Author: Kerry

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Isaiah 55:1-5

Eat What is Good

Daily Devotion – August 21, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 55:1-5

See series: Devotions

Do you click on those mouth-watering food pictures on social media? Have you noticed what happens? The companies who sell the food realize that you might buy something, so they arrange to show you more good pictures with links to purchase. They show you reviews of people who have bought, tasted, and enjoyed their food. They invite you to join a group of fans who love their product.

God offers you satisfying, rich spiritual food. He promises you the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation through faith in Jesus. He says you can live without guilt now because he has removed it. God’s food is free for you because Jesus has paid for it.

God invites you to read David’s review in Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

God invites you to see the splendor of people who trust him and to become a fan, no matter where you live. You can trust this offer because God is perfectly holy. You can enjoy this offer because God is love.

What are you waiting for? Listen to God and eat what is good!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for supplying me with my salvation without money and without cost, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, the Holy One of Israel. 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.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39

God Allows Hardship

Daily Devotion – August 20, 2020

Devotion based on Romans 8:35-39

See series: Devotions

People who become Christians in order to avoid hardship are going to be surprised.

Christians suffer hardship in spite of being Christian. They have problems in life, both personal and family troubles. They go through whatever their countries are going through, even war or famine.

Christians suffer hardship because of being Christian. They take moral stands that do not match what is socially acceptable. They believe things that are considered foolish. Sometimes their lives are even in danger.

But it is still worthwhile to become a Christian. How can that be true?

Christians receive the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. God loves them because of what Jesus did for them. Jesus was slaughtered for their sins. They are forgiven. Jesus faced death and hell in their place. They will go to heaven.

God’s love is so powerful that nothing is able to separate Christians from it. Time cannot dim God’s love, and evil things cannot talk him out of it. Through Christ Jesus their Lord, Christians are confident of God’s continuing love.

Does God still love them even when bad things happen to them? Absolutely and completely. Nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus their Lord.

Prayer:
Thank you for your love even through hardship, 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.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” . . . Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
Genesis 41:41-43,46-49

God Gives Times of Plenty

Daily Devotion – August 19, 2020

Devotion based on Genesis 41:41-43,46-49

See series: Devotions

Joseph saw a lot of ups and downs. By the age of thirty, he had been his father’s favorite, then a slave; a trusted servant, then a prisoner. Most of those dramatic changes had been unforeseen, but when God gave Joseph the ability to interpret some important dreams, Joseph realized that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, realized it too, and he put Joseph in charge of making the most of those seven years of abundance.

We can learn a couple of things from the life of Joseph. When we are in the lean years, when things are going poorly, we can be confident that God will also give times of plenty. He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Along with him, he will graciously give us all things. (See Romans 8:32.)

When we are in the abundant years, it is prudent for us not to live in wild abandon, but instead to store things up for the lean years. We do not know how successful that will be, since moths and vermin destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But above all, we listen to the Word of God, and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. (See Matthew 6:19,20.)

Prayer:
When life is a roller coaster, Lord, give me stability in your promises. 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 everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:4,5

Recognize Gifts from Jesus

Daily Devotion – August 18, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Timothy 4:4,5

See series: Devotions

I wonder if I should feel guilty. I see all of the people suffering in the worldwide pandemic, and I have enough food. I hear about the increase in domestic violence when people are forced to stay at home, but my marriage seems to improve as I spend more time with my spouse.

God encourages me not to feel guilty when I have enough food. In fact, he encourages me to thank him for providing such abundance even though I don’t deserve it. When I am tempted to take my food for granted, God reminds me to pray before I eat and read his Word after I eat. God gave me this food, so I know it’s good.

God encourages me not to feel guilty when I have good family relationships. Marriage and family are gifts from God, who knows that it’s not good for me to be alone. When I’m honest, I know I don’t deserve unconditional love from parents, spouse, children, or grandchildren, but God provides it and encourages me to be thankful for it. God gave me this family, so I know it’s good.

When I have an abundance of food, I have the wherewithal to help meet the food needs of people in my community. When things in my own family life are good, I have the emotional stability to encourage other people in a loving, godly way. I act from a thankful heart, not a guilty one.

And that’s because God has taken away my guilt by giving me forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. He is the Bread of Life, satisfying my spiritual hunger. He is my brother, and he has brought me into the Christian family. When I’m clear on those facts, I recognize all of his other gifts to me.

Prayer:
Give me the awareness to thank you for my blessings, Lord, and to share them with joy. 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 Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:14-21

Jesus Works Miracles

Daily Devotion – August 17, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 14:14-21

See series: Devotions

When the doctor says you have six months to live, is it okay to pray for a miracle?

Yes, it’s okay to pray for a miracle.

Jesus did miracles. He fed over five thousand people from just five loaves and two fish. He proved to his disciples that he was God.

Jesus is still God, and he still does miracles. People are cured with no medical explanation. People with diseases live much longer than predicted or expected.

Sometimes when Jesus has compassion on you, he heals your sickness. At other times, your sickness lingers, but Jesus still has compassion on you. You can be sure of that because he has already taken care of the greater sickness in your life—the sickness of your sinfulness. Jesus took the punishment for your sinfulness when he was wounded on the cross, suffering hell, and he promises that your sinfulness will not lead to eternal death. Instead, Jesus shows compassion for you and gives you eternal life through faith in him.

God performs miracles every day when he brings people to faith in Jesus. Pray for that miracle. And feel free to pray for the miracle of healing. God may answer that prayer in a way you don’t expect, but it will still be good.

Prayer:
Jesus, let me find healing in your precious wounds. 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.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:35-37

We are Winners

Daily Devotion – August 16, 2020

Devotion based on Romans 8:35-37

See series: Devotions

Not everyone wins in an election. It is the same way in most contests in life—there are winners, and there are losers. Our children often learn this at an early age when they play in little league, flag football, basketball, or some other sport. There is a winner and a loser at the end of each game. If you have ever participated in any type of contest and won, you know the exhilarating feeling that you have had. However, if you have lost, you also know the feeling of having been defeated.

When it comes to the contest of life and our final destiny, the good news for God’s people is that we are winners. Even if things in our lives don’t seem to be going that well, the Bible assures us that God is with us, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

God is for us. He proved it in sacrificing his only Son in our place. He shows it every day as he freely gives us all we need and works all things for our eternal good. He’s with us as he daily forgives us and defends us.

As we encounter personal problems and troubles, as we are faced with our many sins, the fear may arise that the Lord no longer loves us. However, God tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. In him, we win.

Prayer:
My God and Savior, help me face the challenges of my life with the knowledge that you are always with me and that nothing can separate me from your 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.

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Psalm 119:97

True Character

Daily Devotion – August 15, 2020

Devotion based on Psalm 119:97

See series: Devotions

What do you think when you read or hear the words of our Bible reading for today? The Psalmist said that he loved God’s Word and that he meditates on it all day long. Does that cause a twinge of guilt to arise in your heart? Does it make you think about those times when you have not loved what the Bible had to say about the way you are to live your life? Does it make you think about how little you think about what God says in his Word? The truth is, no one loves all of what the Bible says all the time, and no one thinks about God’s Word as often as they ought.

No one, that is, except Jesus. Jesus loved every single aspect of God’s Word. Jesus perfectly meditated on what God says—every single moment of every single day. And he did this, not just for his own benefit but for yours. The Bible says that Jesus gives you his perfect life as a gift even as he took all of your sins on himself when he died on the cross.

Isn’t that great!? It makes you want to thank him, doesn’t it? How can you thank him? By listening to what he says in his Word and living the way he instructs you there. And, you will discover that the more you read and listen to what he says in the Bible, the more you will fall in love with what he says. You, too, will want to meditate on it all day long.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I praise you that God has declared me holy in his sight on the basis of your perfect life for me. Free me from all that stands between me and you, so that I may meditate upon your word all day long. 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] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 13:44

Your Treasure

Daily Devotion – August 14, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 13:44

See series: Devotions

What do you treasure? Your family? Your stuff? Your teams? Your money? You treasure all sorts of things. Your treasure is what you sink your time into and talk about. It’s what your thoughts turn to again and again. The people you spend time with probably have a pretty good idea what you treasure.

It is certainly easy to see what the man in Jesus’ parable valued. After all, he sold everything he had to get it! He realized that the treasure in that field was more valuable than everything else he had put together.

Jesus told this parable to help us understand that being part of his kingdom, his family, is more valuable than everything else we have put together. Your house won’t last forever. Your car won’t last forever. Your career won’t last forever. Even your relationships won’t last forever. But, the kingdom of heaven will last forever.

So, don’t be fooled. Don’t think that anything or anyone in your life is as valuable as a relationship with your Creator—a relationship only made possible through Jesus and his saving work. Hold on to that relationship more tightly than anything else. Let it be what you sink your time into and talk about. Let it be what your thoughts turn to again and again. You can be sure it will be worth it!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to treasure you and your kingdom most of all. 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.

Those [God] called, he also justified.
Romans 8:30

Justified

Daily Devotion – August 13, 2020

Devotion based on Romans 8:30

See series: Devotions

Imagine you are in God’s courtroom. He is the judge. You are on trial for breaking his law: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Be perfect. No sin. Every thought, always perfect, all the time. Every word, always perfect, all the time. Everything you do, always perfect, all the time. Are you that good? No. So, how are you going to defend yourself?

Self-justification? Justify means to declare not guilty. But no courtroom allows the person on trial to declare him or herself not guilty. The Judge has to do that. So self-justification simply won’t work.

But there is hope for you. Just don’t look inside yourself for defense in this trial. Look outside yourself.

Look to a manger where the newborn Son of God lies. Look to the perfect life Jesus lived for you; every temptation trounced. Look to a bloody cross, where sin’s wage was paid. Look to an empty tomb, where sin was buried, and death was broken. Look to Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

So, how do you defend yourself? Try this: “Your honor, I admit that I deserve to be separated from you forever. But I know One who suffered on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He has taken away my sin.”

And just like that, the trial is over. The verdict? Not guilty. God justifies you for Jesus’ sake. Who could ever have imagined? Only a God as good as ours.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for serving my sentence, on the cross, in my place to justify 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.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Good in All Things

Daily Devotion – August 12, 2020

Devotion based on Romans 8:28

See series: Devotions

How can the Bible say that God works all things for our good? It’s not that we don’t want the statement to be true. It’s just that it does not seem to be true. That little word “all” makes it hard to believe.

How can God work all things for our good when so much badness piles up? Think of the cancer diagnosis, or the lost job, or the car accident, or the sick friend. Take your pick of any awful scenario that has happened to you or someone you care about. How can it be good? Why does God allow it?

Is it maybe because you don’t love God enough? After all, the verse says that God works all things for the good “of those who love him,” and you can probably think of many times when you have not loved God.

Don’t go down that path. It only leads to uncertainty and despair. Instead, focus on how “those who love God” are further described as people “who have been called according to [God’s] purpose.” What a relief! God’s calling was not of your doing or deserving; it was according to God’s purpose. He loves you, and his plan has always been to work bad things for your good.

He did this in the past when he sent Jesus, who “took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus knew a thing or two about badness. And yet God worked Jesus’ horrific suffering and death for the greatest good of all: your eternal salvation.

He continues to work all things for your good in the present. Your life is also part of God’s purpose. He is in control and makes sure that everything that happens to you will fit together in a good way. You may not understand the plan, but he does. And in the end, you know that the outcome will be perfect because that is God’s promise.

Prayer:
Lord God, help me to accept your good purpose for me in bad times as well as 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.