Month: July 2023

[Jesus said] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

Rest From Expectations

Daily Devotion – July 31, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 11:28-30

See series: Devotions

It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Always trying to live up to the expectations of others or the expectations we have for ourselves. Always trying to be the better person. Always having to be the one everyone looks to for answers, advice, and validation.

Whether we are a parent, manager, or reliable friend, people have expectations of us and depend on us. It can often feel like if we make one mistake it will end up hurting others or letting them down. If we make a mistake with so many people depending on us, our error will impact so many others. We so often fail to meet expectations. That is because we are not perfect. We try, but we are never good enough. and we are afraid that people will find out.

There is a better way—it is Jesus. He says, “Come to me . . . and I will give you rest.” The kind of rest Jesus gives is unique. It is not just a kick-your-feet-up-on-the-couch kind of rest. Rather, it is rest from sin. Rest from our own failures. Rest from having to be perfect or feeling like everything depends on us.

This rest from Jesus was hard-earned. It was earned by his time on the cross. A time when Jesus had no rest, suffered for your sins and mine, and gave his life so that we could live forever. Jesus died on the cross to take our sins away and make sure we could have eternal expectations of a home in heaven. Because of Jesus, our future is secure. That means the pressure is off! Now we are free to live our lives in service to Jesus and thank him for the eternal rest he has provided for us.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting all of God’s expectations in my place. Help me today to live 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.

[Solomon said], “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
1 Kings 3:9,10

The High Value of Wisdom

Daily Devotion – July 30, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Kings 3:9,10

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Thanks to Walt Disney and others, we’ve all heard of the magic genie who grants you three wishes for anything you want. I doubt most folks have ever seriously thought about what they would ask for if they were given that opportunity. Why? Because it isn’t realistic.

In today’s Bible reading, we have an example of the powerful Lord God himself—not some cartoon genie—offering Solomon anything he wanted. And for what did Solomon ask? He asked for a discerning heart, that he would have the wisdom to govern God’s people. What a request!

It might be more impressive what he did not ask for. He didn’t ask for more wealth than he already had. He didn’t ask for continued health, that he might enjoy long life on this earth. He didn’t ask for the death of his enemies so that his throne would be secured even more than it already was. He didn’t even ask for a trouble-free life. Instead, he asked for wisdom.

We can learn from Solomon. We can place a high value on wisdom in the Lord, which starts with knowing, “There is a God, and I am not him.” We can set our hearts on carrying out the work the Lord has given us in a way that honors him. We can set our hearts on things above—the eternal promises of the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life through Jesus—and not on things below.

Prayer:
Lord, earthly blessings are important, and you have given me too many of those to count. But today I ask you not for more money, better health, or a trouble-free life; instead, I ask you to give me wisdom that I might have deep contentment with all you’ve given me, and make choices that honor 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.

Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

Seeing God’s Creation

Daily Devotion – July 29, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 1:20

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My family traveled to Yellowstone National Park this summer. The beauty and majesty we witnessed are indescribable. Rivers, waterfalls, rocky ridges, and wildlife inspire awe in every observer. Over and over, my family and I commented on how great our God is to have created such a world as ours.

This is precisely how the God of our universe wants us to react when we observe his creation. In fact, the Bible says that anyone who sees what God has created and denies that there is a God who created it is a fool (Psalm 14:1). In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul wrote that anyone who claims there is no God is without excuse. The majesty and complexity of the universe insist that an all-wise and all-powerful God is behind it.

But the God of this universe was not content with just letting nature tell us about himself. He wanted us to know him more personally. So he became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. He walked among us for thirty-three years. He showed us, in word and deed, who God is and what God is like. He performed miracle after miracle to demonstrate his power and his love. Then he gave himself up to his enemies and allowed himself to be put to death on a Roman cross. There he suffered the punishment for all the sins of all people of all time. There he suffered the punishment for your sins.

When you witness the beauty and majesty of this world, think about God, who created everything. Remember how much he loves you, enough to come into the world he created so that he could save you. And look forward to the new world he promises to create for all his followers when this world comes to an end.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the wonderful world in which I live. Thank you for living in this world for a time to be my Savior so that I might live for an 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 field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one . . . Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:38,43

Wheat Among Weeds

Daily Devotion – July 28, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:38,43

See series: Devotions

It’s not easy being wheat among weeds. Weeds can take up valuable nutrients in the soil. Weeds can choke the life out of a healthy plant. Weeds can rob a healthy plant of life-giving water and sunlight. Yet if that wheat grows, it can still carry out its purpose. Stalks of ripe wheat provide food for people and animals. As for the weeds, they have no purpose. They get torn out of the ground. They get thrown in the trash or burned.

It’s not easy being wheat among weeds. Sin in our lives robs us of God’s good gifts of time, ability, and wealth. The worries of this life, the demands on our time, the reality of evil in our world can choke our trust in Christ and his promises. Our sinful natures inside of us don’t want us to prioritize time with Jesus in the study of his Word or time receiving God’s good gospel gifts in worship. Instead, the weeds of this world threaten our faith and oppose every attempt we make to live for Christ.

Yet Jesus calls us to live as wheat among weeds. He gives us life so that we may carry out the purposes he has given to each of us—to be fruitful with the gifts he’s given us, to be faithful in demonstrating his love to every person he puts in our path to serve, and to be mindful that he is coming again to deliver us from evil. So we need not fear what the weeds can do, but rather we live as wheat planted by our God, who will one day give us life eternal and cause us to shine with his righteousness forever.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to live as wheat even among the weeds of evil in our world. Keep their threats far from me and cause me to be fruitful, faithful, and mindful until you come again in glory to deliver me from evil. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from 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 servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Matthew 13:28-30

Whose job is it anyway?

Daily Devotion – July 27, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:28-30

See series: Devotions

The man’s servants thought they were doing the right thing. An enemy had sabotaged his wheat with weeds. Once they realized those nasty weeds were breaking through the ground alongside the good wheat, they offered to do what seemed most practical—pull up the weeds, but there was a problem. These particular weeds would look just like the wheat until harvest, when weeds and wheat were fully grown and could show their real identity.

The man knew what kind of unintentional damage his well-intentioned servants could do to his crop. Their efforts to uproot the weeds could do more damage than simply letting the weeds grow until harvest. Others would do the job of separating weeds and wheat.

Following Jesus in a world where evil is constantly present, what can we do to work for good in our world? Is it our job to root out evil? Is it our job to separate the weeds from the wheat in the world? Is it our job to do God’s work of judgment? No! If we were to do so, we could end up ruining good gospel work that our God has already done. Instead, God has a plan to carry out that work at the proper time. At the end of the world, he will send his angels to separate believers and unbelievers.

So how can we work for good while evil remains present? We look to the Lord of the harvest. We rejoice in his patience with sinners like us. We take every opportunity to receive forgiveness for our frustrated hearts. Then we let his love for others flow through our service to them. That’s our job. God will take care of the rest.

Prayer:
Jesus Christ do not delay, but come quickly to deliver your people. According to your will, give me opportunity to share the good news of your patient love with others 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.

“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Matthew 13:29,30

Wait for the Harvest

Daily Devotion – July 26, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:29,30

See series: Devotions

It’s hard to wait. Whether waiting for a special event or a medical procedure—it’s hard to wait patiently. We would much rather skip all the preparation and get to the event. We would much rather get the surgery over with so we can move on with life.

For Christians living in a world where evil is still present, it’s hard to wait. We would love for life in our world to be free of evil. After all, we follow Christ. Shouldn’t life get better? Why do we still struggle to follow Jesus? Why are so many still so opposed to him? Daily we are reminded of the reality of evil. In frustration, we wonder if God will ever carry out his judgment and rescue his people.

But in the midst of evil, what does Jesus urge us to do? He urges us to wait for the harvest. On the Last Day, Jesus will fix everything. Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead; at that time, the weeds and wheat will be separated. God will sort it all out and deliver us from evil once and for all. We have no need to fear the present evil since God holds our future in his hand.

What do we do until that time? How can we possibly be patient? We look to the Lord and his promises in his Word. Our God never fails to keep his promises. After all, he kept his most important promise of sending a Savior to rescue us from sin and death. With eyes fixed on Jesus, we wait for the harvest when he will come again in glory to bring us to be with him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know how evil is always present in our lives and in our world. Grant me patience to follow you, even as I wait for you to return in glory and deliver me from evil. Set my heart on the sure knowledge that you always keep 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.

[Jesus said] “While everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. . . . “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.”
Matthew 13:25,27,28

When the Devil Sows His Seeds

Daily Devotion – July 25, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:25,27,28

See series: Devotions

An infestation. No one ever wants to hear those words. An infestation of pests or parasites can have disastrous, even deadly consequences. As bad as that sounds, what could make an infestation worse? If someone started that infestation intentionally. What hatred or foolishness could cause someone to ruin someone else’s life, home, or business with an infestation?

Yet isn’t that what we see here in Jesus’s story about the weeds and wheat? A man plants good seed in his field, but his enemy secretly sows the field with weeds. Why? He really hates the man. In time, the weeds and wheat sprout. The weeds have become an infestation that threatens to overwhelm the wheat trying to grow there.

When Jesus explains this parable, he tells us that the enemy who sows the weeds is the devil. Satan is the sworn enemy of Christ and all who follow him. He absolutely hates any growth in faith, victory of grace, or rescue from sin and hell that Jesus causes through his Word. Satan doesn’t want sins forgiven, people at peace with God, or souls enjoying eternal life in heaven. So he sows his seeds of evil. He causes sin and leads people to do evil, even against those who try to live as children of God. He wants to ruin what Christ has done for us.

However, there’s something the devil forgets. Jesus will win. Jesus will still overcome the devil and all his works. By overcoming all temptation, Jesus has already won. By dying on the cross, Jesus has already won. By rising from the dead, Jesus has already won, so we can be certain that he will deliver us from evil. He will still cause his gospel to win hearts, and one day he will come again in glory to judge all people. We need not fear the enemy because Jesus has won!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the enemy threatens all who follow you, but I know you have already defeated him. Overcome the devil and cause your gospel to change hearts and lives for all 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 told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.”
Matthew 13:24-26

The Problem With Weeds

Daily Devotion – July 24, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:24-26

See series: Devotions

Weeds are a problem. If you do any kind of landscaping or gardening—weeds are bound to confront you. You can plant flowers, plants, or vegetables in fresh, cleared soil, but before long, little green weeds start breaking through the soil. Weeds are everywhere. Left on their own, they are liable to choke the life out of the plants you originally planted.

Weeds have always been a problem. Yet when Jesus tells a story about weeds and wheat, he’s not giving advice about how best to grow your garden. Rather, Jesus helps us understand why evil is still present, even as the good news of forgiveness and life through him goes out to the world.

The gospel goes out through us to the world. We share the good news of the Savior with the people in our lives. We live out our faith and speak up for it, but what happens? People oppose that message. They mock and ridicule those who believe it. They consider us out of touch with reality. Perhaps they even make life miserable. Like weeds, evil pops up wherever the gospel is preached or shared. In this sinful world, it’s inevitable.

The reality of evil in our world can fill us with doubt. Why doesn’t God’s Word work the way we expect? Is it somehow not powerful enough to change hearts? Why does evil still persist? So what can we do? It’s not so much what we do but what our God does. Yes, God allows evil in our world. Yet through his Word, he works faith in our hearts and even in the hearts of the people with whom we share that Word. As his gospel continues to go out through us to the world, the Lord will cause a great harvest of souls to grow!

Prayer:
O Lord, evil is all around me like weeds, threatening your harvest. Keep me from becoming discouraged as I share the gospel. Help me realize that your Word will always work, even in ways I do not expect. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from 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 kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46

The Treasure

Daily Devotion – July 23, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 13:44-46

See series: Devotions

Perhaps you heard about the husband and wife who found $10 million in rare gold coins buried on their property in Northern California. Don’t people dream of finding great treasure? Jesus apparently thought so as he taught: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure.”

He tells about someone who fortunately finds buried treasure. In ancient times, rich people were known to divide their wealth into three parts: one for doing business, another converted to precious stones with which to flee if necessary, a third part to be buried in a safe place. So it could happen that when a rich man died, his buried wealth would remain to be found by some fortunate individual.

In the second brief story, Jesus speaks of a pearl merchant whose mission was to seek out exceptional pearls and obtain them.

Some tirelessly seek to get treasure and others just fortunately find it. But the most valuable treasure is that which Jesus has for us. This treasure Jesus tells us is the “kingdom of heaven.” The kingdom is Jesus’ rule in our hearts by faith. When our faith is in Jesus, we have the treasure of the forgiveness of sins, spiritual life, and eternal salvation—we will enjoy the glories of heaven forever.

Still, we don’t have to wait to enjoy this precious treasure. With faith in Jesus comes the peace of knowing we are God’s dear children right now, the hope of present certainty for a blessed future, and the joy of knowing God loves us today, tomorrow, and always.

So whether you stumble upon earthly treasure or spend your life seeking after it, what really matters is that you have the treasure of Jesus. It’s worth giving up everything to make it your own.

Prayer:
Lord, lead me to the treasure that is Jesus and help me to treasure that treasure above 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.