WELS Daily Devotions: Recent Episodes
WELS: What About Jesus
Find inspiration, comfort and spiritual growth each day in these 5 to 10 minute devotions from God’s Word.
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Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Genesis 8:20-22
Providence Produces PraiseYou can walk into a grocery store in season and out of season and find fresh produce at your disposal. God never ceases to provide. As much trouble as there is in this world, as hard as some days are, as long as some sleepless nights seem, the world keeps turning and the sun rises each morning. God’s gracious providence never ceases. God’s providence means he provides for and sustains his creation. Through his providence, God keeps the world turning, sends rain upon the earth, and makes things grow.
In the days of Noah, God sent rain upon the earth, so much rain that it flooded the entire world, and everything was wiped away. Noah and his family may have wondered what they were going to eat after this devastating flood. But God spoke to that need. First, he spoke to a spiritual need and promised never again would he curse the ground and flood it. One day, he would provide a Savior from sin, and as Noah and his family waited for the Savior, God would provide every other need as well.
Here we are many thousands of years later, and God’s providence for body and soul hasn’t ceased. He kept his promise not to flood the world again. He sent his Son, Jesus, to save the world and give eternal life.
How did Noah respond to God’s promise? He praised the Lord. How can we respond? God’s providence for body and soul produces in a believer a life of praise. For the food that sustains our bodies, and even more for the Savior that fulfills all God’s promises and grants eternal life, we forever praise God whose love never ceases!
Prayer:Lord, I praise you for showering me with every blessing for my body and soul. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”
Genesis 8:13-17
Saved by GodNoah and his family were in the ark for a year and ten days. All this time did not make Noah perfect. In fact, Noah wasn’t saved from the flood because he was perfect at all. He was saved because of God’s grace, mercy, and love. The same is true of you and me. We are only saved because God has shown mercy to us, not because of anything we say or do.
Are we still sinful? Are we still prone to mistakes? Do we still set up other gods, misuse God’s name, fail to worship him, dishonor our parents, hurt, lust, steal, slander, cheat, and covet? Certainly, we do. We are even born sinful. But God has rescued us. He has saved us from the rising flood of our sinfulness with his death on a cross.
Therefore, we strive to obey God’s holy commandments, not because we have to, but because we want to, in thanks for rescuing us from our sins and preserving our lives.
Prayer:My dear God, though I am a sinner, you have been merciful and rescued me through Jesus. Forgive me when I fail to live according to your holy will. Strengthen me to act and speak in ways that demonstrate that I am very thankful for your love. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Take Comfort in God’s LoveIn Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle is responding to troubles among the Christians there. The trouble they faced came in at least three ways: They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. At the very beginning of his letter, Paul addresses this problem and offers encouragement to those persecuted Christians. Then there was the growing problem of the Man of Lawlessness, whom the apostle John calls the antichrist. Paul lays out several ways to identify him and tells the Thessalonians about the troubles he will bring. Finally, Paul turns to a problem inside the congregation—people who had stopped working to idly wait for the Lord’s return. He instructs them to live productive lives until Jesus’ coming on the Last Day.
Through the power of the gospel, God keeps us in the faith and helps us grow in our love for him. He leads us to a deeper understanding of his will and moves us to live according to his Word. Our love for one another grows as we follow Jesus. Amidst the troubles and opposition that we endure, we have peace with God, for we are forgiven sinners. No matter how challenging things get, nothing can separate us from the love and life we have with God through our Savior, Jesus.
Prayer:Heavenly Father, whatever situations I face or troubles I contend with, keep me focused on your love in Jesus and fill me with your peace. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:14
The Gift of GivingKing David of Israel wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God decided that David would not be the one to build it. Instead, his son Solomon would. If David was disappointed, he didn’t let it show. While he wouldn’t build it, that didn’t mean he couldn’t help assemble the materials and donate from his own personal wealth toward it.
And so that’s what David did. He gave generously, and so did his royal officials. This temple would be the most magnificent building in all of Jerusalem and Israel. It took over 175,000 workers seven years to build it. Massive amounts of stone, cedar, gold, and silver were used in its construction. It’s impossible to put a modern-day price tag on the cost of the construction, but the amount of gold and silver used alone would be close to $300 billion.
King David gave generously, and after he made his donation, he prayed to the Lord. He didn’t pray seeking recognition from God for his generosity. He prayed out of thanksgiving because David rightly recognized that all he had given already belonged to the Lord. All the blessings David had received in life came from God. Giving back to God was a privilege.
The temple would bring glory to God’s holy name for generations. King David and the people of Israel were making an investment that would have returns echoing for eternity.
We don’t have a temple to build, but we do have endless opportunities to give back to the Lord. We do that not just with our money, but with our time, talents, and love. Every act of generosity is an investment in God’s Kingdom that can echo into eternity. Our gifts testify to the greatness of God as we remember that all we have comes from him in the first place.
Prayer:Gracious Lord, all that I have comes from your generous hand. Thank you for the blessings of life, but above all, thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Teach me to give joyfully and with thanks that I may use my gifts to bring glory to your name. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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 ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Strength for Your StruggleSometimes a simple compliment can make your entire day. You might even remember a special compliment years later. Words of affirmation and compliments remind us that we’re on the right track. They build confidence and diligence.
Paul gave the believers in Thessalonica one of the most beautiful compliments of all: “Your faith is growing. Your love for one another is increasing.” In fact, Paul was so impressed that he bragged about them in other churches!
But how did Paul know their faith and love were increasing? Not because their lives were getting easier. Quite the opposite. Evidence was found in how they endured suffering. They were insulted, opposed, and persecuted for following Jesus. And yet their faith did not wither; it deepened. Their love for one another did not shrink. Instead, it grew stronger.
That’s not usually how we look for affirmation. We often expect God to show us we’re on the right path by removing obstacles, by giving us smoother roads and brighter days. But Paul points us in a different direction. God affirms and strengthens our faith not by taking trials away, but by using them to root us deeper in his promises.
When life is hard, it doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. It may be the very way he is growing you. Just as muscles are strengthened through weight training, faith is strengthened during trials. And as we lean on God’s promises together, love for one another increases, too. So, take heart: trials don’t mean your faith is failing; they may be the way that God is growing your faith in him.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, when trials come, help me not to doubt your love but to lean on your promises. Use hardships to deepen my trust in you and to grow my love for others. Strengthen me to endure with perseverance and hope. Amen
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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 apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6
Faith Like a SeedAfter hearing Jesus’ commands not to cause others to stumble and to forgive repeatedly, the apostles blurted out, “Increase our faith!” They wanted to obey, but they knew how weak they felt.
Jesus reminded them that the strength of faith doesn’t come from faith itself. A seed, by itself, is just a speck. But planted in rich soil, watered and warmed by the sun, it grows into something far beyond what anyone could imagine.
Faith works the same way. By itself, it’s nothing. But when rooted in God’s promises, nourished by the gospel, and strengthened through forgiveness, faith flourishes. God’s Word and his promises are the “nutrient-rich soil.” The water and sunlight are the gospel’s power and the certainty of sins forgiven. Faith is created and sustained by God, not by us.
And here is the comfort: if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you already have this faith. You trust the promises of God. Even when your faith feels small, the power lies not in your strength but in the Savior who holds you. That’s why Jesus could say a mustard seed of faith is enough. Faith clings to Jesus, and he can do the impossible.
So, when your faith feels weak, don’t look inward for strength. Look upward to Christ. Obey his commands in trust. He isn’t asking you to hurl oak trees into the sea. But by his Spirit, you can forgive. You can walk blamelessly. You can see the quiet but powerful fruits of faith because of what Jesus has done for you. Even mustard-seed faith is enough because it clings to a mighty Savior.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, my faith often feels small and fragile. Thank you for reminding me that even mustard seed faith is enough when it is rooted in you. Nourish me with your promises, strengthen me with your forgiveness, and help me live in joyful trust each day. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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 said] “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Luke 17:3-4
Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenWhen someone repents of a sin, Jesus tells us to forgive freely, fully, and immediately. There’s no probationary period or list of hoops to jump through. There is no time delay until we feel ready. We forgive as God has forgiven us.
But that’s not easy. Our sinful hearts often want to hold on to anger, to demand repayment, or to wait until the other person proves they deserve it. And the world tells us it’s normal, even healthy, to cling to a grudge.
Yet forgiveness is powerful. In 2006, firefighter Matt Swatzell was driving home after a 24-hour shift when he fell asleep at the wheel. He crashed into another car, killing a young mother and her unborn child. Her husband, Erik Fitzgerald, was left to raise their toddler alone while burying his wife and baby.
Erik could have demanded the harshest possible sentence. But instead, he forgave Matt. He even asked the court for a lighter punishment. Erik explained, “You forgive as you’ve been forgiven. It wasn’t an option. If you’ve been forgiven, then you need to extend that forgiveness.”
That act of mercy changed Matt’s life. Crushed with guilt and depression, he found hope in the forgiveness Erik gave. He even began attending church, seeking the God who makes such forgiveness possible.
This is what Jesus calls us to. Not because sin is small, but because God’s grace is bigger. On the cross, Jesus bore every offense we’ve committed. He doesn’t ration forgiveness or make us earn it. He gives it freely, every time we repent.
So, when someone comes to you saying, “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” the response of faith is simple: forgive. Not seven times, not seventy times, but every time. Because that’s how God has forgiven you.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, your forgiveness never runs dry. Thank you for carrying my sins to the cross and canceling every debt I owed. Help me reflect your mercy by forgiving others freely and fully, just as you have forgiven me. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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 said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves.”
Luke 17:1-3
Watch YourselvesThink of a mousetrap: the bait rests on the trigger, and when it’s touched, the bar snaps down. The trap doesn’t just appear; it’s set.
That’s the picture Jesus gives when he speaks about stumbling blocks. In this world, traps are constantly baited. Temptations are set, waiting for someone to take the bait. The results are deadly.
Jesus warns that because we are sinful, our words and actions can become part of the trap. A careless word, a crude joke, or a dishonest shortcut at work can send the message that sin isn’t serious or that Christians are hypocrites. Either way, it lures people closer to danger.
Whether we like it or not, people notice the behavior of Christians. If we live no differently than the world, some may assume Christianity excuses sin. Others may think faith itself is fake. Both conclusions spring the trap, and someone’s trust in God may be crushed.
That’s why Jesus speaks so strongly: “Woe to anyone who causes one of these little ones to stumble. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck.” It’s a shocking image, but it shows how seriously he views leading someone away from faith.
Jesus not only warns us about the danger, he came to rescue us from it. On the cross, he stepped into the snare for us, took the crushing blow of our sin, and freed us. Because of his forgiveness, the trap of guilt has no hold on us.
Now, with his Spirit guiding us, we watch ourselves, not to earn God’s favor, but to live in a way that points others safely to Christ.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, you know how easily I fall into sin and how often my actions can harm others. Forgive me. Guard my words and deeds so that my life points people to you, not away from you. Fill me with your love, so I may encourage others to trust in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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Obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Obey the GospelWhen children are told by their parents to clean the cat’s litter box, they might have a hard time obeying. The litter might stink. They might say that they have better things to do. Yet God tells them to obey their parents. The very word “obey” tends to sound like a duty more than a privilege.
That’s why is sounds strange in our ears to hear the apostle Paul writing that we are to, “Obey the gospel.” The gospel has nothing for us to do. It tells us that Jesus obeyed the law in our place. It tells us that Jesus died for our sins. What is there to obey? The very fulfillment of the gospel declares that we need to do nothing for our salvation.
For many people, this is the most difficult thing: to do nothing for their salvation. It makes them feel that they have no credit, no worth, nothing that gives them the ability to stand before God. They desire to do something to earn God’s favor. In trying, however, they forfeit what Christ has already done for them and, unfortunately, fall under God’s judgment.
We don’t need to do anything for our salvation. It’s all been done for us by Jesus. “Obeying the gospel” is simply clinging to the salvation we have in Christ alone.
God grant you the Holy Spirit to see your sins and your Savior, so that through faith you may “obey the gospel.”
Prayer:Lord, obeying the gospel doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Nor does doing nothing for my own salvation. Yet I know this is exactly how you work. Help me to trust solely on you for my salvation and not depend on what I do. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
Romans 2:12,13
The Law on My HeartGod gave Moses and the Children of Israel the most well-known table of laws ever written. He gave them the Ten Commandments.
Perhaps the reason why the Commandments ring so true is that they were written somewhere else long before they were given to Moses. From the beginning, God has written his law on the hearts of all people.
God’s law is written on your heart. Think about it. You don’t need the Ten Commandments to tell you that murder is wrong, do you? As a child, when I was taking cookies without asking, I tried to hide it. I knew taking something that I shouldn’t have was wrong.
It is helpful that God’s commands are written on our hearts and in the Bible with the Ten Commandments. It makes each of us both aware and accountable for our actions. But knowing the law is only part of the matter. Keeping the law is what no one can do.
When teaching a lesson on the Ten Commandments, Jesus said, “I have not come to abolish God’s law, but to fulfill it.” Jesus knew that no one could keep the law of God perfectly, so he came to do it for us. Through faith in Jesus, we become “righteous in God’s sight.” This was the gospel or “good news” that the apostle Paul came to preach.
So, the next time your conscience is bothering you, know that it is God’s law doing its work on your heart. At that same time, remember Jesus, the one who takes your sin away.
Prayer:Dear Lord, thank you for writing your law on my heart and giving it to me in the Bible. When I have done wrong, point me to Christ where there is forgiveness. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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 is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Psalm 146:6-9
A Life Provided by the LordWhere does the bread on your table come from? Ask a child and they’ll tell you that Mom or Dad bought it at the grocery store, but how did it get there? Someone had to grow it. Someone had to take the crops to be turned into flour. Someone had to bake the bread. Someone had to haul that bread to the store. Someone had to put that bread on the shelves at the store. Parents had to earn money to buy that bread for their family. All kinds of people had a hand in providing you with bread, but where does food ultimately come from?
We could ask similar questions such as: Where does medical care come from? Where do the clothes on our backs, the roof over our heads, the beds where we sleep, the cars that we drive, the technology that we use, and so much more come from?
It’s tempting to think that it all comes from us. We earn the money. We provide for ourselves and our families. We get the care we need, the food we enjoy, the items we purchase out of need, or because we want them. Yet we are not the ultimate source of what we have.
No, the Psalmist points us to the Lord of grace. From him comes all creation, and he provides for our most basic needs. Yet the Lord does so much more. He knows what each of us needs. He knows what’s going on in our lives. He knows what troubles us, and he takes care of us. The Lord watches over us and delivers us not only from the troubles of this life, but for all eternity by saving us from sin and death. What else can we say than “Praise the Lord!”
Prayer:O Lord of grace, I look to you and you sustain me. Shower your love upon me every day. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”
Luke 16:25
A Life of SecurityWe all need it, no matter how old or young we are. We need it no matter how much money we have, where we live, where we work, where we worship, or who is related to us. We all need to feel secure, from little ones hugging their stuffed animals to adults paying for cybersecurity. We all want peace of mind. We don’t want anything to cause us worry, stress, or fear. We want everything set so we can live a worry-free, stress-free, secure life made easier because we have everything we need and so much more. So, we spend all kinds of time, money, and effort to make it happen, yet we can miss the only source of true security.
Jesus told the story of a wealthy man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. The wealthy man didn’t just seem to have money. He served money. He flaunted it. Lazarus, on the other hand, had nothing except the source of true security. He trusted in the true God, his Savior, his Lord, his help and hope.
When both men died, everything reversed. The Lord sent his angels to bring Lazarus to the eternal rest of heaven, while the rich man spent eternity in hell, yearning for even a single drop of water on his tongue.
What is Jesus saying to us here about the security we all seek? First, it’s not about the money or lack thereof. Money is a gift from God, but money can never be the source of our security. Instead, Jesus calls us to look to him. We look to Jesus, who became poor that we might have the eternal wealth of heaven. We look to Jesus, who left behind the feasts of heaven to fill the hungry with good things. We look to Jesus, who saw our foolish pursuits for security in this life and instead sacrificed his own security, even himself, to give his true security for all eternity. In Jesus, we have a life of security.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, like Lazarus, help me to see you as my security for this life and always. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
Psalm 146:3-5
A Life of TrustTrust seems to be in short supply today. It’s easy to be skeptical or cynical rather than assume that you can trust others. Can you trust leaders when they fail to keep their promises? Can you trust institutions when they fail to provide the moral foundation or the expertise we expect? Can you trust businesses when they fail to provide the products or services that they promise to produce? Can you trust other people when they break a relationship or let you down?
What happens when trust is in short supply? Someone or something needs to fill that vacuum, so it’s not unusual for people to rally to a charismatic leader or a popular expert. It shouldn’t surprise us when institutions or groups that have lost our trust demand it back. Even on a personal level, if someone lets us down or breaks a once-strong relationship, we often look for someone to fill that void.
Yet the Psalmist tells us that we shouldn’t go looking for another human being or human institution to restore our missing trust. Even if those people prove to be trustworthy, they will eventually depart this life in death. He writes that, “On that very day their plans come to nothing.”
So, whom can we trust? The Psalmist responds, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.” There is only one person in all of history who deserves our complete trust and never causes us to lose trust—the God of Jacob, the Lord of free and faithful grace who is our Savior-God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. That Savior-God has kept every one of his promises, even to the point of giving up his life to pay for our lack of trust. That Savior-God is our help and hope not just now, but for all eternity. By faith, we trust in him.
Prayer:Lord God, in a skeptical world, I am tempted to trust in others rather than you. Lift my eyes to the cross to see your unfailing love and trust in you alone. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5
A Life of SatisfactionEveryone seeks satisfaction. An infant seeks satisfaction in a full tummy. A child seeks satisfaction in a parent’s approval. A teen seeks satisfaction in the approval of friends. A student seeks satisfaction in achieving good grades, participating in sports, or excelling in performance. Adults, where do we seek satisfaction? Accomplishment? Ability? Accumulation? Perhaps we look for satisfaction in what we consume, whether that’s what we put into our bodies, what we watch, or what we experience. Perhaps, we look for satisfaction in others, whether that’s friends, colleagues, or love interests.
Yet why is it that none of that ever truly satisfies? The baby gets hungry again. The child keeps trying to get her parents’ approval. A teen’s friend groups are constantly shifting. Grades and ability sometimes only go so far. And when we’re adults? Well, it’s tough to find lasting satisfaction in a world that wants you never to be content with what you have.
The writer to the Hebrews urges his readers to “be content with what you have,” but how can any of us have a life of true satisfaction? None of us can possibly find it from within, so we have to look outside of ourselves for the only source of satisfaction. We look to the promises of our God. Our God promises to never leave our side. That same God proves to be our helper who removes our fears. That’s where we find satisfaction.
Fear is really at the heart of everything that robs us of satisfaction, but the Lord is our helper. He is greater than our fears. Jesus proved that in a perfect life of true satisfaction lived in our place, in a death that paid for our lack of satisfaction, and in the ultimate victory over fear—his resurrection from the dead. Jesus is our helper, who will never leave our side and who removes all our fears. For true satisfaction, look to Jesus!
Prayer:O Lord, my helper, remove my fears with your sure promises of your gracious presence and greater grace. Satisfy me with your mercy. Amen.
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
A Worry-Free LifeThe word “free” is an impressively flexible word. We can use “free” to describe something that comes at no cost. We can use “free” to describe political rights, liberties, and freedoms. We can use “free” to describe a person who has a choice. We can use “free” to talk about something having a clear path, a person being on their own, or someone being outspoken. We also use “free” to describe certain foods that are without certain ingredients.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a worry-free life? We are often tempted to think that if we just make this much money or have that amount of money saved up, then we will be free to do whatever we want. Yet there never seems to be enough money for us to be free. We need more to reach that next threshold when we can finally be free. We keep chasing after more, so we never feel free.
Then God tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money…” In a sense, our God is calling us to have a greed-free life. How is that even possible in this greed-filled life? Thankfully, our God issues that command with a promise attached. He calls us back to an ancient promise he made through Moses, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
While this promise was first for the Israelites, Jesus reissued this promise to his New Testament believers— “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus could make that promise because he set us free from the guilt of greed. Because Jesus paid for our greed on the cross, we can be confident that he will provide us with his constant presence. We need not worry about getting more to finally be free. Jesus has already set us free.
Prayer:O Lord, when I am tempted to devote my life to gaining more in the hope that I will finally be free, remind me that you have set me free for all eternity. Remind me that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen.
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“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:5-8
Here Am I. Send Me!
Daily Devotion – February 12, 2025Devotion based on Isaiah 6:5-8
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Isaiah was given an incredible glimpse into the throne room of God. He saw God surrounded by angels—perfect beings created to serve God. These angels had the power and purity to carry out God’s commands flawlessly. Wouldn’t it make sense for God to use these holy creatures to carry his message of forgiveness?
Contrast them with Isaiah. His guilt and sin were magnified in the presence of the Almighty God. He knew that because of his sin, he deserved to die.
Why would God choose someone like Isaiah instead of one of his perfect angels? God delights in using weak, ordinary people to carry out his extraordinary plans. By doing so, he reveals his power and grace, showing it is his work, not ours, that brings about his purposes.
Like Isaiah, we may feel unworthy or unqualified to be God’s messengers. We know our sins, our weaknesses, and our failures. It’s tempting to think, “Wouldn’t an angel do a better job?” But God, in his wisdom, has chosen us. God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.
Isaiah’s cleansing is a powerful reminder of what God does for each of us. The burning coal that touched Isaiah’s lips symbolizes the forgiveness and purification we receive through Jesus. Just as Isaiah was cleansed and made ready to serve, we, too, are forgiven, restored, and equipped to be God’s messengers.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for cleansing me of my sin. Help me show my thanks by sharing what you have done for me. Amen.
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When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:4,5
Because You Say So
Daily Devotion – February 11, 2025Devotion based on Luke 5:4,5
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Imagine a plumber telling an airline pilot how to do his job. Or a stockbroker giving advice to a road worker. That advice is not likely to be received well. Maybe you’ve experienced something similar when someone completely unqualified tried to tell you how to do your job. “Who are you to tell me what to do?”
Jesus, the carpenter, told Simon Peter, the fisherman, how to do his job. It had been a long and frustrating night for Peter. Every time he cast his net into the water, he had come up empty. He let Jesus use his boat as he cleaned his nets and dreamed of a hot meal and a fresh bed.
But then Jesus told Peter to go back out (after just cleaning his nets) and cast in the deep water. Deep water? During the day? This sounds like the advice of a carpenter and not a fisherman. It must have seemed impractical, maybe even crazy, for Peter to listen to this command from Jesus.
Peter replied, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Even when it didn’t make sense or went against everything he knew, Peter trusted Jesus enough to obey. And the result? A miraculous catch of fish that nearly sank his boat.
This story isn’t just about Peter’s obedience; it’s about Jesus’ authority and power. When Jesus speaks, he knows exactly what he’s doing, even if it seems impractical or impossible to us. His words are not limited by our knowledge, experience, or understanding.
Christians are often called to listen to Jesus in ways that may seem counterintuitive—like forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply, trusting God with an uncertain future, or sharing the gospel when we feel unqualified. These things can feel just as impractical as fishing in deep water during the day. But Jesus doesn’t call us to rely on our own understanding. He calls us to trust him.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to always trust in your commands, even when they seem impossible to me. Amen.
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When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:8-11
Pardoned and Purposed
Daily Devotion – February 10, 2025Devotion based on Luke 5:8-11
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Jesus called Peter to tell people about the forgiveness and eternal life he had come to win for them. It was an unlikely choice at best. Peter was not a biblical scholar. He didn’t have a prestigious job or a position of honor and influence. He was a fisherman. More than that, he was a sinner, which should have disqualified him from service to a perfect God.
Like Peter, Christians know their sins and failures, yet Jesus speaks the same comforting words: “Don’t be afraid.” He assures his followers that his sacrifice covers their sins and restores their relationship with God. This personal experience of forgiveness is what makes Christians uniquely qualified to share the good news about Jesus.
Peter experienced Jesus’ forgiveness repeatedly. As he shared the good news of that forgiveness with others, he could draw on that experience.
Years ago, I was contemplating LASIK eye surgery. I was reassured when my ophthalmologist told me she had undergone the same procedure. Knowing that she understood my concerns and had trusted the process herself gave me confidence to move forward. In the same way, Christians can share the gospel because they have experienced Jesus’ forgiveness firsthand.
If you feel unqualified to share the gospel, remember that you don’t share the good news because of your credentials but because of Christ’s work in your life. You’ve received his mercy and grace, and that personal connection allows you to speak with authenticity and compassion.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, because of your perfect life and sacrifice, I no longer need to be afraid. Make me a bold witness of the forgiveness you have won for me. Amen.
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How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:14,15
The Story of Your Salvation
Daily Devotion – February 9, 2025Devotion based on Romans 10:14,15
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Novel writers will tell you there is no secret recipe for producing a best-selling page-turner. However, many successful authors start with the ending and work backward. They have a goal in mind—it may be a happy ending or a shocking surprise, and the rest of the story builds toward that last chapter.
As a believer in Christ, you already know how your life’s story will end. You will joyfully spend eternity in the glorious presence of God, who loves you. But how do you come to such a happy ending? In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul “reverse engineers” your story. You will be saved from the punishment you deserve through your faith in the Son of God, Jesus, who died in your place. You were led to call out to God for mercy, and he answered you for the sake of Jesus. But how did you know to call on him? How did you learn that he was such a merciful God and offered full and free forgiveness? Someone—a family member, a friend, or a pastor perhaps, shared with you the good news of what Jesus accomplished by his death on the cross. But that person who told you had to have been told by someone else. And so on.
Your life’s story begins and ends with the love of God in Christ Jesus. He has arranged everything to happen in your life for the purpose of your salvation. The events that lead to your eternal life in heaven began long before you were born. Always remember, in prayer, those that God has used to bring you to know him and consider how God may be using you in someone else’s life story. As you share what you know about Jesus with others, you become a vital character in the story of how that person also arrives at their happy ending.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you for sending gospel messengers into my life. Let me know the joy of revealing to others the not-so-secret ending of the story of your love. Amen.
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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
An Instruction Manual
Daily Devotion – February 8, 2025Devotion based on 2 Timothy 3:16,17
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There is a direct correlation between how complex a piece of equipment is and how important the instruction manual is. You probably don’t need to look at the instruction manual for a straightforward calculator, but a new smartphone’s instruction manual may be helpful for figuring out some of its more complicated functions.
Life is complex and complicated. So, where’s the instruction manual for life? We do have one. It’s called the Bible.
You can go to any bookstore and find all kinds of self-help books, but these are instructions that are written by imperfect humans who struggle with the same life issues you do. Why not go to the source of life for instructions on how to live?
God, who created you, has given you his own Word—the Bible—to guide you in life. In that Word, he tells you that he loved you so much that he sent his Son into the world to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.
You have all the guidance you need for life in the Bible. No, you won’t find specific instructions for every decision you need to make. The Bible won’t tell you which job you should apply for or whether you should lease or buy your car. What you will find is one reminder after another of God’s awesome love for you and encouragement to live every moment of your life to his glory as the beloved child of God you are.
Treasure this God-given instruction manual and turn to it often. The author will never let you down.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me the Bible. Without it, I would not know of your love or my salvation. Through it, I know that I am loved and saved through Jesus. Help me to treasure and regard it as it truly is—your perfect Word. Amen.
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Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:2,3
Stick With Sound Doctrine
Daily Devotion – February 7, 2025Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:2,3
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There are over 40,000 different Christian denominations around the world, each one with its own unique teachings. So, if there is only one God and only one Bible, why is there so much variety?
The apostle Paul answers this in today’s Bible passage. People won’t put up with the sound doctrine God speaks in his Bible. Instead, they follow teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear. Over the last two millennia, this has resulted in many churches.
In a way, it’s understandable. You know how hard it is to tell people something they do not want to hear, especially if you’re correcting their sinful lifestyle or erroneous beliefs.
Because the Word can offend sinners, there will always be a temptation to twist its meaning—not just for pastors and teachers, but for all Christians. If you do that, however, you set up yourself and others for eternal disaster.
Thankfully, Paul doesn’t just describe the problem; he also gives the solution. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (v. 2). That is, stand by the Bible’s sound doctrine, not only when it’s popular but also when it isn’t.
Jesus knows what it’s like to be unpopular for speaking the truth—he was crucified for it! He gave his life as a sacrifice for sins, and you are forgiven when you avoid the truth, ignore the truth, and forget the truth.
And that’s the key: When God has spoken it, it is the truth. He promises to bless all his words that come from your mouth. When you speak the word with great patience, you won’t always tell people what they want to hear, but you will always tell them what they need to hear. Stick with the sound doctrine that prepares you for your eternal home.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, help me to apply my heart and mouth to do your will. Prepare me to correct, rebuke, and encourage. Amen.
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But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14,15
The One Thing That Works
Daily Devotion – February 6, 2025Devotion based on 2 Timothy 3:14,15
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Are you a pragmatic person? Pragmatists want to find effective solutions to life’s problems. They deal with challenges based on what works, not on what they wish worked. And that sounds great because if there’s one thing we want, it’s things that work.
Does that attitude apply to religion? There are thousands of religions, and all claim to have an effective solution to one of life’s great problems: How do people get right with God?
On the surface, all these religions seem incomprehensibly diverse, but all of them—except one—boil down to essentially the same solution: You need to do enough good in life to stand before the holy God.
But does that work? Can you have confidence that you and God are good because you’ve done enough good? Not if you’re honest with yourself. Your conscience is a constant reminder that the solution of doing enough good doesn’t work because no one can ever be sure they have done enough.
But there is another plan, the one in today’s Bible reading. In fact, what works is the Bible. Those Holy Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (v. 15).
Other religions may be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re successful. Unlike them, Christianity isn’t about trying to be good enough. It’s about God making you wise for salvation. His Word gives you wisdom that leads to salvation because it tells you all about Jesus.
Jesus is God’s plan to save you. You can’t do enough good for God, so Jesus came and did enough good for you. You can’t pay for your sins, so Jesus went to the cross to pay for them. You can’t conquer death, so Jesus rose from the dead to conquer it for you. That’s a different solution! Not trusting in yourself but trusting in Jesus. That works!
Prayer:
Christ Jesus, through your powerful Word continue to make me wise for salvation through faith in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.”
Jeremiah 1:6,7
Say Whatever I Command You
Daily Devotion – February 5, 2025Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:6,7
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How do children respond when you ask them to do something unpleasant? They make excuses: “I can’t do that! Do I have to?” Sometimes adults do the same thing: “I don’t have the skills to do that! Can’t somebody else do it?”
When the Lord called Jeremiah to be his prophet, he gave him the unpleasant task of convicting the people of their sin. How did Jeremiah respond? “Alas, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (v. 6).
Jeremiah was a young man sent to people who valued experience more than youth and who wouldn’t want to hear what he had to say. It was a good excuse, but it was still an excuse, and a childlike one at that.
What excuses do you have? No, the Lord has not called you to be a prophet, but we all have people in our lives who need to hear about God and his promises.
What do you say to yourself to justify staying quiet? “I’m too young. I’m too old. The timing is wrong. I don’t know what to say.” Satan loves excuses because excuses silence the Word so souls headed for hell don’t hear it.
That’s why the Lord tells you the same thing he told Jeremiah: “Say whatever I command you” (v. 7). Jeremiah didn’t speak his own words. He repeated God’s Word. What comfort! The people wouldn’t always like what he had to say, but Jeremiah wasn’t called to be popular; he was called to fearlessly share God’s Word.
Remember this. The power of God’s Word does not depend on you. The power comes from God. That means you don’t need to be afraid to speak the Word of the Lord to people who need to hear it. The Lord does not promise to supernaturally give you words to speak, but he does give you the Bible. That is the Word you speak.
Prayer:
Sovereign Lord, silence my excuses and give me confidence in your Word and care. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Luke 4:42-44
Sent for Success
Daily Devotion – February 4, 2025Devotion based on Luke 4:42-44
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One of the quickest ways to become popular is to make life better for people, and Jesus had been doing just that. He had performed one miraculous healing after another. People suffering from all kinds of sicknesses flocked to him, and he cured them one by one.
It’s not surprising, then, that people went looking for him after he slipped out for some alone time. It’s even less surprising that they tried to prevent him from leaving. What is surprising, though, is that Jesus wanted to leave. Why would he go away from a place where he was so popular?
Isn’t that the point? Conventional wisdom states that popularity means success and if you’re popular, it will make your life better.
But while it’s natural for us to think that being popular is a worthy goal, Jesus demonstrated that popularity is not proof of success. Remember what he told the people: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent” (v. 43).
It’s true that Jesus had the power to make life better for people and the potential to be extremely popular, but that was not the reason he was there. He was sent not to make life better, but to give us a different life entirely.
Jesus knew that our problems are bigger than the sicknesses that kill us. For Jesus, success meant proclaiming the good news of his imminent victory over sin, death, and the devil. That victory does more than make life better; it gives eternal life to all who believe in Jesus.
That’s why believers in Jesus keep preaching that same good news—to take as many people as possible safely into the kingdom of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to proclaim good news and letting me hear it. Amen.
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At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
Luke 4:40,41
Signs of the Ultimate Healing
Daily Devotion – February 3, 2025Devotion based on Luke 4:40,41
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Jesus had been busy. In the synagogue that morning, he freed a man from demon possession by commanding the demon to leave him. Later he cured a woman of her high fever simply by rebuking the fever. Jesus’ word had accomplished great things that day, and word about him had been spreading like wildfire. He was a popular man.
By sunset, all kinds of sick and demon-possessed people had been brought to Jesus. With a touch from his hands, the sick were healed, and by the word of his mouth, demons were exorcised. No illness resisted him, and demons couldn’t speak without his permission.
In one miracle-packed day, Jesus demonstrated his power over afflictions and his deep concern for every afflicted individual. But if affliction is no match for Jesus’ powerful word, why doesn’t he continue to miraculously heal people today? That is a question every follower of Jesus wrestles with, especially when they are suffering.
To answer that question, we need to remember that everyone Jesus healed could have gotten sick again, and even if they stayed healthy for the rest of their lives, they still died. Those miraculous healings made Jesus popular, but they were only temporary reprieves of a much greater problem. The Bible tells us, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Jesus came to end that problem permanently. His miracles proved he was sent by God to do just that because they demonstrated that he was the Son of God in human flesh. Jesus’ bloody cross and empty tomb leave no doubt that he defeated our afflictions at their source. Jesus’ miracles of healing point to the ultimate healing: the forgiveness of your sins and the perfect restoration of all things on the Last Day.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the Great Physician of body and soul. Remind me of your concern for me. Help me when I suffer and give me strength to endure until the day you restore your creation to perfection. Amen.
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The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:4,5
I Knew You
Daily Devotion – February 2, 2025Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:4,5
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“I thought I knew you.” You might hear those words from someone who thinks you’ve changed. They knew you at one point in your life, but now you’ve apparently changed. The perspective is one of looking back on who you once were. Time and distance have changed you. What they knew about you no longer seems to be true.
The Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and told him: “I knew you.” But the Lord wasn’t surprised at Jeremiah–who he was, how he’d changed, or what he was up to now. No, the Lord’s perspective was different. Before Jeremiah even existed, the Lord knew him and what he would do.
From our perspective, life can feel like a chaotic tornado or a gigantic game of Plinko. When we feel that way, we all too easily give in to temptations. When we think that no one is in control, we decide to take the reins. We start making all the decisions ourselves, regardless of what God says. When it feels like our lives are stuck in a dangerous swamp of question marks, we worry about everything, even though worrying has never worked.
The Lord is here to tell us differently. He knows, cares, and has plans for you. The Lord’s plans started before you were even born. He planned for you before this world was created. His plans included a cradle where his Son, your Savior, was born. He planned for the cross, where Jesus’ punishment brought you peace. In your life, God brought you his Word and Jesus. And Jesus is planning and preparing a room for you in heaven.
The Lord, who has known and planned those HUGE details for you, knows every little detail, too. The Lord knows. He knows you. He loves you.
Prayer:
Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Forgive me for not trusting your loving care. Give me confidence always that you know me, you love me and your plans for me culminate with my happy home in heaven with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1
Freedom
Daily Devotion – February 1, 2025Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1
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When we try to guess what God is thinking, we don’t usually get very far. We don’t know what he will bring into our lives tomorrow, much less next year or the year after. But there is one area of life where we can begin to guess what God is thinking with great accuracy, and that is when we’ve messed up. Maybe friends were depending on us, and we let them down. Maybe we said something we regret and wish we could take it back. Maybe it was something bigger than all that, something that eats at us. It’s not as though God has given us something complicated to do—just love. But we get this wrong again and again, and we can sense that God is angry.
But God anointed Jesus to preach God’s mind, and to tell us something we would never have guessed on our own. Jesus preached freedom. Not political freedom. Not financial freedom. The freedom Jesus preached is a release from the darkness of sin and death, forever. And he did more than preach. He rescued us. On his cross, he put himself in our dark dungeon and released us into the light. Jesus didn’t just talk about freedom; he set us free.
You are fully and eternally free from all punishment for your sin. Jesus signed your pardon papers with his blood and sealed them with his resurrection from the dead. Have you ever found yourself caught in a web of guilt, buried under a burdened conscience, terrified by the darkness of death? The message of Jesus is as breathtakingly wonderful as it is simple: freedom.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you have suffered and died for me. You have set me free from sin, guilt, and death. Bless me with your peace and joy today and always. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated.
Isaiah 61:4
Restoration
Daily Devotion – January 31, 2025Devotion based on Isaiah 61:4
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In April 2019, a fire broke out in the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Firefighters worked valiantly, but by the time the blaze was under control, the cathedral was a ruin. It was a smoking, debris-filled wreck.
The people of France, however, were determined to restore it. The effort required 1,500 trees and 46,000 cubic feet of new limestone. They restored the organ with its 8,000 pipes. They restored the stained-glass windows. They restored the wrought iron railings. They re-tuned the cathedral’s massive bells. They built a new roof. They constructed a new steeple. And while they were at it, they carefully scrubbed 450,000 square feet of surface, cleansing it of centuries of ancient grime. As of December, France has reopened this historic structure to the public. The final result of this restoration is truly breathtaking.
Without question, this restoration effort was impressive. As great as this physical restoration was, however, the restoration of spiritual ruins is something else altogether.
In Isaiah chapter 61, the Lord is speaking to a people in ruins. They have seen their home city, Jerusalem, go up in smoke. An enemy nation has carried them off into captivity. Far worse, however, is the brokenness of their souls. They realize they are the ones responsible for having turned their backs on their God. They realize they are the ones responsible for having brought their lives to ruin.
But their Savior-God is a God who keeps his promises. He’s promised to send a Savior from sin. And when he does, this Savior will wash them clean of their guilt. He will cover them in the holiness of the holy life that he will live on their behalf. And in doing this, he will restore them to himself. They will be in ruins no more.
God has kept that promise for you and me too. Apart from him, our lives are in ruins—ruined by our sin. But Jesus has come. Through the good news of what he has done, his Spirit has restored us. He has cleansed us with his blood. Our lives with him are now fresh and clean and new.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I was in ruins. But you have restored me by your gospel. Thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3
Witness Trees
Daily Devotion – January 30, 2025Devotion based on Isaiah 61:3
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One million people visit the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, every year. One million. The draw, of course, is the Gettysburg battlefield—the site of the most famous battle fought during the American Civil War.
If you have even a casual interest in history, a visit to Gettysburg is well worth the trip. Thanks to the foresight of people generations ago, the town and the battlefield are in a remarkable state of preservation (if you look carefully, you can even spot cannon balls still stuck in the sides of buildings). If you want to encounter the past even more, however, ask a Battlefield Guide to show you what’s called a witness tree. A witness tree is a tree that’s old enough and sturdy enough to have witnessed the actual battle. Some are still hiding bullets and shrapnel behind their bark. There’s something powerful about showing a witness tree to a young child. It says to a young boy or girl, “This battle was real. This really happened.”
In Isaiah chapter 61, the Lord was speaking to people who felt frail, defeated, and crushed. They felt this way because the consequences of their sin had made them realize what lost, broken sinners they were. God, however, reminded them that he had made a promise. He had promised to send a Savior from sin—someone who would wash away their guilty stains and renew their relationship with their Creator. When this happened, God promised that “they (would) be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
God has fulfilled that promise. He has sent his Son. Jesus Christ has washed away our guilty stains at the cross. Jesus Christ has lived a life of solid, perfect faithfulness on our behalf. Through faith in his Son, God declares us holy. And as he does, he also empowers us to be witness trees for the Lord, “to be oaks of righteousness . . . for the display of his splendor.”
When we are—when we absorb the shrapnel and scars of living as Christians in a fallen world—then you and I can tell the next generation, Be of good courage. Christ is your strength.
Prayer:
Lord, my strength, empower me to stand strong for you. Amen.
Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.
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.
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11,12
The Irony of Judging Others
Daily Devotion – October 4, 2024Devotion based on James 4:11,12
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Jesus could not have been clearer. He said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37). Those instructions were undoubtedly a regular part of our Savior’s preaching and teaching. And why? Because human beings are so naturally and sinfully quick to judge others. It’s easy for us to spot a sinner… until we’re standing in front of a mirror. We tend to overlook our own spiritual flaws because we’re so laser-focused on the sins of others.
And what’s worse, after we notice our neighbor’s sins, what’s the next thing we’re likely to do? Talk about it to someone else. God calls that slander, even if what we are saying about someone is 100 percent true, and through the pen of Saint James, he forbids it. “Brother and sisters, do not slander one another.”
Judging others is truly ironic because by gleefully pointing out the sins of others, you’re sinning yourself. James explained, “Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” What are you doing when you stand in judgment over your neighbor? You’re suggesting that you’re in a better position to be your neighbor’s judge than God is. You’re attempting to push God off his judgment seat in order to take his place. It’s a classic symptom of arrogant, sinful, and deadly pride.
But as James reminds us, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” So, let’s leave the judging to Jesus. After all, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” Jesus has the job of judging all people under control, and his judgments are perfect.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, save me from the sin of arrogantly and lovelessly judging others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:9,10
Don’t Hold in Your Sin
Daily Devotion – October 3, 2024Devotion based on James 4:9,10
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Some of the best advice a person can receive when going through the grieving process is this: “You need to cry.” Some people will claim that they’re not “criers,” but it’s pretty clear that while living in this fallen world, there are times when crying is appropriate. Even Jesus cried when he went to the tomb of his friend Lazarus and when he wrestled in prayer with his heavenly Father over the painful mission he had been sent to accomplish by his death on the cross. So, if Jesus didn’t hold it in, we shouldn’t either. Crying is very much a part of the grieving process, so don’t cover it up. Let it rip. It’s healthy!
That’s also good advice when it comes to our sin. We tend to hide it, to cover it up. But that’s not healthy. In fact, it’s deadly. In Psalm 32, King David described the acute suffering he brought on himself by attempting to cover up his transgressions. It wasn’t a pretty picture. He confessed to the Lord, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” But what was David finally prompted to do? To let it go. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” His heartfelt confession and grief over his sin resulted in forgiveness, peace, and restoration.
Saint James urges us to take this same approach toward our own sin. “Grieve, mourn and wail,” he wrote. “Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord.” And why? Because when we do, the Lord “will lift (us) up” with his powerful and forgiving arms.
You can’t fix your sin by holding it in and covering it up. But Jesus can, and he does. So it’s always best to let it go.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to unburden my heart of sin’s baggage, and lift me up with your forgiving love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8
Run to Jesus
Daily Devotion – October 2, 2024Devotion based on James 4:8
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If your clothes caught on fire, it might be your first instinct to run. But as a child, you probably received the same instruction I received if faced with this scenario. I was told to stop, drop, and roll. If your clothes are on fire, running away won’t do any good; it will simply fan the flames. But stopping, dropping, and rolling are meant to snuff the fire out by eliminating the fire’s air supply. It might seem counterintuitive not to run, but it’s the right thing to do.
When Adam and Eve fell into sin, their first instinct was to run. Moses tells us that when the Lord God came to pay a visit to the Garden of Eden, the two occupants of that former Paradise didn’t come running to greet God; they hid from him. Their reason for doing so was simple and straightforward: they had done the very thing that God had told them not to do, and now they were dreading the eternal consequences: death itself!
But rather than leaving them in the misery of their guilt and sin, what did our gracious heavenly Father do? He called those scared sinners to his side. And when they came near to him, what did he do? He came near to them with the promise of a Savior. Yes, they would have to endure some earthly consequences for their sin, but God would send a unique offspring of the woman—his own Son, Jesus—to crush the devil’s head and defeat the eternal consequences of sin once and for all.
What does that important biblical account teach us? That when we find ourselves engulfed in sin, as tempted as we might be to run from God, we should run toward him. No, don’t stop, drop, and roll. Run to the open and forgiving arms of Jesus, who alone can heal the wounds of our sin with the cooling balm that flows from the wounds he willingly endured for us on the cross. And it’s in his wounds where we can wash our hands and purify our hearts forever.
Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to flee to you with my every sin to find forgiveness, peace, and life everlasting. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
Resisting the Devil
Daily Devotion – October 1, 2024Devotion based on James 4:7
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Martin Luther loved to mock the devil. That especially became the case after he fully realized just how certain and sure Jesus’ love and salvation were for him. He knew that with Jesus and his Word on his side, he could be as bold as the brave boy David was when he faced the giant Goliath. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,” David told that Philistine warrior, “but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45,46). With Jesus on his side, Luther knew that his victory over the devil was just as certain as David’s victory over Goliath. It would result in a blowout.
But what would have happened to David or Luther if they hadn’t entered their battles with Jesus and his powerful promises at their side? They would have been swiftly defeated and stripped of their brashness. Simply put, if they had believed they could defeat the dark forces of this world based on their own power or wisdom, they would have quickly learned otherwise. Without Jesus, none of us are a match for the devil—he will win every time.
But as Saint James reminds us today, when we resist the devil in Jesus’ name, armed with the sword of the Spirit, his holy Word (Ephesians 6:17), we can’t lose. That doesn’t mean the devil won’t attack us daily with temptation; he most certainly will. But when we resist the devil in Jesus’ name, James assures us, “he will flee from you.”
And so, we sing with Luther:
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none. He judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him (Christian Worship 863:3).
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me daily cling to you and resist the devil’s temptations. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Submit yourselves, then, to God.
James 4:7
A Battle of Wills
Daily Devotion – September 30, 2024Devotion based on James 4:7
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The parent-child relationship in this broken world is a fairly easy one to summarize—it’s a battle of wills. A parent wants one thing; the child wants something else. And so it is that from a very early age, toddlers begin to utilize and perfect one of their favorite words: “No!” Mommy or Daddy has directed them to do this or that, but their little ones have a completely different idea, a different will, and they resist. And the battle ensues.
Good parenting involves training a child to submit to your will willingly. It’s a valuable lesson to learn. But for children to be willing to do that, they must learn from experience that their parents’ will is good for them. They need to appreciate that Mom and Dad love them and have their children’s best interests in mind. As children begin to recognize this, they’ll be more willing to surrender their will because they see how it results in their blessing.
It’s no different for the children of God. By nature, we don’t trust our heavenly Father. We’re convinced that our way of doing things is better than his. We’re forever tempted to engage him in a battle of wills.
But how could that ever turn out well for us? Consider the many advantages our heavenly Father has over us, not the least of which is his ability to know the future and control it for our good. More than that, when we consider what he wants for us and all people—that he “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)—why would we ever think that his will for us could somehow turn out badly? And when we consider his overwhelming love for us—that he “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:32)—how could we ever imagine that our will is superior to his? God’s will is always accomplished, and his will for us is good.
Simply put, this is one battle of the will we should want to lose because it results in our eternal blessing.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me daily to submit to your good and gracious will for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.
Numbers 11:24,25
Equipped by the Spirit
Daily Devotion – September 29, 2024Devotion based on Numbers 11:24,25
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Moses was a humble, faithful leader of God’s people. As an 80-year-old man, he served with courage and patience, leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan. The Israelites numbered about two million people. God was gracious and provided for their needs on the journey. On a daily basis, he miraculously provided a special food they called “manna.” But the people God fed with this food got fed up with it and ungratefully complained that it wasn’t enough. It was almost too much for Moses. He got very frustrated and prayed to the Lord, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.”
The Lord provided help. Seventy elders were chosen to assist Moses. The Lord equipped these elders for service by putting his Holy Spirit on them. The Spirit gave them the gifts they needed to accomplish the service for which they were appointed.
The Lord gives us his Spirit, too. The Holy Spirit comes to us through the gospel. He uses the good news of Jesus to give us life and salvation. God the Holy Spirit also equips us for the Lord’s service of leading people from the slavery of sin to the promised home of heaven. With gratefulness for all the blessings in Jesus, we gladly serve the Lord in this most important work.
Watch for opportunities that you have in your family, at work, or through your church to serve the Lord and accomplish his work. Equipped by the Holy Spirit, be confident that the Lord can use you to fulfill his will.
Prayer:
Lord, give me the ability to recognize and utilize the special gifts I have received from the Holy Spirit so that I may humbly and faithfully serve you and do all I can to lead more people to Jesus for their salvation. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
James 3:13-15
Wisdom From Above
Daily Devotion – September 28, 2024Devotion based on James 3:13-15
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What does it mean to be wise? What does it mean to possess wisdom and understanding? The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates is attributed with saying, “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” King Solomon, the wisest man ever, came to a similar, sober conclusion when he pursued human wisdom. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he wrote: “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” Just as having more money doesn’t mean more happiness, having more earthly wisdom doesn’t mean a more satisfying life.
Thankfully, God has shown us another kind of wisdom. This wisdom is much more than the accumulation of information or the acquisition of insight; it is a way of life. True wisdom that comes from heaven “is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
This wisdom can be seen perfectly in the life of Jesus Christ. It’s demonstrated in his mercy towards sinners, in his submission to his enemies, in his patience with his disciples, and finally in his selfless sacrifice on the cross. Jesus not only shows us the best possible way to live, but in his wisdom, he saved us from the control of sin and the penalty that it deserves.
When the Holy Spirit leads us to understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us, true wisdom is born in our hearts. This wisdom leads us to put away all bitter envy and selfish ambition. It helps us see through the false wisdom of this world that is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil, and follow Jesus by sowing peace so that we, too, might raise a harvest of righteousness.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, send your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may always know true wisdom in my Savior, Jesus. Help me to live a life that is more and more like his. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:36,37
Welcome the Children!
Daily Devotion – September 27, 2024Devotion based on Mark 9:36,37
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Nowadays, it seems like the kids control the family schedule: baseball practices, dance recitals, band rehearsals, science fairs, etc. I know that my wife and I are not alone in this. It seems that whenever I talk to my friends with children, they’re just as gassed and tired as we are from all the chasing and driving. How about you?
Why do we do all of this? Why are we willing to cart them around and sacrifice all that time and money? There is probably a whole slew of reasons that you could spout off, but I think it boils down to this: we love them! We want the best for our kids. We want them to be successful and have an enjoyable childhood.
Jesus loves children, too. There are a number of times in the Bible where he took time for them, held them, and blessed them. Why? Because children are important to him. Our children are important to him.
If God has blessed you with kids, you have an amazing responsibility. God has put you in charge of that child’s spiritual welfare. As important and pressing as practices and rehearsals might seem, there is something deeper and longer-lasting that God wants for your child—a life and an eternity with Jesus. God wants your child to know that he has a Savior from sin. God wants your child to know that nothing will separate him from the love of Jesus. God wants your child to know he is forgiven.
Our society spends so much time on children. Let’s make sure that the children are being cared for with something that will last into eternity—their Savior.
Prayer:
Dear God, bless the young people in my life with assurance of your love and forgiveness. Bless our efforts to raise the next generation with the message of the cross of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35
The Servant of All
Daily Devotion – September 26, 2024Devotion based on Mark 9:35
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Occasionally, as I’m standing in line at the gas station or grocery store, the lottery lights catch my eye. And when I see the potential payout climb to hundreds of millions of dollars, it makes me think: what would I do if I had all of that? I picture eating steak and lobster in my mansion, cruising around the Mediterranean Sea, or relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii. If I’m honest, I see a life of luxury.
If you had money, power, and connections, wouldn’t you want “the good life” too? Wouldn’t you just want to relax and take life easy? Isn’t that what so many are striving and struggling for—a life a little bit easier and more bearable?
When the disciples saw the power and fame of Jesus, they, too, thought that because of their connections to Jesus, their lives were about to get a lot easier. No longer would they be nobodies! People would know who they were! Perhaps they could quit their jobs, put their feet up, and enjoy a life of ease and luxury.
But Jesus shatters those delusions because that’s not what the life of being his follower looks like, and that’s not what Jesus came to do.
Jesus had a life of luxury, which so many dream of. He sat on heaven’s throne, ruling and reigning over all creation. But his love for mankind compelled him to take on flesh and endure the suffering and punishment for humanity’s sins. He came to serve us with himself so that life in the perfect paradise of heaven wouldn’t be just some daydream but a soon-to-be reality.
So, what are we to do as his children? We serve. We serve our neighbor. We serve with our talents, time, and treasures so that we can have the opportunity to witness to others about the sacrificial love of the Savior. May God bless us as we serve our neighbor and, in so doing, serve him!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for serving as my Savior. Move my heart to serve my neighbor and bless my efforts to serve you in your kingdom. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:33-35
Who Is the Greatest?
Daily Devotion – September 25, 2024Devotion based on Mark 9:33-35
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240925dev.mp3
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It has been a little over a month since the Summer Olympics took place. The greatest athletes from around the globe strived and competed for gold. But I am sure that if you asked, some of them—if they were honest—weren’t competing just for the medal, but rather what the medal represented: greatness.
Those athletes put in countless gut-wrenching workouts and sacrificed days, if not months, away from their families while eating nothing but chicken and brown rice for a shot to make that podium. Many of them chased a dream that they would be standing on the world’s stage, crowned above the rest. To be honest, I never seriously considered chasing an Olympic medal (nor would I have ever had a remote chance even if I tried). But I can see the appeal. Can’t you? But what if you didn’t have to put in all the hard work and effort? What if you could ride someone else’s coattails all the way to the podium?
Jesus’ disciples couldn’t help but get caught up with all the hype. The world’s spotlight was on him. Thousands upon thousands of people rushed to see Jesus, everyone hoping to catch a glimpse of his glory. And amazingly, the disciples were right there beside him. Who wouldn’t want a share of the limelight?
But Jesus explained to them, and to us as well, that being a part of his kingdom isn’t about titles or authority. What brings glory and honor to God is service. Jesus, of course, served mankind by laying down his life as a payment for sin. Our Savior served us.
Because of that demonstration of Jesus’ love, we look to serve others as well—first and foremost, by telling them the amazing news of our Savior’s sacrifice on the cross!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, bless me as I serve my neighbors with the good news of your sacrifice and service. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Mark 9:30-32
I Don’t Understand and That’s Okay
Daily Devotion – September 24, 2024Devotion based on Mark 9:30-32
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240924dev.mp3
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“Well, that’s not how it was supposed to turn out.” Have you ever found yourself thinking that? Maybe you didn’t get into the school you dreamed of attending or the job you wanted. Maybe some storm spoiled your family vacation that you spent months planning. Maybe the politician you thought would do the best job in office didn’t win. Sometimes, things don’t work out like we think they should. And we don’t understand.
For three years, Jesus’ disciples had been following him as he preached and healed people. Everywhere they went, Jesus drew a crowd. Thousands came out to see him. People would walk miles and wait hours for just a glimpse and a moment with Jesus. And his disciples had a front-row seat for the entire show.
But lately, Jesus’ words had grown darker. Lately, Jesus had been talking more and more about things like “betrayal” and “death.” They didn’t quite understand it. How could anyone want him gone? He was a healer of both broken bodies and broken hearts! They didn’t understand.
But eventually, they did. In death, Jesus brought about the greatest healing of all for the world. Jesus’ death paid for the sin of mankind and brought to the world the victory of eternal life. From a rational view, that doesn’t make good sense. But that’s okay. That’s how God chose to save us from death.
There will be times when we don’t understand why things happen the way that they do. But even if we can’t understand why things are happening the way they are, God has given us the greatest reason to trust him. He’s given us Jesus!
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to trust in your plans today and every day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”
Mark 9:30,31
It Is All Under Control
Daily Devotion – September 23, 2024Devotion based on Mark 9:30,31
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240923dev.mp3
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When my children were little, I loved cuddling up with them on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn for movie nights. Oh, those were the good ol’ days! I loved watching them as they held their breath with uncertainty as one of their heroes dangled in a perilous situation, wondering if he would make it through unscathed—which he always did! After all, these were kids’ movies we were watching! But now and then, when things got a little too scary, I would hold them tight and assure them that everything would be okay.
At this time, it was easy for the disciples to follow Jesus. Jesus was popular—crowds flocked to see him! Jesus was powerful—he healed the sick, walked on water, and even raised the dead!
But his followers didn’t know that times were about to get rather scary. The disciples were about to see one of their own betray Jesus. They were going to see Jesus subdued by soldiers and put to death.
That’s why Jesus wanted to assure them that everything would be okay. Jesus wanted to assure them that everything was under his control. So, he told them what would happen—not only that he would die, but also that he would rise!
Life might feel out of control for you right now. And it might be difficult to make any kind of semblance of a plan. But remember, Jesus had a plan to rescue you and me from death and was in control of it all. That’s the kind of hero, the kind of Savior you have—one with a plan! And he’ll lead you through this week every step of the way! It’s all under control.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me courage and strength to trust in you. Bring peace to my troubled heart when I worry about tomorrow. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
Wisdom
Daily Devotion – September 22, 2024Devotion based on James 3:13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240922dev.mp3
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In 2007, a man named Dan Dewey was sitting next to his elderly father in a hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. His father had leukemia, and every week Dan took him to the hospital to receive chemotherapy. As he sat there, he offered to get his dad a treat—a flavored coffee from a local Starbucks. Before he left, Dan looked around the room at all the other people enduring the same ordeal his father was. He decided to bring each of them a flavored coffee, too.
Dan has been doing it ever since. Every single week. He accepts no money from the patients. He sees his coffee run as a chance to show kindness to someone else.
That true story goes a long way to illustrate what the Bible means when it talks about wisdom. I might think of wisdom as a series of profound sayings coming from a mysterious mystic on top of a mountain. The Lord is much more real. The Lord describes wisdom in terms of how I live my life, by the deeds I do to touch the lives of others.
The Lord’s view of wisdom involves deeds done in…humility. And that’s where Jesus comes in. When I stand at the foot of the cross and understand that it was my sin for which Jesus died. When I realize that my life is full and fresh and forgiven because of what my Savior has done on my behalf—that’s when real wisdom begins. That’s when I see my life as a beautiful chance to thank the Lord for what he has done. That’s when I see my life as a precious string of opportunities to thank my Savior by touching the lives of others.
Maybe someone in your life needs a cup of coffee today. Or perhaps a listening ear or just a kind word. Take a moment to fill that need. That’s what wisdom is.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, so often I have led a busy life instead of a wise one. Forgive me. Renew my heart. Fill my life with deeds done in the humility that comes from the wisdom of knowing you as my Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
Be Strong
Daily Devotion – September 21, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:10
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240921dev.mp3
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“Be strong.” Do you ever get tired of hearing that? Maybe mom and dad were dropping you off for your first day of school or football practice and the advice was: “Be strong.” Perhaps it was time to go to the doctor for some serious tests or to the funeral home for some funeral planning and the encouragement you heard was: “Be strong.”
The directive, “Be strong,” can be quite dangerous for two reasons. On the one hand, we might believe we have sufficient strength to do whatever we need to do. This self-reliance can work at times but ultimately leads us to crash and burn. That’s because we rely on ourselves rather than God. On the other hand, constantly being told to “be strong” can have a demoralizing effect. Maybe we know that we don’t have the strength required for the task and the encouragement to “be strong” leads us to despair and to give up. This is the problem with relying on human strength. It fails and lets us down.
Thankfully, God’s Word tells us: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” On our own, sinful human beings can only fall short of whatever goal we are trying to achieve. But trusting in the Lord and relying on his power, there is nothing that God can’t accomplish for us.
When we focus on Jesus, we see a Savior who has everything we need. We see One with the power and might to calm storms, drive out demons, and heal diseases. We see One with the wisdom to know exactly what we need and when we need it. We see One with the love to do everything necessary to make sure we are forgiven and saved, even when that means going to the cross to die in our place. We see One with the power to rise from the dead and promise to do the same for us some day.
Each day we can begin with the encouragement—not to “Be strong” in ourselves but to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when I rely on myself. Teach me each day to trust in your power and love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
Stand Firm With the Helmet of Salvation
Daily Devotion – September 20, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:17
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240920dev.mp3
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When I grew up, my parents would give the children in my family an Easter basket filled with candy. Except, my brother and I didn’t receive woven baskets. Our candy-holder was a souvenir baseball helmet. Every year, a new team was represented. We loved those helmets. When we’d play baseball in the backyard, the batter wouldn’t go without one. I don’t think those souvenir helmets would have saved us from a 90-mph fastball to the head, but it impressed upon us the necessity of keeping your head safe. Lose a limb, and you can live. Lose your head, and you’re dead.
One of the targets for the devil’s schemes is our head. Not only does he fill it with doubts, but he also twists some of God’s cerebral blessings against us. Think of how much the gift of reason often combats the truths of the Bible. For example, it doesn’t make sense that God is three distinct persons and yet only one God. It doesn’t make sense that God is eternal. My mind can’t conceive of someone who is timeless. It doesn’t make sense that a virgin could become pregnant. And the list continues.
When reason and Scripture are at odds, the devil tries to let reason win. But if everything that God is and everything that God does makes sense to our human reason, is he much of a God at all? I don’t want a God who makes sense. I want a God who’s greater than my mind. And that’s the God we have. We have a God who took on flesh so that he could die. We have a God who turned his back on his Son on the cross so that he could welcome us into heaven. We have a God who plants faith in our hearts when he attaches his Word to a little water poured over our heads. We have a God who didn’t wipe this earth clean when we rebelled, rather, we have a God who carried out a plan of salvation on our behalf. And it’s that salvation, that helmet of salvation, that allows us to stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
Prayer:
Lord, when I am tempted to lean on my reason, increase my trust in you and your Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
Stand Firm With the Shield of Faith
Daily Devotion – September 19, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:16
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240919dev.mp3
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“Snow day!” Nothing sends more excitement into a neighborhood than those two words. While snow days off school are intended to keep the children safe, for many children, those two words mean war as a neighborhood snowball fight can commence later in the day. After each side has built their fortresses and stockpiled their perfectly rounded snowballs for ammunition, the fighting begins. Armed with garbage can lids as shields, one troop advances on the other, trying to capture the flag in the other team’s fortress.
If only all wars were as harmless as a neighborhood snowball fight. When the devil advances into our fortress, he’s shooting something at us more dangerous than snowballs. The flaming arrows of the evil one may come in the form of doubts, guilt, fear, laziness, and much more. How do we fend off his attacks? What’s going to keep us safe?
Our first temptation may be to retreat. But he’s going to keep coming. Then, we may tend to look to ourselves. I’m faster. I’m bigger. I’m stronger. This may be true if you’re comparing yourself to the other neighborhood kids, but not when it comes to the devil. When I look to myself as I battle the devil, I see the cracks in my armor. I see the plodding feet. If I look to myself, I will fall. I will not stand firm.
But all is not lost. No matter how intense the enemy’s attack is, our Lord equips us with a shield of faith that is bigger and sturdier than any garbage can cover. We can completely hide behind the shield of faith. Why? Because faith is only as strong as the object in which it rests. And our faith rests on the One who defeated the devil. Our faith rests on the One who invaded the devil’s kingdom of the world and crushed his head. Our faith rests in Jesus. So, stand firm. Stand firm behind a shield of faith that relies on him.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, protect me from the evil one as I find comfort in your promises and protection. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Stand firm then . . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14,15
Stand Firm With Fitted Feet
Daily Devotion – September 18, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14,15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240918dev.mp3
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“There’s nothing more important than a good pair of shoe” That’s what the chiropractor told his patient, who was getting his back treated again. Yet, no matter how often the chiropractor offered that free advice, his patient was too cheap to invest in a good pair of shoes. As a result, he retained the title “patient” for many more years and had to keep returning for treatment.
Many know from experience the importance of a good pair of shoes. So does our Savior. No, I’m not suggesting that Jesus insisted on Birkenstocks for his disciples. Rather, I’m talking about how he equips his people to serve in his kingdom. Our heavenly Father can bless us with our minds and abilities, but to serve the Lord, our feet also need to be “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
If you consider that the feet are the body’s shock absorbers, there is nothing better than to have the gospel of peace provide the cushion for our souls (pun intended). The good news that Jesus lived and died in our place, assures us that we have peace with God. But this peace isn’t just an internal sense of calm, it’s a dynamic force that equips and motivates us to share that same gospel with others. With feet fitted with the gospel of peace, you, too, will be ready to serve others with the life-saving message of Jesus.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Lord, take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Stand firm then . . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Ephesians 6:14
Stand Firm With the Breastplate of Righteousness
Daily Devotion – September 17, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240917dev.mp3
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“I’m sorry you lost your job.” “I’m sorry, your home has burned down.” “I’m sorry, your loved one has passed.” Every so often, we receive devastating news that pierces our hearts. We’re left not knowing how to react. We’re speechless. But what if you re-read those opening scenarios and added the tag—and it’s your fault. You caused the company to lose millions of dollars. You left the stove on. You ran the red light and caused the crash. Now you’re not just dealing with grief. You’re dealing with guilt.”Shot to the heart” is one thing. “Shot to the heart and you’re to blame,” is another. How are you able to stand firm when that old pop song lyric describes your life?
Guilt is one of the sharpest arrows in the devil’s quiver. And he loves to pull back the string and let that arrow fly to serve as the kill shot when it comes to our spiritual lives. Why is it so effective? Because guilt is real. I am guilty of breaking God’s law, and so are you. We “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Yet, there’s one person who resisted every arrow shot in his direction. There’s one who lived a guilt-free life because he was, in fact, guiltless. That person is Jesus. And in his love, he gives us his perfection and righteousness to wear as a breastplate so when the devil shoots the arrow of guilt in our direction, it bounces off and harmlessly falls to the ground. No matter what you’ve done in the past or how many times you’ve heard, “You’re forgiven,” but forgotten it, be assured that you can stand firm with the breastplate of Jesus’ righteousness.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when I am battling with guilt, assure me that I am clothed with the robe of your righteousness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Ephesians 6:14
Stand Firm With the Belt of Truth
Daily Devotion – September 16, 2024Devotion based on Ephesians 6:14
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240916dev.mp3
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“Can you bring my belt?” A few years ago, that was the text I received from a soon-to-be groom. He had already flown cross-country for his upcoming wedding, but he had forgotten his belt. Knowing I was flying a few days later, he asked me to break into his apartment and bring his belt to the wedding. After packing, flying, driving, and a few more texts and phone calls to arrange for the delivery, the groom finally had the item he needed a few hours before he said, “I do.” Why all the effort for a belt? Because a belt is important. It helps keep your shirt tucked in, and more importantly, it holds your pants up and keeps you from being exposed.
Our enemy, the devil, wants nothing more than to have our sins exposed as we stand before our holy God. He has many schemes to get that done, including the first one he ever employed. The first words out of his mouth were, “Did God really say?” And he hasn’t stopped using that tactic. He strives to get us to doubt God’s Word. And when God’s Word isn’t in the picture, our lives soon become untucked. When God’s Word isn’t in the picture, our sins become exposed. And the devil would have us believe, “Look at you. Look how sinful you are. There’s no way you can ever expect to be in God’s presence. There’s no way you can ever expect to have eternal life.” And we become spiritually discombobulated.
But thankfully, our Savior, Jesus, equips us with tools to resist such devilish schemes. And perhaps the greatest tool he gives us to overcome doubt is the belt of truth. In the face of Satan’s lies, hear Jesus declare, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). By fastening the belt of truth around us, we are no longer spiritually untucked. Rather, we can be spiritually secure, standing firm in the reality that Jesus paid for our sins and knowing that one day, we still stand next to Jesus, our heavenly bridegroom.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of your Word. Help me to wear that belt of truth daily to stand firm against the devil’s lies. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
1 Kings 18:36,37
Praying With Purpose
Daily Devotion – September 15, 2024Devotion based on 1 Kings 18:36,37
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240915dev.mp3
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If you are like me, there is a good chance that, at times, you have prayed for a fortune of money. Especially when I was younger, I had a long list of things I would do with abundant wealth. Of course, I planned to give some of it to others and for charitable causes, but the main point was to take care of myself. Yes, because we are sinful, our prayers are often tainted with improper motivation: selfishness, greed, and pride.
When Elijah prayed, he prayed with a different motivation, for a different purpose. When he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he wasn’t there to bring glory to himself. He didn’t pray, “Lord, if this doesn’t work, I’m going to look foolish, and my life will be in danger!” Elijah had just one reason for asking God to consume with fire the sacrifice he had prepared: “…so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
When we are tempted to pray with selfish motives, it is important to look again to the cross of Jesus. See the great selflessness of his love that moved him to sacrifice himself in our place to free us from the guilt of our sin. He gives us more than a fortune of money; he gives us life with God! In response, our prayers give honor to God and reflect his saving will. Like Elijah, we too are moved to pray with a good purpose—that people may know that the Lord is God.
Prayer:
I pray, Lord, that your good news of salvation reaches the many people in this world who need to know Jesus. Use me to be one of the ways that you spread the word that you are the true God. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.
Mark 7:36
Something Better
Daily Devotion – September 14, 2024Devotion based on Mark 7:36
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240914dev.mp3
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In a world caught up in self-promotion, one might wonder why Jesus said, “Don’t tell anyone,” After he healed a deaf man. Why not spread his message? Why not let everyone be amazed at his power to heal? Why not give the people what they really wanted? Jesus gave the command because he wanted to give the people something better.
It is easy to want Jesus to be something he isn’t. It is just as easy to make him into something he never came to be. Jesus did not come into this world to make our earthly life easier. He came to provide rescue and relief from the burden of sin.
It is tempting to make Jesus into a physician, healing sickness. It is just as tempting to make Jesus into a counselor, resolving personal problems. It is tempting to make Jesus into whatever we want him to be, making life better. There is only one problem. If Jesus didn’t perform to the level of our desire, we would eventually have little use for him.
So, it is important to understand that Jesus came into the world to give us something better. He came to give us forgiveness and free us from the burden of sin’s guilt. He came to offer his life to rescue us from the punishment of death and offer hope. This is what we desperately need, and what Jesus graciously offers.
Jesus proclaimed his reason for coming into this world. It was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Unfortunately, many reject Jesus because he doesn’t live up to their expectations. The Bible leads us to know Jesus and rely on him for what he came to do. When we trust Jesus as our Savior from sin and death, we really do have something better.
Prayer:
O dearest Jesus, I come to you looking for relief and rescue. Give me the perfect help and healing you came to provide. Forgive my sins. Release me from the fear of death. Bless me with the hope of life in heaven. Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
Deuteronomy 4:6,7
A Heart That Beams With Joy
Daily Devotion – September 5, 2024Devotion based on Deuteronomy 4:6,7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240905dev.mp3
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When you ask an engineer how his machine works, he lights up and is eager to share his knowledge and expertise. When a child learns something new, she can’t wait to share what she knows. We don’t want to hide what we are passionate about. We are eager to share knowledge of what we believe is important.
As God’s people, past and present, live their lives, their hearts beam with joy, eager to share what we know to be true and eternally important. Following Jesus and his commands is not about a rigorous religious life trying to appease a harsh god. We don’t serve out of fear. We live in the freedom of sins forgiven! Our joy comes from what God has done for us. Jesus drew near to humanity when he became truly human. He made known to us the true God and his salvation. He rescued us from sin by his life, death, and resurrection and made us his holy people. He is not distant. He is real, and he is near.
Our passion is to live for the one who lived and died and rose for us! As we walk in God’s ways and follow him with a joyful heart, we are letting the knowledge of Jesus and his salvation shine to the world around us. The lives we live are not so that people will praise us. We live so that we and others may praise our God and Savior. We don’t wish to blend into the world. We want to let our speech and lives reflect our faith that God has saved us and that he is with us. We want to eagerly answer those who wonder who God is and how he works. We want to share the joy of knowing Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, fill my heart with the joy that comes from your salvation that I may serve and follow you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
Deuteronomy 4:1,2
A Heart That Trusts
Daily Devotion – September 4, 2024Devotion based on Deuteronomy 4:1,2
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240904dev.mp3
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I like to cook, but I don’t always like to follow recipes. Sometimes, I leave out a key ingredient or substitute a more common one. Other times, I add a twist. Sometimes it works. Sometimes, it’s a disaster.
Adding our own flavor and interpretation to God’s Word, substituting an idea that’s more common today, taking away things we find unappetizing, or adding our own twist to make it more palatable is a recipe for disaster. Taking away something can take away the comfort we have in Jesus! Adding something can add a burden of guilt and uncertainty.
That’s why God’s Word comes with a warning—do not add or subtract. That would be a recipe for disaster. He gives this warning because he wants what’s best for us. “Just trust me!” God says. Trust the words that God has spoken. Trust that he knows what is best for us because he designed and created us to live as his children. Trust that he knows how best to bless and meet our spiritual needs because he became human, walked in our shoes, and then died to save us. Trust his royal decree that declares us forgiven and made holy because of Jesus.
Rather than being cooks in the kitchen trying to concoct our own philosophies and teachings, God invites us to feast on his every word. He invites us to sit at his table and feeds us all that our souls need. He feeds us free of charge because Jesus has picked up the tab. We savor every morsel of God’s Word because it nourishes our souls and satisfies us like nothing else. We follow him with a heart that trusts every word that he speaks.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the price you paid and giving me an endless serving of your grace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4
A Heart Transformed
Daily Devotion – September 3, 2024Devotion based on Romans 10:4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240903dev.mp3
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We all set goals in life. We might set goals in stages to make them more realistic. We want to transform our health and habits. We want to grow in our abilities. Yet, we struggle to meet the goals that we set for ourselves. How much more have we struggled to meet the goals God has set?
The goal of God’s law is summed up in this way: Love the Lord and love your neighbor. God’s law set the bar as high as it can go—perfection! Be perfect and follow God’s law of love perfectly. God sets the goal he wants us to aim for, but we’ve missed the mark. God’s goal is for us to live righteous and perfect lives, free from sin, but we haven’t. That’s the law.
Here’s the gospel, the good news: Jesus Christ has met God’s righteous goal as our Savior and substitute! Jesus met the goal that we never could. Jesus hit the mark that we’ve so often missed. Jesus loved the Lord with all his heart. As true God and also true man, he placed himself under his own law and did what his Father asked him to do—to keep the law perfectly and then to die for us who haven’t perfectly kept it. In this, Jesus met the goal of the law and loved God and us. Perfectly.
This good news transforms our hearts. In Jesus, we are finally declared righteous (right with God). It’s as though we’d never sinned because Jesus kept the law and died in our place. Our hearts are transformed, so we no longer have to hide from God in fear. Instead, we can run to him in confidence, knowing that he loves and accepts us through faith in his Son.
We follow Jesus not because he’s like some life coach who helps us set more realistic goals and achieve them. He doesn’t simply show us the way. We follow him because he is the way, the truth, and the life. We follow him with a heart transformed by his love.
Prayer:
Lord, continue to transform my heart with your gospel so that I may follow you eagerly from the heart. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.
Romans 9:30-32
A Restless Heart
Daily Devotion – September 2, 2024Devotion based on Romans 9:30-32
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240902dev.mp3
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Two children carry out the same chores around the house. They abide by the same rules and curfews. For one child, it’s grueling. From his perspective, it sucks the joy out of life. He can’t wait to move out, but meanwhile, he grins and bears it and does what is expected. The other child enjoys the blessings of a safe home, three square meals, and loving parents. He keeps the same rules, but it doesn’t seem to be a burden. He sees it as a reasonable expectation and a blessing to have parents that care that much.
They keep the same rules, but they have very different attitudes. This illustration really describes Christians just before and after becoming Christians. Before they became a child of God, they knew to some extent the basic rules—don’t murder, don’t steal, be kind, speak positively. However, apart from Jesus, these seem more of a burden than a blessing. Even now, at times, their hearts trend back to a natural way of thinking. If they think it depends on their work of keeping the rules to be right with God (that’s what righteousness means), then it becomes a burden too heavy to carry. Their hearts become restless and ragged. How can they ever know if they’ve done enough? How can they ever do enough? They can’t, but Jesus, our Savior, has!
God, our Father, has forgiven their sins and made them his children not because of their works but because of his great love. This changes everything. God lifted the burden too heavy for any of us to carry. He declared us righteous (right with him) by grace, through faith, and not by works. It’s this love that gives people a new perspective. They follow their Savior from the heart because they see that they are loved and provided for by a gracious God. Their hearts find rest in him!
Prayer:
Lord, my heart was restless until I found my rest in your loving forgiveness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. . . Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Deuteronomy 4:1,2,6
Too Strict?
Daily Devotion – September 1, 2024Devotion based on Deuteronomy 4:1,2,6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240901dev.mp3
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“Your parents sure are strict.” I remember hearing this often as a child. My parents had simple rules: If they told me to do something, I should do it. If they told me not to do something, then I shouldn’t. Looking back, I don’t know if I’d classify them as strict. I think my parents simply had expectations.
Yet, I was resentful of those expectations sometimes. My parents’ expectations seemed to limit my fun. It was hard for me as a child to see that my parents always had my best interests in mind. It was hard to see the wisdom in their expectations.
We’re tempted to look at God’s laws that way sometimes, aren’t we? We are tempted to subtract those parts that are unpopular or counter cultural. Satan whispers in our ears, “God is restricting your freedom with all these laws!” Except, just the opposite is true.
In our Bible reading for today, we read, “Follow them so that you may live.” Except we can’t follow them perfectly! That’s why God sent his Son, Jesus, to keep all his commands perfectly for us. He came so we can have life, life to the full. Just sit back and think for a minute: When has God ever done anything that wasn’t ultimately for your good? Every command God gives us, even the ones that are unpopular for many, are for our good. Following those commands doesn’t restrict our freedom, it shows our wisdom. Following all of God’s commands is a way to say “thank you” to God for all his blessings.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me life by offering the life of your Son, Jesus, in my place. Help me live according to all of your commands which I know are for my good. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:66-68
The Words of Eternal Life
Daily Devotion – Augusts 31, 2024Devotion based on John 6:66-68
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During the Revolutionary War, Ethan Allen made a name for himself as a capable colonel and the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. He was also widely known as a religious skeptic who had no use for the Christian faith. Allen’s wife, on the other hand, was a devout believer and taught their daughter about Jesus as the one who loves and saves sinners. It happened that the daughter fell seriously ill, and her father was summoned to her bedside. As the girl was nearing death, she took his hand and asked, “Father, should I believe what you have taught me or what I have learned from my mother?” The long moment of silence after her question must have felt like an eternity. Her father finally found his voice to say, “My child, believe what your mother has taught you.”
In the twists and turns of life, we can fool ourselves into thinking that there are any number of paths we can take and that any road will do. But when we are finally forced to face our end, with the prospect of where we will spend eternity, our viable options begin to dwindle very quickly. How will we stand before the Almighty on the great day of judgment? How can we hope to enter paradise when we have angered our Maker with our selfish deeds and self-centered lifestyles?
When we are faced with the reality that we, too, will one day die, we cannot ignore the question: “Where will you go? Whom will you follow?” May we, like Peter, answer, “I believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life. I believe that Jesus is eternal life.” His death for sinners has paid our debt. His rising from the grave assures us of God’s love. His word promises us forgiveness. Who else can give us these blessings but the eternal Son of God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes and heart fixed on you through your Word. I have nowhere else to turn for blessings today and for salvation in eternity. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus declared “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.”
John 6:35
Real Food
Daily Devotion – August 30, 2024Devotion based on John 6:35
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Over the past twenty years, a man named Michael Pollan has written books and given talks about finding good food to eat and avoiding bad food. He has a wonderful knack for avoiding all the nutritionist jargon. Instead, he works to keep his advice clear, simple, and practical. Over time, his words of wisdom have included: “Don’t eat anything with ingredients you cannot pronounce.” “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother would not recognize.” “Stay out of the middle of the supermarket. Shop on the perimeter of the store.” And finally, “Do not eat anything that won’t eventually rot.”
His pithy statements make the point. In our modern world of artificial ingredients and ultra-processed foods, be careful not to fill up your body with food that is not real. To do so is to invite malnutrition and a whole host of chronic health problems. Instead, stick to food that is real.
In this sinful, fallen world of lies and deceptions, spiritual junk food is all around me. There are all kinds of things I can consume to fill up the emptiness in my soul. I can fill it with pleasure. I can fill it with popularity. I can fill it with worldly success. I can fill it with alcohol and drugs. I can fill it with recreation and entertainment. I can fill it with a hobby. I can fill it with politics and current events. I can even try to fill the emptiness of my soul with food.
But it will not satisfy. It will not fill the void. Instead, it will only starve my soul. It will only push me further away from where I need to be. Such is the nature of sin—your sin and mine.
Enter Jesus. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.” Only the one who has come to confront the ultimate problem of sin. Only the one who has our sin taken away at the cross. Only the one who has risen from death. Only he can fill your empty soul.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, apart from you my soul is empty. Fill me with your gospel. Wash me clean. Make me whole. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:28,29
Presupposition
Daily Devotion – August 29, 2024Devotion based on John 6:28,29
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240829dev.mp3
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Harry Houdini is, perhaps, the most famous magician of all time. As a magician, he knew the power of using people’s presuppositions to pull off magic tricks and great escapes. Even he, however, came to realize that his own presuppositions could mislead him. Houdini was on a European tour, and he came to Scotland. To promote his upcoming show, he asked local law enforcement shackle him and place him in a jail cell. The jailer did so, then left Houdini alone. Promptly, Houdini removed the shackles without a bit of trouble. Then he went to work on the jail cell door. This lock, however, did not respond. He tried all his usual methods. But no matter what he did, the workings of this lock refused to tumble.
Finally, feeling frustrated, Houdini leaned back against the door—and the door swung wide open. Only then did he realize his presupposition. Laboring to pick the lock, he had presumed that there was a lock to pick. The reality was that the jailer had never locked the door.
You and I, by nature, hold a presupposition, too. However, ours has far greater consequences than keeping us inside a jail cell. You and I presume that we can saunter into God’s presence just as we are. Oh, sure, we want to do what we can to live decent lives, but as long as we do that, everything between us and God should be just fine.
That is a deadly presupposition. It presumes that my sin is not serious. It presumes I can do what God requires to make up for any wrong I have done.
But such a presupposition does nothing about my sin. It will lead me to eternal separation from God, for the answer is not in me. The answer is Jesus. It is the perfect life he’s lived in my place. It is the death he died to wash me clean. He alone opens my jail cell. In him alone am I free.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive my sinful presuppositions. Cleanse me in your blood. Move me to rest in you alone. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
John 6:27
Food That Endures
Daily Devotion – August 28, 2024Devotion based on John 6:27
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Food spoilage is not a pleasant subject. As we push our carts through the grocery aisles or sit in the booth of our favorite diner, the reality of food spoilage is not something we like to think about. Nevertheless, experts remind us that the moment food is harvested, that food begins to decompose. True, we can slow the process through chemicals, drying, refrigeration, and freezing, but the process continues. In the United States alone, people throw out about 150 tons of food per day. And very likely, each of us has experienced—or knows someone who has experienced—food poisoning from eating food that has broken down too much.
It’s a sobering thing when you think about it. The very substance we need to sustain our bodies is, as we eat it, in the process of spoiling, decomposing, and breaking down. It’s a vivid reminder of the broken world in which we live; a world broken by sin—your sin and mine.
Jesus knows all about this too. That’s why he tells us, “Do not work for food that spoils.” The answer to life is not consuming something that will break down and spoil. Rather, the answer must come from outside, beyond this dying world.
Jesus says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” The food that endures to eternal life is Jesus himself. The food that endures to eternal life is the one who has lived a sinless life on our behalf, died on the cross for our every sin, risen from death, and now reigns in the glories of heaven.
In Jesus alone, we find what lasts, and there is life eternal. In Jesus alone, we possess an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in this sinful, fallen world, everything breaks, wears out, and spoils. In you alone, I possess what lasts forever. Move me to fix my eyes on you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11
Entitlement
Daily Devotion – August 27, 2024Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:11
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A website called verywellmind.com has published an article that may help you determine whether someone you know has a toxic sense of entitlement. According to the article, symptoms may include the following: High demands (regardless of what they have, they presume they deserve more); Melodrama (a strong reaction when things don’t go their way); Lack of gratitude (expressing appreciation for what they have simply does not occur to them); Victim mentality (they feel that something bad is always happening to them).
But here’s the sobering side of this article. When I apply these symptoms to my attitude toward God, I wince. My old sinful self can often ooze with a sense of entitlement. It’s easy for me to presume that I deserve more. It’s easy for me to harbor strong resentment when things don’t go my way. It’s easy for me not to consider expressing appreciation for what I already have. And oh, it is so easy for me to play the victim—blaming people, circumstances, and even God when my life is not rolling along as I insist it should.
In the Old Testament, God records how he cared for his people as they traveled through a barren wilderness. He gave them enough to eat and drink. He faithfully fulfilled their needs. And yet, their sinful sense of entitlement led them to resentment and rebellion towards God—the very one who could give them life.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 10, the apostle Paul tells us that God recorded these events with us in mind. Through these tragic accounts of calloused entitlement, the Lord wishes to give a warning to you and me—a warning that radiates with love. In love, he calls upon me to consider all that I possess from a lavish, generous God. In love, he calls upon me to identify the sinful sense of entitlement when it sprouts in my own heart. In love, he calls me to repentance and invites me to be refreshed in the forgiveness Jesus has purchased for me.
Prayer:
Lord, I come to you in repentance for my sense of entitlement. Wash me clean. Fill me with thankfulness all over again. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Each morning everyone gathered as much [manna] as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.
Exodus 16:21
As Promised
Daily Devotion – August 26, 2024Devotion based on Exodus 16:21
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In the early days of World War I, German forces captured a British officer by the name of Robert Campbell. Soon, Campbell entered a POW camp, deep in enemy territory. Two years later, Campbell received word that his mother was dying of cancer back home in England. Thinking he had nothing to lose, Campbell wrote a letter directly to the Kaiser, head of the German Empire. He requested permission to go home and see his dying mother. To Campbell’s great surprise, the Kaiser granted his request, on one condition—that Campbell would give his word to return to the POW camp after seeing his mother.
Campbell kept his word. He traveled to England. He spent a week with his mother. Then he went back to Germany. Throughout this time, he was not under guard; he was not under coercion. But he had given his word. And so he returned. As promised.
About 1,400 years before the birth of Jesus, God’s people found themselves wandering through a stark, barren wilderness; a place devoid of food. But the Lord gave them his word that, every morning, he would provide them with a special kind of food— “manna,” they called it. The manna they received was enough to sustain them for that day. Then, the next morning, the Lord provided for them again. And on it went; for 40 years. Every morning the Lord kept his word. As promised.
The same Lord has given his word to you and me. He has given his word never to leave or forsake us. He has given his word to carry us through every difficult moment and sustain us with what we need. He has given his word to guide all things for our good. And all this he has sealed in the blood of his Son—the same blood that has washed our every sin away.
And so he will keep his word. He will never leave or forsake us. He will carry us through every difficult moment and sustain us with what we need. He will guide all things for our good. As promised.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for keeping your promises. Refresh my trust in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
Choices
Daily Devotion – August 25, 2024Devotion based on Joshua 24:15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240825dev.mp3
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Life is full of choices. Isn’t it? What to eat? What to wear? Where to go? What to do? Everywhere we turn, we’re faced with choices. Sometimes, the choices are clear; other times, not so much. Sometimes, we’re choosing between two good things. Other times, it seems like we’re choosing between the lesser of two evils.
Today, we’re presented with another choice. It isn’t a choice of whether or not to believe in God. The choice is this: whom are we going to serve?
When we don’t like to make choices, we try to delay them until the last possible moment, or perhaps, try not to choose at all. It seems easier, instead of choosing, to try to stay right in the middle and be neutral. However, when it comes to choosing between serving God and serving things or people opposed to God, there’s no middle ground. We can’t be neutral. We’re either on God’s side or not.
So, whom are you going to serve: The world or the Lord? The world promises pleasure and happiness but often disappoints and never truly satisfies. The Lord never disappoints and always satisfies. The world doesn’t care if you get hurt along the way. The Lord cared so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to die in your place. The world can only offer temporary gifts. The Lord’s gifts last into eternity.
Every day, God places this choice before us. So, whom are we going to serve? Lord willing, we will answer as Joshua did, “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Prayer:
Lord God, you give me the opportunity to serve you as a way to thank you for all you’ve done. Help me every day to choose to serve you with all of my heart and mind. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:43-44
Stop Grumbling and Trust
Daily Devotion – August 24, 2024Devotion based on John 6:43-44
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Why were the people around Jesus grumbling? It was because they knew him! They knew Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth. They knew his mom, Mary, too. In Nazareth, they knew his brothers and sisters. They had known Jesus from the beginning of his life. So, they refused to believe his claim about himself.
Then Jesus told the crowds that he had come down from heaven. The picture he used was brilliant. Nearly fifteen hundred years before Jesus spoke these words, God saved his people from death in the desert by miraculously providing bread from heaven. Jesus offers even more. He came down from heaven to save us from our sins. He promises that those who trust in him will live forever.
Rather than grumble that Jesus cannot be who he claimed to be, trust that he was, indeed, sent from the Father to restore our relationship to him. Trust his promise that all who trust in him will be raised back to life when this world comes to an end. Trust his promises and experience the peace only he can provide.
Prayer:
Gracious Holy Spirit, lead me to trust the words of Jesus because they are both the truth and my eternal life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 6:48-50
Take Courage
Daily Devotion – August 23, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:48-50
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Life is exhausting. We spend so many hours working to provide for our families or trying to pay off debt. We race around to all the various activities and commitments the family has during the week. We stress about everything from money to time and our health. We try so hard to do our best, but inevitably, we find ourselves overstretched and worn out. We feel alone and isolated. We feel like we are rowing against the storm and not making any headway.
What impact does this all have on our thinking? When life piles on and we are overwhelmed, we don’t think clearly. We make false assumptions. We believe wrong things about God: we believe he is distant, that he isn’t there at all, that he is someone or something different than he actually is. In their moment of stress and isolation, the disciples mistakenly assumed that Jesus was a ghost. Rather than looking to him as someone to trust and reach out to, in their exhaustion, they mistook him to be someone they should fear.
In moments like this, Jesus comes to us just as he did to them. He says: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Take heart, for the One who walks on water and controls the storms. is the same One who is in control of your life. This One is none other than our Savior, Jesus, who lived and died and rose again for us to conquer sin, death, and hell. In doing this important work, Jesus forgives our sins and gives us heaven. He makes us God’s children through faith. He has ascended into heaven and is ruling all things for our good. He is in control. The Lord is with us whether we think so or not.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, be with me always. Protect me and save me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3
Out of Control
Daily Devotion – August 22, 2024Devotion based on Psalm 46:1-3
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Take a look around. Does it feel to you like the world has gone crazy? Does it seem like everything is crashing down around you, and you have no control and aren’t sure how much more of it you can take? The economy is a source of stress and hand-wringing. The political scene in our country, which perhaps could best be described as a circus, offers very little comfort or reassurance that everything will be okay. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue, causing unrest and uncertainty. Injustice, hardship, poverty, and so many other issues abound.
Taken all together, it can feel like things are spiraling out of control. The author of Psalm 46 describes a situation just like this. The Bible verses for today describe a world in upheaval. A place where even the forces of nature are seemingly out of control. The words describe the worst catastrophe imaginable.
Even so, the author states that we will not fear. We will not fear because God is with us each and every day. He is our refuge and strength. He keeps us safe in this turbulent world and gives us entry into the next world, which will have no chaos, difficulty, or uncertainty. In sending his Son, Jesus, to be our Savior from sin, God has provided us a way out of this chaotic world and into the heavenly home he has prepared for us. Through faith in Jesus, we will live forever in peace and joy.
And until the day comes when we reach our heavenly home, Jesus promises to be with us always. He is our ever-present help in trouble. The Lord is with us whether it feels like it or not. Cling to the Lord and put your trust in him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, at times, it feels like things in this world are out of control. Lead me to trust in you and know that you are always present. Be near me, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the Lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:16-18
God Will Rescue You
Daily Devotion – August 21, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:16-18
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You thought you were a team. You thought you were all in this together. You thought that you would all support each other through thick and thin. And then someone went and broke that trust. Maybe your spouse did not take your side in a dispute with an acquaintance. Perhaps your teammate didn’t stick up for you when the coach wrongfully called you out for something you didn’t do. Or maybe your associate didn’t put in a kind word for you when you were trying for the promotion at work. Whenever people fail us, it is discouraging and demoralizing.
The apostle Paul experienced something similar when he was on trial for preaching and teaching about Jesus. There, he was on trial before the Roman Emperor—the most powerful man in the world—and no one came to his aid. His friends weren’t there to encourage him. His co-workers were not present to speak on his behalf. No one stepped forward to defend him.
Jesus knew all about that. He, too, was arrested and put on trial and was led to the cross, where he was put to death for sins he did not commit. And where were his friends through it all? One betrayed him. Another denied him. The rest fled for their lives and left him to fend for himself. But Jesus stayed the course and endured it all so we could be saved and assured of a place in his heavenly kingdom. Through faith in Jesus, heaven is yours. And in the meantime, whatever you are dealing with, God will rescue you like he did Paul. The Lord is with you, even when it seems like no one else is.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. When others fail, comfort me with the promise that you never will. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed.
2 Kings 6:15-17
Do Something!
Daily Devotion – August 20, 2024Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17
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“Do something!” We have all heard or maybe even spoken those frantic words. Maybe the doctors and nurses were not moving fast enough to care for our distressed loved one in the hospital. Perhaps the teacher was not acting quickly enough to address an issue to enable us to receive the much-needed scholarship. It could be that the attorney was not fighting hard enough to advocate on our behalf before the judge. Desperation often leads us to plead to anyone who will listen: “Do something!”
The man in today’s Bible verses found himself in a frantic situation. He was in trouble and afraid for his life and cried out, “What shall we do?” Even though this event took place many centuries ago, his question seems to be an American one. We all tend to feel like there is no situation we can’t get ourselves out of. We believe that ‘where there is a will there’s a way.’ Yet sometimes, there is nothing we can do to fix the situation.
The man of God reminds us that often, the best thing we can do is nothing. “What shall we do?” is often the wrong question. A better question is: what can God do? Elisha sought to encourage the man to put his trust in God. And so he prayed.
The man soon learned that God had the situation under control and already had a solution all planned out. So often in life, the best thing for us to do is nothing. Instead, put our trust in God, who has already done all things for us. In sending Jesus to die in our place on the cross, God has removed our sins and has given us the free gift of eternal life. This same God is always with us whether we see it or not.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, when the circumstances in life make me frantic, help me to trust in you. Help me to turn to you in prayer and trust your loving care. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
Loving Protection
Daily Devotion – August 19, 2024Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17
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“Oh no, my Lord!” Have you ever felt surrounded? Have you ever taken a look around and seen so many things stacked against you—things that were so overwhelming that you instantly were filled with fear and cried out to God or anyone who would listen? Like the man in our Bible reading today, we can feel cornered. We can feel so overwhelmed by all the circumstances stacked against us.
Perhaps you woke up one morning to find yourself surrounded by a host of difficulties: the creditors were lining up to collect overdue payments; the medical tests kept coming back positive for various health issues; the text updates from family members kept informing you that your loved one’s condition is worsening by the minute; and the guilt from what you did or said kept getting heavier. We feel surrounded by trouble, and we, too, are led to cry out: “Oh no, my Lord!”
In such times, God seeks to open our eyes. The man in our Bible reading today was enabled to see angels all around him, keeping him safe. We may not see those same angels with our physical eyes, but God wants us to know they are there. More than that, he wants us to see Jesus. To see our Savior who died for us to take our sins away and who lives to make us his own and to keep us safe. Our Savior, Jesus, is alive and is constantly watching over us. He will keep his promise and send his angels to guard us in all our ways.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, when I feel surrounded by the troubles in life, help me to see with the eyes of faith. Help me to trust in the loving protection that you provide. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom’s Warm Invitation
Daily Devotion – August 18, 2024Devotion based on Proverbs 9:1-6
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What is the wisest piece of advice anyone has ever passed along to you? Did you follow it? Were you blessed by it? The first nine chapters of the book we know as Proverbs are a warm invitation to obtain wisdom and then to live wisely. In Proverbs chapter 4, we are told that “wisdom is supreme.”
True wisdom is a wonderful thing. You can drink deeply of it, dwell in it, pass it along, and give it away freely without worrying that you will run out. Perhaps most wonderful of all, the Proverbs tell us that wisdom is ours for the taking. “Come,” wisdom calls out; “eat…and drink.”
It is like ordering the best meal at the finest restaurant and finding out that it comes “all you can eat” at no charge. The wisdom of God found in his Word is there for the taking. There is such a thing as a free meal, and there is an exception to the rule that says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The Word of God is food for the soul, and at the center of that Word is Jesus, the Bread of Life.
That we sinners can be freed from sin and enjoy a place at the banquet feast of heaven sounds too good to be true. But it is true! When we “walk in the way of understanding,” knowing and believing that Jesus lived his life to give us life and died his death to release us from death’s grip, then we are feasting on the wisdom that grants eternal life.
Prayer:
Lord God, turn my heart and mind daily to the wisdom that comes from you. Lead me to feast on the Word that gives eternal life. Bring me to Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that I live now and forever with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
The Bread of Life
Daily Devotion – August 17, 2024Devotion based on John 6:35
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In our lives, there is a constant tension between the physical and the spiritual. Some say physical is for the body, and spiritual is for the soul. Others say that our physical natures are concerned with current matters, but our spiritual natures look to the future. Jesus’ encouragement was not to work for food that spoils but to work for food that endures to eternal life—spiritual things.
All of us, by nature, care more about physical things than spiritual things. In Jesus’ ministry, individuals came to him looking for help with physical concerns. Some of them wanted food or to be healed of different diseases. Others looked to Jesus to help their friends or family members. Jesus was happy to help.
The problem was that many individuals came to Jesus caring only for their physical needs. They wanted him to be a Savior who would make this world a better place. They didn’t even consider the world that was yet to come. They tried to fill their physical needs but didn’t consider their spiritual needs. We can do the same thing. If we think Jesus is only a God who will help us pay the rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and maybe get the car we want, we don’t understand his true purpose for coming to the world.
Jesus’ mission was a spiritual one. By coming to this world as true God and true man, Jesus began his work as our Savior. He lived a perfect life and gave his life to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead as proof that God has forgiven us. Now, he offers us every spiritual gift we need and forgiveness for the times we have done wrong. He offers God’s love even when we don’t deserve it.
God has made you both a physical and spiritual being. Remember that Jesus is truly the “Bread of Life” who takes care of every need that you have.
Prayer:
Jesus, Bread of Life, I praise you for answering all my spiritual needs. Keep me from worrying about the physical needs that I have in life, confident that according to your good will for me, you will answer them, too. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:33-35
Bread from Heaven
Daily Devotion – August 16, 2024Devotion based on John 6:33-35
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In some cultures, people eat rice every day and nearly every meal. In those cultures, if you don’t have rice—you will probably starve.
In the culture where Jesus was born, people ate bread every day and nearly every meal. In that culture, if you didn’t have bread—you would probably starve. When the people of Jesus’ culture were wandering in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land, God provided them with daily manna, calling it bread from heaven.
When Jesus called himself the bread of life, he was making some profound statements. He was saying that he came from heaven, like manna. People were supposed to realize that they needed him every day, and what he said was the most nourishing thing that people could possibly hear.
It’s the same today in every culture. Without Jesus, people starve spiritually. With him, people gain eternal life. While we talk through the wilderness of this world and head toward the Promised Land of heaven, God is providing us everything we need in the person of Jesus. He is the Bread of Life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for satisfying us so we will never be hungry or thirsty again. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:26-29
Work That Is No Work at All
Daily Devotion – August 15, 2024Devotion based on John 6:26-29
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Religions made up by human beings always include something for a person to do in order to advance to the next level or earn salvation. It’s just a natural way to think about life improvements. Do the right thing, and you’ll be rewarded.
So when Jesus talks about working for food that endures to eternal life, the people listening to him understand him to be revealing some secret set of works that might lead to salvation. They ask Jesus to explain what work God requires.
Jesus corrects their misunderstanding. He invites them simply to believe in him. He identifies himself as the Son of Man who will accomplish everything necessary for salvation. He explains that the miracles he performs are simply to validate that he is the Savior, the one whom God the Father sent.
Do you want to go to heaven? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. When you understand that a person is not rescued from God’s punishment by doing good works but by faith in Jesus Christ, you’ll realize that the work of God is no work for you at all.
Prayer:
Lord, keep me from trusting my own works for salvation. Lead me to instead trust in my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:12,13
The Current Temptation
Daily Devotion – August 14, 2024Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:12,13
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It is a great comfort to know that you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear. When temptations seem so common and powerful, it is good to know that God will provide a way out.
In the section before our Bible verses today, the apostle Paul recalled how the ancient Israelites were tempted to grumble about their life circumstances, to eat and drink until they were out of control, and to commit sexual immorality, all while having the miraculous presence of God among them.
You may feel the same temptations. How will God provide a way out for you? He reminds you of his special presence in your life. When you are baptized, God has chosen you to be a member of his family. When you take the Lord’s Supper, he has been present with you in a miraculous way for the forgiveness of your sins.
Every time you hear the words of the Bible, God is providing his special presence for you, and he intends to do that into eternity. The current temptation is to pay attention to immediate things and forget about what is eternal. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, rejoice in God’s presence in your life. That’s your way out!
Prayer:
Stay with me, Lord, and provide a way out of every temptation, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of the manna until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it.
Exodus 16:19-24
The Lord Provides for Us While We Rest
Daily Devotion – August 13, 2024Devotion based on Exodus 16:19-24
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Since my heart surgery, I have taken a daily walk on a treadmill. The doctor told me it was a good idea, and it seemed like a healthy habit to me. But one day a week, I refuse to use the treadmill. I did not get this idea from the health experts who recommend taking at least one day off from a daily workout routine each week. I got the idea from the way that the Lord taught the Israelites that he was the one who provided their daily bread.
Six days a week, the Lord provided manna. On those days, the manna spoiled if kept overnight. But on the seventh day, the Sabbath day, the Lord did not provide manna. The manna gathered the day before, on the sixth day, did not spoil overnight. It was still good on the seventh day.
The Lord provides us with food, even on the days we rest. The Lord provides us with health, even on the days we rest. Resting each week is a good way to acknowledge that the Lord provides us with all our blessings. Our Lord Jesus has done all the work that needs to be done.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for all gifts of life and health and rest through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’” The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
Exodus 16:15-18
The Lord Provides for Us While We Work
Daily Devotion – August 12, 2024Devotion based on Exodus 16:15-18
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I know a one-year-old who helps her daddy in the yard. When he mows the grass, she gets out her plastic toy mower and does the same. When he weeds the garden, she picks up the pulled weeds and puts them in and out of the bucket. When he harvests the berries, she harvests and eats them too. She takes great delight in helping. Her daddy is doing the work.
When the Israelites needed food while wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, God provided a type of bread from heaven. In the morning, there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. The Israelites had not seen it before, and the words they spoke to ask what it was sounded like—manna—which is how it got its name.
God gave them work to do, gathering the manna. But to demonstrate that he was actually the one doing the work, God made sure that no matter how much they gathered, they had just enough.
When we pray, “Give us our daily bread,” we acknowledge that God blesses us with everything we need for our bodily welfare on the way to the Promised Land. Sometimes, we are tempted to think that we earn those things by our work, but then we realize that those things are really blessings from God. Our work is something that God provides to keep us busy while he blesses us.
Prayer:
Our Father, give us today our daily bread, and let us all be clothed and fed. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Watch Your Footing
Daily Devotion – August 11, 2024Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:12
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In the book The 19th Hole, author Carol Mann recounts how golf legend Arnold Palmer will never forget the day he lost his footing.
It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters Tournament. Palmer had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a satisfying tee shot. As he approached the ball, he saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned Palmer over, stuck out his hand, and congratulated him for the win he was about to secure.
Palmer later said that as soon as he shook his friend’s hand, he knew he was in trouble. After that congratulatory handshake, he lost his mental footing. He hit his ball into a sand trap. Then he put it over the edge of the green. Then he missed a putt. He lost the Masters.
For Christians, the temptation can be strong to assume that we can coast through our Christian lives: We know the Bible stories. We attend church more often than not. We’re on friendly terms with the pastor. After a while, our idea of Christianity can begin to resemble our life insurance policy. It’s nice to know it’s in our filing cabinet if we need it; otherwise, we don’t give it much thought.
And that’s when we can lose our footing.
Christianity is not some cultural formality through which we coast. Nor is it some life insurance document we store away for emergencies. Christianity is about our relationship with the One who has rescued us from the guilt of our sin.
Don’t lose your footing. Stay close to Jesus.
Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord, for all the times I have forgotten how I need you every moment of my life. Empower me to stand in you alone. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18
Rescued From Evil
Daily Devotion – August 10, 2024 Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:18
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The apostle Paul was in prison again. This time, it would be his last. Arrested, tried, and convicted before the tribunal of Nero, he had been condemned to death. Paul didn’t despair, however, because his confidence rested in the grace and power of God to rescue him.
Jesus predicted that believers would be harassed and helpless in this sinful world. They would be persecuted by those who misuse power and assaulted by lies and deceptions. The devil will use people and ideas for his purposes. He will ally himself with all kinds of evil and employ it to turn people away from Jesus to forfeit the gift of heaven!
But the devil, with his evil work, has been defeated by Jesus. Speaking about his death on the cross, the Savior declared: “Now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31). Jesus crushed the devil’s power when he paid for the guilt of the sins of the world by his innocent death. Though the devil still strives to accomplish his evil purposes, trusting in Jesus, we are assured that our Lord will rescue us from every one of those evil attacks.
And finally, Jesus will bring us to his heavenly kingdom where no evil can ever harm us again! We will be permanently and perfectly rescued from the devil and his evil work.
Like Paul, we are certain that our Lord will faithfully fulfill his word to rescue us from every evil attack and bring us safely into his heavenly kingdom. Confident in his grace and power, we proclaim praises to our eternal King: “To him be glory forever and ever!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the certainty of deliverance from every work of evil, and fill my heart with words of praise and glory to you, my Savior and King. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Mark 6:54-56
Can Jesus Help Me?
Daily Devotion – August 9, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:54-56
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You have a rare disease. It is eating away at your body and destroying your health. Every day, you are a little bit weaker.
And then you hear that there is a miracle cure. It is hard to obtain and requires a flight to a different country. It will likely be of great cost. Do you say, “Forget it. It’s not worth it. I will accept feeling terrible and getting more sick every day.” Or do you seek the cure?
Once Jesus and the disciples land across the Sea of Galilee, people recognize him. The sick and dying are carried on mats to be placed in front of Jesus. The afflicted were desperate for even a touch of the edge of his cloak as he walked by. And they were healed.
The truth is, I do have a terrible disease. I am a carrier of it. Eventually, this disease will take my life. No pills can touch it, and no therapy will control it. This disease will end in my death. You carry it, too. It is the disease of sin.
But there is a cure for this disease. It is absolutely free. No doctor needs to prescribe it, and no expensive pills need to be purchased. In fact, you don’t even need to go to the pharmacist to pick up the prescription. The Healer brings it to you. All it takes is his touch.
The one who healed the bodies in the markets also heals souls for eternity. His blood that was shed cleanses you. His obedient life purifies you. One day, we will experience in the joy of heaven what it really means to be healthy and alive. Until that day, trust his cure.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my ills upon yourself. Strengthen me to serve you in the blessing of this life you have given me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6:51,52
Why Are You So Surprised?
Daily Devotion – August 8, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:51,52
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The disciples had just been part of a miracle. Including women and children, Jesus had fed an estimated total of ten to fifteen thousand people with five small barley loaves and two small fish. He had given the loaves and fish to the disciples, and they had distributed that food to all the people and kept sharing until everyone had eaten their fill. And then his disciples even gathered up twelve baskets full of leftovers.
Somehow, that was not enough. It was not enough to convince the disciples that Jesus truly was the Son of God. It did not convince them that Jesus had supernatural power over all creation. So when Jesus walked on the water to them and then calmed the winds they had been fighting, they were amazed.
The Gospel writer Mark lets us know that if they had truly understood what Jesus did in the first miracle, the second would have been easy for them to see. They had not rejected Jesus. They just couldn’t fully see who he was.
Do we have problems seeing Jesus for who he is? Do we forget his power? Do we dismiss his love?
But the greatest miracle of all that day was not the feeding of the 5,000 or walking on the water. The greatest miracle was that Jesus was willing to climb in the boat with his disciples.
Because Jesus would have every reason to be frustrated by their unwillingness to trust him and just leave them to their problems. But he didn’t. He climbed in with them.
Remember that! Jesus was willing to come to this frustrated world. He is not a God who merely hovers over us and shakes his head in frustration or sadness—either unwilling or unable to help. He took on our flesh. He gave himself for our sins. He promises that he will be with us always.
And when we face our doubts and fears—when we feel overwhelmed with sadness or crushed with guilt—remember the God you have. He climbs into the boat with us.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to always see your amazing love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 6:50
Where Is Your Focus?
Daily Devotion – August 7, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:50
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The disciples must have been exhausted. Digging deep into the waters of the Sea of Galilee and making slow progress with their wooden oars tired them out. It was now much closer to the sunrise of a new day than the sunset when they set out on this journey. And all they could see was that they were stuck in the water.
Until “It is I” appeared.
Jesus came to them, and what did they see? They thought they saw a ghost. How could they miss the One who was there to help? Their focus was wrong.
Jesus comes to us in his Word with stacks of blessings. He commands the universe. All things have been placed under his feet. He rules all things for the good of his people.
And yet, how often doesn’t life leave us with faces that are white as a ghost? We worry about how we will pay the bills. We fear for the safety of our families and our children. We are scared about what the doctor told us. We stress about how we will get everything done that we need to do.
How will we get through this? “It is I,” says Jesus. And when he tells us to “Take courage!” and “Don’t be afraid,” he means it. He’s not some well-intentioned friend who pats us on the back and tells us everything will be okay but can do nothing about it. Jesus is the one with the power to help.
This doesn’t mean that we will stop facing troubles, just the opposite. Jesus once promised, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33) But he doesn’t leave us to stew in it. He also promises, “But take heart, for I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
In the midst of our problems, Jesus comes to us, too. “It is I,” he promises. It is I who loves you. It is I who has redeemed you. It is I who will remove all your fears one day in the glory of heaven.
Focus on Jesus, not your fears. Keep your eyes on the “I.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, overcome my fears with your promises. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Mark 6:47-50
Does Jesus Seem Far Away?
Daily Devotion – August 6, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:47-50
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Where was Jesus? The disciples had been sent across the Sea of Galilee by Jesus. But now, hours later, they are still straining against the oars, trying to overcome the wind blowing against them. It sounds like this went on for hours. Perhaps the disciples wondered, “Where is Jesus?”
It turns out not far away at all. Jesus was keeping his eye on them. He knew what they were going through. As the darkness began to be chased away by the coming dawn, Jesus went out to them.
And when their loving Savior comes near them, they cannot see him. The disciples believe they are seeing a ghost. Apparently, there was a popular Jewish superstition that seeing spirits in the night was a sign of an impending disaster. They are terrified.
Does Jesus seem far away from you? Do your persistent prayers result in no visible changes or answers? Have you given up on seeking your God in worship? Have you allowed your Bible to grow dusty, and now you feel disconnected from your God? Do you feel all alone, like Jesus has passed you by in the night?
Take comfort in your Savior’s consistent love. He knows you better than you know yourself. As he was aware of the disciples’ struggles, he is aware of yours.
The truth is that Jesus is never far away from us, no matter how we may feel. He came near to us when he took on human flesh to save us. Before he ascended into heaven, he promised to always be with us—not in some fairytale, imaginary sense, but truly present. Always. And he continues to draw near to us in his Word and the Lord’s Supper, assuring us of his love, forgiveness, and presence.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep me close to you through your Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Mark 6:45,46
Are You Having a Bad Day?
Daily Devotion – August 5, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:45,46
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Do you suppose Jesus ever had bad days? Our text almost sounds that way. Jesus made his disciples get into a boat. He dismissed the crowd which had gathered around him after the feeding of the 5,000-plus men and women. He leaves the crowd and the disciples and goes alone to a mountain to pray. Maybe it was just a bad day for Jesus.
John’s gospel gives us some added insight into this text. It says that after the people saw and experienced the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, “They intended to come and make him king by force” (John 6:15).
The people were not there to ask Jesus to teach them deeper truths of the Word of God. They were not there to learn about the forgiveness and peace he would bring. They took the gift that was Jesus and turned it into a selfish desire. “Fill our bellies, Jesus!” was what they cared about.
And so Jesus sends his disciples out across the lake, and he goes himself up a mountain to pray. He separates himself from a devilish proposition—to gather early popularity and show earthly power. No, it was not a bad day. Instead, it was another day for him to focus on saving souls and to draw strength from his heavenly Father.
How is your day today? Are you already dreading what this day has in store for you? Are you struggling with tensions in relationships? Are you stressed out at work? The car won’t start? The kids aren’t behaving? Some days feel better than others.
Remember what Jesus offers. The one who would not be led astray by worldly selfish ambition came unselfishly to win forgiveness for this day and all our days. And he reminds us of the privilege we have to go to our God in prayer. That means this day is looking better all the time.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and forgiving me every day of my life. Whatever this day brings, help me to draw strength from you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18
Rescued from Terror
Daily Devotion – August 4, 2024 Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:18
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The subject of “terror” and “terrorism” is all around us, isn’t it? Our country continues with our preparations to prevent it, or lower the danger, etc. The dictionary will say that “terror” is a sharp, intense, overriding fear. Fear of what? There are two kinds of terror that cause us to fear. As citizens of this earth, we fear sickness, injury, death, and the unknown sources that may bring them. There is also another fear—where will we spend eternity when we no longer live on this earth?
Our source of relief and protection from both kinds of terror is the same. Finally, all things are in God’s hands. Most importantly, we are saved from eternal terror because God sent his Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. While there is uncertainty here on earth, our eternity is certain because Jesus took our place. He lived perfectly in our place. God accepted Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection as payment for all the sins of every one of us. Jesus won, so we are assured of our place in heaven.
And while we are here? That same God who eternally rescued us has also promised to hold and guide us during this life.
When the apostle Paul wrote the words of our Bible reading for today, he knew his time on earth was limited. Was he in fear for his life? No! He knew that there is no terror when we are assured of God’s plan for our eternity. Our outlook is the same. God’s plan for us is the same. There is no terror in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that your promise of eternal life means I have nothing to fear in this life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. . . When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.”
Exodus 16: 2-4,15
Bread from Heaven
Daily Devotion – August 3, 2024Devotion based on Exodus 16: 2-4,15
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The future—what lies ahead—is totally unknown to us and often wildly unpredictable. But that doesn’t stop us from having feelings about the future. How do you feel about your future?
In his book Enlightenment Now, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker finds that majorities in fourteen leading countries believe the world is getting worse rather than better. Pinker goes on to say, “This bleak assessment of the state of the world is wrong.” Using statistical insights, Pinker shows that people are living longer, healthier, and happier lives.
So why aren’t we more optimistic? Just because things are getting better doesn’t mean they are good enough. Just because we have made improvements and advancements doesn’t mean we have achieved perfection.
For the Israelites, life was getting better than it had been. However, you would not know that from today’s Bible verses. Just one month earlier, they were all slaves in Egypt. They seemed to think they spent their days in Egypt gorging themselves. They even went so far as to suggest it would have been better if they had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! But their recollection of those days was incorrect.
Your life might not be everything you think it should be, but it is probably better than you realize. Give thanks to God for all the blessings from his hand. The Lord who loves you gave his one and only Son so that you might have life to the full. You can confidently say that the best is yet to come.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know how quick I am to gripe and complain. Help me to see how you have opened your hand and given me many good things. Fill my heart with gratitude and appreciation for your many blessings. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Mark 6:44
Drawn to Jesus
Daily Devotion – August 2, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:44
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Five thousand! That is how many men came to see Jesus that afternoon. And that number didn’t even factor in the women and children. That is incredible! This massive crowd had followed Jesus to the outskirts of town. They couldn’t stay away from Jesus. They were drawn to him.
But why? Why did this crowd of thousands come to see Jesus that day? They were drawn to Jesus because they were hurting and knew he could help. They were drawn to Jesus because they were suffering from sickness and disease and hoped that he could heal them. They were drawn to Jesus because their hearts were burdened with worry, stress, and guilt, and they were looking to him to offer some relief. All too often, they had done wrong, and they were longing for forgiveness from God in heaven. And Jesus didn’t shun or shame them like their other religious leaders. No, Jesus embraced them with a smile and the promise of forgiveness.
The people who went to see Jesus that day aren’t all that different than you and me. We struggle with guilt from the past. We wrestle with the temptations of today. We stress about what will come tomorrow. What is it for you? Are you having problems in your marriage or with your kids? Do you have to fight off an addiction each day? Are you worried about the future of the country, your nest egg, or your health? Whatever it is, you can take it to Jesus. He’s the one who has already defeated death for you. And because Jesus has conquered the grave, he lives to lead you through this life, assuring you of God’s forgiveness and a home of eternal rest in heaven.
For centuries, millions upon millions of people have been drawn to Jesus, and millions upon millions have found that he is the source of certain hope and forgiveness. May the Lord bless you as you walk with him in his Word. And may he put your heart at rest from your burdens and fears, whatever they might be.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, use the troubles and worries in my life to draw me closer to you. Assure me through your Word of your eternal presence and guiding hand. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
Mark 6:41
Because He Cares
Daily Devotion – August 1, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:41
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Can you imagine sitting there on the hillside, with a sea of people all around you and all of you eating until your tummies were content? It was impressive, wasn’t it? Jesus multiplied a little boy’s lunch—a few loaves of bread and two small fish—into a feast that didn’t just give everyone a bite. No, it filled and satisfied! It was impressive. You couldn’t do that, and neither could I.
But why did Jesus do it? I can’t say for certain, but I am sure that people wouldn’t have starved if he hadn’t provided for them. The disciples came up with a reasonable solution to the problem: “Send them away so they can buy food for themselves!” I am sure that if Jesus had listened to their counsel, the crowd would not have grumbled or complained. My point is this: this wasn’t a life-or-death situation. He wasn’t fending off a legion of demons or curing them of some life-ending disease. He simply gave them a meal.
So what does this tell us about the kind of Savior we have? He cares. Jesus cares about the big things and even the little things going on in your life. Yes, he cares about you when the cancer comes back or when there is one more empty chair at the dinner table. But he also cares about the simplest of concerns and the seemingly little problems in your life. I often tell my children that Jesus wants to hear our “skinned knee” prayers, too. Sure, skinning your knee hurts, but it isn’t the worst thing ever. But those are the concerns and problems we can take to Jesus as well. And why? Because he cares. He cared about you so much that he laid down his life for you. Jesus has defeated our worst problem—sin—and if he was willing to tackle that for us, there isn’t anything too trivial.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for caring for me and saving me from my sin but also, thank you for caring for every aspect of my life. Bless me with the knowledge of your care. Free me from my worries by reminding me of your eternal love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.
Mark 6:39-41
Give Thanks
Daily Devotion – July 31, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:39-41
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I grew up with a family of five boys and no girls. Yes, I can hear you now: “Your poor mother!” Trust me, she’ll tell you every chance she gets how thankful she is for her five sons. As you can imagine, with five growing boys in the house, food was constantly consumed. After a long day of school, combined with a grueling football practice, we were ready to chow down. However, before a single dish was passed, before one morsel of food from the fork went into our mouths, first things first: we gave thanks to God!
There were more than a few people in the crowd that day who had bellies aching for food. It was just about dinner time, and some hadn’t eaten in hours. And with that hunger, it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine some cranky, ornery attitudes.
But look at how the scene is described—a beautiful and pleasant picnic. The people aren’t shoving or shoveling food in their mouths. There’s no fighting or complaining. Instead, they politely take their places for this feast Jesus has prepared. They patiently wait for food to come. However, before any of the bread or fish are distributed, Jesus does something awesome. He looks up to the heavens and gives thanks to his Father in heaven for this gift of a meal.
It is good for us to give thanks to God for all of the blessings he provides. When we do that, we remember that it is God who blesses us with everything we have and focus on him rather than those gifts.
God has blessed us with so much—food, clothing, homes, friends! But the greatest gift of all is sending us a Savior from our sin, a Savior who has won us a seat in the banquet hall of heaven.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all that you have provided for me. Help me to always focus on you, the Giver, rather than the gifts. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“How many loaves do you have?” [Jesus] asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Mark 6:38-44
Use this, Jesus!
Daily Devotion – July 30, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:38-44
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The crowd had swelled to over 5,000 men. That number didn’t include the women and children who had come to see Jesus that day. As the sun began to set, Jesus’ disciples, exhausted from ministering to the people, begged their Rabbi to dismiss the crowd so that the crowd could go find something to eat. But Jesus wanted to test these disciples of his. He told them to check with those in the crowd what food anyone had. When the disciples returned, all they had found was a meager meal—a few dinner rolls and a couple of fish. Yet, miraculously, with this meager meal, thousands of people were fed!
There are massive amounts of people in need of help and care all around us. At times, it can feel overwhelming, even pointless. And so, at times, we do nothing. But, my friend, look what Jesus can do with so little!
Consider what you have and give it to the Savior. Like the faith of that little boy, hand it over to him and pray, ‘Use this, Jesus! Use my prayers. Use my offerings. Use me with all of my faults and frailties to bring others to know the peace that has been secured for your children, the forgiveness that you’ve given for mankind, and the eternal paradise you’ve built for those who trust in you.’
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I know that you can use my gifts, abilities, and offerings to accomplish great things. Give me a willingness to commit those things to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But [Jesus] answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
Mark 6:35-37
It Would Take a Miracle
Daily Devotion – July 29, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:35-37
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The crowds had flocked to see this miracle man. Word had spread faster than a brush fire about his command over demons and his ability to heal the sick, even raise the dead. The crowds had come to hopefully witness something amazing. So many people had come that they had to move to the outskirts of town to accommodate the numbers. But now, as the hour of the day was late, it was time for the people to head home.
Jesus’ disciples begged him to send the people away. ‘We’ve helped them enough. Send them home for supper. It would be impossible for us to feed all of them,’ they concluded.
Didn’t Jesus see this coming? Didn’t he know that this was going to happen? Of course, he did! In John 6:6, we’re told that “he already had in mind what he was going to do” and that he did this to test his disciples. He wanted them to see the hopelessness of the situation. He wanted them to see that it would take a miracle to solve this problem. And that is exactly what Jesus did!
We would be stranded on a hill of hopelessness, spiritually speaking, if we were all by ourselves. We would starve because of our sin and be lost to an eternity in hell. It would take a miracle to solve this problem.
But, my friend, that is exactly what Jesus did! He saved us from our guilt and sin. He provided us with the miracle we needed by laying down his life on the cross so that we wouldn’t be lost.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for saving me from desolation and eternal death. Remind me to continue to turn to you every day when my life seems dire. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” . . . The LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'” That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.”
Exodus 16:2,3,11-15
Always Complaining
Daily Devotion – July 28, 2024Devotion based on Exodus 16:2,3,11-15
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We are all good at complaining. In whatever way God blesses us, we’re likely to find something wrong. “I have to get up so early.” “I waited in line forever!” “The weather is too hot…too cold…too wet…too dry.”
The Bible reading today from the book of Exodus takes us to the time when God had rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. After walking some distance in the desert, they started to complain. They missed the food they had as slaves in Egypt. Sure, the Lord had just freed them from slavery, but with complaining hearts, they wondered what he was going to do for them now.
The Lord didn’t forget his people; he continued to provide what they needed. He sent quail in the evening to feed them. In the morning, he gave them bread to eat.
We are so ready to complain and forget God’s goodness! Yet, our amazing Lord continues to bless us. He provides everything we need.
The best of all his gifts is our Savior. In love, he gave Jesus. Jesus complained about nothing—even when he was unjustly nailed to the cross. On that cross, he suffered for all our complaining and paid for all our sins. Through Jesus, our Father has given us everything we need spiritually—his forgiveness, his love, his eternal life.
No complaint about that!
Prayer:
Lord, forgive all my complaints. Thank you for generously blessing me beyond what I deserve! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock . . . and will bring them back to their pasture . . . I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:3,4
God Takes Matters into His Own Hands
Daily Devotion – July 27, 2024Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:3,4
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You have, no doubt, heard it said, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” A parent gives a child a task but feels compelled to step in and fix it when things go wrong. A church leader assigns a project to a volunteer but is frustrated when it doesn’t turn out as planned.
That’s not a good approach to parenting or leadership. It is usually better to let people grow and learn from their mistakes than to do it for them. But sometimes, you have no choice. You have to step in and do it yourself.
Six centuries before Jesus was born, the spiritual shepherds of Israel weren’t doing their job. They were hurting the people instead of helping them. Instead of speaking the truth and leading the people to the Lord, they were telling lies and leading them to pray to and worship false gods.
When God saw this, he was furious. Out of love for his people, he punished those false teachers. And he took matters into his own hands. He sent faithful pastors and prophets to speak the truth and care for the people.
Six hundred years later, God showed his love even more vividly. He took matters into his own hands when he sent his own Son. Jesus came to rescue us, who too easily believe lies and wander from the truth. He knew we were helpless to save ourselves, so he did it for us, dying in our place to save us from death.
God loves you too much to let anything go wrong with your eternity. He took matters into his own hands so that you could be with him forever.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for taking my salvation into your own hands. Send faithful shepherds to care for your flock on earth. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
Hebrews 13:17,18
Pray for Your Shepherds
Daily Devotion – July 26, 2024Devotion based on Hebrews 13:17,18
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A recent poll by the Pew Research Center shows fewer than two in ten Americans trust the federal government. Confidence in leadership is near an all-time low. Most Americans view the government with skepticism rather than trust.
And it’s not just the government Americans aren’t trusting. A 2021 poll by the University of Chicago found that 88% of Americans have little or no trust in religious leaders. In the span of about 40 years, religion went from being one of the most trusted institutions to one of the least.
There are many reasons for this decline, but it doesn’t change the fact that thousands of religious leaders faithfully work in the church. There are pastors who care about the people in their congregation. They know they are the shepherds of their flock and must give an account of their work someday. They study God’s Word—first applying it to their own lives and then to the lives of their people. These pastors strive to love their people the same way Jesus loves them.
The writer to the Hebrews says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority.” It’s easy to have confidence, trust, and submit when you agree with everything your spiritual leader does. But what about when you disagree? You can still treat leaders with love and respect, even through disagreements. In fact, that’s what God calls his people to do.
Treating each other with love and respect will make the shepherd’s work a joy and not a burden. Joyful service is a benefit in God’s kingdom, while constant strife and complaining can hinder spiritual growth.
Above all, pray for your leaders. Leaders face numerous challenges and temptations and need the strength and wisdom that comes from God. Praying for your leaders helps them remain steadfast in their mission and live honorably.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, my ultimate confidence is found in you. Help the members of your Church treat each other with love and respect. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:7,8
Role Model
Daily Devotion – July 25, 2024Devotion based on Hebrews 13:7,8
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In 1991, the beverage company Gatorade released a commercial called “Be Like Mike” featuring basketball superstar Michael Jordan. Highlights of Michael Jordan dunking and shooting were followed by videos of children imitating his moves and even playing against Jordan.
The commercial was brilliant because it harnessed the wishful desires of many who viewed Jordan as a role model and imagined what it would be like to have that kind of basketball skill. They wanted to be like him, and so they imitated him.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews states the idea of imitation is a sound one. But instead of setting your sights on a sports superstar or celebrity, change your gaze. Imitate the everyday life of the leaders who have modeled for you a Christ-filled life and taught you the gospel truth.
Model the prayer life of the old bedridden widow who prays constantly. Imitate the couple who would sooner miss breakfast than an opportunity to worship in church. Be like the brothers and sisters who give of themselves in the love of Christ.
Are these people perfect? Of course not. But they don’t have to be. They put their faith in the One who is perfect for them and never changes. Leaders come and go. Role models pass away. But what they taught and believed remains the same: Jesus Christ.
Jesus has kept every single one of his promises. Remember your spiritual leaders and role models. Jesus remained faithful to them until the end. Jesus will remain faithful to you always. He will keep every promise to you and does not change. His promises do not waver. His love never fails.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of spiritual leaders and role models. Help me to imitate their faith. May I always find comfort in your changelessness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”
Jeremiah 23:4-6
Compassionate Shepherds
Daily Devotion – July 24, 2024Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:4-6
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The people of Judah had a leadership problem. The line of kings had failed them. For the most part, these kings led their people astray through idol worship, not listening to God’s prophets, and moral corruption. Instead of shepherding their people to safety and green pastures, they led them to their doom.
That line of kings would end with one named Zedekiah, a name that means “the Lord is righteous.” However, Zedekiah never lived up to that name. He would be the last descendant of the great King David to sit on Israel’s throne. Those kings had failed. So God himself would step in to be their Shepherd King.
And the name of this new King? The Lord Our Righteous Savior. This King would live up to his name. He is none other than Jesus Christ. Jesus is our righteousness because he did everything right in our place. He fulfilled God’s law perfectly for us. Jesus is our Savior because he took the punishment our sins deserved and saved us from eternal death. He is the King, greater than David, and rules eternally.
As our ultimate Shepherd King, Jesus places shepherds into our lives to care for our spiritual needs. Pastors lead us to the green pastures of God’s Word. They calm our fears with the promises found in the gospel, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life with Jesus. Pastors come looking for us when we go astray, calling us back to the Lord. They know their job isn’t about them, but about the Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to be my Shepherd King and for giving me your righteousness so that I can stand before God. And thank you for compassionate pastors who point me to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 6:33,34
Compassion for Spiritual Rest
Daily Devotion – July 23, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:33,34
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Sheep are needy creatures. They require constant supervision and care. Sheep have no defense against predators like wolves, coyotes, and even birds of prey. They are susceptible to disease and parasites. Sheep must be shorn regularly to prevent overheating. They have to be shown where to eat so they don’t die of starvation and malnutrition. Sheep need a shepherd.
When Jesus saw the people, he compared them to sheep without a shepherd. Jesus had compassion for them because their spiritual needs were not being met. And like shepherdless sheep, they would be spiritually doomed. So Jesus graciously gave them what he and his disciples had come for—rest. He gave them that rest by teaching them many things. He shared his words with them.
Spiritually, we are much like sheep. We are needy. We are defenseless against our spiritual enemies and susceptible to false teaching. We carry the burden of our guilt and shame. We forget where to find spiritual food and rest that will sustain us. We need a Shepherd.
Only Jesus, our Good Shepherd, can give us what we spiritually need. When we come to worship, open our Bibles, and listen to a devotion, Jesus’ heart fills with compassion toward us. Just as he loved those people in that large crowd, Jesus loves us. He wants to be our Good Shepherd and to give us spiritual rest.
Jesus loves us so much that he laid down his life for us, dying for our sins so that we could live forever with him. So we can have the forgiveness of sins and the rest that comes through peace with God.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for caring about my spiritual rest. Forgive me for when I’ve looked for that rest anywhere besides you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
Mark 6:30-32
Compassion for Physical Rest
Daily Devotion – July 22, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:30-32
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You don’t have to look hard to find the benefits of rest. Psychologists and physicians agree that rest is vital for overall well-being. You don’t need an expert to tell you that. You have experienced it yourself. You know the difference a full night of sleep can make. When you’re trying to solve a problem, it can be beneficial to step away from the issue, take a rest, and come back refreshed. Even a five-minute break can make a big difference.
Because rest is so important, it’s not surprising to see Jesus have compassion for those who need physical rest. Jesus’ disciples are called apostles because he sent them out with a message on a mission. They had just returned from that work and needed rest. Jesus looked at them with compassion. He suggested they come with him to a quiet place to rest and recuperate.
Jesus cared about every aspect of the disciples’ lives. When they needed rest, Jesus looked for a way to provide it. Jesus cares about every aspect of your life. He sees you, all of you, body and soul together. He cares for the needs of the soul as well as the body. Jesus knows that you have limits. Jesus has not called you to work endlessly without rest.
Working without an end drains you. It leaves you empty. It gives no opportunity for prayer, meditation, and reflection. It wears you out. From the very beginning, God has given you an example of rest when God rested on the seventh day of creation.
Find your rest in Jesus, the one who cares about all of you. Jesus, who rested from his work of saving you on the day between Good Friday and Easter in a tomb, welcomes you to rest in him.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when I am tired and worn, help me come to you for rest. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 6:30-34
Take a Break with Jesus
Daily Devotion – July 21, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:30-34
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Everyone needs a break from people, even those who regularly serve people. A doctor cannot always be with patients. A teacher cannot always be with students. Even Jesus took time away from the crowds of people who were coming to see him. He did this to be with his disciples. He did this to show his closest followers some one-on-one attention. Jesus said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Jesus makes the same invitation to you. Take some time to be alone with Jesus and his Word in your Bible. It will remind you that God loves you. It will remind you how Jesus died on the cross for you and rose from the dead to guarantee your forgiveness and a place in heaven with him. Go with Jesus and get some rest.
And then go back and serve the people God has brought into your life, just as Jesus did. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”
May the moments you spend with Jesus in the Word strengthen you in your service to others.
Prayer:
Compassionate Lord, may the love and attention you have shown me, help me to show love and attention to those I meet today. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’” Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:10-15
Bad News, Good News
Daily Devotion – July 20, 2024Devotion based on Amos 7:10-15
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No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. Yet, we sometimes find ourselves in that situation, and there’s nothing we can do about it. The prophet Amos found himself in that position. He was to bring a message of God’s judgment on the people of Israel and tell them that Israel would be conquered because the people rejected God. Amaziah, who served as the most important priest in Bethel, didn’t like the message either. He wanted Amos to stop proclaiming this bad news and to return to his own people. Yet, Amos did not stop. Instead, he pointed out that he must proclaim what the Lord says.
Often, we find ourselves in the same shoes as Amos. Someone we care about is saying or doing something God says they shouldn’t. And when we bring it to their attention, they are less than receptive.
Fortunately, the message of the Lord is not only bad news. He also proclaims the good news that he has saved us from our sin. He points us to Jesus. And in that news, we hear a message that surpasses any bad news we could possibly hear. We hear how he has rescued us from our condemnation through Jesus. What greater message can there be for us to share?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, boldly allow me to go and proclaim your message of grace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:9
Faithful Pastors
Daily Devotion – July 19, 2024Devotion based on Titus 1:9
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If you could design the perfect pastor, what would he be like? He would probably be a man who was wise, eloquent, and clever. A go-getter who would run the church like an expert CEO. People would come from miles around to hear him speak. Because of him, members who hadn’t come to services in years would return by the truckload, and the church’s offerings would increase by two hundred fifty percent. He would be someone who could single-handedly save your church.
While there is nothing wrong with eloquence and crack management skills, there is one characteristic that every pastor must have, and we often take for granted. In his letter to a young pastor named Titus, the apostle Paul makes it clear that the Lord wants pastors who firmly hold to the trustworthy message as it has been taught in the Bible. In other words, God doesn’t want men who single-handedly save the church. He wants men who proclaim the Savior of the Church.
Is there any other better characteristic to have? The Bible’s trustworthy message is centered on God’s incomprehensible love for us. It is beyond understanding that the Son of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). It’s even more beyond understanding that the enfleshed Son of God became obedient to death on a cross for your sins (Philippians 2:8). It is a mystery that he rose from the dead, and it is beyond our comprehension how he will raise us, too, but he will!
There’s no such thing as a perfect pastor. What we need are faithful pastors who use that trustworthy message to encourage those who need to hear it and refute those who oppose it. Christ answered for all our sins on the cross and rose from the dead, and faithful pastors deliver that sound doctrine to us so that we have no doubt where we stand with God.
Prayer:
Lord of the Church, help pastors stay faithful to their calling and to love your Word and your people. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.” . . . Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:12,14,15
What’s Your Motivation?
Daily Devotion – July 18, 2024Devotion based on Amos 7:12,14,15
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It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book: ignore the message by discrediting the messenger. God had sent Amos to call his people to repentance, and Amaziah ignored Amos’ message by accusing him of being a professional who was only concerned about himself.
That kind of thing happens a lot. Christians speak the truth about sin and are called unloving for their trouble. That’s why staying quiet is often easier than confronting someone with their sin.
The problem is that God does not save people by your silence; he saves people by his truth. So what motivates you? Concern for yourself or concern for others?
God may not have called you to be a prophet, but prophets are not the only ones who share God’s truth. Every Christian gets to do that. And if you’re only concerned about yourself, that would be very difficult to do.
Amos made it clear that he was not a professional prophet. He was a shepherd who would still be at his farm if the Lord hadn’t said, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” In other words, Amos didn’t ask to be a prophet; that’s what God made him.
Something similar happened with you. You didn’t ask God to declare Jesus guilty of every sin you’ve ever committed, nor did you ask him to punish Jesus for all those sins instead of you. But he did because he loves you.
He made you someone who listens to him, so listen to what he has to say: sin is serious and separates us from him, but Jesus is the solution to the sin problem. God grant that people will hear Jesus’ Word from your mouth so that they will see Jesus in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord, give me a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile.’”
Amos 7:10,11
What They Need to Hear
Daily Devotion – July 17, 2024Devotion based on Amos 7:10,11
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The Prophet Amos lived about 800 years before Christ. The twelve tribes of Israel had been a united country under their first three kings, but then there was a civil war, and they split into two separate countries: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
By the time Amos came along, the divided kingdom had been going on for almost two hundred years. In the northern kingdom, things were going well. The economy was roaring, their territory was increasing, and the people of Israel appeared very religious.
But there was a problem: It was all fake. Yes, there was prosperity, but there was also social injustice and oppression. Their country had a veneer of piety, but it was not in service to the true God. They worshiped God in ways that he had forbidden, and they also worshiped false gods along with him.
Enter Amos. Amos was from the southern kingdom, but God sent him north to preach. He pointed out the nation’s sins and warned them that if they did not return to the Lord, they would be exiled to a foreign land.
His message was not well received. He was accused of being a political revolutionary and reported to the king. But what was Amos supposed to say? If they were sorry for their sin, God would tell Amos to forgive them. But they were not sorry, so he couldn’t. They needed to hear the consequences of their actions. God pleaded with them to stop walking down the road that led to hell.
It’s a lesson worth remembering: when it comes to sin, you may not always be able to tell people what they want to hear, but you can always tell them what they need to hear. Sin has serious consequences, and we have a serious Savior who took those consequences upon himself to forgive us. Like Amos, we can proclaim, “Repent and believe the good news!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me strength when I tell people what they need to hear about their sin. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
These were Jesus’ instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
Mark 6:8-11
Unbelievable Trust
Daily Devotion – July 16, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:8-11
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Can you imagine going on a long business trip without taking along any luggage, food, or money? It would be unthinkable, right?
But that’s what Jesus told his twelve disciples to do. When he sent them out on a preaching trip in groups of two, he told them to take along nothing but a walking stick, the clothes on their back, and the sandals on their feet.
It’s unthinkable, right? Why would he make such a big demand of them? Because he was teaching them to trust God to provide. They were to have complete trust that God would provide the food, shelter, and protection they needed day by day.
He did this through the generosity of those who believed their message and opened their homes to them. This freed the disciples from worrying about the necessities of life so they could spend their time sharing the message of eternal life.
This message, however, would not be appreciated by everyone. Some would reject it. When that happened, the disciples were to shake that place’s dust off their feet as a warning that God would reject anyone who rejects the messengers of his Son. How could he not? God’s messengers are sent with his authority and rejecting them is tantamount to rejecting him (Luke 10:16).
And where do we fit into all this? You may not be one of the twelve original disciples, but Jesus also commands you to proclaim his Word and trust him to provide for your needs.
You can expect the same divine care the disciples received, as well as the same mixed reception. Like the disciples, you are responsible for speaking the Word, and God is responsible for the results. So anchor your trust in the Savior who sends you with his authority and rules all things for your good.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me trust your provision and care. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. . . They went out and preached that people should repent.
Mark 6:7,12
Are You Up to the Task?
Daily Devotion – July 15, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:7,12
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It is easy for Christians to look at the world around them and become discouraged. Sin is spreading, hostility toward biblical truth is intensifying, and lies about the nature of God and humanity are spreading like wildfire. So many people unknowingly follow the devil, who wants only to devour them (1 Peter 3:8). What should we do about it?
To answer that question, look at what Jesus did. He had been teaching and preaching all over Galilee. Wherever he went, he encountered spreading sin, hostility to the truth, and lies about God. So, what did he do? He sent out the twelve apostles with special authority to tell lost sinners who were unknowingly following Satan to turn away from their sin and believe in Jesus as their Savior.
That is the task Jesus gave the Twelve, and it’s the same one he gives to you. It’s the only solution to the problem. Are you up to the task?
Maybe you’re thinking, “Absolutely not! The Twelve had special training from Jesus, but I’m just an ordinary person.” Jesus may not have given you authority over impure spirits, but he has given you the gospel, which is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
That good news is as powerful today as it was when Jesus first sent out the Twelve. The gospel declares that Jesus lived perfectly for you, sacrificed that perfection on the cross, and rose from the dead to declare you perfect in God’s sight. That message is the only thing that can stop sinners from following the devil and follow Christ instead.
It’s the solution to the problem, and every Christian has it! Every Christian has the authority to speak in Jesus’ name and to tell sinners to repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15). Jesus does not send you without first equipping you, and he has already given you everything you need for this task.
Prayer:
Son of God, my Savior, thank you for entrusting me with the gospel that forgives me and equips me to serve you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Mark 6:12,13
Repent!
Daily Devotion – July 14, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:12,13
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The message Jesus told his disciples to proclaim was simple. They were to tell people to repent. It’s a message that is still important for us to hear today.
Repentance is a change of mind about our sins and relationship with God. So, God applies his law to our lives. The law demands that our every thought, word, and action be perfect. Under that kind of scrutiny, we are crushed under the enormity of our sin. God leads us to realize how impossible it is to save ourselves. He makes it clear that, as sinners, we deserve to be eternally separated from him and his love.
God’s law is not the last word, though. He comforts us with news that our sins are forgiven through Jesus. This good news is the power of God that brings us to faith in the Savior Jesus and fills us with the joy of living forever with God.
Repentance is God’s saving activity that he does for us through his Word. It makes us sorry for sinning against God and grateful that he has saved us from those sins through our Savior. Thank God for his gift of repentance!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me pay close attention to your law so I see my sin and its seriousness. Fill me with the joyous sounds of your gospel, which comfort me with salvation through faith in Jesus. Give me a hunger for your Word so I am eager to hear it often. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Mark 6:3
No Confusion
Daily Devotion – July 13, 2024Devotion based on Mark 6:3
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Many people today are confused about Jesus. Was he only a great man or really God? Did he have a family? Can we know anything about him for sure, with so many legends floating around?
If you’re confused, you have good company. The neighbors who watched Jesus grow up and the kids who played with him were confused. Was Jesus really a miracle worker? How could he be? He was just an ordinary man. Where did he get off claiming miracles? They were confused and offended by his claims.
Jesus wasn’t confused about who he was. He was the son of Mary. He was also the Son of God—not in a metaphysical or allegorical sense, but in a real, true sense. Jesus was man and God. The Bible makes this very clear.
Jesus wasn’t confused about what he came to do. He came specifically to live in our place and die in our place. He came to provide forgiveness of sins for all people—whether they accepted him or not, whether they recognized their sins or not. He had come to save the human race.
He included you in his plans. He is your God. He became a human being to live and die for you. God accepts you because of Jesus. One day, you will get to meet Jesus face-to-face. There won’t be any confusion. You’ll be looking at your God, who gave his life for you!
Prayer:
Jesus, don’t let me fall for any untruths that try to make me believe you’re only a human being or that your life is just a myth. While your free forgiveness sounds too good to be true, strengthen my faith to know it is reality until I can see you with my own eyes! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:10
Willing to Endure
Daily Devotion – July 12, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:10
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What would you be willing to endure if you knew, without a doubt, that you could change one person’s eternal fate? What comforts would you give up? What sacrifices would you make in order to make sure that person’s soul ends up in heaven with God?
God knows who the elect are. In other words, he knows those who will have faith in him and be in heaven one day. We can’t see people’s hearts. We’re not in charge of the results of what happens when we proclaim God’s Word to people. The Holy Spirit is in charge of those results. But we can be active and faithful in pointing people to God’s Word and the message of Christ.
Like Paul, we might face adversity or pushback to our message. It might not be comfortable to speak about our faith. We likely won’t get thrown in prison. But we may find that this world is still just as hostile to the Word of God as it was in Paul’s day. We may have to endure some hardships if we’re going to be disciples of Jesus.
Yet, Paul was willing to endure it all. If reaching someone with the salvation that is in Christ Jesus meant having to go through pain and discomfort in his own life, he considered that worth it. The other person’s eternal gain outweighed his temporary personal pain. Paul’s rock he could lean on to endure the hardships was knowing that he’d already obtained the eternal glory that is in Christ. No matter what happened to him, he was already a victor. He’d already won his race before actually crossing the finish line.
As a believer, you also already know the end of your story. Your eternal fate is sealed with the blood of Jesus shed for you on the cross. His empty tomb will become yours. So, let’s endure whatever we need to in order to make that end of the story a reality for others, too. Let’s run across the finish line into heaven with as many others as possible!
Prayer:
Dear gracious Lord, help me endure suffering and hardship on behalf of you and your gospel. Use me to bring your saving word to all. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
2 Timothy 2:8,9
God’s Word Unchained
Daily Devotion – July 11, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:8,9
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Joseph. Samson. Jeremiah. John the Baptist. Peter and John. Paul and Silas. What do all these figures from the Bible have in common?
Answer: they were all imprisoned at some point. This seems to be a recurring theme in the Bible. God’s people keep ending up behind bars, chained up. By the time the apostle Paul wrote this letter, he’d been in prison numerous times. But Paul isn’t worried about his chains. Yes, the gospel message of Jesus’ resurrection had put him in chains. But the gospel freedom he had in Christ was greater than his chains. Paul knew that even though he was chained up, God’s Word was not chained. And it never would be.
Followers of Christ can be imprisoned and chained up. But God’s gracious promises can’t be snuffed out or chained up. His Word will never pass away. In fact, God’s Word has always tended to spread even faster when his followers were persecuted.
Imprisonment of God’s people may be a recurring theme in the Bible but so is the theme of freeing the captives. Jesus spoke these words from Isaiah chapter 61 in Nazareth, “the Lord has anointed me…to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Freeing prisoners and breaking chains are the Savior’s specialty. It’s what he came for. The world will never be able to chain up his Word of the gospel.
So, no matter what you’re facing right now or what situations leave you feeling imprisoned by sin or despair; remember that God’s Word is not chained. And the gospel of Jesus has the power to break you free of your chains too.
Prayer:
Chain-breaking Lord, I thank for proclaiming freedom for me and releasing me from the dungeon of darkness and sin by your Word of grace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
2 Timothy 2:8,9
A Pastor’s Death Row Wish
Daily Devotion – July 10, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:8,9
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If your pastor knew he could only say one more thing to you from his deathbed, what do you think he would say?
When the apostle Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy, he knew he would soon be put to death. Paul longed to see Timothy one more time. But he wrote as if he knew his time was too short for that to happen. Of all the final advice and encouragement Paul gave to Timothy, perhaps none of it is simpler and more important than this one phrase: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” He was saying, “Timothy, always remember what Jesus has done for you and who he is.”
This was the message that had put Paul in chains. But he wouldn’t have traded that gospel message for the world. Paul’s death-row wish for Timothy was that he would always remember Jesus, the Son of David, risen from the dead for him, too. This was the one thing that mattered most. If Timothy held to faith in the risen Christ, then he and Paul would certainly meet again in heaven.
I’ll bet your pastor would like to say the same thing to you if he only had one sentence left to give you. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David.” Your Savior’s identity as the chosen Messiah and his work of rising from the dead for you has set you free from sin and death. Because of that, one day, you’ll be able to say it with the same confidence as Paul, “I have finished the race…Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.”
Prayer:
Dear risen Savior, Son of David, go with me as I run my race and take me to life everlasting with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3
Be a Fellow Suffering Soldier
Daily Devotion – July 9, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:3
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“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.” That’s the first line of a hymn written in the 1800s. In that hymn, God’s Church on earth is compared with an army. Not an army bent on conquest and destruction, but an army bent on breaking down the gates of hell and freeing souls with the message of Jesus’ cross. God’s Church has a mission to advance with the gospel to every corner of the earth.
The apostle Paul also briefly takes on the imagery of an army and soldiers in today’s Bible reading from the book of 2 Timothy. He urges Timothy to join him as a fellow suffering soldier for Christ. Soldiers follow orders. Soldiers leave their quiet lives as a citizens behind to go on a mission. Soldiers on active duty may have to go hungry and sleepless as they engage the enemy.
This reminds us that our time as God’s people on earth isn’t a cakewalk. As followers of Christ, we take on this calling to be suffering soldiers for Christ. It’s not supposed to be easy if we’re following behind our commander, Jesus. He’s going to bring us into the places that are hardest hit by sin and despair. He puts us on the front lines in our communities, planting us among people who need hope and forgiveness. Taking on the ministry of God’s Church in the world will take a toll on us. It will likely leave us feeling like a discouraged soldier pinned down under enemy fire at times.
But God doesn’t leave us to be suffering soldiers alone. We have a commander who has gotten down into the front lines with his troops. God, in Jesus, made himself a fellow suffering soldier in our war against sin, death, and Satan. Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, fought on the front lines, led the charge, and took all the enemy fire away from us by going to the cross in our place.
The next line in that old hymn says, “Christ, the royal master, leads against the foe; forward into battle, see his banners go!” So now we can join in as suffering soldiers in God’s army along with Paul and Timothy and our leader, Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me bear up under suffering as I follow your mission to bring good news to the world. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1
Be Strong in Grace
Daily Devotion – July 8, 2024Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:1
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Be strong in your faith. Be strong in your convictions. Be strong in times of hardship. Those are phrases you’d expect to hear if someone were trying to offer you life encouragement. But the apostle Paul had an even better phrase to share with his young friend and fellow pastor, Timothy. He said to Timothy, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy near the end of his life. These words were Paul’s last will and testament for Timothy. You’d expect Paul to tell Timothy to be strong in holding to the truth and strong and bold in his proclamation of the gospel. Paul does tell Timothy to be strong in those ways, but more importantly, he tells Timothy, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus.”
Strength is usually gained by going to the gym and working out. Strength is gained by doing something, like training and putting in hard work. But here, Paul was telling Timothy to find spiritual strength by simply resting in the strength of Christ. The undeserved love and grace that Jesus had given to Timothy would give him the ability to be strong in all the other ways. Because Timothy was wrapped up in the grace of Christ’s saving work for him, he would also have the strength to hold to his conviction and proclaim the gospel despite rejection and hardship.
These words of life encouragement aren’t just for Timothy. They are for you, too. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Simply rest in the strength and work of your Savior.
Prayer:
Dear mighty Father, wrap me in the strength of your love for me. Keep me always in Christ, my strong rock and refuge. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’
Ezekiel 2:4
God, Please Talk to Me
Daily Devotion – July 7, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 2:4
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Wouldn’t it be wonderful to talk with God? If we could only call him on the phone and hear his voice, or send him an e-mail and get a reply from God@heaven.com. He could give us answers to our questions. He could help us to know what to do and what direction to take in our lives. By hearing his voice, we would be assured he is with us and will help us. Yes, it would be wonderful for God to talk with us.
God is not so far removed from his world that he is out of touch with us. God does talk with his people. In times past, God talked directly to some of them. Ezekiel, a prophet who lived about 580 years before Jesus was born, heard the voice of God. Over a long period of time, God gave this man important messages to speak to the people. He faithfully repeated those messages and assured his audience that, “this is what the Sovereign LORD says.”
There were other prophets and specially chosen men to whom God also spoke in times past. They, too, heard the voice of God, and as they were moved by the power of the Holy Spirit, they wrote down God’s word. Through that written word, recorded in the Bible, God still speaks to us today. As we read it, we can be confident that this is what the Sovereign LORD says.
He’s not available on the phone or accessible with the computer. But you can open up your Bible, and God will talk to you today. He has some important things for you to hear.
Prayer:
God, speak to me through your Word. Assure me that you are my Savior from sin and Lord of my life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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
Every Morning
Daily Devotion – July 6, 2024Devotion based on Lamentations 3:22,23
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What’s your morning ritual? When does the blaring of the alarm clock burst your pleasant sleep? What can you “check off” your list before leaving the house for the day? Is receiving compassion one of those things?
You might not notice it, but God has already been busy before your alarm clock stirs you to action. God tells you that his love and compassion protect and greet you every morning.
Why would you and I need God’s love and compassion every morning? God tells us that we are sinners. There are so many times we have done, said, or thought things that God hates. Not only do we commit sins, but God also tells us that we have a sinful nature that hates what God loves and loves what God hates. Because of what we do and who we are by nature, we deserve to “be consumed”—punished by God.
But God promises to treat us differently than we deserve. In love, God decided to treat his Son differently than he deserved, too. Jesus was punished in our place and for all of our sins. He suffered in our place on the cross and died. In love, God let his Son, Jesus, be consumed because of our sins.
Now, God greets you each day with his love and compassion. For the sake of Jesus, God forgives your sins. You produce new sins every day. So, God gives you love and compassion every day—new every morning.
May God bless you with sleep that leaves you feeling “new” every morning. Whether or not your physical rest brings you into the new day feeling refreshed, God faithfully greets you each morning with his love and compassion through Jesus. May God’s great love and unfailing compassion refresh you every morning and propel you through each day.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I daily sin and deserve only your wrath and punishment. Thank you for your love and compassion—new every morning! In the peace and power of forgiveness, lead me to thank you with all that I do. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. . . Some people came from the house . . . “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Mark 5:22-24,35,36
Trust Through the Tears
Daily Devotion – July 5, 2024Devotion based on Mark 5:22-24,35,36
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He lies in the dirt, clutching Jesus’ feet. Tears stream down his cheeks. “Please, Lord. It’s my daughter. I don’t want to lose her.” Jesus takes him by the hand and helps him up. “Let’s go.” But they don’t make it in time. Some of his friends meet them along the way: “It’s too late. She didn’t make it.”
Does your heart break with his? Have you been there? Overcome with pain, desperate for help. With the pain come the questions: Why? Why do I hurt so much? Why do I have to suffer? And where is God in all this?
Notice how Jesus answers that last question here. When this desperate man comes looking for help, Jesus goes with him. There is no “I don’t have time right now.” There is no questioning to see how deserving the man might be or what he has already done to try to help his daughter. Jesus just goes.
We don’t have to wonder where God is in our pain. When we come to Jesus with tears in our eyes and pains in our hearts, he gives us his undivided attention and care every single time. He shares our pain, and he cares deeply.
Now, some might think it’s foolish to ask Jesus for help. Do we sometimes even think that? He’s too busy. It’s no use. He won’t be able to do anything about it.
That’s what the messengers from that father’s house suggest. But Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Don’t fear that I can’t help. Don’t fear that I don’t care. Don’t fear that you’ve wasted your time. Trust me. Rely on me.
And Jesus goes to his house and raises his daughter from the dead. His trust was in the right place—in the only one who saves.
When life is filled with tears, trust him. You won’t be disappointed.
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, help me to trust you in life and in death. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed . . . we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
2 Corinthians 4:8,9,14
The Freedom that Brings Life
Daily Devotion – July 4, 2024Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 4:8,9,14
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On July 4, 1776, the American Declaration of Independence was signed. In its prologue were these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
American politics is full of debates and arguments about the best ways to preserve those so-called unalienable rights. But governments and politicians can’t prevent death, nor can they make us truly free or create a path to uninhibited happiness.
Today’s Bible verse describes a life that doesn’t sound very happy: “hard pressed… perplexed… persecuted… struck down.” As he writes about the Christian life, the author doesn’t promise that life will be easy and carefree—exactly the opposite. But he does seem to give some hope. He writes that, even though all those things are true, we aren’t “crushed… in despair… abandoned… destroyed.”
It may sound like a never-say-die attitude. “Don’t give up. Look on the bright side. Make the best of it.” But our confidence doesn’t come from our own determination or efforts to fight back against what threatens us and overthrow our enemies.
It comes from knowing the one who has already done that for us. “The one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” Jesus fought for freedom from death itself. He won that fight by overturning the cause of death—mankind’s disobedience of God’s perfect laws. By living a perfect life and dying an innocent death, he paid the price for our sins once and for all. His rising from the dead was proof that death’s claim on us was ended because our guilt was gone.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, so will we. He gives us life that never ends, liberty from guilt and the grave, and perfect happiness that lasts forever.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for all who fight for human freedoms. But most of all, thank you for fighting to set me free from death. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Treasure in Jars of Clay
Daily Devotion – July 3, 2024Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 4:7
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Clay jars were very common in Bible times. They were also fragile. If they were dropped or knocked over, they would break, chip, or crack. There was no super glue, so the only thing to do with broken pottery was to throw it away.
Today’s Bible verse compares Christians to jars of clay. By ourselves, we are nothing special. We don’t live squeaky-clean lives. We have our faults and weaknesses, just like everyone else. We crack or break under pressure.
When the Bible describes us this way, here’s the point: It’s not about us. It’s not about our strength or success. It’s not about how good we look before other people. It’s what’s in the clay jars that matters, not the jars themselves.
What’s in us is a priceless treasure—the beautiful, powerful message called the gospel, the message of Jesus Christ as Lord, the message of light shattering the darkness of sin and life overcoming death because Jesus died and rose again for us sinners.
That amazing treasure makes clay jars anything but ordinary. The message of God’s forgiveness through Jesus repairs our cracks and chips and retouches our blemishes. In the treasure of Baptism, we are scrubbed clean inside and out. In the treasure of Holy Communion, we are filled with the body and blood of Jesus, along with the forgiveness that God promises that we receive with them. We, jars of clay, now stand perfect and beautiful before the heavenly potter who has formed us, lumps of clay, into works of art for his purposes.
Sometimes, people hide valuable things in plain cardboard boxes because no one would think to look there. But that’s not what God wants to happen with the treasure we have. He poured his precious message of life and love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ into clay pots like us so that we can pour it out into the lives of others. We hold the treasure, but we don’t hide it. We value the treasure, but we don’t keep it to ourselves. As ordinary as we are, we have an extraordinary purpose.
Prayer:
Jesus, pour out the treasure of your grace in me and through me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:26
Worth Waiting For
Daily Devotion – July 2, 2024Devotion based on Lamentations 3:26
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Waiting is hard. In a world in which everything moves faster and faster, we expect everything to come to us quickly. It is hard to wait. What if you know what you are waiting for is worth the wait? Does that make it easier? That wedding date you’ve had circled on your calendar for over a year. That vacation you’ve planned and saved up for. That visit from loved ones you haven’t seen for a long time.
Israel’s history was a history of waiting. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised to send his Son to crush the devil’s head. But he wouldn’t come in their lifetime. They had to wait. From Abraham to David to Jeremiah and beyond, for centuries, the people waited and waited.
We live in a time of waiting, too. Waiting for Jesus to come back and be delivered from our sorrows and suffering once and for all. When will that day come? We don’t know. Since the day Jesus ascended into heaven, God’s people have been waiting and praying, “Deliver us from evil.”
But that waiting is hard.
You know how hard it is if your health is failing, your body is weakening, and you simply want to see your Savior. “Lord, deliver me.”
You know how hard it is if you’ve had to spend another night in a hospital bed or another day struggling to make ends meet. “Lord, deliver me.”
You know how hard it is if you’ve been mocked or bullied for confessing Christ at school or work. “Lord, deliver me.”
While we wait for the Lord’s deliverance, we are tempted to grow impatient, discouraged, frustrated, and even angry with him.
But the Bible says, “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” We can come before God in humility, saying, “Lord, I don’t have the answers to life’s problems. You do. I don’t need to be in control because you are. I don’t have to worry because you love me. Lord, forgive my fears and frustration, my impatience and anger. I wait in hope for you. Because you love me and are coming to deliver me, I know you are worth waiting for.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me wait patiently for your deliverance. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22,23
Unfailing Compassion
Daily Devotion – July 1, 2024Devotion based on Lamentations 3:22,23
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In an abandoned city, Jeremiah the prophet can only stare in horror at what he sees. Ruin, destruction, death, and desolation. Nothing is left. Tears well up in his eyes. A numbness settles over his heart.
They deserved it. The people of Israel turned away from the Lord. They made their heathen neighbors their allies and worshiped their gods. God’s prophets warned them, but they didn’t listen. The Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem, broke down its walls, burned down its temple, and hauled many of its citizens off to Babylon.
But, staring at the judgment that he knows he and his people deserve, Jeremiah finds hope. His confession is so beautiful. He says: “Because of the LORD‘s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” The Lord has not given up on them. His love for them is that great.
When everything around us is destroyed, the Lord’s great love is not destroyed. Even when our rebellion comes between us and the Lord, the Lord’s great love is not destroyed. Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not destroyed. His love is a shield and refuge for us in life and death.
And his compassions never fail. Just as you can count on the sun coming up every day, so can you count on God’s love and compassion day after day. God’s compassion is new for you every morning. New to heal the new wounds in your heart and life that each day brings. New to remove the new guilt that burdens your soul. New to soothe the new pains as well as those aches that just won’t go away.
Jeremiah’s mindset was not just a glass-half-full attitude that said, “It could be worse.” It was joy-filled confidence that rejoiced in a living and loving God. In his great love and unfailing compassion, God uses every trouble and tragedy to draw us back to him so that he can calm our hearts, dry our tears, and restore our relationship with him. And because God loved us enough to die for us, he has even overcome death so that we will experience his great love forever.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your great love and your unfailing compassion. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:6,7
Don’t Judge a Package by Its Cover
Daily Devotion – June 30, 2024Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 4:6,7
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Have you ever given someone a present in plain paper wrapping? Why did you do it? Was it to surprise them? Did it work? To surprise someone with a special gift that they are not expecting can give an extra lift to the receiver.
Paul described a gift from God in plain paper wrapping (jars of clay) in our Bible passage. The gift was a treasure, the gospel, God’s plan of salvation for sinful mankind, which includes you and me. Ever since sin separated Adam and Eve from God, that separation has continued in all their descendants. And we can do nothing to bridge the gap between God and us. But God could, and he did! He sent his Son to live a perfect life, and then suffer and die in our place. Jesus has taken all our sins and paid for them, rising victoriously from the grave and defeating Satan for all time. This message is that treasure, the gospel, where God spells it all out for us.
And the plain paper wrapping, the jars of clay, as Paul described them? Paul was describing himself as a sinful, unworthy human, in need of the same salvation he was preaching. And that is true today. God still tells us the story of our salvation through sinful humans using the everyday language that we understand. That treasure is as powerful today as it was in Bible times. You and I have the same assurance of salvation as those who listened to Paul.
Don’t underestimate the power of what God has given us—our salvation through his Son, Jesus.
Prayer:
Thank you for gifting me the forgiveness of sins through my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
That day when evening came, [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. . . A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-41
Is Jesus Sleeping in Your Boat?
Daily Devotion – June 29, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:35-41
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The disciples supposed that Jesus did not care if they drowned. They did not trust his love for them, nor did they have faith in his power to control wind and wave. Jesus exposed their lack of faith asking, “Why are you so afraid?”
Jesus exposes our lack of faith with the same question, “Why are we so afraid?” Do we think he is sleeping through the problems and troubles of our lives and doesn’t care? Do we think he cannot stand up in the middle of danger and disaster and say, “Be calm and be still!”
Yet there he is with his disciples in that boat on the lake in the middle of the storm. Sleeping on a pillow in back of the boat and believing God would take care of them. He spoke words filled with such power that the sea became calm and the winds stopped howling. Perfect calm.
This miracle helped the disciples learn the answer to the question, “Who is this Jesus?” “Even the wind and waves obey him.” This miracle displayed Jesus’ infinite power and teaches us how to respond to Jesus. We join the wind and waves in obeying his every word.
But this miracle also rebukes us when our weak faith wonders, “Does Jesus care?” This miracle demonstrates the boundless, limitless, and infinite love of Jesus. The quieted winds and the calmed waves testify, “Yes, he cares for you!”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, help me wait patiently when you seem to sleep. Help me worship joyfully when you rise to save. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
Psalm 42:1
Thirst Quencher
Daily Devotion – June 28, 2024Devotion based on Psalm 42:1
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This pastoral passage doesn’t depict a deer drinking deeply from a meandering stream in a peaceful forest. Picture, rather, an antelope wandering aimlessly in the wilderness during a time of drought. There is nothing to ease its thirst, just the hope of the slow trickle of a desert stream. Nothing else will do.
This is not a peaceful image. As we read these words, we should feel the desperation and determination of this dear animal. It is the same desperation and determination we experience during difficult days.
Just as only water will do when we are dehydrated, so only God will do when we are desperate. Why? Because God created us for himself, so only a relationship with our source of life can satisfy us.
Are you looking for love? Are you longing for a relationship? Are you doubting your worth? Are you searching for a purpose? Are you lacking contentment? The Lord, your Shepherd, supplies all you need.
He satisfies your hunger. He quenches your thirst. He gives rest to the weary. He leads the lost. He defends those in danger. He laid down his life for you to save you from your greatest enemies. And he lives to lead you to waters that well up to eternal life.
Imagine if all your needs could be taken care of with one solution. Imagine if, in all our needs, we always desired God. Think of the freedom we would have. The joy. The peace. The energy. The enthusiasm. The excitement. That’s what God provides all the time. Because in him, we have forgiveness. In him, we are family. In him, we are cared for, provided for, and protected for time and eternity.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, my soul thirsts for you. Satisfy my desires with good things. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Mark 4:38
Don’t You Care?
Daily Devotion – June 27, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:38
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“Don’t you care?”
Jesus had spent all day caring for the needs of others. The disciples had watched him heal people who were diseased or demon-possessed. Even as night fell, people were still bringing their sicknesses to Jesus. Exhausted, Jesus told his disciples to take him across the lake where he could get some rest.
As they made their way across, a furious storm kicked up. In an instant, waves were threatening to capsize the boat. The situation was so bad that even the disciples, who were expert fishermen, feared for their lives. Jesus, however, was fast asleep.
Frantic, the disciples woke Jesus and asked, “Don’t you care about us? Save us.” They knew he could save them, but they wondered why he wasn’t.
It’s a question we easily ask, especially when we experience some sudden, unexplainable, seemingly insurmountable situation. We’ve seen others overcome similar circumstances. We expect that if God is good, he should be good to all in equal ways. But when relief doesn’t come, the frightened questions do. “God, don’t you care?”
Of course, he does. The Bible is filled, from the first page to the last, with examples of God’s loving heart and powerful hands. But nowhere is his care more evident than on the cross. Because Jesus is God, the Father counted Jesus’ death as the full payment for our sins. Jesus died to save us from death. Because he lives, he gives eternal life to all who believe in him. Just because bad things happen doesn’t mean God doesn’t care.
If God didn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself for us, is there anything he wouldn’t do for us? He will do anything to spend forever with us in the paradise he is preparing for his people. Whether in good times or bad, in plenty or want, healthy or sick, storms or calm, we are always in God’s constant, loving care. There is nothing to fear.
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, I believe you saved me from death, help me believe that you will always care for me in life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
Acts 27:25
Take Courage
Daily Devotion – June 26, 2024Devotion based on Acts 27:25
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Water is powerful. With enough mass and momentum, water topples buildings.
Water is persistent. A little water over a length of time erodes rock and rusts metal.
Water is petrifying. Although our bodies are waterproof, we can drown in one inch of water.
Combine power, persistence, and petrifying in the form of a storm, and even the most experienced sailors will be terrified.
That’s the situation Paul found himself in. He was on a ship bound for Rome. A fierce wind kicked up a terrible storm. The waves were so powerful the sailors were afraid they were going to sink. The clouds were so thick they couldn’t navigate by the sun or stars. For two weeks, they were driven along by the whim of the wind. The sailors were terrified, tired, and hungry.
Despite the odds, Paul told the crew, “Keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed” (Acts 27:22). How could Paul know? What gave him such confidence? One of God’s angels told him.
When life’s trials weigh us down, it is easy to lose hope and stop trusting God. But because of what Paul experienced in the storm, he could write, “In all things God works good to them that love him who have been called according to his purpose.”
God called Paul to proclaim the message of Jesus to the pagan world. He had promised that Paul would take the gospel to Rome. And he did. For two years, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God. And many listened and believed.
God calls each of us for the same purpose. He gives each of us the same promise. He will never leave or forsake us. Because of Jesus’ saving work, nothing can separate us from God’s love. No one will snatch you out of his hands. Even in the most trying times, God will work good for you and through you.
So, keep up your courage.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, stay with me always, especially when I’m having a bad day. Give me courage, confidence, and good cheer because you are leading me safely through life’s challenges. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?”
Job 38:1,2
Who Do You Think You Are?
Daily Devotion – June 25, 2024Devotion based on Job 38:1,2
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“I can do it myself!” the toddler insists.
The teenager broods, “You have no idea what I’m going through.”
“I could do it better,” the twenty-something insists.
Maybe the toddler can grab food off the stove. But does he know the stove is hot? Maybe the teenager’s parent has never experienced what the teenager is going through. But does she have her parent’s knowledge that this too shall pass? Maybe the twenty-something could do the task better. But does he realize there is an important reason why it is done this way?
We all think we know better than those with more wisdom. And what you would like to say to those who question your wisdom probably sounds something like what the Lord said to Job. It’s what God would say if he answered us when we question his wisdom.
“Who do you think you are?”
God is not being a jerk. He’s lovingly helping us remember who he is, what he has done, what he is capable of, and what great and good plans he has in store for us that can only come by the storms through which we must sail.
God knows the plans he has for you. From eternity, he knew how to save us from sin. He laid out the details over thousands of years. And, when the time was right, when everything was in place, he sent his Son to fulfill all of God’s plans as proof that God knows what he is doing. And then he appointed the exact time and place where you should be to hear the good news and receive eternal life.
That’s his plan for you. So, you can be sure, even now, come what may, God knows what he’s doing. He is working all things for good to you who love him.
Prayer: (Romans 11:33,36)
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm.
Job 38:1
Out of the Storm
Daily Devotion – June 24, 2024Devotion based on Job 38:1
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Job was a good man—a man of integrity and honesty. Job had a great life. Fame. Fortune. Family. Friends. But, in a short span of time, he lost almost every earthly blessing. His wealth. His health. His children.
Job’s wife encouraged him to give up his relationship with God. Job’s friends insisted that God must be punishing him for something terrible he did. The more they insisted, the more Job pushed back. He demanded an audience with God. He would present his case and prove that God was not justified in allowing him to suffer.
Job’s response is a common one. Storms arise—a disturbing diagnosis, job loss, the death of a loved one—we struggle and suffer and make all kinds of assumptions. Maybe we did something to deserve it. God must be punishing us.
Yes, sometimes we must suffer the consequences of something sinful we have done. But more often, storms arise because we live in a sinful world. And, like Job, we cry out to God. We demand to know why. We say that it’s not fair and we have done nothing to deserve it.
And God answers. Maybe he doesn’t answer you personally. But we can all learn something from his response to Job. When storms arise in life, we imagine that God has turned his back on us and abandoned us. But the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.
What does this short verse tell us? Even in those storms, God is there. The Lord is with you. He is the unchanging, eternal, faithful God of compassion and grace. He is your Redeemer who conquered death, forgives your sins, heals your diseases, and who saved your life from the pit. His love abounds. His mercy is more. He’s by your side and above the storms. If he brought you to it, he will bring you safely through it. Trust him. He’s in control.
Prayer:
Lord, you spoke, and everything came into being. You spoke, and storms were calmed. You spoke, and the dead were raised. Speak, O Lord, out of my storm. I am waiting on you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
Job 38:1-11
Questioning God
Daily Devotion – June 23, 2024Devotion based on Job 38:1-11
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240623dev.mp3
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Have you ever been tempted to question, accuse, or challenge God? Job and some of his friends did. Throughout the latter chapters of the book of Job, we hear challenging questions and statements made against God. In chapter 38, God responds.
God’s rhetorical questions put things back into perspective. By his wisdom and power, he laid earth’s foundation and set the borders for the seas. You and I were not around when God created the world. Dare we question and challenge his ways?
There are times when things don’t go very well. Too often, we get caught up in our own little world. We make this life comfy and cozy. Challenging or blaming God, as if he did something wrong, is not the answer. Realizing that we live in a sin-filled world, surrounded by sinful people and betrayed by our sinful nature, is the place to start. Repentance followed by trusting in Jesus as our Savior from sin is the way to go.
Instead of questioning and challenging God, let us thank God for his faithfulness in sending Jesus, who has earned forgiveness of sins by his death for us. Remembering this truth puts all things into perspective. Amidst sickness, job loss, and difficulties of all kinds, we can unquestionably trust that God’s loving will for us is sure and certain in Jesus our Savior.
Prayer:
Lord God, creator of the universe, give me a faith that trusts your love for me and wisdom for my life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. . . I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
Ezekiel 17:22-24
A Promise
Daily Devotion – June 22, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:22-24
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Have you ever made a promise and then broke it? That question gets personal when you think of the promises you have made to your spouse, children, or best friend and how many times you have let them down. That question gets more personal when you think of the promises you have made to God, and how many times you have failed him. It is one big reason we struggle with so much guilt.
Did you notice in the reading from Ezekiel, how many promises your Sovereign Lord makes to you? He declares, “I myself will… I will… I will do it.” He promised to raise a small shoot into a great tree that would provide shelter and shade for all who nest in that tree. The small shoot that becomes a great tree is Jesus Christ, your Savior from all sin. The birds who nest in the tree are all the people who come to Jesus for rest from their guilt. The shade and shelter the tree provides is the loving and merciful care that Jesus gives to you.
Now, if you want to see the impact of these words in Ezekiel, look at them this way: For every time you said “I will” to your Lord but didn’t, your Lord said “I will” to you and did. And you can see what he did on another tree. He died for you on the cross. From that tree, there is forgiveness for all your broken promises. From that tree, there is a promise kept that leads to eternal life.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for my broken promises to you. Thank you for keeping your promise to me. Thank you for the refuge I have in Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Again he 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 seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:26-32
Planting Kingdom Truths
Daily Devotion – June 21, 2024 Devotion based on Mark 4:26-32
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A mother left a note for her children, “Have a great day! Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer. I will be home around 6:00 PM tonight. Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer. Love you! Mom (p.s. Don’t forget to take the lasagna out of the freezer.)”
Do you get the impression that mom wants the lasagna out of the freezer? Repeating a message is a way to emphasize a message. So your ears perk up when Jesus speaks a couple of times in Mark chapter 4 about planting seeds. Do you get the impression that your Savior wants you to hear his Word?
With words as his picture, Jesus holds up a teeny-tiny seed and says, “A farmer doesn’t know how this seed grows. But it does! And that is what my kingdom is like.” He then reaches for a teenier, tinier mustard seed and contrasts it with the tall plant, like a tree that it would become. Seeds are so little when planted, yet they grow into ripe harvests and large plants.
Just think about what happens in your heart and soul as Jesus fills them with his Word. He isn’t sharing farming examples to broaden your understanding of agriculture but to plant kingdom truths in your heart. The king who died and rose for you wants you to know and trust the power of his Word. God’s Word, like a tiny seed, doesn’t seem like much. But it is the power of God. And through that power of God, he sprouts faith, grows that faith, and fills the limbs of your life with the bounty of his fruits.
Prayer:
Lord God, fill my ears and plant in my heart the precious and powerful truths of your Word and your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29
The Growing Seed
Daily Devotion – June 20, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29
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Seeds appear to be just little things that are dry and dead. Actually, they are teeming with life. Inside the outer coat is a root and a shoot just waiting to jump out and start growing, along with a powerful energy supply to keep it growing until it can make its own energy. It’s a simple yet fantastic design that continues to work despite gene manipulation, the production of hybrids, and all the attacks from fungi, bugs, and plant viruses. The human race is only one failed seed season away from starvation. But we don’t worry because we know the seed designer who has promised that “…seedtime and harvest…will never cease” (Genesis 8:22) as long as the earth endures. Seeds work.
So Jesus used the story of a seed to illustrate what the Christian Church is like. In this chapter of Mark, he tells three different seed stories that clearly show the power of the gospel in causing and growing the Church of all who believe in Jesus. It’s the seed chapter in the Bible.
You may have heard this message a thousand times, but it still brings a thrill to your believing heart and makes that faith stronger. It’s been proclaimed worldwide, has caused 2 billion people to say, “I believe in Jesus,” and is still going strong! That’s why you read through the Bible, so your faith will grow along with your knowledge. It’s also why you plant the gospel with as many people as possible so that more people can join us in the kingdom!
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for putting your power at work in the seed of the gospel. Lead me to hear it and read it so that it can grow my faith stronger. Lead me to plant it in the ears and minds of others so you can bring them into the kingdom of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”
Mark 4:26-28
The Seed
Daily Devotion – June 19, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:26-28
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Every spring, we see the miracle of growth. It’s not Mother Nature, but the hand of the almighty God, maker and preserver of all things.
Miraculous growth takes place also in the human heart. The growth-maker again is God, specifically the Holy Spirit. The result is the creation and preservation of Christian faith, as evidenced by words and deeds of Christian love.
You can’t see faith, but genuine Christian faith demonstrates itself by its emerging fruits, which look out for others instead of the natural “me-first.” Simple good manners—like saying a genuine “Thanks!” instead of thanklessly grabbing for things, can be a fruit of faith. Seizing opportunities to perform little kindnesses like providing a meal for a fellow Christian, caring
for a hospitalized loved one. It’s serving everyone, even those in the community. Never overlook the daily care and concern of a tired mother untiringly raising her children in the Lord’s nurture and instruction.
Let’s not forget, though, that growth potential lies not in the human heart but in the seed of the gospel planted and watered there. Unlike drought-caused restrictions on watering lawns and gardens, there dare be no withholding of the gracious water of life applied and reapplied to the soul with the gospel. The power to produce fruit lies in the gospel and nowhere else. And, as always, to God’s name be honor and praise!
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, give me eyes and ears of faith to trust that your Word is at work creating a harvest for you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29
Growth Without Effort
Daily Devotion – June 18, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29
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Farming is a lot of work. Farmers are some of the hardest-working people that I have the privilege of knowing. They are up before the sun and go to bed long after the sun has set. They plant and harvest. They maintain buildings, equipment, and acreage. They make deals buying what the farm needs and selling what it produces.
However, the one thing they don’t have to do is cause the plants to grow. The farmer cannot will them to grow or find just the right words to say to inspire the seeds to sprout. The farmer can’t pay a bribe to make the plants grow or put in some overtime hours to make the plants grow. The seeds sprout, grow, and produce a harvest all on their own.
It is the same with the kingdom of God. There is much to do in the kingdom of God, and like the farmer, we are to be busy. There are people to love and good works to do. We are to be busy loving our neighbor as ourselves and keeping the commands of God.
However, the one thing we don’t do is cause the kingdom of God to grow. We scatter seed by sharing his Word, but the kingdom of God does not grow by our own will or efforts. It doesn’t grow because I want it to or because I have inspired it. Though we might not know how it grows, it will have a harvest all on its own.
There is much for us to do in the kingdom of God. Yet the growth is not our work or effort, but God’s.
Prayer:
Father of the harvest, keep me busy doing your work and sowing the seed. Yet remind me that it is not my work, but yours. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.
Ezekiel 17:22,23
Cut off but Not Dead
Daily Devotion – June 17, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:22,23
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It had been 480 years of a continual dynasty as one son after another followed his father as king in Jerusalem. There had been long reigns and monarchs who sat on the throne for only weeks. Jerusalem had been home to kings who had followed the commands and decrees of the Lord and also those who were wicked and brought much suffering upon the people. Through all the ups and downs, the great dynasty had continued, but now it was finally coming to an end. Zedekiah would fall and be the last king. All of Zedekiah’s sons were killed, and Zedekiah himself died in captivity, and along with him, the dynasty was over—or so it seemed.
Even as the mighty tree of David’s line fell, God was breaking off a tender sprig to plant in a high and mighty place. It would start small and humble; few would notice or pay attention. However, this humble sprig would become a great tree that would bear fruit and provide rest and shade not just for a single nation but for many people.
That sprig was planted as Joseph and Mary journeyed to David’s hometown of Bethlehem, “and the time came for the baby to be born.” His birth was small and humble, but through his death and resurrection, David’s greatest descendent would bear fruit and provide rest for all people. Not food or physical rest, but the gifts that come from Jesus defeating sin, death, and the devil.
The mighty tree of David’s dynasty would fall. In Jesus, God would plant a greater tree from that same line who would bring true peace and rest.
Prayer:
Thank you for fulfilling your prophecy and sending my Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus] also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Mark 4:26-29
Powerful Seed
Daily Devotion – June 16, 2024Devotion based on Mark 4:26-29
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Hold a seed in your hand, and it appears lifeless. But plant it in the ground, and from that seed emerges a tender sprout that pushes its way up through the soil and grows into a sturdy plant. We can loosen and fertilize the soil and supply ample moisture, but we cannot empower a seed to germinate and grow. It does that all by itself because that’s the way God created it.
Jesus used the nature of a seed to describe the working of God’s Word. When the good news of Jesus was planted in your heart, the power of God caused faith in Jesus to sprout and grow. This happened because God was working through his Word to give you new life and all the blessings of being a child of God.
You can’t produce saving faith on your own; no more than you can cause a planted seed to grow. God accomplished it completely for you. God loves you so much that he brought you to faith in Jesus and still uses his Word in your life to help you grow in faith. Therefore, you can look forward with confidence to the day of the harvest when Jesus will come to gather you and all his believers to be with him in eternal glory.
Prayer:
As you have used your Word, O God, to bring me to faith in Jesus, help me grow in my faith as you nourish me each day with the good news of my salvation. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“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 3:15
God Cares
Daily Devotion – June 15, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:15
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“What kind of a God would allow so much suffering in the world? Doesn’t he care? Doesn’t he love?”
Have you ever heard someone say this or something similar? What would you say in response?
Does God love? Does he care?
Look at our Bible verse for today. Adam and Eve, the first people to live on this earth, had willingly and deliberately disobeyed one of God’s crystal clear commands, choosing instead to listen to Satan. By sinning, they had separated themselves from God and brought upon themselves his righteous and just anger. Just like that, our first parents became lost and condemned creatures, doomed to die physically, and they deserved to die eternally. Worst of all, there was nothing that Adam and Eve could do to save themselves. Their situation was hopeless. They had no one to blame, either. The fault was theirs.
Please take note of God’s response. He could have forever turned his back on Adam and Eve, allowing them and all their human descendants to live out their miserable earthly lives and experience a misery of pain in hell eternally. Or, he could have come down at once and annihilated them, like a person stepping on a cockroach.
But that’s not what God did. He cared for Adam and Eve. He loved them as the crown of his creation. He wanted them and all their human descendants to live forever alongside him in heaven. So what did God do? He promised to send a Savior, someone who would be punished in their place, crush Satan, and destroy death. Why? God cares. He loves.
Don’t reject this caring God who loves you. Wrap your arms of faith around Jesus, the only Savior for all people, because he cares and loves you!
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for caring for me and loving me so much that you sent your only Son, Jesus. Keep my faith strong in him as my Savior. When I’m overwhelmed by my problems and fears, remind me that you will care for me because you love me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan.
Revelation 20:2
Ancient Serpent
Daily Devotion – June 14, 2024Devotion based on Revelation 20:2
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It is 2017. Scientists in Europe are conducting an experiment. They are showing a series of pictures to 6-month-old babies. With each picture, the scientists record the dilation of the babies’ pupils. One picture is of a flower. When the babies see the flower, their pupils remain the same. Another picture is of a fish. When the babies see the fish, their pupils remain the same. On the experiment goes.
But then, somewhere along the line, the scientists display the picture of a serpent. When the babies see the serpent, their reaction is different. Even though these infants have no experience with serpents, their pupils dilate, their bodies grow agitated, and they display signs of stress. With this experiment, the scientists conclude in their report that, for some reason, most humans seem to be born with an innate fear of serpents.
Perhaps that should not surprise us. It was the serpent, after all, through which Satan tempted our first parents to sever their relationship with God. It received a curse as a result—destined to crawl and squirm on its belly. Indeed, people have feared serpents for a very long time.
But the image of a serpent is also part of something wonderful. In the last book of the Bible, God’s Word makes reference to what’s recorded in the first book of the Bible. Revelation 20:3 speaks of that ancient serpent—who is the devil or Satan. Someone is seizing that ancient serpent, exerting victorious might. This is possible only because God has fulfilled his promise to send a Savior from sin—the descendent of Adam and Eve who would crush the serpent’s head and destroy the devil’s power.
The ancient serpent, of course, still tries to find ways to frighten, startle, and drive us to despair. When he tries, remember the one who has already come. Remember the one who has lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died for our every sin. Remember the one who lives and reigns. Remember the one who has crushed the ancient serpent. Remember Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when Satan tries to frighten me, remind me that he’s crushed. Remind me of you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“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 3:15
First Gospel
Daily Devotion – June 13, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:15
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There is no darker moment in history. Tempted by Satan in the serpent, Adam and Eve have severed their bond of trust with their Creator. Sin has flowed into its place. The effects are immediate. Adam and Eve try to hide from God. When God calls upon them to acknowledge what they have done, all they do is point fingers. Eve portrays herself as a helpless victim. Adam blames his wife and even airily suggests God himself was not very helpful either.
In this moment, it is clear that Adam and Eve are lost. There is no heartfelt confession or repentance. There is no cry to God for rescue. There is only the calloused apathy of sin. In this moment, God has every right to walk away in righteous disgust. He has every right to abandon them in contempt and to the existence they have chosen: an outer darkness apart from God and his goodness.
But God does not walk away. Instead, he gives a promise. He turns to the serpent and tells the devil that someone is coming one day—someone who will be a specific offspring of Adam and Eve and who will undo what has just taken place. “He will crush your head,” God tells the devil. But in the process, the devil “will strike his heel.” He will cause this special person great suffering.
There is not much detail in this promise; more details will come later. But its brevity takes nothing away from its power, impact, and ramifications. What God proclaims within Adam and Eve’s hearing this day is what theologians call the Protevangel—the First Gospel, the first promise of a Savior from sin.
But do not forget the context of the moment. God promises to send us a Savior from sin, not because we begged him, not because we have fallen before his feet, not because we have made some effort to make up for what we have done. He sends a Savior because we need one.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, even though we wanted nothing to do with you, you rescued us anyway. What wondrous love is this, O my soul? Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Genesis 3:12
Not My Fault
Daily Devotion – June 12, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:12
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The Lord had given Adam and Eve a specific command. It was a command by which they could celebrate their trust in his will for their lives. The command was simple: In the middle of the Garden of Eden, there is a special tree. Do not eat the fruit from that tree.
But Adam and Eve, tempted by Satan, chose to eat from this tree anyway. When they did, they severed their bond of trust with their Lord, and sin oozed into its place.
All this sets the stage for what happens next. God, of course, knows what has gone wrong. In love, he approaches Adam. He calls upon Adam to acknowledge the obvious. He asks Adam, “Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Adam could simply reply, “Yes.” But he doesn’t. Instead, the answer Adam gives might very well be one of the most groan-inducing statements in all of the Bible. His answer is this: “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
In his short reply, not only does Adam blame his wife, but he also blames God. In his fantasy land of pure rationalization, Adam concludes that the fall into sin is not his fault.
You and I can see ourselves in Adam and his reply. In our sinful weakness, we love to identify someone else as the problem. We love to cite extenuating circumstances as to why our sinful behavior is understandable. There are even moments when we conclude that if God had not allowed this person or that problem into our life, we would have done much better; thank you very much.
Thank God that his Spirit can still pierce my calloused heart. Thank God his Word still calls me to repentance. Thank God the message of the cross and the empty tomb can still bring me back home.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the moments when I try to blame others for my sin. Give me a repentant heart. Wash me clean. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9
Where Are You?
Daily Devotion – June 11, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:9
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Adam is hiding. He is hiding because he has just severed his perfect bond of trust with his God. As a result, sin has infected everything. One of its immediate effects is that Adam and Eve now have a dark impulse to hide from God.
In this moment, God has every right to abandon Adam and Eve. After seeing them betray his trust and throw away every single thing he has done for them, God has every reason to turn his back and walk away, never to return.
But he doesn’t. Instead, he calls out to Adam, “Where are you?” He asks the question not because he needs the information; he knows exactly where Adam is. Rather, he asks the question to let Adam know he is seeking him out and lay bare his guilt to make him fully aware of it. He does all this in love. He does all this to bring him to a full realization of his plight.
Even the most secular among us will almost always admit, “I am not the person I should be.” At some level, each of us, as human beings, has an uneasy sense that we have somehow wandered away from wherever it is we need to be.
Enter our Creator. Enter our Savior-God. Enter his Word. Enter his call to each of us—his call that says, “Where are you?”
He asks the question not because he needs the information; he knows exactly where we are. Rather, he asks the question to let us know he is seeking us out in order to lay bare our guilt and make us fully aware of it. He does all this in love. He does all this to bring us to a full realization of our plight. For it is then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you and I begin to grasp why we need Jesus Christ and what he has done on our behalf.
“Where are you?” the Word of God continues to call. For it is Jesus Christ who has come to seek and to save what was lost.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, when I wander away, call out to me. By your gospel, empower me to come home. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:8
To Hide
Daily Devotion – June 10, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:8
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Up to this moment, Adam and Eve had enjoyed a perfect bond of trust and love with their Creator-God. This bond had been at the center of everything. Their lives had been wondrous beyond description.
But, tempted by Satan, Adam and Eve chose to trust their will for their lives instead of God’s will for their lives. In doing so, they severed their relationship with their Lord. As a result, the toxic waste of sin rushed in to take its place.
The results were immediate. When the Lord approached them, there was now, within Adam and Eve, a dark impulse to do what they had never done before. They hid. And fallen humanity has been trying to hide from God ever since.
By nature, you and I also have that dark impulse to hide from God. Perhaps I hide behind busyness, filling my mind with so many deadlines and activities that I think I’m keeping God at a comfortable distance. Perhaps I hide behind news headlines and current events, filling my mind with so many national and international issues that I never get around to my relationship with God. Perhaps I hide behind work, entertainment, recreation, or an all-consuming hobby—anything that might spare me from confronting the reality of my sinful failures before a holy God.
Hiding, however, is not the answer. Jesus is. The Son of God became one of us. On our behalf, he lived a life of perfect trust in his heavenly Father’s will. In our place, he suffered and died for our every sin—including our every act of distrust, our every act of avoidance, our every act of hiding. Then he rose from death.
Now, through faith in Christ, you and I stand forgiven, cleansed, and blanketed in the holiness of God’s Son. And because we are, you and I don’t have to hide anymore. Ever.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I feel the old impulse to hide from God, move me instead to hide myself in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[The man] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And [God] said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.”
Genesis 3:10-14
The Ultimate Defeat
Daily Devotion – June 9, 2024Devotion based on Genesis 3:10-14
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Adam’s sin was not just in passing blame but in not taking responsibility, as he should have, since God shows the order of his creation by going to Adam first. Adam’s sin was not only shirking his responsibility, but also in finally passing off the blame for the sin—not to his wife (“the woman…”) but to God himself (“…you put here with me”).
Martin Luther said, “This is the nature of sin: unless God immediately provides a cure and calls the sinner back, he flees endlessly from God and, by excusing his sin with lies, heaps sin upon sin until he arrives at blasphemy and despair.”
Like her husband, Eve also shirked responsibility for sin. She passed blame off to the serpent (the devil). God punished both the serpent and the devil. The animal was transformed by God to serve as a constant reminder to mankind of Satan’s ultimate defeat.
Although Satan had won a victory by deceiving Adam and Eve to sin and dragged the whole world under the curse of sin, God would ultimately defeat the devil’s power and free mankind from the hold of death. All this would be accomplished through a mighty Savior. He’s Jesus, through whom we have the peace of God’s forgiveness and the joy of life with God forever.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins of shirking responsibility and blaming others for what I have done. Forgive me for your sake and help me, this day, to live only for you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. . . the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. . . Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.”
Deuteronomy 5:12,14,15
The Sabbath Gift
Daily Devotion – June 8, 2024Devotion based on Deuteronomy 5:12,14,15
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House-hunting. Writing project. Softball practice. Summer activity roadmap. Water and electricity bills. Basketball camp. Tomato plants and two trees next to the garage to get planted. Birthdays to plan. Work presentation next Thursday. Home projects. Details of the trip out west.
Do you feel utterly exhausted and waylaid by endless demands and stifling routines? Even your upcoming vacation plans have a panicky, task-like edge to them. The mantra of your day: “If only I had more time.” Is this the real problem? Wouldn’t this be more accurate: you’ve forgotten God’s ancient wisdom for you? You have forgotten the Lord’s own rhythm of work and rest.
To remember God’s own Sabbath—given for you, not for him—is to be handed the elixir to the productivity game playing around you and in your own life. What a gift God has given you in the Sabbath! A gift for your sanity and wholeness. A gift to enrich your lives. A gift to make your joy complete. Sabbath restores your bent and withered parts.
The best part of the Sabbath is Jesus. “If you’re exhausted and panicky, come to me and I’ll give you ‘sabbath,’” Jesus invites.
Jesus has secured forgiveness for your sins, including the one where you ignored God’s wisdom of work and rest. Always living up to the demands of his Father and the law, Jesus has carried all of your weariness to the cross. There, he paid your death sentence. He now lives. Jesus is the gift for forgiveness and eternal life for rest. Jesus is the gift for your sanity and wholeness. Jesus is the gift to enrich your lives. Jesus is the gift to make your joy complete. Jesus restores your bent and withered parts. Jesus is rest.
Take a breath and relax. Jesus is your Sabbath gift.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, for my ability to work, thank you. For the wisdom to rest, thank you. For the gift of Jesus who is my true rest, thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Matthew 27:57-60
Jesus Rested To Give Us Rest
Daily Devotion – June 7, 2024Devotion based on Matthew 27:57-60
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Jesus said, “It is finished,” on the day he died, a Friday. He had done everything required for our salvation. That was Day One. He rose from the dead on Sunday to prove that everything he had said and done for us was true. That was Day Three.
What happened on Day Two? Day Two was a Saturday, a Sabbath day. On that day, the body of Jesus rested in the tomb. Joseph of Arimathea had taken it, wrapped it in a burial cloth, and placed it in a brand-new tomb sealed with a big stone. It was the ultimate Sabbath rest.
It is often calming to see someone sleeping, but to see Jesus sleeping with eyes of faith brings the ultimate calm. He has done everything for us, and now we rest in the peace of his forgiveness.
Even when we see someone in the sleep of death, we are confident that God is in control and that the resurrection of the dead will take place as surely as Jesus rose from the dead. For now, we wait, confident that Jesus rested to give us rest.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 817)
Lord, let at last thine angels come,
To Abr’ham’s bosom bear me home
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until the reappearing.
And then from death awaken me
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, thy glorious face,
My Savior and my fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise thee without end. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
Mark 3:1-5
Jesus Worked To Give Us Rest
Daily Devotion – June 6, 2024Devotion based on Mark 3:1-5
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When everyone else was resting, Jesus was working. It was a Sabbath day of rest. People had gathered to hear the Word of God. Jesus entered the gathering space and demonstrated that he was God by healing a man. He was doing the important work of revealing his glory in the face of opposition.
When everyone else was working, Jesus was doing the most important work. People were attempting to get to heaven by pleasing God and following his laws. Jesus kept all laws perfectly and became the only human being with whom God was well pleased.
When everyone else was distracted, Jesus was focused on his work. He went to Jerusalem, and then, he willingly went to the cross, taking the punishment for sins, not just for certain people, but for the whole world.
Today, when anxiety cripples and busyness overwhelms us, Jesus works to give us rest. His promises are powerful, and the work he has done in the past is good for us into eternity.
Prayer:
Lord God, in this difficult world, I look to you as our rock of refuge and rest through Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:23-28
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
Daily Devotion – June 5, 2024Devotion based on Mark 2:23-28
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As the Son of God, Jesus has existed from eternity. When the world was created, he spoke, and everything came into existence. When he stopped speaking on the seventh day of creation, it was the first day of rest. Since the timing of the Sabbath was based on that first day of rest, the Son of God is Lord of the Sabbath.
As the Son of Man, Jesus knew all the Sabbath laws from a faithful study of Scripture and had perfect knowledge of how to follow those laws. When religious leaders challenged Jesus and his followers because they did not follow the Sabbath laws the same way the religious leaders did, Jesus gave an example from the Scripture of the right way to observe the Sabbath. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
Jesus explained that a time of rest and attention to God’s Word is healthy for human beings. The Sabbath was made for them! Human beings were not created so that they can observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath was created so that human beings would benefit.
We can be certain that the commands and prohibitions of God’s law are good for us, even when we don’t understand them. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, and because he is our Savior, we trust whatever he tells us.
Prayer:
God, your Word is my delight. When I am lost in darkness, enlighten my heart and mind to trust you and serve you in holiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:13-17
Jesus Fulfilled the Sabbath
Daily Devotion – June 4, 2024Devotion based on Colossians 2:13-17
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When Jesus walked the earth, there were a lot of laws that people were supposed to follow when it came to rest on the Sabbath day. Did cooking count as work, not rest? How about walking somewhere or helping someone in need? Various authorities took it upon themselves to interpret the rules and then enforce them. If there were fines associated with each infraction, a person could rack up a lot of debt.
Jesus kept all the Sabbath laws perfectly. Even when local powers and authorities did not interpret those laws correctly, Jesus kept them the way God intended. He did not accumulate a single bit of debt, literal or figurative.
Then, in one striking action, Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty that every human being had accumulated for breaking laws of any kind, including the Sabbath laws. It was as if all the legal charges against people were written on a sheet of paper that was nailed to the cross along with the hands and feet of Jesus. Authorities became powerless to accuse people since the debt was paid.
That’s why we don’t follow Sabbath laws today. They were a shadow of the rest we find now in the reality of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
God our Savior, I lift up my heart to you and ask you to grant me rest through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.”
Deuteronomy 5:12
Remember the Sabbath Day
Daily Devotion – June 3, 2024Devotion based on Deuteronomy 5:12
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“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” is one of the Ten Commandments. The word “Sabbath” means “cease, desist, rest.”
Faithful people before Jesus kept the commandment by working for six days every week but resting on the seventh day of the week. Every member of the family, every servant, and every working animal, like oxen and donkeys, were all supposed to rest on that seventh day, just like God did when he finished creating the world. The idea was to spend the day remembering that God rescued the people from being enslaved in Egypt. To prompt that remembering people were supposed to listen to the Word of God.
The famous religious reformer Martin Luther explained that this commandment means, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and his Word but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.” This means that we gather with other Christians to hear the Word of God proclaimed in its truth and purity. And because that truth tells us that we have spiritual rest through Jesus, we do so, not because we have to, but because we want to.
Rest is important for our bodies and our souls. God has granted us rest in Jesus. This commandment shows us that God wants us to thank him for his goodness by regarding his Word as holy and gladly hearing and learning it.
Prayer:
God of grace, you have given me rest in Jesus. Fill me with your Spirit, guide me by your Word, and help me as I seek to follow you and your commandments. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then [Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:27,28
Rest for Our Souls
Daily Devotion – June 2, 2024Devotion based on Mark 2:27,28
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The word “Sabbath” means “rest.” When God created the world, he “worked” for six days, and on the seventh day he rested, he stopped his work of creation. Therefore, in the Old Testament church, God commanded his people to work for six days, and on the seventh day (the Sabbath Day) they were to rest. On that Sabbath Day, they rested in the Word of God. Yes, even back then, it was a temptation to work nonstop and get so busy with earthly things that they’d neglect God’s Word.
In Jesus’ day, the local teachers of the law had made the day of rest into a day of rule-following, not a day of rest in God’s Word. They had multiplied the requirements and rules, adding all kinds of details as to what defined “work” and what defined “rest.” If you kept the man-made rules, you were to be proud of yourself. If you failed to keep the rules, you lived in guilt.
Here’s the problem: Seeking rest through following rules is never restful!
Jesus set them straight. He said that he was the one in charge of the Sabbath, not human beings making their own rules. And Jesus came to give us rest for our souls. We could never keep God’s law so that we could find rest. But Jesus kept it in our place. Then he died in our place for our failures. And he promises that because he has done it all, we can confidently look forward to heavenly rest through faith in him.
That’s why we take time to rest in God’s Word—not to follow a rule, but to honor our Savior, rest-giver, and Lord of all. Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We thank him for the rest we have now and look forward to the eternal rest that he has provided.
Prayer:
Dear Lord of the Sabbath, thank you for the rest you have provided for my conscience. Give me peace as I look forward to the eternal rest that lies in the future, all thanks to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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.
Romans 8:15
A Slave No More
Daily Devotion – June 1, 2024Devotion based on Romans 8:15
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The story goes something like this: A former slave enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The longer he lived and fought as a soldier, the farther behind he left his life as a slave. One day his unit was passing by some prisoners of war. To his surprise he came face-to-face with his former master. The soldier’s greeting was powerful but brief. He said, “Well, Master, it looks like the bottom rung is on top this time.” His point was clear. The soldier was no longer a slave. The prisoner was no longer a master. The old relationship was gone forever.
As you read or listen to this devotion, some of you are under some extraordinary circumstances. Perhaps you just learned you have a tumor. Perhaps you’ve just been laid off. Perhaps you just found out your spouse has been unfaithful. Perhaps your son or daughter has just gotten into some serious trouble. Perhaps your best friend has just died.
In any of these circumstances—or a million others like them—fear can come calling, trying to regain its old position and reclaim its place as master.
But those days are long gone. Through faith in the message of sins forgiven in Christ—the Holy Spirit has adopted you into God’s family. Never again will you be alone. Never again will you be helpless. Never again will you be without the strength and guidance of the Almighty God.
And if you ever begin to forget that promise, take a good, long look at the cross of Jesus. Then take a good, long look at his empty tomb.
Will fears in your life come and go? Of course. But will fear be your master? Christian, you are a slave no more.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when the hard times come, fill me with courage through your gospel. And remind me that my days of slavery to fear are gone forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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
God’s Love Conquers All
Daily Devotion – May 31, 2024Devotion based on John 3:16,17
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“Omnia vincit amor.” Those were words once penned by the ancient Latin poet Virgil. We know them in English as “love conquers all.” The only problem with Virgil’s conclusion is that he was speaking of a self-centered love, where sinful people finally choose the person or thing most irresistible to their sensuous desires. In other words, whatever brings me the greatest pleasure is the thing I will choose; my “love” for that thing “conquers” all other options. I get what I want the most.
Is that the kind of love God has for us? Does he choose that which brings him the most pleasure? No, just the opposite. God’s love for us is not about how much pleasure we bring to him because, as broken sinners, we could never please him, not even for a moment. Instead, God’s love for us is about what he gives to us unconditionally, no strings attached.
And what has God the Father given us? His one and only Son, Jesus. And what did Jesus willingly do for us even though we were completely unlovable? He sacrificed his perfect life for our broken lives. He took the world’s sin on his shoulders and carried it to the cross, washing it away forever. More than that, he replaced our sin with his perfection. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Why would God do that? There can be only one reason: because he loves us. And what is his unconditional love for us meant to inspire in our stony hearts of unbelief? Simple, childlike faith worked mysteriously and miraculously by his Spirit.
There’s no other love like God’s love. It conquers all—even the hardest of hearts—so that “whoever believes in (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life.” Just imagine! God rescues us from the dominion of darkness and brings us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for loving me with a love that conquers all. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:14,15
Cast Your Eyes on Jesus!
Daily Devotion – May 30, 2024Devotion based on John 3:14,15
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Things didn’t go as planned when God rescued his Old Testament people from their slavery in Egypt and promised to settle them in a land flowing with milk and honey. But that change of plans wasn’t God’s fault; it was entirely the fault of his stubborn people, who refused to trust him. As the situation deteriorated—and the people began to complain angrily against God and his servant Moses—the Lord sent venomous snakes among them to teach them an important lesson.
But while some of the Israelites died from poisonous bites, the lesson God wanted to teach them wasn’t so much about his punishment for stubborn wrongdoing. He wanted to teach them about his love, forgiveness, and salvation. So when the people cried out for mercy, what did God do? He sent them a savior! He told Moses to fashion a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. The Lord told him that “anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 21:8). And as he always does, God kept his promise. “Cast your eyes on the bronze snake and you will live!”
We may never be bitten by a snake, but each one of us is snake-bitten by our sin. From the moment we took our first breaths, our brokenness has been our faithful but deadly companion. Left to ourselves, we could never escape sin’s poisonous and deadly venom.
Enter Jesus, the world’s only Savior from sin and death. Jesus explained how God showed his love by sending him. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” In other words, while our sin is indeed deadly—and we’re unable to save ourselves from its consequences—our Savior God has sent his Son to do what we could never do, to give us life and salvation forever.
What do you and I need to do? Absolutely nothing. Cast your eyes on Jesus! Trust him. He saves.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me cast my eyes on you and to trust you for all things now and forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus answered] “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:6-8
The Miracle and Mystery of Faith
Daily Devotion – May 29, 2024Devotion based on John 3:6-8
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Having faith in others doesn’t come naturally to us. We instinctively trust ourselves, not others. We learn to mistrust others because so often frail humans are not trustworthy. They don’t earn our trust.
But God is always trustworthy, whether we believe that or not. So, our lack of faith in him is not a result of his failures; it’s a direct result of the brokenness we inherit from our parents. Jesus could not have been more right when he declared, “Flesh gives birth to flesh.” In other words, sinners give birth to sinners. We’re sinful from the time our mothers conceive us” (Psalm 51:5). And because we’re born sinners, we’re also born without true fear of God and true faith in him. We can’t help ourselves; we’re born spiritually dead (Eph 2:1).
So, how can we ever come to trust God if we’re spiritually stillborn at birth? It’s both a mystery and a miracle performed entirely by the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that “the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” He means the Holy Spirit, and what does the Spirit do? He gives us new spiritual life by kindling our faith in God and fanning it into flame.
How does he do it? In so many ways, his work of bringing sinners to faith in Jesus is a sacred mystery. Jesus compared it to the comings and goings of the wind. “The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
But this much we can know: the Spirit uses God’s Word and sacraments, especially Holy Baptism, to work Christian faith and to save us eternally.
How can a few words and splash of water do such powerful things? Because God can do all things. Why would we trust him if he couldn’t?
Prayer:
Jesus, grant me your Spirit through Word and sacrament that I might trust you more each day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
John 3:4,5
God’s Hidden, Saving Power
Daily Devotion – May 28, 2024Devotion based on John 3:4,5
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Jesus had told his visitor Nicodemus that he needed to be born again to see the kingdom of God, that is, to see and understand how God works and rules in our broken lives to save us forever. The problem was Nicodemus didn’t understand. Born again? “How can someone be born when they are old?” he scoffed. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
It’s no wonder he reacted the way he did. How else can a person be “reborn”? Like us, Nicodemus naturally figured that God always works and saves in ways we can see with our eyes. His kingdom is certainly visible, right?
In some ways, yes. The psalmist David once marveled, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1,2). In other words, we can certainly see God’s kingdom—his ruling power—in the vast, starry heavens. We can feel God’s kingdom in raging winds and blustery storms. We can spot God’s kingdom when a tiny seedling explodes into a flowery burst of color.
But God works most powerfully in ways we can’t see with our eyes. Take baptism, for instance. It’s a splash of water and a few simple words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Yet that combination works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and bestows eternal salvation on all who believe its promise!
Jesus explained, “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” He was pointing specifically to the hidden power of baptism, but he had an even greater lesson in mind: God works powerfully to save us in ways our eyes can’t fathom.
What’s left for us to do? Nothing. Just trust him.
Prayer:
Jesus, remind me daily how powerfully you’re working to save me in ways I simply can’t see. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:1-3
Seeing Isn’t Believing
Daily Devotion – May 27, 2024Devotion based on John 3:1-3
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The Pharisees were not Jesus’ friends. They were an ultra-conservative sect who considered themselves the gold standard of piety. They were “true believers” who made sure they followed the letter of God’s law to a tee, even adding their own restrictions to demonstrate just how holy they were.
But Jesus constantly upbraided them for their self-righteous attitudes and failure to show mercy toward others. They hated him for it. Even from the earliest days of Jesus’ ministry, they plotted to kill him.
That’s why the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus—recorded in John chapter 3—is so fascinating. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, undoubtedly to avoid detection by his associates. He admitted to Jesus, “we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.” And how did they know? Because “no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In other words, as much as the Pharisees hated Jesus, they had to concede he had a divine mission because they witnessed his miracles.
But Jesus would teach Nicodemus an important lesson that bears repeating. Seeing isn’t believing. In other words, true faith is not a matter of what we see with our eyes, even when we see miracles. It’s a matter of trusting God’s promises despite what our eyes see. Jesus explained, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
A person who is born again trusts Jesus and his promises unconditionally, even when doing that doesn’t seem like a sure bet.
And when you trust him, guess what you’ll see? You’ll see God’s kingdom–how he rules behind the scenes to safeguard your salvation forever.
Prayer:
Jesus, give me the eyes of faith so that I always trust your promises, no matter what. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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.
Romans 8:15
No More Slavery to Fear
Daily Devotion – May 26, 2024Devotion based on Romans 8:15
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An Oscar-winning film, “The King’s Speech” is based on the true story of Albert Windsor, a shy, stammering member of the British royal family. Albert had a severe stammering problem all his life, and the very idea of giving a speech in public filled him with terror. Then, the unthinkable happened. His older brother, the King, abdicated his throne in the 1930s. Albert was the next in line. Duty demanded that he accept the crown. Not long after, World War II broke out. Suddenly, the stammering man who feared public speaking more than anything had to give a radio speech broadcast to millions of people.
By a seeming miracle, he did it. In fact, he did it with hardly a stammer. The secret was his speech therapist. Over time, his speech therapist had removed much of Albert’s fear of public speaking. When the paralyzing fear left, Albert was able to do what needed to be done.
The day the Holy Spirit brought you to faith in Jesus was the day you didn’t have to be afraid anymore. But the devil hopes you won’t remember that. Satan hopes that you’ll still stay paralyzed in your old fears, your old guilt, your old regrets, your dark memories of past failures. After all, if he can get you to forget what you have in Christ, he’s won the battle for the day.
Today, give the devil a bad day. Remember the forgiveness you possess in the Son of God. Stop and recall that you are a child in God’s family by faith. Take your old fear and have it washed away in the blood of the Lamb.
When you do, you can live free of the old slavery to fear. And fluently with your life, you can do some of the wonderful things God desires for you to do.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, apart from you I am afraid. In you, however, I have nothing to fear. Empower me by your Spirit to remember that. Use me to do your good work. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'”
Ezekiel 37:1-6
Can these bones live?
Daily Devotion – May 25, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:1-6
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Have you ever gone into a natural history museum that had bones of dinosaurs, birds, and other creatures displayed? As you look at these bones, your mind may start to put flesh on them, give them a personality and imagine what it would have been like to see these bones covered by flesh and alive. But, of course, you know this can’t happen.
As the prophet Ezekiel stared at a valley of human bones in a vision God gave him, The LORD asked him, “Son of man can these bones live?” The natural response would have been, “No way!” However, Ezekiel said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Ezekiel knew that he could not do something so miraculous, but the true God could. And he did. God gave Ezekiel the words to speak, and life came into the bones.
Ezekiel’s vision was a picture of what God can do for spiritually dead people, people like you and I were by birth. We had no spiritual life. But, through his promise of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus, God creates faith in our hearts to believe what he has promised. And, just like that, we are spiritually alive.
Be thankful today that yours is a God who can make the dead live!
Prayer:
Jesus, keep me spiritually alive by believing all that you have promised. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Acts 2:11-13
The Wonders of God
Daily Devotion – May 24, 2024Devotion based on Acts 2:11-13
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If you’ve ever walked through a busy international airport terminal, you’ve been bombarded with the discord of multiple foreign languages. The words you cannot understand sound like gibberish. And when you hear your native tongue, it is a welcome relief.
Foreigners crowded the streets and temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Harvest. Different languages and dialects filled the air. Suddenly, those foreigners could understand someone speaking to them in their language.
It was amazing to hear their own language. It was also perplexing because the ones speaking were from Israel, not from all over the ancient world. But what was truly refreshing was the message they heard. The disciples of Jesus were declaring the wonders of God. They shared the good news of God sending the Messiah, Jesus Christ, into the world. They spoke of the many proofs of Jesus’ divinity, culminating with his death and resurrection from the grave.
As is always the case, though, there were some who rejected this message. It was gibberish to them, and they excused this miraculous event as drunkenness.
There will always be some who reject the wonders of God. Without the Holy Spirit, those words will always be gibberish. But there will be others who hear the wonders of God and to them, there is no greater relief or comfort. The Holy Spirit comforts them with the message of the forgiveness of sins. The Spirit reassures them of God’s grace and love for them. The Spirit helps them to delight in God’s law and commands. They never tire of hearing of God’s wonders.
When you hear the wonders of God, may they be a welcome relief to you. May you find comfort and reassurance in Jesus—the Savior from your sin.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, come and make known the wonders of God to me. Help me always to delight in your Word and work. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4
Powered by the Spirit
Daily Devotion – May 23, 2024Devotion based on Acts 2:1-4
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You can’t miss them as you drive through the heartland of America. They’re the tallest structures in miles and miles of farmland. They’re windmills. Modern windmills can be as tall as a 32-story building when you count the turbine at its apex. And they’re built to do one thing: catch the power of the wind.
You can’t see the wind. You can’t hear it. You can see the things the wind blows. You can hear the leaves as the wind rushes through them, but the wind is invisible and silent. You don’t know where it comes from or where it goes.
In some ways, the wind is similar to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the force that powers God’s Church on earth. God’s Church acts like the turbines of a windmill. The Church is powered by the Holy Spirit.
This started on the Day of Pentecost. In a dramatic way, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. Peter, the same disciple who had denied knowing Jesus to a little servant girl, suddenly had the courage to preach to thousands of people.
The other disciples, who had fled from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, went into all the world proclaiming the resurrection of the Savior Jesus. The Church of God continues this work by preaching the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus alone.
On Pentecost, the Spirit rested as a tongue of flame on each disciple. We don’t see the Holy Spirit work that way today, but the Spirit does work through the water of baptism and the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. The Spirit works through the preaching of the God’s Word. God continues to power his Church through the Spirit.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, continue to power your people through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “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.”
John 15:26,27
The Spirit of Truth
Daily Devotion – May 22, 2024Devotion based on John 15:26,27
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When you look at a photograph of yourself, you flash back to that moment in time. One feature of storing photos digitally is you can get an automatic flashback notification on your phone. For example, Amazon Photos or Google Storage will show you pictures you took a year ago, five years ago, or however long it’s been. You can relive that day through the pictures you took.
On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples had a flashback. Jesus had promised his disciples that he would send them the Advocate, a helper. This Advocate was the Holy Spirit, who came upon the disciples in power on Pentecost. They remembered that Jesus had promised to do this for them.
Jesus had also told the disciples what the Holy Spirit would do. He would testify about Jesus. And the Spirit would help the disciples to do the very same thing. With the help of the Spirit, the disciples recalled the life of Jesus, the words he spoke, and the deeds he did. Guided by the Spirit, they wrote about Jesus and his teachings. These writings make up the New Testament of the Bible. They testify about Jesus.
It’s always interesting looking at a photo with others who were also in the picture. You remember different things, different details. You help each other to fill in the memory blanks.
The Holy Spirit would make sure the disciples would record and remember everything about Jesus’ life we needed to know. They testify so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
Because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, we can be sure that God’s Word is the truth. We can be sure that the same Holy Spirit will work through that Word to create and strengthen faith, to forgive sins, and to give new life.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Help me to trust the testimony written about you in the Bible. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.’”
Ezekiel 37:11-13
Dry Bones to Living Hope
Daily Devotion – May 21, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:11-13
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The imagery of dry bones symbolizes the desolation and despair felt by the people of Israel during their exile to the country of Babylon. They believed their hope was lost, their identity cut off, and their future buried in the dust of defeat. Yet, amid this hopelessness, God speaks a powerful word of promise through the prophet Ezekiel.
God reveals to Ezekiel that these dry bones represent the people of Israel who feel spiritually and nationally dead. They have given up hope, feeling disconnected from their heritage and purpose. But God declares that he will intercede. He will open their graves, bring them back to their land, and restore their relationship with him.
Maybe you have experienced seasons of dryness like the Israelites. Your faith seemed empty, your hope evaporating, and your connection to God distant. You felt like those dry bones, disconnected from the life-giving source of God’s presence and promises.
Yet, just as God promised restoration to Israel, he promises the same to you. He can breathe life into your dry bones, renewing your hope and reviving your faith. No situation is beyond his ability to restore and redeem. When you feel cut off and hopeless, God invites you to trust in his faithfulness.
God’s promise of opening graves and bringing life from death is not just a historical event for Israel; it’s relevant for you. In Jesus, you have the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. Jesus’ resurrection shows God’s power to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and victory out of defeat.
Prayer:
O Lord, you are the God of resurrection and restoration. Send me your Spirit to restore my soul and bring me to life eternal with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Ezekiel 37:9,10
The Word of Life
Daily Devotion – May 20, 2024Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:9,10
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This chapter of the book of Ezekiel sounds like a spooky story. The Spirit of God leads the prophet Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones. But these aren’t animal bones; they’re human bones. Femurs, rib cages, vertebrae, and skulls—these bones were lifeless and dry.
What happened to these people? What caused them to become a lifeless valley of bones? Unlike our spooky stories, there was no fast-spreading, deadly virus. It was neither a magical incantation nor a catastrophic natural disaster. No, the reason for this death was sin.
Sin is so powerful that it makes people spiritually dead. All of us come into this world spiritually dead. We are dry bones. And dead, dry bones can do nothing. Ezekiel could have walked up and down that valley for 100 years, and those bones never would have shown any signs of life.
But God intervenes. He tells Ezekiel to speak. But not just any words—no, God gives Ezekiel the words to say. And the faithful prophet carries out his work. He speaks the Word of the Lord. Bones come together. Flesh comes onto bones, but the bodies are still lifeless until God commands Ezekiel to call breath into them. And miraculously, those once dry bones become a living, breathing people, a vast army.
In a similar fashion, the only thing that can save us from spiritual death is the Word of the Lord. The Word is powerful, even more powerful than sin and death. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit attaches bone to bone. He puts flesh on the bones and breathes life into us. God’s Word is the Word of Life.
God wants us to hear and use his Word so that we can see how much he loves and cares for his people. He doesn’t want us to remain a valley of dry bones. He wants to give us life.
Prayer:
Dear God, cause me to hear and speak your Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Acts 2:1-3
An Amazing Event
Daily Devotion – May 19, 2024Devotion based on Acts 2:1-3
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“They were all together…” Who are the “they”? It’s probably best understood to be the 120 believers who are described in Acts 1:15 “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty).” Yes, the apostles of Jesus are there, but there are many other believers there, too. People like Matthias, the person chosen to take Judas’ place as one of the apostles.
And did you notice? “Tongues of fire . . . came to rest on each of them!” Yes, there was a tongue of fire on Peter’s head, but there was also one on the head of all those unnamed believers in Jesus, like believer #57. James, John, Andrew, Thomas, and Matthias—each of them had a flame; so did believer #120.
If you had been there, you would have had a flame, too. Why? Because the Holy Spirit works on the hearts of each of us individually. Through your baptism, for example, you received the gift of the Holy Spirit. God brought you to believe that Jesus was your Savior. God convinced you that Jesus had paid for your sins. God assured you that there is a home in heaven awaiting. God the Holy Spirit works in your heart—individually, personally—even as he placed a flame on the heads of each individual on that Day of Pentecost.
It must have been an amazing event to experience! I can hardly imagine what it would have been like to be there. It must have been awesome!
The reality is that the Holy Spirit has worked an awesome miracle in you. He brought you to faith! He brought you from spiritual death to spiritual life! That’s a miracle! And every time you hear the Word of God, the Holy Spirit continues to pour himself out upon you.
Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, continue to bring your life-giving Word to my heart, that I might remain a child of God all my life, until that wonderful day when you take me to life eternal. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59,60
Have the Strength of Stephen
Daily Devotion – May 18, 2024Devotion based on Acts 7:59,60
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Stephen has the distinction of being the first Christian martyr. Illegally arrested, tried, and convicted by enemies of the Christian Church, Stephen was dragged outside the city of Jerusalem and pummeled with stones until he died.
Wouldn’t you like to be like Stephen? I’m not suggesting that any of us would revel in the idea of facing injustice, pain, and death. What I am suggesting is that any of us would revel in the idea of facing injustice, pain and death with the kind of strength Stephen displayed: “While they were stoning him…” While the stones bruised and cut his flesh, Stephen prayed for those throwing the stones. What did he pray? He prayed that Jesus would forgive them.
Whom do you have to forgive? Is it a relative, friend, or neighbor? Is it a teacher, student, or co-worker? Are you thinking, “I can’t forgive him for that?” What has the person done that is worse than stoning you to death? Stephen could forgive because he knew he had been forgiven. He knew he was no more deserving of God’s forgiveness than the men killing him were. And he knew he didn’t need to get even with them. It was in Jesus’ hands. He could trust Jesus to do what was right and just.
You have that same security. You don’t have to hold on to those grudges and that anger. Jesus is alive and well. Easter assures you of this. You can forgive those who have sinned against you, knowing that Jesus has forgiven you. You can forgive those who have sinned against you, knowing he is perfectly capable of doing what is just and right for those who have hurt you.
Wouldn’t you like to be like Stephen—strong enough to stand firm when persecuted and forgive those who persecute you? You are like Stephen. You have the same living Lord he had. And Jesus will give you the strength you need.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you in prayer because I know you are alive and ruling all things. Grant me the strength you gave your servant Stephen that I may stand firm against those who oppose you and that I may forgive those who hurt me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59,60
Rescuing Us From This World
Daily Devotion – May 17, 2024Devotion based on Acts 7:59,60
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Duct tape is a wonderful thing. It’s can repair shoes, furniture, boxes, appliances, and even cars. But after a while, there are just some items that are too broken to be fixed. Not even duct tape can do the job. This world is broken. Broken relationships. Broken people. And yes, our Savior Jesus overcomes the world. He overcomes broken relationships by motivating us through his Word. He overcomes broken souls by providing faithful witnesses of the gospel. Yet, because of sin, this side of heaven will always have an element of brokenness.
So what does our Savior do? Eventually, in his grace, he will rescue us from this broken world by bringing us to his unbroken world of heaven, a world where there are no more tears, no more pain, no hunger, no heartache, no headache. What a beautiful day that will be when he closes our eyes as we fall asleep in a broken world, only to wake up and see him in all his glory standing before us.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” That was what Stephen prayed after being dragged out of the city and having stones thrown at him. You may never have a stone thrown at your head that will claim your life. But because a stone was rolled away, revealing the empty tomb of Jesus, you will always have life as you will be rescued from this broken world.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at [Stephen]. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Acts 7:54-56
Showing Us He’s in Control
Daily Devotion – May 16, 2024Devotion based on Acts 7:54-56
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240516dev.mp3
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What is your favorite way to picture Jesus? Is it baby Jesus lying in a manger? Miraculous Jesus walking on water? Loving Jesus sacrificing his life on the cross? Victorious Jesus exiting a tomb? Many biblical pictures of Jesus may bring us comfort at various times of our lives. When I am troubled by my sins, the image of Christ paying the price on the cross brings relief. When I’m attending a funeral, Jesus walking out of the tomb helps to dry the tears. But what about when you’re being persecuted? What Jesus do you want to see when your co-worker gives you the jab of being a Jesus freak? When your Easter Instagram or Facebook post gets a nasty comment? When your relatives are “furious” or “gnash their teeth” at you because of your religious convictions. What Jesus do you want to see, then?
We may not find it very comforting to picture a swaddled baby when we’re being attacked for our faith. But King Jesus? Well, that’s a different story. And that’s a picture the Bible gives us of Jesus right now. Right now, Jesus is “standing at the right hand of God.” Right now, Jesus is in a position of authority, ruling all things for your benefit. Right now, Jesus has every enemy of his people under his feet. When we feel we are being overcome by this broken world, remember what Jesus showed Stephen: he is in control. May that truth reign in your heart.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose . . . To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! . . . You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
Acts 6:8,9; 7:2,51-53
Faithful Witness of People
Daily Devotion – May 15, 2024Devotion based on Acts 6:8,9; 7:2,51-53
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240515dev.mp3
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“The doctor needs to see you as soon as possible. Can you come in today?” Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of that phone call. But it’s a phone call that must take place. If you are diagnosed with some illness that requires immediate attention, you don’t want the doctor to keep it a secret and to wait until your next visit. Not only do you appreciate the immediate attention, but you also appreciate that the doctor wants to have the conversation in person. It demonstrates care and concern.
And yet, isn’t it a wonder that what we desire and expect for our physical welfare is the opposite of what we expect and desire for our spiritual welfare? We don’t like to hear about what we’ve done wrong. Or we get defensive when someone points out the faults of our family members. “Who are you to judge?” or “Mind your own business” are phrases that so easily come out of our mouths when we are confronted. But consider just how spiritually dangerous it would be if our sins went unchecked. Unless we know something is wrong, we won’t care about a cure. Unless we know something is broken, it won’t ever get fixed.
Our God doesn’t want this sin-broken world to stay broken. God doesn’t want you to be broken. So what does he do? He makes the difficult phone call and has the tough conversations through the faithful witness of people. We need to hear God’s law and how we’ve broken it. Not so we can feel hopelessly broken, but so that he can point us to his Son, Jesus, who never broke a single law but obeyed them all perfectly for us.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables . . . [We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:1,2,4
Dedication to God’s Word
Daily Devotion – May 14, 2024Devotion based on Acts 6:1,2,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240514dev.mp3
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“The devil can’t affect our teaching, but he can affect our relationships.” That’s what one veteran Christian said as tensions were beginning to boil at a congregational meeting. He understood that personality wedges between people can cause the collapse of a group of Christians. It’s a great tool for the devil to employ. Knowing that God’s will is for Christians to encourage one another as they gather together regularly, it’s no surprise then that the devil would set his sights on people. When they’re bickering or complaining against each other, they’re less likely to encourage one another with the promises of God’s Word.
So what’s the solution when there are complaints among God’s people? What’s the solution when there is bickering between believers? Should we just “get over it”? No. Should we set up mediators who listen to each side and declare the “winner”? No. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Turning the other cheek and Christian mediation can be God-pleasing solutions. But they aren’t the first solution.
There is one place to turn. The more people complain and bicker, the more we need to turn our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. It sounds so cliché, “Having problems? Read your Bible.” It’s anything but cliché. Only in the Word will we find the motivation to love and forgive one another, just as in Christ, God forgave us. In the Word, we find the motivation to speak well of another and not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. Only through the Word will we be led to serve others instead of wanting to be served first.
Granted, it’s difficult to turn to God’s Word when we’re turning against our neighbors. But God hasn’t left you to do this alone. In his grace, he provides godly leaders who devote themselves to the Word and prayer so that they, in turn, can redirect us there. What a blessing!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. . . choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.
Acts 6:1,3
Service and Generosity of Believers
Daily Devotion – May 13, 2024Devotion based on Acts 6:1,3
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240513dev.mp3
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“I just can’t believe how many broken people are in my congregation.” That’s how one pastor evaluated the people under his care. Yes, some areas of the world or some congregations may seem more broken than others. But the fact that people are broken shouldn’t be surprising. Ever since sin entered, the perfect world that God designed has been broken. There are bad relationships. There is physical pain. There is hard work. There is death.
Early Christian congregations experienced the same. Relationships were strained. There was hunger and stress. And there was death. In a world void of social security or life insurance policies, this brought a whole new level of brokenness. For example, how would a widow pick up the pieces of her broken heart and her broken home to provide for those under her roof?
Maybe you’re in the same boat. Are you broken? Did you lose a loved one? Do you not know where your next meal will come from or how that medical bill will be paid? Jesus said he came into this world to heal those who were broken. While his primary purpose was to heal our spiritual brokenness through his perfect life and death on the cross, he also demonstrated his care for physically broken people. That hasn’t changed now that he has ascended into heaven. Jesus still fixes and helps the broken as he continues to provide for his people. One of the ways he extends his hands is through the hands of others. The early church realized this as they assigned capable people the responsibility of caring for the widows in their midst. Today, God continues to work through his people. Through the service and generosity of others, thank God that our ascended Lord helps us overcome a broken world. And who knows, maybe it will be your hands that God uses to help fix another person’s life.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 695)
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of your love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus prayed] “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
John 17:14,15
The Heavenly Father Protects You
Daily Devotion – May 12, 2024Devotion based on John 17:14,15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240512dev.mp3
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The world is not our home. Heaven is our home. Jesus knew this better than anyone. Jesus knew from personal experience how difficult it is for God’s people to live in a world ravaged by sin and under constant attack by Satan. That is why Jesus prayed for his disciples the night before he went to his death. He knew his disciples would face temptation, persecution, poverty, and imprisonment.
Knowing this, we might expect Jesus to pray for his disciples to be delivered from this world. Why not just ask the Father to whisk them right to heaven so they could avoid all the evil and opposition that the devil throws against Jesus’ followers? But the reason he prayed as he did was because Jesus had work for his disciples to do. They would take the good news of forgiveness and eternal life to the ends of the earth. So, rather than ask the Father to take them out of this world, Jesus prayed that his Father protect them.
Jesus asks his Father to do the same for all of his followers, including you. He knows about every temptation you are facing, every trial you are undergoing, and every trouble you are enduring. He knows that temptations, trials, and troubles are part of living in this sin-filled world. But he does not ask his Father to take you out of this world. There is work for you to do. You have people to love and serve. You have God’s good news to share.
Your heavenly Father will answer Jesus’ prayer. He will give you strength to do this work and protect you from the devil until your Father does, in his time, take you home to heaven.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I humbly ask you to protect me from the evil one that I may carry out the important work you have given me to do. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
1 John 4:7
The Danger
Daily Devotion – May 11, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240511dev.mp3
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In the world of 21st Century philosophy, Charles Taylor is a pretty big name. According to thebestschools.org website, Taylor “has been influential in defining how we conceive of ourselves in the modern world.” In a book entitled, “Dilemmas and Connections,” Taylor makes a compelling observation about the secular mind and what motivates the secular mind to do good for other people.
A paraphrase of Taylor’s observation is as follows: People with a secular mindset do good for others because, among other things, it makes them feel good about themselves. However, cautions Taylor, the danger with this kind of motivation is that it can easily slip into feelings of superiority and even contempt for the very people you are trying to help. This can especially happen, says Taylor, when the people you are trying to help are not as responsive or grateful as you think they should be.
Let’s take the observation of Charles Taylor and turn it on ourselves. As you work to do good for others, how do you react when the people you are trying to help are not as responsive or as grateful as you think they should be? Does your attitude harden, even just a bit, into an attitude of superiority? Does it even darken into an attitude of contempt? Are there times when a bitter voice within you says, “After all I’ve done for them, this is the thanks I get?”
That’s why we need Jesus. Out of a kind of selfless love we will never fully comprehend, the Son of God lived a life of perfect service on our behalf. Then he took upon himself the guilt of all of our self-serving motives, our hidden agendas, our false humilities, and he paid the price in full at the cross. And now, as our living Savior, he comes to us in his Word, calling us to repentance, washing us clean, renewing our hearts, empowering us to love others as he has loved us.
What drives real love is not self-serving pride. What drives real love is Jesus’ love for us.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive my self-serving agendas. Empower me to love others with your love for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
1 John 4:21
Loving Others
Daily Devotion – May 10, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:21
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240510dev.mp3
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Growing up with siblings can be fun. Brothers and sisters can create good memories. Things like family vacations, playing in the backyard, watching movies, building forts in the basement and snowmen outside are all things that make having siblings fun. It is easy to love our brothers and sisters in moments like those.
However, it is not always so enjoyable. Living in close proximity with our siblings can provide ample opportunities for unloving behavior. Arguing, fighting, tattling, pushing and shoving, and insulting each other are all too common among siblings.
But it does not change much when we grow up and live around roommates, classmates, and coworkers. While there can be good times with these relationships, there can also be friction. It is difficult to love those who don’t love us back. It is a challenge to love others when they ignore us, insult us, or are so self-absorbed that they pay no attention to us. Why should we love them?
Thank God that he did not view us that way. God easily could have convinced himself that we were not worth loving. Thankfully, God’s love for us did not depend on our behavior toward him. Knowing that we would never perfectly show love to him or to others, God still put his love into practice and offered up his only Son to die on the cross in our place. Even though he knew that we would not always love him, God demonstrated his love for us. Thank God for his faithful love to us!
One of the best ways we can return that love to him is by loving others. We can love others by showing patience when treated poorly. We can love others by showing kindness in the face of rudeness. We can love others with acts of generosity that expect nothing in return. As we love others this way—our love for God will come shining through.
Prayer:
Dear Lord God, thank you for the love you show to me each and every day. Move me to love the people in my life, even if I may not receive the same love from them. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and all his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12
A Clear Picture
Daily Devotion – May 9, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:12
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240509dev.mp3
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Do you ever wonder what God looks like? Perhaps we have an image of Jesus that comes to mind, but what about God the Father? What does he look like? Wouldn’t it be nice if he would just show himself? Frankly, that would make it easier for us all to believe in him. I mean, if God is really out there, why doesn’t he show himself to us?
In this world of pain and suffering, it is not difficult or uncommon to feel like God isn’t present. Or to feel like God doesn’t love us or care about us. Maybe there is a person in your life who has recently made similar comments to you. How in the world can anyone get to know God if they can never see God?
That’s where we come in. The Bible says that the world can get a glimpse of what God is like when we love one another. When we live as God’s forgiven children, that gives others a chance to get to know what God is like. Your friend or coworker may never see God, but she will see you every day. What picture of God will she get as she interacts with you?
If we keep the love of Jesus fresh in our hearts and minds—that will enable us to present a clear picture of God’s love for others. When we remember his sacrificial death, we can then be selfless for others. We can put others first. We can listen to their fears and worries without judgment. We can help someone in need and show compassion when so many others pass by uncaring. We can acknowledge a hurting soul and let them know that they are seen. We can show respect and honor in a world that is so quick to put down and condemn. God will be clearly seen when his children live in his love.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and forgiveness for me. Give me strength today to let your love shine through in all that I do. Lead others to see your love through me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11
Share God’s Love
Daily Devotion – May 8, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:11
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240508dev.mp3
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Imagine turning on your television to watch the NCAA basketball tournament. You have been waiting all year for this. Just as you settle in, the game breaks for the first round of commercials and, of course, they go right to a political ad for the upcoming election. You brace yourself for a harsh, critical presentation where one candidate blasts the other. But, to your surprise, that is not what you see. Rather, you see the two nominees complimenting each other, shaking hands, and telling America how much they like each other. The commercial ends with the two opposing candidates giving each other a big hug and promising to get together soon.
Does that seem far-fetched? Of course it does. That is not the world we live in. We live in a world where political candidates sling mud at each other through all forms of media. We live in a world where citizens threaten each other on various social media platforms. We live in a world where people swear at each other in traffic and ignore each other as they pass through the halls at the office.
God says we ought to love one another, but often, we fail in doing that. Thankfully, God has loved us without fail. Even though we could not perfectly show our love to others, God demonstrates his love in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God is different. He loved us even when we did not love him back. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Our imperfect love for others is forever washed away.
So now, as forgiven and loved children of God, we are free to love others. To be different from the world we live in. To show love in our thoughts, words, and actions, regardless of whether someone else shows the same love to us. To share the love of Jesus in how we treat others.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for my imperfect love toward others. Thank you for forgiving those sins. Empower me and encourage me to live a life of love toward others in this unloving world. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8
Constant Love
Daily Devotion – May 7, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:8
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240507dev.mp3
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Would you describe yourself as a loving individual? If so, are you always loving toward others? We undoubtedly have our moments. Moments when we love our children and grandchildren and show up at their events and cheer for them. Moments when we are there for our spouses and family members to support them in a difficult time. Moments when we help a friend move or take care of their yard when they are out of town.
But then there are times when our love falls flat. Couples in our world fall in and out of love. Children fail to lovingly be there for mom and dad in their last years. Friends are too busy to provide a shoulder to cry on. Neighbors don’t always even make the effort to introduce themselves to each other. Love is one of those things: sometimes we have it, and sometimes we don’t.
God is different. God can’t not love. In fact, the Bible says that God is love. Our love comes and goes, but God’s love is constant. He can’t help it. It’s who he is. But God didn’t show that constant love for us in a way that we might expect. God doesn’t show us his love by turning a blind eye to our sin and giving us a free pass to do whatever we want or by tolerating anything and everything. That’s not what true love is.
Rather, God demonstrated his love for us through sacrifice. He gave up his one and only Son for us. He sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice on the cross to pay for all of our sins. Rather than wink at or ignore our sin, God paid the price our sins demanded. He gave Jesus to die so that we wouldn’t have to. That is true love. God selflessly looked to our needs rather than his own.
This amazing love of God is with you always because that’s who he is. God is love. And this love is something we always have through faith in Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us in Jesus. Comfort me with your constant love and enable me to give that same love to others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7 (ESV)
Loved by God
Daily Devotion – May 6, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:7 (ESV)
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240506dev.mp3
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Do you feel loved? It feels great to be loved. It feels wonderful to be hugged by our grandkids, comforted by our spouse, and cared for by our parents. But what about the other times? The times when our spouse is too preoccupied with work to pay attention to us? The times when we work so hard to take care of our kids, and they don’t even acknowledge it with a thank you or a hug as they head out the door to their next activity? The times when the boss fails to recognize our contributions to the company? The times when we look in the mirror and don’t love what we see?
It is not easy to feel loved in this world or even love ourself. In fact, it is far easier to feel unloved, unappreciated, and unnoticed. These feelings can quickly spiral downward and lead us to despair, depression, and feelings of worthlessness.
In moments like these, remember that God loves you. The people in our lives may pay us little attention or give us no outward affections of love, but the God of all creation not only knows us, but says we are objects of his love. And he showed his love to us in a way that no one else ever has or ever could. To demonstrate just how loved we are, God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to live and die for us. Jesus gave his life in our place on the cross and paid for all our sins, forever removing the eternal punishment they deserved. He did all this because God loved us and did not want us to be lost forever.
So regardless of how others may feel about you, take comfort in knowing that you are loved by God. And that will never change! God’s love for you is always constant in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for loving me and sending Jesus to die in my place. Enable me to now live in your love. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
1 John 4:19-21
God’s Way To Love
Daily Devotion – May 5, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 4:19-21
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240505dev.mp3
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Most people would tell you love is an emotion. Sometimes love is there; sometimes it is gone. People think they can only show love when they feel like it. Before long, the feeling goes away. Love is gone, and so are any expressions of love.
The kind of love God talks about is much more stable and consistent than this human love. Christian love gives—it shows kindness, consideration, and patience. Through loving actions, we reflect that we are children of God. We follow God’s pattern.
For the Christian, love is not just an emotion that grows when it receives something in return. Rather, Christian love rests on the boundless love of God for us. John tells us that merely saying we love one another is not enough to demonstrate adequately what Jesus has done for us and that he is at work in us. We must show our love in tangible ways.
How do we do this? In our Bible reading today, John explains that we cannot see God. So we cannot go to him and give him some food, clothing, or other tangible, temporal goods. So what do we do? We show our love to those we can see. They give us tangible opportunities to show our love to God. If we withhold our love from them and refuse to share it—how can we claim to love God?
In other words John says, love the one who is right there with you, and you will be showing love to God. True, our brothers and sisters in Christ aren’t as kind and loving as God has been to us. But remember, God loves us and sent his Son to die for us, even when we were his enemies. Not having our love returned is all the more reason to show love, for then it is unconditional, just like the love Jesus has for us.
Prayer:
Lord, help me show love to those around me just as you have loved me, not just in words, but in action. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “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
Connection with Jesus
Daily Devotion – May 4, 2024Devotion based on John 15:5
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240504dev.mp3
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Lately, I seem to be getting frequent reminders that I am not as young as I used to be. The latest was a notice in the mail that my twentieth high school class reunion will be held this summer. Indeed, those twenty years can go by very quickly. Also, a lot can happen in twenty years, making it hard to stay connected with classmates. Life happens. We get married and have children. Jobs take us all over the country. When we go so long without seeing people, it is easy to lose the connections we once had with them.
It’s also easy for that to take place with Jesus. Life happens. We get married and have children. We fill our schedules up with work, sports, and school activities. We have family and community obligations. We take vacations and try to make the most of life. Before we know it, we are losing our connection with Jesus. This happens gradually, just like with high school classmates over twenty years.
Losing a connection to a high school friend is one thing. Losing our connection with Jesus is another thing altogether. Jesus makes it clear in John chapter 15 that without a connection to him, we are in trouble: we can’t produce spiritual fruit and be saved from our sins. Ultimately, no connection with Jesus means no getting into heaven. It means getting tossed out with the other dead branches into the eternal burn pile.
The good news is that Jesus will never sever his connection with those who are joined to him by faith. He is always ready and waiting in his Word to remind us of his love and to draw us closer to him.
Perhaps, for you, now is a good time to reconnect with Jesus and take steps to remain in Jesus. Recommit yourself to regularly attending worship. Join a Bible study. Expand your devotional life.
We may or may not want to attend a class reunion, but we never want to miss out on eternal life with Jesus!
Prayer:
Dear Savior, thank you for always being there for me in Word and sacrament. Bless my efforts to remain in you now and forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 3:21-23
Love Pleases God
Daily Devotion – May 3, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 3:21-23
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God has not only made you the object of his love, but he has also made you the subject who gets to love others. Like an object placed in a sentence that receives the action of the verb, God has placed people in your life to receive the action of your love. God calls them another, which means the objects to whom you can show your love can be anyone besides yourself.
As we talk about the objects of our love, we could talk about humanitarian aid, civil service, or random acts of kindness, but perhaps we should start with the objects of love God has placed in your home, people closest to you, likely the people to whom you have already said, “I love you.”
You can show your love in many ways to these people, but if you want to make your love visible, try doing something new. Perhaps it is vacuuming the living room or doing the dishes. It might be packing a lunch for your spouse or drawing a picture for your mommy.
I bet they will be pleased by it. I know God will. When we show our love by doing these things for one another, the apostle John says we “do what pleases him (God).” When the objects of God’s love also become the subjects who love others, God is pleased.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making me an object of your love. Thank you also for putting people in my life to be the objects of my love. Help me to think of clever and creative ways to show others my love through the things I do. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:19,20
Love Is a Struggle
Daily Devotion – May 2, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 3:19,20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20240502dev.mp3
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The ancient Greeks considered their stomachs to be the seat of their emotions. It was their way of expressing that emotions come from deep inside us. Today, the bodily organ commonly associated with emotions like love is the heart. We imagine our hearts bursting when they are full of love and breaking when they aren’t. It is interesting that we tend to associate our emotions with bodily organs that are so easily upset and unsettled.
Your love for others is evidence of your faith in God’s love for you. Yet how often don’t you demonstrate the truth of Jesus’ statement when he said, “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” In your heart, you know that you have not loved your neighbor as yourself or have not loved others as God has loved you. As a result, in your heart, you imagine yourself condemned.
Perhaps it is because we associate love with organs that are so easily upset and unsettled that we imagine ourselves so easily condemned. Thankfully “God is greater than our hearts.” God is not easily influenced by your struggle to love others that his love for you becomes upset or unsettled. He proved his love when he gave his son, Jesus, to pay for those sins that should have condemned you and that can still make you feel condemned. When you feel this way, remember that your forgiveness does not depend on how you feel but on what God has done to save you. Thank God he is greater than our hearts!
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, when my heart tries to condemn me, keep me from despair and comfort me in the knowledge that you have forgiven all of my sins, even when I don’t feel forgiven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18
Love Makes Sense
Daily Devotion – May 1, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 3:18
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Writing a good sentence is an art form. You can master that art by developing an awareness of what makes a sentence work. To be sure, there are nuances to sentence structure that may take a lifetime to master, but there are also some essential elements to every English sentence that even a toddler must master. One element that must be included in every sentence is the verb. The verb denotes action, occurrence, or existence. It is the verb that brings order and structure to what would otherwise be a collection of random and chaotic vocables. Without the verb, a sentence does not make sense and has no meaning. Even in simple sentences, the verb plays a crucial role. “See Jane.” “See Jane run.” “Run, Jane, run!” Without the verb, we wouldn’t know what to do with Jane.
A sentence doesn’t make sense without a verb, and a Christian doesn’t either. Actions are essential in the life of a Christian. You can tell someone you love them every single day, but if you never show it, your words make no sense and have no meaning. Like a sentence that doesn’t have a verb, the words “I love you,” when not connected to an action, are only a collection of random and chaotic vocables. Without action, love is senseless sentimentality and a meaningless emotion.
If you want your love to make sense and have meaning, do what Jesus has already done. Jesus loved you not so that you would be simply lovable but so that you would be loving. Jesus loved you so that you would be a person of action; be a person who is engaged in works of service and is willing to make personal sacrifices.
Words are appropriate for making promises and commitments of love. But it is an action that brings meaning to those words. So, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, a sentence doesn’t make any sense without a verb, and a Christian doesn’t either. Keep me from meaningless lip service. Make me instead a person of action so that my love has meaning. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16
Love Is Unconditional
Daily Devotion – April 30, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 3:16
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When your living Lord laid down his life for you, he showed you that love was an action; a thing you do. But who is to be the recipient of your loving actions? Most people would say their family, friends, and neighbors are the recipients of their love. But what is it about your family, friends, and neighbors that make them deserve your love? Is it because they raised and nurtured you? Is it because they support and encourage you? Is it because they lend you a cup of milk and an egg when you need them? Those are all wonderful things, but if those are the reasons you love others, then you still don’t understand love. Notice what all the previous examples have in common. They are examples of conditional love; it’s about you getting something before you give something.
In 1 John 3:16, we are told that Jesus loves “us.” It would be good for us to remember what we gave to Jesus before Jesus made us the recipients of his love. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, all people are, by nature, enemies of God. This is because, by nature, none of us wants the same things God wants. We had nothing of value to give to Jesus, in fact, we disobeyed and fought against him. If Jesus were to love us with conditional love, if he were to wait for us to give something to him before he gave something to us, then we would never be loved by him.
But you are loved. Jesus was fully aware you had nothing to give him. Yet, he decided to make you a recipient of his love. When he laid down his life for you—he gave your life value, forgiveness, and salvation. Jesus loves you not because of what you can give to him, rather, he loves you because of what he has given to you. Jesus loves you unconditionally.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I’m not worthy to be a recipient of your love. Yet, you love me anyway. Teach me love is unconditional. Strengthen me so that my love for others may be as unconditional as your love for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
1 John 3:16
Love Is an Action
Daily Devotion – April 29, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 3:16
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What is love? Ask a doctor, and they will tell you love is a result of fluctuating testosterone and estrogen levels. Ask a poet, and they will tell you that love is an emotion or a feeling. Ask a philosopher, and they will tell you that love is a construct of your mind. What about you? How would you define love? How you answer the question likely depends on which season of life you are in. A young person may start stammering about sweating palms, a racing heart, and a fluttering feeling in their stomach. A mature person may engage in a sensible discussion about faithfulness, commitment, and responsibility. An older person may wistfully reflect on something that is both comfortable and familiar.
Doctors discuss it, poets sing about it, and philosophers analyze it. Young people are afflicted with it, the mature are obligated by it, and the elderly tolerate it. We do our best to define and describe it, but it doesn’t seem like we really know what love is.
Jesus Christ did not define his love for you with a discussion of hormones, emotions, or thoughts. He did not describe his love for you from a personal perspective, rather, Jesus showed you his love with his actions. He did something that personally cost him dearly but benefits you eternally. He laid down his life for you. He paid the price for your sins so that you could be in a right relationship with God. As the apostle John wrote, “This is how we know what love is.”
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for showing me that love is an action. As I think about my Savior, who laid down his life for me, I am no longer content to define or describe love. Lord, strengthen me as I show that I know what love is by my actions. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Acts 4:32
A Manager of God’s Possessions
Daily Devotion – April 28, 2024Devotion based on Acts 4:32
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That’s mine! You can’t have it! Leave it alone! Many parents have heard words like this so often that they never want to hear them again. At work, you hear: He took my parking place. That was supposed to be my promotion. Why doesn’t anyone think about my loyalty to this company?
The concern about me and what’s mine seems to be present at every stage of life. Some stages may be more filled with it than others, but the general thought is still the same. You have to fight to hold on to what you have. You have to fight to get what you deserve.
The early Christians spoken about in our Bible reading didn’t think that way. In fact, they didn’t claim anything as their own. Those believers did not find it necessary to talk much, if at all, about their own possessions. Possessions didn’t seem to be that important.
Why? The first reason is that these believers realized that everything they had was God’s, not theirs. They didn’t think of possessions as belonging to this person or that person. Everything belonged to God. Each one of them was only a manager of God’s possessions.
Think of that. What you have is not yours. It’s God’s, and you are the manager. One person manages one group of things, and other people manage other things. Having that understanding can change your point of view about possessions dramatically.
Another reason the early Christians didn’t consider their possessions to be their own was that they realized that we use our possessions only for a short time. What we possess now must be viewed from the perspective of our eternal glory of heaven. Our lives here and now are only a short step in our unending journey. Everything comes from God, and he has even better things, even more valuable things, in store for us. Heaven awaits. This fact teaches us to place the right amount of value on what God has given us to use here on earth.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me that all good gifts come from you. Lead me to value the spiritual blessings that you give through Jesus. Help me to use the many blessings you give me to serve you and love others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
John 10:11,14
I Am Your Good Shepherd
Daily Devotion – April 27, 2024Devotion based on John 10:11,14
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Jesus says to you and me: I am not your typical shepherd. I am not a hired hand that cares nothing for the sheep. I am not some fly-by-night outfit that will only care for you when it’s safe. I am not going to abandon my post—and you—and run when the wolves come.
No. I am the Good Shepherd. I am the Lord. I am the God who made you, cares for you, and protects you. I am the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you. But when I laid down my life, it was my choice, no tragic accident. It was my choice to lay down my life for you on the cross. I willingly gave up my life to take away your sin and to forgive your wandering ways. And it was my choice to take up my life again on the third day. I conquered death—mine and yours.
Now, nothing can separate you and me. Nothing can snatch you out of my hand. Follow, listen to my voice, and trust my promises. I will never fail you. I will never leave you. I will never let you go. I know your hurts and doubts, your pains and problems, your fears and worries. And if not even death can snatch you out of my hand, neither can that problem you have with your job, your marriage, your health, your friends, your past, or your future.
I am your Good Shepherd. I laid down my life for you and took it up again. So you know: I won’t leave you now or ever.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my dear Good Shepherd, with you I have all that I need. With you, my soul rests in peace. With you, my soul is restored and healed. With you, I am not afraid, even in the valley of the shadow of death. With you, goodness and love follow me all the days of my life, on my way to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Never let me go. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3
Mine!
Daily Devotion – April 26, 2024Devotion based on Psalm 23:1-3
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Mine! A child reaches for a toy, rips it from his brother’s hands, and shouts, “Mine!” Certainly, a lesson in sharing is in order when it comes to playing. But a heart that cries out “Mine!” isn’t always a bad thing. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, loves us so deeply and possessively that he declares, “Mine!” And when a heart responds to Jesus’ love, it shouts, “Mine! You are mine, and I am yours!”
The writer of this psalm pictures himself as a helpless sheep, no longer helpless because the Lord is his shepherd. Hear the possessive love, “My Shepherd!” I am his and he is mine forever. Mine! None of us are literal sheep or literal shepherds, but we can appreciate the imagery. Even if you’re not a sheep, can’t you picture the peace and quiet of lying down on the green grass near a babbling brook where you’re just resting, no longer running around and scrambling through a frantic life? The Lord, our Good Shepherd, gives us a rest far greater than that! He gives us rest for our souls. He refreshes us with the very love of God to sustain us all our days and give us eternal life. These blessings are not something I have to wait for; right now, they are mine through Jesus!
The Lord shepherds you through this life with a love so tender and possessive, a love that screams from a gruesome cross and then from an empty tomb, and now from a throne in heaven, “Mine! You are mine!” your Good shepherd declares. And throughout this life, we can confidently respond, “Mine!” Jesus and all his blessings are mine! The Lord is my Shepherd. He shepherds us through life and to our final destination—heaven, where we will be at peace in our Good Shepherd’s arms. He is mine, and I am his. Forever.
Prayer:
Lord, you are my Shepherd, and I lack nothing. “Surely, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . 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
Listen to the Good Shepherd’s Voice
Daily Devotion – April 25, 2024Devotion based on John 10:14,16
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When you hear different voices all shouting at once, which one do you listen to? Parents know what that’s like when all their children are crying at once. Teachers have been in a classroom where multiple students call out different answers to the same question. When so many voices are calling out, it’s hard to hear any one of them.
There are a lot of voices in the world clamoring for our attention. All of them are saying different things. There’s the voice of popular opinion—what people think is correct and acceptable. There are the voices of false teachings—this teacher says this, that teacher says that. There are voices of criticism calling the Christian faith outdated or unloving. Internally, we hear the voice of doubt and uncertainty.
But there is one voice that triumphs over all. The voice of the Good Shepherd calls us to listen to him. And as we listen to him, we come to know him better. The voice of your Good Shepherd calls out to you in every word of the Bible. He quiets the clamor of all the voices in the world. He calls us back from the dangers of sin and unbelief and speaks soothing words of forgiveness and reassurance. We listen to his voice to know what is true and good. We listen to his voice to have all doubt chased away so we can live confidently in God’s love.
Prayer:
Good Shepherd, quite the clamor of the world around me so I may always listen to your voice. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “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.”
John 10:14,15
The Good Shepherd Knows
Daily Devotion – April 24, 2024Devotion based on John 10:14,15
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A fan can know a lot about a celebrity on a superficial level. They can know the celebrity’s birthday, life story, and so many other details. However, if they were to bump into each other in public, the celebrity would know nothing about the fan. It’s a one-sided, superficial relationship at best.
Have you ever thought of your relationship with Jesus in the same way— “I know a lot about him, but does he really know me?” Or maybe you are searching the Bible to learn more about God and what he’s like, but does he really know you? It’s actually the other way around. Jesus, your Good Shepherd, knows you. And not on a superficial level. He knows you better than you know him. In fact, he knew you, loved you, and laid down his life for you before you ever came to know him.
Before the sheep realized the danger, the shepherd knew and acted to save the sheep. Before it ever dawned on us how much we needed Jesus and his salvation, he laid down his life for us. He knows his sheep. He knows you intimately. At first thought, it might startle you to realize God knows you that well. Perhaps there are things about you that no one else knows, and it would terrify you if they did. Jesus knows those things. However, it didn’t lead him to run away or shun you. It led him to lay down his life for you. Listen to what your Good Shepherd calls you: my sheep!
He knows your deepest needs better than you do, and he knows how best to meet them. He knows the guilt you’ve felt and the trouble you’ve experienced. He takes you in his arms, cleanses you of all guilt, and calms your troubled heart. Your Savior knows you and loves you. You are his!
Prayer:
Lord, shepherd me through the ups and downs of life and grant all that I need, as you know best. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 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.”
John 10:12-15
The Good Shepherd Saves
Daily Devotion – April 23, 2024Devotion based on John 10:12-15
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Save the animal in danger, or save your life? Which would you choose? It seems like a no-brainer. As much as you care for a creature in danger, would you protect that creature if it cost you your life? A hired hand would protect his own life over the life of a sheep, and understandably so. But not the shepherd, especially not the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd protects and saves his sheep at the expense of his own life.
Of course, we’re not just sheep. God is our Creator, and we are his creatures—the crown of his creation! Humanity didn’t mindlessly wander away from the Lord; we sinned and rebelled against our Maker. It’s understandable that a hired hand would not spare his life to save a sheep. It’s even more understandable, humanly speaking, that our perfect God would take our life as punishment for our sins. Instead, he gave his life to save us from sin. Our Good Shepherd didn’t abandon his creatures who once abandoned him. He laid down his life for us.
You are more precious than a sheep. You are such a precious soul that your God and Maker valued your life at the price of his own Son’s life. Your Good Shepherd defied all human understanding by giving his perfect life to give you eternal life. He saved you from being abandoned and devoured by sin and Satan. He brought you into his fold, where you belong to the God who made and saved you.
Prayer:
Lord, I belong to you because you created me, and you saved me with the price of your own blood. Thank you! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
John 10:11-13
The Good Shepherd Cares
Daily Devotion – April 22, 2024Devotion based on John 10:11-13
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There is pride in ownership. When someone rents a house, they might not care as much about the day-to-day upkeep. Some tenants don’t treat it like their own because it’s not. When you buy the house, and it’s yours, the pride of ownership brings a whole new level of care and upkeep. An hourly employee may put in a good, honest day’s work, but at the end of the shift, he punches the clock and goes home. However, the owner stays late to do what it takes and makes sacrifices for the company because it’s his.
In our Bible reading for today, Jesus makes the point that a shepherd who owns a flock of sheep cares for them in a way a hired hand does not. He cares for them because they are his. He will care for and protect them at any cost.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Unlike a hired hand, he does what it takes and makes the ultimate sacrifice because we are his. Jesus is not simply another human sent by God to serve on God’s behalf. He is true God from eternity and the God who made us and who came to save us. Jesus cares for you and laid down his life for you. He takes pride in you because you belong to him for time and for eternity. Your Good Shepherd cares!
Prayer:
Lord, shepherd me through life ever closer to your tender, loving care. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
John 10:11,14
Too Good To Be True?
Daily Devotion – April 21, 2024Devotion based on John 10:11,14
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Almost daily, some advertisements make incredible claims: “This is the best product on the market.” “This is the most effective product.” “There is nothing that can compare with this.” These are just a few of the claims. Then, the offer becomes even more enticing: “Double the amount at an incredible savings.” Finally, there is the clincher: “A one-hundred percent money-back guarantee.” Almost immediately the thought ignites: “This is too good to be true.”
Too good to be true is often a reliable axiom. But not when it comes to the claims made by Jesus. In a very precious and picturesque way, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd.” What makes this claim believable is how he backs it up. Jesus gives more than a money-back guarantee. He even offers more than double the regular amount. He provides solid and unmistakable proof.
Just think about the claim Jesus makes as the Good Shepherd. When rejected because of failure and disappointment, the Good Shepherd calls us his own. When cries for help go unanswered, the Good Shepherd responds in the best way possible.
It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! Assurance comes from what Jesus did and what he does daily. His obedient life, his willing death on the cross, his precious shed blood, his victorious resurrection—here is indisputable evidence. Our Savior-Shepherd will always be there. He even gives his word: “I know you.”
Although this may sound too good to be true, it is the good news Jesus established through his innocent suffering and death. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He knows us, and he loves us!
Prayer:
O precious Savior, because you gave your life for me, I am now your lamb. Be with me. Keep me safe in every danger. Guide me and give me peace in knowing, I am your sheep, and you are my Shepherd. Amen!
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1,2
You Have an Advocate
Daily Devotion – April 20, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 2:1,2
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A criminal defense attorney said the most frequent question he is asked is: “Why do you defend people you know are guilty?” Normally he responds that he doesn’t consider himself to be a successful attorney only if his client never sees the inside of a prison. He admitted that most of his clients are guilty of something. “However,” he went onto say “not every person charged with a crime is treated fairly.” Under the law, even criminals have rights—rights that are sometimes violated or ignored. The attorney said his goal is to make sure every person is treated fairly under the law. That way, he can be successful whether his client is found to be innocent or guilty.
The Bible describes Jesus as an advocate—someone who, like a lawyer, comes to the defense of someone. And the Bible says that those whom Jesus chooses to defend are those who sin. In other words, he chooses to defend us—individuals who are most certainly guilty of pride, hate, arrogance, greed, and any number of other sins.
But he not only defends us, knowing we are guilty of sin. He also did something even the very best criminal defense attorney wouldn’t. He volunteered to take our punishment. Not by sitting in a prison. But by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins on a cross.
And the reason he did that is to give you rights. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you have the God-given right to walk through life knowing you are forgiven. You have the right to be released from the heavy burden of guilt you’ve been carrying. You have the right to know that God loves you, no matter how you have sinned. You have the right to know that you will always have an advocate who will come to your defense and always win.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my advocate. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8,9
Full Forgiveness
Daily Devotion – April 19, 2024Devotion based on 1 John 1:8,9
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People love to minimize the real faults in their lives. They will admit to doing something wrong in the past, but they will quickly explain how it’s not as bad as what someone else has done. They claim to be improving, at least to the point where previous faults should not be brought up. They have thought through so many rationalizations that it becomes hard to pin them down.
God says that is a dangerous way to live. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, plain and simple. Everyone has sinned and continues to sin. There is no one righteous, not even one. If you claim that, you are simply not telling the truth.
It is far safer and healthier to confess our sins. In fact, the healthiest practice is daily confession. You don’t have to fear that you are conceding something to God when you confess the bad things you have done, or the good things you have neglected. God has promised to forgive you and is faithful to all his promises.
Because of the work of Jesus, taking the punishment for your sins, God is even just when he forgives you. He cleanses you from all unrighteousness by his powerful word of forgiveness.
Prayer:
Holy God, gracious Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48
Extraordinary Eyewitnesses
Daily Devotion – April 18, 2024Devotion based on Luke 24:48
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Your friend busts into the room with an amazing story. He tells it with great gusto and appropriate hand gestures. He pauses just before the good parts. You are captivated. Then you ask him, “Were you there?” And he responds, “No, I just heard about it.” It doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the story, but it does make you wonder whether it actually happened the way he described it.
Every Easter we hear the story of Jesus rising from the dead. It’s breathtaking, and it gives us shivers to hear it, think about it, and celebrate it. But some wonder whether it got garbled in the retelling. Did it really happen the way that the Bible says it did?
The disciples of Jesus saw the resurrection happen. They reported it just as they had seen and heard it. Jesus gave them a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that they could report it word for word without mistakes. When it comes to Jesus rising from the dead, we have extraordinary eyewitnesses.
When the details of the resurrection get garbled in your head, go back to the original accounts in the Bible and read them again for yourself: Matthew chapter 28, Mark chapter 16, Luke chapter 24, and John chapter 20. You will be able to read what the eyewitnesses have to say, and can enjoy repeating their story with gusto and joy.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 746, st. 6)
Lord, I love to tell the story.
O wonderful redemption!
The price for sin is paid,
Salvation is accomplished
My heart is unafraid
For God has raised Christ Jesus
To show the work was done;
His glorious resurrection
Declared the vict-ry won! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.
Luke 24:47
Marvelous Message
Daily Devotion – April 17, 2024Devotion based on Luke 24:47
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Jesus had some pretty interesting things to say. He found people who thought they were living their best lives, and he told them that it wasn’t good enough. They had to repent. He found people who were despairing that they would ever be able to live good lives, and he told them that their sins were forgiven.
Anyone could have said the things that Jesus did. People have talked about living better lives in a variety of ways, but you have to wonder whether their ideas are better than anyone else’s. People can assure you that you should feel better about your life for various reasons, but you have to wonder if those reasons are really valid.
Jesus said that his ideas about how to live were really what God wanted. Jesus said he would earn forgiveness of sins by sacrificing himself on the cross. Then Jesus rose from the dead to prove that what he said was really true.
Jesus told his disciples that the message continues to this day. He calls you to repentance, that is, to stop thinking that your own works can get you to heaven to be sorry for what you have done wrong. He calls you to faith, that is, confidence that your sins are really forgiven through the work of Jesus.
It’s a marvelous message.
Prayer:
Lord God, we give you thanks for clearly calling us to repentance and forgiveness through faith in Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see, a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Luke 24:39-43
Real Resurrection
Daily Devotion – April 16, 2024Devotion based on Luke 24:39-43
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The early disciples must have wondered if Jesus was a ghost when he rose from the dead. It would have made sense to them. They had seen him die, and they had seen him buried, so if he were to come back from the dead, it would have to be as a spirit.
Jesus demonstrated to them that he had risen from the dead in far more than spirit. He had them touch his body. He showed them the hands and feet that had been nailed to the cross. He ate real food. Jesus had risen from the dead with both soul and body.
In these modern days there are people who insist that Jesus could not actually have risen from the dead. After all, no one does that, right? People are willing to consider the possibility that there are ghosts and even willing to consider the idea of zombies, but they are unwilling to believe that people can rise from the dead, body and soul.
Jesus did rise from the dead, body and soul, and he made it clear that everyone who believes in him will do the same. On judgment day, believers in Jesus will have their real souls reunited with their real bodies in a glorified form, unable to sin anymore.
Because Jesus lives, we too shall live.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise of real resurrection. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Luke 24:36
Perfect Peace
Daily Devotion – April 15, 2024Devotion based on Luke 24:36
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In the Middle East, it is common to greet one another by saying, “Peace.” That was true already at the time when Jesus rose from the dead. So when he appeared to his disciples and said, “Peace be with you,” it could have been understood as a simple greeting.
But it was far more than that. The disciples were unsettled. They were not sure that Jesus had really risen from the dead. They were uncertain whether they had done the right thing at the time of his trial and crucifixion. They did not know where they stood with one another, much less where they stood with Jesus.
All those uncertainties made it important for Jesus to greet them by saying, “Peace be with you.” He needed to assure them that his relationship with them was good. Because he had died to take the punishment for their sins because he had risen from the dead to prove that his promise of forgiveness was true, he could calm a whole range of anxiety with those simple words, “Peace be with you.”
We also live with uncertainty. We wonder whether we have done the right thing. We don’t know how we stand with one another, and we waver in our confidence that Jesus loves us. Because Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins because he rose from the dead to prove that his promise of forgiveness for us is true, we rejoice to hear Jesus say it to us, too. “Peace be with you.”
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for calming our anxiety by assuring us that we have perfect peace with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
Acts 3:19,20
The Ultimate Refreshment
Daily Devotion – April 14, 2024Devotion based on Acts 3:19,20
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A multitude of products promise to quench our thirst: A variety of teas and juices, sports drinks, and dozens of brands of soda ranging from caffeine-loaded to caffeine-free all claim that if we drink them, we will find refreshment.
Interestingly, many of these products actually deprive the body of the refreshment it needs. Despite flashy marketing techniques and new and exotic tastes, some beverages fall flat when it comes to delivering the refreshment the consumer is paying for.
The same can be said of the many religions that promise spiritual refreshment. Not many deliver what is promised. Not many deliver what the soul needs: peace, hope, joy, contentment, and freedom from fear.
In fact, only one product delivers true, lasting spiritual refreshment. The only thing that refreshes is the forgiveness of sins.
Only the forgiveness of sins gives peace—peace of conscience and the peace of knowing that we are no longer enemies of God. Only the forgiveness of sins deals with the guilt and scarring left by sin and failure. Only the forgiveness of sins, won for all by Jesus’ death on the cross, gives lasting spiritual refreshment.
In our Bible reading today, the apostle Peter’s call to repentance echoes across the centuries to our hearts. Rather than take forgiveness for granted, we confess our sins and are refreshed with God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness of sins is the ultimate refreshment. It’s free, and it’s yours through Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you I am forgiven and refreshed. May I always cling to you, my perfect Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
‘Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’”
Ezekiel 33:10,11
Be Willing to Say Hard Things
Daily Devotion – September 11, 2023Devotion based on Ezekiel 33:10,11
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Are you willing to say hard things when someone is in danger? Raising your voice to warn and reprimand a child about to dart out into traffic is not pleasant but necessary.
Ezekiel was a prophet who was tasked with a hard message. Hard, but necessary. A vast majority of God’s people in the nation of Judah had turned away from the Lord, darting right out into grave spiritual danger. They abandoned God’s promises and God’s commands, and in doing so, were in danger of perishing eternally.
We often shy away from saying things that are hard for others to hear, but when the stakes are that high, we are willing to say what it takes to turn someone away from danger. It’s not just about turning away from danger but turning back to the one place where that soul finds peace and security.
Picture that child who was just turned back in a safe direction, away from oncoming traffic. The strong warning startles him and makes him cry, but it makes him run right back into his father’s arms, where he is loved and safe. When we say hard things but necessary things to someone running right into spiritual danger, away from God, the Lord’s desire is always that they run back into his loving arms.
Jesus, our Savior, put himself in the path of God’s impending wrath against sin when he died on the cross. He was willing to say hard things as he called people to turn to him and live. Even more, he was willing to lay down his life to save yours. Always turn to him and live.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for saying hard things to me so that I might turn to you and live. Give me the courage to say hard things to those in spiritual danger so they might turn to you and live as well. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:16
Good Christians
Daily Devotion – September 10, 2023Devotion based on Galatians 2:16
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What makes someone a good Christian? Is it the fact that they are in church almost every single Sunday? Or that they give ten percent or more of their income to the work of the church? Or that they always seem to be helping a neighbor in need? These certainly are wonderful fruits of the Christian faith, but they do not make someone a good Christian.
In the apostle Paul’s day there were some who thought being a good Christian meant keeping certain Old Testament laws like eating the right foods, observing the right holidays, and being circumcised. Unfortunately, they began to think that doing such things somehow contributed to their salvation. They believed that their obedience to certain laws played some part in being declared innocent of their sins before God.
Being a good Christian has never been about keeping God’s law, and if it were, none of us would be good Christians. “A man is not justified by observing the law,” the Bible says. That’s because the law demands 100 percent obedience 100 percent of the time. According to God’s law, even one slip-up means total failure. God’s verdict in his law on mankind is absolutely true: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).
This is why we so desperately need Jesus. He is the only one who perfectly observed God’s law, and he did it in our place. He died for all our failures to keep God’s law. Through faith in him, we are declared not guilty before God. We are connected to Christ in his death and resurrection and set free to live our lives in thankful obedience to God’s law. Not to be good Christians, but because through faith in Jesus, we already are.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to continually see that my obedience to your law has nothing to do with my status before your heavenly Father. Lead me to trust in your righteousness alone which becomes mine freely through faith in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We share in [Jesus’] sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:17
A Reason for Suffering
Daily Devotion – September 9, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:17
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A man once came across the cocoon of an Emperor Moth. He took it home. In time he began to see movement inside. The moth was getting ready to emerge.
But there seemed to be a problem. The moth struggled and struggled, but it appeared that the moth was having great trouble breaking through the cocoon. The struggle continued, and still, the moth could not break through. Finally, the man had an idea. “I’ll save this moth a lot of trouble,” he thought.
He took a pair of scissors. And with the scissors, he carefully snipped the bottom of the cocoon so that the moth could get out. As soon as he did, the moth slipped out easily.
But then, the man noticed something. He noticed that the moth had a large, swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man thought, “No problem. In a few hours the fluid will go from the body into the wings and the moth will be fine.”
But the moth was not fine. Because the man had cut short the time of struggle inside the cocoon, the wings never got a chance to get strong. The wings remained withered. The moth never flew.
When the Lord gives us a time of suffering, in which to struggle, he does it for a reason. One of his purposes is to keep us close to him, his Word, and his love and forgiveness. For when we do, his Holy Spirit strengthens us. He seasons our faith. He reinforces our bond with Christ. And when that happens, our Christian lives can take flight. We can touch the lives of others with the gospel. We can do the wonderful things the Lord intends for us to do.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when sufferings come, bless my struggle. By your gospel, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Strengthen the wings of my Christian life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:24,25
Real Hope
Daily Devotion – September 8, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:24,25
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In 312 A.D., emperor Constantine of Rome marched off to war. He looked up at the sun and saw a cross of light above it and the words, “In this [sign, you will] conquer.” Tradition claims that the following night, Constantine had a dream. In this dream, Christ explained to Constantine that he should use the sign of the cross to conquer his foes.
However, Christ’s victory on Calvary does not assure us of earthly victories over foreign enemies, financial woes, failing health, or our favorite sports nemeses. Rather, it assures us that Christ conquered sin. And his victory when he walked out of the tomb assures us that he conquered death. Death was not the end of Jesus. Jesus was the end of death.
We live in confident hope that Jesus will give us eternal victory over the rule of sin and death. We live in certain anticipation that he will rouse us from our earthen beds and reunite our resting souls with our renewed bodies. We live in peaceful patience for the day when he will renew all creation and banish the old ways of sadness, suffering, and death.
The hopes of the earthly-minded rise and fall. The real hope given by God to all who focus on the cross of Christ is that Jesus will return and fix everything wrong with this broken world forever.
Prayer:
Jesus, grant me patience as I wait for the joys of the eternal life you promise to provide. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Romans 8:20,21
Better than Eden
Daily Devotion – September 5, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:20,21
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What it must have been like in the Garden of Eden! A plush garden fed by a river running through it. A lush orchard of pregnant trees bearing plump fruit of every variety. Humans and animals of every kind sharing the same space without fear. Man and woman, loving one another perfectly, understanding one another fully. Humanity communing peacefully with God. What life must have been like!
If only we could go back to Eden. It’s not for lack of trying. Explorers have searched in vain for the Tree of Life, the Fountain of Youth, and the Holy Grail. Scientists continue to seek a cure for death. But to no avail.
While we patch the world’s wounds in one place, sin’s effects show up in a thousand others. The fruit of Adam and Eve’s sin stained more than their greedy hands. Its noxious nectar oozed from more than the corners of their lecherous lips. Sin stained the surface, and its poison poured through every pore of God’s perfect world. Thorns and thistles infested the ground. Death reigned. East of Eden, life is hard. There is no going back. God has forever barred that way.
But God has provided a way forward. Jesus is the way. Through the pained groans of a mother, God entered our world and dwelled among us. Through anguished groans, our Savior paid for our guilt by his death. And by his resurrection, he enabled us to enter life with him now and forever in a place beyond Eden. Better than Eden. A place where moth and rust cannot destroy. A place where evil can never invade. A place where death will be no more. A place where God will dwell forever with his people.
Just wait! Wait in hope for the redemption that is already yours.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom that is mine through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Keep me eagerly expectant for the fullness of that freedom in eternity. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Nothing Compares
Daily Devotion – September 4, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:18
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Imagine three identical rooms. Each room is occupied by one individual. You tell the three individuals, “You will stay in this room for twelve months. Every week, you will work eighty hours. The work will be joyful and fulfilling. But at random times, for unexplainable reasons, for unpredictable periods of time, your work will be frustratingly hard.”
You say to the first, “Stick with it, and at the end of the year, you will receive an annual salary of $10,000.”
To the second, “Endure the year, and you will receive an annual salary of $100 million.”
To the third, you say, “Work hard, you have twelve months to live.”
You put each of them in their personal rooms, and they get to work.
After one month, the first subject quits. The reward was not worth the frustration. The third subject does not even last a day. “If I only have twelve months to live, I’m going to make the most of the time I have left.” However, the second subject keeps working with joy and finishes the twelve months with a smile on his face.
What makes the difference? Each person had the same circumstances. Yet each had the promise of a different reward. The greater the reward, the more resilient the worker. And without a reward, why suffer through the work?
Suffering is a fact of life. We all experience it. But those who know Jesus as their Savior from sin who promises eternal life in a perfect paradise can be sure that whatever they suffer in this life is nothing compared to the joys they will experience in the next life.
The apostle Paul says the current way of things—the momentary frustrations, fears, and failures—has a term limit. When Christ returns, he will make all things new. A new heavens and earth. A new life. A new you.
God grant that you may grasp the mind-blowing magnificence of God’s eternal reward of grace. Then all your present sufferings will feel as light as a feather.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, when I must suffer my crosses, keep me focused on the victory won for me by Christ and his cross. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15,16
The Real Jesus
Daily Devotion – September 2, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 16:15,16
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230902dev.mp3
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It seems that everyone is trying to find the “real” Jesus. Who is this man who commands so much interest and attention? Who is this man who has had such an impact on humanity?
Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” The disciples gave a number of complimentary responses comparing him to great religious teachers and very moral men.
However, none of these answers were good enough. Now, wanting his disciple’s answer, he asks them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter boldly responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This is the real Jesus.
More than just an ordinary man, he is the very Son of God sent for our salvation.
Is there any gift more precious? Or any gift more valuable? Jesus is God’s own Son to right our wrongs and save us from our sins. No one else will do.
Jesus is God’s Son; he is true God. There was no sacrifice that would be sufficient to pay for our sins other than God’s very Son, who is God himself. There was no one who could meet the perfect requirements that God demands other than his only Son, our Lord.
If you want to see the proof that God loves you and wants to draw you to himself, look no further than this most precious gift, God’s own Son. If you want to know if this Jesus is powerful enough to help you, look no further than the one who has skin and bones like you and me but is nothing less than God.
This is the real Jesus.
Prayer:
Almighty Father, thank you for sending your only Son into my world. May I always treasure him as the Christ, the one you chose to be my Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, . . . forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.”
Exodus 34:6,7
Sin Won’t Go Unpunished
Daily Devotion – September 1, 2023Devotion based on Exodus 34:6,7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230901dev.mp3
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Have you ever had a caricature of yourself drawn? In a caricature, certain features are exaggerated to highlight them. What physical features would your caricature highlight? Or are you afraid to find out?
Many people have a caricature of God in their minds. They picture a kind, loving, tolerant God who overlooks all but the really serious offenses. He’s like a grandpa who just smiles at the mischief his grandkids get into.
Or maybe it is a different caricature of God. People picture an angry, vengeful God who judges and punishes. We like to see God this way when someone did something to hurt us. We want God to give them what they have coming. But we don’t want to imagine that his wrath could ever be turned against us.
Our verse for today helps us see God as he really is. It is true. God is a just God who hates sin—every sin, big or small. He can’t just ignore it. Imagine if a judge chose to ignore certain crimes! No, God does not leave the guilty unpunished. What a warning for us when we are tempted to see what we can get away with! Everyone who disobeys God in any way deserves his punishment.
But this same God also forgives wickedness, rebellion, and sin. How can that be? The answer is found in Jesus. God does not leave the guilty unpunished. He counted Jesus guilty of our sins, our crimes, our offenses. And he punished him for them. Jesus accepted our guilty verdict and death sentence, so we could hear God’s not guilty verdict and the promise of our freedom.
God showed his justice, grace, holiness, and forgiving love by sending his Son to be punished in our place. See God as he really is—your God who took sin seriously enough to punish his own Son for it, who loved you enough to forgive you for the sake of his Son, Jesus. Knowing your God, flee from your sin into his forgiving arms!
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to see you as you really are—a just and loving God who was punished so that I am forgiven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It has been said that contentment isn’t having what you want; it is wanting what you have...
So great is God’s love for what he created that he entered creation as a man to save it...
Imagine the group of people that came from near and far for the chance to be healed by Jesus...
Do you ever wonder why God would want you to be a member of his family of believers?...
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Baptized Into God’s Family
Daily Devotion – June 6, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 28:18-20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230606dev.mp3
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Have you ever felt like an outsider? I remember feeling like an outsider when I didn’t make the seventh-grade basketball team. I didn’t have the skills, size, or speed to contribute. I felt the same way when I didn’t get a delivery job because of my past failures behind the wheel.
Have you had a similar experience? Maybe you didn’t make the team, club, or company because of your lack of skills or experience. So, you remained an outsider. You just didn’t belong.
Thankfully, there is one team on which you can be sure you belong–God’s team. In fact, two thousand years ago, Jesus commanded his followers to tell people about God’s team and his desire for them to be on it.
You might wonder, “Am I really qualified to be on God’s team?” The truth is, you’re not. No one is. But Jesus’ life, death and resurrection qualify us to be on God’s team. That’s why Jesus told his followers to go to all nations. It doesn’t matter your race or ethnicity, whether you are young or old, rich or poor, male or female. God wants all people on his team, and Jesus has done everything necessary for them to be on God’s team. You don’t need to submit a resume, compete in a tryout, or submit your record. To get on this team, you don’t do anything. In fact, God does something for you. He told his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The water combined with those words qualifies people to be on God’s team. What a wonderful gift!
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the waters of baptism that bring sinners like me into your family. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him.
Matthew 28:16,17
Worship Jesus
Daily Devotion – June 5, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 28:16,17
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If someone asked you to describe who Jesus was, you might be tempted to say, “He was a great teacher.” But according to the well-known scholar, C.S. Lewis, that is the one thing we must not say. Although Jesus taught many important lessons about God, he also said, “I am the true God.”
According to Lewis, a person who says such a thing is either a liar who is willfully deceiving his listeners, a lunatic who has a delusional understanding of reality, or he is who he says he is: true God and also true man.
Jesus’ closest followers believed their leader fell into the third category. But it took them a while to come to this conclusion. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, the disciples would ask, “Who is this? He even commands the winds and the waves to obey him?” Over time, they concluded that Jesus was more than a mortal man, and he seemed to have divine influence. But then, their miraculous Messiah was crucified and died, and they were again confused and disillusioned. He saved other people, but he couldn’t seem to save himself.
But three days after his death, he appeared to them alive. He told them he had to die to pay for sins and rose back to life to conquer our last enemy, death itself. And so, when Jesus gathered this group of followers on a mountain before he left them, Matthew tells us, “They worshiped him.” Jesus was no mere teacher. This man standing before them was their God. All the praise they had offered to the Lord of Israel was now directed towards Jesus, their Savior.
Now it’s your turn to worship Jesus just as his disciples did. Because Jesus did more than just teach about God; he proved himself to be God. He lived a perfect life, died in your place, and rose again so you would never reduce him to the status of a mere mortal.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I worship and praise you, my Savior and my God. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26,27
A Meaningful Purpose
Daily Devotion – June 4, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 1:26,27
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230604dev.mp3
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Why am I here? More than one person has reached a certain point in life when they asked themselves that question. Perhaps the new job isn’t working out the way you wanted it to. School can be so challenging that the same question may come up. What about when you find yourself among a group of people with whom you really don’t have anything in common? “Why am I here?” you may silently ask yourself.
Throughout the generations, people have asked themselves the same question when it comes to not only where they live; but why they were born in the first place. Wonderings of this sort have led some people to believe in fate—that is all a matter of chance. But isn’t there something more certain than that?
The Bible tells us that we have been placed here by a perfect and loving God. He made us exactly what we are and gives us every good thing we receive in this life. This God is wise enough to create us, loving enough to rescue us from the punishment our misdeeds deserve. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are not creatures of fate tossed to and fro. God has a meaningful purpose for you—to praise him and live for him in thanks for all he has given and done for you. That is why you are here!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, move my lips to praise you and my heart to trust in you all my days. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 2:21
Loyalty
Daily Devotion – June 3, 2023Devotion based on Acts 2:21
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Say the name “Napoleon Bonaparte,” and many people today picture in their minds a short, cartoonish man wearing an old-fashioned military hat and an oversized ego. But Napoleon Bonaparte was no cartoon. Rather, he was one of the most prominent leaders the world has ever seen. In the opening decade of the 19th Century, Napoleon was the master of Europe. His victories were stunning and brilliant. And perhaps most striking of all, Napoleon had a way of nurturing within his army a loyalty to him that defies description. For Napoleon they would endure the searing heat of Egypt and the lethal cold of Russia. Many thought he could do anything. They, in turn, would endure anything for him.
But as ingenious and capable as he was, Napoleon was just a man. That reality hit home one day after a battle. One of his officers lay mortally wounded. He called for his general. Napoleon appeared. In the man’s haze of agony and fear, he asked Napoleon to save him. All Napoleon could do was shake his head sadly and turn away. Later, as the moment of death approached, the man cried out, “Save me, Napoleon. Save me!” But his fierce loyalty to Napoleon made no difference when it came to this. The man soon died.
As we work our way through life, you and I develop all kinds of loyalties, and rightfully so. There is loyalty to family, loyalty to friends, loyalty to mentors and employers, co-workers, and colleagues. But if our loyalty to human beings begins to take the place of our Savior from sin, then we have drifted into a place where our Lord does not want us to be.
Consider where your loyalties lie. Give them some serious thought. Repent of those loyalties that have clouded your focus on Jesus. Be washed in his blood. And with fresh clarity, fix your eyes on the only Lord of life and death there is. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for the misguided loyalties that have distracted me from you. Fill me with your Spirit. Renew the zeal of my loyalty to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The more we learn about the human body, the more we see this wondrous machine God has created...
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2:21
The Name
Daily Devotion – May 31, 2023Devotion based on Acts 2:21
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230531dev.mp3
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Consider the curious power of a name. On the one hand, a name is simply a sequence of selected vowels and consonants. But when you see or hear the name of someone you know, that name is an instant trigger. It immediately delivers to the front of your mind everything you know about that person. It delivers to you the person’s appearance. It delivers to you the sound of the person’s voice. It delivers to you that person’s personality, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. It can also deliver to you all the good and bad experiences you’ve had with that person.
Some names have the power to make you smile and laugh and bathe you in warm memories. Other names may have the power to make you wince and grow silent. That is how potent a name can be.
Which brings us to the most powerful name there is. When you and I take even a moment to meditate on the name of our Lord, his truth and beauty arise. There is his goodness, his justice, his mercy, his faithfulness, his power, his wisdom, his eternity, his glory. And there is his grace, his undeserved love for you and me in Jesus Christ.
And that’s why the name of our Lord is something more. The name of our Lord is not simply a trigger that delivers to my mind all the profound truths his Word has revealed. The name of the Lord is the name that saves my soul. As the apostle Peter says elsewhere, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
When God the Holy Spirit, through his gospel, creates within me the miracle of faith in my Savior; and when, in faith, I call on the name of the Lord, forgiveness is mine, God’s promises are mine, eternal life is mine. All mine through faith in the name of the One who lived a perfect life in my place, suffered and died for my sin, and rose from the grave. That is the power of the name of the Lord.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your Spirit move me to call on your name every single day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.
Acts 2:14
Finding Your Voice
Daily Devotion – May 29, 2023Devotion based on Acts 2:14
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On December 5, 1955, 26-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. received a shock. He and others had gathered to prepare for a first-of-its-kind mass meeting. The meeting was to address the overt racism that existed in their city’s policies. Dr. King had no interest in serving as a leader in this effort. He just wanted to attend. But less than an hour before the meeting began, the group, to his dismay, chose him to make a speech.
He had 20 minutes to prepare. He later said he wasted five of those twenty minutes having a panic attack. Then he had to fight traffic. Then he had to struggle through the crowd of thousands. Finally, at 7:30 P.M., with only a few notes, Martin Luther King, Jr. began to speak. The packed hall listened. The rest is history. Martin Luther King, Jr. had found his voice.
Ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the apostle Peter stood up to address a crowd in Jerusalem. Up to this point, Peter’s reputation for courage under pressure was sketchy at best. But things had happened—extraordinary things. For one, the promised Holy Spirit had filled Peter with courage through the power of the gospel. For another, Peter’s crucified and buried Lord had risen from the dead. So when Peter stood up to speak, he spoke with real bravery. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit, Peter had found his voice.
In our sinful weaknesses, you and I can often wince and cower at the thought of speaking to someone else about Jesus. But things have happened—extraordinary things. For one, the promised Holy Spirit has come to fill us with courage through the power of the gospel. And for another, our crucified and buried Lord has risen from the dead.
You and I may never be a Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking to thousands in a single speech. You and I may never be a Peter, speaking boldly to people who had called for Jesus’ crucifixion. But the Lord can move you to speak to another soul about Jesus. In him, you can find your voice.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you’ve washed me clean. You’ve risen from death. Empower me to find my voice. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:41
Pentecost Miracle
Daily Devotion – May 28, 2023Devotion based on Acts 2:41
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When the Holy Spirit revealed himself on that first Pentecost Sunday, the people of Jerusalem witnessed dramatic miracles. They heard men speak languages they had never studied before. They heard the sound of wind rushing through that room in the temple—but there was no wind to be found. They saw what appeared to be little tongues of fire hovering over the disciples’ heads. Incredible miracles—each indicating the special presence of God the Holy Spirit with his people.
Which of these miracles would you say was the greatest? Anyone who has attempted to learn another language will verify how amazing a miracle it was when those mostly unschooled disciples started speaking all the different languages of the world—without ever cracking a book. And the other sights and sounds were equally remarkable. But all these miracles pale in comparison with the greatest Pentecost miracle.
The greatest Pentecost miracle occurred later than all the rest. The Bible tells us that “about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41). Just think of it! Three thousand people raised from death to life! Three thousand people added to God’s workforce to carry out our Savior’s Great Commission to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Though the other Pentecost miracles were incredible, there was no comparison with the miracle of faith that the Holy Spirit worked through God’s Word that day.
That greatest Pentecost miracle continues today. When we hear and read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit bolsters and strengthens our hearts. When we speak God’s Word, the Spirit works to bring people from death to eternal life. A simple splash of water or a morsel of bread and a sip of wine, when used with God’s Word, creates and strengthens God’s gift of faith. The Holy Spirit continues the greatest Pentecost miracle as we use and share God’s Word and sacraments. What a wonder!
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, through your Word and sacrament, continue to work your miracle of faith in my heart. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12,13
Rejoice in Your Sufferings
Daily Devotion – May 27, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:12,13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230527dev.mp3
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What makes you happy? The end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation? Seeing a beloved family member again after a long separation? Being able to spend some time on the golf course or in the wood shop or at the pool?
How about suffering? Does suffering make you happy? Would you consider it pure joy to actually suffer physical violence because you told other people about Jesus?
Jesus’ apostles really did consider it pure joy to suffer in that way. One time, after the Jewish ruling council had them flogged for preaching about Jesus, they “went out…rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name” of Jesus (Acts 5:41). In fact, they went right back to the temple and kept telling people about Jesus, despite the punishment they had just endured.
The apostle Peter tells us in today’s Bible passage that we, too, can “rejoice as [we] share in the sufferings of Christ.” When people ridicule us for being Christians, we can consider ourselves blessed because God’s Spirit rests on us. Such suffering doesn’t come to us because we’re doing something wrong. Rather it comes because we’re doing something right. We’re suffering for following Jesus. And that is nothing to be ashamed of.
But rejoicing in our sufferings is not something that comes naturally. When someone ridicules us, our first reaction is to strike back at them, not to rejoice. Yet, all that changes when we remember the one for whom we are suffering. We’re suffering because we belong to Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again for us and soon will return in glory to take us to the eternal joys of heaven. Because we belong to Jesus, we, like the apostles, have been counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of his name. What a reason to rejoice!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of being able to suffer for your name. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10,11
Destination Restoration
Daily Devotion – May 26, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:10,11
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230526dev.mp3
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Many of us can look back and laugh at family road trips we took as children or with our children. They were torturous for children and parents alike. The frequent bathroom breaks. The incessant questions. “Honey, do you know where you are going?” “Do I need to pull this car over?” “Are we there yet?” The road seemed to stretch on forever and the destination forever out of reach. But once you arrived, the glory of the destination often outweighed and outshined the frustration of the journey.
Suffering during our journey through this life as we head toward heaven can be just as torturous, indeed, more so. We do not tend to look back on tough times with humor. The road of suffering seems to go on forever. The end, forever out of reach. We break down frequently. We question God incessantly. “Lord, how is this good for me? Have you forgotten about me? Can you even put a stop to this?”
The apostle Peter assures us that God can. He is still in control. His ability to act on our behalf has not run dry. He will always have the power to deliver us. Therefore, we have no right or reason to squabble with God. Regardless of how much of our life is marked with suffering (even if it is every single day of our lives), God is always the same. He is always full of grace. Always giving all his mercy to all his children. He holds nothing back.
If you doubt it, look to Jesus. Because of Jesus, you have a share in God’s eternal glory. Your days of suffering will end. And when they do, God will be there to greet you. The end of that road will reveal a destination that is extraordinary and unending in its splendor. Compared to the glories of eternal life, the sufferings of earthly life will seem little and light.
Are we there yet?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
1 Peter 5:8,9
Stand Firm in the Faith
Daily Devotion – May 25, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:8,9
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230525dev.mp3
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“In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.” You probably know this song from the soundtrack of a popular Disney movie. However, the original was written and recorded in 1939 by South African, Solomon Linda.
Linda grew up as a herder who spent his time protecting the cattle from bush lions. His hauntingly hypnotic song contains only two words, Mbube zimba. Less of a lullaby, Linda’s song is the cry of a child cattle herder pleading, “Lion, stop!”
Like Solomon Linda’s original melody, the apostle Peter wrote about a lion that does not sleep. The devil has been prowling and devouring unsuspecting victims throughout the world since the beginning. We should not be lulled into a false sense of security that we are safe in God’s peaceful village. We need to be vigilant.
So, Peter urges us to stay alert, to keep a sober mind, and to stand firm in the faith. Stay alert because that lion masquerades as an angel of light. Keep a sober mind because that old evil foe knows your weaknesses. Stand firm in the faith because one little word can fell him.
He is vicious; but he has no power against the victorious Lamb of God. Jesus’ crucifixion took the teeth out of the jaws of that lying lion. Our Savior’s resurrection has shown the lion’s accusations to be more “meow” than “roar.” The devil cannot tear us from our Champion.
The next time Satan comes snarling, sing with Solomon Linda, “Lion, stop!” But sing it with the confidence of Martin Luther, “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? For I know the One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ.”
Prayer:
God, your Word is my greatest treasure for salvation and truest weapon against the spiritual forces of evil. Help me to hold it tightly and wield it rightly. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6,7
God Cares for You
Daily Devotion – May 24, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:6,7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230524dev.mp3
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I need help.
Those are three of the hardest words for anyone to say. They are a humble confession that I have limitations. I am not strong enough. I am not smart enough. I am not skilled enough. I am stuck and cannot see a way through this.
But these three words are some of the most liberating words for anyone to say. Especially when the person to whom they are said can provide the help we need.
That is why going to God when we need help is so wonderfully comforting. The apostle Peter knew this. That is why he points us to God as our perfect helper. God can do anything by the power of his mighty hand. Picture the helping hand of God throughout history. Picture the Lord opening a road through the Red Sea for Israel to escape the Egyptian army. Picture the Almighty making a way through the wilderness for the remnant to return from Babylon. Picture Jesus reaching down to grab hold of Peter’s hand as that experienced fisherman floundered and flailed for his life in the Galilean Sea. Picture Jesus, at the appointed time, stretching his hands on the cross to die for a world of helpless sinners. Picture those same scarred hands embracing Peter as Jesus urged him, “Feed my sheep.”
So, go to God when you need help. He does not simply care about you. He cares for you. It is who he is. It is what he does. Let him take care of it for you. At the proper time, he will help in the perfect way.
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you are my capable and caring God. Help me to humble myself before you, trusting that you will help me at the perfect time, in the perfect way. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:14-16
Praise God in Persecution
Daily Devotion – May 23, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:14-16
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230523dev.mp3
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Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, told his disciples to imitate him. To imitate his love. “Love one another just as I have loved you. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
As we share and show the love of Jesus, people will take notice. But not everyone will appreciate it. Some will make you suffer violence for it. Others will attack you verbally. Your attackers want you to feel ashamed for being a Christian. But you are not doing something wrong or dishonorable.
There is no shame in bearing the name of Jesus. How can we be ashamed to carry the same banner we so proudly stand behind? Jesus said that when we suffer in his name, it is a sign that we belong to him.
That’s the good news. Christ has had compassion on us. He came from heaven to earth to suffer and die for us. He was misunderstood by his parents and mocked by his siblings. His body was mangled by his enemies and mounted to a cross. Our sin is paid for. And now he lives as proof that our guilt is pardoned.
Praise God when you are persecuted. Persecution is a badge of honor! Persecution is proof that you belong to God and are chosen and loved by him. You are set apart from the world. Now you suffer at the hands of the world, but you are set apart for glory.
First the cross. Then the crown.
Prayer:
Triune God, how great is your love that I should belong to you. Even in persecution, I will yet praise you. For in you, I put my hope. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12,13
Rejoice in Suffering
Daily Devotion – May 22, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:12,13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230522dev.mp3
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After a difficult day, you go home, get comfortable, and cozy up on the couch. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Then, there is a banging at the door. You were not expecting company. Whoever it is, is not welcome. You try to ignore it, but it does not stop. So, you get up, walk to the door, and open it. Your annoying neighbor pushes their way in, flops down on the couch, props their feet on your coffee table, and drinks down your glass of wine. You shake your head at the rudeness of this unwelcome guest.
The trials we face as Christians can seem like unwelcome guests. These trials go beyond life’s annoyances and inconveniences. They are the painful experiences we endure because we follow Jesus. When we do good, the world calls us evil. When we speak God’s truth, the world labels us as liars. When we show the love of Jesus, the world hates us for it.
The question is not whether I will face persecution for my faith. The question is how I will respond when persecution comes knocking. The apostle Peter says we should not be surprised. Jesus said it would be this way. “Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Therefore, Peter encourages us to embrace this suffering with joy. Suffering is not evidence that God has abandoned you. Suffering is proof that you are partnered with Jesus. He died and was raised to life to open the way that leads through this life’s dangers and disappointments to the inexhaustible and inexpressible joys of the glorious life to come. The suffering we experience for following Jesus keeps us from getting too comfortable in this world. Suffering reminds us that salvation is coming.
So, chin up. Welcome suffering with a smile. And walk on.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I rejoice in all that you suffered for me. Help me to be joyful whenever I must suffer for you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:24-26
The Lord’s Hand Is in Everything
Daily Devotion – May 21, 2023Devotion based on Acts 1:24-26
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230521dev.mp3
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Have you ever taken time to consider how many people have had a hand in your education? How about the people involved with your upbringing?
It would be rather difficult to list all the people involved in making you who you are. From the people who farmed the land which produced the food you ate, to the people who processed and packaged that food, to the people who delivered that food to the grocery store where your parents used to always shop. Now imagine all the people involved with your education (both your teachers and their teachers).
It’s really incredible when you think about how all these things have fit together to help you become who you are. From the Bible, though, we learn that it was a lot more than just fate or chance that things have turned out the way they have for you.
The Lord has had his hands in everything. He provides pastors, teachers, missionaries, Christian family, and friends who are sent by him to proclaim his amazing message of forgiveness and his comforting message of eternal life in heaven.
Know and trust the Lord’s hand still is in everything! Turn to the Bible and find out all that he has in store for you!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all the people you have used to shape my life and share with me the good news about who you are and what you have done for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
1 Peter 3:15
The Nail
Daily Devotion – May 20, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230520dev.mp3
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Author Dale Hays tells of a Haitian pastor who once used an illustration that Hays will never forget. The pastor said that a man in Haiti wanted to sell his house for $2,000. A buyer stepped forward. He wanted to purchase the house but was unable to pay the full price. The seller came up with a curious arrangement. He would sell the house at half-price with one provision. The provision was that he, the seller, would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from the house’s doorway. The buyer agreed.
Time passed, and one day the former owner of the house showed up and announced that he would like to buy his house back. The new owner refused. With that, the former owner noted the one part of the house he still owned—the small nail sticking out of the doorway. He then dragged up to the house the carcass of a dog and hung it on his nail. Before long, the stench became so bad that the new owner and his family had to abandon the house and leave it to the former owner.
The story is a good illustration of what can happen when a person holds on to a particular sin—just a corner of their life where they don’t want God to interfere. But there is a danger to this idea. The devil sees an opportunity and will want to hang further temptations on this nail and ruin your entire spiritual life.
Think for a moment. Is there a nail in your life? If so, confess it to God. Turn to him for the forgiveness Jesus won on the cross. Then, commit your entire life to serving him. No more nails involved.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me the times I have withheld a part of my life from you. Wash me clean in your blood. I am yours. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:21,22
Always in Control
Daily Devotion – May 19, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:21,22
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230519dev.mp3
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Where is Jesus when I need him? Have you ever wondered that? We can’t see Jesus. Sometimes he seems distant. He, at times, does not seem to answer when we pray. Where is Jesus when I am sick? Where is he when money is tight and bill collectors are hounding us? Where is Jesus when things are difficult at work or at home? So often in life, it can feel like Jesus is nowhere to be found.
These words from the book of 1 Peter remind us that Jesus is right where we need him to be: in the driver’s seat. Jesus is described as being at “God’s right hand.” To be at the right hand of God is to be in a position of power and authority. This is the Bible’s way of telling us that Jesus is in control. He has power over all things. We are even told that all the angels are under his control.
This reminds us of a couple of things: First, nothing happens by accident. Jesus knows exactly what is happening, and better yet, he knows why it is happening. He is in control of all things and has the power to do anything. Secondly, prior to taking up this place of power and authority, Jesus demonstrated his love for us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. This same loving Savior who gave his life in your place is now in control of all things. In that same love, he will direct all things for your good.
So that means he is not absent. He is very much aware of what is going on. It also means we can trust him. Our loving Savior will work all things out for our good. He loves you and is in control. Always.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for rising victorious over death. Now that you are in heaven, use your power on my behalf. Help me to trust that you are in control of all things. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:20,21
A Big Deal
Daily Devotion – May 18, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:20,21
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230518dev.mp3
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When was the last time you witnessed a baptism? Do you remember it? As you listened, a few words were said. As you watched, some water was sprinkled or poured on the individual’s head. Nothing flashy, just water and words. It probably took all of five minutes. What’s the big deal?
It has become easy for us to view baptism as nothing more than a nice church custom. To think of it as this thing we must do or a ritual we must participate in to check another box. A traditional rite of passage that we better get on the calendar so that Grandma will quit pestering us.
In these verses, the apostle Peter reminds us that baptism is, in fact, a big deal. Holy Baptism is a powerful act of God and not just a symbol. Baptism is not merely a task to be checked off or a ritual to complete. Nor is it something that I do for God. Rather, it is something wonderful that God does for me. Namely, “baptism saves you.” Baptism cleanses us from sin and creates faith in our hearts. Baptism is a wonderful means of grace where God saves us from sin, death, and hell.
But how can this seemingly small thing have such power? Baptism saves us because it connects us to the resurrection of Jesus. Through baptism, we die and rise with Christ. His victory over death becomes our victory. His salvation becomes our salvation. In baptism, Jesus washes all my sins away and makes me his child. The next time you see baptism, marvel at what happens there through water and God’s Word.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the saving gift of baptism. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18
Reconciled
Daily Devotion – May 17, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230517dev.mp3
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Have you ever experienced a broken or damaged relationship? Perhaps it was with a spouse or a significant other. Maybe it was with a sibling or a parent or a child. Whatever the case, it all started with some hurtful words or actions. As a result, things are now cold and distant. Feelings are hurt. Resentment is evident. Their guard is up. The distance between you feels like there might as well be a canyon separating one from the other.
This is a good way to illustrate our relationship with God. Imagine, for a moment, what sin has done to your relationship with God. Imagine the impact on that relationship when we lie to others…when we fill our hearts with greed or lust…when we curse at the people God has placed in our lives…when we act in unloving ways with our coworkers. With each sin we commit, the divide between God and us gets wider and deeper. Because of our sin, the divide between God and us might as well be the Grand Canyon. It goes without saying, there is no way for us to bridge that gap. There is nothing we can do to eliminate that divide.
Thankfully God did it for us. God sent Jesus, who gave his life on the cross, in order to bring us back to God. Jesus saw how far our sins had driven us away from God and knew we did not have it in us to fix the situation. So he sacrificed himself to pay for sin. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven and removed; now, there is no divide! Jesus has brought us back to God, and we have a relationship with him. He calls us his own, watches over us, and blesses us each and every day. We are reconciled to God!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for eliminating the divide between us and the Father. Thank you for giving yourself on the cross to bring us back to God. Help us live as your people today. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18
Our Perfect Substitute
Daily Devotion – May 16, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230516dev.mp3
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Are you going to heaven when you die? If so, why? Is it because you are good enough for God? Have you stacked up enough good deeds to outweigh whatever wrongs you may have done? Have you worked so hard to be better than the average person—so much so that you have avoided most of the ‘big sins’?
Maybe you have determined that you are going to try harder every day and get better each day so that you will reach a level of goodness where God will be pleased enough to let you into heaven.
That all sounds exhausting. And none of it ever works. To be sure, people are striving hard to do good things and be better people. However, the world doesn’t have any perfect people–none who would classify as being without sin. God has one requirement for heaven: perfection. We can all try as hard as we want, but we will never reach that goal on our own.
God has a better way. He provided a substitute. He knew we could never achieve perfection on our own. So he provided someone who could do it for us. God sent the righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus came into this world and lived a perfect life. He never once sinned! And at the end of that perfect life, he gave himself over to death on a cross to die in our place. In a wonderful exchange, God traded the perfect life of Jesus for our lives of sin. Through Jesus, God provided us with the righteousness we lacked. Getting to heaven is not about what we do. (Thank God for that because try as we might, we are unrighteous.) Rather, it is all about what Jesus has done for us. Through his work on the cross, his righteousness replaces our unrighteousness. Through faith in his work for us, we are going to heaven!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being righteous in my place and earning my salvation. Rather than relying on my level of goodness, help me to trust in your work and sacrifice on my behalf. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For Christ also suffered once for sins.
1 Peter 3:18
Jesus Solved Our Biggest Problem
Daily Devotion – May 15, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230515dev.mp3
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What is the biggest problem you have in your life right now? Maybe it is a health issue for you or a family member. Perhaps it is an issue related to finances at home or at work. It could be problems with employees, or a strained relationship with a spouse or sibling. Maybe it is a combination of all the above. Or maybe, it is none of the above but a whole list of other things. Life is full of problems.
No matter how many of these listed problems are plaguing you, none of them are actually your biggest problem. The Bible helps us to understand that we have a problem far greater than sickness, finances, and relationships. Our biggest problem is sin. Sin is so easy to notice when someone does it to us, but we somehow have difficulty recognizing it when we sin against God. And sins add up quickly. Our impure thoughts, unloving actions, and unkind words all are sins against God. Each sin might not seem like that big of a problem, but here’s the thing: each sin deserves to be punished with eternal separation from God and his goodness. We don’t like to hear that, but deep down, we know it to be true.
But the wonderful news of the Bible is that someone already suffered for us. Jesus came into this world as our substitute, and he suffered and died for each and every one of our sins. Our sinful thoughts, words, and actions are paid for. Jesus endured the punishment that should have been ours, and as a result, we are forgiven and saved. We will not be struck down by God for our sin. Rather, through faith in Jesus, we will be welcomed into the mansions of heaven. Jesus has solved our biggest problem, and now through faith in him, we can trust him to help us take care of the other problems we face in this world.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering in my place so that I am forgiven and saved. Be with me and give me strength as I face the problems of this world, knowing that you have already won heaven for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Acts 17:27
Finding God
Daily Devotion – May 14, 2023Devotion based on Acts 17:27
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230514dev.mp3
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Greek mythology includes a man named Tantalus, who was uniquely favored because he was invited to share the food of the gods. However, he abused his relationship as a guest and was punished by hunger and thirst. He was immersed up to his neck in water, but when he bent to drink, it all drained away. Fruit hung on trees above him, but when he reached for it the winds blew the branches beyond his reach. From this myth, we get the word “tantalizing.” By it we mean we are almost there. It’s just out of reach.
That’s what the apostle Paul wrote about when it comes to finding God. We can look around us and see that there is a divine order to all of the creation in which we live. Look at the way our bodies function. Look at the order in the universe. We can tell great things about God from the world around us, but we can’t tell who he is. Isn’t that “tantalizing”?
God gave us the ability to recognize this order so that we would hopefully seek God and find him. But God doesn’t hand out clues like some celestial riddle maker. Nor do we need to be a spiritual Sherlock Holmes to find him. He gave us the Bible so we would have specific information and know who he is and where we can find him. God sent Jesus to make us absolutely certain that God is right here with us, loving us, directing us, and providing for us. You can find him too, in the Bible.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me in your Word. Direct my eyes to the wonderful mercies you have shown to me through Jesus. Lead me to your Word daily so that my soul may be refreshed by your grace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:5,6
Jesus Is the Way
Daily Devotion – May 8, 2023Devotion based on John 14:5,6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230508dev.mp3
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The island of Maui in Hawaii is home to some breathtaking sites. Towering waterfalls, peaceful pools, vibrant forest, colorful gardens, and so much more fill the east side of the island. However, there is only one way to get there; you must travel on the “Road to Hana,” which is a narrow, often dangerous road that sometimes touches the edge of a cliff that drops hundreds of feet to the ocean below. Many have travelled the Road to Hana safely to enjoy the beautiful sites. But because the road can be very unsettling, many tourists avoid it and never end up seeing the beautiful sites it leads to.
You may never travel to Maui, and you may have no desire to see what’s there, and that’s ok. But everyone will want to be in heaven as it is the only place where we will be fully free from sin and where every tear will be wiped away. And there is only one way to that location as well.
“I am the way,” Jesus said. Notice he didn’t say that he is “a” way into heaven. He is “the” way. And that’s good news for us; for it means that your way into heaven does not depend on your effort, obedience, works, or even on your ability to successfully avoid falling into temptation. It depends entirely on the already-completed and perfect work of the One who died to forgive us and rose again.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for gifting me with a future of perfection in heaven that I could never have provided for myself. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“My Father’s house are 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. . . . I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:2,3,6
Your Mansion Awaits You
Daily Devotion – May 7, 2023Devotion based on John 14:2,3,6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230507dev.mp3
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I remember the first house my wife and I purchased. As I recall, it was about 1300 square feet or so. Nothing too large, especially for a family of five (six, if you want to count our yellow lab dog), but we were thankful. After all, it was our first home, even if it wasn’t a mansion.
The night before he died on the cross to wipe away the world’s sin with his holy blood, Jesus spoke about heaven to his disciples. He vividly described it for them as a large house, a mansion, with many rooms for his many followers throughout the ages. Soon he would leave his disciples and return to his Father in heaven because his redemptive work on earth would be finished. But fear not, disciples! “I will come back for you one day and lead you by the hand to the rooms in my Father’s mansion. I am your only way to heaven. Believe this. Believe in me!”
Are you having a bad day? Think about this and smile: right now, Jesus is preparing a room for you in the Father’s big heavenly house. When he is ready for you, and not before, Jesus will come for you, either when your heart stops beating or judgment day’s trumpet starts blasting. Though you deserve a room in Satan’s hell-house because of your sin, Jesus’ nail-pierced hand will take your hand and lead you safely out of this vale of tears and sorrow to your Father in heaven and his mansion. There you’ll live forever in perfect happiness and joy with all of God’s children only because of God’s undeserved love. Believe this! Believe in Jesus!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you live in my mansion to prepare; you live to bring me safely there. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
John 10:7-9
Jesus Is the Only Way
Daily Devotion – May 6, 2023Devotion based on John 10:7-9
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230506dev.mp3
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There is a temptation to see people as thieves and robbers see people–as a means of getting something for themselves. That is how the devil and the world see people and how your own sinful flesh would have you see people.
That is not how Jesus, the gate, would have you see people. Jesus would have you see people as the focus of his love. He would have you see people as recipients of kindness and compassion. He would have you see people as sheep in need of a shepherd. And Jesus would have you see him as the only way for them to have a relationship with God and eternal life in heaven.
There is a temptation to live as the devil and world want you to live–to go your own way and do your own thing, to find pleasure and satisfaction in the things of this world apart from God, to flaunt your self-reliance and independence from God. That is how the devil and the world want you to live, and your sinful flesh loves to play along.
That is not how Jesus, the gate, wants you to live. Jesus wants you to listen to his voice and trust him. He wants you to come to the Father through him and to find spiritual nourishment and strength in his word. And Jesus wants you to know that he is the only way to have a relationship with God and eternal life in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have seen others as thieves and robbers see them. In the peace of forgiveness, let me be a channel of the goodness and grace that can only be found in you. May I always listen to your voice and follow you, living in true goodness and grace, now and forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“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.”
1 Peter 2:24
Prepare a Table
Daily Devotion – May 5, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 2:24
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When King David wrote Psalm 23 around 1000 B.C., he had been anointed with oil in a ceremony that declared him the king, so he knew the overflowing joy in the words “You anoint my head with oil.” He and the people in his kingdom celebrated the Passover every year with a meal that included lamb, unleavened bread, and wine, so he knew the special significance of the words “You prepare a table before me.”
How much did David understand that baptism would become the anointing of the New Testament and that the Passover meal would become the Lord’s Supper celebrated around the world today? We don’t know.
But by the time Peter wrote about the wounds of Jesus healing us of our sin and guilt, just a few years after he saw Jesus die and come back to life, it had become clear. Christians knew that the table being prepared for them when they gathered for worship held the true body and blood of their Savior, given and poured out for the forgiveness of their sins.
When those Christians read in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” they knew that their greatest enemies—sin, death, and the devil—had been defeated by the death of Jesus on the cross and the presence of those menacing enemies was only temporary.
Christians of that day were moved to repent of their sins and live in righteousness and love. Christians of today have the same response when their lives overflow with thankfulness for what Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has done for them.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of the Church, thank you for anointing us with the waters of baptism, and nourishing us with the food of your salvation at the table of your Supper. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:25
You Are With Me
Daily Devotion – May 4, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 2:25
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Psalm 23 was originally written in Hebrew. It’s a gorgeous piece of poetry. One feature in many Hebrew poems is that the theme is in the middle of the poem. In Psalm 23 there are 26 Hebrew words before the middle verse and 26 Hebrew words after it. Right there in the middle, the theme of the poem, are the words translated as “You are with me.”
It can be scary for me to think of the Lord as someone who is with me. I am so bad so often it is embarrassing to realize that he sees all of that. In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Peter says that I act like a sheep who is stupid enough to leave the flock and go out astray on its own. Peter knew a thing or two about acting stupid in front of Jesus.
But Peter also knew a thing or two about repenting and returning to Jesus. He calls Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of his soul and not just his soul but mine too.
When I realize that Jesus forgives me, his being with me is not scary anymore. Instead, his presence comforts me. I will fear no evil because he is with me. No accusation of conscience or of the devil is stronger than his presence. In fact, I really want him around when those guilty thoughts make me feel panicky and alone.
“You are with me” is the center and theme of Psalm 23. “You are with me” is the motto of my Christian life.
Prayer:
Be with me, Lord Jesus. I ask you stay close by me forever and love me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They will come in and go out, and find pasture. . .I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:9,10
Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever
Daily Devotion – May 3, 2023Devotion based on John 10:9,10
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Good relationships are a key to finding happiness and living a full life. Research shows that solid relationships help people live longer, deal with stress better, and have healthier habits. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships contribute to long, healthy, and happy lives. The quality of relationships is the single biggest predictor of happiness.
Psalm 23 spells out that truth in a beautifully poetic way. The writer talks about his good relationship with the Lord and says, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”
So it isn’t a surprise when Jesus, the Good Shepherd mentioned in Psalm 23, says about his followers, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
It might be a surprise, though, when the followers of Jesus have difficulties in their relationships, feel lonely, or find themselves occasionally isolated. Didn’t Jesus promise a full life, and doesn’t that usually mean excellent relationships?
Jesus is aware of the difficulties in relationships in this life. He knows that his followers will go through stages, coming in and going out, getting closer and moving on.
In order to provide the most stability, Jesus offers a relationship with himself. Since he died to take the punishment for sins, he always forgives and continues the relationship. Since he rose from the dead, he is always there.
Jesus knows that relationships in this life are imperfect, so he invites us to look forward to the perfection of eternal life in heaven. Psalm 23 ends with these comforting words: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, grant me good Christian relationships in this life, and comfort me with the promise of perfect relationships in eternity through faith in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:3,4
He Leads You
Daily Devotion – May 2, 2023Devotion based on John 10:3,4
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The picture painted by the words of Psalm 23 is beautiful. The Lord, your Shepherd, makes you lie down in green pastures. He leads you beside quiet waters. He restores and refreshes your soul. He guides you along the right paths.
The Lord Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. He wants you to think of him as the Shepherd in Psalm 23. When he speaks, he wants you to follow him.
You can be certain that he will make you lie down in green pastures. His words in the Bible are so nourishing and fulfilling, that whenever you read them, you will notice good spiritual food all around you.
When you are anxious, listen to the promises that Jesus makes in the Bible, and rest beside the quiet waters of his strength and love.
When you feel guilty, listen to the quiet voice of his forgiveness.
When your soul is distressed by pain and unfairness in your life and in the lives of your loved ones, look up to the Shepherd who knows the future and promises to work it all out for your good. Let his goodness restore and refresh you.
When you wonder about the right thing to do, follow Jesus on the path of his righteousness, and trust that he will bless your decisions and declare you holy.
You can’t go wrong listening to the voice of Jesus. He leads you exactly where it is best for you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, lead me safely through this life by your strong and loving Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. . .I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”
John 10:7,9
The Real Entrance
Daily Devotion – May 1, 2023Devotion based on John 10:7,9
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The first words of Psalm 23 are pretty famous: “The Lord is my shepherd.” If I take those words seriously and want to get close to the Lord, I need to enter his sheep pen and know where the gate is.
The last words of Psalm 23 are also pretty famous: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” If I take those words seriously and want to be in the mansion of the Lord forever, I need to know where the door is.
Psalm 23 was written by David, a man who started out as a shepherd and ended up as a king. At first he lived outside with sheep, but at the end of his life he lived in a palace. The words of the psalm reflect his journey.
Jesus was a descendant of David. When he was born, his mother placed him in a manger—a place where animals were fed. His life followed the pattern of his ancestor, David. Now he lives in the glory of heaven, and he invites me to join him there.
He explains how I can get to heaven. Thinking of sheep, he calls himself the gate. Thinking of a king’s palace, he calls himself the door. In either expression, he means to say that believing in him is the only way to get to heaven, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I have approached places where it is hard to identify the real entrance, and it’s frustrating. Thankfully, that’s not the case when it comes to entering heaven. Jesus identifies himself as the only real entrance to a relationship with God and an eternity in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, guide me safely to a close relationship with you and to an eternal home in heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:7-10
Jesus is the Gate
Daily Devotion – April 30, 2023Devotion based on John 10:7-10
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Fences have become a way of life. People put up privacy fences to keep others from seeing into their yard. Farmers put up fences to keep the cattle in the field. Businesses put up fences to keep thieves away from their warehouses. But every fence has a gate—a passageway for those who are supposed to get to the other side of the fence.
Jesus says he is the gate–not into a yard or a field–but into the presence of God and eternal life. Sadly, there are people who try to convince us that we can receive eternal life by relying on something other than Jesus, such as the good things we do. But try as they might, they are unable to establish another way through the fence. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. He opened the way to God by removing all of the barriers that stood in our way: our sins, our guilt, and the accusation of the devil. He prepared us for life with God by washing us with the water of baptism and assuring us that our sins are forgiven. He leads us through the gate as he gives us his Word, which nourishes us and causes our faith to grow. What is more, he protects us from those thieves who would urge us to ignore the only gate and try to reach eternal life by jumping the fence.
Through Jesus, we have life, the fullness of eternal life with God!
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, in your mercy you opened the way to eternal life. Guard me from those who seek to lead me astray. Establish my faith in you, my only Savor. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It was not with perishable things . . . that you were redeemed.
1 Peter 1:18
Perishable Things
Daily Devotion – April 29, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:18
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In the corner of a museum in Springfield, Illinois, there is a special room where people enter quietly. In that room is a clear glass case. The case has special lighting. The interior of the case keeps a specific temperature and level of humidity. All of this technology is necessary because of what the case contains. Inside that case is Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.
As you view this hat, there are two features that may jump out at you. One is that, on the hat’s brim, you can see wear marks from the first two fingers of Mr. Lincoln’s right hand from all the times he tipped his hat in greeting or held it steady in a stiff wind.
The second feature is more sobering. It is the simple fact that the hat looks old. For all the efforts to preserve the hat’s condition, the passage of time has still made its impact. With age has come deterioration. As time goes on, the deterioration will continue.
Deterioration does not just strike famous hats of former presidents, of course. Everything in this sinful, fallen world deteriorates. Everything wears out. Everything is perishable.
And so when God chose to buy us back from the curse of our sin, the payment price could not be something perishable. It could not be something of fleeting, temporary value. That’s why God sent his Son.
As a result, God’s forgiveness of your sins will not deteriorate. The peace you possess in Christ will not expire. The Lord’s promises to you will never perish. Not because of a museum’s preservation technology but because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, because of Jesus, your promises to me will never perish. In troubled times, comfort me with this truth. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:33-35
Shared Hope
Daily Devotion – April 28, 2023Devotion based on Luke 24:33-35
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Traveling at night was not something that ancient people often did. Nighttime travel could easily expose you to all kinds of danger. That’s why it is so remarkable that the two disciples of Jesus who had traveled to Emmaus on Easter evening returned to Jerusalem immediately, even though it was nighttime.
But they couldn’t help themselves. They were too excited. They had seen Jesus! He was alive! He had risen from the dead! They could not keep the hope that they now had to themselves. They had to share it with Jesus’ other disciples.
All who trust in Jesus share this same hope. Because we know that Jesus has risen from the dead, we also know that Jesus has taken away all our sins. We know Satan can no longer threaten us because Jesus has decisively defeated him. We know that death can no longer hold on to us forever because Jesus has destroyed its power. We know that as Jesus continues to live for us, he uses everything in our lives, even the extremely painful things, to bring us blessings.
That hope is too amazing for us to keep to ourselves. So, with whom will we share it? God has placed so many people in our lives who need to hear what we have heard and need the hope that we have. These people may be family members. They may be friends. They may be coworkers or classmates. They may even be people that we have yet to meet. Whoever they are, we will, like these two disciples, eagerly share with them the hope that has set our hearts on fire so that they, too, may know that Jesus is alive.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have set my heart on fire with your hope. Help me eagerly to share that hope with others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:30-32
Restored Hope
Daily Devotion – April 27, 2023Devotion based on Luke 24:30-32
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On the first Easter evening, two of Jesus’ disciples were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been killed. Suddenly, the risen Jesus joined them. But they did not recognize him. As Jesus explained to them that everything that had happened was part of God’s plan, they felt increasingly hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, the women who had seen the empty tomb were right. Maybe Jesus really was alive.
Then they got to Emmaus and persuaded their traveling companion to stay with them for the evening. As they sat down to eat, Jesus took bread and broke it, just as he had done a few days earlier when he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At that moment, the eyes of the two disciples were opened. They recognized Jesus. They could see for sure that Jesus was alive. Their hope that Jesus was the Messiah was restored!
It is highly unlikely that any of us in this life will have the privilege of recognizing Jesus as he sits across from us at the dinner table. In this life, we may not see the risen Jesus with our own eyes. But we have his words which show us how he fulfilled all of God’s plan for our salvation. We have the eyewitness testimony of these two disciples and so many others who did see the risen Jesus with their own eyes. Our hearts burn within us as we hear this testimony that Jesus is alive. And based on all that testimony, our hope is restored.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your resurrection you have restored my hope. Help me always to trust in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus] said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24: 25-27
Grounded Hope
Daily Devotion – April 26, 2023Devotion based on Luke 24: 25-27
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Hope is only as good as the foundation on which it stands. I can hope all I want that the air will hold me up when I jump off the top of a ladder. But since the foundation on which that hope stands is, well, as thin as air, that hope will fail me. On the other hand, when I hope that the concrete sidewalk that I’m walking on will support me, I can be confident that I won’t be disappointed. The foundation on which that hope is built is as strong as concrete.
On the first Easter evening, two of Jesus’ disciples were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were sad because Jesus had been killed. Suddenly, the risen Jesus joined them. But they did not recognize him. Jesus used the opportunity to explain to them that what had happened to him was precisely what God had predicted through the Old Testament prophets. He wanted them to know that their hope in Jesus rested on the solid foundation of God’s Word.
The hope that God has given us is built on that same solid foundation. When we trust that Jesus died and rose to pay for all our sins, we are not walking on air. We are walking on something far stronger than concrete. We are walking on God’s Word and his promises that cannot be broken.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a solid hope that is grounded in your Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Luke 24:22-24
Unbelievable Hope
Daily Devotion – April 25, 2023Devotion based on Luke 24:22-24
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Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking toward a town called Emmaus on Easter evening. The risen Jesus joined them, but they did not recognize him. As they walked and talked, the two disciples shared with Jesus what had happened earlier that morning. And it was unbelievable. Some of the women who had been followers of Jesus went to his tomb to complete the burial of his body. But instead of finding Jesus’s corpse lying in the tomb, they found two angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Two of the other disciples also went to Jesus’s tomb and found things just as the women had said. Jesus’s body wasn’t there.
How could this be? Dead bodies don’t just get up and walk out of their tombs, do they? Could the women be correct in saying that Jesus was alive? It all was too much to believe.
Those two disciples were not the only people who struggle with unbelievable news from God. Perhaps you struggle to believe God when he tells you, “[I] will remember [your] sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Or maybe you can’t conceive of how these words of Jesus can be true: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Perhaps you find it unbelievable that the glory God has in store for those who believe in him far outweighs the weight of trouble we must carry in this life (Romans 8:18).
What those two disciples found unbelievable was true. Jesus was alive! In fact, the proof of Jesus’s resurrection was walking right beside them. They just didn’t realize it yet. In the same way, God’s unbelievable promises to us are always true. When God, who knows all things, tells us that he no longer remembers our sins, he means it. In Jesus, he has forgiven all our sins. Jesus, who rose from the dead, will indeed give eternal life to all who believe in him. And the glory that awaits God’s people makes all the trouble we went through to get there not even worth considering. What seems unbelievable is real with God, for with God all things are possible.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith so that I may always trust your unbelievable promises. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus asked his two disciples who were walking to the village of Emmaus on Easter,] “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
Luke 24:17-21
Lost Hope
Daily Devotion – April 24, 2023Devotion based on Luke 24:17-21
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Cleopas and his friend had lost hope. The one they had hoped was the Messiah was dead—at least as far as they knew. They had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth, would be the long-promised Messiah. But how could he be the long-promised Messiah now that he was dead?
Cleopas and his friend lost hope because what they saw was not what they expected. They are not alone. We can fall into the same trap. Perhaps, we desperately pray that God would heal a loved one, but instead our loved one dies. Perhaps we have prayed that God would bring godly revival to our nation, but things just seem to get worse.
When we are tempted to lose hope because God isn’t doing what we expect him to do, we need to look even more intently on what God truly has promised us. God never fails to do what he has promised. God has forgiven all our sins in Jesus, just as he promised. God always works all things for the good of those who love him, just as promised. God will take all who believe in him to heaven, just as he promised. When we cling to God’s promises, we will always have hope.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to cling to your promises so that I never lose hope. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 1:18,19
A Sense of Worth
Daily Devotion – April 23, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:18,19
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“You like me! Right now, you like me!” gasped Sally Fields at the Oscars in 1985. She longed to know she was worth something. You and I long for the same, a sense of worth.
But as we see our selfish behavior, our broken relationships, our failed goals and dreams, how do we often feel? Perhaps worthless, or worth little?
God says, “you were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ.” How much does God think you’re worth? God thinks you’re worth the blood of Jesus!
Think about it. Something’s value is always determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. Take, for example, a 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card. Though it’s really just a piece of cardboard, in July 2000, it became worth a million dollars! Why? Because that’s what someone paid for it.
So, what did God pay for you? He paid the blood of Jesus for you. Proving what? Proving that God thinks you’re priceless! Proving that God likes you! Yes, right now! And that he’ll keep on liking you, forever!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I marvel that you were willing to pay the price for my sins, even though it cost you your precious blood. Thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In [God’s] great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
1 Peter 1:3,4
Living Hope
Daily Devotion – April 22, 2023 Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:3,4
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What has your week been like? There are plenty of reasons for discouragement and disillusionment. Maybe you have been struggling with health, finances, or relationships. Maybe it seems like there is no purpose in the day-to-day routine, or there is no hope of it changing.
But there is good news! We have hope because of the change Jesus accomplished by his resurrection from the dead. Forgiveness has been assured us, his presence with us has been promised, his power in the world is active for us. He has connected us to something bigger than this world—eternal life with him, an inheritance that defies the fading and disappearing pattern of earthly hopes. The fact that he came alive and defeated the power of death gives us living hope. By faith in Jesus, we will live even after we die!
Jesus is our living leader who safely brings us through those times and circumstances now that would overwhelm us, and he points us to the eternal and perfect life he has prepared for us in heaven. Through Jesus, our resurrected Lord and Savior, we have living hope.
Prayer:
O Jesus, dispel the gloom that surrounds me with the bright promise of salvation which you accomplished by your death and resurrection. Fill my heart with the living hope of eternal life in heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8,9
Joy in What We Don’t See
Daily Devotion – April 21, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:8,9
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230421dev.mp3
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A week after he died, Jesus appeared to his disciple, Thomas, and said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” For Thomas, seeing was believing. The proof of Jesus’ resurrection gave him peace and joy.
But we weren’t there in that room with the disciples. We haven’t seen the risen Jesus with our own eyes. How can we have the same peace, joy, and hope as those disciples?
As a person enters hospice care, waiting for the day they will breathe their last, all they can see coming is death. As a family stands at the graveside of a loved one before the urn or casket is lowered into the ground, all they can see is death. Irreversible, unchangeable death. That is if they see only with the eyes of their bodies and their reason.
But things aren’t always what they seem. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” on the cross, it looked like all hope was finished. Any chance of him being the promised Savior was over. But the empty tomb on Easter morning proved that wasn’t the case. When Jesus’ friends went to his tomb that morning, what they didn’t see brought them hope. What they didn’t see was the body of Jesus. That’s because he was alive.
And he still lives. Because he lives, you can rejoice, even in the face of struggles. You can be confident, even in the face of death. You can be sure that because his grave is empty, yours will be empty one day too. You can trust that through Jesus’ dying and rising in your place, your guilt has been removed. Your salvation has been won. Eternal life with your God and Savior is yours. Let that truth fill you with joy that can’t be put into words.
Prayer:
Jesus, though I haven’t seen you with my own eyes, I believe that you live. And because you live, I know that I will too. Let this news fill me with joy in life and in death. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
1 Peter 1:3,4
A Guaranteed Inheritance
Daily Devotion – April 20, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:3,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230420dev.mp3
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Perhaps you’ve been named in someone’s will. That will says that, if that person dies, you will be given this amount of money or that piece of property or these personal possessions.
But being named in the will doesn’t mean that you will receive those things. The money might all have to pay for medical bills or the funeral. The property might burn down or have to be given to the bank to pay for debts. The personal possessions might break, wear out, or be lost before you ever receive them. A will does not guarantee an inheritance.
But the resurrection of Jesus does. That’s because the inheritance Jesus has prepared for you doesn’t consist of dollars and cents. It won’t wear out, break, or lose its luster. It won’t be stolen or squandered before you receive it. It can’t be reduced with estate taxes or stored in a safe deposit box. In fact, it isn’t even stored on earth. It is stored in God’s eternal storehouses in heaven, where there is no destruction, decay, or theft.
The inheritance guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection is the riches of a God who owns all things. It’s the joy of an eternity in his presence, surrounded by his love, separated from all the things that bring us pain, sadness, and death.
Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God can and will do exactly what he has promised. It is the signature on the bottom of the will that guarantees that our inheritance is safely stored for us in heaven, just waiting for us to enjoy after our death on this earth or after Jesus returns on the Last Day.
Because Jesus lives, this unfading inheritance is guaranteed for all who trust in Jesus, whose death and life takes away guilt, forgives sins, and wins eternal life.
Prayer:
Jesus, because you live, I have proof that an eternal inheritance is mine. Thank you for guarding that inheritance for me and for guarding me, while I wait to receive it. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3
A Living Hope
Daily Devotion – April 19, 2023Devotion based on 1 Peter 1:3
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Peter was a fiercely loyal follower of Jesus. Or at least he wanted to be. Peter promised Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” But just hours later, he called down curses on himself as he denied ever knowing Jesus not once but three times.
His denial of Jesus proved he wasn’t as strong as he claimed to be. How could he ever be sure of anything again? How could he ever find hope again?
Years later, Peter wrote, “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Peter and his friend John had run to the tomb on Easter morning after the women reported that it was empty. Later that day, Peter saw Jesus alive, and he was filled with “an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Peter’s fear, grief, and despair turned to peace, joy, and hope.
What struggles have you faced in your life? What burdens are you carrying on your heart today? Does the loss of a loved one have you feeling empty and alone? Does your own failing health cripple you with confusion and uncertainty? Does the fear of what the future may hold have you worried and afraid? Find hope and peace where Peter found it. Easter hope. Living hope.
Jesus keeps his promises. He died for our doubts and worries and rose to prove that they are forgiven. Grief, shame, and guilt are gone. Life with Jesus is ours!
Prayer:
Jesus, when life leaves me hopeless, give me living hope through your resurrection from the dead. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:27,28
Prove It
Daily Devotion – April 18, 2023Devotion based on John 20:27,28
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You have to see it to believe it! Animals with two heads, products that range from the novel to the absurd, amazing abilities and little-known scientific facts. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not has over three dozen museums and attractions where you can find all kinds of oddities that are strange, but true (or so they claim).
Of course, just because something is in a museum or on the internet does not mean it is true. In this digital age, so-called evidence can be easily altered to “prove” events that never happened or the existence of things that never actually existed. It can be wise to be skeptical.
Jesus’ disciple, Thomas, wasn’t going to get sucked into the hysteria. He wasn’t going to put his life on the line for something that seemed so unlikely. He had to see it to believe it. It wasn’t enough that his close friends said they had seen Jesus with their own eyes, and others claimed to have touched and walked with him. He wanted to see and touch the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side for himself.
And then it happened. One week after Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas was there when Jesus appeared to his disciples. Jesus was alive, standing there in the flesh right in front of him.
Perhaps Thomas thought about how slow he had been to swallow his pride and believe the truth! But Jesus showed the scars in his hands and in his side to assure Thomas that he paid the price for his pride, doubt, and all of his sins. A living Jesus was proof that Jesus defeated the devil and overcame death. Seeing his living Savior, Thomas joyfully confessed, “My Lord and my God!”
Do you have doubts about God’s love? Are you worried that God couldn’t forgive you? The risen Jesus proves that God loved you enough to give his life for you. Proof that death is conquered, and life is yours. Believe it!
Prayer:
Jesus, forgive my fears and doubts. Help me confess with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19
Peace be with you!
Daily Devotion – April 17, 2023Devotion based on John 20:19
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230417dev.mp3
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Fear can be absolutely paralyzing, can’t it? I have a fear of heights. If I am someplace where my mind tells me I could fall and be seriously injured or die, my heart begins to race, and I can hardly move an inch. Maybe you’ve experienced the same thing. Or maybe for you, it is a fear of spiders or snakes, public speaking, water, or tight spaces. It doesn’t matter whether the danger is real or not. Fear paralyzes us.
Jesus’ disciples were terrified. They had seen him tied up and taken away by his enemies. Some of them were there when they killed him. They watched the life drain out of his body and saw him take his last breath. What Jesus’ enemies did to him was so brutal, so hateful, so final. What would stop them from doing the same thing to them?
So they hid, locked behind closed doors. They hid even after they heard reports that Jesus was alive. They didn’t believe the news. Fear paralyzed them. They lacked proof. They lacked peace.
Suddenly, Jesus was standing right in front of them. And the first thing Jesus said was, “Peace be with you.” It was his promise that they had nothing to fear, because everything was right between them and God. He would not hold their fears against them. He would not curse them for their confusion or damn them for their doubts. Those things were forgiven. They were left there on the cross when Jesus died.
The risen Jesus says the same thing to you. “Peace be with you. Your fears and failures are forgiven. I was condemned and cut off from God’s love so that you will not be. I am alive as proof that God has accepted my life as payment for your guilt. Everything is good between you and me, between you and God.” With the proof that he is alive, Jesus gives the gift of peace to fearful hearts.
Prayer:
Risen Savior, when guilt, shame, and uncertainty try to fill me with fear, let your resurrection bring me peace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19,20
Overjoyed!
Daily Devotion – April 16, 2023Devotion based on John 20:19,20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230416dev.mp3
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What failures we human beings are! We see it so clearly in Jesus’ disciples. Jesus had told them on several occasions that he was going to rise from the dead. Yet, two days after Jesus’ death, his disciples were confused, afraid, and locked in a room.
Jesus, the all-powerful Son of God who miraculously rose from the dead, suddenly appeared in the room with his disciples. He could have said to them, “Why didn’t you listen to me?” He could have said, “I’m going to find some new disciples, followers who will listen when I make a promise.” He could have said that.
But he didn’t! Instead, he said to them, “Peace be with you!” He showed them his hands and his side because there were the marks of the nails and the spear, signs of his love for them and the ultimate proof that their sins were forgiven. They were overjoyed.
Take that picture of Jesus and focus on it with your mind’s eye. The risen Lord Jesus stands in front of you with his hands out-stretched. You see the nail marks—proof that YOUR sins are forgiven too. And what does he say to you? He says exactly what he said to those disciples.
Peace be with you!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you for your promise that, just as you rose from the dead, you will one day raise me from the dead. Let the peace of this promise fill my heart. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name.”
Isaiah 12:2-4
With Joy Give Thanks
Daily Devotion – April 15, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 12:2-4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230415dev.mp3
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When I think of drawing water out of a well, I usually don’t associate that with joy. I’ve never actually done it myself, but it looks hard. A gallon of milk gets heavy very quickly if I decide to not use a shopping cart. In comparison, pulling the dead weight of a ten-gallon bucket of water out of the ground doesn’t sound like a lot of fun; that sounds like work. Hard work!
But the prophet Isaiah tells us that we will draw water with joy. He tells us about a well that is not a burden to draw from. It’s the well of salvation. From the well of salvation, we draw water that brings real and lasting joy. That’s because we are drawing living water. We draw the life-giving water of God’s Word.
Do you ever go a day without drinking water? It’s pretty hard to do, especially if you are outside spending time in the sun. You need water, and you would never think of going without it for very long. But sometimes we treat the living water of God’s Word as if it is somehow less important, less needed. Sometimes we go days and weeks without stopping at the well of God’s Word for a nourishing drink. Often, we treat our bodies with more care than our souls.
But there is a treatment for that sin. It’s the living water. Go back to the well of God’s Word and receive forgiveness. Drink up a tall glass of his grace. Drink deeply from it, and be refreshed with the satisfaction that the living water God offers is your salvation. Trust in him and do not be afraid because of everything Jesus has accomplished for you by his life, death, and resurrection. Through your Savior, you will spend eternity with your Lord in the glories of heaven. There you will sing with Isaiah. There you will say every day with a praise-filled heart and voice: “Give thanks to the LORD.”
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for refreshing my soul through these moments in your Word. As you care for my physical needs, support me in my spiritual journey, until I join you in paradise. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’”
Jonah 2:3,4
Banished but Not Forgotten
Daily Devotion – April 14, 2023Devotion based on Jonah 2:3,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230414dev.mp3
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Jesus only compared himself to one prophet. He picked the one we would least expect: the prophet Jonah. Reluctant Jonah. Selfish Jonah. Sinful Jonah.
God called Jonah to preach to the foreign city of Nineveh. But Jonah didn’t want to go. He got on a boat and went the other way. And when a storm came up and threatened to sink Jonah’s ship, he told the sailors the only way to stop the storm was to throw him into the sea. And sure enough, once Jonah was overboard in the water, the storm stopped.
There in the sea, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. From the belly of that fish, Jonah prayed to God, “I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.” Even in such a terrible predicament, even after he had sinfully disobeyed his God, Jonah trusted that the Lord could rescue him and allow him to one day look at the holy temple in Jerusalem.
Why did Jesus compare himself to this particularly sinful and selfish prophet? Because just as Jonah was delivered from the belly of that fish, Jesus knew he would be delivered from the grave after his death.
Sure enough, after suffering for our sins and being placed in a tomb on Friday, Jesus was raised back to life and walked out of the tomb on Sunday. It all happened just as Jesus knew it would happen. And it will happen to his followers just as he promises it will happen. Although we will suffer death and be placed in the grave, we will be raised one day to experience the eternal life Jesus won for us.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking my place and for giving me life with God forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus] appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Life-Changing Resurrection
Daily Devotion – April 13, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:5-8
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230413dev.mp3
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After Jesus’ death on Good Friday, his disciples were scattered and scared for their lives. Their leader was dead. Their enemies held all the power. It was only a matter of time until this following of Jesus fell apart.
But that never happened. And instead of dissolving, the Jesus following slowly grew. The disciples of Jesus came out of hiding and started boldly teaching about Jesus. A skeptic of Jesus became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. And someone who tried to imprison and kill the followers of Jesus turned into the greatest missionary for Jesus. What happened?
Jesus appeared to them. Not beaten, battered, and broken, but alive and well. Jesus had been dead. He was executed by professional Roman soldiers. But he rose from the dead and started showing people that he held the keys to death.
Jesus’ change from death to life changed the people who witnessed him alive. Fear turned into confidence. Doubt turned into faith. Persecution turned into the right kind of zeal. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave was life-changing.
It still is. Jesus’ resurrection means we have a sure hope of eternal life. It means that because Jesus went through death and came out alive on the other side, we will too. It means that whatever this world throws at us, Jesus will get us through it. It means that Jesus is who he says he is and will keep all his promises. It means he is your Savior from sin. That is life-changing!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
So let us keep the festival to which the Lord invites us; Christ is himself the joy of all, the sun that warms and lights us. Now his grace to us imparts eternal sunshine to our hearts; the night of sin is ended. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3,4
According to Plan
Daily Devotion – April 12, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:3,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230412dev.mp3
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We love it when things go according to plan. Maybe it’s a road trip that has each stop carefully researched and detailed. And there are no car issues, nothing more than routine traffic, and everything goes according to plan. Or maybe it’s a business merger carefully planned and executed by the right people to minimize conflict and maximize productivity. Or it could be a retirement plan that appreciates with time and regular contributions. It is satisfying when everything goes according to plan.
The reason we love that feeling so much is that it so rarely happens. Life is full of variables that derail plans. Cars break down. Employees become disgruntled. Financial emergencies happen. So much for the plan.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, it looked like God’s great plan of saving mankind had been derailed. What good was a dead Savior?
But the apostle Paul makes clear that the death of Christ was all part of the plan. The Scriptures, God’s Word, foretold this plan from the beginning. And not only did the Scriptures foretell Jesus’ death and resurrection, but Jesus himself proclaimed that this would happen. Jesus fulfilled everything that the Old Testament prophets predicted that he would do. And Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection and pulled it off.
No wonder Paul says that this is of first importance. Christ died, was buried, rose from the dead, and appeared to many witnesses. All according to the plan to deliver you from your sins!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended. The victory remained with life, the reign of death was ended. Holy Scripture plainly saith that death is swallowed up by death; disgraced, it lies defeated. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9,10
Don’t Be Afraid
Daily Devotion – April 11, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 28:9,10
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230411dev.mp3
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It’s hard to imagine everything those women felt on that first Easter morning. Heading to the tomb, perhaps they felt lonely and lost without their leader, Jesus. Disappointed and depressed by what happened three days earlier. But after seeing the angel and the empty tomb, perhaps amazement and confusion replaced those other emotions. One emotion we know they felt, though, was fear.
Frightened by the angel. Overwhelmed by the empty tomb. Startled by Jesus’ sudden appearance. Jesus spoke to the women’s fear immediately after greeting them, “Do not be afraid.”
Jesus didn’t just mean not to be afraid at the sight of him now, but also not to be afraid of what he would do now that he was alive again. Jesus gave the women a mission to be messengers to the disciples. Remarkably, He called the disciples his brothers. He didn’t call them cowardly traitors who had deserted him but brothers. You see, Jesus’ disciples had turned their backs on Jesus during his arrest and crucifixion.
And, just as remarkably, Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters even though we have often turned our backs on him when we have lived the way we want rather than the way he wants. But, you see, the whole reason Jesus went to the cross was for those sins. Because of God’s great grace, Jesus didn’t rise to deliver retribution or revenge. He rose as an assurance of sins forgiven and death defeated.
The living Son of God has made full payment for sin so that he can call us his brothers and sisters. We are rescued from the punishment we deserve. Death is defeated. We do not need to be afraid!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, his people to deliver; destroying sin, he took the crown from death’s pale brow forever. Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; an empty form alone remains; its sting is lost forever. Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:5-7
The Fact of the Resurrection
Daily Devotion – April 10, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 28:5-7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230410dev.mp3
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Whom do you trust to deliver you the news? It seems each news source has a spin or a bias that colors their reports. Not only that, but anyone with a social media platform and an opinion can deliver those opinions as facts, even if they are just feelings. And the cynic might say that everyone is trying to sell you something, no matter how neutral they claim to be.
Sometimes you feel like Sargent Joe Friday from the old Dragnet radio and TV series and would like to say, “All I want are the facts, ma’am.”
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead has all kinds of amazing, life-changing meaning. But before the women who came to the tomb that morning could process all of what that resurrection meant for them, they first needed the facts. Before the disciples could understand all the implications of Jesus’ resurrection, they first needed to know that it, in fact, happened.
And that’s what the angel at the empty tomb did. He delivered the facts. He told the women, “Yes, Jesus was crucified. He did, in fact, die. But he is not here anymore because he is alive. He told you this would happen. His body is not here. Look for yourself and see what is true.”
Christianity doesn’t rest on the fiction or fantasy of Jesus’ resurrection but on the fact that Jesus bodily rose from the dead. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus is alive.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal: – 440)
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands for our offenses given; but now at God’s right hand he stands and brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
Of First Importance
Daily Devotion – April 9, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
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What is of first importance in your life? Is it your job? Or maybe your family? Is it your bank account because you are trying to save enough money to retire comfortably? Or could it be your smartphone? Is it your favorite sports team? Is it God?
We know God should be of first importance in life, but sadly we don’t always show God that he is of first importance. We often place too much importance on other things in this world.
Thankfully, the Lord did not follow suit. In sending Jesus to live and die in our place, God demonstrated that we are of first importance to him. In raising Jesus from the dead, God showed, once and for all, that our eternal salvation was his top priority. Because Jesus lived, died, and rose again, you and I are forgiven and trusting Jesus as our Savior; we, too, shall rise to live forever in heaven.
In our Bible reading for today, the apostle Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, there is nothing more important than the saving work of Jesus. Easter provides a wonderful opportunity to refocus and thank God for what is most important.
But let’s not just make God the most important thing in our lives on Easter Sunday. Moved and motivated by the love of Jesus, let’s demonstrate just how important our Lord is to us. Let’s give him the best of our time, talents, and treasures. Let his love for us reflect in our lives for the entire world to see!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times when I short-change you in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to live, die, and rise for me. Help me to reflect your love in all that I say and do. Fill me with Easter joy, every day! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Matthew 26:20-25
Betrayal
Daily Devotion – April 8, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 26:20-25
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Sometimes the church symbol employed for Judas is an empty frame depicting the thought that he shouldn’t be remembered because of the despicable crime he perpetrated against our Lord Jesus—betraying Christ into the hands of his enemies. Yet, looking at Judas, we ask ourselves: How do we betray Jesus?
Even after he has assured us that our sins are forgiven we keep discovering new ways to get around God’s will, and we keep coming up with excuses for not conforming our lives to the commands of God. What else could we be called but traitors?
Yet, in Jesus, that’s not the way God sees us. Jesus’ death on the cross wipes away our treachery. God keeps assuring us in his Word that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Through Jesus, God draws us to himself and embraces us as his dear children “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is for me to be called your child by faith in Jesus! Lead my life to praise you for your great love, and help me to fulfill your will in thankful obedience for the blessings that come freely and fully from you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had been finished . . . Jesus said, “I am thirsty” . . . When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
John 19:25-28,30
A Greater Type of King Who Was the Perfect Sacrifice
Daily Devotion – April 7, 2023Devotion based on John 19:25-28,30
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“It is finished.” Quite honestly, I’m about to say that. This is the fifth consecutive devotion I have authored, and in 288 more words I’m going to close out my computer and say, “It is finished!”
Finishing a project is satisfying. It’s one thing to be finished, but it’s another thing for it to be done well or to be done perfectly. I really won’t be finished in 288 words (241 now). I will go back and look over the devotions I’ve written. I’ll find typos, bad grammar, and lack of flow. Then I’ll edit before I submit. All that for a project that just took a few days to complete.
When Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’ it wasn’t just an exhaustive, “Whew, I’m glad I’m done with that!” It was an emphatic, “It’s done. Everything that needed to be done has been done, and it’s perfect. No edits. No adjustments. It’s perfect!”
Jesus didn’t just die to take away our sins. He also lived to give us his perfection. For thirty-three years, Jesus faced endless temptations. And for thirty-three years, he was perfect, right to the very end. One of the last things Jesus did before bowing his head and dying was taking care of his mother. He kept the fourth commandment perfectly. He told Mary, “Woman, here is your son,” and his disciple, “Here is your mother.” Jesus was perfect. Which means he didn’t have to die. Yet, he did anyway. Why? So he could be our perfect substitute.
This devotion is intended to be read on the day we observe Jesus’ death. As we ponder Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, cherish that it’s not just a “good” Friday, but it was a “perfect” Friday.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for being the perfect sacrifice. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25
A Greater Type of King Who Invites Us to His Table
Daily Devotion – April 6, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
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Do you remember the day you became a grown-up? I’m not talking about the day you earned your first dollar. And I’m not referring to the day you received a diploma. I’m talking about the day you graduated from the “kid’s table” at the family Thanksgiving dinner. Wasn’t it a great feeling to be sitting with all the adults? It felt like you had really “made it.”
As special as being invited to sit at the adult table may have made you feel, it’s nothing compared to the invitation Jesus gave his disciples when he invited them to partake in the special meal we call “The Lord’s Supper.” And it didn’t stop with the twelve disciples. Throughout the centuries, it’s as if Jesus just kept adding leaves to his table, making room for more so that even a few decades after Jesus dined with his disciples, the apostle Paul relayed the same invitation to God’s people living in the city of Corinth. And still today, Jesus invites his followers to share in the special meal he instituted so long ago. At this meal, we are reminded that Jesus sacrificed himself—gave his body and blood—to save us from our sins. Thank you, Jesus, for inviting us to this special meal that reminds us of your great love for us!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to see what a privilege I have to be at your table. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:9
A Greater Type of King Who Saves Us
Daily Devotion – April 5, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 21:9
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Did the crowd understand the significance of their own words? We’re not sure. Did the crowd understand the true nature of Jesus’ kingdom? We’re not sure. But as we stand on the Palm Sunday road two millennia later, it really doesn’t matter if they understood what they shouted. The question is, do we?
I grew up in a church where twice a month we sang, “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Even though I may not have fully understood what I was singing as a little boy, the words I sang were giving testimony that Jesus is the Savior. Hosanna literally means, “Lord, save us.” This is why Jesus came to earth and why he marched into Jerusalem on a day we call Palm Sunday. He came to seek and to save what was lost. He came to seek and save you.
When the crowd shouted those words that day, it was a plea, “Lord, save us.” From our perspective, it’s a word of praise, knowing that Jesus answered the plea. He didn’t just march into Jerusalem as king. Five days after Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he marched to a cross where he did save us from our sins. And on the following Sunday, on Easter morning, he marched out of the grave to prove that he had saved us from death. And that’s what makes him a greater type of king: He’s a King who saves us.
Prayer:
Dear Savior King, as I find myself in the middle of holy week, help me to pause and consider why you did what you did; you came into this world to save me. For that I give you thanks and praise. Hosanna! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10,11
A Greater Type of King Who Approaches Us
Daily Devotion – April 4, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 21:10,11
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I live in a city that doesn’t claim many lifelong residents. A majority of our citizens are from somewhere else. Thus, a common question is, “Where are you from?” The answer will then trigger a variety of reactions. For right or for wrong, it’s not uncommon to brand the person depending on where they’re from.
When the crowd in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday said that the man riding on the donkey was, “Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” it may have surprised people. Nazareth had a reputation of being nothing more than a blip on the map. Even today, Nazareth does not offer many “places to see” if you book a tour to Israel. But being from a nothing-good-can-come-from-there-town sheds a little light on just who our King was and is. He wasn’t a royal who only knew palace life or grew up with a family crest sewn into his suitcoat. Even though he knows heaven with its streets of gold, he also knows poverty. Even though he knows the safety of heaven where the gates never close, he also knows danger. He knows the glory of being King but also knows your story personally.
And that’s just a little bit of what makes Jesus a greater type of king. He is relatable. He is approachable. More than being approachable, he also approaches you. Which is exactly what the prophet wanted us to see in Jesus, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” Find comfort in that greater type of king that you have. You don’t have a king who is holed up in some castle. You have a King who comes to you no matter where or who you are.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for erasing the barriers that stand between you and me. Because you took away my sin, give me confidence to approach you daily, knowing that you understand what I’m going through, even better than I know myself. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10,11
A Greater Type of King
Daily Devotion – April 3, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 21:10,11
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It’s uncomfortable. The person that called you wasn’t in your contacts. No name appeared when the phone rang, just a number. After you answer with a hesitant, “Hello?” the other party begins talking to you rather comfortably as if you should know them, but you don’t. You finally interrupt and ask, “Who is this?”
That was the question of the day in Jerusalem. The people that lined the streets to welcome Jesus on Palm Sunday knew him. He was already in their “Contacts” list. But not everyone in the city knew him. And for those who didn’t know him, it was uncomfortable. They were “stirred.” And so they asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds who knew him answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet…” That is no small thing to say about Jesus, and it is one of many ways that shows Jesus to be a greater type of king. When we see someone march into town with a lot of fanfare as a king, we may expect them to make a lot of demands. “Fetch me this. Get me that.” Or if the person is a stereotypical king, we may expect them to issue a decree or give some kind of edict.
But who is this Jesus? He’s not someone who comes making demands for himself. He’s not one who comes with a list of edicts. No, he’s a prophet, someone whose concern is to proclaim God’s Word. Not an opinion or a tweet but the very Word of God.
As you read this devotion, appreciate that Jesus is still acting as “the prophet.” Right now, as you meditate on God’s Word, Jesus’ concern is for you to know what God says. He wants you to hear about the seriousness of your sin. But he also wants you to hear about God’s solution to your sin, and that solution is Jesus, a greater type of king who meets all of your greater needs.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the prophet and showing me God’s Word today. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Zechariah 9:9,10
Jesus Gives You What You Need
Daily Devotion – April 2, 2023Devotion based on Zechariah 9:9,10
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Quick, get a picture in your head. Someone rules the entire world: What does he look like? Like Napoleon riding on his trusty steed with his army surrounding him? Like a business tycoon who dominated his field and now the world? Powerful? Self-confident and self-reliant? What does a world ruler look like?
Like a humble man riding on a lowly donkey. That’s what the Old Testament prophet Zechariah said. Zechariah spoke of the Savior who was to come. The Savior, your King, would come “gentle and riding on a donkey.”
On the Sunday before he died on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah. He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. What was most impressive about Jesus wasn’t his ride; it was what he brought. Your King is holy and righteous. He brought the salvation you so desperately need. Jesus didn’t fight with a sword and army to overcome the curse of sin, but with his perfect life and innocent death on the cross for you. By his holiness and his death, your sins are forgiven. And with the salvation he brings you, he gives the accompanying gift of peace. Peace that your sins are forgiven; you have peace with God.
You might not choose a donkey as your favorite mode of transportation, and that’s alright. But don’t let that lead you to overlook the King who rode a donkey and fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy. You don’t need his ride, but thank God that he gives you what you do need—his salvation and peace.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, don’t let this world deceive me into placing my hope in the wrong kind of kings. Only my King, Jesus, gives me true and lasting spiritual salvation and peace. Keep my faith in him strong and growing. Lead me to follow my King in all I do and say today. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:38-44
Limitless
Daily Devotion – April 1, 2023Devotion based on John 11:38-44
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We all deal with limits. There are limitations to our abilities. As much as we try, we cannot go beyond our finite natures. We can make better and bigger machines to improve ways things get done, but one day they will prove inadequate and have to be replaced. We can push ourselves physically to go faster and harder and farther, but finally there is a limit to what we can do. We strive in many ways to live longer, but the truth is that there is a set limit to our life on this earth. All the graves in cemeteries are signs of that serious limitation.
We are limited, but Jesus is not. He is God, who is limitless in his power and abilities. Even death is not a limit for him. His commanding voice demanded that death release its grip on Lazarus—and it did!
There is no limit to Jesus’ love. He loved us in such a limitless way that he surrendered himself to death and the grave for us. But death could not hold him. He came out of the grave; he rose from the dead to prove that he is almighty God. By his resurrection, he assures us he is limitless in his love for us as our living Savior.
One day, he will shout again, “Come out!” and graves will lose their limited grip. Jesus promised, “Because I live, you also with live.” Only the Son of God has the limitless ability to accomplish what he said. Count on it, and you will see the glory of God!
Prayer:
Jesus, strengthen my faith in you as my living Lord and loving Savior. Fill me with the confidence that you are limitless in your power and love, and assure me with your promise that you will raise me from death to live with you forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out.
John 11:43,44
The Voice
Daily Devotion – March 31, 2023Devotion based on John 11:43,44
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It is only a matter of time before you will find yourself standing next to the grave of a Christian you love dearly. As you do, you may feel many things. Many reflections may enter your mind. Besides memories and emotions, however, consider the moment when Jesus also stood next to a grave.
In John chapter 11, Jesus is standing next to the grave of his dear friend, Lazarus. Lazarus has recently died from an illness. His family has buried his body. John describes the tomb as a cave with a stone laid across the entrance (John 11:38). The sheer grief of his friend’s death has moved Jesus to tears. Take away the stone, Jesus says. After some hesitation, obedient hands take the stone away. Following a fervent prayer to his heavenly Father, Jesus calls out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The apostle John then records what happens next: The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
All of which brings us to the next time you find yourself standing next to the grave of a Christian who is near and dear to you. In John chapter 5, God’s Word tells us that a moment is coming when the mortal remains of your loved one will hear the voice of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life. Those mortal remains will arise, reunited with the soul. And from that point onward, that child of God, body and soul, freed from the presence and effects of sin, will bask forever in the glories of eternal life.
Think of it. The voice of the one who said, I am the resurrection and the life; the voice of the one who proclaimed our sins paid in full when he cried out, It is finished, from the cross; the voice of the one who promised, Because I live, you also will live—that same voice will one day call for you and me. And all will be well.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, move me to hear your voice through your Word and sacrament. And move me to rejoice in the day your voice calls me home. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
Confrontation
Daily Devotion – March 30, 2023Devotion based on John 11:25,26
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Ever hear something like this? “Jesus was a great teacher and a great example. The world would be a better place if more people tried to live as he lived. I don’t subscribe to the idea that he was more than a human being, but that takes nothing away from my high regard for what a good person he was.”
Opinions like that have been around for quite some time. But as writer CS Lewis once pointed out, Jesus does not let people get away with opinions like this. Instead, Jesus confronts them with very pointed claims that he makes about himself. The Word of God before us in John chapter 11 is a perfect example. No mere teacher about God talks like this. No mere teacher about God makes such an outrageous claim. No mere teacher about God has the chutzpa to say, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live.
Confronted in this way, what are people to conclude? CS Lewis offered some possibilities. Perhaps Jesus was a liar. If that’s the case, however, no one has any business calling him good, especially since his followers willingly faced torture and death rather than renounce what Jesus claimed. Perhaps, then, Jesus was a lunatic, a madman with delusions of grandeur. Insanity, however, does not fit with the written record of how he consistently conducted his ministry.
And so if Jesus is not a liar, and if he is not a lunatic, what is he? The Holy Spirit brings us to another conclusion—that Jesus is exactly who he claims to be. He is God the Son, who became fully human. He came here to live a life of perfect goodness on our behalf. He came to suffer and die for our every sin. Then, to demonstrate who he is and what he’s accomplished, he raised himself to life three days later.
Do you believe this? Jesus asks. His gospel empowers you and me to say, “Yes.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. Empower me to live and believe in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:19
Expectation
Daily Devotion – March 29, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:19
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For years, the last word in telescopes was the Hubble Space Telescope, orbiting the earth at about 340 miles. But no more. The James Webb telescope launched on Christmas Day, 2021. It now orbits the earth at a distance of about 900,000 miles. It is the largest optical telescope in space, with an “eye” about six times larger than that of the Hubble. It is also the most sophisticated. The pictures it has been able to take of God’s creation have been spectacular. You and I can now go online and see stars and galaxies formerly invisible to all previous telescopes. In Psalm 19, God’s Word says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The pictures coming back from the James Webb telescope only put an exclamation point on that ageless truth.
As you have opportunity, take a moment to pull up those pictures. Scroll through the images. Be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of the stars, the nebulas, the galaxies, or the riveting, close-up detail of our own planets. As you do, however, keep in mind something else that is also astounding. God’s Word tells us that all of this—all that we can see and beyond what we can see—all of this is waiting in eager expectation for something. It is waiting in eager expectation for the Lord of all creation to bring the presence and effects of sin to an end. It is waiting for him to create a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). It is waiting for the Last Day. It is waiting for Jesus.
Indeed, it always comes back to Jesus. Whether it’s viewing the vastness of the universe through the latest telescope or considering the twists and turns of our own personal lives—it always comes back to Jesus. It comes back to the one who came to rescue us from the curse of our sin. It comes back to the one who lived and suffered and died on our behalf. It comes back to the one who rose. It comes back to the one who reigns.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, all creation awaits your return in eager expectation. Help me remember this. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Comparison
Daily Devotion – March 28, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:18
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This devotion is for those among us who, in this moment, are suffering. Your suffering may be from a toxic environment at work. It may be from a collapse in your finances. It may be from a rift in your marriage. It may be from a family member who has broken your heart. Your suffering may be from having to experience great humiliation or shame. It may be from some reminder that has triggered awful memories of a past failure. It may be from profound loneliness. It may be from the death of someone you’ve known and loved your whole life. Or your suffering may be from constant physical pain or misery.
What to do? One approach is to say, “Others have it worse than I do,” which often helps. One can usually find examples of individuals we know whose suffering seems worse. Such a point of comparison, however, has drawbacks. What do I do in that moment, for instance, when I look around and discover that, from my perspective, no one in my circle of acquaintances is suffering quite the way I am?
There’s a better point of comparison. And that better point of comparison involves Jesus. All the suffering you and I endure is the result of sin—your sin and mine. God the Son saw our plight. Out of a love we will never fully grasp, he chose to become one of us. On our behalf, he lived a life of pure goodness—the life you and I have failed to live. And then, in our place, he suffered. He suffered a kind of suffering none of us will ever comprehend. He did this to cleanse us of our wrongs. He did this so that you and I will never suffer for our sins. Never.
And it means that our time of suffering in this world is temporary. Through faith in our living Christ, an eternity of joy awaits—a glorious joy to which our present suffering cannot compare.
Prayer:
Lord, I am in a moment of extreme suffering. But you’ve seen to it that it will be brief. And eternal joy with you awaits. Thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Everything is all right,” she said.
2 Kings 4:26
All Right
Daily Devotion – March 27, 2023Devotion based on 2 Kings 4:26
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230327dev.mp3
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The painting depicts a scene of utter disaster. A family’s home has burned to the ground. All that remains is the chimney. Near the front of the picture are two figures. One is a small boy. The boy is sobbing, overwhelmed by the shock of what just happened. The other figure is an old man. The old man is speaking to the grief-stricken boy. At the bottom of the painting are the old man’s words. They are simple words, but they are profound. To the small boy the old man says, “Hush, child. God ain’t dead.”
In our Bible passage today, a mother is facing a nightmare. Her child has just died. Grief has overwhelmed her. And yet, even in her sorrow, she refuses to give in to hopelessness. She refuses to give in to despair. Instead, she looks to the Lord. She looks to the master of life and death. And when asked how her family is doing, she replies, “Everything is all right.”
True, her reply may simply be a way to hold her emotions together until she has the opportunity to unburden her heart before the Lord. Nevertheless, her reply reminds us of the security you and I possess—a security that surrounds us regardless of circumstances.
Into this world of disaster, tragedy, and death, God the Son came. God the Son became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. On our behalf he lived the spotless life that we, in our sinful brokenness, have failed to live. And in our place, he carried the crimes, atrocities, betrayals, failures—including yours and mine—he carried them all to the cross and paid for them in full through his suffering and death. And then, to assure us that he really is who he claims to be, and has done what he’s promised to do, he raised himself from the dead.
This means not only that we stand forgiven through faith in him. It also means we possess his sure promise that he will never leave or forsake us. Never. Therefore, on the darkest of days, you and I can still boldly say, “Everything is all right.”
Prayer:
Lord, remind me today that, in you, everything is all right. No matter what. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.
Romans 8:15
No More Slavery to Fear
Daily Devotion – March 26, 2023Devotion based on Romans 8:15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230326dev.mp3
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An Oscar-winning film, “The King’s Speech” is based on the true story of Albert Windsor, a shy, stammering member of the British Royal Family. Albert had a severe stammering problem all his life, and the very idea of giving a speech in public filled him with terror. Then, the unthinkable happened. His older brother, the King, abdicated his throne in the 1930s. Albert was the next in line. Duty demanded that he accept the crown. Not long after, World War II broke out. Suddenly, the stammering man who feared public speaking more than anything had to give a radio speech broadcast to millions of people.
By a seeming miracle, he did it. In fact, he did it with hardly a stammer. The secret was his speech therapist. Over time, his speech therapist had removed much of Albert’s fear of public speaking. When the paralyzing fear went away, Albert was able to do what needed to be done.
The day the Holy Spirit brought you to faith in Jesus was the day you didn’t have to be afraid anymore. But the devil hopes you won’t remember that. Satan hopes you’ll stay paralyzed in your old fears, guilt, regrets, and dark memories of past failures. After all, if he can get you to forget what you have in Christ, he’s won the battle for the day.
Today give the devil a bad day. Remember the full forgiveness you possess in the Son of God. Stop and recall that you are a child in God’s family by faith. Take your old fear and have it washed away in the blood of the Lamb.
When you do, then you can live your life free of the old slavery to fear. And you can fluently do the wonderful things God desires for you to do.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, apart from you I am afraid. In you, however, I have nothing to fear. Empower me by your Spirit to remember that. Use me to do your good work. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Romans 15:1-3
Not Having It Your Way
Daily Devotion – March 25, 2023Devotion based on Romans 15:1-3
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230325dev.mp3
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“Have it your way.” For over 40 years, Burger King encouraged us to order food the way we want it. It was perhaps a catchy slogan, but Burger King was by no means the only voice in our culture telling us to make ourselves happy. Our society is all about instant, self-gratification. On a daily basis, we are bombarded with messages, commercials, and slogans, all encouraging us to take care of ourselves first and to make ourselves happy.
Sadly, our quest to please ourselves often involves hurting or neglecting others. When we are in the me-first mode, we are generally oblivious to the needs, concerns, and feelings of others. We jump in line first and make others wait. We fail to help those who need it. We vent about our problems but give little attention to the problems of others. Having it our way often means we fail to show Christian love and service to the people God has placed in our lives specifically so we can serve them. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans chapter 15 that this is not right. Selfish living is not God-pleasing living.
There is a better way. Paul writes, “Even Christ did not please himself.” It’s remarkable to look at Jesus’ life and see the way he was so selfless. Jesus did not live his life to please himself. Instead, he willingly put us first and died on the cross to take our sins away. Because he was so selfless, you and I are forgiven and saved and on the way to heaven through faith in him.
Let the selfless love of Jesus motivate you to be different. Out of love for Jesus, don’t try so hard to have it your way. Rather, as Paul says, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for living such a selfless life for me and for willingly giving that life on the cross in my place. Motivate me with your love today to put others first and to serve them as you have served me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 9:4-7
The What and Why
Daily Devotion – March 24, 2023Devotion based on John 9:4-7
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Unfortunately, the “what” easily overshadows the “why” in this story.
What Jesus did seems striking: Spiting on the ground to make a little bit of mud. Taking that mud and putting it on a blind’s man eyes. Certainly, Jesus didn’t need these props to do a miracle, as he had performed many miracles by just speaking. There are a couple of possible explanations for the “what.” Two thousand years ago, saliva was believed to have some medicinal function as a type of first aid. So, perhaps, Jesus was using what would have been the popular symbol of his day to indicate that he would provide healing to this man. It also may have been a way for Jesus to reference what God had said to Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed him, “For dust you are and to dust you will return,” and to show a larger connection between this individual miracle and the larger work of God.
While the “what” may grab our attention the “why” is what is really important.
Jesus said he must do the works of him who sent me while it was still day, for night was coming soon. Jesus was there to do the work his Father had for him to do in the time God had given him. Jesus’ mission was to undo the effects of sin, and God had arranged all of time for this purpose. His work could not wait but had to be accomplished.
It is the same “why” in your own story and the same determination with which God works in your life. He is still the light of the world, and he is still working at just the right time and in just the right way. We may have lots of questions about the “what” of our story, but never forget about the “why.”
Prayer:
Lord of all, enable me to do the work you have given me in the time you have given me to do it. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Turning Darkness Into Light
Daily Devotion – March 23, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:16
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230323dev.mp3
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The dark isn’t so bad if you are familiar with your surroundings. In your own home, not much light is needed to navigate as you know where the steps are and how to avoid running into any furniture.
However, if you are in a strange place, the dark can be paralyzing. If you are not sure what hazards may be in front of you, it’s important to grab a flashlight or flip on a light so you can see where you are going.
God says that he will do a double miracle by leading the blind “by ways they have not known along unfamiliar paths.” He also says that “he will turn the darkness into light” and “make the rough places smooth.”
God did this in the days of Isaiah the prophet as he led those who had been blinded by disobedience and idolatry into captivity and then seventy years later, leading a new generation back to their homes they had never seen. He then did a double miracle by using this captivity and return to “turn their darkness into light” and called the people back from disobedience and idolatry.
God does the same double miracle today. He leads you even when you find yourself in strange and unfamiliar places. Though you may be anxious and uncertain, God is there to guide you with his Word, the Bible, though the path may be unfamiliar. As if that were not enough, God gives light to this dark world by showing us that all our sins are forgiven and that heaven is ours. The good news of his salvation shines a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark world and creates peace and purpose in our lives.
Like being in an unfamiliar place in the dark, this world can be frightening. However, God promises a double miracle to guide us in the dark and give light to our path.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of guidance and the gift of light. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Ephesians 5:13
Becoming a Light
Daily Devotion – March 22, 2023Devotion based on Ephesians 5:13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230322dev.mp3
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There is a race that governments, universities, and large corporations have invested millions of dollars to win. The challenge is getting rid of stray light to have the most accurate measuring and recording devices in the arts, medicine, and space exploration. The race is on to see who can come up with the “blackest” black. The current leader of this race is a color called Vantablack, and it was created at MIT using carbon nanotubes. Yet, despite the millions of dollars and advanced technologies, Vantablack isn’t perfect as it still reflects 0.005% of all light. And so the race continues for someone to find a way to stop light from being reflected.
The great challenge, of course, is that light naturally wants to reflect. The light from the hallway sneaks through the doorframe to put light in a dark room. The light going around your bedroom window shades is enough to wake you and let you know morning has arrived.
God has called his followers out of darkness into his light by revealing Jesus, who is the light of the world. Jesus shows us how great God’s love is by pointing us to the cross where he paid the price for every one of our sins. Jesus shows us that we have the hope of eternal life by pointing us to his empty tomb where he defeated death. Jesus shows us how we can thank him by illuminated what things are God-pleasing and what are not.
Having brought us into the light, he calls us to do what light naturally does—shine on others. God’s light in our life cannot help but spill out. It is reflected in our words of forgiveness, kindness, and hope. It is bounced back in our actions as we consider the needs of others over the needs of self. It is mirrored as we avoid the deeds of darkness and sin.
Light naturally wants to reflect and turn what it shines on into a light. As we have been brought into the light, may we reflect that light in our lives.
Prayer:
Light of my life, thank you for shining on me that I may shine for others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
John 9:1-3
Not The Only One Who Couldn’t See
Daily Devotion – March 21, 2023Devotion based on John 9:1-3
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230321dev.mp3
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“What did I do to deserve this?” is a phrase I find myself saying a lot. The car breaks down, the rent goes up, I get passed over for the position I deserve, and I find myself wondering why God is punishing me. I find myself saying something similar when it comes to the misfortune of others. When I see someone else struggling, I find it easy to believe that they have done something to deserve their struggles and I am being spared because I am not as bad as they are.
Jesus’ disciples had similar thoughts when they came upon a man blind from birth. They were certain someone had done something to deserve this punishment of blindness. The only question was whether it was this man or his parents who had committed a sin.
Jesus’ response to his disciples reveals a greater truth about suffering for the Christian: It is not about punishment for sin but about the work of God being revealed in us.
God’s promise is that the sufferings in this life are neither chaos nor punishment for those who believe in him. Instead, God is using all of these things to accomplish his good purposes for us. Sometimes God’s work is subtle, and sometimes it is obvious. Sometimes it is easy to understand, and sometimes it is difficult to understand. All the time though it is God’s good work being displayed.
Jesus would do more than just restore the blind’s man sight; he would use this miracle to draw the man closer to himself. This wasn’t some punishment for sin but God’s work being on full display in his life. As we suffer in this life, the same is true for us. It is not God’s punishment to us, but he is working it all for our good and his glory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, assure me that as a believer the events of this life are not your punishment upon me, but rather your mercy working personally for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. . . “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. . . Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
John 9:1,7,35-38
Two Kinds of Blindness
Daily Devotion – March 20, 2023Devotion based on John 9:1,7,35-38
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230320dev.mp3
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The blind man had never seen a sunset or a flower bloom in the Spring. He had never seen the faces of the people who loved him or looked out at the vastness of the sea. He had heard these things described with words, but having been blind from birth, he had never seen them with his own eyes until the day he met Jesus. Jesus took away his blindness, and for the first time in his life, he saw.
The blind man had never seen the Son of Man. He had never watched him preach from a boat in the Sea of Galilea or looked with amazement as he performed miracles. He had heard of the “Son of Man” through prophets Ezekiel and Daniel. They had written about how he would be someone sent from God to bring restoration to his people. However, he didn’t know who this “Son of Man” would be until he met Jesus, and his eyes were opened to see the fulfillment of all of God’s prophecies.
Jesus was there that day to cure two kinds of blindness. He was there to cure the man’s physical blindness so that he might see and to cure his spiritual blindness so that he might see Jesus as his Savior.
Jesus is still curing blindness today. Through his words, he continues to show himself to be the Son of Man who brings restoration to his people and salvation for the world. Jesus still causes men and women around the world to see that he is Savior so that they might worship him.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for saving me from the blindness of unbelief. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8,9
Inconceivable Love
Daily Devotion – March 19, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 55:8,9
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When my family first moved overseas, much of the new culture didn’t make sense to me. Their way of thinking was so foreign to me that I couldn’t always understand why they acted the way they did. With time, however, living among our new neighbors, I realized that they weren’t so different after all—they were human beings like me who grew up in a different setting, a different environment, and they behaved accordingly.
In the end, we really should be able to empathize with just about any other person we meet. Studies indicate that we share 99.9% of our DNA in common with all other human beings. The main reason that we can’t get along or see things from the other person’s perspective is that we don’t want to. We want to believe that somehow, we’re better, that our thinking is superior. And that goes for clashes between cultures, countries, and couples.
But what if the person we’re trying to understand is God? Why does he allow suffering? Why does he seem to bless those who do evil? Why does he sometimes take the people we love long before we think it’s time? Because sin and selfishness blind us, much of what God does is incomprehensible to us.
How fortunate for us that his ways are not our ways! Instead of punishing us, on the cross of Jesus, God did “what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived” (1 Corinthians 2:9). God the mighty Creator died for his sinful creatures. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the debt of everyone’s sin has been paid in full. All who turn to Jesus and trust in him as their Savior are blessed with the peace of forgiveness.
It is not the way of sinful people to freely pardon. It is not the thinking of selfish people to graciously show mercy to enemies. But oh, what a blessed truth: God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are not our ways!
Prayer:
Father in heaven, I never could imagine that you would love me as much as you do. Teach me to understand your ways so that I might share them with others. In Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
The Only Peace That Matters
Daily Devotion – March 18, 2023Devotion based on Romans 5:1
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230318dev.mp3
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A wealthy man wanted to have a painting that captured the ultimate picture of peace. Many artists entered their paintings. They all made noble attempts at putting down on canvass what peace really was. Some featured a mirror-smooth lake. Others featured quiet trees under a soft evening sky. Still others featured a grassy meadow where a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed.
The winning picture, however, had none of that. On the contrary, it contained elements that were not peaceful at all. An angry waterfall hurled itself down a rocky cliff. Overhead, dark clouds were beginning to explode with lightning, wind, and rain. Everywhere in this picture, there were signs of danger, menace, and trouble.
But there was something else. Near the middle of the picture, a small, frail tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the falls itself. And there, in the elbow of that single branch, a bird had built a nest. Her little ones were asleep, content, and undisturbed under the shelter of her wings.
In this life, peace is not the absence of trouble or turmoil. After all, we live in a fallen, broken world, and by nature, you and I are fallen, broken people. Unexpected storms, sudden grief, and jarring disappointment will be with us until the day we die.
But there is something else. There is Jesus. There is God’s forgiveness of our sins for the sake of his Son. And along with that forgiveness comes the Lord’s promise to shelter us in every storm, every trouble, every moment of turmoil.
That’s real peace. That’s the only peace that matters. That is the peace under which you and I can rest, content and undisturbed.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through faith in your Son, you have given me full forgiveness. You have also sheltered me in every storm. Remind me that, in you, we have nothing to fear. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” . . . The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
John 4:15,25,26
Where can I get this water?
Daily Devotion – March 17, 2023Devotion based on John 4:15,25,26
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230317dev.mp3
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Her interest was piqued as Jesus revealed her deepest secrets and talked about living water for her thirsting soul. So the Samaritan woman Jesus had met at the town well asked, “Where can I get this water?”
Jesus answered, “I am he.” He is the source of eternal life. He gives relief from sin and shame. It’s relief that lasts.
Where can you and I get this living water? Jesus takes us to concrete places to find this steady stream of living water. The Bible, the Word of God, is pictured as water. Through it, we find life because it’s more than just a book. It is the power of God from which his love and forgiveness flow freely.
You can also find this living water through the water of baptism. There water is applied in connection with Jesus’ Word, and God floods you with his full and free love and connects you to Jesus, the eternal life source. If you haven’t been baptized, it’s not too late. Find this living water in the waters of baptism. If you have been baptized, know that what God did and promised through your baptism has not dried up. No matter how messy life has been, there’s no stain Jesus can’t wash away. In Jesus, through his Word and baptism, we find living water in abundance.
Prayer:
Jesus, every day lead me to you to find comfort and relief that lasts. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water . . . Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:10,13,14
A gushing spring of living water!
Daily Devotion – March 16, 2023Devotion based on John 4:10,13,14
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230316dev.mp3
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A person who has felt the guilt of a specific sin or ongoing struggle with temptation may say or at least think, “If people really knew me, how could they love me?” Maybe something like that ran through the Samaritan woman’s mind as she first encountered Jesus, but then she discovered that Jesus really did know her. The truth was out in the open!
But then Jesus flips that thought and says, “If you really knew me… If you knew who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” A guilt-ridden soul thinks, “If people really knew me, they’d run in the other direction.” Jesus, true God, really does know us to the core, but he doesn’t run away! He offers living water—the kind that quenches the deepest spiritual thirst caused by guilt and shame. This water doesn’t dry up or just keep you going for the day. This water gives eternal life.
Picture a desert where water is scarce. You have to dig down deep to find water that is essential for physical life. Now picture a gushing spring of water. It bubbles up and spills over; there’s an endless supply. That’s the picture Jesus paints for a spiritually thirsty soul beside a well. This living water that Jesus gives is not a shallow pool or babbling brook. It’s gushing over in an endless supply.
Jesus gives us more than just a sip of this living water, more than a drop on a thirsty tongue. It’s an endless fountain of God’s love and forgiveness, gushing over. That fountain never runs dry because the living water that Jesus gives is eternal life.
Prayer:
Jesus, meet me beside the waters of your Word where I find relief from the guilt of sin and the refreshing flood of your forgiveness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:9,10
Thirsting for acceptance.
Daily Devotion – March 15, 2023Devotion based on John 4:9,10
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He simply asked her for a drink of water, and suddenly the true thirst spilled out. “How can you ask me for a drink?” She was shocked that Jesus would talk to her before she even knew who Jesus really was. She recognized that Jesus was a Jewish man. Jews looked down on Samaritans because they were not full-blooded Jews. On top of that, Jesus revealed that this woman had been married five times, and the man she was currently with was not her husband.
Jesus exposed her real spiritual thirst by simply asking for a drink of water. She thirsted for love and acceptance, but she was looking in all the wrong places to quench that thirst. We might seek approval from peers or acceptance through a relationship that becomes more important than a relationship with God. Our world has a twisted view of love and acceptance and looks for it in all the wrong places.
But Jesus cared about this woman enough to have a deep and tough conversation. And his end goal wasn’t to crush and reject her; it was to reveal himself as the solution to her sin, the living water to wash away her sin and quench her thirsty soul. She knew rejection and what it was like to be looked down on. But she had never been loved like that, like only God can love, until she met her Savior, Jesus.
Jesus cares about you enough to come to you in his Word and to meet a deeper thirst that nothing in all the world could ever quench. Jesus quenches our thirst for love and acceptance, not by downplaying sin, but by forgiving it completely. By washing it away in an unending flood of his love and acceptance.
Prayer:
Jesus, meet me beside the waters of your Word so that I may find the kind of love and acceptance that only comes from you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
John 4:6,7
He knows our thirst.
Daily Devotion – March 14, 2023Devotion based on John 4:6,7
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Can God truly know what I’m feeling? Is God in tune with what is going on in our world? Maybe at times, we’ve misunderstood God as a distant deity disconnected from the average human’s experience. But Jesus steps into human history, and he shatters that false assumption.
Maybe it seems like a minute detail in the true story told in John chapter 4—Jesus was tired. He asked for a drink of water. Jesus understood being physically tired, worn out, and thirsty because he experienced it all. Even more, he understood being worn out and thirsty on a deeper, spiritual level.
As true God, Jesus knows us intimately. But to prove he’s not a distant God, he became a real man with flesh and blood to experience pain and thirst and even temptation—yet he never sinned. But he still thirsted.
Jesus sat down by a well, thirsty and tired from his journey, and there he encountered a woman thirsty and tired in more ways than one. And God himself asked her for a drink of water. How ordinary and disarming is God’s approach! And in this way, he shows his extraordinary love for every human being.
By the well, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” On the cross, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” He was literally thirsty, but on the cross, he suffered the agony of God’s crushing punishment, and it parched his very being. He thirsted for relief from his Father in heaven. He knows what we’re going through, and he did something about it! Jesus’ rest beside the well and visit with that woman was a pitstop along the way to his cross, where he would experience something that he wanted no other human to experience—punishment for sin. From his wounds flowed forgiveness and peace for every thirsting soul.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for approaching me in gentleness and love and with your almighty power to rescue me from sin’s curse. Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”
Exodus 17:2
We need water!
Daily Devotion – March 13, 2023Devotion based on Exodus 17:2
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Have you ever been dying of thirst? We might use that phrase when we are really parched on a hot summer day, but it’s no joke. A hiker ventures out into the desert, not even that far, and if he hasn’t carried enough water, he could literally be dying of thirst.
God’s people, the Israelites, were led out into the desert by God and through Moses, God’s appointed leader. God had just rescued them from brutal slavery in Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land. But now they had run out of water. Sadly, rather than trusting in God to meet their need, they complained to Moses and God.
God demonstrated his patient love for them. He had Moses strike a rock with his staff, and water flowed! God provided water in the middle of the desert. God quenched their thirst.
God, in his love, quenches thirst. When our physical needs are met, when we have cozy homes, and nourished bodies, when our physical thirst is quenched, it can be easy to stop there and think, “What more could I need.” So many in our world are lost in a desert of sin and unbelief and dying of spiritual thirst—thirst for answers, for acceptance, for purpose. The problem is when we look in the wrong places to have that spiritual thirst quenched—the well runs dry. The danger of spiritual dehydration is eternal death.
God provided literal water for thirsty travelers in a miraculous way. In a miraculous way, God quenches our spiritual thirst through his Word. God may not scratch our every curiosity in life, but he does quench our thirsty souls. Our thirst for answers to life’s big questions, like “What will happen after this life?” He answers this with an empty cross and empty tomb—Jesus died for you and rose for you; heaven is yours! Our thirst for acceptance is quenched by God’s forgiveness and assurance that we are his children. This thirst-quenching, life-giving water doesn’t flow from some rock. It flows from God himself, from Jesus Christ, who is true God.
Prayer:
Lord, when all my physical needs are met by your blessing, even then, lead me beside the life-giving waters of your Word and quench my thirsty soul with your love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Thankful for Permanent Peace
Daily Devotion – March 12, 2023Devotion based on Romans 5:1
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Earthly peace is elusive. Leaders of nations sign treaties to establish foundations on which peaceful relations can be built. Too often, however, treaties are broken, and the peace they sought to establish is lost.
As wonderful as earthly peace is, it is not the kind of peace we need most. We need peace with God, which is something sin took away. Sin brought strife between God and people. This strife is most evident in troubled consciences. It’s also reflected in the conflicts that exist between people everywhere.
To establish earthly peace, the involved parties must often give up something or contribute something. By contrast, there is nothing that we could give up or contribute to establish a peace treaty with God. Our sins alienated us so far from God that such a treaty could never be ratified.
God, however, did what we could not do. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through the redemption that came by his own Son, God brought to the peace treaty table everything he needed to sign the treaty with us. Jesus’ blood blotted out our guilt. He arose from the grave to announce God’s peace. Through Jesus, true peace is ours forever! Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Prayer:
O Jesus, by shedding your precious blood, you bought me back from the eternal destruction I deserved for my sin. Praise and thanks to you, my Savior, for establishing peace between me and God and giving me the gift of everlasting life! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Romans 4:13-16
Only One Way
Daily Devotion – March 11, 2023Devotion based on Romans 4:13-16
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“There is more than one way to skin a cat.” The origins of this English saying are uncertain, but the meaning is clear. There is more than one way to achieve an aim. There is more than one approach to solving a problem. There is more than one way to get from A to B. Whatever you are trying to do, there are alternate ways of doing it; if plan A fails, one goes to plan B, and so on.
While this may be true in many earthly endeavors, the apostle Paul makes it clear that it is not true when it comes to heaven and eternal life.
For example, if you could get to heaven following God’s laws, the “more than one way” axiom would be true. One person could choose plan A, another plan B, and so on. However, the law does not bring life; the law brings wrath. That’s because where there is law, there is sin, and where there is sin, there is condemnation. The way of the law as a means of righteousness and eternal life does not and cannot work. That leaves us with only one way.
And what a beautiful way it is! The promise comes by faith. Righteousness comes by faith. These are beautiful words: by grace… guaranteed… to all!
The righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus is the way for all. It is the only way for all.
That is not a limiting truth; it’s a liberating truth. You are free from doubt, worry, and uncertainty concerning your eternal future. You are free to rejoice, worship, serve, and live. Free, through Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help me cut off every thought and philosophy that suggests there is another way from me to you, from earth to heaven. May I rejoice in you always! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 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 3:10-17
The Need for Understanding
Daily Devotion – March 10, 2023Devotion based on John 3:10-17
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Nicodemus was a religious leader in Israel and a teacher of the people. He should have understood what was going on when Jesus came, but he did not understand because he did not realize that Jesus came from heaven.
When we realize the basic fact that Jesus is the Son of God from all eternity who came from heaven to earth and became a human being, we begin to understand.
When Jesus was lifted up on a cross, it did not look good. It was hard to understand how anything helpful might be happening. But there was a time when Moses lifted up a statue of a serpent on a pole, and the people who looked at it were saved from death.
Now a similar thing happens. Jesus was lifted up on a cross. His suffering there paid the punishment for our sins. Everyone who looks to him in faith will receive eternal life. It’s tough to understand, but Jesus came from heaven to accomplish and explain it.
We need to understand. God arranged everything because he loved us. Jesus did not come to condemn us because of our lack of understanding. Instead, he came from heaven to save us.
Prayer:
Lord, give me the understanding of your great love and keep me safe all the way to eternal life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
John 3:5,6
The Need for Baptism
Daily Devotion – March 9, 2023Devotion based on John 3:5,6
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The man talking to Jesus was confused. How do you enter the kingdom of God?
Jesus explained that people enter the kingdom of God when they are baptized. Baptism is not just plain water but water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word, which is how the Holy Spirit does his work. Because baptism is like starting over in life, Jesus compares it to being born. Jesus was telling the man that he needed to be baptized.
You need to be baptized too. Baptism gives you forgiveness for your sins, and you need forgiveness.
You need to be baptized. Baptism makes you holy, cleansing you by the washing with water through the word. Without holiness you cannot enter heaven, where everything is holy.
You need to be baptized. Baptism clothes you with Christ. When you are wearing the spiritual clothes of Christ, the only man who has ever lived a holy life, you appear holy in the eyes of God the Father, and he welcomes you into his kingdom.
You need to be baptized. Baptism makes you a child of God, a member of his family. With baptism you can call God your Father, and you can depend on his Son, Jesus Christ, your brother.
You need to be baptized. Baptism connects you to the death of Jesus, and that payment for your sins on the cross is exactly what you need to go through death and enter eternal life in heaven.
You need to be baptized. Baptism saves you, not because it removes dirt from your body, but because it connects you to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and gives you a clear conscience.
You need to be baptized!
Prayer:
Let me always, Lord, remember that the water and the Word bear your never-failing promise: my salvation is assured. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Romans 4:13
The Need for Righteousness
Daily Devotion – March 8, 2023Devotion based on Romans 4:13
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A Mormon woman who had become Lutheran took me to the apartment where the two young Mormon men on their mission were staying. We had a nice discussion. The young men mentioned the “gospel” a few times. I asked them what they thought the “gospel” was. They replied, “The gospel is the set of laws the heavenly Father gave us to show us how to get to heaven.”
Mormons aren’t the only people who think the gospel is a set of laws. Abraham and his offspring were given special laws by the Lord, and it would have been easy for them to think that following those laws would get them to heaven. But even the promise that the Savior would come from the line of Abraham was not given because Abraham and his offspring would keep those special laws.
Religions around the world have each devised their own set of laws for pleasing God or getting to heaven. None of them work. Getting to heaven does not happen through obeying God’s law. Getting to heaven happens through the righteousness that comes by faith.
What does “the righteousness that comes by faith” mean? “The righteousness” is the perfect life of Jesus, the only person who has ever lived a perfect life good enough to get to heaven. “Comes by faith” means that whoever believes in Jesus has his perfect life credited to them as a gift.
The gospel is not a set of laws. It is not through the law that you receive the promise of salvation. The gospel is a promise. You are going to heaven through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 405)
On my heart imprint your image, blessed Jesus, King of grace,
that life’s riches, cares, and pleasures have no power to hide your face.
Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation, and my glory and salvation. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:1-5
The Need for Faith
Daily Devotion – March 7, 2023Devotion based on Romans 4:1-5
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You might think that God likes people who do good things. God is definitely in favor of good things. He is the one who tells us what is good and what is bad, and he also clearly tells us that he wants us to do the good things and refrain from doing the bad things.
But you are missing something very important if you think that your reward is heaven because you do good things. Good things do deserve a reward, but for the reward to be heaven, you have to do the good things perfectly every moment of your life.
Only Jesus has done that. He did all the good things and refrained from doing all the bad things every moment of his life. But rather than taking the reward of heaven, he suffered the punishment of hell and then declared that the righteous life he lived would be the ticket to heaven for everyone who believes in him.
In the Bible reference for today, we hear that Abraham did good things. He went to heaven, but not because of those good things. Abraham believed in the promised Savior, and even before that Savior arrived, God said that Abraham was righteous and could go to heaven, not because of what he did, but through faith in Jesus.
It works the same way for you. God doesn’t try to figure out whether you have done enough good things to be called godly or ungodly. He knows that his Son, Jesus, has done enough, and when you believe in Jesus, that faith is credited to you as righteousness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me your righteousness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3
A Gift to the World
Daily Devotion – March 6, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 12:1-3
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The Lord asked Abram to move away from his extended family to a brand-new country, a place where he had never been, a place that God did not even identify at first.
Abram could probably have made quite a long list of things he needed. There were so many uncertainties. He had to have a way to survive, to support his immediate family, and make a new home.
God was undoubtedly aware of those needs. But he was looking out longer than the next couple of years. Abram would be blessed, and his reputation would be good. If people were against him, they would be cursed. Abram’s descendants would become a great nation.
Those are amazing promises! Then God made a promise even more amazing. He said that all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abram.
God saw beyond Abram’s immediate needs to the future needs of the entire world. He knew that everyone in the world would need a Savior from sin and death. So he planned that the Savior, Jesus, would be a descendant of Abram, a blessing to the entire world.
God knows that you have immediate needs. He promises to bless you and take care of you. Then he looks to your more far-reaching needs, like forgiveness of sins and salvation, and he provides you a gift in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That gift is for all people on earth. That gift is for you.
Prayer:
Lord, help me when I am consumed by my immediate needs, and lift my eyes to the cross of Jesus, where you took care of my needs for eternity. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the Lord had told him.
Genesis 12:1-4
Faith Trusts God
Daily Devotion – March 5, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 12:1-4
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How many times have you moved in your life? Often there are many worries, anxieties, and fears that accompany moving to a new place. Abram likely experienced many of these feelings when the Lord called him to leave home.
Yet “Abram left.” Driven by God’s great promises, he did what the Lord told him. God in his undeserved love had chosen Abram. Of all people, the Lord came to Abram and promised to make him into a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great. Those who showed kindness to Abram would be rewarded with blessing, and those who showed hostility would be cursed. Ultimately, God promised to bless all people through him. Moved by God, Abram obeyed.
When we look at Jesus, we see how God fulfilled this promise to Abram and to us. Through his Son, God has blessed all the peoples on earth. The curse of sin that came to all people through Adam has been replaced by the righteousness won for us by Jesus. Faith trusts what God says is true.
Faith also leads us to obey God’s commands. What crossroads lie ahead in your life? What challenges do you face in your walk with Jesus? How does God ask you to follow him on a daily basis? As you answer these questions in your own life, consider the example of Abram. By grace, he trusted in God’s undeserved love for him and willingly did what God told him.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, you have blessed all people through the life and death of your Son, Jesus Christ. Moved by the forgiveness of sins and your promise of life eternal, help me to trust in you as I face the challenges and temptations of my everyday life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
How much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
Romans 5:15
One Man
Daily Devotion – March 4, 2023Devotion based on Romans 5:15
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In 2014, author Boris Johnson wrote a book entitled, The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History. In his book, Johnson makes the case that our present world would be a very different place had it not been for the presence of one solitary man—Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II.
To make his point, Johnson paints the scene. It is May of 1940. Churchill has just become Prime Minister. The war is not just going badly for Britain; it is going very badly. She is alone. Her armed forces are weak. Her allies in Europe are in collapse. And the Nazi military machine is devouring territory in real time. Churchill meets with his cabinet. The question before them is simple. Does Britain cut a deal with Hitler, thereby saving countless British lives, or does it choose to fight? Johnson asserts that we forget how close—how very close—Britain came to cutting that deal. One man, Churchill, convinced them to fight. Remove Churchill from that cabinet meeting, Johnson says, and Western Civilization as we know it would have vanished.
As irreplaceable as Winston Churchill may have been, however, even the rescue of Western Civilization is a small matter in comparison to what lay in the balance at another time. That time was when all of humanity was lost in a darkness of its own making. It was not the darkness of Nazi rule or political repression. It was the darkness of sin—yours and mine. Such darkness meant a pointless, miserable experience, separated from the goodness of God. And there was not a thing anyone could do to stop it.
Except for one man. And this one man was more than a man. He was the very Son of God who chose to walk among us as a human being. On our behalf, Jesus Christ lived the perfect life that the holy God demands. Then, in our place, Jesus took upon himself all of the punishment that all of sinful humanity deserved. And at the cross he paid the price in full.
That one man—the God-man, Jesus—changed everything. Our rescue is complete. Forgiveness is ours. Now through faith in him, the darkness is gone.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the one man who has changed everything. Move me by your Spirit to look to you alone. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done? The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:12,13
Taking Responsibility
Daily Devotion – March 3, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:12,13
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When’s the last time you heard someone take responsibility for their actions? Owning up to one’s behavior is a rare thing these days. When caught in a lie or in an unpopular decision, politicians pass the buck. After doing something inappropriate, athletes duck behind lawyers. When engaging in questionable behavior, celebrities hide behind the facade of popular opinion. Even when public apologies are made, they are often in the form of legally prepared statements that are carefully crafted to avoid acknowledgement of guilt.
It is easy for us to shake our heads and condemn such actions, but truthfully, we aren’t any different. Like so many others today and like Adam and Eve in our Bible verses for today, we too seek to blame others for our actions and avoid taking responsibility for those actions. We blame our up-bringing. We blame the circumstances of the situation we were in. We blame people we were with when the bad thing happened.
While passing the buck and denying responsibility might deter others from holding us accountable for our actions, it does nothing before God. God sees through it all and demands that we come clean for our sinful thoughts, words, and actions.
Thankfully, when we do that, we see that we have someone who took the blame for us. Knowing that we could not make our sins right, let alone own up to them, God sent someone who would take ownership of sin. Even though he personally never committed sin, Jesus took ours on himself. He picked up all our sins and carried that heavy burden all the way to the cross, where he died for each and every one of them. He suffered and died so that we wouldn’t have to. He didn’t blame us even though he had every right too. Rather, he died so that we might live.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying in my place. Forgive me for my sins. Enable me each day to own up to my sin and trust that you have removed them from me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Genesis 3:9,10
Hide and Seek
Daily Devotion – March 2, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:9,10
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230302dev.mp3
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Do you remember playing hide and seek? Many parents have loved playing that simple game with their young children. Dad or mom would often hide in obvious places, but the toddlers were so happy to find the parent that they would giggle with delight. They were so cute when they played that game.
It is not so cute when we play hide and seek with God. He is always calling out to us in his Word, but we tend to hide, even as adults. Maybe we feel guilty for not being in God’s house more often. Maybe we don’t want to address our own life choices that we know aren’t God pleasing. Maybe we are angry at God or one of his representatives. And so we hide. And like when our parents hid from us as toddlers, we hide from God in rather obvious places: places like work, Netflix, excuses, and even kids’ sports. While we think we are conveniently unable to make time for God, it is all painfully obvious to him that we are trying to hide. He knows exactly where we are and what we are thinking.
And by a miracle of his grace, he still seeks us. He still comes to find us even though he knows all our sin and all our guilt. In love, he seeks to find and save us. That is exactly why he sent Jesus into this world to be our Savior. A Savior who was willing to suffer and die to pay for all of our sins. A Savior who would pay for and remove all our sin, guilt, and shame so that we could now have a right relationship with God. Because of Jesus and his work for us, there is no reason to hide. No reason to fear coming back to God.
So maybe it is time to stop hiding. Come out, come out, wherever you are! Find free grace and forgiveness from God through Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times when I hide from you and your Word. Thank you for taking my sins away. Enable me to come back to you every day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 3:7
Guilt and Shame
Daily Devotion – March 1, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:7
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“Why did I do that? What was I thinking? It all sounded good and felt right in the moment. But now, all I feel is guilt and shame.”
We have all been there. Maybe we woke up in someone else’s bed. Maybe we were sleeping off a hangover and could not remember the events of the last evening. Maybe we called in sick to work because we didn’t want to face the co-worker we had offended the day before. Maybe we lost our temper with a family member and are ashamed of how we looked and sounded. We all live with guilt and regret for our past behavior.
God could never forgive us, right? Adam and Eve had to be thinking that as they fashioned for themselves the world’s first clothing. What had they done? What were they thinking? How could they ever face God again? How could he ever forgive them?
But in the first of many surprises in the Bible, God could forgive them. He did forgive even their sin that had such far-reaching consequences. And to prove that his forgiveness for them was more than just words, he sent his Son into this world to pay for their sins and ours. Jesus came and hung on the cross to pay for a world full of sin, guilt, and shame. He died for all of our sins. That’s right. ALL of them. Even the big ones. Even the ones that were too terrible to be forgiven.
Whatever it is in your past that is filling you with guilt and shame, lay it at the cross. Confess it to Jesus and be assured that he has paid for it. Your guilt is gone, and your sin washed away. In its place, Jesus gives you forgiveness and eternal life and invites you to live for him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you. You have washed away my sin and paid for my guilt. Help me not to look backward, but to look forward in joy to the heaven you have won for me. Help me live for you today. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:6
Going Along With the Crowd
Daily Devotion – February 28, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:6
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There you were. You were part of the crowd—surrounded by all your friends. It started off as a great evening. Everyone was having fun, and life was good. But then things started to take a turn. Things got out of control and a fun evening crossed the line. Things happened that should not have happened. You wanted to speak up and to tell them all that this wasn’t right.
But there you stood, doing nothing. Sometimes doing nothing or saying nothing is just as wrong as doing the bad or evil thing. And God holds us accountable for our inaction. Adam stood-by and did nothing as Eve was led down the wrong path. He went along with it, and his silence had consequences that were bigger than he ever could have imagined. His inaction cast the whole world into sin and now we are all born with an innate desire to sin.
This makes Jesus all the more remarkable. He never went along with the crowd when they were on the wrong path. He always spoke when things were headed in the wrong direction. Jesus lived a perfect life in our place, and then at the end, he let the crowd put him to death so that you and I and the whole world could be saved from our sins. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we have been set free from sin and through faith in him, we now have the gift of eternal life.
That means we no longer have to go along with the crowd! We can now say no to the evil in this world and live our lives for our Savior, Jesus, who gave his life for us. We can now be a positive influence in this world and lead others to the light of Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving yourself as my Savior from sin. Empower me to say no to the crowd and to live my life for you. Help me be a positive influence for others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1
Did God really say?
Daily Devotion – February 27, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:1
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Did God really say you shouldn’t indulge in this behavior? Did God really say you shouldn’t live your life the way you want? Did God really say you shouldn’t do whatever makes you feel good? After all, wouldn’t God want you to be happy?
Satan has succeeded with that line of reasoning for centuries. It is a tried and true approach to leading people into sin. It worked on Eve in the Garden of Eden and has been working on mankind ever since. It works on us too. We are too eager to believe that life really is about us and that our top priority is to make ourselves happy. It does not take much convincing for us to make life about our desires rather than what God wants or to make it about pleasing ourselves rather than seeking the good of other people. This is the society we live in, and there is only one way that can end. (Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well.)
Thankfully there is One who did not believe the devil’s lie. Thankfully there is One who did not pursue his own desires but instead pursued what was best for the rest of us. Jesus came into this world not to look out for himself but to see that we would get what we need. He easily could have made his life all about himself and could have used his almighty power to please himself. But instead, it was all about us. He came to save us, and that meant doing what no one else could. It meant living a perfect life in our place and dying so that we could be saved now and forever.
Because of Jesus, God now really says that we are his forgiven children. He says that through faith in Jesus, we will have eternal life. He says that we are his children now and always.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your selfless work on my behalf. As your forgiven child, help me to live for others and not for myself. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“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 3:15
An Unlimited Guarantee
Daily Devotion – February 26, 2023Devotion based on Genesis 3:15
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230226dev.mp3
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When purchasing a product, we are interested in the manufacturer’s warranty. What does the company promise to repair or replace? How long is the warranty good for? How reliable is the business making the guarantee? Usually warranties are limited to varying degrees and cover only certain items for a specific period of time. Manufacturers do not issue warranties that cover their products without exceptions. Every guarantee is limited.
Except one, God’s guarantee of rescuing us from death and hell. God made a promise to the first people on earth. They had fallen into sin and lost the perfection with which God created them. Their sin condemned them to eternal separation from God in hell and not only them, but the whole human race. But God made a promise. He declared that a descendant of those first sinful people would come and destroy the devil’s power over them. That mighty offspring of the woman would deliver them from death, by being delivered to death himself. Yet he would overcome hell and guarantee for his people life forever.
Unlike a manufacturer’s limited warranty, God promise of salvation is full and free and offered to the whole world. The reliability of this promise is as sure as the existence of the eternal God who loves all people so much that he came into our world to fully accomplish what he promised.
Look at your Savior, Jesus, on the cross. He is your guarantee of unlimited life with God.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that in your mercy you do not condemn me as my sins deserve but rather give me your ironclad guarantee of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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.
2 Peter 1:16
Real
Daily Devotion – February 25, 2023Devotion based on 2 Peter 1:16
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In 2001, director Stephen Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks paired up to produce the miniseries Band of Brothers. The ten-part drama followed a company of World War II soldiers from their basic training through the end of the war.
In this miniseries, the characters were colorful. The plot twists were riveting. The battle scenes were beyond intense. For those who watched the entire program, however, perhaps the conclusion of the final episode packs the most powerful punch. You see, each episode of Band of Brothers began with an old man talking to an off-screen interviewer. Over the course of the series, the various old men became familiar faces as they quietly spoke of their days as young soldiers. Only at the end of the ten-part story did you learn their names. They are the very men depicted in the miniseries. They are the Band of Brothers. Their story was not fiction. Their story was real.
When the apostle Peter sat down and wrote his second letter, he was an old man too. He wanted his readers, including you and me, to understand something about what he and all the other writers recorded in the Bible about Jesus. They did not write it down for entertainment. They did not write it down to tell a rousing story. They did not write it down to keep us spellbound with colorful characters and riveting plotlines. They wrote it down because that’s what happened. They wrote it down because they were eyewitnesses. They wrote it down because it really happened.
That means your forgiveness in Jesus and his guiding hand in your life is real. It means his promise to uphold you and your security in him is real. And that is really comforting.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, as I read your Word, fill me with the awareness that Jesus’ life and death and resurrection took place in real time, for me and for all. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
Exodus 24:9-11
God Invites His People to See His Glory
Daily Devotion – February 24, 2023Devotion based on Exodus 24:9-11
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Would you like to see God? I think most people would say, “Yes, that would be amazing to see God with my own eyes!” We may want to see God, but we probably forget that our eyes are not qualified to see him in all his glory. Many times in the Old Testament, when a person came face to face with God’s glory, they trembled with fear. For a puny human sinner to gaze upon the full perfection and glory of God is beyond our pay-grade.
That’s why what happened at Mount Sinai in Exodus chapter 24 is so unexpected. Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. It’s stated so simply and matter of fact. They saw God. And he looked glorious. But here’s the most amazing thing–God did not raise his hand against them. Even though they should have had no business standing before God in all his glory, God let them be there in his presence. They even ate and drank there as they saw him.
Standing in the presence our glorious and perfect God is above our pay-grade. God should hide his face from us because of our unworthiness and sin. But instead, God smiles his face upon us and looks on us with favor and kindness. Because of the cross on Mount Calvary we are allowed into the presence of our God. Jesus, God’s Son, has made the imposing God of Mount Sinai approachable. God invites his people to see his glory because Jesus has already draped us in his robe of perfection and holiness. We can approach God without fear. And one day, we will be able to eat and drink with God at the banquet table of heaven.
Prayer:
Dear glorious Lord, thank you for inviting me into your presence and letting me share in your glory. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19
Pay Attention to the Light
Daily Devotion – February 23, 2023Devotion based on 2 Peter 1:19
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What would you do if the batteries of your flashlight died while exploring deep in a dark cave? There are only a couple of options, neither of which sounds great. You could either sit there and yell out, hoping someone with a light comes to rescue you. Or you could try to feel your way through the darkness and hope you don’t get lost further in the cave or stumble down a pit. Either way, your chances of getting out of that cave aren’t great.
But if someone started coming toward you in the dark cave with a light, what would you do? You wouldn’t just sit there and ignore it. You’d put all your attention and focus onto that light. That light is your way out. Your life depends on it! That light would be all you care about at that point.
In our Bible verse for today, the Word of God, is compared to a light shining in a dark place. As people living in the darkness of this world and of our own sin, we do well to pay attention to that light above all else. We look to the Word of God as something completely reliable. That Word of God lights up our world and lets us walk on the right path. Most importantly, God’s Word shows us Jesus and what he has done to save us from our sins. It’s no wonder God wants us to pay attention to the light of his Word!
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me your reliable Word to be a light for me in the dark. Keep my attention focused on that Word each and every day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Matthew 17:8
Just Jesus
Daily Devotion – February 22, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 17:8
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Peter, James, and John had just seen their humble teacher, Jesus, transfigured into a shining and glorious version of himself. Jesus showed them a glimpse of who he truly was as the Son of God. The three disciples also saw two great prophets from long ago: Moses and Elijah. Seeing Jesus in all his glory and hearing the voice of God the Father speak from the heavens must have made the three disciples feel very small and unworthy. In fact, after they heard the voice from heaven, “they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.”
But Jesus came over to them, touched them, and said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” At that point they looked and saw no one except Jesus. Moses and Elijah were gone. The voice from the cloud was gone. Jesus wasn’t shining with the light of the sun anymore. He was normal looking Jesus again. But he was all Peter, James, and John really needed. The bright glory of heaven they glimpsed on the mountain would be theirs again one day. But right now, they needed their Savior and the humiliation of death he was about to undergo for them. They didn’t need all that glory yet. They did need their Savior now. As great as it was seeing all the glory of God there on the mountain, what they really needed to see was…just Jesus.
This is ultimately what we need to see—just Jesus. The glory of God is too bright and overwhelming for us poor sinners. We needed God to come to us when we could never approach him. So, he did. Jesus, God himself, came to earth in our flesh and blood to be one of us so he could die for us in our place. If we want to know God, we look to Jesus. He is the one who allows us to come to the Father. He is the one who makes us worthy of all the glory of God by sharing the glory of his resurrection with us. This is what we need—just Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming as one of us in order to save me. Thank you for being our Way to the Father and glory everlasting. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Matthew 17:5
Listen to My Son
Daily Devotion – February 21, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 17:5
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When Jesus was baptized, God the Father’s voice boomed down from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” When Jesus went up on the Mount of Transfiguration and showed himself in all his shining glory as the Son of God, the Father once again said the very same thing about Jesus. God the Father was putting his stamp of authenticity and approval on Jesus. However, this time God the Father added something. He said, “This is my Son…Listen to him!”
Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true. When he speaks, he speaks also for God the Father. This is good news because Jesus has very good things to say to you. He has spoken great promises to you. Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “If I go and prepare a place for you [in heaven], I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus has the stamp of approval from God. It’s like God the Father slapped a “double your money back guarantee” sticker on Jesus that day. Jesus is the real deal. His words are authentic and trustworthy. He has the words of eternal life for us. His love and his promises to us are guaranteed. We want to listen to our Savior. We can’t wait to listen to our Savior.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal life. I listen to you, knowing that you are always working for my good as the Son of God. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Matthew 17:4
It’s Good for Us to Be Here
Daily Devotion – February 20, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 17:4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230220dev.mp3
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The sun is shining. The sand slips between your toes. The sound of the waves lulls you to sleep. Relaxing on a beach vacation might make you think to yourself, “It is good to be here.” But vacation doesn’t last forever. Eventually you have to leave. You have to go back to reality.
The disciple Peter wasn’t on vacation, but he had good reason to say, “it is good for us to be here,” when he hiked to a mountaintop with Jesus. All of a sudden, Jesus’ face shone like the sun. His clothes glowed with light. Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest Old Testament prophets from the past, showed up and talked with Jesus! Peter couldn’t help it. The scene overtook him, and he blurted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” It was an amazing place to be, in the presence of all this glory, seeing Jesus for who he really was.
Peter was right. That was an amazing place to be. But the moment couldn’t last forever. Jesus still had a job to do, and it involved some dark days ahead as he walked to the cross loaded with the world’s sin. The disciples had to face some tough days ahead, too, not only the death of their friend and Savior but also persecution as they spread the word about him.
One day Jesus will bring all of us to eternal glory, to stand with him in the heavenly Mount Zion. In that day, we will say, “it is good for us to be here,” and we will never have to leave. But, until then, we still live in the reality of a sinful world. Yet, even now, we can live in this often-difficult place knowing that Jesus didn’t stay on the Mount of Transfiguration. He best showed us who he was by going up Mount Calvary to save the world by dying on the cross. Now, no matter what place we find ourselves in, we rejoice that Jesus joins us in the highs, the lows, and everywhere in-between.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me who you truly are. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them 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 17:1,2
Our Extraordinary Savior
Daily Devotion – February 19, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 17:1,2
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230219dev.mp3
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Can you remember a special event from your life that stands out from the ordinary daily routine? You might have bright and vivid memories of a wedding day, the birth of a child or a move to a new home.
One day, Jesus invited three of his disciples to experience an extraordinary event they would not forget. The disciples witnessed the Savior, whose body beamed with blinding brilliance as he was illumined in heavenly glory. So glorious was this event that Peter wanted the moment to continue.
Jesus graciously shares this special moment with us too. By faith in the Word, we are transported to the mountaintop to stand alongside Peter, James, and John to behold Jesus in all his brilliance. Our eyes witness his majesty. Our ears are captivated by the cloud-enveloped voice of the heavenly Father, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
On that day with his disciples, the light that emanated from Jesus did not linger long. Soon Jesus descended the mountain, destined to die in the darkness of the cross. Our glorious God bore our shame and guilt to win the pure light of life and forgiveness for us.
Jesus has not promised that every moment of our earthly lives will be free from sorrow and trouble. Jesus has told us that there will be days of suffering and tears. Yet each day–even those that are clouded by darkness and difficulty–Jesus extends to us the extraordinary light of his love. He cheers us with the unchanging message of his gospel and points us to the promised light of eternal day in heaven.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for setting aside your glory to suffer and die for my sins. Fill my life with your love and forgiveness through the light of your powerful Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11,12
A Quiet Life
Daily Devotion – February 18, 2023Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12
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Christians, be careful how you live. Your conduct can have significant influence on people around you. If your behavior is disreputable, you serve to deflect people from giving attention to the gospel. On the other hand, putting God’s love into practice may attract people who want to learn more about the beliefs and biblical values that you live by.
God wants you to live everyday in a manner that “may win the respect of outsiders”—those who are not believers. A “quiet life” is the way he terms it. That means “to mind your own business.” Don’t be a busybody—a person who has the reputation of meddling in other people’s lives. That kind of conduct is not a good Christian example and will close doors to opportunities for sharing the gospel.
God also instructs you “to work with your hands.” He does not want you to be a loafer, who by your irresponsibility, forces others to help and support you. You can see what kind of roadblocks that kind of lifestyle would raise for the cause of the gospel. Instead, as you are able, work honestly and ambitiously. The good reputation you gain among people may lead some to want to know about the work that Christ accomplished to save them.
Prayer:
Lord God, make me faithful in my daily life so that all I say and do may glorify you and serve to bring the gospel to more people. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.
2 Samuel 11:16,17
Chain Reactions
Daily Devotion – February 17, 2023Devotion based on 2 Samuel 11:16,17
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When David saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof and lusted for her, there’s no way he could have known that it would end up with the murder of one of his best fighting men, Uriah. And yet, that’s exactly where the path of sin led David. Sin is like a bunch of firecrackers tied together. David lit the fuse with a lustful look, but the sin didn’t end there. Adultery, lies, drunkenness, conspiracy, manipulation, murder. Each sin exploding bigger and louder than the last.
Not only that, but David roped many others into his sins as well. From the messengers sent to bring Bathsheba to him to the commander of his army, Joab. Even the army’s enemies served as David’s hitmen.
It’s safe to say that David didn’t intend to plunge headlong into such recklessly self-destructive behavior, but once the fuse was lit, David couldn’t find the courage to put it out.
One of the temptations of sin is that it will be “one and done.” Just one lustful look. Just one click. Just one message. Just one lie. Just one sin. But sin is rarely ever just “one and done.” It’s more like lighting the fuse of a chain of firecrackers. One sin sets off a chain reaction of sins. And the more we sin, the more consequences and the more people get dragged into it.
Those sins deserve punishment. David deserved to die for his sins. But the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Instead of punishing us, God punished his Son in our place. And instead of leaving our sins chained to us, Jesus freed us from sin so that we can live the holy life to which he calls us. Jesus’ promises of love and forgiveness give us the strength to stomp out the lit fuse of sin.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me and for forgiving me. Help me to take sin seriously and to not fall into temptation. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.
2 Samuel 11:2-4
See God’s Blessings
Daily Devotion – February 16, 2023Devotion based on 2 Samuel 11:2-4
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It started with an innocent walk on the roof. King David wanted some fresh air, and no better place for that than the roof of his palace. From there, he could see the heights to which he had climbed. He was no longer a forgotten shepherd boy toiling in the field with sheep. Now everyone knew King David. From his vantage point David could see the peace and prosperity his military victories had obtained.
King David was on top of the world. He could see it with his eyes. But those same eyes lingered too long where they shouldn’t have. That long look turned lustful. It could have ended there. David could have reminded himself that he was married. He found out that Bathsheba was married. He could have repented of his sin and turned away. He could have left Bathsheba alone and reminded himself of how richly God had blessed him. But he didn’t. And what happened next is one of the saddest chapters in the whole Bible. It reminds us of the power of sin; even a sin that starts small can snowball into sins with life changing consequences.
Like King David, our eyes are so quick to see what we don’t have instead of what we do have. We let our eyes linger on things for too long. We let our thoughts wander down destructive desires. We scheme up ways to fulfill sinful wants. And we quickly forget all that God has blessed us with.
We can fight the temptation to sin by reminding ourselves of the wonderful things that God has given to us. Remember the blessings that God promises to give to his people. And remember that the one making those promises, Jesus, is on your side.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to fight temptation. Remind me of your love and your blessings. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-29
Guard Your Eyes
Daily Devotion – February 15, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:27-29
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It’s been called a victimless crime, and yet it’s almost always done in secret. It’s an industry that generates billions of dollars a year, but its workers are degraded, coerced, and exploited. In December 2022, three of its websites ranked in the top 15 most visited worldwide, but many people make sure to clear their browser history after visiting them. You’ve probably guessed by now that this is all true about the pornography industry.
Maybe most troubling is the gradual acceptance of pornography as part of the 21st-century digital life. In 2016, a survey by Covenant Eyes found that more teens and young adults considered not recycling to be more immoral than pornography. Culture and society are growing more accepting of lust and sinful desires.
That’s why Jesus’ words are so important right now. Jesus brings clarity to God’s laws. He gets right to the heart of the matter. Any form of sex outside of marriage or separate from your spouse is sinful. Jesus knows that lust damages relationships, both with people and with God, and lust damages the people involved with the sin. And many studies back up the damages caused by pornography to its viewers and workers.
Jesus came to heal the hurt between people and God. He came to fix the damage caused by the lust in our hearts. Jesus saves people from all their sins—even the sins done in secret and in shame. But Jesus didn’t die on the cross just so we could go back to the destruction of sexual sins. If you’re struggling with pornography and looking for help, go to the website conquerorsthroughchrist.net. There is help, and there is hope.
Prayer:
Jesus, you’ve conquered all my sins. Thank you. Live in me and for me to conquer all my temptations. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:37
Simply Yes or No
Daily Devotion – February 14, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:37
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It slips out so easily—a small, little lie. “Harmless,” you tell yourself. Maybe you said it because you thought it would protect someone’s feelings. Or perhaps the lie was just more convenient than the truth this time, and a small, little lie would save you an argument and a bunch of hassle.
A 2016 scientific study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that if a person starts telling little lies for their benefit, those lies will grow bigger and bigger over time. Researchers even discovered that the part of the brain that triggers danger in telling lies gets less and less active the more lies a person tells. In other words, you can condition yourself to feel less and less guilt the more you lie.
But Jesus has a harsh warning against lies. He tells his followers to speak the truth so consistently, so faithfully that people will believe them with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ A truthful person doesn’t need to swear because their honest reputation is all the assurance anyone needs. Jesus says that anything more than a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ comes from the evil one.
That evil one is Satan. Jesus describes Satan as the father of lies, and anyone who speaks lies is speaking the language of Satan. So those little lies that seem so harmless are actually dangerous. And lies that seem innocent are really condemning.
Truth and lies come down to trust. It’s easier to trust someone who you know is truthful. And in the same way it is difficult to trust someone you know who has lied to you. Thankfully, God does not lie. He keeps all his promises. You can trust him when he says that he loves you. You can believe him when he promises that all who trust in Jesus as their Savior are saved. And you can trust that God is with you and will not forsake you even when telling the truth is hard for you.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for always speaking the truth so that I know I can trust in you with all my heart. Help me to tell the truth in love in every word I speak. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
Matthew 5:21,22
Curb Your Anger
Daily Devotion – February 13, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:21,22
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It sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it? Being angry with someone is enough to merit God’s judgment. You can understand the first part: You shall not murder. And if you do murder, then yes, there should be judgment. But judgment for anger? How do you keep from being angry? And why does anger earn God’s judgment?
This section of the Bible is part of a sermon Jesus preached called “The Sermon on the Mount.” In this sermon, Jesus gets to the root of God’s laws. God’s laws don’t just require perfect outward action like not murdering, but also perfect inward action like curbing angry thoughts and feelings.
Anger is the gateway to resentment and hatred. And if you harbor resentment towards someone, it means you’re not forgiving them. And if your hate festers unchecked in your heart, it means you are not loving.
God wants you to see others the way he sees others. He desires that you treat others with respect and love and not view people as receptacles of your anger and scorn. He doesn’t want you to nurse grudges so that every time you see someone who slighted you in the past, you only see red.
And so, Jesus goes back to the root of God’s law. It starts with thoughts and attitudes and controlling anger.
The one truly justified in his anger is God. He has every right to be angry with sinners. But instead of taking out his wrath on us, God poured it out on his Son, Jesus. And Jesus willingly took that anger and wrath to change the lives of his people all the way to their roots.
Freed from their sins, God’s people can let go of anger and resentment and forgive instead. Believers can get rid of hate and choose to love because the harsh but justified penalty for sin has been removed by Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking God’s anger in my place. Help me to show the love that you have shown me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:9,10
Brotherly Love
Daily Devotion – February 12, 2023Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:9,10
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When the word Philadelphia is mentioned, one of the largest cities in the United States will likely come to mind. But when the apostle Paul used the word Philadelphia in the first verse of our Bible reading today, he was not referring to Pennsylvania’s largest city.
The Greek word philadelphia is literally translated brotherly love. The Greeks used this word to describe the love family and relatives have for each other. Paul elevates the meaning of the word to express the love that Christians, as members together in God’s spiritual family, have for each other.
As a Christian, you are privileged to be a member of two families. By your physical birth, God connected you to people with whom you are related by blood. By your spiritual birth through your baptism, God connected you with him by the blood of his Son and joined you together with all of his children through faith in Jesus.
You have come to know and experience the love of God—love that moved him to give his only Son as the sacrifice for your sins to make you his own and give you a blessed and glorious life with him forever.
As God has shown you his love, he teaches you to love others, especially those who are members of his family, by faith. As you respond to God’s merciful love, practice philadelphia toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and “do so more and more.”
Prayer:
My heavenly Father, I praise and worship you for making me a member of your spiritual family. Thank you for teaching me your love. Now help me to love others, especially those who share with me the faith in Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18
Members of God’s Family
Daily Devotion – February 11, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 1:18
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Here was Mary, a young girl, perhaps still a teenager. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, but the wedding hadn’t yet taken place. Suddenly, she is obviously pregnant. They hadn’t slept together—Mary was still a virgin—but nevertheless, she was pregnant. The not-yet-born baby she was carrying was from the Holy Spirit. We don’t know how the Holy Spirit worked this miracle, but the same God who created the world and all things—the same holy and perfect God did this: he conceived a son with this young, virgin girl.
God brought his Son, Jesus, into this world in a miraculous way. He did this because he wants you and me to be part of his heavenly family. Jesus came to wipe away the guilt that we have for not being the kind of people that God wants. He was conceived in that miraculous way so that he was without sin. Therefore, he was able to be our Savior by taking our sins on himself and paying for them with his death. The miraculous conception of Jesus is more than something to marvel at. We give God thanks for accomplishing it because through Jesus we are forgiven, and by faith in Jesus we can call God “our Father” and enjoy the blessing of being included in God’s holy family.
Prayer:
My Father in heaven, the miraculous birth of Jesus proves to me the extent of your love to make me a part of your eternal family. Impress upon me every day the privilege I have in being called your own, and help me tell others that they also may be brought into a close relationship with you by faith in your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20
Heaven Is for Perfect People
Daily Devotion – February 10, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:20
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It might surprise you, but it’s true. Heaven is for perfect people.
But if we’re honest with ourselves, we must admit we’re not perfect. True, most people can avoid committing the kind of heinous felonies that end up as breaking news. Most of us will never be the subject of a crime docudrama. Many people manage to be considered helpful neighbors by those who live next door. But getting through life without committing a capital offense—or, conversely, accumulating a long list of friends—doesn’t mean you’re perfect. Frankly, no one’s perfect.
But Jesus tells us, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” At the end of Matthew chapter 5, he says again, in no uncertain terms. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (verse 48). Do you want to get into heaven? Perfection is the only way.
So does that leave us out in the eternal cold? It would if Jesus hadn’t come to save us from our sinful selves. You see, what we cannot do, Jesus can do. Indeed, he has done it. Jesus is “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). He’s perfect, sinless, and completely righteous.
But he’s not perfect for his own sake. He’s done it for us, for everyone. You want to be perfect? You are and will be in Jesus—forever. Sinners who acknowledge their imperfections but then throw themselves before God’s mercy, seeking forgiveness, receive perfect forgiveness in Jesus alone.
How is that possible? St. Paul tells us. “God made him who had no sin [Jesus] to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness [perfection] of God” (1 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, because of who Jesus is and what he has done, God declares you perfect in his sight. We switch places with Jesus. We can confidently believe that heaven is ours, not because we’re perfect, but because Jesus is. And his perfection is our perfection.
Believe it. It’s true!
Prayer:
Jesus, help me see that you are my perfection, my guarantee of heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:19
Practice What You Preach
Daily Devotion – February 9, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:19
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Before Johnny’s mom left for work, she ducked her into his bedroom. “Now, don’t forget,” she said. “I need you to empty the dishwasher, put your clothes away, and clean your room before I get home.” “Yes, Mom,” Johnny replied with a bright smile. “I’ll be happy to do it!”
But then he didn’t. Not one thing. Nada. Sound familiar?
It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something; it’s quite another to get it done. Jesus is the only person who has never fallen into that trap. He has never failed to live up to his promises and never once neglected to practice what he preached. He didn’t just approve the standard with his words; he set the standard with his actions.
We, on the other hand, constantly blow it. At our best, we still look for shortcuts and often assume that the bare minimum is good enough for others. Going the extra mile for someone is considered several bridges too far. At our worst, we thumb our nose at what we know to be the right thing and do the opposite instead.
But God’s children are called to fight against those selfish urges and to model their mindset after Jesus’ own. Christians are called to practice what they preach. The Savior himself explained that nodding your head approvingly at God’s commands is not enough. Instead, “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Do Christians ever manage to do that perfectly this side of heaven? They can’t, no matter how hard they try. Like everyone else, Christians are broken sinners, too. But that doesn’t mean they throw in the towel and call it a day. No, with each new day they strive once again to practice what they preach, not to earn God’s favor and forgiveness, but to be more like Jesus, who freely grants all people his favor and forgiveness.
You can be certain that those eternal gifts are yours too, because Jesus practices what he preaches.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me understand better your perfect love for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17
Jesus Is the Real Deal
Daily Devotion – February 8, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:17
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Purchasing something that is 100% genuine is generally preferable. For instance, there’s a big difference between buying a new living room recliner made from genuine leather and one made with cheap imitation material. In most cases, you can feel and smell the difference. The real deal is better.
What’s true of leather is also true of saviors from sin. There are plenty of cheap imitations, people and things that promise to be just as good as the real thing but also end up being what they are: cheap imitations that don’t add up and never really satisfy. When it comes to the work of salvation, there is only one real deal, and his name is Jesus, the world’s one and only genuine Savior.
But what did Jesus have to do to prove that he and he alone is the real deal? First and foremost, he couldn’t cut any corners. In other words, he had to be all-in, 100%, no holds barred.
That meant, as he tells us today, he didn’t come into this world “to abolish the Law or the Prophets.” In other words, he didn’t claim to be above the law of God. He didn’t say, “God’s Word doesn’t apply to me, so I don’t have to follow the rules.” No, just the opposite! He came to obey and fulfill God’s Word perfectly. He came to live a life that sinners like you and me cannot. Perfect love. Perfect sacrifice.
But never for himself. For us, yes, for everyone. For you. Because, you see, fulfilling God’s law perfectly required more of Jesus than simply scoring 100% on some test measuring his genuineness. It also means that he fulfilled his Father’s perfect will—through all the pain and suffering he endured in doing so—to win a place in heaven, not for himself, but for you and me. And not because we deserved it or he owed it to us. He did it because he loves us, no strings attached.
That’s what makes Jesus the real deal, the Savior.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to believe through your Word and Spirit that you are the only genuine Savior from sin and death forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Christians Can’t Hide
Daily Devotion – February 7, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:14-16
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If you’re trying to hide from a hungry bear in a dark forest, shining a flashlight in every direction won’t be helpful. Your scent might still give you away, but your flashlight will also help him hone in on your whereabouts. Shining a light in dark places makes it difficult to hide. The light gives you away.
Jesus doesn’t want his people to hide in this world darkened by sin and death. He wants them to shine in every direction. But not to be showy or self-important. Not to jump into the spotlight and shout, “Look at me!” Instead, he says, be who you are through faith in me, “the light of the world.” If they let their light shine, people won’t be able to help but notice. Faithful Christians can’t hide. Their light will be too bright, even if they’re trying to go unnoticed.
And what exactly does Jesus mean when he tells Christians, “Let your light shine”? That”s simple. They are to reflect Jesus’ unconditional love, patience, self-control, and self-sacrifice for others. He is himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12), and his people exist to reflect his light. They are created and called to be noticeably different and distinct in a world shrouded by self-centered sinfulness and shamefulness.
And why is this so important? So that those who do not yet know Jesus might be directed to their Savior. You see, ultimately, it’s not about bringing attention to Christians. It’s about bringing attention to Christ. He is the only one who is able to save them from their sins and grant them the gift of eternal life so that they, too, might let their light shine.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Word and Spirit, empower to let my light shine and to bring praise to your heavenly Father forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
[Jesus said] “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Matthew 5:13
The Spice of Life
Daily Devotion – February 6, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:13
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When I went away to school, there were plenty of things I missed about home. But one of the biggest things was my mom’s cooking. Don’t get me wrong; she wasn’t the world’s greatest chef. She made some dishes I could have done without, especially her tuna casserole with green peppers. But there is one thing I could always say about her cooking: even if I didn’t like it, her food tasted like something.
That couldn’t always be said of the fare served in our school cafeteria. One of the most frightening sights you could witness during Monday morning breakfast time was the school chef lurking in the kitchen stirring his infamous red sauce with a boat oar. You knew you were in for a tough week. It wasn’t that his red sauce dishes tasted bad. They just didn’t taste like anything. To call them bland would be an insult to the word “bland.”
When it comes to food, bland is bad. That’s why God created spices. They bring out the flavor and heighten the contrasts. They’re meant to be different, savory, and interesting.
You could also say that’s why God creates Christians. In this dying world of sin, Christians are meant to be different. Knowing what God has done to save them from their sins, they want nothing more than to follow his will—even if that means speaking and acting differently from others in this world.
That is the point Jesus is making with his words in Matthew chapter 5. He’s warning God’s children not to blend in with the worldly-minded masses. They’re called to be different, to be the salt of the earth.
Why? Because through their very differentness, they can call attention to the One who has saved them from their sins and made them his followers. And, having grabbed the attention of the people of this world, they will have the opportunity to tell those people about Jesus. He is, after all, their Savior too.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Word and Spirit, grant me the strength I need to be the salt of the earth. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.’”
Exodus 19:3-5
A Treasured Possession
Daily Devotion – February 5, 2023Devotion based on Exodus 19:3-5
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230205dev.mp3
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What is your most treasured possession? For a child it might be a bicycle or a doll. For a teenager it might be a pair of jeans or a phone. Perhaps, for you it is your wedding ring or a family heirloom.
Have you ever wondered what God treasures? He has a great deal to choose from since everything in creation is his. Every bird, every animal, every gemstone, every mountain—everything is his.
But what does God treasure most? You. He made you and wanted you in his world. He has provided for you and protected you. And even though you have often strayed from him and gone against his commands, he treasured you so much that he came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ and rescued you from your own rebellion.
You may not believe that you are very valuable. It may seem like other people don’t consider you very valuable, either. You may not think you matter. But the sacrifice God made when he went to the cross is your proof of how valuable you are to him. Let that be your comfort and peace this day, knowing that no matter what you are facing or how you might feel you are failing, by faith in Jesus, you are God’s treasured possession. And he plans to keep you for the rest of eternity.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know there are times I do not feel very valuable. I think of the pain I have caused others and the pain my sins have caused you. But your Word tells me that through Jesus, I am your treasured possession. I marvel at such a thought. May all I do this day be worthy of such an honor. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
The Meek
Daily Devotion – February 4, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:5
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Meekness is not a trait that will get a person very far in life. In a dog-eat-dog world success is attained by a bold, assertive spirit which is not afraid to climb over others to get ahead. How different Jesus wants his disciples to be! Responding in thankfulness to God for their salvation, they are to be gentle, patient, humble, quietly resigning their all to God’s will. They don’t seek revenge when others offend. Instead they love others like Jesus meekly did: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).
Jesus says that the meek are blessed. God knows their hearts and gives them a life on earth of blessing after blessing. I have a Christian friend who often remarks, “I’m so blessed!” He looks at his family, job, and possessions and thanks God for the many blessings he has. I can learn from people like my friend to recognize how my loving God fulfills his promise to bless me in all matters of life. Even when it doesn’t seem so, every minute God is with me and caring for me.
“The meek,” Jesus says, “will inherit the earth.” Not only do Jesus’ followers have a life of blessing on earth, but they also have the blessing of eternal life on a new earth. The Bible teaches: “In keeping with God’s promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:13). On the Last Day, God’s creation, including our planet earth, will be destroyed. But God promises that he will make a new creation for his believers, and it will be perfect and last forever.
The meek—all of God’s believers—will be blessed in the next world, as they are blessed in this one, too. Our merciful God has given us the most important gift of all through Jesus—he has taken away the guilt of our sins. By faith in Jesus, we are humbly grateful to have a life of blessing now and are boldly hopeful for even greater blessings to come.
Prayer:
Jesus, you humbly came into this world to bless me with God’s love for this life and for eternity. Impress on my heart the benefit of meekly following you and living in thankfulness for all your blessings. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Mourning
Daily Devotion – February 3, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 5:4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230203dev.mp3
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Dr. Alejandra Vasquez has published an article that sheds light on grief. While you and I might associate mourning mainly with the death of a loved one, Dr. Vasquez reminds us that losses of many kinds may cause us to mourn. A few examples include: The loss of a friend through distance or a rift in your relationship. The loss of your sense of home through your having to move to another place. The loss of familiar people and routines at work when your employer creates all kinds of changes. The loss of a sense of identity when you must leave your profession. The loss of your former lifestyle when you take on the care of an ailing loved one. The loss of independence when poor health prevents you from doing what you’ve always done. Even a series of relatively small losses can create what Dr Vasquez calls “compound grief.”
The truth is we live in a sinful, broken world, and by nature we are sinful, broken people. As a result there will be all kinds of losses—losses around us and of our own making. And some of those losses will make us mourn.
If you are in mourning, if you are in grief, know this. You are on Jesus’ mind and heart. And he fully understands what you feel. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” Isaiah says of our Savior. There is no kind of grief you feel that he does not grasp.
But Jesus also gives a promise. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. When our Lord lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died for our every sin, not only did he purchase for us full forgiveness. He also secured comfort for us in this life and absolute comfort in the life to come, “where there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.”
That’s his promise. And with Jesus, a promise made is a promise kept.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know my sorrow. Thank you for your comfort. I look to you to carry me through. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:31
Brag
Daily Devotion – February 2, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:31
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230202dev.mp3
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Bragging is big business. It’s big business not only because it seems to be in our wiring to brag. It’s also big business because companies can make money helping people brag in a way that it doesn’t sound like bragging.
One example. A few years ago, author Peggy Klaus wrote a book entitled, Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It. The book became a best-seller, featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and on The Today Show. Another example. Some companies have begun bragging on behalf of their customers. For instance, a fitness company posts a personal video on a customer’s Facebook page, praising that customer for becoming so fit. A resort does the same thing, praising a customer for planning such a fantastic vacation. The customer then, understandably, passes all this bragging on to their social media friends. In return, the companies receive good publicity.
Bragging is big business. And while one might debate the pros and cons of such promotion in the business world, when it comes to standing alone before God, you and I know we have nothing about which to brag. Standing alone before the God of perfect goodness and perfect justice—all I can point to is my sinful failure and rebellion. All I can point to is my sinful genius for self-absorption, disregarding others, and drifting away from God.
God would have had every right to look at me—to look at us—turn his back in contempt and walk away forever. But he didn’t, and he hasn’t. Instead, he became one of us. God the Son, Jesus Christ, lived a life of perfect humility on our behalf. For all our sins of self-absorption, he endured the full weight of divine punishment in our place. And now, through faith in the Son, God declares us holy, forgiven, and sons and daughters of the King.
Does this compel us to brag, to boast? Yes. But it’s not about us anymore. It’s all about our Savior.
Prayer:
Lord, you have rescued me from the emptiness of self. Praise be to your holy name. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
1 Corinthians 1:26
Cinderella Story
Daily Devotion – February 1, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:26
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Harry was a carpenter and a good one. Earlier in life he’d pursued acting, but that had gone nowhere, one filmmaker telling him there was no future in it for him. One day, Harry was doing some work near the home of a young director. He remembered Harry from somewhere, and asked him to read for a part in the director’s next movie. The young director was George Lucas. The movie was Star Wars. Harry the carpenter was Harrison Ford.
Everyone loves a good Cinderella story—the story of someone of ordinary background who experiences a thrilling change in life. You can find Cinderella stories in many places: The small college basketball team that wins the big tournament. The farm girl whose singing voice is discovered on a national talent show. The penniless, single mom who writes the phenomenal, best-selling book. Or the quiet, unassuming carpenter who goes on to become one of the biggest film stars in Hollywood.
All these stories are child’s play, however, in comparison to the story of what Jesus Christ has done for you and me. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians, “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Those same words certainly apply to the vast majority of us. In fact, because of our sin, the full picture is far worse. Not only are most of us invisible to the eyes of the world, by nature we are broken, toxic souls, reeking in our spiritual failure, deserving only of God’s contempt.
But God did not let the story end there. Instead, he sent his Son. On our behalf, Jesus lived the sinless life we have failed to live. In our place, Jesus washed away our every stain of guilt at the cross. Now, through faith in our Savior, the plot has changed. Our story is different. It’s not necessarily that we are now best-selling authors or famous athletes; our story is far better. We are forgiven. God is our Heavenly Father. He guides every moment for our good. Heaven is our home.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for changing my story. Thank you for sending your Son. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
They will eat and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.
Zephaniah 3:13
Ultimate Relief
Daily Devotion – January 31, 2023Devotion based on Zephaniah 3:13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230131dev.mp3
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The health magazine, Elemental, published a compelling article about the human experience of relief. The article begins with a simple example that goes something like this. There is an itch on your back you are unable to reach. The discomfort is terrible. Finally, a trusted friend is able to reach the spot and scratch. The relief you feel is so great that your brain lights up in the same area that responds to addictive substances.
But then the article goes on to speak of bigger things. Beyond relief of physical irritations like an itch, there is relief from another kind of pain that’s far more significant. It quotes a neuroscience professor from Dartmouth College. In part, the professor says, “Every time you think about something that makes you feel dread or concern or shame, your [deep emotional] pain is refreshed. And so relief from those negative experiences—for example, relief from…years of intermittent sadness, anger, dread, and embarrassment—can be profound.”
Which brings us to the kind of relief that God describes in the Bible. In the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, God is speaking to souls who are facing dark, difficult days. As he does, however, he gives them an assurance. He assures them that a great relief is on the way. All the things that vex them, all the things that haunt, discourage, and weigh them down—all those things are temporary. As God describes it, one day his people “will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.” In other words—relief that is lasting and true.
This Ultimate Relief has arrived. His name is Jesus Christ. On our behalf, he has lived a life of perfect goodness—the life you and I have failed to live. In our place, he has suffered and died to wash away our every wrong. Now, through faith in him, his full forgiveness gives us a peace that surpasses understanding. And one day, when we enter life eternal, we will experience full release from the presence and effects of sin. Relief that is lasting and true.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through your gospel remind me of the true relief I possess in your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land.
Zephaniah 2:3
Searches
Daily Devotion – January 30, 2023Devotion based on Zephaniah 2:3
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230130dev.mp3
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Want to know some of the top internet searches from 2022? Under the category of TV shows, top searches included the Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the modern western series, Yellowstone, and the science fiction series, Stranger Things. Under movies, top searches included Jurassic World Dominion, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick. Finally, in the overall category for top searches of 2022 included items such as Powerball numbers, election results, and Queen Elizabeth.
When you take even a moment to consider what is at our fingertips to read, watch, research, and study—the prospect is staggering. Think about it: any contemporary figure, movie, event in history, scientific discovery, definition, culture, newsworthy headline, how-to video, book discussion, or speculation about the future—all of it and more is just waiting for you to type the word in the search engine and hit, “Enter.”
But even before the internet, humanity found itself surrounded by countless ways we could spend our time and energy. Countless ways we could use our eyes and ears.
Several hundred years before Jesus’ birth, God’s people had taken their spiritual search engines and hit “Enter” on all kinds of things—things that seemed important, that promised pleasure, happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. But they were wrong. They were wrong because all their searches were at the expense of spending time in the presence of their Lord and Savior.
And so, God called them to repentance. “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,” he said. He called upon them to acknowledge their sinful, wandering ways and look to him once again.
Many times, you and I have wandered in the same way. We searched the wrong places. We sought out the wrong people. And in doing so, we drifted from the Lord—the only one who gives us lasting peace, life, and joy.
But God still pursues us and calls us to repentance. And through faith in the Christ Child who has washed us clean at the cross—all is forgiven. And we are his.
Prayer:
Lord, I come to you in repentance. Forgive my foolish searches. Embrace me in your grace. Cleanse me in your blood. I am yours. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:26,27
Wisdom and Strength
Daily Devotion – January 29, 2023Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:26,27
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230129dev.mp3
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Most people are drawn to the rich and famous or those who are intelligent or powerful. We aspire to be at the top of the heap.
It’s interesting to note that God has completely different ideas about wisdom and strength. What truly makes us wise is knowing that we have broken God’s laws with our actions, words, and even in our thoughts. We realize that we don’t deserve anything good from God. The knowledge that Jesus Christ came to this earth to be our Savior makes us wise beyond all measure. Jesus did what we could not do when he followed his Father’s will to the letter. Jesus also suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. When Jesus rose from the dead, he announced to the world that he had completed everything necessary for our salvation.
It may have appeared that Jesus was weak when he gave up his life for us. Yet, God was actually showing his strength in controlling the situation so that our salvation would be accomplished. He further showed the strength of his love for us when he willingly sacrificed his Son so that we would be saved.
Many will not agree with these standards of wisdom and strength. We thank God that he has revealed these standards to us.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for using your wisdom and power to bring about my salvation. Lead me always to trust in your wisdom. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20
Fishers of Men
Daily Devotion – January 28, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 4:18-20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230128dev.mp3
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The fishermen Peter and Andrew had met Jesus before. They seem to have been disciples of John the Baptist before they became disciples of Jesus. But John the Baptist gave Andrew a nudge in his Lord’s direction one day when he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) Andrew went and got his brother, and Jesus called them to not only be his followers but also into the work of being fishers of men.
Some of the most difficult fishing we do as Christians is to share our faith with a close relative such as a brother, sister, or spouse. There can be many reasons for this—lack of confidence because of something in the past, a concern not to get Christianity in the way of a relationship, or other factors. Our reasons may be legitimate, or they may be sinful, or we might even be uncertain which it is. But we take comfort in something Peter said about his Lord, the “lamb without blemish or defect,” when he assured us that “through [Jesus] you believe in God… for you have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:19-23). It is the word of God that works. We simply do our best to let the word itself do the work and to present ourselves as living examples of faith in Jesus.
As his followers, Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. We don’t fish for our own benefit but for God’s kingdom. We are people-fishers, using the only bait that works: the good news about Jesus. The gospel always accomplishes what God wants it to. God’s word is powerful. It’s perfect. It’s effective. And it’s yours.
Prayer:
Jesus, when I have the opportunity to tell other people your word, give me the courage to speak and the ability to communicate the truth about you as Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
1 John 2:7-11
Walk in the Light
Daily Devotion – January 27, 2023Devotion based on 1 John 2:7-11
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230127dev.mp3
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Jesus once said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). What did he mean by that? Did Jesus mean he had special LED skin pigment? Or did he use the term “light” like the philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries, who said the truth made them enlightened? In other words, is he the light of the world because of what he knew in his head?
In the reading above, John explains what Jesus meant. Jesus is the Light of the world because he took God’s ancient command, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), and made it new by living it. He loved his neighbor so much that he gave up his life to pay for their sins, including yours and mine. John says his act of love brought light into our dark world.
Now John turns to us, applying this truth to our hearts. He says if we claim to be in Jesus’ light but don’t love our brother or sister, then we are mistaken. On the other hand, when we love our brother or sister, we show we are genuinely enlightened by Jesus. In other words, to be in the light as Jesus is in the light does not mean we glow or even that we have some kind of special knowledge. It simply means we live a life of love. Or as John puts it, “We love because (Jesus) first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Prayer:
Jesus, you are the light of the world. Let your light of love shine in my heart. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20
Bringing Light Into the Darkness
Daily Devotion – January 26, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 4:18-20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230126dev.mp3
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God created everything without outside help. He spoke the plants and animals into existence and gave them life, energy, and potential. Then he formed humans and commissioned them to fill the world and rule over it. God did all this by himself. Nobody helped him create this good world. But when it comes to telling this world about who he is and what he has done to save the people of this world, he decided to use humans to spread the good news.
Interestingly enough, instead of going to the temple to find religious professionals or to the king’s palace to enlist the so-called influential people of the world, Jesus went to day laborers, fishing by the sea of Galilee. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people,” meaning he would use them to rescue people from sin and death by preaching the good news about what he had done to save them.
And that’s precisely what happened. After Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he sent out his disciples to proclaim the good news. People worldwide believed this message, continuing to pass on this good news until it even reached our hearts.
Now the God who created this world wants to use us to continue proclaiming this good news. Wherever we go, we are to bring his light with us. God’s light shines as we communicate God’s love in words and actions and tell those around us about our Savior, Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for calling me to participate in your mission. Fill me with the joy of your light and lead me to spread that light wherever I go. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17
Turn From Darkness to the Light
Daily Devotion – January 25, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 4:17
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230125dev.mp3
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The darkness and evil in our world are overwhelming. Where does a person begin to make a positive difference? Should we start by protecting the unborn? Or maybe feed the poor? What about those who are lonely? How about victims of abuse? Or who is going to confront injustices at the institutional level? What should we be doing to bring light to a grim world?
When Jesus began his public ministry, he told us where to start. He said first repent, which means acknowledging and turning away from the darkness in our hearts. All that wickedness in the world is also in us. So any real change must begin with a change in our hearts.
Then he tells us that the kingdom of heaven is near. In Jesus, God’s good and gracious rule dwells among us. King Jesus governs his people with forgiveness and love. We know that because he laid down his life for us. And so, we now lay down our lives for others.
From this place of humble gratitude, we can now make a difference in our small corner of Christ’s kingdom. Maybe we take care of the sick or teach children. Perhaps we run for office or a business in service to our community. Whatever we do to make this world better, we must start by letting God’s light shine in us before we can illuminate others.
Prayer:
Jesus, you are the light of the world. Shine your light into the darkness and evil of my heart. Then help me to be your light in the world. Let me use the gifts and opportunities you have given me for your glory. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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
Jesus Brings Light to the Darkness
Daily Devotion – January 24, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 9:2
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230124dev.mp3
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Have you noticed that many movies in the last decade are dark, dystopian films? In the past, movies had happy endings. But now, it seems the setting, characters, and even the conclusion are dark. These movies resonate with large audiences because many people feel unstable in our cultural moment. Corrupt politicians, the potential of war, and the isolation our technology brings have darkened our hope for a better future.
This is not a new feeling. Twenty-seven hundred years ago, in the days of Isaiah the prophet, Israel had lost all hope. The ruthless Assyrian Empire swallowed up the Northern Israelites. And the big, bad Babylonians were crouching, ready to pounce on what remained of God’s people. Eventually, these two enemies decimated the nation of Israel.
Since the beginning of their history, God promised to send them a Messiah-King who would set them free from their oppressors. But after hundreds of years of suffering, they abandoned their dream of freedom. In their distress, they began to believe they lived in a dark story with no happy ending. But Isaiah the prophet continued to preach a message of hope. He said those living in darkness would see a great light.
When Jesus arrived hundreds of years after this prophecy, he declared he was the light Isaiah predicted. Yet, instead of just conquering their earthly enemies, Jesus had a bigger goal. He came to conquer sin and death and rule their hearts with his peace. And so, hanging on a cross, he absorbed the darkness of the world into himself until it killed him, and then he rose again as the light of life.
Now, all who believe in his name, enjoy God’s forgiveness, the promise of the resurrection, and the hope of the world to come.
Don’t let the daily news or Hollywood’s latest film distort your faith in the promises of God. The glory of God has brightened your dark heart. And soon, Jesus will bring our story to a happy ending.
Prayer:
Lord God, darkness covers this world and casts a shadow on my heart. Fill me with your light until your last and glorious return. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
Isaiah 8:19,20
In Times of Darkness
Daily Devotion – January 23, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 8:19,20
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230123dev.mp3
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I know of a woman who lost her son in a tragic accident. In her intense grief, she consulted a psychic, hoping to make some connection with the spirit of her son.
You may never have participated in a séance or tried a Ouija board, but we have all been tempted to look for answers to life’s questions in places other than the one place God promises to speak to us–the words of the Bible.
This is not a new temptation. Almost three thousand years ago, the nation of Israel felt utterly helpless, wondering if God had abandoned them. The pagan Assyrians attacked and destroyed their country. And they were beginning to wonder if the God of Israel was real, willing, and able to rescue them from their enemies. And so they started to consult mediums and spiritists, who promised power and access to the spiritual realm. The prophet Isaiah confronted them, calling them to abandon such deadly dark demons. Instead, he challenged them to consult the truth found in God’s Word.
When you face tough times and are looking for answers, look to the words of the Bible. There you will find the many promises God has made to love and care for you. Even if he doesn’t provide an answer to every question, he provides answers to the most important questions. Questions such as: does God love me? (He loves you so much he died to pay the price for your sins.) Will God take care of me? (He promises to take care of you in whatever way is best for you.) Is God listening to me? (He promises to hear and answer every prayer.)
There are many places you could go to try to find answers to life’s most important questions. Go to the one place you can be sure to hear the truth from God himself—the Bible.
Prayer:
Lord God, in my moments of darkness and despair, comfort me with the promises in your Word . Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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
Jesus Is Our Light
Daily Devotion – January 22, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 9:2
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230122dev.mp3
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Light is certainly one of the most precious things in our world. Without it, the simplest tasks can be a challenge or—in some cases—altogether impossible.
A lack of light can also strike fear into our hearts and be quite dangerous. If you have ever tried navigating your way through complete darkness, you know this to be true. That is what life is like without Jesus. Without the light of Jesus we would not know where our lives are heading or how to live a life pleasing to the God who made us. Without the light of Jesus we would stumble through life, bumping into blessings without knowing where they come from and tripping over trials and temptations.
Thank God for sending Jesus to be the light that illuminates our lives. He gives us hope and purpose. He came to remove the darkness of sin by shedding his blood and scatter the shadow of death by rising from the grave. Since our sins have been paid for by his blood, we have the sure confidence that every one of our sins has been removed—even the ones that weigh us down with the most guilt. Since he rose from the grave, we have the rock-solid guarantee that death is not the end for us. We too will rise with him to live eternally.
With Jesus lighting up our lives, we can live with confidence and purpose. The confidence comes from knowing that nothing can change the fact that our sins have been washed away by his blood and our eternal life guaranteed by his resurrection. Our purpose now is to live every moment to his glory. We strive to make the best use of all the gifts he has given us and do everything we can to share Jesus with others so they too, may walk in his light.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, this sinful world is a dark place. Thank you for scattering the darkness of sin and death for me. Continue to light up our lives that I may live for you and share your light with others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6
Not Satisfied
Daily Devotion – January 21, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 49:6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230121dev.mp3
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Head hung low; the young man approached his father. “Dad, I didn’t do very well on my last test.”
“Oh? What grade did you get, son?”
Shaking his head in disgust, “I messed up on a couple of questions and got a B.”
“And how has that impacted your final grade?”
“Oh, I still have a solid A.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” his father encouraged.
You might smile and completely agree with the father, “Wow, that kid is really hard on himself. He should just be happy about his overall grade. Clearly, he worked hard and should be satisfied with what he has done so far.”
There is, however, a certain amount of respect we have for someone who is constantly striving to do more and isn’t satisfied with “good enough.” Thankfully, that is the kind of God that we have.
The one and only God is not satisfied with bringing just a few people into his family. It is not enough for him to spend eternity with some. He wants all to be saved. That’s why he sent his Son, Jesus, to bear the sins of everyone who has ever lived and to pay the price for those sins with his life.
That means his desire is for you to be saved. It doesn’t matter where you live, what language you speak, or even what you have done. God loves you so much that he sent his Son to be punished for your sins so that you can live with him forever.
It is not good enough for just some to be saved. God wants you to be his forever.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for including me in your plan of salvation. Without your incredible love, I would have been stuck in my sins and lost forever. But because of your love, you sent your Son for me and all people. Thank you. Help me to live as the forgiven child you have made me so that others can see your love too. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
Isaiah 49:4
The Hidden Reality
Daily Devotion – January 20, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 49:4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230120dev.mp3
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Can you identify with what Jesus says in today’s Bible passage? Have you ever felt like you believe in vain and all your faith is for nothing?
The bills pile up, and the stress of making ends meet weighs you down. Where’s God? The pain continues, and there’s no relief in sight. Where is the Lord? Your kids make bad choices, and you can’t understand why. Where has God gone? Why doesn’t he fix these problems and make things better?
But that is not how God operates in this world. That’s why Jesus also said, “Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
When Jesus did his work, it looked like labor with no purpose and strength spent in vain. By every standard the world uses, being nailed to a cross means that your life was a failure. But that visible reality could not blot out another reality, the hidden one. Jesus knew that the outcome of his work was in God’s hands, and even though he could not see it, he trusted God for victory.
This is a difficult lesson to learn: our God is a God who hides himself (Isaiah 45:15). This means our faith in God is not based on what we see or feel. It is based entirely on what God has said in his Word.
So never lose sight of the hidden reality that God makes known in his Word. He may hide himself by not giving you vast amounts of wealth so that you remember what a great treasure he is. He may hide himself by not eradicating sickness and pain so that you never forget to rely on him. He may hide himself by allowing you to suffer so that you never stop longing for your heavenly home. He may hide himself so that you look forward to the day when he will be hidden no more and you “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Prayer:
Lord, help me believe in what I cannot now see. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
Isaiah 49:1,2
God’s Hidden Weapon
Daily Devotion – January 19, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 49:1,2
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230119dev.mp3
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Some of the most effective weapons are hidden ones. Your enemies don’t know the danger, and you catch them with their guard down. No one expects a hidden weapon. So here is the question: What is God doing with one?
In today’s Bible passage, Jesus says that before he was born, he was called by the Lord for a specific job: to be God’s hidden weapon. He mysteriously compares himself to a sword hidden out of sight and an arrow concealed from view. What does that mean?
To understand his point, think about who Jesus is and what he possesses. Jesus Christ is true God, hidden in human flesh. “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). For millennia before he was born, God kept him ready—hidden in his hand, concealed in his quiver—waiting for just the right moment to shoot him into the world.
Before his birth, an angel spoke his name: “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). His name revealed his targets. He was aimed at sin, death, and hell. And “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son” (Galatians 4:4).
Like a sharpened sword, the Savior had speech that sliced and severed. Like a polished arrow, he did not fly off course. He hit the exact targets that God wanted him too. He hid himself in the form of a servant who was willing to sacrifice his life to pay for your sins. He was revealed as God’s hidden weapon at his cross and empty tomb, where he decisively defeated his enemies. And he is still a weapon so powerful that he can cut and pierce an unbelieving heart with God’s saving Word!
Prayer:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus, for defeating my enemies and saving me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When [John] saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
John 1:36-38
What do you want?
Daily Devotion – January 18, 2023Devotion based on John 1:36-38
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230118dev.mp3
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When someone asks, “What do you want?” how often do you say what you really want? When the waitress asks that, do you tell her the truth? You want the twenty-ounce porterhouse steak, but you order the club sandwich because it’s less expensive.
Sometimes “What do you want?” can be a simple question, but other times it can be difficult. Jesus asked that question of the two disciples that John the Baptist sent after him. How would you answer if Jesus asked it of you?
Do you say what you really want, or do you settle for the safe answer? You know the safe answer, “Jesus, I want you to take away my sin!” And that is, obviously, a good thing to want.
But what about later when you’re not reading this devotion? What will you want then? Admit it, there are a lot of other problems in your life that Jesus could take away. It would be nice if Jesus made life a little bit easier and took away the world’s crime, hunger, and poverty.
But don’t devalue the gift of forgiveness. Jesus taking away the sin of the world is nothing like settling for the sandwich when you want the steak.
Realize that you fight a daily struggle to remember that the reason life is hard is because you are a sinner who lives in a world broken by sin. Sin is the reason you’re unhappy. Sin is the reason life is a pain. Sin is a problem you cannot solve on your own.
So when the Lamb of God came, he took away the sin of the world. And by doing that, Jesus did not just give you what you need; he also gave you what you want! He stopped your problems at their source and guaranteed that, in the heaven he won for you, you will have the perfect life you want.
Prayer:
Lamb of God, help me to want the forgiveness that you earned for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John 1:32-34
Jesus Is the One
Daily Devotion – January 17, 2023Devotion based on John 1:32-34
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230117dev.mp3
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When you search for something, how do you know when you’ve finally found it? For example if you’re shopping for shoes, how do you know when you’ve found the right pair? Do they have to be just the right size, just the right color, or the right price? Chances are the right pair are the best combination of all three of those criteria.
What about the search for a savior—someone who can rescue you from all of the sins you have committed against the holy God who made you? How do you know that Jesus already dealt with all of your sins, so you don’t have to? How do you know that Jesus saved you and not just those who followed him when he walked the earth two thousand years ago? How do you know that Jesus is the One?
Because God said so—yes, it is that simple. God gave John the Baptist specific criteria to identify the Savior, and when he baptized Jesus, they were met. He saw heaven torn open and the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove and remain on him. John saw it and gave us his eyewitness testimony. That’s how we know that Jesus is the one—the one chosen by God to take your place under his wrath, to die for your sins, and to rise from the dead to guarantee your eternal salvation!
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for making sure I know that Jesus is your Chosen One, my Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29
The Lamb of God Appears
Daily Devotion – January 16, 2023Devotion based on John 1:29
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230116dev.mp3
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About fourteen hundred years before Jesus was born, God told his people to use animal sacrifices when they worshiped him. Under this sacrificial system, the priests started and ended every day the same way: take a lamb, slit the lamb’s throat, drain the lamb’s blood, sprinkle the blood on the altar, then burn all of the lamb’s meat until it was nothing but ashes.
In addition to these daily offerings, there were other sacrifices mandated for different religious festivals and life occasions. Following God’s laws resulted in a minimum of 1,273 animal sacrifices every year, not counting the thousands of voluntary sacrifices that the people offered on top of all that.
Over the centuries, God’s people shed an ocean of sacrificial blood. It was supposed to deal with their sin, but it was never enough because “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). But that does not mean that the sacrifices were a waste of time. God was using them to teach his people something important.
Repeated sacrifices reminded them that they had sins that needed to be taken care of. The gallons of spilled blood taught them that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The constant slaying clearly showed that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Most importantly, the countless lambs offered to God pointed to the Lamb of God, who would take away their sins.
So when that Lamb of God finally appeared, John the Baptist made sure that everyone knew who he was. Jesus was the sacrifice the people had been waiting for. He was the Lamb of God, not only because he was chosen by God, but also because he was God.
His sacrifice on the cross took away the world’s sin because it was God who shed his blood and gave his life. It is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins, but “the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Prayer:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant me your peace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6
Go Big or Go Home
Daily Devotion – January 15, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 49:6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230115dev.mp3
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“Go big or go home.” That motto reflects a characteristic that we tend to admire in an individual. It says that doing just enough to get by isn’t good enough. These individuals are not satisfied unless they give everything they have and do something spectacular.
“Go big or go home,” could be a motto that God uses. It wasn’t enough for God to put together a plan through Jesus to save a chosen few people from the damning results of their sin. His plan was to bring salvation to everyone no matter where they live or what kind of ethnic blood flows through their veins.”
He certainly carried out this plan in a “go big or go home” kind of a way. He didn’t just carry some sins to the cross. He carried every sin of every person who has ever and will ever live in this world. To say that he gave his all would be an understatement. He gave himself. He gave up his perfect life because that was the only price big enough to pay the debt owed by sinners of the world.
The God against whom we sin every day was not content to make salvation available to just a few. His love for you refused to let him exclude you from that group. It doesn’t matter where you live, what language you speak, what color your skin is, or what nationality you claim as your own. Your sins were carried to the cross and their punishment was suffered by the Son of God. Your debt has been paid. Salvation is yours.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for loving me enough to include me in your plan of salvation. Thank you for sending Jesus to do whatever was necessary, even dying on a cross, to remove my sins. Help me to treasure, above all else, the gift of salvation he has won for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.” This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Isaiah 42:1-7
Here Is My Servant
Daily Devotion – January 14, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:1-7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230114dev.mp3
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“No one knows the trouble I’ve seen; nobody knows but Jesus.” So says the famous African-American spiritual. All of us can feel this way at times. And it’s true. Jesus is the only one who truly knows all of the troubles we have experienced.
When we are drowning in distress, grasping for anything to save us, the Lord answers with the promise, “Here is my servant.” He is talking about Jesus, the one who served us perfectly in order to save us.
Reach out to him! The Lord’s Servant isn’t arrogant like so many world leaders. He restored the most broken of lives—lives that no others cared to touch. To carry out justice, he didn’t come guns-a-blazing. He suffered beatings, taunting, and the humiliation of death on the cross to save us.
Maybe we don’t feel worth rescuing. Jesus sees us differently. It cost him dearly to redeem us; he won’t dispose of us. Rather than snuff us out, he restores us. Rather than grind us down, he makes something new. Jesus needed true grit to save us. But the moment we struggle, he stoops like a mother to care for us.
Prayer:
Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear; for you, the Rock of ages, are always near. So take my hand, O Savior, and lead the way. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Isaiah 42:6,7
Jesus Is Our Savior
Daily Devotion – January 13, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:6,7
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230113dev.mp3
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When you’ve been hurt, you can feel like a captive. Long after it is over, your mind may be a prison of memories. You can feel that you are all alone. Does anyone care to understand? Can anyone understand?
You are not alone. God called his Son, Jesus, to set you free. He faced the same evil and sin that we do. He was betrayed, abandoned, manipulated, and ridiculed. He was beaten and bloodied and nailed to a cross. He was forsaken by his Father. Jesus understands.
He could have stayed away from his betrayer and slipped through the hands of his captors. He could have come down from that cross; but he did not because he cares about you. He would not come down until it was over. Until all your guilt, shame, and pain had been drowned in his blood. Until he had been held captive by death and broken free for you.
That’s how much he loves you. You are the apple of his eye, his joy and delight. Take his hand and walk with him. Bask in his light.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, nobody knows the trouble I have seen, but I rejoice that you do. When darkness deepens, other helpers fail, and comforts flee, you are my help. Abide with me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”
Isaiah 42:5,6
Your Covenant Savior
Daily Devotion – January 12, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:5,6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230112dev.mp3
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The man and his wife were on the two-hour trek from Bethlehem to Jerusalem with a 40-day-old baby. They were going to present him to the Lord at the temple in keeping with the law of Moses.
As they walked through the courtyard, a man stepped out of the crowd to greet them. Taking Jesus in his palms, eyes beaming with joy, Simeon proclaimed, “My eyes have seen God’s salvation. He will be Israel’s glory and a light for people everywhere.”
This child was the covenant promised through the prophet Isaiah. God would care for his people through the gift of his Son. The child born of Mary would crush the devil and his evil work, saving us from our sin.
Although we have not seen Jesus physically as Simeon did, God has shown us his salvation in the words of the Bible. There we read about who he is and what he did to save us. Through those words, he creates and strengthens our trust in him as our Savior. And so, like Simeon, we rejoice because we are receiving our soul’s salvation.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my light and life, my joy and salvation, my everything. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. . . In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Isaiah 42:1,3,4
Your Consistent Savior
Daily Devotion – January 11, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:1,3,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230111dev.mp3
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“It is not fair! Why can’t I have ice cream just because I didn’t eat my peas?” complains the seven-year-old at the dinner table.
“It is not fair!” mumbles the student after being grounded for getting bad grades.
“It is not fair!” sighs the groom-to-be upon hearing the terminal diagnosis just months before his wedding day.
Life is full of unfairness. Loved ones die before their time. The guilty go free. The wicked prosper. Life’s unfairness is a consequence of the sin we bring into the world. For our sin we should be cast away from God’s presence forever. That is God’s fair and just response.
Yet, when God our Savior saw us broken and dying under the weight of sin, he did not squash us, snuff us out, and start over. He chose to send his Son to bring justice into the world. And Jesus did not break or burn out under the pressure of saving us from our sins. He was tempted in every way but never sinned. And though he was without sin, he carried our sin to the cross. He willingly faced God’s judgment for us so that he could bring God’s justice to us.
And his justice rolls on like the tides. As the good news about Jesus is declared and shared throughout the world, people will come to his justice. He does not show favoritism or judge by appearances or hearsay. Because of his sacrifice for our sin, he declares us forgiven. Because of the righteousness he credits to us by faith, he declares us not guilty.
There is no condemnation for those who hope in the Lord, who live by faith in Jesus. Not now. Not on the Last Day. Not ever.
Prayer:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”
Isaiah 42:1-3
Your Consoling Savior
Daily Devotion – January 10, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:1-3
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20230110dev.mp3
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When I was ten, I got kicked out of gym class. The teacher told us to take turns playing a pantomime game of tennis. While two of us pretended to hit the ball back and forth, the rest were supposed to cheer.
Since I had never watched a tennis match before, I had no idea there was a proper way to cheer. So, I started clapping, whistling, hooting, and hollering during play. The teacher thought I was being disrespectful and sent me to the principal’s office.
Every time I hear the words of our Bible reading for today, I think of that event in my life, and I rejoice. I rejoice because these words remind me that Jesus, our Savior, does not kick us out of his presence for the wrong things we have done and said. Instead, Jesus carried the crushing weight of our guilt to the cross and had his life snuffed out for our sin.
This is our Savior. When we get it wrong, Jesus does not yell at or humiliate us. When we sin against God, he does not parade us through the streets shouting, “Shame!” When we are bruised and broken, when we are feeling small and insignificant, he summons us to come to him and find rest in him for our souls.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for not crushing my spirit but for constantly consoling me with your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.”
Isaiah 42:1
God’s Chosen One
Daily Devotion – January 9, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 42:1
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Although Jesus Christ has been alive for two thousand years, only recently has he been authenticated. On November 9, 2022, Twitter blessed Jesus Christ with a “blue check verified mark.”
In this Age of Information, fact-checking services and identity verification software are a necessity. Companies have official websites, so you do not accidentally surf into and spend your money in the wrong store. Influential users on social networks receive checkmarks as verification that they are really who they claim to be.
But Jesus does not need a blue check. God himself has verified Jesus. In the Old Testament, God made over three hundred prophecies about who the Messiah would be. The gospels show that Jesus Christ matches all of them. In comparison, an average fingerprint has 150 unique points. Yet, most legal systems only require a twelve-point match to be irrefutable evidence.
What evidence does God provide in our Bible passage today? He identifies his servant as his chosen one in whom he delights. Seven hundred years later, God echoed these same words over Jesus. Not once, but twice, God verified Jesus as the Messiah. First, at Jesus baptism, as he stepped out of the Jordan and the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. Then, near the end of his ministry at the transfiguration, Jesus’ appearance changed before three of his disciples on top of a mountain.
God chose this Jesus to set everything right. And God delights in this Jesus because he has pioneered our salvation. Not by forcing his will upon us but by crediting us with his perfect life. Not by shedding our blood but by shedding his own as payment for our sins.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, you also are God’s chosen one. For the sake of Jesus Christ, you are God’s delight. Filled with his Spirit, you are God’s servant to share the forgiveness, life, and salvation of Jesus with the world.
Prayer:
O Lord, I praise you for choosing me in Christ, calling me by his gospel, and giving me your Spirit that I may serve you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 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 lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17
Approval Rating
Daily Devotion – January 8, 2023 Devotion based on Matthew 3:13-17
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Whether at work, school, or home, we are constantly graded, compared against others, and rated. The boss gives us our annual review. The teacher hands out report cards. The son informs mom that her mac and cheese isn’t as good as what Dylan’s mom makes.
It is interesting how these “ratings” can affect our day, isn’t it? If they’re good, we feel good. If they’re lousy, we feel lousy. If they’re nothing special, then we are tempted to feel that we’re nothing special.
How’s your approval rating with God? How have you been keeping up with those Ten Commandments? Remember, they’re not God’s suggestions; they are his commands. How’s it going between you and your neighbor, all your neighbors? Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
If we’re going to talk comparisons, why not go all the way and, as God says, compare ourselves to him? “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Will I ever meet with God’s approval? Will God ever say of me, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”?
This is what makes Jesus’ baptism, as well as our own baptism, so special. God, in his grace, has connected me to Jesus. God has given me faith in Jesus as my Savior. Jesus has taken away all my sins and gives me his perfection and holiness. When God looks at me, he can say, “This is my son, my daughter, whom I love! With him, with her, I am well pleased.” Approval ratings don’t get any higher than this. God be praised!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when doubts of my worth come, drown them in the waters of baptism and remind me of your love for me in Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
Galatians 3:26
Our Heavenly Father
Daily Devotion – January 7, 2023Devotion based on Galatians 3:26
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There are hundreds of names for God in the Bible. Each teaches us a little something about who God is and how he acts. In some places God is called “Almighty.” Other places God is called “The beginning and end.” He even has some unique names that describe him as the “Root of David” or “launderer’s soap.”
However, when Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he encouraged them to call God “Our Father.”
That name “Father” has a special meaning. Whether we had a good earthly father or not, we know what fathers are supposed to do. Fathers love and care for their children. They want the best for them and strive to teach them all they need to know.
You can’t expect these kinds of things from a stranger. When you need something, you can count on your father.
This is what God wants for you. He is your heavenly Father who loves you so much that there is nothing he wouldn’t do for you. He cares for you so much that he promises to guide all the steps of your life. He wants the best for you so that you may spend all eternity with him. He strives to teach you all the things you need for this life and the next.
How did you arrive at this most special relationship with God? It is only “in Christ Jesus.”
It is because Christ Jesus was willing to give his very life for you on the cross and to defeat death for you by rising from the grave that you can now be called sons and daughters of God. He is your dear Father and in Christ you are his dear child. Through faith these gifts become yours.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in Christ you have called me to be your child. Through faith help me to always look to you as my Father. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
When [the Wise Men] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Matthew 2:13-15
After the Wise Men Left
Daily Devotion – January 6, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 2:13-15
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It’s the Twelfth Day of Christmas! On this day, often called Epiphany, many Christians celebrate the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus. That account is fairly well known. But less well known is what happened after the Wise Men left.
The visit of the Wise Men had alerted King Herod that a rival to his throne had been born. He did not understand that Jesus’ kingdom would not be of this world. Since he was a bloodthirsty man in this world, he arranged for all the young children around Jesus’ age and around Jesus’ birthplace to be slaughtered.
The Lord knew what would happen, so he arranged for Jesus’ parents—Mary and Joseph, to get out of that geographic area. They fled to Egypt, where Herod was not in charge. Egypt had played a large role in the history of the people of Israel before the birth of Jesus, so there was a lot of historical significance to staying in Egypt and eventually leaving Egypt. God knew what he was doing.
What can we learn from this account? God is in charge. Bad things still happen, but God protects people connected to Jesus. Wise Men may leave, but the source of all true wisdom remains.
Prayer:
Dear God, protect me from all threats, and bring me safely to my heavenly home through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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 4:7
A Real Member of the Family
Daily Devotion – January 5, 2023Devotion based on Galatians 4:7
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It’s a pretty dramatic story when a person who was hired as a servant or conscripted as a slave becomes a member of the family. You can imagine the complicated emotions of the natural-born children in the drama. Do they welcome the new member of the family with open arms? Or are they jealous because someone who is not natural born will get part of the inheritance?
At one time, we were slaves to sin and the devil, forced to go along with them because their will was all we knew. But God has freed us from that slavery, promising us forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. And where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also salvation and eternal life.
When God made us his children, true members of his family, there was an only begotten Son who could have been angry that he had to take on flesh, suffer, and die in our place. But Jesus, that Son was not jealous. He played his part in our salvation willingly. He did it out of love.
He was the first to receive the inheritance, a glorified body that will live eternally in heaven. But he is not the last. We have the same promise for our bodies and souls, and there is plenty of the inheritance to go around. We are heirs of eternal life, not just our souls, but our bodies as well—glorified, ageless, and perfect.
It’s an extraordinary privilege to be a member of God’s family, his child, with our brother Jesus Christ. Let’s look forward to the family reunion!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying to put God’s will into effect and earn my inheritance. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:6
Recognizing Your Father
Daily Devotion – January 4, 2023Devotion based on Galatians 4:6
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My son and his wife had a baby last year. I think she already recognizes my son as her father. She reacts differently to him than she does to me, her grandfather. That’s probably because she sees him far more often than she sees me. She has learned to rely on him as a source of comfort. She has learned to recognize his love. She has learned to say his name.
Just as my granddaughter recognizes her earthly father, you can recognize the love of your heavenly Father. He sent his only Son into the world, Jesus Christ, to be your Savior. Jesus laid down his life for you. As a result, you are declared a child of God.
So how do you recognize God the Father, your true spiritual Father, in your life? God sends not only his Son but also his Spirit to prompt you to do that.
The Spirit comes to you through baptism. That’s why his name is one of the words spoken when people are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism puts the Spirit into your heart and causes you to believe in the only true God.
The Spirit comes to you when you read or hear the words of the Bible. Those words are Spirit and truth. Those words go right to your heart, confirming and strengthening your faith.
The Spirit leads you to confess the name of God. You can do that in a very formal way, and you can do that in a more informal, tender way. Our Bible verse for today uses a tender, childlike word for father—the word “Abba.” That’s what the Spirit prompts you to call God the Father, Abba. He takes care of you. He is a source of comfort. You have learned to say his name.
Prayer:
Abba, Father, I love you. Be with me wherever I go. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.
Galatians 4:4,5
The Reason for the Season
Daily Devotion – January 3, 2023Devotion based on Galatians 4:4,5
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People started celebrating Christmas two months ago, and most are tired of it by now. The tree is down, the lights are stored away, and they are back to work. Even though they know the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” they don’t realize that those twelve days start on Christmas day, and we are only on day nine today!
Maybe without all the distractions of celebration, the time has come to concentrate on the reason for the season. People realize that we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Did they realize that the birth was at exactly the right time? It happened at precisely the time God had planned it when he first promised it.
The Savior, Jesus, was the Son of God, begotten from the Father from eternity. That eternal God took on flesh and was actually born as an actual human being. Even though his Father was God, his mother was an actual woman, and he was true man.
That meant that he was under God’s law. He was required to keep it; and he managed to do that perfectly. Then he took the punishment for breaking the law, which was death and hell, and because he did not deserve that punishment, he was able to credit his perfect life to us. He paid the price of shedding his blood, innocently suffering, and dying. Now we have forgiveness as a result. We are redeemed.
Those extraordinary events make Christmas worth celebrating every year. Let the celebration continue!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 366)
Jesus, guard and guide your members, fill them with your boundless grace,
Hear their prayers in ev’ry place.
Fan to life faith’s glowing embers; grant all Christians far and near,
Holy peace, a glad new year. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us.
Isaiah 63:7
Look Back to Gain Confidence for the Future
Daily Devotion – January 2, 2023Devotion based on Isaiah 63:7
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On New Year’s Eve, did you look backward or forward?
You may have been tempted not to look back. The past year may have been filled with unkept resolutions, unfinished business, and disappointing results. Looking back might have led to bad feelings, even guilt. Looking forward might have offered the promise of new beginnings, even a fresh start.
But looking backward to what the Lord has done for you is a good idea. When you look at the Lord, you see promises kept, business tended to, and excellent results every time. In the Lord Jesus Christ, you have forgiveness for everything that might cause guilt. You have the promise that even when things didn’t look great, the Lord was working things out for your good.
Now you can look forward in the new year to a blessed life—a life that is lived to the glory of God. That means looking out for your neighbor’s needs since the Lord has met all your needs. That means a quiet confidence that the Lord will carry you through even the hardest things.
When the future looks bleak or daunting, look back to the kindnesses of the Lord in your life. Praise the Lord for his marvelous deeds, and be confident that the same Lord will be with you in the new year.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 367)
Then gracious God, in years to come,
We pray your hand may guide us,
And, onward through our journey home,
Your mercy walk beside us
Until at last our ransomed life
Is safe from peril, toil, and strife
When heav’n itself shall hide us. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“Get up,” [the Lord] said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Matthew 2:13
Divine Direction
Daily Devotion – January 1, 2023Devotion based on Matthew 2:13
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We’ve all heard accounts of people who got stuck in traffic and ended up missing their flight, only to find out later that the flight they were scheduled to be on crashed, leaving few, if any, survivors. And what was it that kept those people out of harm’s way—”Dumb luck” or “God’s direction?”
Even though Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were happy living in Bethlehem, Joseph took Jesus and Mary and left Bethlehem for Egypt. And Joseph did this before Herod came and murdered all the boy babies in Bethlehem two years of age and younger. Again, what was it that kept this family (Jesus’ family) safe—”Dumb luck” or “God’s direction?”
We know it was God’s direction because the Bible tells us that God informed Joseph about what King Herod was going to do, and he instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt to escape. Although this trip would be difficult, it was part of God’s plan to protect his Son so he could save the world from its sins.
When God’s plan doesn’t match up with ours, let’s remember to give thanks that our heavenly Father lovingly directs every circumstance in our lives with our eternal well-being in mind. Then we’ll be able to look forward to that wonderful something God is accomplishing through his plan.
May God’s promise to guide and direct our lives according to his will and for our good grant a Happy New Year to us all!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for being so wise and loving that you often avert many of the problems that could so easily come into my life. When you change the things I’ve planned to be in line with yours, let me rejoice in your divine direction. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Finally
Daily Devotion – December 31, 2022Devotion based on Hebrews 1:1-3
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We have all been there before. Whether as a child waiting for that special Christmas gift; a mother or father waiting to meet their baby for the first time; or a seasoned worker longing for the day of retirement. Waiting is hard. Especially when the thing you are waiting for is going to be so amazing.
Can you imagine what it must have been like to wait for the Messiah? For thousands of years God’s people lived life based on promises. “He is coming, but not yet. He is going to be life changing. Just keep watching!” It must have been extremely difficult to live in a world of sin and pain in that state of waiting. But do you see what the writer of Hebrews is saying to you and me? We don’t have to live in wait. He has come.
The fact that Jesus Christ came into the world means that the glorious gift has come. He stands right before us and so we don’t have to wait to experience the joy he brings. He no longer says, “wait.” He says, “look.” Jesus, our gift, means we daily get to enjoy Jesus by our side sharing forgiveness, love, and comfort. What a joy to remember every day—he finally came!
Prayer:
Jesus, our Savior, thank you for renewing in me a daily appreciation for your coming into the world. You are our greatest gift, for which I thank you now and forever. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made . . . We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father.
John 1:2,3,14
A Savior Born to Dwell Among Us Bringing Glory
Daily Devotion – December 30, 2022Devotion based on John 1:2,3,14
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A well-loved Christmas hymn echoes the words that angels sang the night Jesus was born: “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”—Latin for “Glory to God in the highest.” What a glorious sight that must have been. Shepherds caring for their sheep that night suddenly were surrounded by angels who announced that a child was born in Bethlehem. And the glory of the Lord shone around them—a brilliant light confirming that these were no ordinary messengers.
But the glory wasn’t theirs. They didn’t deserve the praise. “Glory to God!” they sang. But what was so glorious? An almost helpless babe lay in a crude makeshift cradle in a little town off the beaten path. A few lowly shepherds heard the news and went to see him. There was no glow coming from his bed, no angels visibly standing by, no evidence that anything remarkable was happening.
But that’s how the glory of God comes to us—hidden in the humble and lowly, concealed in the ordinary and unexpected. Don’t let looks deceive you. The Savior born to dwell among us brings glory. Heaven came to earth in that humble baby. The one through whom everything was created became one with his creation. The only Son of God became a man so that sinful humans would be forgiven and counted as children and heirs of God.
We see God’s glory most clearly, not in bright lights or jaw-dropping miracles, but in love that went to impossible lengths to serve and save us. Love that left the perfect joy of heaven to come to earth to free us and forgive us. We see God’s glory in that child—our Savior. In the Bible’s message, we see that glory by faith. One day, we will see God’s unveiled glory with our own eyes.
In this new year, may God open our eyes to see his glory more clearly through his Word every day.
Prayer:
Glory to God in the highest! In your hidden glory on earth, help me to see the perfect glory you have prepared for me in heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him . . . [He] came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:10,11,14
A Savior Born to Dwell Among Us Bringing Grace
Daily Devotion – December 29, 2022Devotion based on John 1:10,11,14
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Think of the people to whom you gave Christmas gifts this year. Now think of those from whom you received Christmas gifts. Maybe they include family, friends, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, a significant other. How many gifts were exchanged with complete strangers? Probably not many. What about those whom you would consider your enemies?
A gift given to someone who is completely undeserving, without any qualifications, expectations, or conditions, is called grace. And there is no story more full of grace than the story of Jesus.
At the beginning of time, God created human beings and gave them everything they could ever need. Deceived by the devil, they were discontent and wanted more. They rebelled against God and didn’t want him or his rules. Ever since, human beings have looked for ways to push God out of our lives. We want to be our own gods, seeking God’s blessings on our terms, living by rules that line up with our own self-serving interests and pleasures.
And yet God wanted to give us a gift—the greatest gift anyone could imagine—his own Son. A Savior. And how did people receive him? Many rejected him. Few rejoiced at his coming. Some tried to kill him, and they succeeded. The Son of God, who came to dwell among them as their Savior, was killed.
But God’s grace was at work. Jesus’ death was not the nail in the coffin that ended any hope of being loved by God. It was that which removed every nail from our coffin, so that sin and death can’t hold us, but we will rise to live with God forever.
Christmas is the story of God’s pure grace. In unconditional love, God came to save selfish sinners—you and me and all people—who didn’t deserve anything from him. He came to rescue those who hated him. Jesus is proof that we are loved unconditionally.
Prayer:
Of the Father’s love begotten, Jesus, you came in love to rescue me when I didn’t deserve it. Move me to receive your grace with rejoicing. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
John 1:5,9
A Savior Born to Dwell Among Us Bringing Light
Daily Devotion – December 28, 2022Devotion based on John 1:5,9
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In many parts of the world, candles and strings of lights illuminate homes inside and out in the weeks before Christmas. In the northern hemisphere, where the daylight hours are short this time of year, those lights can make the days feel a little bit longer. One little light makes a difference.
Those lights can also point us to an important truth about Christmas. The Bible describes the natural condition of mankind as darkness. In the darkness that we call sin, we are helpless and vulnerable. Dangers lurk all around us. We can’t see God or anything that is truly good. We can’t see the path through life that ends up anywhere but death.
But Christmas changed all of that. A Savior was born to dwell among us to bring light into our darkness. He overcame the darkness of sin by his perfect life as the Son of God. He destroyed sin’s hold on our hearts and lives by his innocent death. The message of the Bible opens our eyes to see Jesus as the light that shines on the only path away from death to life that never ends.
When we trust and follow Jesus, we don’t grope around in dangerous darkness. We live in light that gives life and hope and freedom. Just as we need light to survive in this life, we need the light of Jesus to have eternal life.
The skies of Bethlehem lit up the night Jesus was born as angels announced his birth to shepherds. A special star in the sky, led wise men to find him there too. But the greatest light shining was the light lying in a manger, the light that drives out the darkness of sin and death with the promise of perfect life that never ends.
With each Christmas light that pierces the darkness of these December nights, remember Jesus, the Savior, born to dwell among us and bring true light into the world. He is the light that keeps shining long after the Christmas decorations are stored away.
Prayer:
Little Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing true light into our dark world. Let your light shine in my heart always. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind . . . to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:4,12,13
A Savior Born to Dwell Among Us Bringing Life
Daily Devotion – December 27, 2022Devotion based on John 1:4,12,13
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The birth of a child is at the center of the Christmas story. In many ways, it looked like any other birth. Because of circumstances, Mary, the child’s mother, had to travel far away from home, and the baby was born in an animal shelter. But the same thing could have happened to other mothers in other towns in Israel at that time.
As ordinary as it seemed, that child born to Mary was no ordinary child. The child who took his first breath that night was the one who breathed life into the first people created and who gives life to you and me.
“In him was life,” the Bible says. That doesn’t just mean that he was alive. It means that life belongs to him. He gives life and gave you life. If you have children or grandchildren, he gave them life too.
But through Jesus, we also receive an even more profound and important kind of life. “To those who believed in his name,” the Bible says, “he gave the right to become children of God.”
Jesus, the Son of God, came to dwell among us in human flesh and blood. He came to be a part of our human family, so that we could be part of the eternal family of God. By living the perfect life that we have failed to live, Jesus earned a place for us in God’s family. That means we have a perfect, eternal home—not in a lowly animal shelter but in the mansions of heaven!
The birth of Jesus is not the only birth in the Christmas story. As the Christmas carol sings, Jesus was “born to give us second birth.” As God leads you to see and trust that baby as your Savior, you are born again as a child of God, set free from guilt, shame, and death. You have new life—eternal life—in Jesus. What a gift!
Prayer:
Jesus, you were born to give me new birth. Help me live as your child. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . 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 1:1,14
A Savior Born to Dwell Among Us Bringing Truth
Daily Devotion – December 26, 2022Devotion based on John 1:1,14
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Everyone likes a good story. Christmas is full of good stories. Our family has dozens of children’s Christmas books and several Christmas movies we enjoy reading or watching every year. Stories about moments and memories, sweets and surprises.
But almost all of those stories are fiction. They didn’t really happen. The characters are all made up. The plot lines, even if they are believable, are just the product of someone’s imagination.
The most important Christmas story might sound like another myth or fairy tale, except that the writer of that story made sure to include many verifiable historical details. It is a true story.
The Bible says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The Word is the Son of God himself. He became a human being. He was born to dwell among us. We know him as Jesus.
It is his birth that we just celebrated. In the little town of Bethlehem, a woman named Mary had a child. She laid him in a manger, an animals’ feed box, and angels sang about his birth. It is a true story.
That child, Jesus, was “full of grace and truth.” He embodied truth. He didn’t embellish the truth. He didn’t cover up the truth or twist it to serve an agenda. Jesus came to dwell among us to be and live and speak the truth.
The truth of a God who came to save a world consumed by self-serving lies. The truth of a God who loves you more than you can imagine. The truth of a God who made his home on earth, so you have a home with him in heaven.
The world wants to put Bethlehem in the same category as the North Pole, Whoville, and Bedford Falls. But the story of what happened there is true. And it is your story. Jesus came for you. Believe it! Celebrate it!
Prayer:
Jesus, help me believe and celebrate the truth of your birth as my Savior. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:11,12
The Gift
Daily Devotion – December 25, 2022Devotion based on John 1:11,12
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Picture this, it is Christmas morning, and the kids are up well before the sunrise. They wake up dad and mom and run downstairs to the tree. To their delight, the presents are wrapped and stacked up under the tree. They begin shaking the presents and figuring out which one is theirs. The air is filled with the sounds of laughter and excited giggles and Christmas music in the background. Finally, it is time to open presents, and one of the children stands up, gives a wave of his hand, and with a frown, says, “no thanks,” before walking away to find something else to do.
Yeah, right! That’s a pretty unrealistic story, isn’t it? Who doesn’t love opening gifts? Who doesn’t love receiving gifts from loved ones—gifts that are unearned and undeserved?
Actually, that’s what many people have done with the greatest gift ever given. Our Bible reading today reminds us that many did not receive Jesus and had no interest in the gift of a Savior. It’s still true. There are many in this world who have no interest in Jesus.
And even those who know Jesus as God’s greatest gift are sometimes not as interested in spending time with him as he deserves. We all have so much going on in our lives and are so busy. We have to work so many hours and have other obligations.
Let’s change that. Let’s spend more time with the One who always has time for us. Let’s receive and appreciate and cherish the gift. Let’s spend time with Jesus and his Word. Let’s talk to him more often and make time for him in our lives. Thank God today and every day for his gift of a Savior.
Prayer:
Dear God, what a wonderful gift you have given to me in Jesus! Help me to always appreciate what he has done for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:1-5
A Promise Kept
Daily Devotion – December 24, 2022Devotion based on Romans 1:1-5
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It doesn’t seem to be a hot topic now, at least not as hot as it was in the past. Or maybe it’s just not getting the attention it once did. It’s the debate between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays”. Rather than spending time on this debate, we are better off spending a few minutes thinking about why we can say”“Merry Christmas” and have it mean more than another superficial holiday greeting.
Why can we wish others a heartfelt “Merry Christmas!”? Focus again on what the apostle Paul wrote in our Bible reading for today. It is not about the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring. It is about the centuries before Christmas when all through the Bible, God’s prophets were revealing a promise, the gospel, the good news, regarding God’s Son.
It is not about whether we have been naughty or nice. (We are all naughty—corrupt by nature and sinful even now.) It is about Jesus Christ our Lord, who became true man—a descendant of David—and as true God gave his perfect life in payment for sin. His resurrection from the dead assures us of victory over sin, death, and the devil.
“Merry Christmas” is not about a wish list that may or may not be satisfied by gifts under a tree. It is about the grace and peace that are ours through God-given faith. It is about belonging to Jesus Christ.
For us, the greeting “Merry Christmas” is about a promise kept—God’s promise and God’s keeping.
May you be blessed in God’s keeping by the promise he kept of sending his Son to be our Savior. Merry Christmas!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant me a Christmas blessed by the gift of your Son, and make me a blessing to others as I share with them your promise kept in him. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:3,4,7
He Comes to Give Ultimate Peace
Daily Devotion – December 23, 2022Devotion based on Romans 1:3,4,7
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I don’t think the first Christmas was as peaceful as we might picture. It was more of a frantic scramble. The time had come for the baby to be born while Mary and Joseph were far from home. They scrambled to find a place to give birth, but there was no room in the inn. So she placed him in a manger, a feeding trough. She must have given birth among the animals. Maybe in a stable.
It was into this world that seriously lacks true peace our Savior has come. He came to bring peace. Maybe we question that at times. Life so often still seems like a frantic scramble. The world around us still lacks real and lasting peace. What we see is division, violence, and war. Where is this peace?
We see it in a manger. Peace came to earth because Jesus Christ came to earth. Peace between God and you. Peace declared from heaven, “We’re not at odds anymore. Your sins are forgiven. I don’t hold anything against you. We are at peace!”
Let’s marvel at the manger this Christmas, but let’s make sure we see more than just a cute baby. The baby is truly a man, born of Mary. He’s also truly God who came into the world to bring real and lasting peace. He grew up and lived a perfect life as your stand-in. His perfect life brings you peace with God. That baby became a grown man and was nailed to the cross with all your sins. His death brings peace between you and God.
And how do you know he’s really God? He proved it by rising form the dead. The empty tomb is proof that his promises are not empty. It proves he’s really God and that you have true peace with God. Grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Come Lord Jesus and fill my heart with a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:22,23
He Comes Through on His Promises
Daily Devotion – December 22, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 1:22,23
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“I’ll be there!” a dad says to his son as he heads off to work. The son has a basketball game, and it would mean a lot to have his dad there cheering him on. But the afternoon rolls around, and he leaves work later than he’d hoped. Then, he sits in traffic as the game clock keeps ticking. He will not be able to keep his promise to his son.
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God made a promise to his children that he’d be there. He promised that the virgin would give birth to a son, and he would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Those plans and that promise were not tentative; they were not subject to unforeseen circumstances because the one who made the promise is God. He’s not limited in any way. There was no need for him to say, “I’ll be there, God willing,” because he is God, and it was his will to be Immanuel, God with us.
Here in the very first chapter of the book of Matthew, we see that Jesus is called Immanuel, “God with us.” In the very last chapter of Matthew, he says to all who believe in him, “surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Remember who speaks that promise—Immanuel, God with us. When he says that, it’s not like when we say, “I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be there in thought,” he means it.
The one who makes that promise is not limited in any way. Jesus, Immanuel, is still God with us. He has the power to be with us in more than just a thought. He comes to us through his Word with reassurance that our sins are forgiven and we are no longer separated from God. And he promises that he will not leave us in this world with all its problems. He will come again and take us to be with him. He lives up to his name Immanuel, God with us.
Prayer:
Come Lord Jesus and be with me through your words and promises! Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21
He Comes to Save His People
Daily Devotion – December 21, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 1:21
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What does your name mean? Most names have some meaning behind them. You might be able to trace the roots of your name to another language. Maybe you were named after someone in your family. Or maybe your parents picked your name simply because they liked it.
Mary and Joseph didn’t have to flip through baby name books to land on the name Jesus. God, through his angel, instructed Joseph to give him the name Jesus because he would save his people. In Hebrew, the name means “salvation.” For anyone else who ever bore that name, it was a nice name that perhaps served as a reminder of God’s salvation. However, for anyone else, it was just a name.
This time, it was different. This Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, would be the first and only in history who truly lives up to the name. His name means salvation, and he is the only source of salvation from all sin for all people. His name and all it means came into clearest focus when it was written on a notice and placed above him on the cross—JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (Matthew 27:37). There on the cross, he was dying to save you. From cradle to cross he came to save.
What does the name Jesus mean to you? His name means salvation for you! It means that the guilt of your sin is taken away. Through Jesus, your Savior God has declared you not guilty. It means God does not hold your sins against you. He nailed them to a cross where not only the name “Jesus” was nailed, but also Jesus himself was hung, his life in the balance for you! It means that as you remain on this earth for a time and still see the impact of sin and imperfection salvation from sin is already yours. It means he will come again rescue us from this perishing world to bring us to live everlasting.
From cradle to cross, he came to save you. And he will come again!
Prayer:
Come Lord Jesus, with your salvation full and free. Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:20
He Comes to Calm Our Troubled Hearts
Daily Devotion – December 20, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 1:20
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In the middle of the night, fear or worry crosses your mind and disturbs your sleep. Worry about a mountain of work that’s waiting for you the next day or fear of the test you will take in school tomorrow. Whatever is troubling you hits you in the middle of the night when all you want is rest.
Imagine Joseph tossing and turning one night. He discovers that the woman he is about to marry is pregnant and plans to divorce her quietly. Imagine the pain he felt—the pain of a broken promise and crushed dreams. But a promise hadn’t been broken. A promise was being kept.
The Lord sent a message in a dream to calm Joseph’s troubled heart. He said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” “Do not be afraid.” you hear that phrase here and several other times surrounding the birth of Jesus. An angel said to Mary, “don’t be afraid…” On the night Jesus was born, an angel said to troubled shepherds, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news!”
Jesus came to calm our troubled hearts. By nature, the thought of God coming to us—even one of God’s angels—is terrifying. But Jesus, true God in human flesh, came not just to say, “Don’t be afraid.” He takes away every reason to be afraid in God’s presence because he took away your sin. He knows what troubles you and what makes you toss and turn at night. He cares, and he comforts. Your Savior, Jesus comes to you through his Word and says, “Take heart, your sins are forgiven! You have peace with God! Don’t be afraid.”
And he will come again for all the world to see. Then his greatness and power, as true God, won’t be hidden. Then he will say to you, “Don’t be afraid.” Remember, He’s taken away every reason to be afraid because he’s taken away your sin. Rest in that reality!
Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, and calm my troubled heart! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
He Comes to Be With Us
Daily Devotion – December 19, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 7:14
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We make plans around Christmas to be with the ones we love. If they are far away, we make travel arrangements. Then we wait for that day to come when distance will no longer separate us from those we love, and we can finally be with them.
There was once a time when God was with his people, and it wasn’t a long-distance relationship. When God created the first people, he dwelt with them in the Garden of Eden. Then came a serpent, the devil. He tempted them. When they sinned and did what God had told them not to do, for the first time, they were separated from God. But in the very same moment, God made a promise. He promised that one born of the woman would crush the devil and his plan to separate God and his people forever (Genesis 3:15).
It was always God’s plan to be with his people. It was always his plan to take on the burden of traveling the long distance between us and him. He’s the God that comes to us. He doesn’t meet us halfway. He doesn’t kickback in heaven and say, “You know where to find me, but it’s up to you to come the distance.” No. He’s the God who comes to us in love.
In the centuries that followed the promise he made in the garden—that one born of a woman would come to save—he revealed more details about the coming Savior. Here is living proof that our God comes all the way to us: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means God with us. No longer separated by sin. He wants nothing more than to be with us. God bridged the gap just as he always planned. Jesus—the offspring of the woman, the son born of a virgin—is living-proof that God came to be with us, and he will come again to take us to be with him.
Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, to be with me and to comfort me with your promises. Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
An angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20,21
Give Him the Name Jesus
Daily Devotion – December 18, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 1:20,21
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Naming a baby can be quite exciting. Some parents debate for months on what they will call their child. In an effort to find the perfect name, they may even consult books that are full of baby names or do an extensive online search. Parents are getting more creative all the time. Some parents pick a name to be different. Some pick a family name. Some pick biblical names.
God had a unique purpose in naming his Son. In giving him the name Jesus, God was not trying to be trendy or creative. Rather, he was giving his one and only Son an important title and job description. You see, God had taken a look at his world and didn’t like what he saw. He saw his perfect creation ruined by sin and the entire human race terribly lost in sin and on the way to destruction and condemnation.
As the holy God that he is, the Lord had every right to leave us lost in sin and to go his own way. But that’s not the kind of God we have! Instead God, in love, sent his Son to be our Savior. Jesus lived up to his name. He came into this world and lived a perfect life in our place, earning the righteousness that we sorely lack in our own lives. Then he went on to the cross and died an innocent death in our place, paying for all sins. Jesus saved us just like his name describes.
This Christmas—and always—thank God for the wonderful gift of his Son, Jesus, and learn to praise his name always. It is the only name by which we are saved.
Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, I am humbled by the tremendous gift of your Son, whose name is Jesus. Lead me to thank and praise and love him all the days of my life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
We consider blessed those who have persevered.
James 5:11
Foxhole
Daily Devotion – December 17, 2022Devotion based on James 5:11
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Years ago, the Seattle Times ran a feature story on a man by the name of Paul Rogers. Paul was 96 years old and got around with a walker. He lived quietly and comfortably in his house in Overland Park, KS.
Seventy years earlier, however, Paul Rogers faced a different reality. Paul found himself in conditions few of us can imagine. He was in a foxhole in Northern Europe with the temperature below freezing, he had no winter clothing, and enemy troops surrounded his company’s position. Random mortar fire rained down on him. And there was little Paul Rogers could do, except endure it. This frigid, nerve-shattering ordeal lasted for 29 days.
When our Lord speaks to us in the Bible about life in this cold and broken world, he understands that much of it comes down to simple endurance. Perhaps it’s a difficult personality at work or a family member who regularly manages to cause pain. Maybe it’s a period of financial stress that never seems to end or chronic poor health, where you can’t remember the last time you woke up feeling well. Perhaps it’s old regrets that insist on coming back to haunt you or old temptations that never tire of tempting you all over again.
The next time you find yourself in a foxhole of trouble that you know you will just have to endure, keep in mind a couple of things. First, keep in mind that there are many others who, no doubt, have had to endure you and your weaknesses from time to time. But most of all, remember Jesus who has endured all things on your behalf.
Where we have stumbled and given in, Jesus did not. Where we surrendered to temptations, Jesus did not. Then he went to the cross. And there he endured the unspeakable to wash us clean forever. He endured all things in our place and prevailed. And now he lives to send us the strength of his Spirit by the power of his gospel. In him, we will prevail.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, be with me in my foxhole. Comfort me. Give me courage and strength. Keep me warm in your grace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Isaiah 11:10
A Judge for All People
Daily Devotion – December 16, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 11:10
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Judges have jurisdictions. A state court judge has no right to decide cases involving federal law. Nor do federal court judges have the right to decide cases involving state law. A judge in a Florida state court cannot decide cases involving Tennessee state laws. Nor can the judge of a court in Bangladesh decide cases involving the laws of Senegal. When deciding cases, judges must remain within their jurisdiction. Otherwise, their judgments have no standing.
The judgments that Jesus, our judge, makes are momentous. He acquits the repentant sinner who trusts in him for forgiveness. He condemns the unrepentant sinner who refuses to trust in him. But over whom does Jesus have jurisdiction to make these judgments?
In our Bible reading for today, the prophet Isaiah shows us that Jesus holds jurisdiction over all people. It doesn’t matter in what city, state, province, or nation a person lives. Regardless of any jurisdictional lines that separate courts on earth, Jesus holds jurisdiction over everyone, without exception.
This means that the justice that Jesus offers is available to all people. No matter who you are or where your earthly citizenship lies, the acquittal that Jesus offers through faith in him applies to you. The life he lived to win perfection for all people he lived for you. The death he died to pay for the sins of all people; he died for your sins. No one anywhere in any earthly jurisdiction is excluded from the acquittal that Jesus won for all people, including you.
And because Jesus holds jurisdiction over all people, you can be confident that his judgment will stand. You do not need to fear that you will reach the end of your life only to find that Jesus didn’t have standing to acquit you of your sins. His verdicts will never be overturned. When he says, “You are forgiven,” you can count on it.
No wonder Isaiah says that the nations will rally to him! How can we not rally around such a gracious and glorious judge?!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, all glory and praise to you for so graciously acquitting me of all my sins. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
Isaiah 11:6-8
A Judge Who Brings Peace
Daily Devotion – December 15, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 11:6-8
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In 1361, the British Parliament passed the Justices of the Peace Act, formally establishing the office of justice of the peace. Justices of the peace had the responsibility of maintaining peace in the British sovereign’s realm. They had authority to arrest, prosecute, and punish offenders, rioters, and anyone who disturbed the peace. However, they did not have the responsibility of establishing peace in the first place. In fact, the role of the justice of the peace as a preserver of peace assumed that peace already had been established.
Jesus is far more than a justice of the peace. He is the judge who establishes peace. Wolves and lambs normally do not live together in peace. Wolves eat lambs, and lambs flee from wolves. A child playing near venomous snakes is a parent’s nightmare, not a usual occurrence. Yet, under the rule of Jesus our judge, such things do happen. There is peace where otherwise there would be none.
All of this is a picture of the greatest peace that Jesus brings, peace between God and us sinners. Apart from Jesus, there is no peace between God and us. Our sinfulness made us, by nature, perpetual rebels against God. On our own, we wanted nothing to do with any sort of peace with God. But God wanted peace with us. So, he sent his Son, Jesus to establish peace with us. Jesus, by his perfect life and innocent death on our behalf, removed the cause of hostility between God and us. He removed our sin. By doing that, he established peace where before there had been none.
Now we, who once were at war with God, are at peace with him through Jesus, our judge who brings peace. Continue trusting in Jesus, and you will enjoy his peace forever.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for establishing peace between God and me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
Isaiah 11:3,4
A Judge Who Judges Righteously
Daily Devotion – December 14, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 11:3,4
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Impartiality is essential for a judge to carry out his work properly. When deciding a case, a judge cannot allow himself to be swayed by the wealth, power, or status that he sees in one party over against the other party. He must base his decision solely on an honest weighing of the evidence presented to him. This is why justice often is portrayed as a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword.
It’s tragic when an innocent person is convicted, or a guilty person is acquitted in a courtroom.
Thankfully, injustice is impossible in God’s courtroom. Jesus, our judge, judges all things with righteousness. Like Lady Justice, Jesus is portrayed as not being swayed in his judgment by appearances. “He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes.” Nor will he be swayed by people’s subjective testimony, which may or may not be true. He will not “decide by what he hears with his ears.” Instead, he will render his judgments based solely on what is true and just. “With righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.”
But what truth will he weigh in his scales? First, he will weigh the truth of what he accomplished for all people. He will recognize the reality that by his life, death, and resurrection, he has won forgiveness of sins for all people. He then will recognize the reality that all those who believe in him claim that forgiveness as their own and will publicly acquit them. He also will recognize the reality that all those who refuse to believe in him have rejected that forgiveness and condemn than as their sins deserve.
All who trust in Jesus for forgiveness have nothing to fear from Jesus’ judgment. Jesus is a judge who judges righteously. Nothing will sway him from rendering the verdict that he knows is right. And for all those who trust in him, there will be only one verdict: You are not guilty. You are acquitted.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for your justice, which means my acquittal before you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance . . . The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Matthew 3:7,8,10
A Judge Who Condemns the Unrepentant
Daily Devotion – December 13, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 3:7,8,10
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Of all the people who came to hear John preach, the Pharisees and the Sadducees should have been the first to take his message to heart. They, after all, were the recognized religious authorities of the Jewish people. They knew God’s law and all his promises to send the Savior. They should have been among the first to recognize the truth of John’s message, confess their sins, and look for forgiveness to the Messiah John was proclaiming.
Sadly, that is not what they did. You can tell from the way John responded when they came to him. Instead of assuring them of their acquittal before God, John warned that their destruction was imminent. Just as a fruit tree that refuses to produce fruit is in danger of being cut down and thrown into the fire, these Pharisees and Sadducees were in danger of falling under God’s judgment.
The Pharisees and Sadducees did not believe that they had any need for repentance. They had convinced themselves that they didn’t have anything that they needed to confess to God. Because they refused to recognize their need for the forgiveness that God offered them in Jesus, they cut themselves off from the acquittal Jesus won for them. For them, Jesus came as a judge who condemns the unrepentant.
The Pharisees and Sadducees stand as a warning for us today. All of us are capable of doing what they did, rejecting the acquittal that Jesus won for us. If we do that, then Jesus becomes for us as well a judge who condemns the unrepentant. That is not what Jesus wants to be for us. He gave his life so that he could be the judge who acquits us. And that is what he is when we continue with God’s help to trust in him for forgiveness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep me from ever rejecting the forgiveness that you have won for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” . . . People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3:1,2,5,6
A Judge Who Acquits the Repentant
Daily Devotion – December 12, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 3:1,2,5,6
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Confessing a crime to a judge does not mean you won’t be punished for that crime. By confessing, you are admitting that you did something worthy of punishment. The judge may take your confession into account when he hands down your sentence. But a less severe punishment is still a punishment. Confession normally does not lead to acquittal.
Yet, for the people who went out from Jerusalem to hear John the Baptist preach, confession did lead to acquittal. As they listened to John the Baptist preach, God convicted them of the many sins that they had committed against him. He worked in them a godly sorrow over their sins that led them to confess their sins to John. In response, John, on God’s behalf, did something remarkable. He told the people that they were forgiven. They were acquitted. They would not suffer the punishment they deserved for their sins.
How could John do that? Even more, how could God do that? Doesn’t a judge have to punish the guilty? So how could God acquit these people who had admitted that they were guilty?
He could do it because, as John proclaimed, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus, God’s Son, had come. Jesus was the one whom God had chosen to suffer the punishment for the sins of all people. That was why he had come. And that is what he would accomplish through his perfect life and his innocent death on the cross.
The work Jesus did for the acquittal of the people who confessed their sins to John, he also did for us. Yes, Jesus came as a judge. But he is a judge who, by his own work on our behalf, has won acquittal for all our sins. Hear God’s call to repentance through John. Confess your sins. Trust in Jesus. Know that in him, you have been acquitted.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you that in you I stand acquitted. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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
How long, O Lord
Daily Devotion – December 11, 2022Devotion based on James 5:7,8
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You were fired from your job because you refused to participate in unethical behavior. Your friends stopped hanging out with you because you turned down an invitation to an underage drinking party. Your spouse ridicules you for getting up and going to church on Sunday mornings. When a faculty member finds out you are a Christian, he speaks of you as narrow-minded and unscientific and seeks to undermine your credibility.
At times the life of a Christian is difficult. Suffering because we are connected with Christ is not easy. Giving up and abandoning Christ seems like the easier choice. We may think, “Why keep putting myself through this?”
Christians of all generations have suffered in one way or another for their faith. It’s hard. It’s not fun. It challenges our patience and willingness to stand firm and stay true to Christ. To the outsider it may make Christianity unattractive.
Yet here’s the perspective we cannot forget. The Lord is coming back and will restore and reward all those who have clung to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of their sins. The blessing of heaven will far outweigh challenges we encounter in this life because of our faith. “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
The farmer suffers through long days and nights of planting. He fixes machinery when it breaks. He works hard to save crops after hail and storms. Yet he doesn’t give up because the reward of the crop is worth it.
Don’t give up. The Lord will return. Know that you will be blessed as you have persevered!
Prayer: (Psalm 119:107)
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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 15:13
Your Christmas List
Daily Devotion – December 10, 2022Devotion based on Romans 15:13
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Are you finished with your Christmas list? Not the Christmas list that includes all of the presents that you intend to buy for everyone else, not the Christmas list that allows you to cross off a name once a purchase is complete, not the Christmas list that constantly reminds you of the one person who is so difficult to shop for. Are you finished with your own Christmas list—the list of presents you would like to receive? Children are great at making such lists, but if you were to make one, what would be on the top of the list? What present would you like to receive this Christmas?
How about hope? Would that be on your list?
How about joy? Would that be on your list?
How about peace? Would that be on your list?
If these gifts are on your list, where could they be purchased? Who could buy them for you? Who would give them to you?
Whether they are on your list or not, these gifts are yours. The God of hope gave them to you. His Son bought them at a place called Calvary and paid for them with his precious blood and with his innocent death. Through Jesus, God gave you the sure hope of eternal life in heaven. He gave you the joy of a close relationship with him based on his gift of peace through the full and free forgiveness of your sins.
These are better than any gifts you will receive this Christmas!
Prayer:
God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in you so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.
Romans 15:5
The Same Attitude as Jesus
Daily Devotion – December 9, 2022Devotion based on Romans 15:5
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During World War I, the fighting was fierce and deadly. But something amazing happened on the night of Christmas Eve 1914. Along parts of the battle line, an impromptu truce developed. British soldiers heard the Germans singing Christmas carols. Cautiously, the two sides emerged from their trenches. The next day they shared rations, exchanged gifts, and even played a soccer game. They shared peace and unity on Christmas.
While there are no widespread accounts of the same thing happening during World War II, there is a story recorded in Reader’s Digest of a young German boy, Fritz Vincken, and his mother living in the forest during the Battle of the Bulge. Three American soldiers arrived looking for shelter on Christmas Eve. A little later, four German soldiers arrived looking for the same. The German mother said no shooting on Christmas Eve. They all laid down their weapons. Before they ate a meal together, the mother said a common table prayer. The words may be familiar to you: “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest…”
What is it about Christmas that causes even soldiers to put down their weapons? On the battlefield there is no tinsel or twinkling lights. No loudspeakers blaring cheesy holiday music. On the battlefield, there is the constant reminder of death.
But Christmas is all about God’s plan to conquer death and its cause, namely, our sin. The baby Jesus would grow to be a Savior who viewed each of us as lost sinners in desperate need of someone to take care of our sin problem. That’s why Jesus came, to deal with our sin and win for us eternal life. Thank God that Jesus viewed each of us with such love!
Until Jesus comes again, we pray for that same mindset towards our fellow human beings. They are sinners that Jesus loved and died for, just like us. We have the opportunity to serve them and point them to their Savior. That’s a mindset not just for Christmas; but all the time.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to love the people you died for, and thank you for dying for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Matthew 3:3
A Massive Construction Project
Daily Devotion – December 8, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 3:3
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John the Baptist’s job was to ready the people for the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world. John told the people to make straight paths, lower the mountains, and raise the valleys.
A few years ago, I watched a construction crew remove a small hill to make a field level. It seemed like only a minor project. And yet an excavator operator filled dozens and dozens of dump trucks as he worked at leveling that field. What seemed like a small project for a very small hill took a week to remove the dirt, level, and smooth the field. Now imagine what it would take to level a mountain and fill in a valley! It would be a massive construction project!
But the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist weren’t talking about excavators and dump trucks. They were talking about human hearts. The truth is, our hearts are anything but straight and level. We have hearts filled with sin, anger, resentment, jealousy, and self-righteous pride. Our hearts don’t require just a little preparation; they need mountains torn down and valleys filled in.
John describes a heart construction project that is humanly impossible! It cannot be done. And that is John’s point. Preparing hearts like ours for the coming of the King is a job that is too big for us.
But the Holy Spirit makes our hearts a ready place for the King. The King comes with promises. Do you know what promises he brings to you? Forgiveness. Think about what this means. Jesus comes to bring you release from your shame, pardon from your guilt, and a clean slate with God. Jesus has come to change the world; and he starts by changing you. From wrecked to redeemed. From sinner to saint. From guilty to glory.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, prepare my heart for your coming. Clean out my sins and give me a heart with a throne only for you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1,2
A Slogan Worth Hearing
Daily Devotion – December 7, 2022Devotion based on Matthew 3:1,2
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One of the arts of advertising is a catchy slogan. For example, when you hear the phrase, “Just do it.” your mind thinks of the company Nike. Or when you’re walking down the cereal aisle in the grocery store, you see a box of Wheaties. Your next thought is “The breakfast of champions.” When your kids tell you they want to go on vacation to the “happiest place on earth,” they’re talking about Disney World. And when you’re watching an insurance commercial and hear the name “Allstate” in a deep, resonating voice, you know the phrase, “you’re in good hands,” is going to follow it.
If John the Baptist had a slogan, it was “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near.” When John told the people to repent, he was telling them to be sorry for the wrong things they had done, trust in God for forgiveness and stop doing those wrong things in the future. “Repent” might not sound like a super catchy slogan, but it was powerful. People walked from all over to hear John preach. His message captivated them. People who had no intention of being baptized found themselves in the waters of the Jordan River, baptized by John anyway. His message was powerful!
John didn’t invent this message. He didn’t spend hours locked in a conference room scheming it up with marketing executives. No, this message came from God. And it was a message God had shared with his people through all time. Turn away from sin and turn toward God instead.
When we hear the message to repent in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it can jar us from the festive holiday spirit. It’s doubtful that John and his message of repentance would be invited to many Christmas parties. But his message is just as important for us as it was to his original audience. It’s a stone-cold reminder of why Jesus was born. Jesus came to deal with our sin problem. He washes us clean in the waters of baptism. And now he gives us the strength to say “No” to sin and live in the clean clothes of his righteousness.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, turn me away from my sin and toward you and your love for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Isaiah 11:10
A Banner for You
Daily Devotion – December 6, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 11:10
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During the American Civil War, flags and banners played an important role in battles. Commanders used the colors of the banners to organize troop movements. Soldiers took pride in rallying around the flag. Those flags and banners were just colored pieces of cloth, but fighters from both sides of the war gave their lives in defense of their flag.
The first African American soldier to win the Medal of Honor is Sergeant William Carney. He was born into slavery but was granted freedom and joined the U.S. Army during the Civil War. During a charge at Fort Wagner in Charleston, the flag bearer next to him was killed. Before the American flag could touch the ground, Carney grabbed it and bravely advanced despite suffering several gunshot wounds himself. His fellow soldiers rallied to the banner as Carney planted it at the base of the fort. Carney survived, and in 1900 he received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples.” That Root of Jesse isn’t a colored piece of cloth, but the only one who could be both the Root of Jesse and the Shoot of Jesse—the Savior, Jesus.
As soldiers of old rallied to their flags and banners, Christians of all times and all nations rally to their banner, to Jesus. Jesus fought to free his people from the power and effects of sin. He heroically climbed a hill to his cross. Instead of the Medal of Honor, though, he received a crown of thorns. Instead of cheering him, the people around Jesus were jeering him. But still, he pressed on. He knew he had to give his life to give his followers a life free from sin. So, he took the punishment of every sinner.
Then, God raised Jesus from the dead. Now Jesus rules over all things. He gives life and immortality to all those who rally to his banner. To all who trust in him, Jesus gives the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. That’s a banner worth rallying to.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to rally to you by trusting in you now and always. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:1
A Shoot Will Come Up
Daily Devotion – December 5, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 11:1
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Jesse was the father of King David of Israel, and King David’s family tree of kings was once strong and mighty. But those kings turned away from God. Eventually, Israel was captured and overrun. No more kings came from the line of King David and Jesse. The family tree was cut down, all that remained was the stump of Jesse.
When a tree is cut down, all that is left behind is a stump. The stump begins decaying almost immediately. What was once a strong, living tree is now a dead and decaying stump.
Something amazing happens in nature. That dead and decaying stump can turn into a nurse stump. A seedling falls on top of the stump and uses the decaying matter as compost and fertilizer. The stump nourishes the seed, and a shoot comes forth. Eventually, a whole new tree, strong and bearing fruit, is born from that dead and decaying stump.
Israel’s line of kings was dead, but God had a plan and purpose for the stump of Jesse. God fertilized his plan. He nourished his purpose. At just the right time, a shoot appeared from the stump of Jesse. On a night in Bethlehem, a baby was born to Mary and Joseph, descendants of King David and his father Jesse. That tiny baby lying on the straw of a feeding trough didn’t look like much, but his parents named him Jesus. And that Jesus turned out to be the Savior and the King of all people.
God does some of his best work when it looks like all hope is lost. God is working in you and for you even in the darkest moments of your life. Whether you’re suffering the loss of a loved one, going through a divorce, or dealing with depression. Your life may feel like a stump, dead and decaying, but God can work the shoot of faith to grow in you. Jesus, the shoot of Jesse, came to bring you life. He came to make you part of his family tree. By his death on a tree and his resurrection, you are a son or daughter of the King.
Prayer:
Dear God, grow faith in me so that I can always remain a part of your family tree. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
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 15:13
Joy
Daily Devotion – December 4, 2022Devotion based on Romans 15:13
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20221204dev.mp3
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Anna Mary Robertson was an old woman. And she had had a hard life. She was the third of ten children born to a farmer in the 1860s. Life on a farm in the 1800s meant hours of manual toil, day after day.
In 1887, Anna married a farmer, and the hard work continued. As the years went on, she experienced the unspeakable grief of a mother watching her child die in infancy. Anna, however, went through this not just once but five times.
Then her husband died from a heart attack. She continued life as a widow. By the time she reached her 70s, arthritis was taking over her body. She was no longer able to do the things she used to do. It was then that Anna Mary Robertson picked up a brush and began to paint.
She never had any formal training. Nevertheless, her pictures radiated something that everyday people and art critics alike could not resist. They radiated something we might not expect. Her pictures radiated joy. That is how Anna Mary Robertson Moses–Grandma Moses–got her start as an artist. She picked up her brush and shared her joy. And she kept right on sharing her joy until the age of 101.
As Christians, you and I know we are in for a rough ride during our short life on this earth. After all, that is what our sin has done. It has made a misery of everything it has touched.
But that’s why Jesus came. He came to rescue us. And through his perfect life and death on our behalf, that’s what he has done. Through faith in him, we stand forgiven. Even in the worst of our difficult moments our Savior will carry us through. That means that the best is yet to come.
And so, pick up your brush. Paint your picture. Share the joy. Tell the story of what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in those moments when life is hard, remind me of the joy. Remind me of your gospel. Remind me of you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.’”
Jeremiah 33:14,15
Better Days
Daily Devotion – December 3, 2022Devotion based on Jeremiah 33:14,15
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We often look ahead to better days. We say things like: “If I can just make it until Christmas break, then I won’t have to go to school for a while and things will be better.” Or “if I can just make it through this bout of pneumonia, then I can go back home and be healthy again.” So much of our lives are spent looking ahead to better days.
To make matters worse, in this sinful world we are surrounded by wickedness and evil. Sin and temptation are on every side. It’s exhausting to be a Christian. And so, we find ourselves looking ahead to better days—days when sin will no longer be a part of our existence and we can enjoy perfect peace in heaven.
But waiting for those better days is difficult. If we are honest, we see how the sinful world is rubbing off on us. We find the sins of this world to be a little more “normal” than they used to be. We become more accepting of things that God despises. Our attitudes towards wealth and possessions begin to match the attitudes of this world.
God said through the prophet Jeremiah: “I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.” Jesus is the Branch who came into this world and lived a perfect life in our place. He also did what was “just,” as he gave himself in our place to suffer and die for our sins. He bled…He suffered…He died. God’s justice was satisfied. We are forgiven! The Branch brings righteousness—righteousness that he earned and freely gives to us through faith.
Whatever you are experiencing now, know that, in Christ, better days are here, and better days are yet to come. Jesus makes each day a better day through his gift of righteousness. Better days are coming when he will take us to be with him in heaven. Lift up your heads and look for those better days.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the promise of better days to come in heaven. Keep my eyes focused on those better days to come and help each day to be a better one with you and your Word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12
Armor
Daily Devotion – December 2, 2022Devotion based on Romans 13:12
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20221202dev.mp3
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Walk into a museum of ancient history. Stroll through the corridors that depict how people lived many centuries ago. After you’ve done this, go to the section that features military items. When you reach the area that displays examples of armor that soldiers used to wear, find a bench and sit down. Look at that armor for a while and give it some careful attention.
Now, as you sit in that museum, do a bit of time travel. Go back 2,000 years. Watch a Roman soldier as he carefully, deliberately puts on his armor. The very presence of that armor on his body tells you that he’s getting ready for a serious day. He will be watchful, alert, ready for action. After all, one does not put on armor to lounge around the house. You put it on for battle.
Satan is forever working to convince me that there’s no urgency when it comes to my Christian faith; that there’s no urgency when it comes to my role as a soldier of the cross. In fact, little by little, Satan can even ease me into presuming that I have plenty of time to indulge in all my pet sins. I can repent and get serious later and put on my armor some other day.
But not only is this wrong and rebellious. It is playing games with the evil one and an entity with one goal: To see my soul in hell.
But Jesus, our King, knows this. He pursues you and me with a love that is relentless. He reaches out to us through the living and enduring Word of God. As he calls us to repentance, he refreshes us with the good news of the blood he shed to wash us clean. And as he does, he empowers us. He empowers us to put aside our deeds of darkness, put on the armor of light, be ready to serve our King, and serve as a soldier of the cross.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive my deeds of darkness. Empower me to put on the armor of light. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber.
Romans 13:11
Wake Up
Daily Devotion – December 1, 2022Devotion based on Romans 13:11
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Sunday, December 7, 1941, 7:30 A.M. All is calm and quiet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The sailors are out of their bunks, but their pace is leisurely, relaxed. Many feel what a later generation would call “Sleep Inertia.” Under an easy schedule, they are allowing themselves the luxury of going slow, yawning an extra yawn, chuckling with each other at breakfast, savoring a second cup of coffee. They have no idea that they need to wake up NOW! They have no idea that in 25 short minutes, their world is going to change forever.
When God the Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul to write his letter to the Romans, he saw to it that Paul’s letter was teeming with profound truths and promises. One of the great truths he proclaimed through Paul is that: “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber.”
My old sinful self—the part of me that wants nothing to do with Christ—wants to keep my soul sleepy and indifferent. It wants to keep my soul presuming that I have all the time in the world to get serious about the only Savior I’m ever going to have.
And here you and I must confess that there have been many times we have given in to the spiritual sleepiness—we’ve given in to the indifference. We’ve given in to Satan’s lie that when it comes to any earnest focus upon our Savior-King—there is no hurry.
Thanks be to God that he pursues us through his Word. He calls us to repentance. He does what he needs to do to rattle us, rouse us, wake us up. For when the final day comes for each of us, he does not want any of us left outside. He wants us to be awake. He wants us to be with him. He wants us basking forever in the full forgiveness our King has purchased for us at the cross.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my King, forgive me for all the times I have allowed myself to become sleepy and indifferent towards you. Refresh me in your law and gospel. Draw me to yourself. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Guard
Daily Devotion – November 30, 2022Devotion based on Philippians 4:7
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When Queen Elizabeth died, the Royal Guards went into action. As the many days of ceremonies and funerals got underway, the Royal Guards became a constant presence around her coffin. Throughout the long hours of her lying in state, it was the duty of the Royal Guards to stand at rigid attention, absolutely still. It was during this time, around 1 A.M., that one of the Royal Guards fainted and collapsed. As was later reported, this is not unusual. The long hours, heavy equipment, heat, and need to stand frozen in place—all contributes to an occasional collapse. In fact, because this is not uncommon, the Royal Guards receive specific training on how to “faint to attention.” In other words, when a Royal Guard faints, he is not to fall sideways. He is to fall straight forward, face first. As one of the officers said, fainting to attention in this way may mean “a broken nose and…missing teeth.”
Fainting to attention is certainly an impressive testimony to the Royal Guards’ devotion to duty. In its own way, it acknowledges that even such well-trained guards are still imperfect, still vulnerable to human frailty.
In the part of the Bible we are focusing on today, the apostle Paul gives us a solemn promise. He says, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Think about that for a moment; you have a guard—faithful, vigilant, standing watch over your mind and heart. But unlike a human guard, this guard will never tire, never waver, never wander, never grow faint. This is because the peace of God that guards you is sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ—the same blood that our King shed on Calvary’s cross to wash away our every sin, including every time you and I have wavered in our relationship with him.
And so, rest easy and know that all is well. Your Savior-King is on duty, and he will never faint.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my King, thank you for standing guard. Move me to rest in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7
Anxious
Daily Devotion – November 29, 2022Devotion based on Philippians 4:6,7
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You and I live in an anxious culture. There are all kinds of suggestions as to why anxiety seems to be on the rise. Some point to the economy. Others point to a loss in our sense of security. Still, others suggest that social media has produced factors that nurture anxiety, from poor sleeping habits and artificial light to a sense of isolation and the fear of missing out.
Prolonged anxiety can lead to other issues. It can diminish the immune system. It can disrupt the digestive system. It can contribute to muscle tension and chronic pain. Perhaps worst of all, prolonged anxiety is something Satan can use to introduce sinful escapes—drinking too much, eating too much, procrastination, and pornography.
Anxiety, however, is nothing new. Since our fall into sin, there has been more than enough to make people anxious. Take the apostle Paul. When he wrote his letter to the Philippians, Paul was under arrest in Rome. He was waiting—and waiting and waiting—for the Roman Emperor to rule on his case. If someone ever had reason to feel anxious, that person was Paul.
But to the Philippian Christians, Paul says this: Do not be anxious about anything. Anything? Yes, anything. Then, after such a bold statement, Paul gives the godly alternative to anxiety, the godly release. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, . . . with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” And when we do that, Paul promises, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And so, it all comes back to Jesus. Not only has the Son of God lived a life of perfect trust on our behalf; not only has our Savior and King suffered and died for all the ways we have sought sinful escapes. He now invites us to open up to him about everything. And as we do, he promises us a peace from him that transcends all understanding.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I feel anxious, move me to open up to you. Give me your peace. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob.”
Isaiah 2:3
Mountain
Daily Devotion – November 28, 2022Devotion based on Isaiah 2:3
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In terms of visitors, the most popular mountain in the world is Mount Fuji. It is the tallest mountain in Japan. Its distinct beauty is breathtaking. It’s the stuff of poetry, art, and history. And because it’s possible to reach the summit without special mountain-climbing equipment, hundreds of thousands climb Mount Fuji every year.
The climb, however, is difficult and long. There are certain items you need to bring with you. You will need protective clothing and good hiking boots. You need rain gear in case of sudden storms. And for the portion of the trail where you’ll be walking in darkness, you’ll need a battery-powered headlamp. When you stop half-way up to catch a few hours’ sleep, you’ll need earplugs to block the noise. For food, bring along high-calorie food sticks and energy bars, and bring water. And in case you begin to get light-headed towards the summit, a small can of oxygen is a particularly good idea.
There is another mountain that exists—a mountain far more breathtaking than Mount Fuji. This mountain is of an entirely different kind. The prophet Isaiah calls it, “The mountain of the LORD.” It’s his inspired way of describing the presence of Christ the King. Coming to this mountain is not about bringing the right clothing, the right equipment, the right food. It is not at all about climbing through darkness, storms, heat, and cold in the hope that you might make it to the summit.
Rather, it is all about the Holy Spirit using the message of Christ crucified and risen to draw you into God’s presence through faith in his Son. It is all about the gospel empowering you to bask in the forgiveness Jesus has earned for you, to be filled with his peace, to proclaim Christ with your fellow believers, to trust his will for your lives.
There is one thing you can bring along, however, your sin. Bring your sin for your King and Savior to wash it all away.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the mountain of your grace. Move me to bring you my sin every single day. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11
Obstacles
Daily Devotion – November 27, 2022Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 3:11
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The apostle Paul longed for the opportunity to return to the city of Thessalonica and be with his Christian friends. He wanted to go there in person to encourage them in their trials and strengthen their faith to help them stand firm in the face of opposition. But Satan stirred up such a fury against the followers of Jesus that it was too dangerous for Paul to revisit the congregation. As much as he desired to go, his way to them was blocked.
We have these same experiences. At times there are difficult issues and crushing concerns that greatly impact our lives. We are stymied by these events and circumstances that are beyond our ability to contend with and rise above. What kinds of things are you facing now that are blocking your way forward? What can you do?
Do what Paul did. Realizing that the situation was beyond his control, the apostle expressed a prayer to the One who controls all things. He prayed that our “God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.” Paul could not quell the persecution to open up the way for him to make his important trip, but God could. He is the almighty God who can do all things.
Whatever obstacles in life you face, pray confidently to God that he clears away the roadblocks. He is your heavenly Father who created you with his almighty power, and through the Lord Jesus, he loves you as his very own. He has removed the most difficult obstacle—the sin that blocked your way to life with him. Therefore, you can trust God to always do what is good for you so that you can go forward in life, serving him in love and living in thankfulness to him for all his great goodness.
Prayer:
Lord God, be my helper and strength, especially as I face difficult obstacles. Remind me of the great love that you demonstrated in my salvation. Give me the assurance that you continue to exercise your power and love for me in all circumstances. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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.
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:5,6
Beautiful People
Daily Devotion – November 26, 2022Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:5,6
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In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, about 600 years before the birth of Jesus, many people of God’s chosen nation had turned away from God into unbelief. They followed false teachers and bad leaders that led them into idolatry. However, there were some people who remained faithful to the true God. Through Jeremiah, God promised that he would gather all his faithful ones and bless them.
The Lord announced that glorious time: “The days are coming when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” With the word “branch,” God wants us to think of a shoot or sprout which grows out of a dying stump or from the ground where a tree stump is decaying. With this imagery, God pointed to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His roots or ancestry were from the line of King David. But by the time of his arrival, the grandeur of David’s kingdom had died and decayed under David’s godless successors. The Messiah, however, came to reestablish the glory of David’s throne, although not in the same way as before. Jesus Christ is a King, but his kingdom is new and different. His has a spiritual kingdom where he graciously rules in the hearts of people of faith.
God cares for his people, and he saves them. He sent Jesus to do what is “just and right in the land.” In contrast to the people who rejected God and lived in disobedience to his will, Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the will of God and was guiltless of any sin. He lived this way for our benefit. God charged the perfect righteousness of his Son to us. He is: THE LORD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Covered with the purity of Jesus Christ, we are beautiful people in God’s eyes and blessed by faith in Jesus to be members of his glorious, eternal kingdom.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 376)
Jesus, your blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.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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“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain.”
Revelation 5:12
The Lamb
Daily Devotion – May 1, 2022 Devotion based on Revelation 5:12
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220501dev.mp3
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What comes to mind when you think of God? Perhaps words like “big,” “powerful,” maybe even “angry with me” come to mind. I doubt you would say “an animal.” But in the book of Revelation, Jesus is called “the Lamb.” And we’re told he was slain.
In the Old Testament, thousands upon thousands of lambs, goats, bulls, rams, and other animals were slain. Why? In directing his Old Testament people of Israel to bring animal sacrifices, God was teaching them that disobeying God is extremely serious. In his holiness, God’s justice demanded the thing of ultimate value: one’s soul for one’s sin.
But in his tremendous mercy, God provided substitutes. He allowed animals to be sacrificed in substitution for sinners. These animals pointed to Jesus, “the Lamb, who was slain,” in substitution for us. Jesus allowed his life to be taken in place of sinners’ lives so we could have a God who is not “angry with me” but a God who is at peace with us. The Bible says that “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Why would Jesus do that for us—give up his own life to save ours? The Bible says that Jesus could bear our sins more easily than he could bear the thought of our eternal hopelessness. He could endure the dishonor of being damned for sin if it meant we would not be.
It’s astounding that he would do that for us! This is why the Bible says, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive . . . honor and glory and praise . . . for ever and ever!”
Prayer:
Lamb of God, comfort my troubled conscience with the truth that you were slain to forgive all my sins. All glory and honor to you for dying in my place so I could live eternally! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The high priest and all his associates . . . arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people . . . “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” the high priest said . . . Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
Acts 5:17-21,28,29
Go and Tell
Daily Devotion – April 30, 2022 Devotion based on Acts 5:17-21,28,29
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220430dev.mp3
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“Go…and tell,” the angel told the apostles. That’s the Easter imperative—the Easter command. Jesus is alive! He’s risen from the dead. He has conquered death. Go and tell.
There is a part of us called the sinful nature that says, “Don’t go and tell.” Some people warn us that we should never talk about politics and religion. Sometimes, as in the Bible reading for today, even the authorities of the world forbid us to speak about the risen Christ. But through his angel messengers, God told the apostles, “Go…and tell.”
So why would we go and tell? We do it out of love for the Lord who told us to do so. But there is also another reason.
We live in a world where people are dying spiritually and eternally, and we have the only real antidote for death. Through faith in the risen Jesus, we can and will live eternally. In the risen Jesus, we have the prescription to living joyfully forever! Love for others will move us to go and tell them.
Yes, there will be some who will reject that truth, deny that possibility, and suggest that the notion of joyous everlasting life through Jesus and him alone is nothing but foolishness.
But God will bring others to faith, and they will thank you for sharing that life-saving message of the crucified and risen Christ. Then experience the wonder and joy of sharing that message with others. Yes, go and tell.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, you have saved me for a life of joy in heaven with you. Moved by your wondrous love, help me to go and tell others about it, too! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:26
Resurrection Peace
Daily Devotion – April 29, 2022 Devotion based on John 20:26
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220429dev.mp3
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Jesus came and stood among them. Since those disciples had been through so much, Jesus stood among them and gave them peace. Oh, that he would do the same for us.
Wouldn’t it be helpful if Jesus would appear while sitting in the ICU waiting room to assure us that dad is in good hands?
Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus was there at our side in our lonely, quiet moments, when all others have left us or forgotten about us?
Wouldn’t it be beneficial if Jesus was there for us when we’re at our lowest? You know, when we start recalling all our mistakes and the internal guilt is tearing us apart.
We might sometimes think the original disciples had it so easy; Jesus was right there, standing in the same room. But keep in mind, in just a matter of weeks, Jesus would ascend into heaven, and his disciples would no longer have his physical, visible presence to assure them. They would have to rely upon his promises. And those promises are just as comforting and dependable for us today as they were for the disciples then.
Jesus doesn’t suddenly appear to us in our living rooms or medical waiting rooms, but he does offer this solemn pledge: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) and “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
He doesn’t ring our doorbells and give us a show-and-tell display of his scarred hands every time our consciences act up. Instead, he promises that our sins have been removed from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
He may not put a hand on our shoulders. Instead, he puts his Word in print, and he puts that printed Word, the Bible, into our hands. There in the Bible he promises peace—the peace of sins forgiven, the peace only the living Lord Jesus can give.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I feel weak or alone, remind me that you are near. When I am pressed by a guilty conscience, remind me that you have already paid for my sins. When I hurt, remind me of your love. Help me to share that same love with others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:26,27
Resurrection Proof
Daily Devotion – April 28, 2022 Devotion based on John 20:26,27
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220428dev.mp3
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Have you ever been channel surfing late at night and come across one of those infomercials with the super energetic spokesperson? After a few minutes, you start thinking, “Maybe I do need one of those salad spinners. After all, they do come in six amazing colors. And I really should eat more salads.” Those infomercial producers know you won’t purchase something on blind faith; you need proof. And if you see that proof—that the product really works—maybe you’ll consider buying theirs. That’s why the spokesperson for the salad spinner is energetic, happy, and in great shape. If you act now, this can all be yours for just $19.99.
The disciples wanted proof. They had seen Jesus die. His body had been taken off the cross and placed into the tomb. The disciples had been shaken. What they didn’t know yet was that Jesus had risen from the grave. He was alive. Jesus, on Easter evening, appeared to those shaken disciples and set their minds and hearts at ease.
But Thomas wasn’t there. So, Jesus appeared to him a week later. He didn’t have to, but our patient Savior reached out to Thomas and gave him what he was looking for: proof. What was unbelievable just a few days ago, wasn’t so far-fetched now that Thomas could see Jesus with his own eyes.
We have doubts, fears, and struggles too. Our patient Savior comes to us with promises that are always reliable. He points us to the cross—proof our sins are forgiven. He points us to the empty tomb—proof that he lives and that the Father has accepted and approved of his payment for sin. He holds out his scarred hands and assures us we have peace with God. No need to act now or make a payment; Jesus already has!
Prayer:
Lord, in my times of doubt, strengthen me with your promises. You died for me. You rose again. You are with me always! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
“We must obey God rather than human beings!”
Acts 5:29
Courageous Witnesses
Daily Devotion – April 27, 2022 Devotion based on Acts 5:29
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How do you define courage? I’m not looking for a wordy definition you’d find in a dictionary; I’m looking for a practical description of courage. Peter and the other apostles provide that for us in Acts chapter 5. Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles faced fierce opposition. Jesus had commissioned them to be his witnesses. However, the people of power had commanded them to keep quiet. To whom would they listen? To continue preaching and teaching about Jesus would not only be unpopular, it could be deadly.
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” the authorities lectured to Peter and the others. You can almost see the apostles dig in their heels and stiffen their backbones as they reply, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” What courage! But from where did it come? Wasn’t Peter the same one who lied about knowing Jesus several weeks earlier? Weren’t these the same apostles who locked themselves into a room after Christ’s death?
Peter and the apostles found courage in the same place we do—in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! You can almost see Jesus dig in his heels and stiffen his backbone as the Roman soldiers crown him with thorns and force a cross onto his shoulders. Resolutely, courageously Jesus faces the mockery, the suffering, and even the cruel crucifixion. Courageously he dies. Victoriously he rises. You will be my witnesses; he says to you and me.
This courageous Jesus carried our sins to the cross; he now asks us to carry his name to the world. Some will thank us for it. Some will urge us to keep quiet. With strength and courage that comes only from Jesus, we can dig in our heels, stiffen our backbones, and continue to preach and teach about Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, you have told me to be your witness, to share your love with a world full of people who so badly need to learn of you. Give me courage, not in myself but in you. Help me to seize the opportunities to speak of your saving work whenever they arise. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:5,6
Victoriously Saved for a Purpose
Daily Devotion – April 26, 2022 Devotion based on Revelation 1:5,6
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In his Small Catechism, after describing the work of Jesus, Martin Luther wrote: “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.” According to Martin Luther, now that Christ has redeemed and rescued us, we now have the opportunity and the motivation to serve him and live for him.
Martin Luther didn’t come up with that concept. He was repeating what the Lord had already said many times through his holy writers, including the apostle John. After assuring us that Jesus loves us and that he has completely freed us from our sins, John offers a purpose for which we have been rescued. Christ has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.
I am a priest? That brings up images of a clergyman wearing black, listening to someone’s confession, or presiding over a wedding. Instead, think Old Testament priest. He offered sacrifices to God. He helped others see God’s love and goodness. He prayed for the people.
When John says you are a priest, he is reminding you that you have a very special purpose in life. Your day job might be a nurse, accountant, teacher, or mechanic, but your purpose in life is to help others see God’s love and goodness, to pray for others, and to offer sacrifices to God. And by sacrifices, thinking kind words of others, a helpful hand to someone in need, being patient with a co-worker, living with an attitude of thanksgiving and contentment, and sharing the good news about Jesus when given the opportunity. In all these ways you help others see the goodness of God.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for rescuing me and making me a member of your family. Help me to express my gratitude by the way I live my life—for the good of others and to your glory. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.
Revelation 1:5
Victoriously Rescued
Daily Devotion – April 25, 2022 Devotion based on Revelation 1:5
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Can you picture the scene in the old black and white silent movie? The young lady is in obvious distress. Heavy ropes are wrapped around her, securing her to the railroad tracks. In the distance, you can see the train getting closer and closer. This isn’t going to end well. The look on her face expresses helplessness and fear. The train rumbles on, smoke billowing from its chimney as it bears down on the poor woman. Just then, the hero arrives. With a few quick swings of his ax, the ropes are severed, and the young lady is free. The tragedy is averted. The hero smiles.
Can you picture the scene? We are in obvious distress. The heavy ropes of sin are wrapped around us. Every day an honest assessment of our actions, our words, and our attitudes reveals a very tragic scenario. We have fallen short. We haven’t treated others with selfless love—sometimes we do, but not always, as God demands. We haven’t always used our time wisely and honorably. We haven’t always spoken good and godly words. If we don’t get help, things will not end well. What can we do but cry out, “Lord, have mercy on us! Lord, save us!”
Thankfully Jesus, our hero, came to save us. He didn’t use an ax to cut us free. Instead, he shed his own blood. He has freed us! It really happened. Our selfishness, our wrong words, our mistreatment of others—all of it was taken away from us by our hero, Jesus. He died for us. He rose again. We are forgiven. The tragedy is averted. The hero smiles.
Prayer:
Lord, I daily fall short of the demands of your law. I confess that I am sinful; I need you. Point me to the sacrifice you made on the cross and to the empty tomb, from which you rose victoriously. As a freed and forgiven child of God, help me to face today and every day with confidence and a renewed commitment to walk with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19,20
Jesus Gives Us Peace
Daily Devotion – April 24, 2022 Devotion based on John 20:19,20
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When the disciples were gathered behind locked doors on that first Easter Sunday, they were very afraid. They were afraid for their lives. They truly thought that those who killed Jesus were now going to come after them and kill them, too. The bottom line is that they had no peace, and they lacked a faith that believed Jesus would rise from the dead.
What is it that scares you? Studies show that people are most often scared by spiders, snakes, and other creepy-crawly things. Does that hold true for you as well?
Perhaps you’ve outgrown that fear. Yet as we grow older, we face a new set of fears. Will our health hold up? Will our children be okay when they leave the house? Will we have enough money to support ourselves? All of these “fears” are out of our control. They, too, rob us of peace—which is where faith in Jesus comes in.
Just as the disciples could not control the enemies of Jesus, we can’t control the economy, disease, or people who wish to cause harm. Oh, if only Jesus would appear to us and say, “Peace be with you!”
But don’t be fooled. This “peace” Jesus gives is not intended to make all the bad things in life go away. The peace Jesus gives strengthens us as we endure the many difficult challenges of life. The peace Jesus gives also lifts our eyes from the temporary things of this world to the eternal things of heaven. The peace Jesus gives is the assurance that our sins are forgiven, and we will be in heaven forever with him.
Truly, there is nothing to fear. Cancer, thieves, storms cannot take away the eternal promises Jesus has made to you. Trust in him and his words, and you will have the peace Jesus gives.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, fill me with the peace of knowing you are alive and well, ruling this world on behalf of your people. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
The Path of Life
Daily Devotion – April 23, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
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A father and his two sons were driving down the road one day when a bee found its way inside the car through an open window. The younger son was terrified of bees. He was allergic and being stung was one of the worst things that could happen to him. When he saw the bee in the car, he started to panic. At once, his older brother trapped the bee between his hands. He held it there for a few moments and then opened up his hands. The bee started buzzing around again, and the younger boy again began to panic. But his older brother said, “Calm down! Don’t be afraid! The bee can’t hurt you anymore. Look at my hand.” And there, in the older brother’s hand, was the stinger.
As you and I travel down the path of life, there’s one thing that terrifies all people by nature–death. You could say we’re all allergic to death. We do whatever we can to avoid it. Yet, because of sin, death is inevitable for all of us. But just like in the story, we have a brother who travels with us. We have a brother who was willing to take the sting of death, the sins of the whole world.
Jesus took the sting of death in our place, and he died on the cross to take away all of those sins. With sins forgiven, with sins removed, death has lost its sting. Jesus says to each one of us, “Don’t be afraid. Death can’t hurt you anymore. Look at my hands, look at my feet. I’ve taken the sting of death for you!” And because of this marvelous truth, death is not a defeat but a victory! Death is now the doorway to life everlasting with Jesus. That is our Easter hope!
Prayer:
Resurrected Lord and Savior, thank you for taking the sting of death for us so that by faith in you we have the sure and certain hope of eternal victory in heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. . . Then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” . . . Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51,52,54,57
A Victory for Body and Soul
Daily Devotion – April 22, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:51,52,54,57
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220422dev.mp3
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Click. A vulnerable newborn nestled in her mother’s tender embrace. Flash. The infant’s first toothy grin. Click. Baby’s first step. Flash. Child’s first day of school. Click. Teen’s first date. Flash. Woman’s wedding day. Click. First-time mother. Flash. Last time grandmother. Click. Granite headstone and freshly dug earth.
Click. Flash. Click. Flash. The bulb’s flash and the shutter’s click catch the progression of life. But really, it’s the regression of life, isn’t it? The camera captures the newborn so full of promise and potential. But already at life’s first cry, we have begun our journey to life’s final breath.
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). The sting of death is sin, but two thousand years ago, Jesus bore the curse of sin. The power of sin is the law, but two thousand years ago, Jesus satisfied the law’s demands. When Jesus died, he paid for our sin, fulfilled the law, defeated death, and redeemed not only our souls but our bodies as well.
Because Jesus lives, all who believe in him will live with him forever even if we die. But these mortal, perishable, sin-stung frames aren’t made for eternal life. We need an upgrade. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees that an upgrade is pending. Yes, Jesus fulfilled our salvation two thousand years ago, but one day it will be fulfilled in us.
In a flash at the trumpets’ last blast, Jesus will reverse the poison of sin and remove the effect of death. He will rend every grave and raise all the dead. And all who died trusting in the Lord will be transformed. The old body will become a new body, but it will be your body. Just better. Immortal. Imperishable. Upgraded for eternal life.
Prayer:
Risen Savior, thank you for your victory over sin and death. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 25:6-8
Feast of Victory
Daily Devotion – April 21, 2022/b> Devotion based on Isaiah 25:6-8
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Serhiy Perebyinis opened his social media account to discover, with the rest of the world, that his family had died in Kyiv trying to escape death. “I lost everyone,” he said, “I lost the meaning of life.”
Many in Ukraine may find it hard to celebrate Easter this year. Surrounded by destruction and death, they may not feel much like celebrating.
But God has given a reason to celebrate, even to those shrouded by the world’s worst atrocities. The reason is Easter. Jesus’ resurrection is the death of death. It is the destruction of the devil. It is the deletion of disgrace. For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Jesus will reign from now till the day of his return. On that victorious day, the dead will rise to live. This new life won’t just offer an escape from everything bad. All who believe in him will experience and enjoy eternal life as God intended. A life that will flood our senses with good things.
No, we have not lost anything, even when everything seems lost. For Jesus lives! And his resurrection guarantees that he can transform even the most painful human occurrence into good for his people.
So, raise a glass and raise the victory cry: “This is our God. We trusted in him, and he saved us! Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation!” (Isaiah 25:9)
Prayer:
Jesus, take me with you from the grave of sin, doubt, sorrow, and death, and let me share in your victory, life, joy, and glory. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them . . . [and] said to them. . . . “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”
Luke 24:4-6
Hidden Victory
Daily Devotion -April 20, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 24:4-6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220420dev.mp3
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A little girl turns around in a department store, expecting to see her daddy. But he’s not there. Panic.
A woman gets up and goes to the kitchen, expecting to see her husband. But he’s not there. Grief.
Friends go to the arena, expecting to see their favorite performer’s last concert. But he’s not there. Disappointment.
A man goes to the courthouse, expecting to confront his attacker. But he’s not there. Anger.
“He is not here.”
Those four words don’t typically evoke positive feelings. But on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, the angel’s sermon brings joy and hope bubbling to the surface because those four words are followed by one overpowering truth: He is risen, just as he said. Amid all of life’s disappointments, we have a God who keeps his word.
Jesus is not here because he has risen and ascended to God’s right hand. He’s gone to prepare a place for us. But if he’s gone to prepare a place for us, that means he’s coming back.
Until then, we will still be scared, sad, disappointed, and angered. But let’s not forget what promise opened for us when that stone was flung from its place. Jesus may be hidden from our eyes, but we can always find him in his word. He meets us there with his peace, his joy, his satisfaction, and his grace, and his promise that he will work good for us.
We will not stay in doubt, fear, pain, and sorrow. We will not stay in the grave. We will not stay in our mortal, perishable bodies. We will not stay on this earth, groaning under the weight of sin, but when he comes back, he will take us to live with him on a new earth, cleansed of all evil.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so glad that you are not here, that you are risen, just as you said. It means I can trust that you will keep all your promises to me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
Living Victoriously
Daily Devotion – April 19, 2022 Devotion based on Colossians 3:1-4
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To the world, the Christian life can look like a wasted life–so much time spent worshiping God and serving other people. Why not take everything this life has to offer and make the most of its pleasures?
Why not? Because we have been raised with Christ, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God. This doesn’t mean we live in some fantasy world. Nor does it mean we cut ourselves off from the joys of life.
We still live, work, and play in this world, but culture’s current trends don’t mold our minds, and life’s disappointments don’t crush our hearts. For our hearts are set on the glorious home that Jesus has prepared for us. And so, we gear our minds to wanting what God wants and walking in God’s ways.
Yes, this makes us look like poor, pitiful fools to the world, but our value comes not from what people see. Our value comes from what God sees. Jesus wraps himself around those who trust in him. So, when God looks at us, he sees one that he loves. He sees one with whom he is incredibly pleased. He sees one who is beautiful and blameless. He sees one who is devoted to our first love, Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what grace that I am known, and I am treasured by you. Help me to show this same grace without measure. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
“I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him.”
Exodus 15:1,2
The Victorious Life
Daily Devotion – April 18, 2022 Devotion based on Exodus 15:1,2
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We like to remember the “good old days” when life was better, simpler, more wholesome. We long for those days again. But there are certain things we wish we could forget. And sometimes those things cast such a long shadow we think we cannot escape them and have no choice but to embrace them.
The Israelites’ time as slaves in Egypt was not the good old days. Even after God had delivered them with a mighty hand through the Red Sea, they still couldn’t shake their past. When the path to the promised land looked too difficult, they were ready to return to their former life of slavery.
However, God hadn’t just put space between them and their former way of life. He had shattered it and rendered it powerless. In its place, he gave them a new life and a new identity. As God’s chosen people, they had every reason to let go of their past, rejoice in their present, and hope in the future.
Easter is our Red Sea experience. It is the day that Jesus crossed over from death to life, shattering death and rendering the devil powerless. In its place, he gives us the gift of new life and a new identity. Through faith in Jesus, we are God’s chosen people.
If the path to God’s eternal promised land looks too difficult, too out of grasp, don’t look back. Don’t long for what once was. In Christ, good days do not lie behind us. Nor does our past define us. Jesus’ resurrection means that every day is a new day, a new life, for you and me.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for you are my strength against temptation, my defense against condemnation, and the joy of my salvation. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Luke 24:9-12
No Nonsense
Daily Devotion – April 17, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 24:9-12
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“Nonsense.” That’s what the apostles thought. They couldn’t believe the testimony of the women who had been to Jesus’ tomb. The stone rolled away. The tomb empty. An angel proclaiming Jesus has risen. Utter nonsense! The evidence, however, told a different story. Eventually, every detail Peter saw at the tomb supported the women’s earlier witness.
“Nonsense.” That’s what many people today say about the resurrection of Jesus. How could anyone be so foolish as to believe such a thing? It’s a fabrication. It’s a collection of exaggerations. It’s pure fiction. Nothing like this could ever happen. Still, the facts prove otherwise.
The facts are clear, and they are the foundation for the Christian faith. Jesus rose from the dead. The testimony of the Bible proves it. The eye-witness accounts of more than 500 people prove it. The consistency of the historical account proves it. The change brought about in the lives of Christians proves it.
The resurrection of Jesus is hardly nonsense. It is the most powerful and important truth ever!
Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, my ever-living Savior, fill me with the confidence I need to trust in your resurrection. When my mind would lead me to uncertainty and doubt, fill my heart with the peace that you have secured. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
[Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8
Nothing More Needs to Be Said
Daily Devotion – April 16, 2022 Devotion based on Philippians 2:8
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Imagine it’s about 30 years after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Imagine you are a career military man, recently retired from the Roman army. Like many other retired soldiers, you decide to live in a town called Philippi. You like it there because so many of your neighbors are just like you—people who know what military life is all about.
Then it happens: The apostle Paul comes to your town with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. You believe his message. You help form a Christian congregation. You begin sharing the message of Christ with others.
But then life gets difficult. Because of your Christian faith, some of your old friends want nothing to do with you anymore. Some in your church family are even facing open hostility because of what they believe. You have moments when you wonder how much the Lord Jesus really loves you.
Then, a godsend—a letter from Paul! As you read it, there is one sentence that hits you hard. Paul is describing what Jesus was willing to do for you. He says, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Nothing more needs to be said. You see, as a soldier, you know what death on a cross is. The sight of gasping, writhing victims, the sound of their sobs, the smell, the flies—all have seared themselves into your memory long ago. And the Son of God willingly did that for you.
Does Jesus love you? There he was on the cross. There he bore your sins in your place.
Nothing more needs to be said.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you went to the cross in my place to take my every sin away. You love me. For that I love you. And I thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:7,8
Fighting the Flesh
Daily Devotion – March 31, 2022 Devotion based on Romans 8:7,8
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220331dev.mp3
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The Bible teaches a rather uncomfortable truth. It says that you and I are sinners. On this side of heaven, we’ll continue to struggle with our sinful flesh. It’s a given. But with the Holy Spirit’s power, we are daily called to engage in a holy battle. And with his help, we will be victorious.
But if we throw in the towel and give in to our sin without a fight, we’re encouraging our sinful flesh and mind to continually disobey God’s good commands. And it’s addictive. Sin is a powerful and deadly drug that corrupts our minds and continually lies to us. When we allow our flesh to govern our mind, it eventually becomes “hostile to God.” Without the Spirit’s help, our mind “does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” In summary, Paul tells us, “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God,” and eternal condemnation will be the inevitable outcome.
But Jesus can help us, and he does. Perfectly. He has conquered our sin and crushed our condemnation forever. Trust him!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me your strength to fight my flesh. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5,6
Mind Over Matter
Daily Devotion – March 30, 2022 Devotion based on Romans 8:5,6
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When we face something particularly challenging—maybe even something painful—it may be that someone alongside us will offer us some encouragement by saying, “Come on, now. It’s mind over matter.” What they mean, of course, is that we need to block out the thoughts of any immediate difficulty or pain that we might experience. Instead, we need to set our sights on the reward we will receive when it’s all said and done. It’s a matter of focus, mind over matter.
But, of course, the opposite is also true. If we set our sights on failure and mediocrity, that’s what we’ll end up achieving; maybe even worse than that.
The truth is, it’s natural for sinful human beings like us to choose the path of least resistance, to take the easier way, the path that seems less painful. And that’s especially true when it comes to our spiritual lives. Instead of setting our sights on the unseen, eternal blessings that our Father has promised to give us in heaven, we jump at the chance of securing as many creature comforts in this world as we possibly can right now.
St. Paul describes this as setting our minds “on what the flesh desires.” And he doesn’t pull any punches when he tells us what the result will be: “The mind governed by the flesh is death.” But because of our broken hearts and sinful minds, we’re doomed. Sinners can’t help themselves.
But Jesus can help us and does. Not only does Jesus assure us of our perfect forgiveness and willingly crush our eternal condemnation forever. But he gives us the gift of his Spirit, who renews our minds and empowers us to set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things. And, Paul explains, “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
The Christian life is mind over matter. And in Jesus, our mind in the Spirit wins.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, empower me to live according to your Spirit and set my sights on you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3,4
The Perfect Sinner
Daily Devotion – March 29, 2022 Devotion based on Romans 8:3,4
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220329dev.mp3
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When Christians describe Jesus as perfect, they believe that he never did anything wrong. Not once.
That’s hard to believe, especially when you recall that Jesus was a human being just like we are and faced daily temptation just like we do. But the Bible is clear. Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
But for all his moral perfection, Jesus wouldn’t be our perfect Savior if he hadn’t been willing to suffer as our substitute. So our heavenly Father made Jesus “perfect through what he suffered” (Hebrews 2:10). What does that mean? It means he needed to endure the life of a sinner even though he wasn’t one. But he didn’t just become another sinner. He became the world’s greatest sinner, yes, the perfect sinner!
That’s what St. Paul is describing in Romans chapter 8. He begins by teaching us why we are unable to be perfect in God’s eyes. Try as we might to follow God’s law, it is powerless to save us “because it was weakened by (our sinful) flesh.” While God’s law is perfect, we are imperfect. Our following it perfectly is hopeless.
But what we are unable to do, “God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.” Elsewhere, Paul describes it this way: “God made [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Though Jesus was sinless, God laid our sin and the sins of the world on him. Then he condemned Jesus, the perfect sinner, in our place. Our perfect substitute.
So, Jesus hasn’t simply swept away our condemnation. He’s crushed it once and for all. The slate is clean for you, for me, for everyone. Our sin is forgiven and forgotten forever.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for becoming my sin so that I might be given your perfection. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Roman 8:1,2
Pardoned
Daily Devotion – March 28, 2022 Devotion based on Roman 8:1,2
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One of the greatest powers bestowed on the President of the United States is the near-absolute authority to pardon people who have been convicted of a federal crime. That power even extends over lawbreakers who have been sentenced to death because of their misdeeds. The second article of the Constitution of the United States grants this power to the president, except in cases where federal officers have been impeached and removed from office. Beyond that one exception, the president has the unconditional power to pardon whomever he pleases.
It has long been the custom in the Christian church to illustrate the eternal truths of the Bible with every day, earthly examples, with which we are familiar. So, when a Christian wants to illustrate God’s power to forgive sin, it might be tempting to compare it to a presidential pardon.
But when it comes to illustrating God’s power to forgive, all analogies limp. And that’s true of this one, too, because when God forgives our sin, we are more than pardoned. When a person is pardoned, the crime still exists. The president declares no person will pay for the crime and that crime simply remains unpunished.
But that’s not what God did with our sins. He didn’t ignore them or leave them unpunished through a divine pardon. That would mean our sin is still on our record; it would simply go unpunished.
But our sin is gone; it’s forgotten forever! Our rightful condemnation has been completely crushed by the perfect life and perfect sacrificial payment of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Our sin is not just pardoned; it’s vanquished and vanished forever. And not just our sin but the sins of the whole world. What power!
Make no mistake about it. We are more than pardoned. Sing for joy because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for giving me the assurance that my sin has been paid for and my condemnation forever crushed. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Romans 8:5
Autopilots of Life
Daily Devotion – March 27, 2022 Devotion based on Romans 8:5
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220327dev.mp3
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Do you feel trapped or stuck in a miserable pattern of life? Are your feelings making you feel caged? Are your sinful habits too hard to climb out of? Perhaps your autopilot is set wrong.
Often when we think of laws, we think of those rules that have been set up that we must abide by. But there is another way the word “law” is used. Think, for example, of the law of gravity. I don’t know of anyone arrested for breaking the “law” of gravity. This kind of law is an observed reality of how things work–the consistent pattern that holds true.
The pattern that holds true in the lives of people is the “law” of sinful nature. It is the autopilot that directs us to want the opposite of what God wants. But the Holy Spirit resets the autopilot of our lives. He creates in us a new heart as he leads us to trust what Jesus did by perfectly keeping God’s law for us and putting himself under the sentence of condemnation that we deserved. He became what we were to be, so we could be forever tied to what he is. When we live in trust in Christ, a new direction is set for our lives. There is no longer the slavery to the feelings and actions to the sinful nature, but rather a continued growing in Christlikeness. Keep reading and listening to the message of the Bible to keep your autopilot set right on Jesus.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, overcome the autopilot of my sinful nature and create a Christlike heart in its place. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.
Isaiah 61:1,2
Freedom
Daily Devotion – March 26, 2022 Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1,2
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“Freedom!” Perhaps you recall Mel Gibson screaming that word in one of the final scenes of the movie Braveheart. He gave all he had so that the people of his nation would be free from England’s rule. He lost his life, the war continued, perhaps there were times of relative freedom and peace, yet any quick study of history reveals continued struggles and battles.
Has your soul ever cried out for “freedom”? Have you ever wanted to be completely free from a nagging or guilty conscience? No matter how hard you fight or how long you try, you can never seem to win that battle. The memory of your past sins and faults never seems to set you free.
In our Bible reading for today, the prophet Isaiah shouts, “Freedom!” Isaiah foretells the work of the coming Savior, Jesus. Because of the Lord’s great love and favor, he punished Jesus in your place. Jesus suffered and died on that cross as your substitute. The result is free and full forgiveness for each and every one of your sins. That’s freedom! That’s the good news that binds up even the most broken heart. Like a beam of sunshine, these words pierce the darkness of the prison of sin.
Now you and I can shout out loud each day, “I am free!” We can step forward into each day with a fresh and clean conscience, confident in the Lord’s proclamation of forgiveness through faith in Jesus. And, like a wonderful gift, what better way to say thanks to God for our newfound freedom than to shout it out and share the good news with others.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for wiping away my sin and giving me a fresh start. Help me to live for you each day so that I can show my thanks to you in my words and actions. Help me shine forth your love to others who are still searching for freedom from their sins. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Then [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9
Sparking Joy
Daily Devotion – March 25, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9
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Does it spark joy? Over the last few years, many people have become familiar with that question because of the popularity of Marie Kondo and her KonMari system of tidying. Pick up any item and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” When the answer is yes, then you can be sure you’re retaining it for a good reason.
Does it seem like the fig tree sparked joy in the heart of the vineyard owner? Not so much. He saw little reason to keep it around. He’d been reasonable. After all, one would expect that a fig tree would produce figs. He’d been patient, looking for fruit from the fig tree for three years. To receive nothing in return for all his time invested sparked the opposite of joy. He was ready to get rid of it. The only thing that saved it was the intercession of the caretaker.
We also have a caretaker–a divine caretaker. Jesus pleads for us and nurtures us. His grace and forgiveness make us want to produce good fruit in our lives. Truly that sparks joy in the heart of God. And in our hearts, too.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, you work in people’s hearts to bring them to repentance and faith. Graciously do the same for me every day. And then help me to produce fruits of faith and repentance in gratitude to you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-3
Security Alarm
Daily Devotion – March 24, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 13:1-3
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It’s a lot easier to shake our heads in disgust than it is to bow our heads in shame. In other words, we’re more than willing to get out our metaphorical magnifying glass to see the sins of the people around us better. But we’re not nearly as willing to subject ourselves to the same scrutiny. Things weren’t all that different in Jesus’ day. Especially when disaster struck, it was common reasoning that the victims had committed some sin to make God mad. And the worse the disaster, the angrier God must have been.
Our Bible reading for today tells us about some sort of altercation at or near the temple in Jerusalem and the blood of the worshipers ended up being mixed with the sacrifices they were bringing. Judging by Jesus’ no-nonsense response, one wonders if maybe the conversation included a question that reflected the popular thought at the time. “Who sinned? Whose sin caused this to happen?”
Jesus puts those thoughts to bed right away. “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Do you see what happened? Jesus took the magnifying glass out of their hands and got them to look in the mirror instead.
It might be hard to hear, but we depend on Jesus to lead us away from the false security that comes from dwelling on the sins of others and lead us to a place where we can see our own desperate need. Only there, crushed and broken by the mountain of God’s law can we marvel at the mercy that the Redeemer from Heaven shows us in putting us back together in the promises of God. That’s where we find true security, the kind that lasts forever.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, deliver me in mercy from the temptation to focus on the sins of others. Lead me to see my own need, and to rejoice in the security found in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12
Standing on Unshakeable Ground
Daily Devotion – March 23, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:12
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The Passu Suspension Bridge is a walking bridge that traverses the Hunza River in Pakistan. It’s composed of hundreds of rickety boards spaced several feet apart, all hung together by a few meager ropes. Some have called it one of the most dangerous bridges in the world. Looking at images of it online, it’s easy to believe them.
But at least when folks are walking on the Passu Suspension Bridge, they know the danger. They know they’re on shaky ground (or more appropriately, shaky bridge), and they can at least take appropriate precautions. It’s far more dangerous to be on shaky ground and have no idea of the peril you’re in. That’s especially true of spiritual matters. That’s why the Bible warns, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
The Old Testament Israelites had received blessing upon blessing from the benevolent hand of God. And they were pretty comfortable with being God’s special nation. So comfortable that they grew unappreciative, whiny, and disobedient.
What does it have to do with us? Having received so many gifts from God regularly, it can be easy for us to take them for granted—to think we’ve earned and deserved them. Taking credit for what God has done? That’s spiritually shaky ground. “Be careful that you don’t fall!” Paul tells us.
Does this mean we shouldn’t be confident about our faith, forgiveness, resurrection, or eternity? No, that’s not Paul’s point. We can remain fully confident with our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting that God will keep the promises he’s made in his Word. Full forgiveness through faith in the Lamb of God. That is God’s unshakable promise. And “God is faithful,” the Bible says in the very next verse. It’s things like smugness, complacency, and ingratitude that focus our attention inward and away from God. Those are the things we pray that the Holy Spirit would help us watch out for, the things that he would help us to sweep mercilessly from our hearts today and every day.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, lead me to focus my hope on the unshakeable promises of God. Help me to rely on you that I may remain standing firm till the end. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11
A Lesson in Gratitude
Daily Devotion – March 22, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:11
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Think of a time when your mom or dad taught you something important. Maybe it was how to tie your shoelaces or how to make your bed. Maybe there were times when it wasn’t a skill that you learned from them, but rather attitudes or values. And then, of course, because they were human, there were times when their mistakes taught you that some of their words or actions were best not to imitate.
Sometimes we learn what to do from those who’ve gone before us. Sometimes we learn what not to do. In our Bible reading for today we hear the apostle Paul tell the church at Corinth to look carefully at the generation of Israelites made famous in the book of Exodus. “Learn from them,” Paul says. “Learn what not to do.”
Those Israelites had every advantage, spiritually speaking. They had seen God’s hand deliver his people from Egypt. They had passed between the parted waters of the Red Sea. They had daily collected the manna that had fallen miraculously from heaven. They’d been on the receiving end of grace upon grace, miracle upon miracle. Humble gratitude would have been the appropriate response.
But presumption, rather than humble gratitude, was the dominant attitude among the Israelites. And if knowing that doesn’t lead us to check ourselves for presumption, the lesson to be learned here would be totally lost on us.
How easy for us to feel slighted because someone else has received something we haven’t. And to complain loudly—even if it’s just in our heads—about God’s providence, even as we live each day with food on the table, a bed to sleep in, a closet full of clothes—and a heavenly home waiting for us. That’s presumption when humble gratitude is called for. So we approach the cross, trusting Jesus’ promise that he will cover these sins, too, with his perfect life and innocent blood! And knowing that He has, we rededicate ourselves to lives of humble gratitude before the One who gives us every good thing.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, drive presumption from my heart, and keep me ever mindful, ever thankful for the undeserved blessings that come from your hand. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:11,12
True Security
Daily Devotion – March 21, 2022 Devotion based on Exodus 3:11,12
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When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses appeared to be insecure and unsure of himself. He openly questioned God’s choice in sending him. But, perhaps rather than saying Moses was insecure, it is more accurate to say that Moses’ security rested in the wrong place. Moses held on tightly to the security that he believed resided with his shepherd’s crook and fuzzy flock, security that he had trouble envisioning in his new calling. After all, it would take tremendous courage to confront Pharaoh. His physical well-being might be in danger. He had certainly become a very public figure with a very sizable target on his back. If he saw greater security in the fields, one can hardly fault his thinking.
But here’s what we must not forget. Moses wasn’t leaving his security behind with his sheep. His God remained by his side. When the Creator of the Constellations says, “I will be with you” that’s real security—security that endures regardless of outward circumstances.
And that is his promise to us. Although all things are possible for him, our God chooses not to show us his visible presence in a burning bush. He shows us that he is nearby showing us, Jesus—God with flesh and bones who promises his continuous presence. God shows us he is nearby revealing himself in the words of the Bible, washing us with the water of baptism, and feeding us with his true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.
Wherever we may go, we go with our God’s promise. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His faithful presence is our true security.
Prayer:
Triune God, help me face every new day calm and trusting in the promise of your faithful presence. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked . . . All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.
Luke 4:22,28,29
The Difference
Daily Devotion – March 20, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:22,28,29
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Notice the difference in the reaction of the same people to Jesus, and all in a matter of a few minutes. In verse 22, “all spoke well of him…” In verse 28, “All…were furious when they heard this.” In fact (vs. 29), they tried to kill him. What had Jesus said that so changed their demeanor? Using the words of the Bible, Jesus told the people that he was the Messiah (the Savior) promised by God for his people, Israel. Further, he pointed out that when Israel did not receive God’s plan of salvation for them in Old Testament times, God sent the message to foreigners.
Did Jesus’ hearers need a savior? Yes, they did. They were sinners, as have been all people since Adam and Eve. That includes us. You and I need a savior, too. We sinned and separated ourselves from God. Jesus took our sins on himself by living a perfect life in our place, then innocently suffering, and being sacrificed for us. Jesus paid the price for our sins and his Father accepted us back into fellowship with him.
Are there differences between Jesus’ hearers in Nazareth and us? Not in terms of our need for a savior. But thank God that he has convinced us that Jesus is our Savior. Because of the faith the Holy Spirit has implanted in us, we know that we will spend eternity in heaven.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I thank and praise you for your work of salvation, taking my punishment on yourself. Take me to be with you eternally. Amen
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:18-20
Our Citizenship
Daily Devotion – March 19, 2022 Devotion based on Philippians 3:18-20
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While my family lived in southern Alabama, we loved southern hospitality, greeting friends with a hug at the grocery store, and “slap my Momma” chocolate cake.
But hot boiled peanuts we never learned to crave—maybe because we weren’t from around there.
Christians can relate. We’re not “from around here.” So, we don’t live to make our belly happy, as if this were our home. Our citizenship is in heaven.
True, we sometimes live for our belly. We neglect family to make a few extra bucks with overtime. We rush out the door, ignoring a need for help that a neighbor has. Every day we sin by living for ourselves and not for our Savior.
Then Jesus steps in. Christians aren’t citizens of heaven because we deserve it. We belong in heaven because Jesus gave us citizenship. He signed our naturalization papers with his blood from the cross.
We yearn for the day when Jesus will come back, transform our bodies into glorious ones, and take us home to heaven.
Not sure if you’re a citizen of heaven? You don’t need a visa or to pass a civics test to know Jesus died for you. He’s already signed your naturalization papers. Your sins are forgiven, and there’s a place for you in heaven—all gifts of his love for you!
Enjoy his blessings here and look forward to your home in heaven!
Prayer:
Jesus, remind me of my home in heaven every day. Give me the strength to live for you and not for my belly. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
[Jesus said] “I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13:35
Bless Him Whenever You See Him
Daily Devotion – March 18, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 13:35
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Jesus comes in baptism in the name of the only true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s a great blessing to have the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation that is promised through baptism. When Jesus comes in baptism to you or others, it is appropriate to say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Jesus comes to you whenever the name of the Lord is spoken in the reading of the Bible. The Lord’s name is broadly everything that he tells us about himself, and the place where he tells us about himself is the Holy Scripture. When Jesus comes in the Bible to you or others, it is appropriate to say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on the Sunday before he died, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” On Sunday, before you remember the Lord’s death and celebrate his real presence in the Lord’s Supper, it is appropriate to sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Jesus will return on judgment day. Instead of being afraid, you will rejoice in your salvation through faith in Jesus. That will be an ideal time to join with the angels and with every believer who has ever lived and shout, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I trust that I will see you again, and then I will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
[Jesus replied] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Luke 13:34
He Will Cover You With His Wings
Daily Devotion – March 17, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 13:34
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Patrick would have had good reason to curse the Irish. Born in Scotland, he was raised as a Christian but was not very serious about his faith. He was kidnapped at the age of sixteen and enslaved in Ireland. He did hard labor for six years and got much more serious about his faith. Finally, he escaped, made his way to the coast, got a job on a ship, and returned to Scotland.
But he could not get the Irish out of his mind. Something was compelling him to share Jesus, the one who had come to mean so much to him, with his former captors. After studying the Bible for nearly twenty years, he went back to Ireland a free man and never left. Despite opposition, he persevered and gathered the Irish into Christian congregations. We remember this remarkable man every March seventeenth when we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
Jesus would have had good reason to curse the people of Jerusalem. He had come from heaven to save them, but many opposed him. Still, he longed to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. It’s a tender picture of love for people who did not deserve it.
It’s a tender picture of love for you and me. Jesus longs to gather us under his wings. He does not want to curse us. We ignore or oppose him at our own risk since salvation can come only from him. But he persevered, even to death, and he perseveres in gathering people into Christian congregations. Take refuge there.
Prayer:
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”
Luke 13:31-33
Jesus Does Not Avoid Death
Daily Devotion – March 16, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 13:31-33
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I know a man who heard from his national government that a local mob was coming for him and that the government couldn’t protect him. That man’s brother-in-law had already been kidnapped by a mob, so the man knew that he should take the warning seriously. He decided to leave temporarily. It is still not safe for him to return.
Jesus had a similar situation, only in his case, it was the national government that was wanting to kill him. Instead of running away, Jesus chose to go toward the seat of the national government and continue his work on the way. Why would he make a choice like that?
Jesus gives a hint to his motives when he talks about reaching his goal in three days. Jesus knew that the only way he would fulfill the prophecies about him would be to die and then rise to life again on the third day. Jesus did not avoid death. He walked right into it because he knew that by his death and resurrection, he would provide eternal life to everyone who believes in him.
One day we will all come face to face with death. Thankfully, Jesus has done everything in his power to give us eternal life when our time for death eventually comes.
Prayer:
Jesus, give me the confidence to face death and enter eternal life with you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21
Glory Is on the Way
Daily Devotion – March 15, 2022 Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21
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I wish I had a body like the Olympic athletes have. It would be so nice to be able to ski or skate or sled the way they do. I have to admit that my body is more lowly. I have limits and aches and pains.
Thankfully, it won’t always be that way. The apostle Paul tells me that my citizenship is in heaven. In other words, heaven is where I really belong. It is a citizenship won for me by Jesus. He is the Savior of my soul, but he is also the Savior of my body.
Jesus has a real human body. It separated from his soul when he died, but when his body and soul came back together, he rose from the dead. He has a body now that is ageless and perfect.
Jesus promises that my soul and body will also be together in eternity, even if they have separated in death. I have a lowly body now, always in training and decline. But due to my citizenship in heaven, glory for my body is on the way. Someday it will be ageless and perfect, just like the glorious body of Jesus. I can hardly wait.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, give me the strength to persevere with this lowly body until you make it a glorious body with you in heaven. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.”
Jeremiah 26:11-14
Ready Recipients
Daily Devotion – March 14, 2022 Devotion based on Jeremiah 26:11-14
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Every year I hear people complain about the beginning of Daylight Saving Time because, on that first night, everyone has to set their clock ahead one hour and lose an hour of sleep. Have you ever been the one to remind someone that “Daylight Saving Time begins tonight?” They usually aren’t very happy to hear it. It’s never fun to be the one who shares unwelcome news.
Jeremiah was a prophet who had to share some unwelcome news—news that was far more important and serious than the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. God had commanded him to warn the people of his day that if they did not repent of their sins against God, he would destroy them. When leaders of the people heard it, their response was, “This man should be sentenced to death.”
You may never have wanted to put one of God’s messengers to death, but all of us have at times treated God’s calls to repentance with something less than ready acceptance. What is remarkable is that, even for this ungodly attitude, we have God’s forgiveness through Jesus. We can be certain that when we turn from our sin to him for forgiveness, he will always be there to restore us. May this reality make us ready recipients of God’s messengers when they call us to repentance.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me a ready recipient of your messengers. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.”
Jeremiah 26:12,13
Call to Repentance
Daily Devotion – March 13, 2022 Devotion based on Jeremiah 26:12,13
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What do you do when your child runs out into a busy street? Do you ignore it? Of course not! When you see your child run into that busy street, you call him back because you love him.
Our heavenly Father loves us perfectly. When we sin against him, he calls us back because he knows that sin is always harmful to us. At first, sin may seem fun, just like playing in a busy street might seem fun at first. But as long as we play in the street of sin, we are in danger of losing our life—our eternal life. So, loving Father that he is, God calls us to repentance.
What will you do when God sends his messenger to warn you about your sin? He may use a friend, a family member, or a pastor. We pray for God to help us turn from our sin when he calls us to repentance. And we pray that God grant us the confidence to know that when we turn back to him, he is waiting with open arms and a forgiving heart.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your death on the cross has paid for my sin. May this truth give me confidence to turn from my sin, knowing that you are there to welcome me with open arms. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:15,16
Come to God with Confidence
Daily Devotion – March 12, 2022 Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15,16
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Airport security has become quite a process. Want access to the gates? You go through security. It’s serious scrutiny: boarding pass in hand, shoes off, pockets emptied, laptops and liquids out, you slowly walk through a metal detector or stand with hands over your head in a body scanner. It can be unsettling. But if you have nothing to hide, you pass through the security checkpoint with confidence.
What about access to God? The thought can be unsettling. But you can approach God with confidence!
How? Doesn’t God’s living, active, penetrating word scrutinize us more than an airport scanner? Don’t we have plenty we don’t want God to see?
Sure. And our sin is nothing new to Jesus; our high priest isn’t surprised to see our sin. He knows about sin. He was tempted to sin. Yet he successfully avoided sin in his own life. And he sacrificed his perfect, sinless life for our sin. He takes away our sin and gives us access to God.
So, cling tightly to Jesus, our high priest. He’s better than a boarding pass—he’s our personal escort to God. He died and rose again and went up through the heavens for us.
So, approach God with confidence. Heavenly rest is yours through Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, my high priest, you have taken away all my sin. With you at my side, I come to God with confidence. Bring me to my heavenly rest. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God…”
Luke 4:3
Stand Strong
Daily Devotion – March 11, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:3
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Do you think the devil’s question got under Jesus’ skin? It is a question he would hear throughout his ministry on earth. One can imagine how he might get sick and tired of being doubted, questioned, and threatened by the very people he came to save. So many were skeptical that he was, in fact, the true Son of God. Along comes Satan, who essentially whispers into his ear three times: ‘prove it.’ “If you are the Son of God.” It is not too difficult to imagine that question pushing Jesus over the edge.
Similar phrases from the devil push us over the edge and right into sin. The devil whispers them into our ears as well: “Just this one time, no one will ever know…,” “Come on, you know it will make you happy…,” “Go ahead, you deserve it.” So often, we allow the devil to plant a suggestion in our ear and push us right into sin.
Thankfully Jesus stood strong. Every time Satan tried to bait him or goad him into sin, Jesus stood his ground. He used God’s Word to shut the temptation down. And Jesus did not just say ‘no’ once or twice. Throughout his entire life, Jesus said no to sin and shut down the devil’s temptations. Then, at the end of that perfect life, Jesus willingly gave his life for you and me as he died on the cross to pay for all the times when you and I have failed to say no to temptation. His sacrifice has paid the price our sins deserve and earned us a free ticket to eternal life in heaven.
And as we wait for the day when Jesus takes us home to heaven, he has given us a powerful tool to defeat temptation—the Word of God. Get to know that tool and ask God to bless you as you fight temptation in your life. The devil is no match for the Word of God. Jesus will be with you and will bless your trust in his Word.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for defeating sin and for being my perfect substitute. Teach me to use God’s Word to fight temptation in my life. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Luke 4:1,2
Victory and Strength
Daily Devotion – March 10, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:1,2
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“You’re not you when you’re hungry.” That was the tagline of a successful series of commercials run by Snickers. The commercials featured people who were not at their best when they were hungry. Their hunger had transformed them into crabby versions of themselves. They would yell at people and behave in ways that were rude and selfish until someone would give them a Snickers candy bar. Then they would suddenly become themselves again.
As funny as those commercials were, they illustrate something we all experience: we are not at our best when we are hungry, or our needs are not met. Think of what you are like on a bad day or when things don’t go as planned: we lash out at people at work or school; we complain about minor things; we get short-tempered with the kids and sarcastic with the spouse, we may even threaten worse behavior. The devil has a way of kicking us when we are down. He knows when we are not at our best, and he moves in for the kill. All too often he succeeds in leading us into temptation when we are not at our best.
But he did not succeed with Jesus. Even after not eating for 40 days, Jesus was not led astray. He fought temptation. He resisted the devil’s attacks. He did not take out his frustrations on others or behave in a way that was less than godly. And he did this all for us. We are saved by the perfect obedience of Jesus. His life and death has saved us from our sins. Even when he was physically weak, he was still strong enough to defeat temptation for us and to win our salvation.
So, when you are not at your best, look to Jesus. Look to the One who has saved you. Find victory and strength in Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when I am weak, you are strong. Help me to look to you and find strength in your victory for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Temptations
Daily Devotion – March 9, 2022 Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15
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How many temptations do you suppose you will face today? Temptations will come every day in different ways: at work, on the internet, in our thoughts, with the words we choose, when interacting with friends and spouses and siblings, etc. For our purposes, let’s imagine that you will face 100 temptations today. That is likely a low number, but let’s go with it—100 temptations a day. That’s 36,500 temptations a year. If you live to be 80, you will have faced 2,920,000 temptations in your lifetime.
That’s a large number! How many times do you suppose you have failed to fight off those temptations? The Bible says one sin is enough to condemn us for all eternity, but we have all failed far more often than that. Even if we said we avoided temptation half the time, that still means we will have failed to defeat temptation roughly one million times. That means we fall woefully short of the perfection God requires.
Isn’t it remarkable, then, that Jesus faced at least that many temptations and never once sinned? “Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Amazing! And he did that for you. Jesus knew that you would fail, so he came to make it right. He came into this world to live a perfect life on your behalf. Jesus’ perfect obedience crushes your temptation and sin. As your perfect substitute, Jesus earned forgiveness and salvation for you. His perfect life in your place and his death on the cross for you assure you that you have a place with him in heaven forever.
And this same Jesus, who has already died for you, also knows what it is like to face temptation. He has been there and done that. So go to him! When you are tempted, turn to Jesus. He has the power to help you defeat temptation.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for my sin. When I am tempted, help me to turn to you. Give me the strength to say no to temptation and to trust in you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.”
1 Samuel 17:45,46
Confidence
Daily Devotion – March 8, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:45,46
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We live in an age of confident boasts. Politicians make bold promises about what they will do in office. Athletes post on social media about how they will dominate on the court or the field. So many people in this world are ready to tell us what they are going to do. All that confidence is impressive, except sometimes things do not turn out as planned. Very often, the politician fails to accomplish what was so boldly promised. Frequently the confident athlete walks off the court, failing to deliver on the predicted championship.
In 1 Samuel 17, David makes some confident statements of his own. Notice that he does not boast in himself. Rather, he boasts in the Lord. David stares up at the 9-foot giant and boldly confesses his faith in the Lord and predicts that he will win the battle in the Lord’s name.
Are you looking for similar confidence? You will find it in Jesus. He has redeemed you. He has died on the cross to take your sins away. He rose from the dead so that, through faith in him, you could have eternal life. He has defeated your enemies. He has obtained forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven and given them to you free of charge. He promises to be with you always and encourages you to put your faith in him.
This mighty Lord, who has already done so much for you, will also be with you, bless you, and fight for you. And unlike so many others in this world, his bold statements have never gone unfulfilled. His promises have never fallen to the ground. Trust in him. Have confidence that Jesus’ victory is your victory. In Jesus’ name, you can defeat temptation.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, grant me the boldness to trust in you no matter what. Lead me to place my confidence in the victory you have won for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
A champion named Goliath . . . came out of the Philistine camp. His height was [over nine feet tall]. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.
1 Samuel 17:4-7
Our Warrior
Daily Devotion – March 7, 2022 Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:4-7
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Could you imagine taking the field of battle that day? You would only have to face one enemy, but he was like no enemy you had ever seen. He was almost as tall as a regulation basketball hoop. He was stronger than anyone you had ever seen and could throw that weighted spear right through a brick wall, let alone a human being. All of Israel’s army looked at this giant enemy and was convinced there was no hope.
Do you have enemies like that in your life? A giant against whom you have no chance to defeat on your own? Maybe the enemy is a bottle filled with alcohol or pills. Perhaps the enemy is a website where your fingers are itching to take you on your phone. It could be that the enemy is doubt, fear, greed, or any other temptation that comes your way.
On our own, we are lost. We cannot defeat these powerful enemies by ourselves. Thankfully, we are never alone. Our Savior, Jesus, is with us, and he has already defeated an enemy even greater than Goliath. Jesus has faced off against sin, death, and the devil and has crushed them all. By his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave, Jesus has forever defeated our enemies. And he has shared his victory with us! Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are the rewards he has earned for us all through faith in him.
Goliath was a foe like no other. Jesus is a warrior like no other! He has forever crushed the enemies we could not defeat on our own. When those strong temptations come back around, look to Jesus. Trust in him and ask him to fight for you.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for defeating sin and temptation for me. Help me when I am tempted and lead me to trust in you to bring me the victory. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:15,16
Jesus Knows How You Feel
Daily Devotion – March 6, 2022 Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15,16
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Remember when you were so tired that all you wanted to do was sleep, and instead, your baby with an ear infection woke up every time you tried to lay her down? When you wanted to get some extra tasks done at the office and fell farther behind? When you looked forward to the leisurely Saturday filled with college football and ended up fixing the garage door?
Know this about God whom you worship, Jesus came down to our world, and he knows how you feel. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” Jesus was willing to deal with the poison, the sin of this world so that he could win you for an eternity of heaven. He willingly lifted up and carried your sins to the cross. Suspended between heaven and earth, he felt the white-hot anger of his Father for your sins. Filled with life—because he had no sin and paid for yours—he rose from the dead, bringing with him your unconditional forgiveness.
Rejection? He knew it. Temptation? He felt it. Loneliness? He experienced it. Death? He tasted it. Stress? He could write the book on it. There is something extraordinarily comforting in knowing that Jesus is like you in every way, just that he had no sin.
So, use this Bible truth. When you hurt, go to Jesus with confidence. He will help you in your time of need. Jesus knows how you feel.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, it is comforting to remember that you are like me and know how I feel. On those most difficult days, move me to come to you and have you heal me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Luke 9:35
Chosen by God
Daily Devotion – March 5, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 9:35
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I like to ask my daughters this question when they come home from school, “What did you like the most about school today?” My oldest child almost always answers, “Recess.”
That’s also how I often answered the same question when I was a kid. I remember those special days at recess time when I got to be a captain and could choose my teammates for kickball. Because I wanted my team to win, I would choose my classmates who could run fast and kick the ball far.
One day Jesus and three of his disciples went up a mountain to pray. Suddenly, Jesus’ appearance changed as he showed his glory as the eternal Son of God. Two men from the Old Testament miraculously appeared and talked with Jesus. Next, a cloud came and surrounded everyone. Finally, God the Father spoke from heaven. “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Guess what? God has chosen you, too, for something special. He hasn’t chosen you to be this world’s only Savior. That job belongs to Jesus. Instead, God the Father has chosen you to be his child and a brother or sister of Jesus. God didn’t see anything good in you that caused him to choose you. His decision was based solely on his great love for you.
Listen to Jesus in the Bible. He has the answers to life’s problems. He speaks about free forgiveness for your sins because of his death on the cross. He talks about the victory over death for you because of his resurrection from the dead. His words give you eternal life and will build you up in saving faith. His words will keep you in the faith as God’s chosen child.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for sending your Son, Jesus, to save me from my sin. Help me to listen carefully to his word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.
2 Corinthians 3:12,13
Hidden No Longer
Daily Devotion – March 4, 2022 Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 3:12,13
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The youth group at our church sometimes plays a game called “Reverse Hide and Seek.” One person is chosen to be “it” and goes and hides, and everyone else must seek that person. The twist is that whenever someone finds the hidden person; they quietly join them in their hiding spot. It can be hard at first, but by the end, there are so many people trying to hide in the same spot that it is impossible to stay hidden.
The Israelites asked Moses to put on a veil so that they wouldn’t have to look upon his shining face. Whenever Moses went into God’s presence, his face would shine, and it terrified the people. Their solution to this fear was a thin piece of cloth to hide his glory.
When Jesus came and brought life for all, his glory could not be hidden. Jesus’ ministry was no thin veneer or provisional instruction that was passing away. Jesus himself was no hazy image or dim light that could be ignored. Rather, he was God himself that came to make people right with God. Accomplished in plain sight, his words and actions had an eternal significance that could not be ignored.
Since we have such hope, we are very bold. There is nothing to be afraid of and nothing hidden. Our eyes are confidently fixed on Jesus. Nothing separates us from the glory of Jesus, and that glory is reflected in our lives. With full assurance, we look to the one whom God uncovered.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, make me very bold in my trust of you and the work your Son has done for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
Luke 5:4-6
Because Jesus Says So
Daily Devotion – February 10, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 5:4-6
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Can you imagine the scene? Jesus had just finished teaching crowds of people, using Simon’s boat as an impromptu stage. Now he taught Simon how to fish. The problem was that Simon was a professional fisherman, and Jesus was not.
Jesus told him to put out into the deep water during the day. But Simon knew that the best time to fish was the evening and that the best place to throw your nets was in the shallow water. In fact, Simon had labored with all his skill all night long and caught nothing. And now Jesus wanted him to drop his nets again at a less favorable time. It didn’t make any sense.
But there was something about Jesus that caused Simon to take him at his word. And so, he said to Jesus, “…because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Jesus’ word has authority and power. Because Jesus is the almighty Son of God, he filled the nets with fish to their breaking point.
The miracle taught Simon to always trust Jesus’ word. This would be important when Simon began doing the important work of what Jesus called “catching people.” You see, after this miracle, Jesus called Simon to fish for people. Jesus’ word is what catches people for him by bringing them to faith, and now Simon knew the power of Jesus’ word.
Do you? Christianity has been spreading and growing for millennia, not by human skill or technique, but by the word of Jesus. It may seem strange or go against your expectations for how God should work, but because Jesus says so, trust in his word to do the job. He will not let you down!
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to always trust your word. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:12,13
Christianity Is for Everyone
Daily Devotion – February 9, 2022 Devotion based on Romans 10:12,13
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Of all the words you could pick to describe Christianity, would “inclusive” be one of them? Many people would say, “No, Christianity is too exclusive.” But does the Bible passage you just read sound discriminatory?
The apostle Paul wrote those words. His life’s work was spreading the good news of Christianity, and he did not discriminate with it. Paul was Jewish, but he told non-Jewish people about Jesus. Paul was a man, but he told women about Jesus. Paul had a religious upbringing, but he told the unreligious about Jesus.
Why is the Christian message so inclusive? Because God wants to include all people in his kingdom. He wants all people to be saved—including you! Isn’t that amazing? It makes God happy to include you.
Christianity is for everyone. That’s why Paul’s words here are so inclusive. But did you also notice how exclusive they are? You cannot believe anything that you want to. Paul did not write, “Everyone who calls on whatever will be saved.”
God is more exclusive than that. He does not tolerate faith in just anyone or anything. In this, he is like a doctor. When you’re sick, the doctor doesn’t prescribe medicine that he randomly picked. He administers what he knows will help you. He wants to give you the medicine that will cure your ailment.
God works the same way. All human beings suffer from the same problem—sin. Therefore, all human beings need the same solution—the Lord Jesus Christ.
So why is the Christian message so exclusive? Because there is only one Savior. We need a salvation that is all God’s work and not ours, and we have it in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus is the God-man who loved the world so much he gave up his life on the cross for everyone who ever has lived, is living, or will live.
When Christians speak the good news about Jesus, they are just like sick people telling other sick people where to find the cure. God promises eternal salvation to everyone who calls on Christ in faith.
Prayer:
Lord of all, bless me when I call on you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:6-8
Unlikely Messengers
Daily Devotion – February 8, 2022 Devotion based on Isaiah 6:6-8
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This is one of the most striking incidents recorded in the Bible. The prophet Isaiah saw the Lord high and exalted, surrounded by angels and seated on his throne. He was overwhelmed by his sin. He was convinced that he was ruined.
Until God sent an angel with a burning coal from the temple’s altar. In the Old Testament, the altar was the place where sacrifices were slaughtered and burned. What happened on the altar made sinners forgiven.
So the angel touched Isaiah’s lips with the coal and declared that his guilt was gone, and his sins were atoned for. The Hebrew word translated “atone” literally means “to cover up.” Sin is atoned for when it is covered by sacrificial blood and can no longer be seen.
Our holy God does not ignore sins. He atones for them. That is what Christ did on the cross. On the altar of the cross, Jesus gave his life as an atoning sacrifice to pay for your sins and cover them with his blood.
Because of Jesus’ work, that angel could announce that Isaiah was forgiven. The same announcement is still spoken to sinners. Not by angels, but by the people whom God forgives, just like Isaiah. Isaiah was overwhelmed by God’s forgiveness and volunteered to speak it to others.
God continues to use unlikely messengers to announce his forgiveness to you. Whether it was spoken by a Christian friend or family member, a stranger, or even the pastor writing this devotion, know that the holy Lord forgives and welcomes you into his presence. Look at Jesus’ cross. Listen to Jesus’ word: “Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for.”
Prayer:
Lord, you have made atonement for my sin and let me know about it. Thank you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:5
Seeing God
Daily Devotion – February 7, 2022 Devotion based on Isaiah 6:5
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Would you like to see God? The prophet Isaiah actually did. The Lord was seated high on his throne, and his robe filled the temple. Smoke billowed everywhere. Fiery angels flew overhead and shouted praises to God so loudly that the temple shook. And there, in the middle of all of it, stood Isaiah, listening to what the angels were saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).
To be holy means to be set apart. Holiness is separation from sin. In fact, sinfulness and holiness are polar opposites. It is like light and darkness. One cannot exist in the presence of the other. Light scatters darkness, and God’s holiness destroys unholy things.
That was why Isaiah was terrified. What happens when sinners see God? Death happens. No sinner can stand in the presence of God and live. Isaiah expected to be obliterated by God’s holiness.
That was Isaiah’s problem. It’s also our problem. Like him, we have unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips. Whether we look inside or outside ourselves, there is only unclean sin.
So, would you still like to see God? Only if you know that God’s holiness does not just condemn sinners; it also saves them. Because he is holy, God cleanses us from our sin.
How? The holy Son of God came down from heaven and became a man. He lived a perfectly holy life and gives you his holiness. And then, for the sake of sinners, woe came to Christ. Jesus Christ was treated as the sinner and was ruined on the cross, cast from his Father’s presence so that you will live in his Father’s presence forever.
That is the goal of God’s holiness—to take away your sin so that you are able to see him without fear. In heaven, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Prayer:
Lord Almighty, thank you for giving me what I need to see you. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:11
Be Ready
Daily Devotion – February 6, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 5:11
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“Come on! It’s time to go!” It was the third time Dad called upstairs. It seemed his daughter had a hard time deciding what to take along in the car. First, it was her pillow. Next, it was her favorite baby doll. This time Dad wasn’t sure. He only heard her panic-stricken words. “Wait! We can’t leave yet!”
Dad and the rest of the family were ready to get going. It was the youngest that seemed to hold them back. Yes, she had her reasons, and they all seemed important to her. The delays, however, were going to cost them valuable time on the road.
A similar situation can happen in our walk with our Savior. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Our initial response might be: “Wait a minute!” Another might be: “Not right now, but maybe later.” We may even answer: “Just let me finish what I am doing first.”
When tempted to put off Jesus’ invitation, remember the response of the disciples in our Bible reading for today. They said they were ready, and they showed it. They saw the authority and the love Jesus revealed to them on the lake. Nothing was going to keep them from following him. When we see Jesus’ love and authority, we’ll be ready to hear and respond to Jesus’ invitation the same way they did—”they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed him.”
Prayer:
O gracious Lord, time after time you invite me to follow you and serve you. Remove every obstacle that would stand in my way. Give me a strong and devoted love that not only hears, but also responds to you and to your love for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
True Significance
Daily Devotion – February 5, 2022 Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:5
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We all want to matter to someone. We want affirmation and, in some way, to make a difference. Emotions tank when we feel we don’t matter, can’t do anything, and no one cares.
God came to the prophet Jeremiah with the following words: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah was given a specific task to take a challenging message to the people of his day. It would be a tough assignment, but God encouraged and equipped him for the task.
While the call is not the same, the heart of God toward Jeremiah is the same heart he exhibits toward you. Remember three things today about your value, worth, and significance. God says, “I knew you.” Even before you were born, God knew you. He knows the hairs on your head and the hurts of your heart. He knows the strength of your skills and the reality of your weaknesses. He knows the significance of your sins and still chose you to be the object of his saving love.
God says, “I appointed you.” Jeremiah was called to a specific role to bring God’s message to the nations. When we realize that God knew us and loves us, that he set us apart and called us his own, we also realize that he appoints us to be part of his larger mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). God has us here on earth to be part of an eternally significant task—to proclaim the saving love of Jesus to people everywhere.
So today and every day, remember true significance is knowing God knows you, that he set you apart, and that he appoints you to be part of his eternal mission of bringing Jesus to the nations.
Prayer:
Lord, as I search for and desire significance, help me see myself as you see me—one whom you love and have set apart and called to be part of your work. Help me today find my significance in you! Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14,15
An Unchanging Life-Changing Message
Daily Devotion – February 4, 2022 Devotion based on 2 Timothy 3:14,15
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As parents, we were encouraged to read to our children from a young age. It would help to spark their imagination and grow their reading and language skills. I spent hours reading to my oldest children when they were younger.
Eventually, our older children did more of the reading with their younger siblings until they could read on their own. But there is one thing I still read and teach to my children almost every single day. And that’s the message of the Bible. It’s the same message my parents taught me when I was young. It’s the same message I pray my children will teach their children.
That message doesn’t change. The Bible uncovers the truth about a God whose standards of right and wrong don’t change, whose promise to punish disobedience doesn’t change. But the Bible also uncovers the truth of a God whose Son was born as a human being to be punished in our place, who frees us from guilt for his sake and makes us worthy of life in heaven.
That unchanging message changes our lives. It leads us to see and know God as a God of mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love. It leads us to trust God as the source of true hope and peace for this life and the life to come after we die. As we trust the Bible’s message, we receive its benefits—rescue from guilt and punishment, a place in God’s family, and an eternal home with him.
Every time we hear that unchanging, life-changing message, God is carrying out his eternal agenda for us. He is strengthening our faith to believe what he has done for us so that we continue in that faith as long as we live. And every time we share it—with our children or with others—God is carrying out the same saving agenda in their lives.
Prayer:
God, thank you for changing my life with your unchanging message. Help me to continue in what I have heard and believed. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
Preach the word . . . with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:2,3
The Truth Must Be Told
Daily Devotion – February 3, 2022 Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:2,3
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Imagine that you are given a new job but are told that you will fail. A prophet in the Bible named Ezekiel had a job like that. God said, “Speak this message, but the people won’t listen.” Other prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah didn’t fare much better.
In today’s Bible verse, a pastor named Paul was giving instruction and encouragement to a young pastor named Timothy. But it doesn’t sound entirely encouraging: People won’t want to listen to you. They’ll go to others who tell them what they want to hear.
Paul wanted Timothy to know the agenda God had for him. It wasn’t to tell people what they wanted to hear. It wasn’t to compromise the teachings of the Bible. How much easier his job would have been if that’s what God told him to do. But too much was at stake for that!
What people want to hear is that they are good people and are able to correct whatever might be wrong with their lives. No one wants to hear that they deserve punishment, certainly not the punishment of hell. But that is the truth about every one of us.
Why is it so important that we hear that? Because, if we don’t know how serious our situation is, we won’t realize how much we need what God has so generously provided for us in Jesus.
Jesus is the Savior of the world. The world’s biggest problem is sin that leads to death. Its only solution is Jesus. Jesus paid the full price necessary—his own innocent life and death—to remove our sins and guilt forever. God wants us to patiently and lovingly teach the whole truth of his Word so that people everywhere hear that awesome truth of Jesus loud and clear.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for uncovering the truth about my sin and my Savior. When I speak your truth to others, help me do it with patience and love, but without compromise. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.”
Jeremiah 1:9
From God’s Lips to Ours
Daily Devotion – February 2, 2022 Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:9
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Seven-year-old Charlie was playing in the yard when he heard his dad call his name. Charlie slowly walked into the garage, where his dad was working. His dad said, “I want you to go in and tell your sister it is time for the two of you to clean up the toy room. Grandma and Grandpa are coming for dinner later, and we want the house to look nice.”
Charlie knew his sister wouldn’t be happy to hear that message, and he wasn’t either. So, instead of relaying the message, he told her, “Dad says we each need to pick up one toy in the toy room, and then we can have a cookie.”
Charlie’s dad was not happy when he walked in later to find cookie crumbs on top of the mess on the toy room floor.
God wanted a man named Jeremiah to give the people a message. He told him to warn the people about God’s judgment for their disobedience. They wouldn’t want to hear God’s message, but God uncovered a clear agenda for Jeremiah: Take my message and speak it to the people. Unlike Charlie, Jeremiah faithfully did what he was told to do, even though he would be persecuted and suffer for what he said.
God wants everyone to know and believe what he says. Many don’t want to hear what God has to say. But God’s agenda for us is clear: Take the message you hear and read in the Bible and speak it to others. Don’t hide it. Don’t change it. Don’t put your own spin on it. Speak the message I give you.
God’s message isn’t always popular with us, and it won’t always be popular with others. It reveals our disobedience and how we deserve God’s judgment. But then it uncovers the truth of God’s love for us in Jesus: Jesus came to die for us, to forgive our fears, and clean up the messes we make in our lives. Jesus doesn’t want anyone to die without knowing and believing that awesome saving message. God gives us the strength to speak his Word faithfully.
Prayer:
God, you’ve given me your Word. Help me to speak it without changing anything. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
[Jesus] said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Luke 4:43
A Universal Agenda Uncovered
Daily Devotion – February 1, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:43
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We live in an increasingly global culture. Many cities and nations are far more diverse than ever before. We can see and hear and experience people and places from around the world on our TVs, computers, or the smartphone in our pocket.
As we experience other cultures, we may adopt certain things for our own. At the same time, there seems to be a greater interest in recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the diversity that exists in our world. We are encouraged to hold on to what makes our own culture unique and different from others.
The people in Capernaum recognized that they had something special. Jesus was preaching, teaching, and doing miracles in their city. They were enthralled and excited and didn’t want Jesus to leave. They wanted to keep him for themselves.
Many in our world today tell us that if we believe in Jesus, we should keep him to ourselves. Faith and religion are matters of personal preference and opinion, they say. And there’s no such thing as a God who is for all people.
But Jesus uncovered his agenda there in Capernaum. He had a message of love and life, hope and peace and forgiveness to proclaim, and it wasn’t just for the people in that city. He said he must proclaim it in other towns. He would later tell his followers to go into all the world and preach the good news.
Jesus came to be the Savior, not just for a few, but for all. Not just for the people of Capernaum but for the citizens of every city on earth. That’s good news because it means that you don’t have to wonder whether Jesus came for you. Jesus came for all. That means he came to be your Lord and Savior, your deliverer, your God. He came to forgive your mistakes and failures. He came to give you eternal life with him.
And now he gives us an agenda—to share the good news of the Savior with others.
Prayer:
Praise and thanks to you, Jesus, because you uncovered your agenda of being the Savior of all people—and my Savior. Help me share that good news with others. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
They tried to keep him from leaving them. But [Jesus] said, “I must proclaim the good news.”
Luke 4:43
An Eternal Agenda Uncovered
Daily Devotion – January 31, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:43
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Jesus had it all. The people were coming from everywhere to see him. He was a charismatic and engaging speaker. And he could do amazing things. Demons and diseases answered to his demands. Injuries, illnesses, and ailments listened when he spoke. And word began to spread about him.
The lines of people waiting to see him grew longer. The time he spent helping and healing stretched from sunrise to sunset—sometimes even longer. And the people were excited. This could finally be the one. This could be the Messiah, the Savior, and deliverer they had been waiting for.
And who wouldn’t want a Savior like that? One who could solve problems like cancer, cataracts, or COVID. One with whom you would never be hungry or thirsty again.
If we had been there, wouldn’t we have been right with the crowds? “Don’t leave, Jesus! You make our life in this world easier. We want you to stick around.”
And why wouldn’t Jesus want that kind of love and attention?
But Jesus uncovered a different agenda. He said, “I must proclaim the good news.” Jesus didn’t come primarily to feed the hungry or heal the hurting. Jesus came to share the good news. Good news that there’s more to life than what we see. Good news that he came to rescue us from hunger and hurt permanently by giving us eternal life in heaven.
Even though we easily chase after worldly happiness, Jesus wouldn’t let fame or fortune distract him from his divine agenda. He was willing to face rejection, ridicule, and pain on his way to suffer and die for every greedy intention and desire we have. And because he did, we can look forward to something so much better than an easy life in this world. We have the perfect life waiting for us with him in heaven, a life that will never end!
Jesus loves us and cares about our problems in this life too, but his real agenda was to accomplish and proclaim the good news of eternal life for us. And that’s just what he did! Believe it! Celebrate it!
Prayer:
Jesus, your agenda is so much better than mine. Thank you for staying the course for me. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10
The Lord Will Be With You
Daily Devotion – January 30, 2022 Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:4-10
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220130dev.mp3
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You know you must talk to the other person. You even know what you have to say. You know it’s what God wants you to say. But it doesn’t look easy. You’ve never had to do something exactly like this before. You’re feeling awkward, almost like a child.
Does it help to know that the Lord knew you would be in this situation even before you were born? He has equipped you for this moment. He has led you to a clear understanding of his Word. He has given you a humble spirit of repentance and faith in Jesus, your Savior.
Does it help you to know that the Lord will be with you? He is everywhere, of course, but when you speak his words, he promises his special presence. He will not abandon you; in fact, he will strengthen you at that moment.
Does it help you to know that the word of the Lord is powerful? It uproots and tears down, destroys and overthrows, builds and plants. You can count on it accomplishing exactly what the Lord wants it to.
Prayer:
Lord, give me the confidence to speak your truth faithfully. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
[Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read.
Luke 4:16
As Was His Custom
Daily Devotion – January 29, 2022 Devotion based on Luke 4:16
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220129dev.mp3
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“As was his custom.” It’s pretty easy to read past those words, isn’t it? But the reality is, there’s a world of good news in those words. Remember, Jesus came to this earth because you and I needed a Savior. We’re sinful human beings who deserved to be sent to hell. So Jesus came to this earth, and he died on the cross, paying for our sins.
But that’s only half the story.
Why so? Because God’s standard for going to heaven isn’t merely that our sins be taken away. God also requires that we be positively perfect and completely holy. And you and I must say, “I’m in trouble!”
But you’re not in trouble at all. You have a Savior who not only died for you but who also lived for you. He lived perfectly, in every sense of the term. He perfectly loved God; he perfectly loved his neighbors. He was perfectly kind, just, fair, loving. In the Bible verse for our devotion today, we’re reminded that he worshiped God perfectly: “as was his custom.”
And here’s the really good news—You get credit for what Jesus did. Yes, you get the credit not only for Jesus’ death, but also for his life—the way that Jesus perfectly loved God. God has credited that to your account so that now God considers you to have loved him perfectly, too. Jesus loved his neighbors perfectly: God now considers you to have loved your neighbors perfectly, too. Jesus worshiped perfectly: God considers you to have worshiped perfectly, too, for you have been credited with that perfect life of Jesus.
So, there’s a world of good news in that phrase “as was his custom.” It’s a reminder that in the eyes of God, you are perfect and holy because of Jesus. What a phrase! What a truth!
Prayer:
Lord God, remind me of my status, that you’ve credited Jesus’ perfect life to me, that I might be filled with quiet confidence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.
And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God.
Isaiah 61:6
Some Want Silence
Daily Devotion – January 28, 2022 Devotion based on Isaiah 61:6
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20220128dev.mp3
See series: Devotions
There is lots of support in the world for silencing anyone who speaks about Jesus and his work. Some people don’t like his morality. Others are offended by his gracious offer of unearned forgiveness. People who simply say what the Bible says encounter skepticism and hostility. Many would prefer that Christians simply remain silent.
But God does not remain silent. His word remains powerful. And he gives a couple of titles to people who speak tell others about him.
He calls them priests. Priests in the Old Testament were honored members of society. They served God at the Temple in Jerusalem by making the animal sacrifices that were a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do—sacrificing himself for the sins of the world. After making the sacrifice for the people who brought the animal, the priest would assure them that their sins were forgiven.
Do not be silent. Assure your friends and your family that their sins are forgiven. Nothing is more important.
The other title that God gives to people who speak on his behalf is minister. God says that when you say what he wants you to, you are ministering to people, that is, taking care of them and their needs. They need to hear that God loves and forgives them. You can tell them that, and you will be named ministers of our God.
There will be pressure for you to be silent. But you can speak confidently because you know that God’s message is powerful.
Prayer:
Lord God, open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Amen.
Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. 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.