Author: Kerry

The parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required.
Luke 2:27

Living Perfectly in Our Place

Daily Devotion – December 29, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 2:27

See series: Devotions

The Bible tells us that if we are to spend eternity with God in heaven, we must be perfect just as he is perfect. To do that, we must keep all of God’s commandments all the time without even one failure. Because all of us are born sinful, none of us can come even close to accomplishing such a feat.

Jesus, however, could. He is the sinless Son of God. As both true God and a true human being, Jesus was in the unique position of being both subject to all of God’s commandments and able to keep them all. And that is exactly what he did. Throughout his life, he perfectly kept all of God’s commandments for us.

We see that in our Bible passage for today. God’s Old Testament law required that his people dedicate their firstborn sons to him. Because Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son, this law applied to him. And so, in order to accomplish his work as our Savior, he had to fulfill this law also, just as he had to fulfill every other law that God had laid down for his people.

That’s why it is so comforting to see Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple to do for him what the law required. Even as Jesus lay in his parents’ arms, he was keeping God’s law perfectly for us. He left no law unfulfilled but kept every last one of them for us. Because he kept all of God’s laws perfectly in our place, we now, through faith in him, have the perfection we need to live with God forever in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you for perfectly keeping all of God’s laws in my place. 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.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Luke 2:25,26

Waiting to See the Savior

Daily Devotion – December 28, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 2:25,26

See series: Devotions

Do you have a “bucket list”? If you’re not familiar with the term, a “bucket list” is a list of things that a person wants to do before they die or, “kick the bucket.” Unfortunately, few if any of the things on a person’s “bucket list” are guaranteed. We simply don’t know when we will “kick the bucket,” so we can’t know for sure what we will be able to do before we die.

Simeon was an old man who lived in Jerusalem at the time that Jesus was born. He probably didn’t call it a “bucket list,” but he did have one thing that he wanted to experience before he died. He wanted to see the Savior whom God had promised to send. Simeon’s bucket list was unique, however, since the one thing on his “bucket list” was guaranteed to happen. God, the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Eventually, the day came when God told Simeon to go to the temple where he would see the Messiah. As Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms, he saw much more than just the completion of his “bucket list.” He saw the fulfillment of all his hopes. He saw the One for whom he and all God’s people had been waiting. He saw his Savior, who would rescue him from his sins.

Just a few days ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Unlike Simeon, we were not able to see him physically with our eyes or hold him in our arms. Yet, we still are confident that he truly was born for us. Simeon’s fulfilled “bucket list” gives us proof of that. The Lord fulfilled his promise to Simeon and allowed him to see the Savior before he died. Because of that, we know that God also has fulfilled his promise to us. Jesus, our Savior, who came to rescue us from all our sins, truly has been born for us, just as God promised.

Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for fulfilling your promise and sending your Son to be my 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.

When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2 Samuel 7:12,13

Celebrating Christmas Forever

Daily Devotion – December 27, 2020

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 7:12,13

See series: Devotions

The packages have all been opened. The refrigerator is full of leftovers. Another Christmas is over. After all the weeks and months of preparing for it, the Christmas celebration seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. It’s all over too quickly. But here is the good news: the real celebration of Christmas never ends. This is what our Bible reading for today promises.

This particular promise was made to King David. King David was probably the greatest king of the Israelite nation. In spite of his flaws, he was one of the inspired writers of the Psalms and a great spiritual leader of his people. In our Bible verse for today, God had just told David that his family would continue to rule Israel, but it would rule Israel in a way that was far greater than any kingdom. From his family, the Savior of the world would come. This Savior would establish a kingdom that was not about land, possessions, and earthly power. It would even be a kingdom that would not be affected by time. That great descendant of David would be Jesus, who with his life and death, would redeem the world. He would establish peace with God through the forgiveness of sins. All believers would be a part of his great kingdom of life, a kingdom that would not end.

This is what we are celebrating at Christmas every year. All the gifts, songs, and decorations are an expression of the joy we have in our hearts. It is a joy that lasts far longer than just one day. In fact, it will last forever.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for sending your Son. And thank you for the joyful celebration of his birth. Help me live in the joy of your love and forgiveness today and every day. 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 joyful always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16

Lasting Joy

Daily Devotion – December 26, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16

See series: Devotions

If you’re looking for a good biography to read over the Christmas break, consider picking up a copy of Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers. It’s a fascinating book. For the Christian, it can also be a thought-provoking one.

Here’s why. It would be easy to make the case that Mark Twain lived a charmed life. His natural writing ability and riveting personality opened doors for him around the world. He became wealthy. He traveled where he wanted, when he wanted. People packed any theater where he was going to speak. He was a real celebrity, and he relished the part. He also married the love of his life, and together they raised children who adored him.

But based on his statements about spiritual matters, it also appears that Mark Twain never came to know the peace of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. As a result, his sense of happiness was always dependent upon how well or how poorly his life was going. He rarely forgave anyone who ever let him down. Guilt over his past failures haunted him. And when death later touched his immediate family, he spent the closing years of his life in bitterness.

Mark Twain received virtually every pleasant thing the world could offer. One thing he did not possess was a lasting joy.

Let’s be candid for a moment. Many of you reading or hearing this will be lacking a lot of things this Christmas. You may not have a job or may not have good health. You may not have peace in your family or have money to pay off past bills. You may not have an intact marriage or the love of your life close to you.

But if you have Jesus in your life, you are forgiven, you are at peace with God, you have no reason to fear the future, and you know that all will be well according to God’s purpose and plan. It also means you possess what the world cannot deliver. In Jesus, you have lasting joy.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, this world can only offer me passing distractions. You bring me lasting joy. Thank you, Lord. 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.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:6,7

The Hero We Needed

Daily Devotion – December 25, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 2:6,7

See series: Devotions

How many thousands of years had passed since the promise of a Savior had been made? For how many countless generations had the people of earth been waiting for God to rescue them? Our sins had separated us from our Creator. Only the living God could save us. Hell’s gaping jaws were open and ready to consume all mankind. Only heaven’s might could close them.

Surely, we needed a hero greater than all those who have appeared in ancient epics or modern movies. No doubt, we needed someone more powerful than all the world’s kings, conquerors, and corporate CEO’s combined. We needed a fearless warrior to defeat Satan, our wicked foe.

But what do we see? A baby. A newborn baby snuggled tight in a blanket. His humble parents watching while he sleeps, nestled in a tangle of hay. Is this all the help that heaven could spare? Don’t we as a human race deserve better? How could this poor, fragile child accomplish what was beyond the wisest and most powerful among us?

Ah, but selfish pride and sinful doubt put us under God’s wrath in the first place. Jesus is truly a great and powerful Savior, and he displayed his might in countless miracles. But the hero we required also needed to be humble and gentle, motived purely by selfless love. He had to be willing to sacrifice himself, not only for the best of us but also for the lowest, the poorest, and the vilest. He had to be willing to die for you. And he was—with great joy.

In Christ Jesus alone, we find the hero we need, the only one who was able both to die as our spotless lamb and to take up his life again as our loving Shepherd. Let us sing and herald his birth today with great joy!

Prayer:
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your undeserved love for me, which brought you to earth as my gentle 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.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14

The Grace of God Appeared

Daily Devotion – December 24, 2020

Devotion based on Titus 2:11-14

See series: Devotions

“Words, words, words! I’m so sick of words!” Eliza Doolittle exploded in exasperation at the incessant wooing of a suitor in the musical, My Fair Lady. “Don’t talk of stars burning above. If you’re in love, show me!” Do you know someone who is all talk and no action? All of a person’s promises and beautiful words are meaningless if they don’t follow through.

At the beginning of the world, when our first parents disobeyed and brought death’s curse on our race, God made them a promise. The “Seed of the woman” would undo Satan’s evil work. God repeated and expanded on that promise through his prophets and priests, inspiring his people to patiently wait for a coming Savior. Some gave up hope. And even those who trusted in God still asked in their desperation, when will you send your Servant? When will you free us from sin and death?

On Christmas, we celebrate the historical fact that God was true to his word. In the person of Jesus Christ, the grace of God has appeared, visibly, powerfully, to save us. Despite our unworthiness, the eternal Son of God redeemed mankind from the curse of sin through his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. We read about these actions of love and their gracious results in God’s Word, but they are not merely words. The Holy Spirit works powerfully through the words of the Bible to bring us to repentance and to work in us the fruits of faith.

While we wait for Christ’s return on the last day, will we give him empty lip-service on this holy day? Or will we offer our lives in service to him, who was born to die for us?

Prayer:
Let us all with gladsome voice praise the God of heaven, who to bid our hearts rejoice, his own Son has given. 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.

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:34-38

A Life of Obedience to God

Daily Devotion – December 23, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 1:34-38

See series: Devotions

Can you imagine what it was like for Mary at that moment? A young, soon-to-be-married woman discovers that she is going to have a baby. Her life is about to get turned upside down. Hundreds of questions and dozens of doubts and fears must swirl around in her head. How will Joseph, her husband-to-be, accept the news? Will her child be considered illegitimate? Would anyone ever believe the truth—that her baby was a miracle of the Holy Spirit? Why was she chosen for this? How could such a thing even be possible?

In reply to her questions, the angel pointed her to God’s grace, God’s power, and God’s promises. And that is what her faith clung to. Mary didn’t ask for time to pray or to speak with her fiancé before responding to God’s messenger. She simply said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

A life of obedience to God means taking him at his word, relinquishing control of one’s own life, and trusting that God will make good on his many promises. All too often, we rebel against that thought. But Mary’s son, Jesus, obeyed it perfectly. Although he is the true Son of God, he is also the Lord’s perfect servant. Jesus submitted his will to that of God his Father, serving willingly and faithfully as our Savior and substitute on the cross. His death and resurrection guarantee that our sin of rebellion has been forgiven. All who repent and believe are declared to be God’s holy children. May his Word to us be fulfilled!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let me serve you even as you have served 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.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.
Luke 1:31-33

What Is So Great About Christmas

Daily Devotion – December 22, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 1:31-33

See series: Devotions

Is Christmas really worth all the bother? All the tree lighting, carol singing, gift-giving, and countless other traditions unique to each family? Around the world, Christians have developed an amazing variety of ways to celebrate Christmas in their own languages and cultures. What’s so great about Christmas that it should inspire people to such elaborate and creative celebrations? Isn’t it just about the birth of a baby?

Yes, but what a birth! And what a baby! There would be reason enough for us to sit in wonder each year at this time simply marveling at the miracle of the virgin birth. That baby boy born to Mary in Bethlehem is God himself, “the Son of the Most High,” whose coming was foretold by prophets in ancient times and whose arrival was announced by an angel from heaven. This child was not only a direct descendant of the great King David—he is the proper heir to an even higher throne, the eternal kingdom of God, his Father. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, even our own nation one day, but Jesus Christ will rule forever.

How do you properly celebrate the birth of the greatest, most highly anticipated person to ever walk on this earth? What if I told you that this great man willingly allowed himself to be humiliated before men so that you and I could be glorified before God? He suffered the shame of the cross so that we might be honored with God’s grace and the gift of forgiveness. And after rising from death of his own power, Jesus now watches over you, showering you with his love and blessings, and working out all things so that you might share in his never-ending glory. What’s so great about Christmas? It’s the birth of our great Christ and King!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 55)
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be
all glory given;
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord. 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 angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:28-30

You Have Found Favor With God

Daily Devotion – December 21, 2020

Devotion based on Luke 1:28-30

See series: Devotions

In your inbox is an email with the subject line: “Congratulations! You have been chosen to receive special attention.” By now, you’ve learned enough of how the internet works that you might immediately mark the message as junk mail without even opening it. But what if you noticed that it was sent by the Internal Revenue Service? You wouldn’t throw that one away! You might even become nervous, wondering why the government had singled you out, fearing that you might somehow be in trouble.

A young woman named Mary wasn’t sure how to react when an emissary from God, a holy angel, appeared to her saying, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Why would God single her out for attention? She knew that there was nothing about her personally that merited any preferential treatment. Like others in the Scriptures who suddenly found themselves in the presence of God or one of his angels, at that moment, Mary was no doubt painfully aware of her own unworthiness, her personal failings, and the many reasons why a holy God might be displeased with her. But the angel assured her that she had nothing to worry about. She had found favor with God.

Whenever we open our Bibles or go to church, we find ourselves in the presence of God, who speaks through his Word and who knows how unworthy we are. Maybe you have been trying to avoid that. But don’t be afraid; listen to what he has to say. You will also find favor with him! He is a gracious God who lifts up the lowly and has mercy on the undeserving. He sent his Son Jesus, born of Mary, to shower us all with his grace. Do not be afraid of God turning his gaze toward you. Rather listen closely to his message of peace and forgiveness in Jesus announced to you again this Christmas.

Prayer:
Lord, calm my heart and prepare it to listen to your message of peace and joy 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.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Christ is All We Need for Christmas

Daily Devotion – December 20, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1-3

See series: Devotions

This is the season when people typically make a list of the things they would like for Christmas gifts. Children, especially, can usually come up with a pretty long list.

Despite all the gift-giving that goes on at Christmas time, the greatest gift we receive is a Savior who was born in a manger. There is nothing we need more than that. Just to prove that point, look at our Bible reading for today.

Jesus stood up in the synagogue at Nazareth and read this Old Testament passage. After rolling up the scroll, he said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4: 21). Jesus confirmed that he is the one to give all the blessings of this Isaiah passage. And what great blessings they are! The good news of God’s love and forgiveness is proclaimed to poor sinners like us. When our hearts are broken by all the heartbreakers of this life, Jesus is there to bind them up with his peace. Instead of feeling trapped by our sin and death, Jesus sets us free to live powerful lives of forgiveness and hope. He makes us strong oaks to stand in the face of troubles. He puts a crown on our heads and declares that we are children of the King. He clothes us in his righteousness to stand before our God and the world as a display of God’s splendor.

What’s on your Christmas list? It is comforting to know that, even if we were to receive none of the gifts on our list, we would still have all we need because we have Jesus, our Savior.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for being the only gift I could ever really need. 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.