Author: Kerry

“Truly I tell you,” [Jesus] continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” . . . All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.
Luke 4:24,28

Locals Do Not Take It Well

Daily Devotion – January 25, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 4:24,28

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When Jesus was growing up, he never sinned. It’s hard to understand how he could go through childhood and teenage years without ever doing anything wrong, but that’s exactly what happened. Jesus was a model citizen. But when he returned to his hometown as an adult to tell the people all about the truths about God, they rejected him. He had never done anything wrong to them, but they were still skeptics. Jesus saw their problem, and he told them, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” Did that make them sorry for doubting him? Nope! They were furious when they heard what Jesus told them.

Don’t be surprised if you get the same reaction when you mention anything about Jesus. His perfect life is your righteousness, your ticket to heaven through faith, but rather than marveling at that truth, people remain skeptical. His death took the punishment for your sin, but rather than thanking you for that information, people roll their eyes as if it’s a cliché.

Don’t give up. One famous skeptic in the Bible, a man named Saul, was converted by the power of the word of God. He became one of the most famous missionaries in all of history. He may never have preached in his hometown, but he founded congregations in many other places and trained many other witnesses to the truths of the faith.

You are able to be a witness to the power of the word of God in your life as well. Stick with Jesus until you share the hometown of heaven with him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when people reject what I say about you, forgive them and strengthen me to serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.”
Acts 4:25,26

Rulers Do Not Take It Well

Daily Devotion – January 24, 2022

Devotion based on Acts 4:25,26

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The Bible tells us about a young man named Timothy who was mentored by a famous missionary named Paul. There are even two books of the Bible—1 Timothy and 2 Timothy—named after him. Both books are letters written to him by Paul.

Timothy’s life wasn’t always easy. For example, we know that he was imprisoned for being a Christian. Hebrews 13:23 says, “I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released.” That’s not commonly talked about when Timothy is remembered, but it shouldn’t surprise us. David, who lived a thousand years before Jesus died, said that kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. Just twenty years after Jesus rose from the dead, rulers banded together to have Timothy and others arrested.

It is still going on today. Whole nations rage against the Lord, rejecting the morality of the Bible and scoffing at the news of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

But not so with you. Like Timothy, who remained faithful to the end, you have no reason to rage or plot against the Lord. Instead, you can take comfort that God is stronger than any nation, king, or ruler. When government officials thought they had put an end to Jesus’ work by killing him, he rose from the dead and demonstrated how God uses even powerful opposition to carry out his purpose.

God’s purpose is to love you. God’s purpose is to save you. No ruler can prevent him from doing that for you.

Prayer:
Lord God, I do not have power over governments, but you do. Grant us a peaceful society where we are free to learn about your love for us in Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.
Isaiah 61:1

Help for Your Heart

Daily Devotion – January 23, 2022

Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1

See series: Devotions

There are a lot of heartaches in our lives. We would like to have the world be a better place. But doesn’t it seem like things are just getting worse? Our lives get weighed down with many cares and concerns. Sometimes matters are so serious that it just breaks our hearts.

What difficulties are you facing that are almost too much to bear? What troubling circumstances surround the days that keep you awake at night? To whom can you turn for help?

You can turn to Jesus. God sent him “to bind up the brokenhearted.” He knows you; he understands you. And most importantly, he helps you. He came to remove the greatest weight that crushes your heart. He is your Savior who took away the guilt of all your sin. And now, no matter what things are breaking apart in your life, you have a relationship with God that is unbroken. As a result, you can count on God, who loves and saves you, to help you with all the matters in your life that are breaking your heart.

Prayer:
Jesus, I lift up my heart in praise to you because you came to bind up my heart broken by sin. Help me to grow in my trust that as you loved me to be my Savior, you will also be with me every day to help through the difficulties and troubles that I face. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My hour has not yet come.”
John 2:4

Perfect Timing

Daily Devotion – January 22, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:4

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Waiting for the perfect time is what Jesus did throughout his ministry. It didn’t make any difference what the situation was. He waited for exactly the right moment so that everything was done right and according to God’s saving plan.

Jesus said as much when he responded to his mother’s request for more wine at the wedding in Cana. The same concern for timing can also be seen when he taught, when he performed miracles, or even when he raised Lazarus from the dead. Everything was done at exactly the right time.

The same concern for the perfect timing can be seen in his decision to go to Jerusalem. When the time was right, Jesus went into the city. The timing had to be perfect to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and rescue all people from the curse of sin.

It is Jesus’ perfect timing that provides a double comfort. The first assures that we have been rescued from the punishment deserved because of sin. Jesus went to the cross and offered his body and blood as the sacrifice God required, so we are cleansed of guilt and set free from punishment. The second comforts us every day. Every need, every prayer, and every detail of our life is under Jesus’ loving care, his watchful eye, and his perfect timing. This assures us that everything will always happen for our good and at the best possible time.

Prayer:
O gracious Savior, Jesus Christ, my times are in your hands. Teach me to not only turn my heart to the promises you give me in your Word but teach me also to trust that you will do everything for my good according to your perfect timing. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2:11

The Rest of the Story

Daily Devotion – January 21, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:11

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I grew up listening to National Public Radio. It was always on when my dad was driving or in my grandmother’s kitchen. We’d listen to replays of Garrison Keillor on Sundays and during the week, Paul Harvey.

Paul Harvey liked to show how there is often more to a story than what we are aware of. He weaved narratives filled with amusing or amazing behind-the-scenes details about famous people or historic events. Each episode ended with a surprise twist, revealing who or what the story was about. Then he closed with his famous phrase, “And now you know … the rest of the story.”

Without having all the details, people make all kinds of false assumptions about God. They think he is unfair, unloving, angry. He has little interest in us. He doesn’t care about our happiness. The truth is, we can’t possibly uncover who God truly is on our own. God is beyond our reach. But God has made himself known to us in Jesus.

What do you know about Jesus? There are four books in the Bible that give a detailed account of Jesus’ life, but the book of John provides the rest of the story. John doesn’t just give us details about Jesus’ life and miracles. He goes behind the scenes and shows us how each miracle is a “sermon in action.” Each miracle teaches us something significant about God.

When Jesus turned water into wine, he uncovered what God is like. He is good, gracious, and generous. Jesus doesn’t decrease joy; he multiplies it. He wants to share in our joys and solve our challenges. That’s why Jesus came to earth. He came to help us in our need. He came to destroy the devil’s work by his death on the cross. And by his resurrection, he opened heaven to all who believe in him.

Like Jesus’ disciples, may what we learn of him in the Bible cause us to believe in him.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, use what you tell me about yourself in the Bible to cause me to believe that you are my God and Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
John 2:9,10

The Best for Last

Daily Devotion – January 20, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:9,10

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The young girl was in awe. This was the first wedding she had attended. It had been amazing. As she sat at the reception, a server came by to take her plate. She was about to hand him her fork when her grandma, leaning over, said with a smile, “Hold on to your fork.” The little girl looked puzzled. So, her grandmother explained.

In all her years, she had been to many weddings and enjoyed many banquets, and learned one important lesson. As splendid as the main course was, there was always something more. Dessert! “So, hold on to your fork,” she said, “The best is yet to come.”

The master of the wedding banquet Jesus attended had no idea what Jesus had in store. In all his years, every wedding celebration had always served the good wine first. Imagine his surprise when the servants brought him the best wine last. He had no idea where it came from, but the servers knew. Jesus had miraculously turned water into wine.

With this miracle, Jesus uncovered an important truth about God. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from God. Not satisfied with giving us what is adequate, he insists on providing more and better blessings than we could ever have imagined.

He is, as a matter of fact, saving the very best until last. For all those who trust his promise of forgiveness through Jesus, he promises an eternal, glorious and perfect home in heaven, provided for you by his Son.

God provides us with so many joys in this life. But even if your life is filled with troubles and sorrow, this truth remains: In Jesus, the best is yet to come!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, for all that I receive from your hand—daily bread, forgiveness, eternal life—make me truly thankful. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” . . . Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.
John 2:5,7-9

Jesus Changes Everything

Daily Devotion – January 19, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:5,7-9

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You’ve probably heard about the egg who decided one day to do something rather foolish. He climbed atop a very high wall and sat scanning all he could see. Suddenly he slipped, slammed to the ground, and shattered into a thousand pieces. As he lay there, not even the most powerful creatures in the land could put Humpty Dumpty together again.

When Jesus attended a wedding in the town of Cana, there appeared to be a Humpty Dumpty kind of situation. The wine had run out. There didn’t seem to be any solution. Even the wealthiest guests could not purchase more wine if there was none to be had.

But Jesus’ mother, Mary, knew who her son was. And she knew he could help. So, she told the servants to do whatever Jesus asked.

Jesus told the servants to fill six large jars with water. One moment those jars were filled with water. The next moment, the servers were pulling wine from those same jars. Jesus had changed 180 gallons of water into 900 bottles worth of wine. Just by willing it to happen!

When things fall apart in your life, remember what Jesus is capable of. You don’t need a good bottle of wine to drown your sorrows in. All you need is the power of your gracious and generous God. He can do the impossible.

He changed more than water into wine. By his death and resurrection, he brought light from darkness and life out of death. He can certainly put your life back together. He will work all things for the good of those who love him. Indeed, he can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, remind me that when my life falls apart, I know you can put it together again. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
John 2:3-5

All In Good Time

Daily Devotion – January 18, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:3-5

See series: Devotions

I was recently in the drive-through of a national coffee shop. The line of cars in front of me snaked all the way around the building. But I didn’t care. I needed my cup of joe. When I finally reached the speaker box to place my order, I saw a sign that read: “Our apologies, we are all out of coffee cups.” That store had a problem.

The host at the wedding Jesus attended in Cana had a bigger problem. The week-long celebration was nowhere near over, and the host had no more wine. This was a huge problem. And Mary desperately wanted the family to avoid embarrassment. She knew who her son was, God’s Messiah. And she believed that he could provide a solution.

In the grand scheme, the lack of wine was a minor issue. Jesus had a global concern—the salvation of souls. Still, Mary believed that—should he so choose—Jesus could help the wedding couple in their time of need.

Jesus can also help us in our times of need. Whether we struggle with shortages of finances, food, physical health, or a friend’s or family’s love, Jesus is able to help. After all, he was able to help us with our greatest need—the forgiveness of our sins against God. The blood he shed on the cross purifies us from all sin and makes us acceptable to God.

Just because we suffer shortages doesn’t mean God doesn’t care. God uses our struggles to drive us to Jesus and ask him for a solution. Since Jesus died and rose again to give us eternal life, he can certainly help us with our daily needs. And in his good time, he will.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, by your death and resurrection, there is nothing that I lack. But when I am in need, drive me to you for relief. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
John 2:1,2

Be My Guest

Daily Devotion – January 17, 2022

Devotion based on John 2:1,2

See series: Devotions

One of our favorite family activities is attending a family wedding. It’s always guaranteed to be a joyful occasion. The whole family drops everything to be there. But the one thing that ties it together and makes it truly joyous is that Jesus is there.

The first wedding (we know of) that Jesus attended was in Cana. His presence is hugely significant. He had just begun his earthly ministry and chosen his first disciples. Three days later, in an unexpected move, Jesus went to a wedding. It was unexpected because time was of the essence. It was time to get down to business and focus on his mission.

So, why take time to go to a wedding? Because his mission was people, and there would be plenty of people at this wedding. But a wedding was also a perfect place to begin to reveal his true nature as God and God’s true desire for people. By attending this wedding at Cana, Jesus uncovered a wonderful truth about God.

God wants to be with us. He is not impersonal and uncaring. He longs for us to be a part of his family and for us to give him a place in our lives. He is invested in our lives. He is interested in sharing our joys and carrying our sorrows. And he is never too busy to decline an invitation.

Accepting this invitation was Jesus’ first public act of ministry, and it is the final prayer of the Bible. In the Lutheran tradition, we often say a prayer when we sit down to a meal. “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed.” It is an invitation for Jesus to join us at our table. It is an acknowledgment that everything we have, from daily bread to eternal salvation, is a gift from his generous and loving hand. It is a prayer that his presence among us and his gifts to us are a blessing. Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we ask Jesus to be our guest, he accepts!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, be my guest as I go about my day and stay with me when it is evening. Grant that all you enable me to do be a blessing to me and pleasing to you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

I pray that out of [the Father’s] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:16-18

Growing up Strong

Daily Devotion – January 16, 2022

Devotion based on Ephesians 3:16-18

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Eat your vegetables! You can probably hear echoes of your mother giving you that advice. Maybe you have even spoken those words to your own children. It’s important that children eat the right kinds of foods so that they will be healthy and grow up to be strong. If left to themselves, children would try to survive on a diet of candy and soda. That might work for a little while, but such an unhealthy diet would soon make them weak and sick.

Too often, we try to survive on spiritual junk food. The world offers a candy store selection of ways to make ourselves happy. We feast on vices and vanity and even though the world promises otherwise, they offer us absolutely no nourishment. With a lot of heart ache, we find out eventually just how shallow we’ve been and how foolish our spiritual diet has been.

Our heavenly Father ensures that we receive the best nourishment for our souls. Instead of leaving us to be sin-sick, facing death for our faults and failures, he provides a rich feast of his love and forgiveness. He feeds our spirits with his Word so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. He gives us strength through his Holy Spirit so that we might serve him and bring glory to his name every day. He gives us power and ability to grasp the enormity of his love for us—his immeasurable great love that saves sinners like us through Jesus and through faith in our Savior gives us eternal life.

A healthy diet makes your body strong, but even more important than that is the food of God’s soul-strengthening Word. Feast daily on his Word that fills you full of the great love that he has for you in Jesus.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for causing me to be strong in your love through the power of your Word. Continue to build me up in faith and the fullness of Christ’s wondrous love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.