Self-Promotion – September 22, 2019

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
Proverbs 25:6,7

Self-Promotion


Daily Devotion – September 22, 2019

Devotion based on Proverbs 25:6,7

See series: Devotions

Do you want to get ahead in life? Here’s the advice of Stanford University business professor Jeffrey Pfeffer: “Leaders are not modest, and more importantly, the extensive social science research on narcissism [and] self-promotion . . . shows that these qualities and behaviors are useful for getting hired, achieving promotions, keeping one’s job, and obtaining a higher salary.” In other words, if you want to get ahead in life, let everyone know how great you are. Trumpet your accomplishments. Place yourself among those who are recognized to be the greatest. And make it seem unthinkable that anyone would consider you unworthy of being in that position.

Greatness for a follower of Jesus is very different from greatness as the world defines it. Worldly greatness is all about promoting yourself and having others serve you. Greatness in Jesus’ Kingdom is all about taking attention away from ourselves and selflessly serving others.

Jesus, of course, is the perfect example of such selfless service. Jesus’ entire life was not about promoting himself, even though he was the Son of God. His life was about serving us by keeping God’s law perfectly in our place and dying on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus’ greatness came through his service to us, and in his humble service, he was exalted.

By his humble service, Jesus has also exalted us. We who believe in him are great, but not because of who we are or anything we have accomplished. We are great because in Jesus God has made us his dearly loved children. Regardless of how the world may see us, in God’s eyes, we are kings and queens. And we who have been exalted by God have no need to seek to promote ourselves.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself so that I might be exalted. Help me always to find my greatness in you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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A Different Kind of Mountain – September 21, 2019

[You] have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Hebrews 12:22

A Different Kind of Mountain


Daily Devotion – September 21, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 12:22

See series: Devotions

No doubt you’ve seen pictures or video of Mount Everest. Its beauty is stunning. And its height—nearly 6 miles above sea level—makes it the highest mountain in the world. It’s the stuff of legend.

That much you know. What you may not know is that Mount Everest is littered with bodies.

Over the years, about 4,000 people have tried to climb Mount Everest. Almost 200 of them have died in the attempt. The terrain is so extreme near the summit, however, that it’s simply impossible to recover many of the bodies. And so they remain on the mountain to this day.

It’s a sobering thought: A mountain littered with scores of people who gave their lives for a fleeting moment of glory.

The Lord introduces us to a different kind of mountain—”Mount Zion,” he calls it. The heavenly Jerusalem. The city of the living God. Here there is only one person who gave his life. His name was Jesus. Only he didn’t do it for a moment of glory. He did it to wash us clean of every sin. He did it to give us eternal life.

And now he lives. And because he does, Mount Zion is ours. And not just for a moment. Because Jesus lives, Mount Zion—HEAVEN—is ours forever.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, you died to wash me clean. And now you live again. Because you do, Mount Zion is mine. Keep me from every forgetting, or taking for granted, what I have through you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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Welcome Home Kick-Off Sunday 10/13

The Welcome Home initiative is an attempt to address the challenge of members drifting away from church. Learn more from the video below.

Welcome Home Video

“Welcome Home” will kick-off Sunday 10/13 with a special service, sermon and a free breakfast served after the 10am service in the St. John’s church basement.  More “Welcome Home” services will continue through November.

Eternal Regret and Eternal Rejoicing – September 20, 2019

“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from the east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 13:28,29

Eternal Regret and Eternal Rejoicing


Daily Devotion – September 20, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 13:28,29

See series: Devotions

There are many misconceptions about hell. False ideas are all over television, social media, and the internet. Some will say that hell is not a real place. Others argue that it is a place reserved only for the terribly bad people and most of us don’t have to worry about it. A recent Twitter discussion argued that hell will be a lot more fun than heaven. Some will even say that hell is an invention of the church made up to scare people into doing what the church tells them.

In Luke, chapter thirteen, Jesus tells us the truth about this awful place. Contrary to what many in this world believe, there is a hell and people can end up there. Hell will not be a big party. Jesus says, “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth.” Scripture is clear about the intense pain, suffering, and torment that those in hell will experience. But, the worst part of hell won’t be the heat, pain, or suffering. The worst part will be the eternal regret of knowing that you had a chance to believe in Jesus and chose not to.

Thankfully, those who believe in Jesus will never have to worry about that. There will be a large crowd of people going to heaven. “People will come from east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Through faith in Jesus, we will never have to face eternal suffering in hell. Rather, through his life, death, and resurrection, we will be with him forever in his kingdom, enjoying all that heaven has to offer.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for winning heaven for me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on the heavenly goal. Help me encourage others to put their faith in you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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Follow The Narrow Road – September 19, 2019

[Jesus] said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”
Luke 13:24

Follow The Narrow Road


Daily Devotion – September 19, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 13:24

See series: Devotions

My family and I recently went on a vacation and found ourselves on a highway that was seven lanes across. And those were just the lanes going in our direction! That many lanes and cars can be overwhelming. Knowing when to exit is key because you must make plans to get over to the correct lane in time. The flow of that much traffic moving at high speeds can be very difficult to navigate across.

That’s how life is for the Christian too. Jesus tells us that the door to heaven is narrow. Life flows so swiftly before us and so many people are not looking to exit on the narrow road. We can get swept up in the materialism and greed of our society. We can get pulled along by the sports-crazy culture. We can get caught up trying to pass the guy ahead of us at work. All the while, we find ourselves moving with the traffic and we have taken our eyes off our exit. If we aren’t careful, we will speed down the highway that leads away from God and our heavenly home.

So, we want to keep our eyes open and be aware of what the world around us is steering us toward. We want to turn on the “GPS” of God’s Word and read and listen to it daily. We want to continue to learn more and more about our Savior Jesus, who is the only way to heaven. After all, only Jesus lived, died, and rose again to give us the gift of eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep my eyes and my faith focused on you, so that I do not get swept along by the ways of this world. Amen

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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God Will Deliver You – September 18, 2019

The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred.
Judges 7:7

God Will Deliver You


Daily Devotion – September 18, 2019

Devotion based on Judges 7:7

See series: Devotions

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you ever feel like things have gotten away from you? Like the odds are stacked against you? Imagine how Gideon felt as he watched God strip away his army. The troops were whittled down from 32,000 to just 300 men. A strong, confident fighting force was reduced to a small band of soldiers. Did he feel hopeless? Helpless? Worried? Panicked? Afraid for his life? Gideon was left in a spot where the only thing he could do was trust in God to deliver him.

Perhaps God has led you to a similar spot. Maybe it is the upcoming surgery that has you feeling helpless. Maybe it is the loss of a job or a move to a new city that has your family panicked and worried. Maybe life has just beaten you down that you feel so hopeless and don’t know where to turn. Our enemy, the devil, uses these situations to tempt us to blame, doubt, or even get angry at God.

Jesus sure had those moments throughout his life too. Imagine what he could have been feeling as he dragged that cross up the hill to the spot where he was going to be nailed to it. Yet, through it all, even as he was suffering and dying for you and me, Jesus trusted in his Father to deliver him. And he did! Jesus has risen, ascended into heaven, and is ruling all things for our good.

So if you find yourself in a spot like Gideon, don’t panic. Instead, realize what a good place that is to be! It is an opportunity to trust him! And, you can be sure that, in his own way and in his own time, he will deliver you.

Prayer:
Dear God, help me to lean on you always. Help me to trust in your deliverance. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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Give God the Glory – September 17, 2019

The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’”
Judges 7:2

Give God the Glory


Daily Devotion – September 17, 2019

Devotion based on Judges 7:2

See series: Devotions

Giannis Antetokounmpo recently won the NBA Most Valuable Player award. For Milwaukee Bucks’ fans, this was especially great to see. The “Greek Freak” amazed basketball fans all year with his ball-handling skills, powerful slam dunks, and all-out effort. At just under 7 feet tall and 242 pounds, Giannis is just about unstoppable. And so, when he took the stage to give his acceptance speech, you may be surprised to hear the first thing he said: “I want to thank God for blessing me with this amazing talent.” He went on to thank God three times before saying anything else.

It is refreshing to hear someone give God credit rather than boasting about his own abilities. Boasting about ourselves is a strong temptation. But, think of what happens when we do. We take credit away from God. We forget who is ultimately responsible for anything we accomplish.

God knew this would be a temptation for Gideon and his men. So, he said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’” Boasting is a strong temptation.

And never is boasting a more serious sin than when we are tempted to think that our own strength saves us from hell and earns us heaven. This is why the devil is constantly trying to convince us that we can get to God on our own. He knows that if we trust in ourselves, rather than in Jesus, we will never get to God. Only Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death could do that. It is his gift to us, not something we earn. Remember this the next time you are tempted to think you are good enough for God. Remember the story of Gideon and give God the glory for your salvation.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me always to realize that I cannot be saved by my own strength. Help me always to look to you for salvation. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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God is Everything You Need – September 16, 2019

The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men.”
Judges 7:2

God is Everything You Need


Daily Devotion -September 16, 2019

Devotion based on Judges 7:2

See series: Devotions

On the sixth of June this year, the world recognized the seventy-fifth anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. And it is widely viewed as the key turning point in World War II. Even seventy-five years later, the world thanks the men and women who sacrificed to make that day happen. On that day alone, the Allied Armies landed one-hundred-fifty-six-thousand troops on the beaches of France. That doesn’t even count the pilots and Navy personnel who participated.

Can you imagine General Eisenhower the morning of the invasion? Can you picture him surveying all the troops, tanks, boats, and planes, and concluding that he didn’t need them all? Can you imagine him sending half of the Army home and telling the Air Force pilots to take the day off? No, he realized he needed every soldier at his disposal. He knew that his chances of success hinged on the sheer number of people that he could get onto those beaches.

God is not your usual commander. He told Gideon: “You have too many men.” You see, God doesn’t need all the latest technology or weapons. He doesn’t need large armies at his disposal. He is all-powerful. He wanted Gideon to know this. So, even though Gideon’s army was already far smaller than his opponent, God told him he had too many men. Having so many men might make Gideon think that his victory was his own doing rather than God’s.

It is a good reminder for us. We so easily rely on our own strength, our own wisdom, our own abilities. Or, we doubt that God can handle whatever we are facing.

When this happens, remember the story of Gideon. Remember that your God is all-powerful. So powerful, in fact, that he defeated two enemies you could never defeat—sin and death. Through Jesus death and resurrection, your sins are forgiven, and eternal life is yours.

Let this be your comfort no matter what foe you face.

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, help me to trust you and only you for everything I need. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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Speaking a Better Word – September 15, 2019

“But you have come . . . to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
Hebrews 12:22,24

Speaking a Better Word


Daily Devotion – September 15, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 12:22,24

See series: Devotions

At four years old, my daughter witnessed her very first dead body. With her little hand holding mine, we walked up to the open casket of her great-grandmother to talk about death. Was she too young to be thinking about loss and grief and pain? I would contend that hiding children from the reality of death does more harm than good. Let’s face it, they will have to deal with it; in this life everyone does.

Death bears a cold message to the living. We see mines caving, hurricanes destroying, bridges collapsing, and wars ravaging. All of those deaths speak about loss, fear, anger, and “what-ifs.” Take the very first victim of death recorded in the Bible. Abel was murdered in a jealous rage by his brother Cain. What does his death say to you? “He was innocent.” “His poor family.” “Where’s the justice?” “Cain must be punished!” Death and violence fill our hearts with sadness and our eyes with tears.

But sitting at the funeral that day, my daughter and I talked about a different death, a joy-filled one. The one that God accomplished with cross and nail. When innocent blood fell softly from Jesus’ side—rushing into the past and pouring into the future—it carried God’s life of forgiveness to a world of death. Jesus’ death “speaks a better word” because it speaks of God’s willingness to do whatever was necessary to save me and to save you. Jesus’ death is the substance of joy-filled songs and tears of delight. Jesus’ death is God’s own guarantee that your death will only be the beginning of your perfect new life with him.

Prayer:
Jesus, I love the message your death speaks: that I’m forgiven and loved; and that my own death will one day be the beginning of a wonderful new life with you. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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Fix Your Eyes on Jesus – September 14, 2019

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus


Daily Devotion – September 14, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 12:2

See series: Devotions

Teenage boys will do just about anything to avoid their chores. I can remember when it was my turn to sweep out the garage, I would avoid the actual sweeping by using the broom as a toy in a game called “balance the broom.” Maybe you have played this game yourself. You place the tip of the broom handle in the palm of your hand, stand the broom straight up, and then attempt to balance it as long as possible. The key to success in this game is to keep your eyes fixed on the broom. If you look at your hand or the wall or anywhere else, the broom will fall. You must keep your eyes fixed on the broom.

The Bible gives us some similar advice when it comes to our lives of faith. Except, instead of keeping our eyes fixed on a broom, we are encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. It is not easy to do. We are easily distracted by the challenges and troubles around us. Or we find ourselves fixing our eyes on the so-called wisdom of the world. Or we stop looking at Jesus because we are too busy staring at ourselves and our sins and shortcomings.

The writer of the book of Hebrews pleads, “Fix your eyes on Jesus.” See Jesus suspended from a cross, paying the price for your sins, and looking at you with nothing but love in his eyes. See Jesus bursting from his tomb on Easter morning with the smile of victory on his face. See Jesus seated on his heavenly throne calmly controlling all things with you in mind. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus…until you see him face to face in the heavenly home he is preparing for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I so easily become distracted by the challenges and troubles of this life, by the sins and sorrow in my heart. Send your Holy Spirit to me this day and every day to fix my eyes on you. Amen.

DailyCreative Commons License Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
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.
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