Author: Kerry

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.

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.
Philippians 3:18,19

Watch out: Enemy Crossing!

Daily Devotion – March 18, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18,19


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The best roads are built with safety in mind. That’s why freeways are normally multi-lane, same-direction thoroughfares without cross-traffic. They’re made as straight as possible; the valleys are raised up, and the hills are made low. The fewer obstacles there are, the better.

If only the road to heaven would be free of every danger! If only there were no twists or turns, ups or downs, no cross traffic. But the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh are not that cooperative. They constantly throw obstacles in the way in a concerted effort to throw us off course. The last thing our spiritual enemies want to see is us arriving home to heaven safe and sound.

And sometimes, those enemies come in ways you wouldn’t suspect. When, for instance, the apostle Paul laments the fact that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ,” he’s not necessarily referring to people outside the church. Yes, even people who claim to be children of God—faithful followers of Jesus and his Word—too often live as enemies of the cross of Christ. How? By falling into the temptation and promoting the false idea that we should expect our lives as God’s people in this world to be filled with success. They cling to a theology of glory rather than proclaiming a theology of the cross. “Their mind is set on earthly things,” and Paul warns, “Their destiny is destruction.”

We need to watch out for this enemy crossing because we’re all tempted to forget what Jesus made so clear about the life of true discipleship: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34). While we may want to think our lives in this world should be filled with one clear victory after another, Paul knew from experience that a Christian’s reward comes not now but in heaven. But what a reward it will be!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me fix my heart on things above and cling to your eternal promises. 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.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Philippians 3:17

Follow Closely

Daily Devotion – March 17, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:17


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When was the last time you needed to follow closely behind someone to arrive at your destination? That was sometimes necessary in the “olden days” because most maps didn’t provide street-level detail. So, if your group was too large to fit into one car, the driver who knew where he was going would carefully lead the other driver to their destination. If you were following, you needed to stay close, so you didn’t get separated and lost. But with the advent of cell phones and GPS technology, finding your way to unknown locations is now a snap. Your phone tells you where to turn and when. Following someone closely is unnecessary.

But have you ever asked your phone to give you directions to heaven? It doesn’t work; I’ve tried. If you and I can’t get to heaven by asking our phones the way, how can we ever get there? By closely following others who know how to get there.

There was a time in the apostle Paul’s life when he was totally lost. He thought he knew how to get to heaven. Simple; follow the rules, he thought. But then he discovered God doesn’t just require us to try our best or be better than the next person. No, to enter the gates of heaven, we need to be perfect. No missed turns, no sin, ever. Like us, Paul couldn’t manage that. He was lost.

But then Jesus found and rescued him. As the world’s Savior, Jesus did what we could never do. He’s perfect! More than that, he freely forgives our sins and gives us his perfection as a gift. Through faith in him and by following him closely, our destination is certain. We’re on the road to heaven, everlasting life!

Paul learned to follow Jesus closely in faith. Now, he urges us to follow his example and do the same. If we try to get to heaven on our own, we’ll never arrive. But by placing our faith in Jesus and following his life-giving direction closely, we’ll show up safe and sound. Forever.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me follow you in faith to my heavenly home. 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.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

Swifter, Higher, Stronger

Daily Devotion – March 16, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14


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“Citius, altius, fortius” is a Latin phrase meaning, “swifter, higher, stronger.” It is the motto of the Olympic games and does well to embody what our calling in Christ pursues.

Christ has placed us on the path of righteousness but still lets us run. Swifter, we flee from temptation. Higher, we stretch ourselves to practice Christ-like love. Stronger, we stand in the midst of suffering in this world. A shining example of this kind of fortitude was revealed in the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico.

A Tanzanian marathon runner named Akhwari was the last man to finish the marathon race. He arrived in the stadium staggering, limping, and finished his race long after the winner did. This, of course, prompted all kinds of post-race questions as to why he continued when he had no chance of winning.

He simply replied, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish the race.”

A Christian who knew why God saved him and set him apart, the apostle Paul also spoke in similar terms, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me . . . I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12,14).

Through the sacrifice of his Son, God set the prize of heaven before us. Now in our life of faith in Jesus, we press on to take full possession of that for which God has taken hold of us.

Run, Christian, run. Finish the race.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me finish the race. Guide my feet to follow the way that you speak in your Word. Extend my arms to reach others in love. Wipe my tears of sorrow so that I can better see the path. Lead me on, Lord. Lead me on. 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.

[Jesus said] “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. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 23:37-39

The Extent of Jesus’ Love

Daily Devotion – March 15, 2025

Devotion based on Matthew 23:37-39


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The entire chapter of Matthew 23 is several stern warnings that Jesus spoke against those who rejected him in unbelief, especially the religious leaders. If you read through those passages, you will see that Jesus spoke very strongly against those who opposed him. His reason for the woes he pronounced was not to antagonize his enemies. No, he spoke as firmly as he did because he truly loved them! He wanted them to see that the confidence they were putting in themselves for salvation was very dangerous. They could not save themselves from condemnation in hell by their attempts to live as righteously as possible. Jesus wanted to correct them. He wanted them to put their faith in him as their Savior so they would not fall under the eternal judgment of God. He wanted them to have eternal life with God by trusting in him as their Savior.

Oh, the great extent of Jesus’ love for people! He wants all to come to the knowledge of God’s truth and be saved from the curse of sin. He reaches out to gather people into the protective care of his boundless goodness and fills them with the fullness of life. He calls upon them to turn away from the emptiness and hopelessness they have without him. How sad and sorrowful he is when they refuse because when judgment finally comes, they will be separated from God forever.

Jesus is our Savior. His death was the sacrifice that God accepted as payment for all our sins. There’s nothing more for us to do for the forgiveness of sins and the joy of life with God. Jesus did it all. Believe it.

Prayer:
Jesus, how greatly you love me to willingly die to take away the guilt of my sins. Fill my heart with confident trust in you alone for salvation and eternal life. 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.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 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

He Leads the Way

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 4:1,2


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There is something good about being with other people. If you are traveling to a new city, it is more fun to have a friend to go with you. Cheering on your favorite team with 100,000 other fans is more fun than sitting in the stands by yourself. If you have a difficult doctor’s appointment coming up, it is good to take someone with you.

At the beginning of his ministry, God the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness of Judea. There, in that wilderness, he faced the devil. Forty days and forty nights, Jesus endured the devil’s twisted truths, his easy solutions, and his deceptive offers. Through the power of God’s Word, Jesus was victorious and did not sin.

We are not in the wilderness across the Jordan but in a wilderness of sorts. We aren’t alone among the wild animals, but we face all sorts of dangers and difficulties. As Jesus was tempted, we will face temptations as well. The same twisted truths, easy solutions, and deceptive offers are on our minds and in our hearts as well.

Jesus goes with us and leads the way through this wilderness, too. We find great hope in knowing Jesus will keep us safe. We find comfort in knowing when we fail to resist temptation, Jesus stands ready to rescue us. He forgives our failures to remain faithful and removes the burdens of our guilt. He encourages us with his reassuring promises to retake our stand on God’s Word and truth. He renews us with his victory to prepare us for whatever temptation we face next.

As Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, so Jesus goes with us and leads us through the wildernesses we find ourselves in. He goes with us and leads us as we are tempted.

Prayer:
Lord of all, thank you for sending Jesus to be with me and to lead me. Help me to look to him for rescue and strength. 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.