Author: Kerry

My life is but a breath.
Job 7:7

A Breath

Daily Devotion – February 8, 2021

Devotion based on Job 7:7

See series: Devotions

In October of 1989, a sportswriter by the name of William Nack leans against a wall in his hotel room and sobs. He’s heard some news. A racehorse by the name of “Secretariat” is dead.

Flashback. It is the summer of 1973. Secretariat has taken the United States by storm. So thrilling and dominant are his victories that, in one week, he makes the cover of Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and Time. And through it all, a young William Nack is right there as a sportswriter, covering the races, talking to the owner, talking to the trainer, talking to the jockeys and grooms. He has a front-row seat to history in the making, and he knows it.

But now the great Secretariat is dead, and William Nack sobs. He later explains why. It’s not just his respect for the horse or Secretariat’s place in history. It’s personal. Secretariat, he says, reminds him of a short era in his life when he had no real heartaches, no real griefs, no big problems. When Secretariat died, he realized those days were over and how quickly they had come and gone.

Do you ever have a moment like that? You hear about the passing of a famous figure, and somehow the news hits you hard. What hits you, however, is not so much the passing itself of the famous figure, but the era in your life that that figure represents. In that moment, you experience a jarring truth: My time on this earth is short. The days come and go. Or, as Job said, “My life is but a breath.”

Sin has done that, of course—your sin and mine. It brings heartache, problems, and grief to the few days we are on this earth. It also brings death.

But that’s why Jesus came. The eternal Son of God invaded our broken world of short, passing days. On our behalf, he lived the sinless life you and I have failed to live. At the cross, he suffered and died for our every wrong. Then he rose. And now, everyone whose faith is in him stands forgiven and inherits eternal life. And the best days are yet to come.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my life here is but a breath, but in you the best days are still to come. Thank 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.

The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from among thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth. For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground. Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Job 7:5-9

Secure Even in Suffering

Daily Devotion – February 7, 2021

Devotion based on Job 7:5-9

See series: Devotions

Job was a faithful believer who had a large family and many possessions that gave him great satisfaction in life. But Satan took it all away from him. He attacked Job so hard that he left him in a state of physical and spiritual anguish.

The odds are that we will never suffer the way Job did. Still, we can feel like our world is collapsing all around us. We can suffer through difficulties without a glimmer of happiness in sight. We may think, “I work so hard, and this is all the gratitude I get from people around me.” “Why can’t people at school appreciate me for who I am?” “Can I ever be really happy with my life?” The devil can take advantage of our most subtle doubts and lead us to wonder, “Does God really care about me?”

Don’t let Satan steal your confidence in who you are. Remember that you are God’s own child for whom he died. God loves you. He is the strength of life. He will provide exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Because of Jesus, your identity is secure with God.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, strengthen me to face my trials with confidence in your wisdom and love, and thank you for making me your child through faith. 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.

At once the Spirit sent him [Jesus] out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Mark 1:12,13

Temptations

Daily Devotion – February 6, 2021

Devotion based on Mark 1:12,13

See series: Devotions

Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. He began his public ministry this way. The Holy Spirit sent him into the desert where Satan tempted and tempted and tempted Jesus. The good news is that Jesus never once gave in to any of those temptations. He knew that doing so would be wrong and a sin against God. If he did, he would fail to be the Savior. It didn’t matter if no one else was looking. Sin is still sin whether someone sees our sin or not because God sees all.

Jesus lived each day as a sinless one, overcoming every temptation. The good news is that Jesus lived this perfect life in our place. The blessed result is that through faith in Jesus, God sees us clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus, our Savior.

Such a wonderful message not only lifts us up when we’re mindful of our many failings, but it also strengthens us with the resolve that we, by God’s power, can overcome temptations. God gives us the strength to walk away. God empowers us to say “No,” even when no one is looking. And when we fail, God’s promise of his full forgiveness strengthens us to return once again to the fight, knowing full well that Jesus has defeated the tempter, who has no power over us.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when my thoughts, words and deeds become impure, have mercy when I become defiled. Forgive, lift up, restore me, your child. 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 careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
I Corinthians 8:9-13

Our Actions Impact Others

Daily Devotion – February 5, 2021

Devotion based on I Corinthians 8:9-13

See series: Devotions

The Christians in the city of Corinth had a question. They wanted to know if it was wrong to eat meat that had been used in sacrifices at idol temples. This meat, you see, was used at the restaurants attached to the temple. Paul assured them that it was not wrong to eat such meat since the idol it was sacrificed to didn’t actually exist. The meat was just meat.

But this didn’t mean they should just go ahead and eat in those restaurants. Why? Well, one of their fellow Christians might see them doing so and think they were worshiping an idol. It might even lead that person to worship the idol themselves. Paul’s point was simple. Even if something is not wrong in and of itself, think carefully about what you are doing so you don’t mislead others and harm their relationship with Jesus.

Jesus would have us exercise the same love for our fellow Christians today. Think carefully about everything you do. Consider how it might affect the spiritual well-being of those around you. And be willing to give up your own rights, if necessary, for the good of others. After all, it was our Savior Jesus who gave up all of his rights in order to save you from your sins. May his love instill in you a sacrificial love for others.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me show the same loving concern for the souls around me that you showed for my soul. 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.

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
I Corinthians 8:1-6

Jesus Frees Us From Petty Rules

Daily Devotion – February 4, 2021

Devotion based on I Corinthians 8:1-6

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During the time the apostle Paul lived, it was common practice for people to sacrifice an animal to an idol and then for the meat from that animal to be sold in the marketplace to eat. There were many new Christians who wondered if it was acceptable to eat that meat. They worried that eating it would mean they had participated in worshipping that idol.

Paul set their consciences at ease, assuring them that “An idol is nothing at all in the world,” that “There is no God but one,” and that “food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”

People today may not be wondering whether it’s ok to eat meat taken from an idol temple. But plenty of people still wonder which of the many gods and religions in this world is the true God and true religion. The apostle Paul answers this question in no uncertain terms. “…there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

Do you want to get to know the God who made you, who cares for you, and who loves you more than you can imagine? Then get to know Jesus. Read of his life and work in the words of the Bible. There you will discover the God who will change your life now and promise you eternal life after. Thankfully, this is the one true God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me get to know you better as the one, true God. 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 LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-18

You Can Trust Jesus

Daily Devotion – February 3, 2021

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15-18

See series: Devotions

In the advertising world, there is one goal: sell your product. Of course, this leaves the consumer suspicious, and rightly so. Is the person in the commercial telling the truth? Is the salesperson misleading me? Are the claims made too good to be true? But if a brother or sister, or good friend tells you that they bought a product and it is good quality, that’s different. That means more than 100 TV commercials. Why? The intentions of our family and friends are different than those trying to sell a product. They have our best interests at heart, not the next sale.

In the Bible reading today, God reminds us that Jesus can be trusted. He has our best intentions in mind. More than fifteen hundred years before Jesus was born, God promised that Jesus would be a prophet who would only say what God wanted to be said. This means that everything Jesus said was true. His words can be trusted.

Jesus wasn’t trying to sell something. Jesus didn’t come to earth to make money or make life better for himself. Jesus came to earn heaven for us and give it to us free of charge. His words weren’t deceitful or crafty. He wasn’t trying to trick us. Jesus’ words help, heal, and are true. You can trust Jesus!

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, help me to trust that you care for me. Give me a heart that listens to your words and takes them to heart, trusting that what you say will always be for my good. 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.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Mark 1:21-24

You Can Trust Jesus Power

Daily Devotion – February 2, 2021

Devotion based on Mark 1:21-24

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It must have sent a tingle up the spine of anyone who was there to hear it. The voice of an evil spirit spoke through the mouth of a demon-possessed man.

Those of us who live in the twenty-first century Western world don’t discuss demons very often. Many people are convinced they simply don’t exist. The Bible tells us differently. In fact, it tells us of many occasions when Jesus confronted evil spirits. In our Bible reading for today, we are told that an evil spirit was in control of a man’s body or at least his mouth. What a terrifying state of affairs!

But notice that the evil spirit was not more powerful than Jesus. Not even close. In fact, it had to acknowledge that Jesus was the Holy One of God.

What are you afraid of this day? What troubles you? What makes you worry? Whatever it is, it cannot be more powerful than Jesus. He is all-powerful. The one who could cast that demon out of that man can conquer anything that frightens you. He has already conquered your sin when he went to the cross. He already conquered death when he rose from the dead. So, you can be sure he can and will do what is best for you now and take you to himself in heaven one day. Aren’t you glad your Jesus is so powerful?

Prayer:
Jesus, when I am tempted to tremble in fear, remind me of your almighty power. 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.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
Mark 1:21-26

You Can Trust Jesus Words

Daily Devotion – February 1, 2020

Devotion based on Mark 1:21-26

See series: Devotions

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available in this technological age? Do you get even more overwhelmed when you realize how much of it contradicts what others think and what others have written? Well, guess what, you aren’t alone. This isn’t something that is only true in our modern age.

The people at the time Jesus lived struggled with the very same thing. There was no shortage of scholars who shared their opinions and were sure they were right. But their opinions frequently contradicted each other. Who was to be believed?

Into this world of confusion came God’s Son, Jesus, to set the matter straight. Not only was his teaching clear and understandable. He backed it up with proof of his authority. In the lesson we just read, Jesus was in the midst of his teaching and instructing when a man possessed by an evil spirit confronted him. Quickly and in a manner that could not be explained away as a trick, he cast out the spirit. The people were amazed.

Today, in a world filled with different ideas and opinions, Jesus is the one person whose words you can trust. When he says he has paid for your sins when he died on the cross, you can trust it is true. When he says he conquered death when he rose from the grave and that one day he will raise you from the dead to live forever, you can trust it is true. When he says he will be with you this day and always, you can trust it is true. So, trust him!

Prayer:
Jesus, when I feel overwhelmed by all of the opinions and information around me, comfort me with the certainty of your truth. 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.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18

God Has Chosen You

Daily Devotion – January 31, 2021

Devotion based on Mark 1:16-18

See series: Devotions

Jesus saw Simon and Andrew as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. They were fishing, and he said to them, “Come, follow me.” It seems like a simple request. But then the question comes to mind, “Why?” What was it about these men that made Jesus choose them over all the other people along the Sea of Galilee? Jesus could have chosen the rich, or the highly educated, or the influential, or the officials of his day. But he didn’t. He found common fishermen and chose them to follow him so that they could be trained for three years to become fishers of men instead of fishers of fish. But it wasn’t anything about those two fishermen that caused Jesus to choose them. It was simply God’s grace that was poured out on Simon and Andrew.

You could ask the same question about yourself: What does God see in you that would lead him to call you to follow him? If you are honest with yourself, you have to admit there is no reason that he would have to call you. You are not good enough, smart enough, perfect enough, or deserving enough to make Jesus call you. But in his grace, Jesus calls you to be his disciple. He removed the obstacles separating you from God when he paid for your sins. Now he calls you to follow him just as he called Simon and Andrew so many years ago.

What a great privilege and gift from your Savior! He has chosen you to follow him.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, I give thanks that you have called me to be your disciple. Give me the strength to follow you 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.

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. . . . When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 3:1-5,10

Our Loving Lord Calls Us to Repentance

Daily Devotion – January 30, 2021

Devotion based on Jonah 3:1-5,10

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Nineveh was the New York City of its day. Capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire—the city was large and proud. One-hundred-foot high walls surrounded it. The citizens of Nineveh were well protected from physical danger by the walls that surrounded them.

But the Ninevites were in danger from a force much more powerful than any neighboring army. They were in grave spiritual danger. Sin was rampant, and God had had enough. He sent his prophet Jonah some six hundred miles to warn them to repent of their sin, or he would destroy them in forty days.

Like the people of Nineveh, God commands us to repent of our sins. God’s warnings about our sin are always urgent. Sin is serious; it separates us from God.

Against what sins are you struggling? Today God calls on you to repent. Turn away from those sins and trust God for his mercy. He is a forgiving God, just as he was for the people of Nineveh: “…he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.” God has had compassion on you, too. Instead of bringing on you the destruction your sins deserve, he brought that destruction on Jesus when he hung on the cross. Through Jesus, you have forgiveness for all your sins against God. May this comforting reality give you the strength you need today to leave your sin behind and live your life for him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I have so often sinned against you. Forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake. Give me the strength and the will to live this day in true repentance that all my doings and life may please 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.