Month: June 2022

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
2 Timothy 1:3

Keep Praying

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2022

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:3

See series: Devotions

It was the little boy’s turn to say prayers at family devotion. With head bowed, eyes closed, and a solemn voice, he said, “Dear Jesus, make all the bad people good, and make all the good people nice.”

Whom have you prayed for lately? A family member? A coworker? A neighbor? Maybe your list is long and constantly changing. Maybe your list is short and hasn’t changed since bell-bottom jeans were in style. But you pray.

You pray because you know that God has invited you to pray. The door to his throne room is open just for you. As you walk in, the King of kings who conducts the affairs of the universe leans forward with eyes locked on you, ready to hear what and who is on your mind.

The apostle Paul made the most of that power for young pastor Timothy, his student, protege, and friend. Paul constantly prayed. He knew that prayer was wrestling with God for the good of God’s kingdom. He knew that in the hearing of prayer, the Lord of heaven blocked out the attacks of Satan and crushed any evil plans. Paul knew that prayer realigned Paul’s dreams and desired to reflect God’s dreams and desires more fully. And so, Paul prayed for Timothy.

Like Paul, keep on praying. God is eager to hear what you have to say and carry out his plan for the world. A plan that has only your good in mind and crushes evil, now and for your eternity.

Prayer:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you for hearing my prayers. May I be emboldened to pray more often and with bigger prayers because you have invited me to pray. Take my prayers and answer them as you know best. Crush evil and bring about your good. 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3,4

The Difference

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2022

Devotion based on Romans 5:3,4

See series: Devotions

For many, it is the stuff of nightmares, a physical condition too horrific to contemplate, the worst of worst-case scenarios. But for a young boy by the name of Nick Vujicic [pronounced, VOY-yitch-itch], this nightmare was real.

Nick was born with no arms and no legs. Let that sink in for a moment. He was born with no arms and no legs. What you and I could not imagine facing for one month or one day, Nick was facing for his entire life. By the age of 8, the darkness of his circumstances was about to swallow him. “I have no life,” he thought. “I’ll never get married. I’ll never be able to do anything. I’ll never be able to be anything. I have no life.”

Fast forward 25 years. Today, Nick travels around the world giving motivational speeches to children, adults, business leaders, prisoners, and everyone in-between. He’s a college graduate. He drives a car, goes fishing, records music, plays soccer, and swims. And he is also married and the father of a young son.

What happened? What made such a difference? Nick’s physical circumstances did not change. He still has no arms and no legs. What made the difference was the gospel. What made the difference was Jesus Christ.

Through the message of sins forgiven and new life in Jesus, Nick came to see his life very differently. As a redeemed child of God through faith in his Savior, Nick recognized that he had a unique opportunity to encourage others with the good news of Christ. Now his heart overflows in thankfulness. As Nick likes to say, “I’ve never met a thankful person who was bitter. And I’ve never met a bitter person who was thankful.”

Don’t misunderstand. Nick’s life is still difficult. It’s still full of struggle. But seeing his life as Jesus sees his life has made all the difference. That is what makes all the difference for you and me too.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as I struggle through this world, open my eyes to see my life as you see my life. Empower me to live a life that proclaims 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:26

Turn Towards

Daily Devotion – June 18, 2022

Devotion based on Numbers 6:26

See series: Devotions

Dr. John Gottman and his wife, Dr. Julie Gottman, are researchers who have spent several decades studying marriage relationships. They have drawn many conclusions, and their conclusions make for powerful reading. Here is one conclusion. For years the conventional wisdom was that a way to deepen your marriage relationship was through a big romantic getaway—a trip to Paris or a Caribbean cruise. Not so, say the Gottmans. While a romantic getaway certainly has its place, the Gottmans have learned that a key to deepening a marriage relationship—or any relationship—lies in the countless moments you have, in their words, to “turn towards” each other.

Throughout the week, couples will give each other what the Gottmans call, “bids for connection.” These “bids for connection” almost always seem quite ordinary. For example, a spouse might say, “I had one crazy day today.” That, say the Gottmans, is a “bid for connection.” It is an opportunity for two spouses to “turn towards” each other in that moment and to share the details of what made the day so crazy.

This need for couples to “turn towards” each other is vital. In their exhaustive research, the Gottmans found that happily married couples turned towards each other two-and-one-half times more often than couples whose marriages ended in divorce.

All of which brings us to God’s attitude towards you and me.

The Lord has his face turned toward you. Not sometimes. Not frequently. The Lord has his face turned toward you always. With you in mind, he came to this earth and became one of us and lived a sinless life as our substitute—the life you and I have failed to live. With you in mind, he carried your wasted moments and mine to the cross and washed them all away.

And today, he continues to turn toward you. He turns toward you through every word of the Bible you read and hear, through every message from him you encounter. He turns toward you at this very moment, in this daily devotion. Spend this day in the comfort and assurance of knowing the Lord’s face is turned toward you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when my face is downcast because of doubt or despair, remind me that your face is always turned toward me. 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.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

We Glory in Suffering

Daily Devotion – June 17, 2022

Devotion based on Romans 5:3-5

See series: Devotions

Which sounds better to you? “Avoid suffering at all costs” or “We glory in our sufferings.” Your initial reaction is probably that the first one sounds better. But after you think about it, you realize that even trying as hard as you can to avoid it, you can’t avoid all suffering.

You can eat clean and exercise, but you could still get sick. You can take a defensive driving course, obey the speed limit and rules of the road, but it might not be enough to protect you from the distracted driver. You can be selfless and loving, but it doesn’t mean you won’t face rejection or that your heart won’t be broken. Sometimes it seems like life is a winepress, and you are the grape.

Okay, you can’t avoid suffering, but how do you find glory in it? Christians know the ultimate source of suffering is sin. And they also know that God doesn’t waste that suffering. God uses suffering as a means for drawing believers to himself. When suffering happens, Christians can rely on God’s Word and promises. Faith in God grows, and so the suffering produces perseverance.

When Christians depend on God through tough times, again and again, that produces character. And a Christian who has been tried and tested by the trials and suffering of this world has a confident hope. This world and all its suffering will eventually come to an end.

God poured out his love by sending his Son, Jesus, to suffer the ultimate punishment of sin. Because of that suffering, God sends his Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers to strengthen them through their suffering. And so, yes, you can glory in suffering. God’s using it to draw you closer to him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering for my sin in my place. Help me to find comfort knowing that my present suffering will come to an end and draw me closer to 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1,2

Access to God

Daily Devotion – June 16, 2022

Devotion based on Romans 5:1,2

See series: Devotions

There is a lot of privilege and prestige that comes with free access. Very few people have direct and free access to the world’s most powerful leaders. It’s a privilege granted only to a few. For the average person to gain even one encounter with someone like the President of the United States, it would take a lot of back-channeling and knowing the right people. Most of us don’t have that access.

Which makes the words in the Bible reading today even more amazing. The apostle Paul writes that we have gained access to the almighty and holy God. But it gets even more amazing. God is holy and perfect and just. And we are not. We sin, make mistakes, and mess up. If we stood before God in this sinful condition, we could not survive.

Someone not only needed to give us access to God but also make us ready to stand before God. That person is Jesus. Jesus opened the door to God’s throne room for us because he fixed our relationship with God.

Jesus lived the perfect life we never could, and now he gives us his perfection. Jesus takes our sin and gives us his holiness through faith. Simply by believing that Jesus has done this for us, we can stand in the grace of God.

To stand in God’s grace means we know Jesus has won peace between God and us, and that we will live forever in the presence of God’s glory.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me access to God and for giving me your perfect life. Help me to always make use of the privilege you have given to me to go before God with every care and concern. 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 will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:27

God Puts His Name on His People

Daily Devotion – June 15, 2022

Devotion based on Numbers 6:27

See series: Devotions

In the popular Toy Story movies, toys come to life with personalities of their own when humans are not present. The main character, Woody, is a cowboy sheriff doll. When Woody gets anxious, worried, or forgets his identity, he lifts his boot and sees the name “ANDY” scribbled on the underside. It’s the name of his owner. Woody then remembers who he is and his purpose. He finds meaning in his identity.

God wanted to put his name on his people. One of the jobs of the priests of ancient Israel was to speak a blessing using God’s name. It was God’s way of putting his name on the people he loved. It was their reminder of their purpose, meaning, and identity.

God still puts his name on his people. Many churches close their worship services with the words of this ancient blessing. It’s a reminder that God’s name is on the people he loves.

When we hear that blessing, it’s a reminder of who we are. It’s like Woody checking the bottom of his boot and seeing the name “ANDY” scrawled there. With this blessing, God puts his name on his children.

When you feel anxious or afraid, remember God’s name is on you. When you forget who you are, remember that God has claimed you. He’s put his name on you. When your sins weigh you down, remember Jesus has washed them away. He’s made you his child, and God loves to bless his children.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for putting your name on me and claiming me as your child. Help me to always find my purpose and identity in the simple fact that you love me. 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 bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

God Blesses His People

Daily Devotion – June 14, 2022

Devotion based on Numbers 6:24-26

See series: Devotions

A father sat on the edge of his young daughter’s bed. She had been a terror that day—fighting with her sister, talking back to her mother, scribbling on the walls, and refusing to finish her green beans. She had not done anything to earn or deserve any love from anyone that day. Yet, her father still sat near her, smiled at her, and had a full heart of love for her. As she fell asleep, her father leaned over and spoke the blessing recorded in our Bible reading today. Her father was comforted knowing that as much as he loved his daughter, God loved her even more.

The words of this blessing have been spoken to God’s people for over 3,500 years, even though we all act like terrors before God. When we sin, when we go our way instead of God’s way, we are not deserving of a blessing like this. We deserve punishment, not love. But instead of turning his face away from us, God chose to turn his face away from his Son, Jesus, as he hung on the cross. Jesus took our place. He died as our substitute paying the penalty for our sins.

Because of what Jesus did, God now makes his face shine on us. Like we might break out a big, broad smile when we see someone we love, God smiles on us. Instead of turning away from us, God graciously turns to look right at us. His face shines with love and recognition. He knows each of us individually. And to each one of us, he gives the greatest blessing he can give to any sinner; he gives peace.

God gives the peace of knowing that no matter what is going on in our lives, whether we are going through good times or bad times, our relationship is right with God. God gives the peace of knowing that our many sins are forgiven in Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for smiling on me and blessing me, even though I don’t deserve 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:13

The Spirit of Truth

Daily Devotion – June 13, 2022

Devotion based on John 16:13

See series: Devotions

Try teaching a preschool student some high school geometry. Unless you’re working with a very rare math prodigy, it’s not going to go very well. It’s hard enough to teach a three-year-old the names of the shapes, let alone how to find the angles of an isosceles triangle. You start with the basics.

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, it was the night before his crucifixion. Jesus had been training his disciples for three years. They had learned a lot about the kingdom of God and the mission of Jesus. Yet there was still so much that they did not know.

Instead of trying to cram all his teachings into their brains in one night like a procrastinating college student the night before an exam, Jesus promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit who would teach them truths they had yet to learn.

The disciples received that gift on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus went into heaven. The Holy Spirit opened their hearts and minds to God’s Word so that they could share that Word with others.

Jesus still sends the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works through God’s Word. When people join a church, they often take a Bible information class. They learn the basics of Christianity from the Bible before progressing in their knowledge of the truth. Growing in that truth takes time.

So, take the time. Take the time to read and study the Bible. You have Jesus’ promise that, when you do, he will send the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your knowledge of the truth.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. Help me to want to always keep learning more about 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

Justified

Daily Devotion – June 12, 2022

Devotion based on Romans 5:1

See series: Devotions

Consider how the word justify is used in the following statement: “I just don’t know how we can justify the cost of a brand-new football stadium.” This example shows us how the word justify is used nowadays. To justify means to “give a good reason for, rationalize or defend.”

However, God uses the word justify in another way. In Romans 5:1, justify means “to declare not guilty. It’s like a judge who looks at a guilty criminal and says to him, “You’re free to go!” That’s a miscarriage of justice, isn’t it? It seems so until we realize that God, the Father, took our every attempt to rationalize our wrongdoing and every lame excuse for sin and stacked them all on the broad shoulders of Jesus. Jesus took that whole mess and paid for it on the cross. In its place, he gives us innocence and peace with him, and, just as importantly, he gives us the faith to believe it.

Through that faith, there is peace between you and God. Whether you die today or years from now, the gates of heaven are open for you. Whether you feel emotionally at peace or not, whether your body is strong or falling apart, whether you are ill or healthy, God still declares you innocent through Jesus. And he still maintains that peace between himself and you by faith.

Today, whether you feel peace in response to these truths or not, believe this, “Since you have been justified through faith, you have peace with God through your Lord Jesus Christ.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, when I am troubled by my sin and wonder how I might appear in you sight, direct me to the cross of my Savior, Jesus, where the full price of my sin was paid. Fill my heart with the peace of forgiveness. Assure me by faith in Christ that you declare me to be holy in your sight and an heir of heaven. 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 said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
Genesis 11:6,7

God’s Desire for Us

Daily Devotion – June 11, 2022

Devotion based on Genesis 11:6,7

See series: Devotions

What is God’s desire for us? What does he want for you and me?

God’s will is simple: God wants us to be with him for time and eternity. Because of that, God stepped into human history in a big way. Humanity was on the fast pace to completely rejecting God and his love. They were all about “making a name for themselves.” They were in rebellion against God, refusing to spread out around the world as God had instructed.

So, in amazing grace God confused their languages. Amazing grace? Yes!

Did you notice the name used for God? It’s “LORD.” With this name for God, we are reminded that our God is faithful; he is faithful to his justice but also faithful to his love. And so, in amazing grace, the Lord confused their languages. Why?

Because ultimately, that would result in the circumstances for the most people possible to turn their attention to him, believe in the Lord and end up in heaven.

And that’s God’s desire for us. He desires that as many of us as possible end up in heaven. And thank God; he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get us there!

Prayer:
Oh Savior, work in my life in whatever way necessary so that through your Word, I stay on the way to heaven. In your 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.