Pride Divides, The Spirit Unites – June 6, 2022

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down.
Genesis 11:4,5

Pride Divides, The Spirit Unites

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 6, 2022

Devotion based on Genesis 11:4,5

See series: Devotions

It didn’t seem like they were doing anything wrong. They wanted to build a tower to reach the skies. They united around a building project. They were getting along.

But God had different plans for them. After the flood, he told Noah and his family to “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). But the generations following Noah wanted to stay put. They were comfortable. They wanted to build more than just a tower. They wanted to build a name for themselves. Their pride led to their divide.

“The Lord came down” and confused their language, so that their building efforts came to screeching halt. They could not understand each other, so they parted ways.

Haven’t we wanted to build something and accomplish something to make a name for ourselves? Haven’t we planned according to our will above God’s will? Haven’t we made comfort and convenience a higher priority than doing what God wants us to do? That sinful pride divides.

But God unites. The Lord came down another time. This time he did not come to scatter. He came to gather. Jesus, true God and true man, came down from heaven to mend the divide your pride has caused between you and God. He came to save all who are scattered throughout the world. By his perfect life and death on the cross he made peace between you and God. He rose from the dead and promised to send the Holy Spirit.

And he did. He sent his Spirit 50 days after he rose from the dead on a day called Pentecost. He sends his Spirit to you through his Word and through baptism. The Spirit unites. He unites you with the God who created you and saved you. He unites you with his family—the church.

By the power of the Spirit, you are no longer separated from God; you are united to him, now and forever!

Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in me the fire of your love! Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Call on Him Who Listens and Saves – June 5, 2022

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2:21

Call on Him Who Listens and Saves

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 5, 2022

Devotion based on Acts 2:21

See series: Devotions

Have you ever tried to phone someone only to discover that the number was changed and is now unlisted? This can be very frustrating, especially if you really need to reach that person.

Imagine not being able to reach God, or worse, having him hang up on you! But don’t be afraid of that. The apostle Peter tells us that a call to God, based on true faith in him as our Lord, will always get through. The “line” to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will never be disconnected for those who call on him.

These words also remind us that the day of judgment is fast approaching. It could come this year. It could come next week. Today is our time of grace; our time to call on the name of the Lord in faith and live with the blessing of being connected to him now and forever. This is also our time to point others to Jesus Christ who is the only source of their salvation, so that they too may call on the Lord in faith and be saved.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank and praise you for not turning a deaf ear to my cries for mercy and for sending your one and only Son to take the punishment my sins deserve. Help me call on you in faith for my eternal salvation and help me share this wonderful news with others. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Called to Preach – June 4, 2022

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:6-10

Called to Preach

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 4, 2022

Devotion based on Acts 16:6-10

See series: Devotions

When Jesus sent out his disciples, they heard from his own mouth where he wanted them to go and what he wanted them to say. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he sent special gifts from the Spirit to tell those disciples where he wanted them to go and what he wanted them to say.

In today’s reading from the book of Acts, Jesus made it clear where he wanted Paul and his companions to go. But they already knew what to say. God had called them to preach the gospel to people.

The gospel is the good news that Jesus lived a perfect life in our place and then died to take the punishment for our sins. The gospel is the good news that we have forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. God called Paul to preach the gospel.

And God still calls people to preach that gospel today. He does not use visions from the Spirit. Instead, God calls people through the Church, through people who have come to believe in Jesus through the gospel.

And there are still people asking preachers to teachers to “come over and help us.” All around the world, from Tennessee to Tibet, people are asking to be reassured of their forgiveness through faith in Jesus. How good it is to know God still answers those prayers by sending his representatives to proclaim the good news of sins forgiven!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, send your messengers wherever the good news needs to be proclaimed. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Getting Rid of Stains – June 3, 2022

[Jesus said] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14

Getting Rid of Stains

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 3, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 22:14

See series: Devotions

My mom did so much for me as I grew up, and I will be forever grateful. Of all the things she did for me, there is one task that I am sure was no fun: washing my high school football practice jerseys and pants. First, there are few odors worse than a football locker room. Second, they were regularly covered in all kinds of stains: grass, mud, sweat. Mom did everything she could. She would lovingly scrub and scrub and do her best, but not even mom could remove some of those stains.

Life can feel like that sometimes. Our daily lives have a way of staining us as well. There are things in the past that we have said and done. Things that have left some deep stains: guilt and hurt and remorse. And like mom with the bleach, we try our best to get rid of those stains. We try to forget and block them out of our minds. We try hard to do better and be good. We try to make it up in some way. We do everything we can, but we can’t scrub them clean. Certainly, such stained people like us can’t make it into God’s heaven.

Thankfully, there was One who could and did scrub us clean of all sin. He didn’t use detergent or bleach. Rather, he used his very blood—blood he shed on the cross for you and me. Blood that was pure and holy and able to wash every single one of our sinful stains away. Because of Jesus, we now are pure, holy, and righteous in Gods sight. Our robes have been washed and we now have the right to the tree of life and to go through the gate into heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving your life in my place and washing me clean in your precious blood. Lead me today and every day to thank you for your grace and look forward to the day when I will walk through those gates and see you face to face. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Constants in Your Life – June 2, 2022

[Jesus said] “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22:13

Constants in Your Life

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 2, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 22:13

See series: Devotions

Do you have any constants in your life? Is there anything in your life that is completely dependable and never lets you down? The reality is that our lives are in constant flux. Our jobs can change in a moment, even after many years of faithful service. Our significant other can just up and leave even after months or years of a relationship. Friends can betray us in real life or unfriend us on social media. A spouse or family member can let us down from time to time. Even the people who love us are not always there for us in the way we need them to be. Life in this world can often feel like we are adrift at sea, without anyone or anything that is truly and completely dependable.

That’s where Jesus is different. He says to you, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” With these comforting words, Jesus reminds us that he is eternal. He never changes. He has always been there for us and will always be there. His promises are dependable. Jesus does not change.

That sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Maybe you have even been aware that God is with you at times. But then there are times when everything goes from bad to worse, and you wonder if, in fact, God is real or if he’s even paying attention to you. Make no mistake: Jesus has never left you and never will. He is the Alpha and Omega. You can depend on him. And just to prove how faithful he is to you, he willingly died on that cross to make sure that sin could not separate you from him. Then, he kept his promise, and he rose from the dead to make sure that death could not separate you from him.

Do you have any constants in your life? You only need one. And his name is Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the one constant in my life. Teach me to depend on you each day and to trust your promises. Never leave me, Lord. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

My Reward – June 1, 2022

[Jesus said] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Revelation 22:12

My Reward

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – June 1, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 22:12

See series: Devotions

If you knew Jesus was coming back to earth tomorrow, what would you do? If you were aware that tomorrow was judgment day and Jesus was coming back to bring this world to an end, how would you choose to live life today? Some, likely, would live it up and make poor decisions in a last-ditch effort to have some worldly fun. Others, perhaps, would try to clean up their lives a lot to make a good impression for Jesus. Maybe they would rush around doing as many kind things as they could to pile up a few points before Jesus makes his judgment.

Either approach would be terrifying. Either way, we would know that we are not worthy of our Savior, Jesus. He tells us in this verse that on that day, he will bring his reward and give to everyone according to what he has done. No matter how many good deeds we could pile up in a day, we would never be able to make ourselves worthy enough for heaven—there are just too many sins already piled up in our lives.

No, we cannot earn our heavenly reward from Jesus; but it is ours just the same. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we have eternal life. Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. He died to pay for all our sins. He rose from the dead so that death would no longer have control over us. As we trust in our Savior, Jesus and his work on our behalf, Jesus blesses us with the reward of faith. Through faith in Jesus our reward is secure.

So if Jesus does come back tomorrow, the next day, or many days from now, our reward is secure because of him. And when he does come back, we will receive the reward of heaven. It will be the first day of the rest of our eternal lives in heaven. Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for securing my heavenly reward. Help me to trust in you as my Savior from sin, and to look forward to the day of your return. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

The Ultimate Goal – May 31, 2022

[Jesus said] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
John 17:24

The Ultimate Goal

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – May 31, 2022

Devotion based on John 17:24

See series: Devotions

What are your life goals? What aspirations do you have? Where do you see yourself in five, ten, or twenty years? Maybe you have your sights set on a dream job at a certain company or in a certain part of the country. Perhaps you have an amazing retirement mapped out in your mind. Or it could be that you have the dream of being financially independent and traveling the world. Whatever dream you may have, it will only be achieved through action. We are encouraged to chase our dreams and work towards our goals.

Whatever dreams you have, be assured that Jesus has already set loftier goals for you. Jesus prayed to his Father in heaven and had a clear goal in mind for you: he wants you in heaven with him forever. To achieve that lofty goal, it was not as simple as applying to the right colleges or selecting the right mix of investments in his 401(k). No, to achieve his heavenly goals for all of us, Jesus elected to suffer and die on the cross to pay the bill that our sins had racked up. Then, to guarantee our victory over death and the grave, Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. His resurrection guarantees that we too will rise to live forever in heaven. Now through faith, he invites us to put our trust in him so that we can receive the blessings of faith, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Christ has achieved the ultimate goal for us. As you chase your dreams here on earth, always keep an eye on the heavenly home that Jesus has waiting for you. Rest assured that no matter what happens here, the loftiest goal possible has already been achieved for you.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to win my salvation. Help me to keep my eyes on my heavenly home and bless me as I set goals for my time here. Help me to always glorify you. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Complete Unity – May 30, 2022

[Jesus said] “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:23

Complete Unity

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – May 30, 2022

Devotion based on John 17:23

See series: Devotions

Complete unity. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Can you even imagine it? Our world struggles to attain even partial unity. Russia invades Ukraine. Democrats and Republicans constantly argue and accuse each other. Different church bodies and religions teach different things about how we get to heaven. Even the voices calling for unity these days only want unity if that means everyone agrees with their view of the world.

Clearly, the world does not enjoy complete unity, but we are no better at achieving it in our own lives. We can’t even find it in our own families, as we disagree about everything from sports teams to medical decisions. Complete unity? Again, it sounds nice, but it is not reality.

Did you know that Jesus prayed for his people to have unity? Jesus wanted his followers to have complete unity—a perfect unity. A unity of faith, purpose, and love that would last. Such a unity would bring great blessing, but it would prove costly. Jesus was willing to pay the cost for us all. He gave his life on the cross to pay for our sins of disunity. He gave his life in our place so that we could all have God’s forgiveness and salvation. Through his death, Jesus has united us as God’s children. He has brought us into God’s family. Now, through faith in Jesus, we are one. We are on the same team. We are united in the love of Jesus and his call to live as his children.

Can you imagine a place where there is no disagreement? No war or factions or opposing political parties? A place with no shouting, arguing, or violent opposition? There is such a place, and we have been invited there through faith in our Savior, Jesus. Through faith in him, we will enjoy complete unity in heaven forever. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, through the life and death of your son Jesus, you have brought us unity. Keep us in faith and bring us to our heavenly home. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Help Others – May 29, 2022

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:9

Help Others

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – May 29, 2022

Devotion based on Acts 16:9

See series: Devotions

How long will eternity last? Seriously stop and think about that question.

When you think about it, it’s mind-boggling. The hymn Amazing Grace reads, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’d first begun.” And that’s true! Eternity will go on and on and on and on and, well, you get the picture.

Of course, for those who are believers in Jesus, that’s an awesome thing! They will enjoy God’s love and praise him forever.

But for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior, it will be awful. They will be separated, forever, from God and his love.

So, can we understand the plea from the Macedonian man? What did the people in that area need? More than anything else, they needed to know about Jesus and his forgiving love. More than anything else, they needed to know that God loved them. More than anything else, they needed to know that heaven was open for them because Jesus had died and risen.

These are the things we need more than anything else as well. Thankfully, we have them because they are all promised by God in his Word.

Thank God today that you have heard about what Jesus has done for you and what he promises you–an eternity of joy with him in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for doing everything necessary for me to spend my eternity with you. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico

Turn From Worthless Things – May 28, 2022

We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
Acts 14:15

Turn From Worthless Things

Press to listen to the audio file in a new tab or window.
Daily Devotion – May 28, 2022

Devotion based on Acts 14:15

See series: Devotions

Whenever a person moves from one home to another, questions abound. What will the next place be like? What will the new neighbors be like? Then there is the most pressing question: What do I take with me? How does one sift through years of memories and memorabilia? How does one determine what is worthless and disposable? It is not an easy question to answer. But it is an important question to answer when a person is moving.

It is even more important for every person to ask this question regarding their spiritual life. When the apostle Paul visited the ancient city of Lystra, he explained to the people there that the false gods they worshiped were worthless. “Turn from worthless things to the living God,” he told them.

Nearly two thousand years later, Paul’s message still applies. If he would look at us, he would say the same thing: Turn from worthless things. Although difficult to accept and, even more difficult to undertake, it is exactly what we must do.

Because, like the people in Lystra, we often worship what is worthless. We spend far too much of our time and effort chasing things that are not worthy, things that will not last. Nothing this world offers can match the lasting value of knowing Jesus and what he has done for us. His precious life was lived to offer us perfect obedience. His priceless death was given to release us from judgment. His incomparable resurrection now provides eternal blessing in heaven.

Recognizing what Jesus gives us makes us realize it is time to clean house, to turn from worthless things to the priceless blessings of the living God and our precious Savior.

Prayer:
O gracious Lord and Savior, how can I thank you for your gifts of priceless worth! Turn my heart to that which has lasting value, and strengthen me to turn away from things that have no worth. Amen.

Daily 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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Powered by WPeMatico