to know that he is all we need. His desire is for us to be with him at home in heaven. God so loved the world. God so loved you.
Prayer:Dear heavenly Father, there is so much that I think I need or want. Remind me that my greatest need was met by you when you sent Jesus as my Savior. Forgive me when I stray and keep me always close to you. It’s in your name I pray. Amen
A Hymn to Consider: For further meditation on John 3:16, reflect on the following hymn.
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
Christian Worship 21 523
*Brown, M W (1942). The runaway bunny. Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York, NY.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Champion for the Defeated – Week of February 27, 2023
Jesus said to [the devil], “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4:10-11
ECME Devotion February 27, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230227ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
My son has been struggling with lying lately. It’s heartbreaking. A situation occurred recently where I wanted to believe him so badly, but my trust in him was so weak that I just couldn’t do it. His feelings were so hurt, and my heart just broke. It’s a character flaw and we are working very hard to correct it.
This same son is the one that prays so freely and openly. He’s aware of his shortcomings, and he prays, fervently, for the Lord to change his ways. The same son that breaks my heart with his lies, is an example for me when it comes to his trust in the only One who can give him the help that he needs to fix it.
Our students, while young, are not immune to the struggle of sin. They are tempted, daily, to turn from God. It’s important to take these sins seriously. One of our jobs as Christian educators is to help our students recognize these sins and take them to the Lord for forgiveness and strength to turn from them.
While lying might not be my struggle, I could list several other sins that are. I bet you could too.
Without God, we are defeated. But friends, we are not without God.
When we feel like we have lost and that the temptation is too great, remember that we have Jesus on our side. He has already won the battle. Nothing, no temptation is too hard for him. In fact, he’s been in the same situation before. Yet unlike us, he never once stumbled or gave in to temptation. He was everything we are not and cannot be. His sin-free life was lived so that he could die as a sacrifice to pay for our sins.
That same Savior from the consequences of our sins also shows us how we too can face temptation. With his empowering forgiveness, sin no longer rules over us. We too can say “No. Away from me, Satan!” We can use that same command and know that we are not alone in the struggle.
My son does not need to battle his sin alone. Your students do not need to feel like their struggle is too great. Help them be aware of their sin and then show them their Savior. Lead them to the cross where he defeated the enemy and came out the Champion.
I continually pray for my son to stay in the way of the Lord. I pray he stays close to Jesus all the days of his life. I am sure that you pray that same prayer for your students. Continue to pray that prayer. Sin will constantly be knocking on their door, but they are not alone. The Champion is on their side.
Prayer:Dear Champion, when we are tempted let us come straight to you for strength. Thank you for being our perfect example. Help us be in the Word so that we can be reminded of your strength in our weakness. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
What are some sins that your class is struggling with right now? Take some time to pray for your students and their walk with the Lord.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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With My Own Eyes! – Week of February 20, 2023
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
2 Peter 1:16-17
ECME Devotion February 20, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230220ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
An eye-witness account counts for something. If you are sitting in a courtroom, you better believe that the jury and the judge want to hear from people who saw and heard the crime with their own eyes and ears.
If a group of students come running over to you at recess shouting about something that just happened, you are most likely inclined to want to hear from the people who actually saw what occurred before listening to hearsay.
An eye-witness account counts for something and that is one of the greatest blessings of God’s Word. It is full of eye-witness accounts.
I wish I could have been there for so many parts of the Bible. I mean, just think of the Jericho walls tumbling down, or the sky filled with stars as Abraham looks up at a promise from God, or the mouths of lions shut while Daniel stood right in front of them. To have seen these things, firsthand, would surely have been something to proclaim about.
I suppose one of the most unbelievable sights to see would have been Jesus’ Transfiguration. The definition of the word “Transfiguration” is a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. That is exactly what happened to Jesus “when he led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1
In our verses for today, Peter is explaining that while this sounds unbelievable, it is most certainly true. He saw it happen with his own eyes. How gracious is God to give us a compilation of eye-witnesses to his miracles, his promises given and kept, his holy and perfect life. I wish I would have seen it with my own eyes, but I am grateful that so many others did and were inspired to record what they had seen and heard.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for giving us your Word. Forgive us when we fall out of the habit of being in your Word daily. Put in us a desire to read it and know that it is true. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Make a list of your top five accounts of the Bible that you would have loved to see firsthand.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Love in the Law – Week of February 13, 2023
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Psalm 119:1
ECME Devotion February 13, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230213ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Odds are your classroom is covered in hearts right now. They might be hanging from your ceiling. They are probably scattered throughout your weekly newsletter. Who knows? Maybe you even have them on your classroom windows.
Love is in the air! The hearts are wonderful. The treats are delicious. The parties are fun. This time of year is exciting to celebrate.
When we teach our students about love, we inevitably teach them John 3:16 “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.” and 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us”. There are other “love” passages from the Bible that we might memorize with our class as well, but the verse for today, might not be the first one to come to mind.
“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1.
Sometimes when we think of the law, we don’t always think of it as loving. When we have this mindset, we miss out on the wonderful privileges that are attached with keeping the law. The law keeps us close to God. It keeps us on the straight and narrow path to righteousness.
When we present our classroom rules at the beginning of the year, they are not to frustrate or make things difficult for our students. No, they are to keep things running smoothly, and make our classroom safe, and to allow us to have fun with each other as we learn.
“Walking in the way of the Lord” can be difficult to do, due to our sinful nature, but “blessed are those whose ways are blameless”. The word translated “blameless” here actually means “complete”. The psalmist is talking about a person who is completely dedicated to the Lord, a person who has fully surrendered themselves to God. In that there is great blessing because we know a life of complete surrender is a life that relies totally on God and his mercy.
That mercy of God, given to us in Christ, is what calls us to love as we walk in his ways. His forgiveness moves us past our failures and renews us to take up the call to love. Our complete surrender leads us to call on God for help even as we encourage our students to do the same. For he loves them and he hears their cries to him.
So let’s joyfully take up the task!
Prayer:Dear Lord, help me love you by obeying the laws you have given to me. Help me obey, not in fear or guilt, but out of love. When I fail, shower me with your grace and strengthen me to go back over and over again to your ways. Amen.
A Question to Consider:
Throughout the school year there are many times when you need to reference back to your classroom rules. Next time you do this, consider making the connection of obeying is actually very loving.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Represent – Week of February 6, 2023
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
ECME Devotion February 6, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230206ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
It’s field trip day! The first-aid kit is packed away, the chaperones have arrived, and the excitement of the students is on full display. All you need to do now is go over the expectations for the trip. You might say something like, “Make sure you stay with your adult.” or “Make sure we remember to use our walking feet out to the bus.” One last bit of encouragement that you give your class might sound something like this, “Boys and girls, when we are on our trip, please remember that we represent our school and most importantly God. Make sure to let your light shine.”
I always remember having a sense of pride in my students when we were on field trips. People would ask what school we belonged to and I proudly answered them. Then, inevitably, it would happen. A student would make a less-than-stellar choice and I would have to remind them of that final bit of encouragement I gave right before we left for the trip. I would also have to remind myself that my class was not perfect and my worth as a teacher didn’t depend on their behavior.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
We have been “called out of darkness into his wonderful light.” How incredible is that? We will fail day in, day out, but we are chosen by God and let our light shine because he puts us in that light of this forgiveness and grace.
Encouraging our class to let their light shine is a good thing. Whether they are in the classroom or on a field trip, we can always be encouraging our students to live as the chosen people we are. We are teaching little disciples, little witnesses to shine in their homes, in their neighborhoods, and beyond!
And when they fall short, because they will, give them the assurance of God’s grace. Encourage them to shine brightly again and again, because they are chosen by the One who shines the very brightest.
Prayer:Dear Heavenly Father, please help me live like a chosen child of yours. Help my words and actions reflect the kind of light that you shine. Forgive me when I fall short and give me strength to tackle any temptations that come my way. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Upside-Down – Week of January 30, 2023
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3
ECME Devotion January 30, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230130ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
There’s a building on the campus of UC San Diego that looks completely upside-down. UC San Diego has a highly respected school of engineering. The campus library structure is an inverted pyramid. To the novice like you and me, that building makes no sense. It’s a feat of engineering skill and knowledge. (To see the building, search for UC San Diego Geisel Library. It was named for Theodore Geisel who you may know as Dr. Suess.) For the visitor to campus, it’s a must see.
Today’s short reading is from the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It comes from the section called The Beatitudes. Each of the eight statements begins with the words, “Blessed are…”. The statements continue with words such a poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted. What a mix of ideas! As we consider them, you and I would likely strive to be merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker. Those are qualities that are admired and respected. As we look at other statements, you and I might wonder what is meant.
For today, let’s focus on the first one—poor in spirit. Why would being poor in spirit be a blessing? This phrase is not referencing someone who is like Eeyore. It’s not talking about someone who is constantly walking around dejected and gloomy. The poor in spirit are those who recognize their own weaknesses and sinfulness. They know that on their own, they can do nothing about their sin. No matter how hard one might work, the perfection that God demands is never attainable. God demands one hundred percent perfection. We are able to provide zero. This doesn’t make us blessed, but God’s grace does. In our weakness we realize our desperate need for a Savior. Through faith God gives us the credit for Jesus’ perfection. The peace of forgiveness and the promise of heaven is ours because of Jesus’ perfect life, his death, and his resurrection. What a blessing!
For us, that’s upside-down thinking. The perfect one, Jesus, pays for the sins of the imperfect, ours. We, the poor in spirit sinners, become rich in God’s mercy. We are blessed beyond words. The Beatitudes are words of comfort and encouragement for the Christian. May the Lord continue to bless each of you as you grow in faith and in the knowledge of God’s grace for us.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, so much of what you have done for us and continue to do for us is contrary to the way the world thinks. Help us to grow in faith and in our reliance on you for strength, forgiveness, and encouragement. In our weakness, draw us closer to you. It’s in your name we pray. Amen
Hymn:
Christian Worship 21 562:1 Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.
A Question to Consider: Take a few minutes and read through all The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-11. Consider how each one can be a comfort and encouragement in your walk as God’s blessed child.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Darkness and the Light – Week of January 23, 2023
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2
ECME Devotion January 23, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230123ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Alaska is on my bucket list. Alaska ticks a lot of boxes for me: snow, mountains, lakes. One of the things that fascinates me is the times of the year where the amount of darkness in given day is almost nonexistent. How do you get kids to go to bed and get a good night’s sleep when it’s light out almost all night long? On the other hand, days that are almost completely dark? I would love to experience both. Of the two options, the harder one for me would the time of almost complete darkness. There is something about the dark that can be unsettling even for adults.
Today’s verse talks about people walking in darkness. Imagine an artist’s depiction of that scene. People wandering, looking around in fear and confusion. However, the darkness referred to is far more frightening than a power outage or the darkness of a windowless room. The darkness is life without God. Sin or unbelief are like a blanket of darkness that covers people with despair, hopelessness, fear, or spiritual confusion. It’s that “middle of the night and I cannot sleep” kind of anxiousness but much more.
And then, there it is. A Light! Like the sun rising after a sleepless night, the Light brings hope. Again, the Light in this verse is far more than the sun or a lightbulb. The Light is Jesus. Just a few verses down from today’s reading we hear, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) This is a light that no other light can hold a candle to! It’s Jesus, our Savior who is everything we need. Read through the names again slowly. He’s our Counselor, our Mighty God who rules over everything, our Everlasting Father who loves us with an immeasurable love, and our Prince of Peace. That peace is the peace of knowing our sins are forgiven and the promise of heaven is ours. Jesus is the light that breaks the worst darkness we have and gives the greatest light there is through faith.
I’m not sure if I’ll get that trip to Alaska and experience the days of almost complete darkness. But even thinking about it reminds me that no matter how dark life can seem, how challenging a day can be, we have Jesus. He is our Light, our Counselor, our Peace. Not only do we get to bask in the light of his love and forgiveness for us, we also get to share it with others. May we all reflect that Light each day.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, I know what it’s like to be afraid of the dark. I also know what it’s like to be overwhelmed by the darkness of sin and this world. Thank you for being the Light that came to take away the darkness of sin and for giving me the peace of knowing that you are my Savior. In your name I pray this. Amen
Christian Worship 21 382/ Christian Worship 93 90 The People that in Darkness Sat
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Superheroes and a Lamb – Week of January 16, 2023
When [John] saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God.”
John 1:36
ECME Devotion January 16, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230116ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
One of the things that children love in just about any generation is a hero or superhero. Such people or characters have qualities that can lead to extraordinary acts of heroism. Supernatural strength and superpowers save the day against all odds.
Our reading today talks about Jesus, the one who is above and beyond any superhero we could ever imagine. John the Baptist sees Jesus walking past and says, “Look, the Lamb of God.” But wait. The Lamb? Of all the images in the world, a lamb? That doesn’t sound like a Savior or a superhero. Yes. A lamb.
When we think of a lamb, words like soft, sweet, gentle come to mind. Stuffed animals or a picturesque field with rolling grass and a quiet stream come to mind. If danger crawls into the picture, it’s the shepherd who comes to the rescue, not a mild-mannered lamb.
The lamb had significant meaning for God’s people. In the Old Testament, a lamb was used in sacrifices. The priest would use a lamb that didn’t have any spots or blemishes and sacrifice it on behalf of the sins of the people. The perfect lamb, who had no responsibility for the sins of the people, was offered on behalf of them. God is the one who told the people to do so, and God was pleased with the offering of a lamb. For centuries, this was the custom.
So, when John said to two of his disciples, “Look, the Lamb of God.”, they would have thought of the sacrificed lambs and the promised Messiah. God had promised that one day a Savior would come to take away their sins. Now, here they were, witnessing the promised Lamb. What a stunning moment!
That Lamb is Jesus, our Savior. The gentle, meek one, who without resistance and completely willing took our place. He was the sacrifice that we needed. He lived a perfect life. He lived among us and faced all the trials and temptations that we do. He kept every law of God perfectly. And then, after living that perfect life, he was crucified for us. He truly is the Lamb of God.
Our lives are full of blessings and challenges. Each day we struggle with our sin. We all have guilt with which we wrestle, things that can make us anxious or fearful, discouraged or disappointed. But with hearts of faith, we too can encourage each other to look at the Lamb of God. Our sins are covered by him and our Savior knows and understands our challenges. We can go to him with all our troubles knowing he hears with understanding and is eager to help out of a love for us that is beyond understanding.
Superheroes can be fun. Their amazing feats of bravery and strength make us want to cheer. None can compare with our Lamb of God. Look to him and be reminded of the peace we have with God because of him.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, you are the Lamb of God. It’s overwhelming to take in all that you have done for us. Out of gratitude for your sacrifice for us, help us to point others to you, just as John did. In your name we pray. Amen.
Christian Worship 21 525 The Lamb
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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This is My Son – Week of January 9, 2023
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17
ECME Devotion January 9, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230109ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Names are pretty important. When a child is about to be born, parents can spend countless hours discussing the perfect name for their child. Some name the child as soon as they know the gender. Others want to hold the child before making that final decision. Some names come from a special relative or friend. For others, the meaning of the name makes all the difference. Our last name identifies us as a member of our family.
Jesus, as you may know, was referred to by several names. We most often hear him referred to as Jesus, just as he is in today’s reading. The name Jesus means “The Lord is salvation.” What a perfect name for the Savior of the world. Jesus is also referred to as Jesus Christ. Christ is not meant to imply a last name. The name, Christ, is a title with significant meaning. It means “The Anointed One.” In the Old Testament, pouring liquid (typically oil) over someone’s head signified that they were selected for a special task. Kings were anointed. For example, as a young shepherd, David was anointed to be the next king.
In today’s reading, we hear about Jesus’ baptism. The Bible doesn’t specify how exactly the water was applied but it’s clear that water was used to anoint Jesus. Jesus was sinless and didn’t need baptism for forgiveness. However, his baptism signified that Jesus truly was the promised Savior, anointed as God’s special servant and our Savior. This was confirmed by the voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son.” There was no doubt. God had kept his promise.
So what does that mean for you and me? Jesus’ baptism confirms for us who he was—God’s Son who fulfilled God’s promise to send a Savior for us. We can think of our own baptism as an anointing as well (though not as a king or ruler.) Rather, through baptism the Holy Spirit names us as God’s dear child, washed clean from sin, a member of God’s family for eternity by his grace.
The name your parents chose for you is important. Being named as one of God’s own children is a blessing that is immeasurable. While we may not hear God’s voice speaking in an audible way, God calls us and says, “This is my child, whom I love.” You are now named as his own.
Prayer:Dear Jesus, your baptism marked the beginning of your ministry and identified you as the promised Savior. My baptism marks me as God’s dear child through faith. Thank you for being my Savior. Thank you for the gift of faith through baptism. Help me to reflect that blessing each day in all I do. In your name I pray. Amen
CW21 385 Christ Begins
Listen to the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Choir sing “Christ Begins.”
You can also read an article in the January edition of Forward Magazine that gives more background to this new hymn.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Perfect Timing – Week of January 2, 2023
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman born, under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Galatians 4:4-7
ECME Devotion January 2, 2023
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20230102ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Timing can make a big difference, right? A snowstorm can seem far more beautiful on a day when you were already planning to be home. That item you needed goes on sale just days after you purchase it. You really want to talk to a parent and share something significant about their child and they stop in at the end of the day.
Timing can make a big difference. Back in the Garden of Eden, God promised he would send his Son to be the Savior of the world. From that day forward, God’s people were watching and waiting. Will it be today? This month? This year? In my lifetime? Centuries went by before God determined that “the time had fully come.” While the prophets told about it long before Jesus was born, God’s timing came about in such an unexpected way by our thinking.
First—he was born of an ordinary woman, chosen by God.
Second—our verses for today say that he was “born under the law.” That means that God’s Son, to fulfill the promise God made in the Garden, had to keep every law of God. He had to be living perfectly in tune with God’s will.
Third—Why? Why did God do all this? For you. For me. For countless others. He did this out of love so that we could be adopted as God’s dear child. Being adopted is a big deal. Adopted as God’s child? An immeasurable blessing. Being part of a family is amazing. Being chosen by God to be a member of his family…indescribable!
That blessing includes the peace we have in knowing that we are saved by God’s grace. The promise that we can spend eternity in heaven is fulfilled. Like a son or daughter in an earthly sense, we can’t do anything to make the adoption happen. God’s Spirit fills our hearts with faith and we are heirs with the inheritance being the gift of eternal life with him in heaven. Because of Jesus, we can say, “Abba, Father.” We can go to God, our Father, as his child.
As the ambiance of Christmas begins to fade in the world around you, stop and ponder today’s reading. Through the faith-work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection, you are God’s child, his family. You are dearly loved, bought at a great price in Jesus, and an heir of eternity.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, because of you, I am part of God’s family, one of his beloved children. Thank you for coming to be my Savior. In your name I pray. Amen
CW 21 342/CW 93 40
O Jesus Christ, Your Manger Is
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Best Story Ever Told – Week of December 26, 2022
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
ECME Devotion December 26, 2022
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20221226ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
My favorite part of teaching has always been reading aloud to my students. I love watching their faces as the plot twists or hearing their laughs during a silly story. One year, we even got to watch some of our favorite characters come to life as we had a special “Book Character Dress Up Day”.
Just like my favorite childhood read-alouds, the Old Testament is amazingly filled with many different characters, but truly all of them point to one specific character- Jesus. He is the one common thread that keeps showing up and weaving hope into a people in dire need of saving. These words of hope were all God’s people had as hundreds of years passed with no end of waiting in sight.
Today in John, we see that this Word of prophecy and promise finally becomes flesh. No longer a foreshadowing and not someone playing “dress up”, but Jesus is here—true God and true man come to save us from sin, death, and the devil.
Jesus, God’s only Son, came for us. The wait is over and we finally get to watch the real thing. “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son…” We get to see the incredible story unfold of the baby in the manger, the perfect life, the innocent suffering and death and the glorious resurrection. Sometimes I find myself thinking I’m reading a story and not an actual account in history. It all can seem too big, too extraordinary, too good to be true.
Praise God that it is all true. This Word truly became flesh and came to dwell among us. Jesus came to his people not with fire and brimstone, but “full of grace and truth.” His desire is to save us from our sin and give us the best ending ever written—a perfect home with him for eternity.
On the calendar, it seems that Christmas is over. Maybe you are spending the next week undecorating your classroom and hallways. The songs and recitations are tucked away, and the tree is put back in the attic. But in many ways, Christmas is just beginning. This is one story that never ends. God still dwells among us; therefore, the pages are still being written in our lives and in the lives of our students. Let us continue to grow in our own faith, equip our students for lives of service to our Savior, and never stop telling the best and truest story of all time! He is born—our Savior!
Prayer:Lord, we thank you for the gift of your Word. Help us to cling to its promises, cling to the hope it brings, and cling to the Word that became flesh and made his dwelling among us, Jesus the Savior. Give us opportunities to share this story, your story, and bring grace and truth to those around us. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Just Be Held- Week of December 19, 2022
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive0 and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
ECME Devotion December 19, 2022
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20221219ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
God has always found a way to draw near to his people. Scripture shows us time and time again that God not only wants to reign over us, but he also wants to be close to us. When your whole life revolves around working with kids, it can be easy to forget that you also are a child, a child of God. He loves you as his own son or daughter, because that is exactly what you are to him—his beloved family. Therefore, we see him creating new ways to be “Immanuel”- God with us, just as a father longs to be with his children.
With Adam and Eve, God created a beautiful and perfect garden for his children to enjoy and for him to dwell among them. We see God provide for them and walk with them as his own dear children.
Even after we had fallen into sin, we watch as the Israelites wandered in the desert and God made plans for a tabernacle where the people could draw near to God and God’s glory could dwell among his people.
After the Israelites entered the promised land, God instructed Old Testament believers to make a temple where his children could worship him and God could bring atonement and grace to his people, dwelling among them as Immanuel.
Today, we know that God dwells in our hearts. He comes to us in Word and Sacrament. We worship him together with other believers—all of us, the sons and daughters of our Father in heaven where we know he is preparing yet another place for us to dwell with him perfectly and for eternity.
Here, in Isaiah, we hear of one of the most beautiful ways in which God chose to be “Immanuel”- God with us. Jesus, our Savior, came to earth to be born, live a perfect life, die for our sins, and be raised again. God with us—walking, talking, breathing and living on the same earth as us, experiencing every pain and hardship that we do so he could empathize with us in every way. What great love to leave a perfect home in heaven so God could draw near to us yet again.
You see, God loves you in the same way he loved that baby in Bethlehem that Mary wrapped in cloths and placed in the manger. Over and over again, God has proven this love as he constantly found ways to dwell with you. As Christmas approaches, find time to simply be held by your Father. He is here to save you and one day bring you home. He loves you as his own dear child and longs to be with you, your Immanuel.
Prayer:Dear Heavenly and loving Father, help me designate time this Christmas season to sit in the love and peace you offer. Help me know and believe that you love me as your own dear child. Thank you for sending your Son, my brother, as Immanuel “God with us” to save me from my sin and one day take me home to heaven with you. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Messiah is Worth the Wait – Week of December 12, 2022
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
James 5:7-8
ECME Devotion December 12, 2022
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20221212ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
Did you know that throughout their lifetime, the average person spends five years waiting in lines? That’s a long time to wait! We wait in line at the grocery store, at the gas pump, at a stoplight. We are people that are used to waiting.
Today, God’s Word encourages us to wait for the Lord as farmers wait for the harvest. Why a farmer, you ask? Well, I think we have a lot to learn from farmers and the way in which they wait.
You see, farmers are some of the most patient and skillful “waiters” in society. They are forced to wait for months to see the fruits of their labor. They don’t just sit around and do nothing, but rather they work while they are waiting. They trust in God’s provision while they wait. They don’t give up waiting when times are hard. Farmers have a lot to teach us about waiting.
Sometimes, we want God to go by our own timeline. We can begin to think that he has forgotten us. In truth, there is so much beauty in the wait. God is growing and strengthening us, just as the crops, as we wait for his timeline to be revealed.
God also has work for us to do in the wait. Just as the farmer works the fields in the wait, we also have important work to do as we wait for Jesus’ return. We are spreading the seed and watering the faith of ourselves and those around us while we look for the coming of the Messiah.
While we wait, we can trust that God will provide for us just as he sends rain for the farmer’s crops. Even when times are hard, we need not give up, because we know God’s promises are always true and that he is coming to take us home with him in heaven.
Advent is a time of waiting. As humans, we are used to the wait, but that doesn’t always make it easy. Scripture gives us incredible encouragement today in James. “…be patient, and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” Brother and sisters, find beauty in the wait, work in the wait, trust in the wait. Rest assured that God keeps his promises. The Messiah is coming for us!
Prayer:O Come, O Come Emmanuel
CW21 327:3-4 / CW93 23:3-4
O come, O Dayspring, from on high,
and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav’nly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Have No Fear. Jesus Reigns – Week of December 5, 2022
Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations: in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:12-13
ECME Devotion December 5, 2022
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20221205ECME.mp3
See series: ECME Devotions
I love when Scripture quotes Scripture. Today, we see the Apostle Paul quoting the Prophet Isaiah. Two “heroes of faith” from two very different times in history where it could have seemed as though someone other than God was reigning and ruling on earth. Even so, they passed down encouraging truth to God’s people. They trusted that the Sovereign Lord was in control and that his perfect reign was coming. Do you hear the certainty in their words? “The Root of Jesse WILL spring up, one who WILL arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles WILL hope.” There is no doubt, no “maybe”, but always “will”.
It’s easy to look at the world around us and wonder “Where is the justice?” “Why would God let so many bad things happen?” “Who is really in control here?” We begin to doubt and wonder why Jesus isn’t ruling and reigning in the way we think is best. We make ourselves the judge and often forget to trust in his perfect justice that is coming.
How quickly we are filled with anxiety and fear when we doubt that God is in control. Today, we hear that the exact opposite is what our Savior desires for us. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
Our anxiety and fear are quickly replaced with joy and peace when we place our trust in Jesus. This hope that he promises doesn’t give us just enough hope for today, but enough so that “you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” When our hope overflows, it doesn’t only bless us, but it blesses those around us—our students, our family, our friends. This certain hope of One coming to bring justice and eternal life is for everyone.
In many ways, we are “heroes of faith” just like Paul and Isaiah. Yes, we live in a very different time in history, where it can seem like God is not reigning on the throne. Like those that have gone before us, we can trust that he is indeed in control. We get to spread the good news of what God has done and what God WILL do. Let us be filled by the Holy Spirit so that we can share the joy and peace with the whole world as we wait for Jesus, our Judge, to rule with his perfect justice and bring us home to heaven.
Prayer:O Come, O Come Emmanuel
CW21 327:1-2 / CW93 23:1-2
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Root of Jesse,
free your own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell your people save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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