St. Johns News

Guard Your Eyes – February 15, 2023

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-29

Guard Your Eyes

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Daily Devotion – February 15, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:27-29

See series: Devotions

It’s been called a victimless crime, and yet it’s almost always done in secret. It’s an industry that generates billions of dollars a year, but its workers are degraded, coerced, and exploited. In December 2022, three of its websites ranked in the top 15 most visited worldwide, but many people make sure to clear their browser history after visiting them. You’ve probably guessed by now that this is all true about the pornography industry.

Maybe most troubling is the gradual acceptance of pornography as part of the 21st-century digital life. In 2016, a survey by Covenant Eyes found that more teens and young adults considered not recycling to be more immoral than pornography. Culture and society are growing more accepting of lust and sinful desires.

That’s why Jesus’ words are so important right now. Jesus brings clarity to God’s laws. He gets right to the heart of the matter. Any form of sex outside of marriage or separate from your spouse is sinful. Jesus knows that lust damages relationships, both with people and with God, and lust damages the people involved with the sin. And many studies back up the damages caused by pornography to its viewers and workers.

Jesus came to heal the hurt between people and God. He came to fix the damage caused by the lust in our hearts. Jesus saves people from all their sins—even the sins done in secret and in shame. But Jesus didn’t die on the cross just so we could go back to the destruction of sexual sins. If you’re struggling with pornography and looking for help, go to the website conquerorsthroughchrist.net. There is help, and there is hope.

Prayer:
Jesus, you’ve conquered all my sins. Thank you. Live in me and for me to conquer all my temptations. 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.
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Simply Yes or No – February 14, 2023

[Jesus said] “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:37

Simply Yes or No

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Daily Devotion – February 14, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:37

See series: Devotions

It slips out so easily—a small, little lie. “Harmless,” you tell yourself. Maybe you said it because you thought it would protect someone’s feelings. Or perhaps the lie was just more convenient than the truth this time, and a small, little lie would save you an argument and a bunch of hassle.

A 2016 scientific study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that if a person starts telling little lies for their benefit, those lies will grow bigger and bigger over time. Researchers even discovered that the part of the brain that triggers danger in telling lies gets less and less active the more lies a person tells. In other words, you can condition yourself to feel less and less guilt the more you lie.

But Jesus has a harsh warning against lies. He tells his followers to speak the truth so consistently, so faithfully that people will believe them with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ A truthful person doesn’t need to swear because their honest reputation is all the assurance anyone needs. Jesus says that anything more than a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ comes from the evil one.

That evil one is Satan. Jesus describes Satan as the father of lies, and anyone who speaks lies is speaking the language of Satan. So those little lies that seem so harmless are actually dangerous. And lies that seem innocent are really condemning.

Truth and lies come down to trust. It’s easier to trust someone who you know is truthful. And in the same way it is difficult to trust someone you know who has lied to you. Thankfully, God does not lie. He keeps all his promises. You can trust him when he says that he loves you. You can believe him when he promises that all who trust in Jesus as their Savior are saved. And you can trust that God is with you and will not forsake you even when telling the truth is hard for you.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for always speaking the truth so that I know I can trust in you with all my heart. Help me to tell the truth in love in every word I speak. 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.
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Little Lambs Registration

3k must be Potty trained and 3 by September 1st. Days are chosen by the parent. Mornings from 8-11:30 and full days are 8-3. 2 days a week must chosen for 3k, however you may choose more if you wish. 


4k must be 4 by September 1st. Days are chosen by the parent. Mornings from 8-11:30 and full days are 8-3. 3 days a week must be chosen for 4k, however you may choose more if you wish. 

To register:

1) Click the link to our registration online through our Brighwheel app. (Once registered I can send you a link to pay for the registration)

Link to register: https://schools.mybrightwheel.com/sign-in?redirect_path=forms/23b3c626-ee6f-435b-aab6-e3a1f99d7b40/self-service

2) Print out the brochure, fill it out, and bring it to school along with payment.

3) Stop by school to fill out the registration form and drop off payment. 

Registration payment is non refundable and is used to hold spots. 

Days Must be picked upon registration! 

Please contact me if you have any other questions or concerns.

Barbara Stelter

Little Lambs Director3K- 4K Teacher

littlelambs@stjohnsmontello.org

Office: 608-297-2866 Extension: 203

Curb Your Anger – February 13, 2023

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
Matthew 5:21,22

Curb Your Anger

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Daily Devotion – February 13, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:21,22

See series: Devotions

It sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it? Being angry with someone is enough to merit God’s judgment. You can understand the first part: You shall not murder. And if you do murder, then yes, there should be judgment. But judgment for anger? How do you keep from being angry? And why does anger earn God’s judgment?

This section of the Bible is part of a sermon Jesus preached called “The Sermon on the Mount.” In this sermon, Jesus gets to the root of God’s laws. God’s laws don’t just require perfect outward action like not murdering, but also perfect inward action like curbing angry thoughts and feelings.

Anger is the gateway to resentment and hatred. And if you harbor resentment towards someone, it means you’re not forgiving them. And if your hate festers unchecked in your heart, it means you are not loving.

God wants you to see others the way he sees others. He desires that you treat others with respect and love and not view people as receptacles of your anger and scorn. He doesn’t want you to nurse grudges so that every time you see someone who slighted you in the past, you only see red.

And so, Jesus goes back to the root of God’s law. It starts with thoughts and attitudes and controlling anger.

The one truly justified in his anger is God. He has every right to be angry with sinners. But instead of taking out his wrath on us, God poured it out on his Son, Jesus. And Jesus willingly took that anger and wrath to change the lives of his people all the way to their roots.

Freed from their sins, God’s people can let go of anger and resentment and forgive instead. Believers can get rid of hate and choose to love because the harsh but justified penalty for sin has been removed by Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking God’s anger in my place. Help me to show the love that you have shown me. 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.
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Brotherly Love – February 12, 2023

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:9,10

Brotherly Love

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Daily Devotion – February 12, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:9,10

See series: Devotions

When the word Philadelphia is mentioned, one of the largest cities in the United States will likely come to mind. But when the apostle Paul used the word Philadelphia in the first verse of our Bible reading today, he was not referring to Pennsylvania’s largest city.

The Greek word philadelphia is literally translated brotherly love. The Greeks used this word to describe the love family and relatives have for each other. Paul elevates the meaning of the word to express the love that Christians, as members together in God’s spiritual family, have for each other.

As a Christian, you are privileged to be a member of two families. By your physical birth, God connected you to people with whom you are related by blood. By your spiritual birth through your baptism, God connected you with him by the blood of his Son and joined you together with all of his children through faith in Jesus.

You have come to know and experience the love of God—love that moved him to give his only Son as the sacrifice for your sins to make you his own and give you a blessed and glorious life with him forever.

As God has shown you his love, he teaches you to love others, especially those who are members of his family, by faith. As you respond to God’s merciful love, practice philadelphia toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and “do so more and more.”

Prayer:
My heavenly Father, I praise and worship you for making me a member of your spiritual family. Thank you for teaching me your love. Now help me to love others, especially those who share with me the faith in Jesus. 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.
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Members of God’s Family – February 11, 2023

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18

Members of God’s Family

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Daily Devotion – February 11, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 1:18

See series: Devotions

Here was Mary, a young girl, perhaps still a teenager. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, but the wedding hadn’t yet taken place. Suddenly, she is obviously pregnant. They hadn’t slept together—Mary was still a virgin—but nevertheless, she was pregnant. The not-yet-born baby she was carrying was from the Holy Spirit. We don’t know how the Holy Spirit worked this miracle, but the same God who created the world and all things—the same holy and perfect God did this: he conceived a son with this young, virgin girl.

God brought his Son, Jesus, into this world in a miraculous way. He did this because he wants you and me to be part of his heavenly family. Jesus came to wipe away the guilt that we have for not being the kind of people that God wants. He was conceived in that miraculous way so that he was without sin. Therefore, he was able to be our Savior by taking our sins on himself and paying for them with his death. The miraculous conception of Jesus is more than something to marvel at. We give God thanks for accomplishing it because through Jesus we are forgiven, and by faith in Jesus we can call God “our Father” and enjoy the blessing of being included in God’s holy family.

Prayer:
My Father in heaven, the miraculous birth of Jesus proves to me the extent of your love to make me a part of your eternal family. Impress upon me every day the privilege I have in being called your own, and help me tell others that they also may be brought into a close relationship with you by faith in your Son, Jesus. 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.
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Heaven Is for Perfect People – February 10, 2023

[Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20

Heaven Is for Perfect People

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Daily Devotion – February 10, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:20

See series: Devotions

It might surprise you, but it’s true. Heaven is for perfect people.

But if we’re honest with ourselves, we must admit we’re not perfect. True, most people can avoid committing the kind of heinous felonies that end up as breaking news. Most of us will never be the subject of a crime docudrama. Many people manage to be considered helpful neighbors by those who live next door. But getting through life without committing a capital offense—or, conversely, accumulating a long list of friends—doesn’t mean you’re perfect. Frankly, no one’s perfect.

But Jesus tells us, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” At the end of Matthew chapter 5, he says again, in no uncertain terms. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (verse 48). Do you want to get into heaven? Perfection is the only way.

So does that leave us out in the eternal cold? It would if Jesus hadn’t come to save us from our sinful selves. You see, what we cannot do, Jesus can do. Indeed, he has done it. Jesus is “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). He’s perfect, sinless, and completely righteous.

But he’s not perfect for his own sake. He’s done it for us, for everyone. You want to be perfect? You are and will be in Jesus—forever. Sinners who acknowledge their imperfections but then throw themselves before God’s mercy, seeking forgiveness, receive perfect forgiveness in Jesus alone.

How is that possible? St. Paul tells us. “God made him who had no sin [Jesus] to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness [perfection] of God” (1 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, because of who Jesus is and what he has done, God declares you perfect in his sight. We switch places with Jesus. We can confidently believe that heaven is ours, not because we’re perfect, but because Jesus is. And his perfection is our perfection.

Believe it. It’s true!

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see that you are my perfection, my guarantee of heaven. 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.
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Practice What You Preach – February 9, 2023

[Jesus said] “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:19

Practice What You Preach

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Daily Devotion – February 9, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:19

See series: Devotions

Before Johnny’s mom left for work, she ducked her into his bedroom. “Now, don’t forget,” she said. “I need you to empty the dishwasher, put your clothes away, and clean your room before I get home.” “Yes, Mom,” Johnny replied with a bright smile. “I’ll be happy to do it!”

But then he didn’t. Not one thing. Nada. Sound familiar?

It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something; it’s quite another to get it done. Jesus is the only person who has never fallen into that trap. He has never failed to live up to his promises and never once neglected to practice what he preached. He didn’t just approve the standard with his words; he set the standard with his actions.

We, on the other hand, constantly blow it. At our best, we still look for shortcuts and often assume that the bare minimum is good enough for others. Going the extra mile for someone is considered several bridges too far. At our worst, we thumb our nose at what we know to be the right thing and do the opposite instead.

But God’s children are called to fight against those selfish urges and to model their mindset after Jesus’ own. Christians are called to practice what they preach. The Savior himself explained that nodding your head approvingly at God’s commands is not enough. Instead, “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Do Christians ever manage to do that perfectly this side of heaven? They can’t, no matter how hard they try. Like everyone else, Christians are broken sinners, too. But that doesn’t mean they throw in the towel and call it a day. No, with each new day they strive once again to practice what they preach, not to earn God’s favor and forgiveness, but to be more like Jesus, who freely grants all people his favor and forgiveness.

You can be certain that those eternal gifts are yours too, because Jesus practices what he preaches.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me understand better your perfect love for me. 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.
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Jesus Is the Real Deal – February 8, 2023

[Jesus said] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17

Jesus Is the Real Deal

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Daily Devotion – February 8, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:17

See series: Devotions

Purchasing something that is 100% genuine is generally preferable. For instance, there’s a big difference between buying a new living room recliner made from genuine leather and one made with cheap imitation material. In most cases, you can feel and smell the difference. The real deal is better.

What’s true of leather is also true of saviors from sin. There are plenty of cheap imitations, people and things that promise to be just as good as the real thing but also end up being what they are: cheap imitations that don’t add up and never really satisfy. When it comes to the work of salvation, there is only one real deal, and his name is Jesus, the world’s one and only genuine Savior.

But what did Jesus have to do to prove that he and he alone is the real deal? First and foremost, he couldn’t cut any corners. In other words, he had to be all-in, 100%, no holds barred.

That meant, as he tells us today, he didn’t come into this world “to abolish the Law or the Prophets.” In other words, he didn’t claim to be above the law of God. He didn’t say, “God’s Word doesn’t apply to me, so I don’t have to follow the rules.” No, just the opposite! He came to obey and fulfill God’s Word perfectly. He came to live a life that sinners like you and me cannot. Perfect love. Perfect sacrifice.

But never for himself. For us, yes, for everyone. For you. Because, you see, fulfilling God’s law perfectly required more of Jesus than simply scoring 100% on some test measuring his genuineness. It also means that he fulfilled his Father’s perfect will—through all the pain and suffering he endured in doing so—to win a place in heaven, not for himself, but for you and me. And not because we deserved it or he owed it to us. He did it because he loves us, no strings attached.

That’s what makes Jesus the real deal, the Savior.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to believe through your Word and Spirit that you are the only genuine Savior from sin and death forever. 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.
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