Category: Daily Devotions

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30

You can be an Optimist

Daily Devotion – July 29, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:28-30

See series: Devotions

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Do you see the glass half full or half empty? Are you the kind of person who can find a rainbow hiding behind every stormy cloud? It seems that most people tend to lean in one direction or the other. But is there really any basis for optimism? How do we know that everything is going to work out, or that things will get better, or that everything we experience is really for our good?

Without faith in Jesus there really is no basis. Things could just as well turn out for the worse. There really is no reason that they should get better or be for our good. But Jesus changes everything. That’s why the apostle Paul confidently wrote, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

How do we know this? We know this because God backs his wonderful promise up with an unbreakable chain of proof. In eternity God chose us to be his very own. Before we were even born God knew us and planned in advance to conform us to the likeness of his Son. His love in Christ began even before he created the universe when he decided to send Jesus to take up the sin of the world and pay for it, so that as God’s dear children together with Jesus we can share in the boundless blessings of eternal life.

God works for the good of those who love him, and the proof extends from eternity into the here and now when God called us through the gospel. Through the good news of a Savior from sin God creates faith in people’s hearts. It is through this faith that he justifies us by declaring us not guilty of sin. This is how he glorifies believers right now and will one day glorify them forever in heaven.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” You can be sure of it. Because of Jesus you can be sure of it, even when you suffer all kinds of pain and disappointment in this life. You can be sure of it, even when your friends disappoint and relationships dissolve. You can be sure of it, even when your body begins to wear out and your energy fades. You can be sure because God has done everything to make you sure. Because of God’s great love for us, we can be optimists.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, when things in life get me down and I struggle to find hope, point me to your promises in Jesus Christ and assure me of your constant love and compassion. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

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

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

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, … “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
1 Kings 3:5-6,9-12

Whatever You Want

Daily Devotion – July 28, 2018

Devotion based on 1 Kings 3:5-6,9-12

See series: Devotions

We’ve seen it depicted in so many different ways. A man finds a lamp or a bottle. He rubs the bottle and out pops a genie. “I’ll grant you one wish, whatever you want.” How many times haven’t we thought, “I’d wish for more wishes!”

King Solomon was presented with a similar situation, only it wasn’t a genie in a bottle offering to grant a wish, it was God himself. Imagine being in Solomon’s place! “Whatever you want…” God said. How would you have answered?

We’d all like to think we would have answered honorably. Truthfully, though, we likely would have answered the way that God describes in verse 11. Our sinful nature would have asked for unlimited wealth or a long life or that someone who has hurt us gets hurt just as badly. Yet, all of those things are selfish. They only seek to serve us and not serve God.

Solomon realized the great responsibility placed before him as the king God chose for his people. So he asked God for the wisdom to choose between right and wrong. Solomon knew that he would choose poorly if left to himself. So he asked for God’s blessing to choose wisely. And God was pleased.

Each and every day we face a battle. We battle between choosing what God wants and what our sinful nature wants. If left to ourselves, our sinful nature would always win. But we are not left to ourselves. Because of Jesus’ saving work, we have been given the Holy Spirit. He works in us through his Word to help us choose what God wants, to discern between right and wrong. He strengthens us by the power of the gospel so that we can show our thankfulness to God for all that he has done for us. And there’s nothing better we could ask for!

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, thank you for giving us your Spirit that we might distinguish between right and wrong and in so doing, serve you in thankfulness. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

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

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

As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10

Doing Good

Daily Devotion – July 27, 2018

Devotion based on Galatians 6:10

See series: Devotions

During the school week, the little kindergarten student dreaded getting out of bed in the morning. When it was time to get up, she grouched. If her parents turned the light on, she threw the covers over her head. If they tried to lift her out of bed, she became like dead weight. But on Saturday mornings, she was always up bright and early, ready to make the most of her free time.

This is like the miraculous change that Jesus works in us. He saw us grousing about, blind to, and incapable of doing good to others. But in love, he could not leave us that way. So, Jesus did good to all. No one was a nuisance. No time was inconvenient. No price was too high—not even his own life. On the cross, Jesus paid the debt for all our sins—even our failures to do good to others.

Now, the risen Jesus sends his Holy Spirit to work in us through the gospel. He awakens in us the desire to make the most of our freedom—to do good to all people, especially those who follow Jesus in faith.

Can you imagine the impact we would have if we made the most of our freedom in Christ? If we did good to all with the exuberance of a child on Saturday morning? What if we jumped at every opportunity to love one another, honor one another, live in harmony and not judge but accept one another, encourage and serve one another, bear patiently and forgive one another, and spur one another on toward love and good deeds?

It would be much like the early church in Jerusalem where God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. And more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. (See Acts 4:33,34, & 5:14.)

What are we waiting for? Because of the freedom we have in Christ, every day is an opportunity to do good.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, as you have done good to me, move me to do good to all. Amen.

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

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

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

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

Ways We Can Thank God

Daily Devotion – July 26, 2018

Devotion based on Colossians 3:17

See series: Devotions

“Mom, I’m so happy you asked me to do the dishes today! Thanks so much!”

“Dad! You really mean it? I get to mow the lawn today? Sweet!”

“I can’t believe it, honey! I was hoping you’d say it was my turn to go and pick up all the messes the dog left in the yard this week. What a chance to serve God!”

I’m guessing you haven’t heard those kinds of statements in your household lately. Instead, we all tend to grumble, whine, and complain when presented with opportunities to serve God by serving others. We selfishly think that someone else should do whatever task we are presented with. We fail to see that, in reality, each of our daily tasks at work, home, and school is a chance to serve our God. As we look back at the end of the day, how many times did we begrudgingly do something that our Lord had prepared in advance for us to do? Even one time is more than sinful enough to fall under God’s eternal judgment.

Thankfully, Jesus never missed a chance to glorify God. He was always looking to do whatever his Father in heaven had prepared for him that day. Sometimes that meant healing and helping. Other times it meant preaching and teaching. Still other times it meant patiently working with someone one-on-one. There was even the time when he washed his disciples’ feet! Jesus’ entire life was one of doing everything he could for the glory of God. His death was that way too. God had asked him to suffer and die for sins that he did not commit. And he did it. He did it all without grumbling or complaining. He did it because he loved us. He did it because he wanted to glorify his Father in heaven. He did it, so we could be forgiven and saved from eternal condemnation.

There are so many ways that we can thank God for all that he has done for us in Jesus. Most of them are found right in our daily routines! Maybe it is doing the dishes for mom with a smile on your face and love in your heart for the Savior. Maybe it is mowing the lawn because dad asked you to and that is a great way to show gratitude to God. Maybe it is even picking up the dog’s messes in the backyard because it is a way to show God how thankful you are for the blessings he has given to your family. Ways to glorify God are all around you and the good news is, God has built many of them into your schedule for today!

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, forgive me for the times when I have grumbled at opportunities to serve you. Thank you for your love that you have shown me in Christ Jesus. Help me to see all the ways I can glorify you each day. Amen.

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

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

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

“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock … and will bring them back to their pasture … I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:3-4

God Takes Matters into His Own Hands

Daily Devotion – July 25, 2018

Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:3-4

See series: Devotions

“If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” A parent gives a child a task but feels compelled to step in and fix it when things go wrong. A church leader assigns a project to a volunteer but is frustrated when it doesn’t turn out as planned.

That’s not a good approach to parenting or leadership. It is usually better to let people grow and learn from their mistakes than to just do it for them. But sometimes, you have no choice. You have to step in and do it yourself.

Six centuries before Jesus was born, the spiritual shepherds of Israel weren’t doing their job. They were hurting the people instead of helping them. Instead of speaking the truth and leading the people to the Lord, they were telling lies and leading them to pray to and worship false gods.

It still happens today. Some who claim to be Christian pastors and teachers lead people away from the Lord. They change or ignore what God says in the Bible. They lead people away from God by teaching their own ideas or what is popular instead of the truth. Watch out!

When God saw this in Jeremiah’s day, he was furious. Out of love for his people, he punished those false teachers. And he took matters into his own hands. He sent faithful pastors and prophets to speak the truth and care for the people.

Six hundred years later, his love for you and me showed even more vividly. He took matters into his own hands when he sent his own Son. Jesus came to rescue us, who too easily believe the lies and wander from the truth. He knew we were helpless to save ourselves, so he did it for us, dying in our place to save us from death.

God loves you too much to let anything go wrong with your eternity. He took matters into his own hands so that you could be with him forever.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for taking my salvation into your own hands. Send faithful shepherds to care for your flock on earth. Amen.

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

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

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

Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:13-22

Citizenship

Daily Devotion – July 24, 2018

Devotion based on Ephesians 2:13-22

See series: Devotions

There is no greater citizenship than that of God’s kingdom. To have a relationship with the One who created you, to know his unfailing love and protection, and to have a place reserved in his kingdom of heaven where there is no more sadness, disease, or death, and where you will be face-to-face with your Savior God forever—it doesn’t get any better than that!

But there are strict requirements when it comes to this citizenship. God is very clear that anyone who wants to be a citizen of his kingdom needs to be holy just like he is. There is absolutely no place for sin in the kingdom of God—which makes sense when you consider who God is and the disdain he holds for anything that is impure and unholy.

This creates more than a significant problem for us as human beings. No matter how hard we try we still do things every day that are not pleasing to God. It’s called sin. Even if somehow, we could stop, there is still the issue of all the sins we have committed in the past which disqualify us from citizenship in God’s kingdom.

That’s why Jesus came to this world. He became a real human being to give you citizenship in God’s kingdom. He accomplished this by removing that which would prevent you from holding that citizenship. Through his innocent death on the cross, Jesus removed your sin forever. Now, through faith in him as your Savior from sin, you have been given an eternal place in God’s kingdom that can never be taken away.

One of the wonderful things about this gift is that it unites you with your fellow citizens of God’s kingdom. No matter their background, skin color, or spoken language, you have a special bond with the other citizens of God’s kingdom. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and they will be your neighbors forever in heaven.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me to send your one and only Son to die so that I can be a citizen in your kingdom. Help me to rejoice in the unity that citizenship gives me with other believers in your Son. In his name I pray it. Amen.

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

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

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

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 6:30-34

Take a Break with Jesus

Daily Devotion – July 23, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 6:30-34

See series: Devotions

Everyone needs a break from people, even those who regularly serve people. A doctor cannot always be with patients. A teacher cannot always be with students. Even Jesus took time away from the crowds of people who were coming to see him. He did this to be with his disciples. He did this to show his closest followers some one-on-one attention. Jesus said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

How does such an invitation sound to you? You who pour yourself into service to others. You who cry for others, worry about others, seek to reach out and help others. Take a break from those others. Remember God loves you. Remember how Jesus died on the cross for you. Remember how he rose from the dead to guarantee your forgiveness and a place in heaven with him. When we lose patience with others, feel anger, disgust, or even hatred toward others, Jesus is near in his Word, calling us to take a break with him. In our busy lives of service, we too need to be served by the Word. We need to lay our guilt and our burdens at the foot of his cross, and let the Scriptures remind us again of Jesus’ love for each individual.

Here we see the extent of Jesus’ human nature. The Son of God became true man in every sense of the word. Unlike us, Jesus served people perfectly. But like us, Jesus needed a break from people. Jesus’ escape from people was never permanent. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” Back to work Jesus goes! Faithfully serving others in love, Jesus’ compassion led him to teach others one at a time. That’s how Jesus teaches us in the Word.

May the few moments you have spent with Jesus in the Word today strengthen you in your service to others.

Prayer:
Compassionate Lord, I thank you for the time you have spent with me today in your Word. May the love and attention you have shown me, help me to show love and attention to those I meet today. Amen.

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 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, the weeds also appeared” … 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 root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.’”
Matthew 13:24-26,28-30

In Due Time

Daily Devotion – July 22, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 13:24-26,28-30

See series: Devotions

It is easy to wonder why the Lord allows good and evil to exist side by side. Wouldn’t the world be a better place, if the Lord would uproot everything evil and allow only good to exist?

This might be an easy assumption to make since I consider myself to be “good.” Unfortunately, I tend to forget the Lord’s standard of good is different than mine. This is why I need to understand why the Lord does allow both to exist.

One reason is fairly obvious. If the Lord would rid the world of everything evil, where would that put me? As I look at my life according to his standard, I am resigned to accept what the Lord declares: “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 53:3).

The Lord allows good and evil to exist side by side as a result of his undeserved love for me. Instead of dealing with me immediately and justly, he provides a time of grace through which I can come to know Jesus and his gift of forgiveness, and then enjoy living in the peace of his forgiving love.

Another reason why the Lord allows good and evil to exist is his gracious will for all people. “He wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). The same time of grace he gives me, he offers to all. He wants no one to perish. This is why he sent his Son Jesus to be the Savior of all.

In due time, however, when his time of grace comes to an end, he will separate the good from the evil, namely believers from unbelievers. This promise of divine and eternal separation exhorts me to daily repent of my sin and focus on Jesus to strengthen my trust in him as my Savior. It is this life of faith which gives me the confidence to know, that also in due time, the Lord will gather me to himself and bring me into his heavenly kingdom.

Prayer:
O gracious Lord, how can I ever thank you enough for your compassion and mercy. Give me the strength of faith I need to trust what you say, to look to Jesus for forgiveness, and to be prepared for the day when you will bring your harvest in. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

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

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

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26

When the Words Don’t Come

Daily Devotion – July 21, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:26

See series: Devotions

Give some careful thought to the following statement: The times we find it hardest to talk to God in prayer are often the times we need to talk to him the most. Here it is again. The times we find it hardest to talk to God in prayer are often the times we need to talk to him the most.

If you have lived more than a few years in this difficult place, you know how true that statement is. What words do you speak to God, exactly, when you walk out the doctor’s office with the news that your spouse has stage 4 cancer? What words do you speak to God when your finances are on the verge of collapse? What words do you speak to God when you can no longer process how stressful your place of work has become? What words do you speak to God when it feels as though a member of your family has run a sword through your soul? What words do you speak to God when your marriage begins to implode? And what words do you speak to God when all the regrets from your past begin to smother you like a heavy shroud?

These are the times when the words don’t come. These are the times when coherent thought disappears. These are the moments when you and I cannot even articulate a simple cry to the Lord for help.

Enter the Holy Spirit. He knows. He knows very well how the wreckage of this sinful world can overwhelm us, paralyze us to the point of stunned silence. In those moments he comes to us. He intercedes for us. On our behalf he speaks to our heavenly Father “with groans that words cannot express.” And to such groans God listens and responds.

You are a forgiven child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. That means you possess the exclusive privilege of talking to the Lord in prayer. But when you set aside time for him and the words do not come, take heart. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what you need. What he says on your behalf will go beyond human words. And God will listen. And he will answer.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, there are times when the words just do not come. Speak on my behalf with groans that words cannot express. And fill me with the peace that is mine in Jesus. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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

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

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

It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13

Good Works are God’s Work

Daily Devotion – July 20, 2018

Devotion based on Philippians 2:13

See series: Devotions

“I’m doing it, daddy!” the little girl said excitedly.

What a sight! A four-year-old behind the wheel of an oversized Sport Utility Vehicle. Her little hands not fully grasping the steering wheel. Her feet dangling inches from the floor board. Her neck craned upward, chin thrust out, eyebrows raised as high as they would go. Still, she could barely see over the dash board. But she was doing it.

“Daddy, I’m driving!”

Or so she thought. She was proud of her efforts behind the wheel, but dad was in control. His eyes were watching for any obstacles in the vacant parking lot. His foot was hovering over the brake ready to stop the behemoth vehicle in an instant. His hands were firmly grasping the steering wheel. His voice was instructing her when and how far to turn the wheel.

Spiritually, we are more hindered than a four-year-old. From the moment our life begins, we are dead in sin and separated from God. Without faith in Christ, we cannot do anything that pleases God. But the Holy Spirit works through the good news about Jesus. He connects us by faith to him who died for our sins and was raised again. He gives us life in Christ, so we can live like Christ.

The funny thing is, it looks like we are doing the work. Others see us humbly serving without expecting anything in return. They see us work without grumbling and talk without complaining. They see us lead upright, innocent lives. But really, it is God at work in us. The loving Father empowers us. The living Christ motivates us. The enlightening Spirit guides us.

Do you want God to fulfill his good purpose in you? Do you wonder what God’s good purpose for you is? The little girl skillfully moved the over-sized SUV because she was connected to power—her father. As we stay connected to Jesus in Word and sacrament, God’s power is at work in us. We will know God’s good purpose and offer our lives and lips in thanks because God is working in us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, work in me by your Word the desire and the drive to fulfill your good purpose. Amen.

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

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

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