Month: February 2021

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
I Corinthians 8:1-6

Jesus Frees Us From Petty Rules

Daily Devotion – February 4, 2021

Devotion based on I Corinthians 8:1-6

See series: Devotions

During the time the apostle Paul lived, it was common practice for people to sacrifice an animal to an idol and then for the meat from that animal to be sold in the marketplace to eat. There were many new Christians who wondered if it was acceptable to eat that meat. They worried that eating it would mean they had participated in worshipping that idol.

Paul set their consciences at ease, assuring them that “An idol is nothing at all in the world,” that “There is no God but one,” and that “food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”

People today may not be wondering whether it’s ok to eat meat taken from an idol temple. But plenty of people still wonder which of the many gods and religions in this world is the true God and true religion. The apostle Paul answers this question in no uncertain terms. “…there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

Do you want to get to know the God who made you, who cares for you, and who loves you more than you can imagine? Then get to know Jesus. Read of his life and work in the words of the Bible. There you will discover the God who will change your life now and promise you eternal life after. Thankfully, this is the one true God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me get to know you better as the one, true God. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-18

You Can Trust Jesus

Daily Devotion – February 3, 2021

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15-18

See series: Devotions

In the advertising world, there is one goal: sell your product. Of course, this leaves the consumer suspicious, and rightly so. Is the person in the commercial telling the truth? Is the salesperson misleading me? Are the claims made too good to be true? But if a brother or sister, or good friend tells you that they bought a product and it is good quality, that’s different. That means more than 100 TV commercials. Why? The intentions of our family and friends are different than those trying to sell a product. They have our best interests at heart, not the next sale.

In the Bible reading today, God reminds us that Jesus can be trusted. He has our best intentions in mind. More than fifteen hundred years before Jesus was born, God promised that Jesus would be a prophet who would only say what God wanted to be said. This means that everything Jesus said was true. His words can be trusted.

Jesus wasn’t trying to sell something. Jesus didn’t come to earth to make money or make life better for himself. Jesus came to earn heaven for us and give it to us free of charge. His words weren’t deceitful or crafty. He wasn’t trying to trick us. Jesus’ words help, heal, and are true. You can trust Jesus!

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, help me to trust that you care for me. Give me a heart that listens to your words and takes them to heart, trusting that what you say will always be for my good. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Mark 1:21-24

You Can Trust Jesus Power

Daily Devotion – February 2, 2021

Devotion based on Mark 1:21-24

See series: Devotions

It must have sent a tingle up the spine of anyone who was there to hear it. The voice of an evil spirit spoke through the mouth of a demon-possessed man.

Those of us who live in the twenty-first century Western world don’t discuss demons very often. Many people are convinced they simply don’t exist. The Bible tells us differently. In fact, it tells us of many occasions when Jesus confronted evil spirits. In our Bible reading for today, we are told that an evil spirit was in control of a man’s body or at least his mouth. What a terrifying state of affairs!

But notice that the evil spirit was not more powerful than Jesus. Not even close. In fact, it had to acknowledge that Jesus was the Holy One of God.

What are you afraid of this day? What troubles you? What makes you worry? Whatever it is, it cannot be more powerful than Jesus. He is all-powerful. The one who could cast that demon out of that man can conquer anything that frightens you. He has already conquered your sin when he went to the cross. He already conquered death when he rose from the dead. So, you can be sure he can and will do what is best for you now and take you to himself in heaven one day. Aren’t you glad your Jesus is so powerful?

Prayer:
Jesus, when I am tempted to tremble in fear, remind me of your almighty power. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
Mark 1:21-26

You Can Trust Jesus Words

Daily Devotion – February 1, 2020

Devotion based on Mark 1:21-26

See series: Devotions

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available in this technological age? Do you get even more overwhelmed when you realize how much of it contradicts what others think and what others have written? Well, guess what, you aren’t alone. This isn’t something that is only true in our modern age.

The people at the time Jesus lived struggled with the very same thing. There was no shortage of scholars who shared their opinions and were sure they were right. But their opinions frequently contradicted each other. Who was to be believed?

Into this world of confusion came God’s Son, Jesus, to set the matter straight. Not only was his teaching clear and understandable. He backed it up with proof of his authority. In the lesson we just read, Jesus was in the midst of his teaching and instructing when a man possessed by an evil spirit confronted him. Quickly and in a manner that could not be explained away as a trick, he cast out the spirit. The people were amazed.

Today, in a world filled with different ideas and opinions, Jesus is the one person whose words you can trust. When he says he has paid for your sins when he died on the cross, you can trust it is true. When he says he conquered death when he rose from the grave and that one day he will raise you from the dead to live forever, you can trust it is true. When he says he will be with you this day and always, you can trust it is true. So, trust him!

Prayer:
Jesus, when I feel overwhelmed by all of the opinions and information around me, comfort me with the certainty of your truth. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.