Author: Kerry

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
1 Kings 19:21

Committing to a New Mission

Daily Devotion – July 3, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Kings 19:21


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A woman once showed her Christian pastor a handbook from her former religion. That religion emphasized her good works rather than God’s gift of salvation. It’s like she was under a yoke of slavery. When she came to know Jesus and his full and free forgiveness, she was relieved; a weight was lifted off her shoulders. After looking at the book briefly, the pastor handed it back to her, but she refused, “I don’t need that anymore.”

When Elisha was called to serve God as a prophet, one who would share God’s word, he left his old profession behind. There was no turning back. He made sure of that by barbecuing his oxen over the coals of his wooden plow. It’s like he said, “I don’t need that anymore!” He was committing himself to a new mission.

When you are brought to faith in Jesus, you are called away from empty and ordinary things of this life—things that don’t bring lasting meaning—and are given a wonderful new perspective and purpose. First, the new perspective is that you now see you are saved by Jesus and his work, not yours. This lifts a burden of guilt that was crushing you to spiritual and eternal death. This good news gives a new purpose and mission.

For you, that likely doesn’t mean abandoning your profession or leaving your home behind like Elisha. It involves committing to a life that honors Jesus and trusts in Jesus. It means abandoning old attitudes, leaving behind those old self-serving goals, and being a servant of Christ. It means doing the things you ordinarily would do, but now with a new sense of mission—to serve and live for the God who served and saved you. When old habits or old attitudes try to call us back, we can say, “I don’t need that anymore! All I need is mine in Christ!”

Prayer:
Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew my attitude so that I may always trust and honor you. 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.

“I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:61,62

Don’t Look Back

Daily Devotion – July 2, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:61,62


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Imagine a man stranded on an island. He’s lost all hope of survival. He’s as good as dead. Then someone comes to his rescue. Once he realizes he’s saved, he climbs aboard and doesn’t look back.

That’s the way it is with a person who follows Jesus. Jesus has rescued them from death and despair. They are no longer stranded and without hope. So, they follow Jesus and don’t look back.

This is the lesson Jesus wanted to teach a man who wanted to follow him. The man said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back…” It’s as though he said to Jesus, his only lifeline, “I want to follow you, but first things first!” As though something else should come first and foremost. Jesus cautioned against the dangers of looking back and returning to a place where the man would be stranded once again and without hope and salvation.

Please don’t misunderstand Jesus. He’s not saying you must forsake your family to follow him. But he cautions against forsaking him for anything in this world, even family. An unbelieving family member may discourage a Christian from following Jesus. The Christian could be tempted to put a family’s approval above Jesus. For Christian families, the temptation could be, “We need to spend quality time together rather than going to church and hearing God’s Word.”

We don’t have to separate following Jesus from family. If you are part of a family, you can follow Jesus together and find meaningful, quality time together in his Word. You need not look back and regret what else you could have done instead. If you’re single or the only member of your family who is a believer, remember that the Church is like a family where you find the assurance of forgiveness and encouragement from other Christians.

Commitment to Christ allows us to look forward. Jesus has saved us and will never desert us. We need not look back on all that life could have been. We look forward to all that life will be now and for eternity.

Prayer:
Lord, by your Spirit, may I commit my life to you. 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.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Luke 9:57,58

Complete Commitment

Daily Devotion – July 1, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:57,58


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Some sports fans stick with their team season after season, even when it doesn’t seem like they’re rooting for the winners. These fans are completely committed till the day they die. Then there are fair-weather fans who love to follow the winning team and will proudly sport their colors. However, when the team’s ranking begins to slip, less committed fans quickly lose interest.

When people saw all the miracles Jesus performed, many began to follow him. Who wouldn’t want to follow the guy who could feed thousands of people? How could you not be a fan of the one who could heal your disease with just a word? However, when Jesus made it evident that he didn’t come to primarily give earthly and physical blessings, less committed followers quickly lost interest.

Jesus once told a man eager to follow him, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” If you truly want to follow Jesus, know that it won’t be to a mansion or a place and promise of earthly prosperity. The benefits and blessings of following Jesus are primarily spiritual, not material. Jesus doesn’t promise earthly success; he gives forgiveness of sins. Jesus doesn’t promise a mansion here on earth. He has prepared a heavenly home for all believers.

Jesus, the one who was committed to saving you, calls you to be committed to him. He calls us not to be fair-weather followers, interested only when it’s convenient or popular. And he calls believers more than just fans. He calls them children of God! We eagerly follow him through every season of life, even when we face challenges or difficulties because of our faith in him. Jesus, the Savior of all, has won the ultimate victory over sin and death. He has conquered the evil opponent, the devil. We follow him until the day we die because he has victory even over death. Jesus wins!

Prayer:
Lord, lead me each day to follow you until you bring me home at last. 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.

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51

Jesus is Completely Committed

Daily Devotion – June 30, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:51


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In the movie Up, the main character meets a talking dog named Dug. Dug introduces himself and begins to explain how he can talk. But then, in mid-sentence, he blurts out, “Squirrel!” Like any dog, Dug is easily distracted and loses his focus when he sees, from the corner of his eye, a squirrel dart out. We quote this scene in our house when someone loses their train of thought and something else has caught their attention.

The Bible describes our natural spiritual state not in terms of a distracted dog, but as a wandering sheep. The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “We like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Things in the peripheral of life that are not all that important catch our attention and distract us from what really matters. One moment we can be focused on God’s words and will, but then, something else darts out in front of us, and we chase after that thing. We chase after popularity. We chase after our favorite pastime, we chase after the material world. When our attention to Jesus and his words and ways is divided, so is our commitment to him. Many things try to steal our attention and commitment away from our Savior.

Thank the Lord, he didn’t get distracted. Jesus lived and worked in the same world of distractions that you and I live in, and yet, he was never distracted from his mission. He was completely committed to saving us from sin and saving us from all the times we’ve let those distractions lead us astray and lead us away. As the time came near for Jesus to suffer and die and rise from the dead, he set his face toward Jerusalem. What focus! What complete commitment. Because Jesus was fully committed, you are fully forgiven. So, let’s give our undivided attention to Jesus. Let those things remain in the peripheral so that Jesus and his salvation stay in clear view.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your perfect focus and complete commitment to carrying out my salvation. Keep me from straying after things that cannot save me and continue to show me your grace more clearly. 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.

When he [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Luke 24:50,51

Last Sight

Daily Devotion – June 29, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 24:50,51


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We tend to remember people by the way they looked the last time we saw them, right? Sure! That’s part of the fun of class reunions.

What a sight Jesus gave to his disciples on this; the last time they saw him. His hands are up, in blessing. There are the nail marks, reminding them that he’s forgiven them. He’s ascending up into the sky, reminding them of his power. And the Bible tells us that “a cloud hid him from their sight.” In other words, he hadn’t left them; they just couldn’t see him with their physical eyes.

Do you think that last sight of Jesus—as they remembered the nail marks, the hands upraised in blessing, the power—may have helped the disciples? As they remembered that he remained with them—do you think that brought them peace, particularly at times of struggle? I’m sure it did.

You know what? Jesus didn’t take a few days off last week—he remained with us, just as he had promised. Nor did Jesus somehow become less powerful last week. And Jesus didn’t stop blessing us last week—those hands of his remained upraised. And Jesus didn’t stop loving us last week—the nail scars were still there. And you know what else? Jesus isn’t taking any time off this week, next week, or the week after that. And he isn’t going to leave you, or stop blessing you, or stop loving you.

He can’t! With the nail marks of the cross, he has engraved you on the palms of his hands. You are always in his sight, always in his mind, always under his powerful and loving protection.

Prayer:
Jesus, when I face struggles, remind me that you are always with me. And may the thought of the nail marks in your hands help me remember your love 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.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 21:22

Enduring Temple

Daily Devotion – June 28, 2025

Devotion based on Revelation 21:22


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Perhaps the most famous church building in all of England is St Paul’s Cathedral in London. It is famous for many reasons. For one, it has dominated the London skyline since before the birth of the United States. For another, it’s been the site for numerous historic events, from royal weddings to state funerals.

Its greatest fame, however, may have come from World War II. If you go online and search the words: “Photo – St Paul’s – WWII,” you’ll see why. You’ll see a picture of London just after a severe German bombing raid. Every building in the picture is a smoking ruin of rubble—every building except St Paul’s. That picture rallied the spirits of the British people throughout the rest of the war.

In our twenty-first century society, it often feels as if we Christians are simply enduring one long bombing raid. Everything we believe seems to be under attack. Everything we hold dear seems to be a target.

But take a closer look at the picture. Yes, Christianity is under attack, as it has always been. And yes, the forces of Satan and sin have turned much of our society into a smoking ruin of rubble. But above the dust and debris of a fallen world, there still stands the enduring temple of our God. It endures because that temple is the Lamb of God himself.

In that temple, you will find shelter and forgiveness. In that temple, you will find refreshment, life, and light. For that enduring temple is your Savior, who died and rose and lives for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, in the smoking rubble of this fallen world, you remain and endure. Your promises never fail. Move me by your Spirit to find my refuge in you. 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.

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9,10

The Secret to Immortality

Daily Devotion – June 27, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:9,10


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To live forever. That has been the goal of many a man throughout history. You might think back to your school days and reading about Juan Ponce de Leon and his quest for the Fountain of Youth. Maybe you think of the nightmarish tales of vampires and the immortality they seek. Or perhaps you’ve been reading about the miracles of modern science, gene therapy, and other breakthroughs that doctors claim are just years away from being attained, that could sustain a person’s life here on this planet for years, if not decades, longer.

Why is there this fascination with living forever? Because death seems so final. After all, I’ve never seen someone come back from the dead. I’m guessing you haven’t either. Death means the curtain closes and the show is over.

However, God tells us that death isn’t the end, and that immortality is not just a possibility but a certainty. And I have great news for you about that: you don’t need to go traipsing through the Everglades of Florida like Ponce de Leon nor do you need to wait for the progress of modern medicine. The fact is that God gives us the source of eternal life through his holy Word by pointing us to Christ Jesus, who, as Paul wrote, “destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Even though you and I haven’t seen someone come back from the dead, Jesus did it! And he promises that if we put our trust in him, he will gift us with that amazing gift of eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for sending us your Son, who has brought to light the truth of life eternal. Help me to put my trust in him and rest assured that because he defeated death, I will, too. 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.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:9

A New Life. A Holy Life.

Daily Devotion – June 26, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:9


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With what are you struggling today? Maybe you don’t deal with stress in the healthiest way? Bills pile up, you can’t make ends meet at the end of the month, and your boss is far too demanding. So, you find yourself being short-tempered with your family. Maybe there are even times you grab for pills, or the bottle and you tell yourself, ‘It’s just to take the edge off,’ but you know it’s a problem.

Or perhaps you’ve found yourself sleeping with someone who is not your spouse. You know it’s not right. You reason that you’re in love and don’t want to break up. But you still know deep down that you’re crossing a line.

Whatever it might be for you, the reality is that everybody struggles to live the way God wants them to live. We know that there are things we’re supposed to do but don’t do them. We know that there are things that we’re not supposed to do, and yet we do them anyway. It’s tough to say the least.

But in the Bible, we see that God saves us from ourselves. Whatever we have done, whatever our struggle, God sent us Jesus to live in our place the life we never could and to sacrifice himself to pay for all the wrongs and errors because of his, as Paul says, grace—God’s undeserved love and kindness to us.

This is the greatest news of all, news that moves our hearts to want to make a change, news that makes us want to live for God in a different way, a holy way, as God intends for us to live.

Whatever your struggle is, I want you to know that Jesus has paid for it in full. May that news of his grace move you to live your life for him.

Prayer:
Dear God, I am sorry for my sin. I know that I deserve your full punishment for it. Thank you for sending me my Savior, Jesus, who has rescued me. Help me to live my life for you. 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.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:7,8

Join With Me in Suffering

Daily Devotion – June 25, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:7,8


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I like going to parties. Recently, we had a whole string of them. Friends recently had a baby, so we enjoyed going to the baby shower. My son just turned 16, so we celebrated that. An uncle of mine recently retired, and my cousins threw a huge bash to congratulate him and wish him well in his retirement. Parties are great! People are happy. People want others to join in and get not just a slice of cake but a slice of celebration. When we have something to celebrate, it’s easy to invite others to be a part of it too.

In our Bible reading today, what Paul says seems a little odd; doesn’t it? “Join with me in suffering”? I don’t know about you, but that sounds awful to me. Suffering is something that everybody avoids any way they can, right?

Keep in mind that Paul was writing these words from prison, and very soon he was going to lose his life for telling other people about the wonders of God. And yet, this didn’t bring him discouragement or bitterness towards God. God used this suffering to draw Paul closer to him. The suffering made Paul realize how much he relied on God for everything and that God would never abandon him.

When God allows suffering into your life, remember that your God is with you and will see you through it. You can be sure because he has promised it. And he is the God who proved that he keeps his promises by giving us a Savior to deliver us from the pain of this suffering world into the paradise of heaven.

Prayer:
Dear God, use the suffering in my life to draw me closer to you and may the news of my Savior fill my heart with peace. 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.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:5,6

Fan the Flame of Faith

Daily Devotion – June 24, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:5,6


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What kinds of things did you learn from your parents? Maybe Mom taught you how to bake the PERFECT chocolate chip cookie, or Dad taught you how to change a flat tire. When you were growing up, there were life lessons and skills you learned from your parents. Perhaps you have even passed those on to your children as well.

As Timothy was growing up, his mother and grandmother had given him something wonderful, something amazing—they had shared their faith in Jesus with Timothy. And, by the grace of God, that faith had grown strong. But that gift of faith needed to be nurtured. That’s why Paul encouraged him to “fan into flame” this gift from God.

Did your parents teach you about Jesus when you were young? Have you continued to feed your faith as you’ve gotten older? Sometimes we find ourselves so busy with life—marriage, job, hobbies, etc., that going to church and hearing God’s Word, well, ‘there’s just not enough time for that!’ we reason. ‘We’ll get to it later!’ we say. But, my friend, the time to feed your faith is NOW! I’m so thankful to God that you’re reading this. Because we can never hear too much about how all our sins have been paid for by Jesus and that he defeated death by rising from the grave. No matter how old I get, I can never grow out of needing to be reminded that God loves me and made me, not just the child of my mom and dad, but made me a child of my heavenly Father. Continue to fan that flame of faith!

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for putting people in my life—family or friends—who shared with me the wonderful news about my Savior. May I continue to grow in my faith today and every day. Bless me as I also share that news of the forgiveness Jesus brings with others. 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.