Month: August 2023

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, [Jesus] gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:19-21

With Jesus There Is Always More

Daily Devotion – August 12, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 14:19-21

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With Jesus, there is always more. More than five thousand people were fed with five loaves and two fish. And leftovers galore—there was more food left over than they had at the beginning.

This miracle is a big deal. It’s one of the few recorded in all four books in the Bible about Jesus’ life. The repetition means Jesus really wants us to know about it. Why? He wants us to know that he is able to take care of us and provide everything we need.

This is a simple lesson to know but difficult to believe. Your sinful nature wants you to think that you take care of yourself. The devil does not want you to trust God. He wants you to trust yourself and say, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me” (Deuteronomy 8:17).

But is that true? Who gives you time to work? Who gives you the strength to work? Who gives you the skills to work? Moses told the Old Testament people of Israel, “Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Jesus doesn’t work miracles to flaunt his power. He works miracles to show that he is God Almighty in human flesh. Jesus gives health and wealth because that is what Jesus does. He provides his life, death, and resurrection for your salvation. If he can do that, he can do something as simple as providing daily bread.

Because with Jesus, there is always more. Jesus’ compassion for you knows no bounds. No need is too impossible for Christ to meet. No sin is too big for Jesus to forgive. You can trust him with anything and everything!

Prayer:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his mercy endures 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.

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength . . . And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:11-13,19

Persistent Contentment

Daily Devotion – August 11, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 4:11-13,19

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It has been said that contentment isn’t having what you want; it is wanting what you have. That’s a mostly true statement, but it still puts “stuff” at the center of contentment. Somehow, I don’t think that was the secret to contentment that the apostle Paul had learned.

If we center our contentment in stuff or circumstances, we will find it hard to have persistent contentment. That is because stuff and circumstances change every day! Stuff wears out. Circumstances shift rapidly. The secret of contentment is to center it in something that never changes, no matter what. That was the secret Paul had learned.

Instead of stuff and circumstances, we center our contentment in Christ Jesus. No matter what life is like around us, Christ meets us with his love and promises. Every day, no matter what, there is forgiveness for your sins. Every day, no matter what, God promises to watch over you and care for you. Every day, no matter what, you get to look forward to the promise of eternal life through Jesus.

That is the secret to contentment! The promises of God strengthen you to live with persistent contentment no matter the circumstances of your life because the promises of God never change. God will meet all your needs through the riches he has already brought you in Christ Jesus. And if he’s given you that blood, he’ll give you everything else you need; you can trust that.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, work in me greater faith which always sees your promises and provision. Give me humility when I have plenty and assurance when I am in want. Work in me a persistent contentment centered 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] “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:25,26,33

Freedom From Worry

Daily Devotion – August 10, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 6:25,26,33

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The rain had just stopped on a warm summer evening when my family and I decided to go for a walk. As we walked down the sidewalk, we were commenting on all the worms lying on the warm, damp concrete. Just then, a bird swooped down and flew off with a worm in its beak.

I highly doubt that bird was worried about its meals. It simply swooped down and picked up the meal God provided that evening. And if God provides a meal like that for a bird (for which Jesus didn’t die), will he do it for you (for whom Jesus did die)? Of course, he will!

In fact, the apostle Matthew says that not only does God know what you need, but he also says, “it will be given to you.” Imagine that! The very things the rest of the world spends their lives chasing are just given to believers at God’s promise. That means we don’t have to worry about our physical needs.

So, what should we spend our lives doing now that we’re free from that worry? We can seek the kingdom of God and live in righteousness! God’s kingdom comes as he reigns as king in the hearts of believers. Free from worry and pursuing the world, we can instead pursue God’s kingdom in Word as we grow in faith and assurance that our sins are gone in Jesus. And we expand his kingdom as we bring his Word to others.

So, let your anxiety be replaced by God’s assurance of provision. Find your peace in being part of God’s kingdom through the blood of Jesus. Find your joy in spreading his Word to others.

Prayer:
Providing God, strengthen me by your word to live free from material worry and make me passionate to seek 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.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Fearless Generosity

Daily Devotion – August 9, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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Recently, my wife and I planted a zinnia garden in our yard. We weren’t sure of the soil quality in that spot, so we were tempted to plant only a packet or two of seeds. After all, why waste good seeds in bad soil? In the end, we decided to plant multiple packets of seeds, way more than needed. Why? Because we wanted zinnias and lots of them! The only way to get lots of zinnias is to plant lots of seeds, even if there is risk involved.

The apostle Paul applied that same principle to our material wealth. Paul was writing to the Corinthian congregation and inviting them to participate in the offering of money that Paul would take back to the needy Christians in Jerusalem. The gift would support the preaching of the gospel. And the more preaching that happens, the more opportunity the Holy Spirit has to claim souls through the gospel.

Sometimes, we act as though God has given abundantly to us so that we can be comfortable and enjoy this life. And we worry about the risk of giving—there will be less for me! But God gives us more than enough so we can be fearlessly generous. He mitigates the risk of giving with his promise that we’ll still have plenty.

So where do you find joy to give? Find it in recognizing what God has given to you! And not just the material stuff. He’s given you the precious blood of his Son for the forgiveness of sins. And that isn’t just a gift for you—it’s a gift to share! Use your resources to share that message of forgiveness so that others may have the same joy you do. And don’t just give a little give lots! After all, that is why God himself gave so much to you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your generosity to me. Help me to reflect your generosity fearlessly 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.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:3

#Blessed

Daily Devotion – August 8, 2023

Devotion based on Ephesians 1:3

See series: Devotions

A few years ago, #blessed was posted all over social media. Pictures of people standing in front of their new cars were labeled #blessed. New job, #blessed. That new videogame/outfit/toy finally went on sale, #blessed.

It all felt so phony to me. I rolled my eyes every time I scrolled past another #blessed picture. Had I finally become a curmudgeon? Why was I so annoyed at this hashtag? Isn’t it good that people are recognizing their blessings?

Then it occurred to me: none of those posts are about God. #Blessed had become a cultural bragging movement. Each picture and caption had the overtone of “I deserve this.” The #blessings were really about the recipient, not about the giver. And that goes contrary to the Bible.

In our Bible reading today, the apostle Paul uses the word “blessed” two times. The first time Paul is speaking of us blessing God. And that makes sense, doesn’t it? If God is the source and giver of all blessings, then it must mean that he lives surrounded by blessings 24/7! Blessing God has the believer recognizing God’s unsurpassed greatness that has been his since eternity.

The second time Paul uses the word “blessed,” he has God blessing us. And that makes sense too, doesn’t it? In his generosity, God doesn’t hoard blessings. Instead, he showers them on all people! But the highest blessings, his spiritual blessings, are reserved for God’s chosen people.

In view of all God’s spiritual blessings to his people, Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians with a long run-on hymn of praise—some two hundred words without punctuation. It’s almost like Paul is just bursting forth in an unorganized prayer of thanks to God for his rich blessings.

And you can do the same. Praise God who gave us the highest spiritual blessing, the forgiveness of our sins! From that great spiritual blessing, follow all other spiritual blessings that overflow our lives. Blessed be our God who has so #blessed us.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Thank you, especially, for the gift of forgiveness in Jesus’ blood. Amen.

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from 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 he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1 Kings 17:5,6

Unlikely Provision

Daily Devotion – August 7, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Kings 17:5,6

See series: Devotions

The French philosopher, Dennis Diderot, once famously said, “A deist is someone who has not lived long enough to become an atheist.” Deists believe that God exists and that he created everything. However, they picture him more like a watchmaker, a God who builds a watch and then leaves it alone to run itself. A deist doesn’t see God as active in his creation. Instead, they picture creation left to operate on its own.

Our Bible verses today show us that God is not like a watchmaker. God is active in his creation. And, even more than that, he is active in caring for his people.

In 1 Kings 17, the prophet Elijah bursts on the scene with little to no introduction. Speaking God’s word, he boldly prophesied that there would be a drought in the land of Israel because the Israelites had turned away from God and were following Baal. There was only one problem, Elijah himself lived in Israel. How would God make sure to take care of the prophet?

God provided for Elijah in an unlikely way: he commanded the ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat twice per day. God, who is in control of his creation, used his creation to take care of his people. Far from being absent from creation, God is intimately involved in directing it day-by-day and minute-by-minute.

In fact, so great is God’s love for what he created that he entered creation as a man to save it. Jesus Christ became a man with flesh and blood, just like you and me, except Jesus was without sin. Because of his love for us, he died on the cross to take away all our sins. Having given us his Son for eternity, he promises to take care of you each day too.

Prayer:
Almighty God, I praise you for your promise to daily take care of me and my family. Help me to trust your provision for both physical and spiritual needs until the day you take me to 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.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, [Jesus] gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:19-21

Jesus Provides Our Daily Bread

Daily Devotion – August 6, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 14:19-21

See series: Devotions

Up. Up. Up. So go the prices for almost everything. Gas. Groceries. You name it, and it’s going to cost more. Up. Up. Up. So go the level of anxiety in our hearts, worrying in our minds, and stress in our lives.

Stop the sinful worrying. When you worry, you are not trusting God, and that’s a sin. Away with anxious thoughts and enough stressing about things out of your control.

Jesus knows our needs. He knows we need food in our stomachs, air in our lungs, clothes on our backs, and a roof over our heads. He has taught us to pray for daily bread with confidence and trust and will not disappoint us. Look how miraculously he fed the large crowd of people in our Bible reading for today.

Jesus has taken care of our spiritual need to be reconciled to God. He accomplished this by a bloody cross and a triumphant cry, “It is finished!” Look to him with the eyes of faith to provide for today, tomorrow and every tomorrow, even when prices go up, up, and up.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the eyes of all, including me, look to you to open your hand and satisfy our desires. Do this, for the sake of your goodness. Amen.

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

[King Solomon prayed]: “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
1 Kings 3:9

Wisdom

Daily Devotion – August 5, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Kings 3:9

See series: Devotions

We live in the information age (and misinformation). If you don’t have knowledge on a topic, what you want to know is usually just seconds away. A quick internet search and you suddenly know the 24th President, the name of that weird-looking insect, and 97 recipes for chocolate chip cookies.

Knowledge is available to us. The problem is we often don’t ask for it. And, when we have it, we don’t apply it. This problem impacts more than our retirement planning, fantasy football picks, and menu choices. We are not wise in the way we think and live. Too often, wisdom is missing in the way we treat others and honor our God. We know what is right, but we unwisely choose ourselves over others. We lash out in anger. We love things of this world more than God. This kind of “un-wisdom,” God calls sin.

In wisdom and mercy, God the Father sent Jesus. God’s wise plan included Jesus living perfectly in our place. In God’s wisdom, Jesus suffered and died for all our sins. In perfect wisdom, Jesus rose to life on the third day in victory over sin and death. God’s wisdom resulted in forgiveness for all.

Solomon had recently succeeded his father, David, as the king of Israel. As a young man and inexperienced leader, what could God give him that would enable him to serve his people and his God best? Wisdom. And so, Solomon asked for a discerning heart. God blessed him with a wise and discerning heart.

We don’t need to be a king or be stuck with a seemingly impossible task to realize one of the many things we really need. We need wisdom in our work, in our relationships, in our witness to others, and in our lives of thanks to God.

Pray. Ask God for wisdom to serve and love him in all you do. And thank God that his wisdom and love led him to purchase and give you forgiveness through Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your love and wisdom, your forgiveness and peace through Jesus. Give me wisdom so that I faithfully serve others and honor you in all 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.