Author: Kerry

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

Lord, Give Me Patience!

Daily Devotion – March 28, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9


See series: Devotions

I struggle a little bit with being patient with other people. When I see things not being done as I would do them or when I give instructions to my kids, and they don’t do what I say, that frustrates me.

You might wrestle with this, too. We want to be patient. We know that we should be. But man! People can make that difficult, right?

Whenever I feel myself getting riled up and impatient with others, I try to remember how patient God has been with me. My goodness! How many times have I messed up? How many times have I pledged to God that I wouldn’t do that sin again, only to find myself reoffending? I try to be good. I try to honor God with my life, but there are episodes of my life where godly living would be hard to see.

Thank God, he sent us Jesus! Jesus lived the life that we never could—a perfect one—and he gave that life of perfection to pay for all the times we have frustrated God with our foolishness.

You might find yourself getting impatient with others like your parents, your spouse, your kids, or whomever! Remember the patience God has shown you and mirror that patience with them.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I have not always lived as I should. I am sorry for all the times I have gone my own way and done my own thing. Thank you for opening my eyes to see the forgiveness that Jesus has gifted me. Thank you for being patient with me. Help me as I seek to show that patience with others. 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.

Then he [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

God Is Patient

Daily Devotion – March 27, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9


See series: Devotions

For years, I trimmed and clipped. I watered and fertilized. But despite all my best efforts, I couldn’t get our lemon tree to produce. My patience wore out. I gave up the fight. And I finally chopped it down and cut my losses.

If you have ever tried to grow your own food, you know some of those same frustrations. You spend your time, your efforts, and your money trying to get something to grow, but sometimes, it just doesn’t.

People can be like that stubborn fruit tree. They don’t change their ways. They don’t produce God-pleasing words and actions. That is because we have been infected with something so deadly. The Bible calls it sin. You see, God is holy, he’s perfect. And sinful beings can’t stand before God. We deserve to be chopped down and tossed into the burn pile of hell. But instead, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for sin that should have been ours upon himself. And through the blood of Jesus, our rottenness, guilt, and sin are covered.

God is the ultimate spiritual gardener, and his heart is filled with patience. He tenderly and lovingly prunes, waters, and cares for us, his children. That care comes through his Word—warning us to turn from our sin and telling us the news of our forgiveness.

Friend, God wants to see this change in you! Confess to God your sin and, with joy and confidence, know that in Christ you have forgiveness!

Prayer:
Dear God, I am sorry for my sin. I know that I deserve your full punishment for it. Thank you for sending me my Savior, Jesus, who has rescued me from death. Thank you for being patient with 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.

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. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

Repent!

Daily Devotion – March 26, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5


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Charlie is in prison. He might be there for the rest of his life. He hurt people, and that’s how he ended up in a cell. He doesn’t like it in prison. However, he is glad that he got caught. It woke him up to see that he had a problem. Charlie has since acknowledged not just the sins that landed him in the penitentiary but all the sins in his heart that warranted him a sentence to hell for eternity. By the grace of God, he knows that Jesus has taken away all his sins, and because of Jesus, he will one day live free forever in heaven! He thanks God that he discovered this before it was too late.

Pain and punishment are, at times, blessings from God. They shake us to our senses. People had come to see Jesus because they were in pain. And when they did, Jesus told the people a vital truth that we all need to remember—we need to repent. We need to acknowledge our faults before God and confess the sin that deserves the full wrath of Almighty God. But then, with joy, we need to turn to the one who has paid the price of our sins. We need to turn to Jesus!

I pray that you don’t end up in prison like Charlie. However, if God allows pain to strike your life, perhaps God is using it to call you to repent. And when you do, he is there with open arms, full of mercy.

Prayer:
Dear God, I confess to you the sins I know and the sins I am unaware that I have done. I beg for your mercy, O Lord. Trusting in my Savior, Jesus, I rest in your grace. 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.

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. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

What a Tragedy!

Daily Devotion – March 25, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5


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When my daughter was five, she asked, “Daddy, why do you watch the news? It’s always so sad.” I don’t even remember what tragedy was on the TV that night, but her observation rings true more often than we would like.

It seems that every time you tune in to find out what is happening in the world all you hear about are fires, floods, accidents, death, etc. Senseless tragedies.

This is not new. One day some people brought a recent tragedy to Jesus’ attention. A multitude of people had been killed during a church service. This was in addition to a construction accident that had taken the lives of eighteen in the neighboring town. Those left behind in this wake of destruction were struggling with the chill of death’s touch.

Why? Haven’t you ever found yourself asking that question? I’m sure you have. Honestly, we can’t always answer that question. But if you ever find yourself reeling from a tragedy, look to the cross of Jesus. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. You see a thirty-three-year-old man spiked to two pieces of timber. You see the death of an innocent person. You see a tragedy.

But remember why Jesus went to that cross and allowed himself to die. It was so that he could deliver a cure for this world that has been so sickened by sin. It was so that he could take the punishment that rightly should have been executed upon us because of our guilt. It was so that one day, he could take us away from this world of death and violence to a paradise of peace.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, be with those who are grieving and may the news of your victory bring them peace and comfort. 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.

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. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

Go to Jesus With Your Troubles

Daily Devotion – March 24, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5


See series: Devotions

“The toilet is broken! We’re out of milk! I need help with my homework!” My wife and I hear our kids say things like this on a weekly basis. They know that when there is a problem or a need, they can turn to their parents, and we will help. We have a proven track record of doing so. For years they have come to Mom and Dad, and time after time, we have come through.

However, there are some things in life that are out of a parent’s hands. After all, I couldn’t resuscitate Finn, our kids’ pet fish, when he floated to the top of his bowl. I couldn’t blunt the pain of the comments from the bully at school. I couldn’t make the fever or tummy ache vanish with the snap of my fingers.

Pain had struck a community of people. A cruel politician had cut down some people in cold blood while they worshiped. People lost loved ones. They were beside themselves and couldn’t make sense of the pain. Thankfully, they did the best thing they could do—they took their troubles to Jesus!

There are some things beyond a parent’s control. But Jesus? There isn’t anything that is beyond him—not even death! The fact that Jesus rose victorious from the grave is the greatest proof of all that he has defeated our greatest trouble. So, when those troubles come, turn to the one who has the power. Turn to Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, although you already know what is troubling me, I bring to you the burdens of my heart. Give me the strength to stand firm through my days of darkness. Comfort me through your Word. 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.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Is God in It?

Daily Devotion – March 23, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:31


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My children often ask questions like, “Are there raisins in it?” or “Are there onions in it?”

How often do we ask, “Is God in it?” That sure sparked up a battle recently when an atheist didn’t want to have his child say the Pledge of Allegiance because “God” was in it. But even if we keep the words in the Pledge, we have to look at our country and ask, “Is God in it?” Are those just empty words or does God really reside here? What do you think when you look around you?

The Bible assures us that, whether we acknowledge him or not, he is everywhere at all times. And where his Word and people are present, he is present in a special way. He comes to bring us to repentance and to lead us to depend on his all-encompassing forgiveness won for us in Jesus. He is there in our lives to make us more like him. And God promises his believing children that even the seemingly difficult things will turn out right because God is in it to turn it into a blessing.

The question remains, however, in relationship to your thoughts, words, and actions. “Is God in it?” We don’t have to look back very far to see God was not the focus in what we listened to, looked at, bought, did, or said. Knowing what he has done for us and how essential our relationship is to him we want to look for him to be in everything we do—as eagerly as my children look for the chocolate chips in the cookies. Let him be the source and focus of all you do.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may everything I do bring you glory. 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.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

Press On

Daily Devotion – March 22, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:14


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She was tired, sore, and feeling more than a little discouraged. The years of training had taken their toll on her body, and her latest visit with the doctor resulted in the strong encouragement to take some time off so her body could heal.

Now the voice in her head telling her to just give up and withdraw from the competition was getting stronger. “It’s not worth it. The pain, the struggle, it’s too much. Besides, you’re never going to win. None of your times have been good enough. You simply set your goal too high. Why waste all this time trying to win a prize that you’re never going to get anyway?”

Have you ever heard voices like that—not about the urge to give up training for a race, but the temptation to give up on being a Christian? “It’s not worth it. The lifestyle, the ridicule—it’s too much. Besides, you’re not good enough. Look at all the mistakes you’ve made.”

If these thoughts, or any like them, have entered your mind, please recognize them for what they are: lies straight from the devil. The truth is that the prize of heaven has already been won for you by Jesus. It’s not a prize that you need to win by leading a certain kind of life. Jesus led that perfect life for you. Then he gave up his life, shed his innocent blood, and died as the price demanded for your sins. His resurrection from the grave guarantees that the prize of eternal life in heaven is yours.

Don’t give up on following Jesus. Keep pressing on toward the goal of heaven. It’s hard. The rest of the world will continue to ridicule you, and the devil will continue to whisper lies in your ear. But that’s just what they are—lies. The truth is that the prize has already been won and given to you by your loving Savior, Jesus.

Rejoice in that unchangeable fact and make the apostle Paul’s words your own.”I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:
Jesus, my Savior, thank you for winning the eternal prize of heaven for me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on that prize and give me the strength to press on even when following you is a struggle. 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.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 4:1

Heading in the Only Right Direction

Daily Devotion – March 21, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 4:1


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When you’re going someplace, there’s normally more than one way to get there. In the city where I live, detours don’t pose too much of a problem because, for the most part, the streets are laid out on a grid plan. In other words, each city block is a rectangle, so if there’s a detour or an accident blocking the road you’re on, you just have to drive around the block. Problem solved. Traffic jams are rare because there’s usually more than one way to get to where you’re going.

That’s a common perception among the people of this world when it comes to getting to heaven. They think to themselves and even say out loud, “There’s more than one way to get there.” But the Bible tells us otherwise. The apostle Peter made that clear when he confessed about Jesus that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Ac 4:12). But, of course, Peter didn’t invent that idea. He heard it straight from the Savior’s mouth. Jesus clearly proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). In other words, when it comes to getting to heaven, Jesus is the only right direction.

It’s natural for people to object to that truth. Doesn’t it seem exclusive? Shouldn’t God provide multiple ways to his heavenly mansions? Wouldn’t that be more generous, more merciful?

While we might be tempted to think the same thing, we need to consider it from God’s perspective. Why would God limit the roads to heaven to just one? Because he doesn’t want us to guess: what’s the best way there? There is only one way, and that one way is through faith in Jesus, his only Son. And that road is wide open for every sinner; Jesus has cleared away sin and death forever!

No detour is needed, St. Paul tells us. “Stand firm in the Lord in this way.” You’re guaranteed a safe arrival home!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me a perfectly clear road to heaven. 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.

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

Roadside Assistance

Daily Devotion – March 20, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21


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Several years ago, my wife enrolled our family in a roadside assistance plan. None of us is particularly mechanical; we probably couldn’t even change a flat tire. So, it just made sense, especially when our children began driving long distances to and from school. It’s nice to have that peace of mind, knowing that if one of our cars breaks down, there’s someone we can call.

But even when we’ve had to set our roadside assistance in motion, we’ve had to wait for the technician or tow truck driver to show up. Sometimes, we’ve waited thirty minutes or even longer. Even though we know for certain that help is on the way, the problem with our car wasn’t immediately fixed the moment we got off the phone.

That’s the situation that God’s faithful people must endure in this world. We certainly have the ultimate spiritual roadside assistance plan through faith in Jesus. By following him and his Word, we can be certain that we’re on the only highway that leads to eternal life in heaven. But sometimes, along the way, we have our own spiritual breakdowns. We get spiritual flat tires, and so often our spiritual batteries need a jump start. The apostle Paul reminds us that on this side of heaven, we’re still operating in “lowly bodies” that are subject to pain, suffering, and death. We continually need to call on Jesus for roadside assistance.

And when we do, we may need to wait eagerly. But that’s okay because waiting teaches us to be humble and patient. Waiting requires us to have faith because we’re compelled to believe things our eyes don’t currently see.

The good news for those who put their faith in Jesus is that he never disappoints. The reason for that is simple: he has “the power that enables him to bring everything under his control.” And he has promised to use that power for our eternal good, to “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” He provides perfect roadside assistance!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me wait patiently for your salvation, for today and all eternity. 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.

But our citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20

Goin’ Home

Daily Devotion – March 19, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20


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In 1922, the American composer William Arms Fisher wrote lyrics to one of the most haunting melodies in the history of music, the opening theme of the Largo from Anton Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Fisher entitled his song, “Goin’ Home,” its words describing a person’s departure from this world to “the world beyond.” Set in the style of an old American spiritual, Fisher penned, “Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home; Quiet-like, some still day, I’m jes’ goin’ home. . . Mother’s there ‘spectin’ me, Father’s waitin’ too; Lots o’ folks gather’d there, All the friends I knew.” The song was popularized when it was played after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Since then, it has been used regularly in connection with the funeral services of U.S. presidents, dignitaries, and soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The song is certainly sentimental, but it’s not really biblical. There is no mention of sin against God or one another, nor its consequences: death (Ro 6:23). Neither is there any reference to our desperate need for divine forgiveness. The lyrics simply assume that everyone who dies goes “home” to heaven, no questions asked, greeted there by their dearly departed family and friends who have gone before them. There is no suggestion of true salvation; no pointing to the only One who freely grants it: Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29).

It makes sense that Fisher’s song would be so affectionately adopted by the people of this world who desperately look for some hope and comfort in the face of death. Sadly, however, they refuse to look to Jesus their Savior, who gives certain hope and comfort by his death and resurrection from the dead. He’s conquered death forever! Instead, they chase after sappy sentimentality.

But at least Fisher got one thing right with his lyrics. He suggested that heaven is home. For God’s people—those who put their trust in Jesus—this is most certainly true. But it won’t only be true someday. The apostle Paul reminds us that even now “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are but strangers here; heaven is our home. And, oh, how God’s people long to be home with Jesus!

Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to flee from faulty hope and comfort and to rest all my confidence 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.