Author: Kerry

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:13-18,23,24

A Special Plan For You

Daily Devotion – May 9, 2021

Devotion based on Psalm 139:13-18,23,24

See series: Devotions

Our Bible passage for today gives us some remarkably comforting information. For example, it assures you that you are not a random accident of evolution. No, God personally knit you together in your mother’s womb. The end result is something fantastic, unique, and special.

As a special creation of God, God assures you that he knows the exact amount of days you will live on this earth. During your life, God has a specific plan mapped out just for YOU. When you stray from the plan, God pulls you back. And when you stray again, God does not leave you. He stays with you. He uses his Word to correct and comfort you.

Together with the writer of today’s Bible reading, you can say: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to treasure the physical life you have given to me as a gift. Even more so, help me to treasure the spiritual and eternal life you give to me as a gift through faith in Christ 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.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us, so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Psalm 67:1,2

The Grace of God

Daily Devotion – May 8, 20 2021

Devotion based on Psalm 67:1,2

See series: Devotions

Everywhere on the internet, there are those fake ads where someone pretends that they have received a free phone or computer because the company has made a mistake. If you foolishly click on the link, you will always find out that it’s a scam. No company would give away valuable merchandise that you haven’t paid for, right?

But God has given away something more valuable than a phone or a computer, and you haven’t paid for it. God has given away salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life in heaven. We haven’t paid anything for these valuable gifts. In fact, we don’t deserve them, and we can’t do anything to pay for them. Instead, Jesus paid for them by shedding his innocent blood and dying for us on the cross. Because we don’t deserve the love of Jesus, we call God gracious. Because the gifts of God bring us many good things in our lives of faith, we say that he blesses us.

Why would God do that for us, especially when we don’t deserve it? Is he making a mistake?

God doesn’t make mistakes. He knows what he is doing. One of the reasons he blesses us is so that his ways might be known on earth. If people realized that there really were sweet deals on the internet, getting something valuable for nothing, they would be sharing those deals immediately with family and friends.

In the same way, when we realize the grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, we find ways to post it and tell it and pass it on—across the street, across the internet, and across the world.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 249)
God of mercy, God of grace, show the brightness of your face. Shine upon us, Savior, shine; fill your Church with light divine, and your saving health extend to the earth’s remotest end. 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.

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. . . . You are the branches. . . . This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:1,5,8

To God Be the Glory

Daily Devotion – May 7, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:1,5,8

See series: Devotions

Everyone has a “born on” date. And we all have an “expiration” date. Everything in between is summed up with a “dash.” The question is, what do we do with the “dash” between those dates? What are we supposed to do with our lives?

Look to plant life for the answer. A vine produces grapes. A flower blooms. A stalk sprouts ears of corn. But it is the gardener who makes it happen. He chooses the seed and gives it life by planting it in good soil. He makes it grow and flourish by watering it and weeding around it. So, when a plant is fruitful, the glory belongs to the gardener.

This is the way for God’s people. From eternity he chose us to be his own. Through faith in his Son, our Savior, he gives us life. By his word, he causes us to grow and flourish in line with his will. So, when we are fruitful, it is because God is at work in us for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

So, what do we do with the dash? What are we supposed to do with our lives? We don’t all bear the same fruits, but we all have the same Father. He loves us. He gives us life and the ability to produce.

“So, whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and giving me life in your Son. Help me to glorify you in all that I think, and say, and do. 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.

[Jesus said] “I am the vine; you are the branches. . . . If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:5,7

It Will Be Done

Daily Devotion – May 6, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:5,7

See series: Devotions

Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Wow, that is one incredible promise! But what does it mean? It sounds like Jesus is some kind of genie in a jar. Do you want to be wealthy, healthy, lucky in love, successful? Ask for whatever you wish, and “Poof!” Jesus will grant it.

If that were true, then everyone would be a follower of Jesus.

So, does that mean Jesus is a liar? Of course not! Look closely at the promise Jesus makes to us. He says he is the vine, and his people are the branches. A branch doesn’t wish to become a butterfly. Neither do Jesus’ followers wish to be anything other than like Jesus.

Rooted in Jesus by faith and nourished by his Word, Jesus’ people grow in the grace and knowledge of him. They know that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to set them free from sin and death and to set them free to thrive as God intends.

May this be true of you. Rather than praying “my will be done,” may your prayer be, “Heavenly Father, thy will be done.” And God’s answer will always be “Yes,” in Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, accomplish in me the works that you have prepared in advance for me to do. 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.

[Jesus said] “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4,5

A Fruit Filled Life

Daily Devotion – May 5, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:4,5

See series: Devotions

In technologically advanced cultures, people take much for granted. But there are still some remote places in the world where people don’t even have access to electricity.

The story is told of a man from such a place. He travels to a modern city and is amazed by all the electric lights. What a blessing these would be to his village! So, he took what little money he had and bought a bag full of bulbs and a light switch.

Back home, he excitedly hung the bulbs around his yard and on the front of his home. Puzzled, the other villagers asked him what he was doing. “Wait until dark, and you will see,” he replied.

When evening came, he flipped the switch, but nothing happened. No one had told him that without a connection to electricity, light bulbs are useless.

Without a connection to Jesus, we can’t do the good that God created us to do. But when God connects a person to Jesus by faith, the power of his forgiving love flows through them, enabling them to do what is pleasing to God.

Do you want to live a more God-pleasing life? The key is Jesus. Connect to Jesus through his Word. He will empower you to produce those God-pleasing fruits.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, keep me connected to Jesus through your Word so that I live a life that pleases 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.

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. . . . Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
John 15:1-3

Pruning Love

Daily Devotion – May 4, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:1-3

See series: Devotions

Some people have a “green thumb.” I do not. My wife once gave me some cacti from Arizona. They could survive in the desert’s arid atmosphere but not under my artless attention.

That’s why I’m amazed by anyone who can not only keep plants alive but make them bigger or more beautiful. Have you ever seen those prize pumpkins at a county fair that weigh over 300 pounds? How do they do that? They direct all the nutrition to one or two blossoms rather than the whole plant.

God is such a skillful gardener. He wants us to produce the fruit of love in us. So, he connects us to Jesus, the true vine who gives us life. And he prunes away things that hurt our connection to Jesus, the vine.

The pruning process is often painful, but God isn’t punishing us. Jesus has already made you pure in the sight of God through faith in his holy, precious blood. Through his Word, the Bible, God is directing the flow of his grace so that the fruits of love we produce are more than mediocre—they are magnificent.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for planting me in the vine by your gospel of grace. Help me accept whatever pruning I need so that my life better displays your splendor. 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.

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. . . . If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
John 15:1,2,6

You Are a Planting of the Lord

Daily Devotion – May 3, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:1,2,6

See series: Devotions

Spring is in the air. New life is signaling the death of winter. Bird songs fill the air. The grass is greening. Leaves are budding. Flowers are blooming. And soon, the fruit will be ripening on the vine.

Yet, amid the kaleidoscope and fragrance of flowers mingles the gray haze and pungent smell of brush fires. The smoke isn’t pleasant, but it is necessary. Gardeners need to trim away lifeless branches, rake up the waste, and burn it to protect the healthy plants and promote new growth.

In the garden of God, every believer in Jesus is a planting of the Lord. To God, the gardener, we are the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:3) and the pleasing aroma of Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:15). We flourish best when our heavenly Father trims away everything that threatens our faith.

God’s gardening activity is always for our good, even though the smoke and shears may bring about tears. Sometimes God’s shears and smoke are a warning signal for us: Be on your guard against anything that can threaten your faith in Jesus.

Sometimes, God’s shears and smoke signal that God is at work in our lives, caring for us and correcting us when necessary so we can bear the fruit of love for him and our neighbor.

Prayer:
Lord God, mercifully forgive me for my sins and accept my thanks for graciously grafting me to Jesus, the true Vine. 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.

[Jesus said] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. . . . If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:5,7

Stay Connected

Daily Devotion – May 2, 2021

Devotion based on John 15:5,7

See series: Devotions

What do we mean when we say we have “connections?” We are implying that we have a relationship that gives us a special advantage. It gives us an advantage that we would not normally have.

Our Bible passage for today tells about a connection that we have—that we are connected to Jesus. That was not always the case. In fact, we had a disconnect. We were sinners. Because of sin, we were separated from God and earned his anger for breaking his commands. But God was not willing that we remain disconnected from him. He sent his Son, Jesus, who died in our place, taking the punishment we deserved as sinners. Then Jesus rose from the dead to assure us that his death counts for us.

The Easter message is clear—we are no longer cut-off from Jesus by our sin. He took it all on himself. By faith in the living Jesus, we are branches firmly attached to him and empowered to lead lives that give glory to God for our salvation!

Do we have a special connection? Jesus says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Stay connected to Jesus through his Word, and he will grant your wishes in ways that he knows are best for you. Jesus is our special advantage!

Prayer:
O dearest Jesus, as the true vine, you provide me with life and the ability to produce the fruits of faith. Keep me connected to you. Keep me growing in my love for you. Keep me close to you in this life and forever. 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.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4,5

Jesus is Our Hope

Daily Devotion – May 1, 2021

Devotion based on Psalm 25:4,5

See series: Devotions

Drivers are required to follow rules and regulations as they drive. Obey the speed limit. Stop on red; go on green. Don’t cross the centerline; stay in your lane. The laws for road travel are set for the safety of everyone. Accidents, injuries, or even worse, are caused when drivers disobey laws.

Just as drivers have rules to follow as they drive, we have rules to follow as we live our lives. They are rules given us by the God who made us. They are rules meant to keep us safe–both physically and spiritually.

Sadly, we don’t always follow God’s rules. We think we know better, so we do our own thing and go our own way. Had God left us to our own devices, we would have wandered away from him forever.

But, as we see from today’s Bible verse, God is our Savior. He sent Jesus from heaven who walked life’s path for us—perfectly. And for all the times we fall and fail to follow God’s way, Jesus bore our guilt and suffered the judgment we deserved. Instead of being charged with breaking the rules of the road of life, through everything that Jesus did for us we have a perfect record. Instead of crashing into the destruction we deserve for lawbreaking, we have the joy of God’s love and assurance of life with him forever.

Having seen how much God loves us, we become more and more confident that the path he has marked out for our lives must be best for us. And so, with the writer of today’s Bible passage, we say, “O LORD, teach me your paths.”

Prayer:
Jesus, I praise and honor you for being my Savior who walked the path of life perfectly for me and rescued me from the destruction I deserve for my sin. Guide me now to live and walk in God’s way out of thankfulness and joy for the hope that you give me. 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.

Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Acts 20:28

Shepherds Take Care of Their Sheep

Daily Devotion – April 30, 2021

Devotion based on Acts 20:28

See series: Devotions

A friend invites you to worship with him on Sunday. He says, “Do you want to come to my church with me?” Two pastors get together for coffee, and each of them asks, “How are things going at your church?” Christians speak this way about the churches they attend because they have such a close connection to them. And this is a good thing.

But sometimes, this idea can go too far. People might say, “This is my church,” as they try to push their own personal agendas on the ministry of a congregation.

As a man named Paul spoke to the church leaders in the ancient city of Ephesus, he reminded them to whom the church belonged. He called the church “the church of God.” And then he explained why it belongs to God. God bought it with his own blood.

When you pay a lot for something, it is worth a lot to you. God paid a price for you and me too. He paid the price of his blood. Because Jesus was the innocent Son of God, his blood was infinitely precious—more valuable than all of the gold in the world. And Jesus paid the price with his blood, bleeding and dying to buy us out of our slavery to sin and death.

Now we belong to him. And the one who paid so much for us makes sure that we are taken care of. He chooses pastors and church leaders to care for the spiritual needs of Christians the way that shepherds take care of sheep. They have an important responsibility. But in the end, they are simply those chosen by God to care for his sheep.

Thank God for faithful pastors. Pray for them. Encourage them. And most of all, rejoice that, while pastors may come and go and churches rise and fall, the church of God remains as those forgiven, set free, and purchased with the precious blood of Christ.

Prayer:
Bought by your blood, Jesus, I belong 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.