Category: Daily Devotions

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Attitude

Daily Devotion – October 2, 2018

Devotion based on James 4:7

See series: Devotions

Evangelist Barry McGee shares the story of a woman by the name of Lexy Fowler. Lexy was a sheep rancher in Montana, and she had a problem. Her problem was coyotes.

Coyotes were killing her sheep, and not just one here and there. She was losing scores of sheep every year. She had tried all kinds of things to stop them. She’d tried odor sprays, electric fences, and battery-operated radios. She’d corralled them at night and herded them by day. Nothing seemed to work.

But then, Lexy Fowler discovered what other sheep ranchers in the West have discovered. She discovered the llama.

As it turns out, the llama has a real attitude whenever it sees a coyote. It recognizes the coyote for the deadly threat that it is. At the first sight of a coyote, the llama gets aggressive. It assumes a certain posture. It makes a certain sound. It stares the coyote down and even spits. And if the coyote hasn’t gotten the message by then, the llama will walk straight toward it. “[Coyotes] won’t have anything to do with that,” said Lexy Fowler. “Coyotes are opportunists, and llamas take that opportunity away.”

The attitude of the llama changed everything for Lexy Fowler. Whenever the coyotes encountered one of her llamas, the coyotes fled.

The attitude of the llama is a vivid reminder for you and me. The devil is real, and his mission is clear. When the devil approaches us with sinful temptations, he is not playing some half-hearted game for his own amusement. He is playing for keeps. Ever and always it is the devil’s ultimate goal to separate us from our Savior Jesus.

“Resist the devil,” God tells us in his word. Do not tolerate him. Do not make peace with him. Do not pretend you can share the same space. Resist him. Recognize him for what he is. Stand firm in the full forgiveness and new life Jesus has purchased for you at the cross.

When you do, the devil will flee. But remember—he will flee not because of your attitude in and of itself. He will flee because of the One who gives you reason for that attitude. He will flee because of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the devil prowls around me every day. When he comes, empower me by your Spirit to resist him. Remind me that he will flee. And remind me how terrified he is of 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.

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”
Mark 9:38-40

Not One of Us

Daily Devotion – October 1, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 9:38-40

See series: Devotions

The disciples were seemingly concerned about Jesus’ ministry. They believed the man driving out demons was exercising an authority that wasn’t rightly his. Unfortunately, the disciples were more concerned about their privileged position.

Jesus needed to correct his disciples, and there are times I need the same correction. It is easy to look at others outside of my circle of contacts and be suspicious of them. They may not worship the way I do. They may not have the same practices I have. They may not use the same hymnal and Bible translation I do. So, I come to the conclusion the disciples did, they are not one of us.

Jesus’ lesson makes me rethink my conclusion. The man who was driving out demons did it by the power of Christ. Jesus recognized him as one of his believers. Otherwise the Lord’s command to not stop the man would have been quite different.

Jesus focused on the importance of doing work “in his name.” I will need to always practice everything the Bible teaches about unity with other believers, but when believers work in the name of Jesus and for the rescue of souls through faith in him, instead of stopping or silencing them, I can appreciate the good that God accomplishes through them.

They teach about Jesus. They proclaim the good news of the salvation that Jesus won by his death on the cross. They lead sinners to know the peace of God’s forgiveness through their Savior. And the Word of God that they spread in the name of Jesus accomplishes God’s gracious will—the saving of souls.

Prayer:
O gracious Savior, you died to make me yours. Lead me to praise you for all who put their trust in you and appreciate all who are dedicated to proclaiming your saving name. 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.

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.
Matthew 21:28-31a

Grace and Forgiveness

Daily Devotion – September 30, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 21:28-31a

See series: Devotions

Jesus’ question was not hard to answer. Could it have been any simpler? Although the first son answered his father harshly and rudely, in the end he did what was asked. Although the words of the second son sounded sweet and polite, in the end he only paid lip service to his father.

It was meant to be an easy question with an obvious answer. But then Jesus transitioned to his true intent. The deeper spiritual point was meant to be just as clear to his hearers. That audience was made up of upstanding people, including the religious leaders of the day: Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:31b-32).

The first son represented the openly sinful. They had turned away from God and his will. They had lived a life that was obviously contrary to the commands of God. But then John the Baptist came. He called out to sinners to turn from their sinful ways. He urged them to place their trust for forgiveness in a coming Savior. Many heard the message, believed it and lived!

The second son represented the outwardly righteous. They boasted about their relationship with God. They believed they had earned that relationship by who they were and the good they had done. But then John came. When he pointed out that they too were sinners who needed a Savior, they rejected his message and the Messiah (Jesus) who followed.

God the Father comes with this message today: “Go and work in the vineyard.” Jesus himself tells us that “the work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29). Jesus was sent into this world as Savior of all. He lived, suffered, died, and rose again to redeem you and me and everyone else from the punishment of God that our sins had earned. Now, he calls on us to place our trust in his Son, Jesus Christ.

Have you lived an openly sinful life? Turn to Jesus and his promised forgiveness…and live! Do you place your confidence of a good relationship with God on the goodness that others can see in you? Listen to Jesus’ call today and turn from that misguided idea. Place your trust in the righteousness Jesus alone can give…and live!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, help me always to see my need for your grace and forgiveness. Help me always to turn to you in humble faith for the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and life that you alone can give. 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.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-5

Humility

Daily Devotion – September 29, 2018

Devotion based on Philippians 2:3-5

See series: Devotions

These are words that burrow deep into the soul. Humility is not something that comes naturally to us. The three-year old who figures out how to tie his shoes runs to his mother with a pride-filled smile, directing her attention to his feet and his accomplishment. His greatest desire at that moment is to receive her praise. That desire for others to recognize our greatness and the grand things we have accomplished does not diminish with age.

Scripture does not just command humility, it gives us the ultimate example. Of all the people who have ever walked upon this planet Jesus certainly had every reason to think that he was better than everyone else. The fact is that he was. As true God and Creator of everything, the power, wisdom, glory, and authority that he had could not even be compared to that of the greatest ruler our world has ever seen.

Yet he did not pound his chest and stand on the highest mountain for all to see his greatness and praise him. His greatest goal was not for all people in the world to serve him, waiting on him hand and foot, and immediately providing for his every desire. Instead we are told that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Instead of looking to his own interests, Jesus was focused on yours. Setting aside his glory, he humbly entered into our world with one purpose: to sacrifice himself for you and pay the price for your sins. That meant humbling himself to the point of being publicly humiliated and executed, suffering the wrath of God for sins he never committed.

Thank God that Jesus showed such humility! In doing so, he not only provides us with an example, he saves us from our sinful lack of humility.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I struggle with humility. I long for the praise of others. I would rather have others serve me than give my life in service to others. Forgive me. Thank you for your love and humility. Thank you for your willingness to place the needs of others, my needs, above your own. Thank you for dying that I may live. 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.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3

Christian Teammates

Daily Devotion – September 28, 2018

Devotion based on 1 John 1:3

See series: Devotions

When professional athletes quit playing their sport, we often hear them say, “I’ll really miss the guys in the locker room. I’ll really miss my teammates.”

God has knit humans together in such a way that we long for fellowship. We long to have friendships, to have people with whom we can share experiences. It is certainly true that it shows up in different measures in different people, but all of us need other people at least to some extent. We need fellowship.

And God wants you to have it! So, what does he do? He tells us about Jesus! He tells us about how Jesus really came to this earth, how he really died and rose. God tells us how he won forgiveness for us and eternal life for us. As God tells us these things, he works faith in our hearts, which connects us to himself! Wow! What companionship that is!

But in grace, there is even more. Faith connects us to God; by connecting us to himself, God also connects us to other people. If I am connected to Jesus, and you are connected to Jesus, that means we are also connected to each other, through Jesus! Because of God’s grace, we are teammates! And we will be forever!

Keep on hearing the message! Hear it regularly! Rejoice that God has connected you to himself and rejoice that he is connecting you to Christian “teammates” all over the world!

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, unite me to you, and unite me to my fellow believers. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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.

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.
Joel 1:3

A Most Precious Family Heirloom

Daily Devotion – September 27, 2018

Devotion based on Joel 1:3

See series: Devotions

I have a photograph which is very dear to me, taken on the day of my confirmation. It shows four men standing in a line, with about one foot and twenty years between each of them. Earlier that day, I had made a public confession of my faith in Jesus together with my fellow eighth-graders and then received Holy Communion for the first time. After the service I posed for that picture with my father, my grandfather, and my great-grandfather. Four generations who had grown up in the Christian faith thanks to the faithfulness of each generation that came before them. I am eternally grateful to these men and their Christian wives for passing down their most valued possession—the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and a commitment to remain in his Word.

I learned in catechism class all those years ago that I inherited my sinful nature from my parents, and they inherited it from theirs, and so on. Every generation passes along original sin to the next. We are born outside of God’s grace, foreigners to his kingdom, and ignorant of his promises. That is why every generation needs to hear of their desperate need for a Savior and the good news of God’s forgiveness. Every child needs to learn about their Savior Jesus who loves them to death and beyond. Even Christian parents can’t simply assume that their children will somehow pick up their faith by osmosis. A conscious effort needs to be made to share God’s Word with our children.

In more recent family pictures, I am farther up the generational ladder. Over the years nothing has given me greater joy than to worship together with my wife and children. And what a privilege it is now on those occasions when my grandson sits on my lap in the church pew! I watch as his daddy reminds him to fold his hands when we pray. I love to hear his little voice sing Bible songs with his mommy. I’m thankful their young family attends a church where they receive support and encouragement in raising their child to walk with Christ.

If your family does not attend church together, it’s not too late! It may seem challenging at first but remember that this is God’s will for your family, so he will most assuredly help you. Your efforts to speak with your children about Jesus today will bring blessings to your family for generations to come.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for making me your child. Help me teach my family about your love so that together we may receive your grace. In Jesus’ name, 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.

Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.”
Jeremiah 11:18-19

Danger of Sharing the Gospel

Daily Devotion – September 26, 2018

Devotion based on Jeremiah 11:18-19

See series: Devotions

On August 15, 2015, a Christian pastor in India was abducted from his home by anti-Christian forces. They had warned him on four previous occasions to stop sharing the gospel. He refused. Family members found his body the next day. Shortly after that, the family buried their beloved son, husband, father, and brother, saying goodbye to a man who only wanted to share the love of God in Christ Jesus our Savior. In an interview with a Christian organization, the wife of the slain pastor wept as she told a reporter, “I am happy that my husband…died for Christ. He is in heaven. I am happy with that. I cannot lose the faith. I am still faithful. God forgive them. I forgive the person who did all of this.”

The prophet Jeremiah could relate to the danger this pastor faced because he was in danger for much the same reason. God sent him to proclaim a message of severe warning to his Old Testament people who had turned away from the Lord to worship idols. Naturally, Jeremiah’s message enraged the people and they didn’t want to hear it; in fact, they were plotting to kill him.

Most of us have never faced the possibility of death for the privilege of sharing God’s Word, but that message is still despised and those who share it are still hated by the unbelieving world we live in. Should that stop us? Of course not! It didn’t stop Jesus. His love for all people moved him to risk and sacrifice everything—even himself—to establish the way of salvation for us.

That pastor in India knew the love of Christ. He shared the gospel of salvation with his people even though he was in great danger. He prayed that some would hear and believe God’s saving message and he took the risk. God’s love filled him with love for his people.

Jeremiah continued to proclaim God’s Word for the same reason. And so should we.

Prayer:
Dearest Savior, may your love for us fill us with love for all people and make us willing to share the good news of salvation no matter what the risk. 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.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:13-18

Wisdom

Daily Devotion – September 25, 2018

Devotion based on James 3:13-18

See series: Devotions

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” Well, that depends on your definition or standard of wisdom.

Are you wise?

There is a kind of wisdom that is fueled by selfish ambition and bitter envy. Such wisdom wants to get ahead in life; it wants to fulfill its desires at whatever cost. It is willing to deny the truth to do so, even to the point of resorting to evil practices. Though it leaves a trail of disorder in its wake, it boasts of the great things it has accomplished. The Bible calls this earthly wisdom. It also calls it unspiritual, even of the devil. It is wisdom which is characterized chiefly by a selfish focus on me.

There is, however, another kind of wisdom. It is never willing to sacrifice the truth; it is pure. Rather than seeking to get ahead of others, it is peace-loving and considerate. Rather than striving for personal gain, it is submissive and full of mercy. Instead of resorting to evil, it bears good fruit; it is impartial and sincere. Such wisdom has no room for boasting; it is full of humility. The Bible calls this heavenly wisdom. It points out that it produces a harvest of righteousness. It is wisdom that is characterized chiefly by a loving focus on others.

Are you wise?

As you fight the temptation to be me-focused and strive to lovingly focus on others, remember where true wisdom comes from. It comes not from within or below. It comes from above, from God. It comes from the One who was and is wisdom personified. It comes from the Savior who never sinfully focused on himself and always lovingly focused on the spiritual and eternal welfare of others. Remember that this wisdom is revealed in and fueled by the gospel.

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” The one who knows and trusts and walks with Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord God, forgive me for the times I have embraced earthly wisdom and left behind me a trail littered with hurt and hardship. With eyes focused on you and others, may my faith shine as I pursue and practice heavenly wisdom. 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.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:35-37

Jesus Our Greatness

Daily Devotion – September 24, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 9:35-37

See series: Devotions

Children are adorable. They can say hilarious things and have endearing antics. But often children can be seen as the least of us. On the one hand they are helpless. They rely on adults for shelter, clothing, and food but yet have little ability to help adults provide for them. On the other hand, they can be extremely self-centered.

The disciples had been quite childlike. They were helpless, failed to recognize their helplessness, and were acting quite self-centered. Jesus had shown them their helplessness when he had warned them that he was going to be killed and was going to rise from the dead. They didn’t get what he meant, so instead they found something else to talk about—their own self-centeredness—or as they saw it their own greatness. And so, the disciples argued and argued until Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about?” And maybe quieted by embarrassment, they had nothing to say.

As much as we hate to admit it, we are childlike too. We often fail to see our own helplessness. You may think that if you do some good here and there that God will send some good things your way. Maybe you think that you have earned every single thing that you have been given without realizing you could lose it all in an instant. You may fail to see your own helplessness because you, like the disciples, try to focus on how great of a person you are.

Jesus says that true greatness is letting go of self-centeredness and pride by understanding your own helplessness. Greatness comes through Jesus’ cross. He handed himself over for you so that he would die for your self-centeredness and vanity. He is the one who conquered death and defines greatness in his life and death for you.

Doesn’t this move you to care for those who do not seem as great or deserving? If Jesus thinks you are great, then you can humble yourself without losing value. If Jesus thinks those who are least deserving are great, then you can care for those you think do not deserve it.

When children are self-centered, be patient. When children are helpless, continue to care. Encourage them and show them love. Jesus says you receive him because he cares for all those who are least deserving.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself for me and going to the cross to die for me. Because of your death and resurrection, you are great. Help me to understand my own need for you and empower me to serve those who are least deserving. 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.

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’”
Matthew 20:13-15

More than Fair

Daily Devotion – September 23, 2018

Devotion based on Matthew 20:13-15

See series: Devotions

Some people might argue that God isn’t fair. He doesn’t punish quickly enough. He doesn’t punish severely enough. He even allows bad things to happen to good people. God’s fairness is also questioned when it comes to people entering heaven. It doesn’t seem fair that some people are excluded.

While I might be tempted to think God is unfair, I need to remember the truth which Jesus teaches. God is more than fair.

Jesus’ parable of the workers in the field (Matthew 20:1-16) reveals God’s goodness and his mercy. The landowner, who is the Lord, graciously calls many to come into his field. Some are there for a long time. Others are there only for a short time. At the final accounting, the Lord gives everyone what he promised. Unfortunately, the fairness and the generosity of the Lord is called into question.

The landowner’s response is critical: “Are you envious because I am generous?” The parable addressed the jealousy of the descendants of Abraham who assumed they deserved more from the Lord. The Lord’s answer gave them a completely different perspective, and it becomes a valuable lesson for me when I harbor doubts about the Lord’s fairness.

While I may be tempted to think I deserve more from the Lord, I need to start with what I actually deserve. I should be punished, rejected, and separated from God forever. My sin is the reason why God should have turned away from me. God’s love, however, brought about a different response. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus, as well as through the substitution of his righteousness for my lack thereof, I am saved. If God were fair, none of this would have happened. Instead, God would judge me and sentence me to eternal punishment.

Through his wonderful love the Lord leads me to rejoice in my rescue and the promise of heaven. It also leads me to rejoice that God offers the same rescue and promise of heaven to all people. He wants all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is more than fair. It is grace.

Prayer:
O gracious Lord, you have poured out your grace into my life. Bless me through the work of the Holy Spirit so that I acknowledge your love, rejoice in your love, and daily grow through your love. 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.