Category: Daily Devotions

Join with me in suffering for the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:8

No Greater Honor

Daily Devotion – October 13, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:8

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Many tourists in Rome will tell you that it is one of the most difficult sites to find. The site that is difficult to find is the Mamertine Prison, the traditional place where the apostle Paul awaited his execution. Over the years, countless tourists have walked right past it without recognizing what it was. This is understandable, because the Mamertine Prison does not resemble our idea of a prison. Rather, it is simply an ancient cistern divided into two rooms, one on top of the other.

On the floor of the upper room is a hole. And through that hole is where prisoners were either lowered–or dropped–into the lower room. This lower room was called the Tullianum.

According to an ancient historian, this lower room, the Tullianum, was 12 feet underground. In his words, it was “disgusting and vile by reason of the filth, the darkness and the stench.” The room itself measures 6 ½ feet high, 30 feet long and 22 feet wide. This was where prisoners waited to die, either by execution or by simple starvation. An iron door at the end of the room opened into the city’s main sewer, where dead bodies are said to have been dumped into the river.

It was in this lower room—the Tullianum—this bottom half of an old cistern, where many believe Paul spent his final days. If that’s the case, then this was also where the Lord moved him to write his final letter. In that letter, the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to look beyond the dank, foul walls of his dungeon and to speak to his friend, Timothy. He also speaks to you and me.

Across the years, Paul says, “Join with me. Join with me in suffering for the gospel.”

The Lord may not call upon us to endure the darkness and misery of the Mamertine Prison. But as you and I carry the Good News of Jesus through this jagged, broken world, there will be all kinds of moments when we will endure difficulties and hardships of every description. For the sake of the gospel we will suffer.

And that’s all right. In fact, it’s more than all right. For as you and I join with Paul in suffering difficulty and hardship for the sake of sharing the gospel—for the sake of sharing the message of full forgiveness through faith in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—there is no greater honor. None.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in those moments when I suffer difficulty for the sake of your gospel, remind me of Paul. And refresh me in your forgiveness. 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.

[Jesus] said to [the Eleven], “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15

A Big Job

Daily Devotion – October 12, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 16:15

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My wife and I assign different jobs to our children based on their age. The six-year-old is responsible for setting the table and clearing the dishes. The four-year-old needs to pick up her toys. With the two-year-old, we are just happy if he can brush his own teeth with limited assistance. We give our children different chores because we know it would be disastrous if the two-year-old tried to set out the glasses for dinner, and we want our six-year old to be able to do more than just brush her own teeth.

Before he ascended back to heaven, Jesus’ final instructions were given to a group of disciples who just weeks earlier had abandoned him. These were the same disciples who over their last three years had often been slow to believe and listen, but quick to doubt and interject. Yet it is to these same disciples that Jesus gives one of the most significant tasks the world has ever known: preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ instruction to us is still the same today. We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Wherever we find ourselves in life, we are to intentionally bring the good news of Jesus who was crucified and raised to life, for the forgiveness of sins and life with God. Like the disciples we are to make this our mission, and like the disciples we are woefully unqualified for it.

We might be tempted to think this is a recipe for disaster, like asking a two-year-old to set the table. We may say, the job is too big and we are too small. However, Jesus never gives us a task without equipping us for that task. Jesus never gives us a command and then leaves us alone. Instead he provides for what he commands. Yes, the work of being Christ’s witnesses in all the world is nothing short of monumental. But in every circumstance Jesus gives us everything we need to share his gospel of salvation.

So, we go out into the world, wherever it is that we go, and we do this magnificent thing of bringing the good news of Jesus with us.

Prayer:
Jesus, be with us as we take your gospel to the ends of the earth. Motivate us, strengthen us, equip us, and enable us to be your witnesses in all the world. 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.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

Point Them to Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 11, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 28:19-20

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There are currently around 7.6 billion people in the world. If you counted one person per second, it would take over 239 years to count them all. What is true about each and every person on the face of the earth? They are all born sinful and needing a Savior. By nature, every single person is headed straight toward eternal punishment in hell.

It’s terrifying and heartbreaking to see so many people living unaware of the consequences of sin, rejecting the truths of God’s Word, and living apart from God. The Bible says that unbelief condemns to an eternity of suffering. God didn’t create the world to condemn it. God did’t make everything for the sole purpose of seeing it brought to ruin.

Your heavenly Father wants only what is best for his creation and wants everyone to receive the benefits and blessings of heaven. That’s why he sent Jesus—to pay for your sins to rescue you from an eternity in hell and give you an eternal paradise of heaven.

God’s Word teaches that through Jesus, you are forgiven. That is good news, the best news! God doesn’t hold you accountable for the guilt of what you have done wrong. He doesn’t punish you, because he punished Jesus in your place. What does God command you to do with this good news? Bring it to others. Go and tell others the good news of forgiveness in Christ. Share your joy of peace. Through his Word and through Baptism, God creates and strengthens faith in the Savior. Through faith God welcomes you and others into eternal life. While you do this work, Jesus promises he is always by your side, protecting and encouraging you every step of the way.

7.6 billion people—that is a lot of people! Jesus calls on his believers to take up the work of reaching them with the good news of salvation. With his Word and with Baptism he equips us for bringing his saving message to the ends of the earth.

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, use me to tell others about you, that they also may enjoy forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.

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

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

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

Moses brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him.
Numbers 11:24-25

Listen Up

Daily Devotion – October 10, 2018

Devotion based on Numbers 11:24-25

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I wonder what God sounded like?

Moses heard him. The leaders of the people Moses invited around the worship tent in the desert certainly heard him. A few others throughout the pages of the Bible heard the voice of the Lord on those rare occasions when he allowed human beings to listen to him speak. I wonder what it was like? Was his voice loud, deep, and thunderous like the movies depict? Was it frightening? Was it soothing? Was it awe-inspiring? Whatever God sounded like, I wish I could have heard him.

Then again, even if I could hear God’s voice that doesn’t mean I would always listen to him! In this account recorded in the book of Numbers, there were two elders of the people who didn’t come to listen to the Lord. They didn’t gather with the other 68 elders at the worship tent with Moses. They didn’t follow God’s instructions even though they should have known better.

I should know better too. We should all know better! We understand that we are supposed to listen to God’s Word and follow his instructions, but we are inconsistent at best. At worst, we are belligerent and rebellious, prone more often to do whatever we want instead of what God wants. I’m not so sure I would want to hear the tone of voice God would use if he were to speak to me!

But he does speak to me. And he speaks to you too. We don’t hear his voice audibly as he talks from heaven, but we do “hear” his voice in a very real way through the pages of the Bible. And when he speaks, he isn’t angry or bitter or disappointed. He speaks with a softness and with a compassion that comforts our hearts. “You’re forgiven,” he says. “I have sent my Son Jesus to bear the brunt of the punishment you deserve and have cleared you of any offenses by his cross. I love you because you are my child through faith and I will always be your caring Father.”

What a relief! What a message! What a pleasure to hear the voice of our God!

Prayer:
Lord, help me listen to your voice through your written Word. 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.

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Hebrews 2:11

Photograph

Daily Devotion – October 9, 2018

Devotion based on Hebrews 2:11

See series: Devotions

This past June, the world of commentary lost one of its most elegant writers. When Charles Krauthammer died, people across the political spectrum knew they had lost someone special. They may or may not always have agreed with his opinions, but the thoughtfulness and eloquence of his columns were beyond dispute. For his writing he received the Pulitzer Prize.

In the wake of Krauthammer’s death, admirers began to share with each other some of his most beloved columns. A piece his fans mentioned repeatedly was the one he wrote about his brother, Marcel, when Marcel died in 2006. To read it, do an online search: “Marcel, My Brother.” Of this article one reader wrote, “I’ve never read any other column—from anybody else—that resonated so deeply.”

When Charles wrote about his brother, he wrote about their years growing up. Marcel was four years older than Charles and a magnificent athlete. But in his column, Charles remembers how his big brother always included him in everything he did. Every summer they were inseparable. And even though, as Charles says, “four years is a chasm [when you’re young],” all of Marcel’s friends knew Marcel’s rule whenever they got together for a neighborhood game. Marcel’s rule was, “Charlie plays.” And so, Charlie did.

Perhaps the most poignant portion of Charles’ piece on his big brother comes near the very end. He writes, “There is a black-and-white photograph of us, two boys alone. He’s maybe 11. I’m 7. …In the photo, nothing but sand, sea, and sky, the pure elements of our summers together. We are both thin as rails…dressed in our summer finest: bathing suits and buzz cuts. Marcel’s left arm is draped around my neck with that effortless natural ease—and touch of protectiveness—that only older brothers know.”

When the living Word of our God tells us, that Jesus is our brother, perhaps it happens too often that you and I do not stop to take in what that means. The Son of God became a human being, yes. He lived a holy life on our behalf, yes. His suffering and death washed away our every wrong, yes. He rose from death and lives, yes.

But as he lives, he watches over us not simply as if we were some divine assignment he needs to protect. He’s our brother. He’s been where we are. He knows how hard and lonely life can be. He understands.

Remember the photograph of Marcel and Charlie? Marcel’s arm draped around little Charlie’s neck says it all. Remember that picture when you think of Jesus’ love for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my brother. I’m sorry how often I forget that. But your arm is around me always. Thank you. Amen.

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

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

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

Some Pharisees came and tested [Jesus] by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
Mark 10:2

Arrogance

Daily Devotion – October 8, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 10:2

See series: Devotions

The Pharisees came with a deviously devised test for Jesus. Even though they themselves could not agree on an answer, they believed Jesus would take one side or the other. In this way they could subject Jesus to accusation and disgrace. It was nothing more than arrogance on their part, and Jesus revealed their sin for what it was—a rejection of God’s Word.

There is a sense of indignation which wells up in me. How could they do this! How could they reject God’s Word! How could they be so arrogant! Before I convince myself that I would never do anything like that, I need to look at myself honestly and humbly.

I can be just as arrogant as the Pharisees. It surfaces not only regarding beliefs on divorce and marriage, but in every aspect of my life. God’s Word is clear in its commands and prohibitions. I, however, think I know better. I try to convince myself that my situation is different. I might even believe this really doesn’t apply to me. There is no other way to describe my thoughts than arrogance. And God will hold me accountable.

In sincerity, I turn to the cross of Jesus my Savior. At his cross I receive the assurance of my forgiveness for arrogance and all other sins. I also receive the will and the desire to accept all that God commands. Instead of arguing my position with the Lord, I accept his. In humility, I submit to his will.

Honestly, I know from sad experience that I will always struggle with the Lord’s will for my life. I will rely on rationalizations, justifications, or just weak excuses. I will even argue that his accusations are untrue. This is nothing more than the arrogance of my sin-stained heart. It is why I pray daily, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Prayer: Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

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 said to [the chief priests and the Pharisees], “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
Matthew 21:42-43

God is Patient and Gracious

Daily Devotion – October 7, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 21:42-43

See series: Devotions

These words of Jesus come at the end of a parable (a story that relates a truth about God and his kingdom). A landowner had rented his vineyard to some tenant farmers. They were to give him a share of the harvest when his servants came to collect. Instead, the tenants beat and even killed those servants. In response, the landowner sent more servants. Same treatment. Finally, the man sent his son. Certainly, he thought, they would respect and receive his son. But instead, the wicked tenants killed the son and claimed the vineyard as their own! The point was not lost on Jesus’ hearers. They knew what that landowner would do next. He would avenge the death of his servants and son and rent his vineyard to new, faithful farmers.

How patiently and graciously the Lord had dealt with the people of Israel! God had chosen them to be his special people. They would bear his name, have his Word and be the nation from whom the world’s Savior would be born. They were not special because they were better than other people. They were not sinless or righteous in themselves. They needed the Savior from sin as much as anybody else. God had chosen them by his grace. He called on them to believe his promise that the Savior would come. He called on them to produce the thoughts and actions that come from faith. In large part, though, the people of Israel rejected the Lord’s promise. They became proud of the position that was theirs only because of God’s undeserved love. God sent them prophets to turn them around. They mistreated and rejected those prophets. Finally, he sent them his Son! They crucified him, the one who had come as proof of God’s patience and mercy. They had rejected God’s chosen one.

Rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Father who sent him. Refusal to listen to the Lord and to believe his promises is to treat him the same way the tenant farmers treated the landowner. There is a message there for all of us. God has been and still is patient and gracious. He still sends a message of pardon and peace to those who realize just how much they need it because of sin. Jesus Christ still holds out his nail-pierced hands to lead us to his Father. He still gives his Word that our hearts might be filled with faith and might burst forth with fruit.

Look to him as God’s chosen one. See him as the sure hope of a right relationship with God. Look to serve him with lives that reflect genuine thanks and love.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your patience with me. Help me to see just how much I need Jesus, and then fill my heart with joy to know how he has lived and died to save me. Help me to live a life that shows my gratitude and love. In Jesus’ name. 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.

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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

Forgetting What is Behind

Daily Devotion – October 6, 2018

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14

See series: Devotions

After a long day, that glorious moment has finally arrived. However, as your weary head sinks deeper into its pillow your mind begins reviewing the events of the day, and you find that sleep is not going to come as quickly as you would like. Unfinished tasks, disappointing events, words that you regret speaking … there are all sorts of things that happened during the day that you wish you could go back and change, but you can’t.

One of the most frustrating things in life is also one of the most solid truths. We cannot go back and change anything that has happened in the past. Neither the hasty words spoken five minutes ago, nor the foolish decisions of youth can be undone. There is no time machine that allows us to go back and avoid making the mistakes we have made.

How awesome our God is! He does undo the past. He has erased those mistakes, not by using a time machine, but with the blood of his Son. Every hurtful word spoken, and every selfish decision made, all the sinful acts we have ever committed—they have all been erased by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now we have been given a tremendous gift—a future. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, all our sin and guilt have been removed and by faith in Jesus we have been given eternal life in heaven. Instead of ending the day with a mind that is spinning, filled with the regrets of the past, we can rest in peace with our eyes focused on the wonderful future God has graciously given to us.

Each day we struggle to make decisions that are pleasing to God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to win that struggle. Other times our human nature prevails, and we fail. Trusting in the forgiveness that is ours through Jesus and confident of his gift of eternal life, we can sleep in peace every night. The sins of our past have been erased forever. Instead of focusing on them, we can focus on the future—the eternal future we have been given—and how we are going to strive to live our next moment to the glory of the gracious God who has given it to us.

May the Holy Spirit graciously enable us to echo the apostle Paul’s words: “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.”

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill my heart with a faith that focuses on the eternal prize that Jesus, my Savior has won for me with his blood. With my eyes focused on heaven, help me to live my life here on earth as the forgiven child of God that I am. In Jesus’ name I ask it. 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.

This is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 13:47

To the Ends of the Earth

Daily Devotion – October 5, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 13:47

See series: Devotions

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable companies in the entire world and for good reason. Last year they spent almost 4 billion dollars, nearly 12% of all the money they earned, on advertising. As a result, more than 90% of the world’s population has seen the Coca-Cola logo. In the 200 countries where it is sold, the average person consumes a coke product every four days.

While that is impressive, it is nowhere close to what Jesus has done and continues to do. Without a huge budget and promotional expertise, Jesus has brought salvation to the ends of the earth.

Jesus lived a perfect life obeying all of God’s commands. Whether you are in America, Africa, or Asia, or anywhere else, God gave you the righteousness of Jesus who perfectly loved God with all his heart, soul, and mind, and loved his neighbor as himself.

He died an innocent death paying for the sin of the whole world. More valuable than any dollar amount, Jesus’ blood was poured out on Calvary’s hill. It was only with this greatest cost that all the sins of the world were taken away.

In the vital mater of our salvation, it’s not a trendy slogan or recognizable logo that are memorable. It’s the outstanding truth that Jesus defeated our greatest enemy for us. He rose from the grave, justifying us before God and defeating death. With his grave forever empty Jesus left the world the greatest gift: a tomb that would stay forever empty.

All of this our Savior did for the whole world that he might bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the light of salvation for all people. We see evidence of this today because there are Christians in every corner of the world and the gospel is preached in every country. May this gospel find a place in our hearts and may we share it even to the ends of the earth.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Give to each of us your peace of salvation. 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.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

You Will Be a Witness for Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 4, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 1:8

See series: Devotions

In court cases, both the prosecution and the defense look for witnesses to help make their cases. The testimony of someone who saw a crime take place or who gives an alibi for the accused can greatly affect the outcome of a trial. When witnesses are summoned, they must testify to what they know.

Jesus summoned his disciples to be his witnesses. He didn’t say that they could or that this was possible for them; he said that they will be his witnesses. The disciples had seen what Jesus had done. They heard him preach, saw the miracles, witnessed his death, and saw him after he rose from the dead. By faith, their responsibility was to testify to others about what Jesus had done and what his work means—the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus still calls his believers to be his witnesses. The Savior calls them to tell what he has done to save the world from sin and death. That can be a scary thing. Fear is a powerful motivator to keep quiet. Fear often leads people to disobey God’s command and fail to be witnesses for Jesus. Fear then becomes what they serve rather than God.

God has called on you to testify to the work of Jesus. By Jesus’ death and resurrection God forgives all of your sins, including the sin of fear-induced silence. Because God forgives you, he also empowers you to testify what you know. It’s not an option. This is what Jesus calls his followers to do. By faith in him as their Savior, they joyfully proclaim Jesus’ saving truths.

Jesus told his disciples to start their work right where they were. God calls you to do the same. Be a witness of Jesus with friends and family. Take your Savior with you wherever you go, faithfully testifying about him.

Prayer:
Lord, make me your witness. Use me to testify your saving work 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.