Author: Kerry

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[Jesus said] “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? . . . Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
Luke 14:28-33

Count the Cost

Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. He didn’t promise an easy life or worldly success. Instead, he spoke honestly: “Count the cost.”

Following Jesus isn’t just about going to church, saying prayers, or being a good person. It’s about giving him your time, your priorities, your possessions, and even your relationships. Jesus isn’t looking for part-time followers. He wants all of you.

That might sound overwhelming. In fact, if you truly count the cost, you’ll realize you can’t afford it. Who of us has loved Jesus more than family or put him first at every turn? None of us has the perfect devotion he describes.

But here’s the beautiful twist: Jesus counted the cost of your salvation, and he paid it in full. He didn’t back down when he saw what it would take. He gave up his glory, his comfort, his very life on the cross to make you, his disciple.

Now, following him is not about earning his love but responding to it. We carry our crosses not to impress God, but because Jesus already carried his cross for us. We surrender everything not in fear, but in joyful trust that Christ is worth more than anything we give up.

So, count the cost but also count the gain. In Jesus, you lose nothing that lasts, and you gain everything that matters: forgiveness, peace, purpose, and life eternal.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave up everything to win me. I confess that I am tempted to hold back, to cling to comfort, or to follow at a safe distance. Forgive me. Help me count the cost and gladly give my life to you, because you gave your life for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25-27

Carrying the Cross

Jesus had a way of thinning crowds. Just when his popularity surged, he would turn and speak hard truths. Today’s words are among the hardest. Hate your family? Hate your life? Carry your cross? What is Jesus saying?

He’s not calling us to despise our loved ones. The Bible clearly teaches us to love, honor, and serve those closest to us. But compared to our love and loyalty to Christ, even our strongest earthly attachments must take second place. Jesus demands first place, not out of arrogance, but because only he can give what we need most: forgiveness, salvation, and life that never ends.

That means discipleship won’t always be comfortable. Sometimes, following Jesus causes tension in our families. Sometimes, it brings loss, rejection, or suffering. That’s what Jesus means by “carrying your cross.” It’s not about daily annoyances; it’s about faithful endurance, even when faith costs us dearly.

These words test us. We like to follow Jesus when it’s easy, when it fits our schedule and goals. But are we willing to follow him when it’s hard? When obedience means sacrifice? When his path leads to a cross? If we’re honest, the answer is often no. We cling to comfort, relationships, and reputation more than we cling to Christ.

And that’s why we need him all the more.

Jesus walked this path perfectly for us. He loved his Father above all and bore the ultimate cross. He gave up his life so that we would be forgiven for all the times we haven’t. He makes us his disciples not by our strength, but by his grace.

Now, empowered by that grace, we follow because Jesus is worth everything.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for loving anything more than you. Strengthen me to carry my cross and follow you, knowing you carried the cross to save me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. . . Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
Philemon 1:10-12,15,16

I Appeal to You

It’s not always easy to forgive, especially when someone has hurt you or broken your trust. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to a Christian named Philemon about a runaway slave named Onesimus, who may have stolen from him before fleeing. But something amazing happened. While on the run, Onesimus met Paul and, more importantly, met Christ. The once “useless” slave became a child of God.

Now Paul gently pleads with Philemon: “Receive him back, not as a slave, but as a brother.” This short letter is more than just a personal favor. It’s a powerful picture of the gospel.

We are all Onesimus. By nature, we run from God, seek our own gain, and are useless in his kingdom. But Jesus pursued us, not with threats, but with grace. He paid for our sins on the cross and bought us back, not as slaves, but as dearly loved children and heirs.

And now, God invites us to show that same grace to others.

In Christ, relationships are transformed. Former enemies become family. That doesn’t always happen easily or instantly, but through the gospel, hearts are changed. Forgiveness becomes possible. Reconciliation becomes real.

Paul reminds Philemon that maybe all of this—the loss, the pain, the time apart—had a greater purpose: “That you might have him back forever.”

What about you? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? In Jesus, you’ve been forgiven. And now, by his strength, you can forgive too.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, thank you for not giving up on me when I was far from you. Thank you for making me your child. Help me to forgive as I’ve been forgiven and to see others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20

The Lord is Your Life

Life is full of choices. Some are small: what to eat, what to wear. Others are huge: where to live, whom to marry, what to believe. In Deuteronomy chapter 30, Moses speaks to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He lays before them the biggest choice of all: life or death.

But this isn’t just about ancient Israel. It’s all about us as well.

At first, it sounds like a moral checklist: love the Lord, listen to his voice, hold fast to him. But if you look closer, you’ll see this isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about trusting the One who already claimed you as his own. Moses doesn’t say, “Choose life and maybe God will be good to you.” He says, “The Lord is your life.”

That’s the key. We don’t choose life by our effort. We receive life by faith. We choose life by trusting in the Savior who chose us first.

Jesus chose the cross so that we could be forgiven. He chose suffering so that we could be blessed. He chose death so that we could live. When God calls us to “choose life,” he’s not telling us to save ourselves. He’s inviting us to trust Jesus, who already has.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for choosing me in Christ. Help me daily to live by trusting you, listening to your Word, and holding fast to the Savior who gave his life for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25,26

Hate?

Did you ever have anyone dump a bucket of cold water over the shower curtain rod while you were in the middle of a nice warm shower?

In our Bible verse today, Jesus dumped some pretty cold words on the myriad of wide-eyed miracle marvellers who were following him. No, he was not telling them to hate their family members for no good reason. That would be contrary to his command to even love our enemies. But like a blast of cold water, Jesus wanted them to stop and seriously consider what it means to follow him.

From time to time, we need to have Jesus dump some ice-cold reality upon us so that we examine our priorities. Is Jesus really priority number one? Following Jesus means that our love for our families, and yes, even our own lives, cannot come before our love for Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the only one who could pay the price for our sins, earning God’s forgiveness and giving us eternal life. If we lose him, we lose everything.

So, out of love for us, Jesus encourages us not to let anyone or anything come between us and him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that from time to time, I do not love you as I ought. Forgive me and wash me clean. Help me to walk in your footsteps each day and truly reflect your love to my family, friends, and neighbors. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1,2

You Have an Advocate

A criminal defense attorney said that the most frequent question he is asked is: “Why do you defend people you know are guilty?” Normally, he responds that he doesn’t consider himself to be a successful attorney only if his client never sees the inside of a prison. He admitted that most of his clients are guilty of something. However, he went on to say, “not every person charged with a crime is treated fairly.” Under the law, even criminals have rights; they have rights that are sometimes violated or ignored. The attorney said that his goal is to make sure every person is treated fairly under the law. That way, he can be successful whether his client is found to be innocent or guilty.

The Bible describes Jesus as an advocate; someone who, like a lawyer, comes to the defense of someone. And the Bible says that those whom Jesus chooses to defend are those who sin.

But he not only defends us, knowing we are guilty of sin. He also did something even the very best criminal defense attorney wouldn’t. He volunteered to take our punishment. Not by sitting in a prison. But by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins on a cross.

And the reason he did that is to give you rights. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you have the God-given right to walk through life knowing you are forgiven. You have the right to be released from the heavy burden of guilt you’ve been carrying. You have the right to know that God loves you, no matter how you have sinned. You have the right to know that you will always have an advocate who will come to your defense and will always win.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my advocate. Help me to live today in the judgment of freedom and forgiveness you won for me with your sacrifice on the cross. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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[Jesus said] “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:13,14

Humbly Serve Everyone

When we look at our neighbors, the people God has brought into our lives, we are not to see rich or poor, black or white, young or old, strong or weak, popular or unpopular. We are to see souls for whom Jesus died, souls that demand our attention and our service. So, we will want to serve them unselfishly, because that’s how Jesus served us.

This is not always a glorious task. Sometimes your work will go unnoticed. That brings us back to the question, “Why do we do it?”

Jesus has the final answer to the question. He says, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Heaven is our ultimate reward. This doesn’t mean that our humility somehow earns us a spot in heaven. That’s already been won for us by Jesus. It does mean: Why worry about receiving the accolades and all the glory in this life? Thanks to the entry fee Jesus paid on the cross, you have a place at the heavenly banquet! You have Jesus’ promise that you will participate in the resurrection of the righteous.

And what a resurrection we look forward to! On that day, when we finally see God face to face, he will exalt us—he will usher us into his heavenly halls and seat us at his table. We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Knowing that this day is coming and that you have a place of honor at God’s table reserved for you, conduct yourselves among the people of this world with a humble attitude and with unselfish actions that will serve to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind—EVERYONE! —to enjoy God’s heavenly banquet. You—and they—will be blessed.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I ever thank you enough for the undeserved reward awaiting me in heaven? Bless me as I live to show my thanks to you by serving my neighbor in humility. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.”
Luke 14:12

What Humility Looks Like

“Walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). So wrote God’s Old Testament prophet, Micah. What does humility look like in your life? Walking humbly does not mean letting people walk all over you. But it does mean that the wants and needs of your neighbor are going to come before your own.

When Jesus says, “Do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors,” is he saying we should never have our friends or family over for dinner? Of course not. Jesus is speaking to the attitude behind our service. He is saying that humble service does not expect repayment from those you serve.

We are not to invite others into our company to impress them or win power struggles. We are to serve others in their weaknesses. Followers of Jesus are to view their homes and churches not like they are country clubs. But rather, we are to view them as hospitals where people can receive care for their hurting spirit within them.

We’re not inviting people into our company expecting to get something in return. We’re inviting them in because there’s a spiritual war going on out there, and we’re all getting attacked and injured. We all need to be healed by hearing again the good news that “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

An unselfish attitude will naturally lead to unselfish actions.

Again, what does this look like? Where there is hunger, we bring food. Where there is loneliness, we bring love. Where there is doubt and despair, we bring hope and assurance. Where there is conflict, we bring forgiveness and peace. Where there is sickness, we rush to Jesus in prayer.

When you see the needs of others in plain sight, you can humbly serve them. Helping another human being as Jesus served and helped you is the most rewarding experience life has to offer.

Prayer:

Jesus, empower me to act justly; to love mercy; and to walk humbly with you today. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor. . . But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.”
Luke 14:7,8,10

Reserved for the Humble

You made it! You are at a venue to see your favorite performer live in concert! But when you get to your seat, far away from the stage, you discover your view is blocked. You are crushed. But then, before the show starts, personal representatives of the performer approach you and ask you to follow them. They lead you all the way to the front row! The performer ensured that front row seats were reserved for those with a blocked view. You didn’t pay for front row seats, but thanks to the performer’s awareness of your situation and over-the-top kindness in remedying your situation, you enjoy up close the best performance you’ve ever seen!

There is an old song that goes: “It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” But if that were true, we would be able to perfectly control the attitudes of our hearts—never having a selfish attitude, never losing our temper, never looking down on others, and always being one hundred percent willing to help others with their problems. Our own hearts have a blocked view of godly attitudes, thoughts, and living.

But Jesus, the Son of God, is fully aware of what’s blocking our hearts. In his over-the-top kindness, he paid the high price to remove us from all the sins that are blocking our hearts from God and ushers us right up to the front row in God’s presence. “Friend, move up to a better place.”

It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? You are not a nobody living up in the nosebleed seats. You are the Son of God’s honored guest, able to see up close God’s out-of-this-world blessings for you. Friend of Jesus, move up to the best place and enjoy Jesus’ blessings of grace, peace, honor, and joy!

Prayer:

Son of God, fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.”
Luke 14:7-9

Know Your Place at the Table

Imagine that you are at a wedding reception. It’s time for the dinner to be served, and one of the guests sits down at the head table right next to the groom. That would be an embarrassing moment because everybody knows that spot is reserved for the “Best Man.” It would be arrogant of that guest to think he deserves to sit next to the groom more than the other guests.

This is the arrogant attitude Jesus noticed among the people who had been invited to a banquet. And this is the attitude that lurks under the surface of our own hearts, too. We want to be more important and more honored than those around us.

But what an insult to God, the Lord of all, when we act like we’re lords over the people God created. What are we but dust and ashes without God? And yet sinful pride believes that God ought to feel lucky to have us at his banquet.

How can we stamp ugly pride out of our lives? Going along with Jesus’ example of a banquet, the answer could be worded this way: Know your place at the table! You are not the king of the castle. You are the King’s guest.

Humility comes from recognizing that everything we are is a gift from God. If we have a place at God’s table, it’s only ours by grace.

You do have a place at God’s table! Jesus, the Groom, has personally invited you to sit next to him in a seat of honor! The Bible says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of [Christ] the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for raising me up to enjoy a seat at your heavenly table. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.