Author: Kerry

This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
2 Timothy 2:8b-9

Chains

Daily Devotion – October 27, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 2:8b-9

See series: Devotions

There Paul sat. He was in a dungeon in Rome. His execution was near. And as he wrote his last letter, he also had to deal with something we don’t always consider. He had to deal with the reality of wearing a chain.

In the 1st Century, chains for prisoners were made of rough iron. They weighed an average of 15 pounds. How the authorities placed the chain on you could vary. They might place your chain on one of your legs or both of your legs, on one of your wrists or both of your wrists. Or they might decide to place it around your neck. They might chain you to another prisoner, or they might chain you to all the other prisoners who are there.

The chain you wore could be painful. The rough iron would easily rust from your perspiration. The sheer weight of your chain could be debilitating. And the noisy creaking of your chain would be constant.

In the darkness of that dungeon, therefore, Paul understood the limitations he faced as a Christian proclaimer of the gospel. All he had to do was see, and feel, and hear the chain on his body.

But he knew something else. He also knew that God’s Word was not chained.

As we walk through this life, the Lord calls upon us to share the gospel with others. As we work to do that, however, you and I are painfully aware of our limitations. We know how lazy we can get. We know how fearful we can be. And no one has to tell us how often our sinful behavior has threatened to drown out the very message the Lord wants to proclaim through us.

The chains of our sinful limitations can be many. But God’s Word is not chained. The Good News of full forgiveness through faith alone in Jesus Christ—this Good News has a power and a vigor all its own. It is the gospel that pierces stone-cold hearts. It is the gospel that makes alive. It is the gospel that changes destinies—one soul at a time.

With all that in mind, Paul continued to share the unchained gospel, chains and all. You and I can too.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, never let the chains of my own limitations discourage me from sharing your gospel. I may be chained, but your Word is not. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15

Always Prepared

Daily Devotion – October 26, 2018

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:15

See series: Devotions

As I write this devotion, another hurricane is bearing down on U.S. soil. It is predicted to be the most powerful storm that region has seen in over 150 years of weather records.

Residents need to prepare for what’s coming to protect life and property from the storm. Meanwhile, people in other areas are preparing to help those affected by the storm.

God’s Word commands us to be prepared. The apostle Peter wrote, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Peter was writing to people who were facing all kinds of troubles. They were being persecuted, arrested, and even killed because they trusted Jesus as their Savior and set apart Christ as Lord.

But Peter knew that God is always in control, and he wanted Christians to see even these troubles and hardships as opportunities. When they were arrested and ordered to defend themselves, they would have the chance to talk about Jesus.

They could talk about the difference Jesus made in their lives. They could talk about the sure hope they had even in the darkest moments of life.

They had hope because Jesus too was put on trial and faithfully spoke the truth about who he was and what he came to do. Through his innocent suffering and death at the hands of his enemies and his resurrection three days later, death was destroyed, and every sin was forgiven. Eternal life was theirs! And it is ours!

We too have the certainty of forgiveness and the sure hope of eternal life through Jesus. And we never know when our conversation with someone will lead to the opportunity to give the reason for the hope that we have. And so, we always want to be prepared.

We prepare by listening to God’s Word, by learning more about what God has prepared for us in his perfect love. Keep listening. Keep learning. And be prepared to share your hope in Christ.

And if you are among those affected by hurricanes or other hardships, we are praying for you. May God’s Word give you hope for yourself and hope to share.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have prepared heaven for us. Now prepare us to share our hope 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Acts 8:4

Scattered Preachers

Daily Devotion – October 25, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 8:4

See series: Devotions

The pastor looks so dignified as he gets up to preach a sermon. He has spent long hours studying a portion of God’s Word and in a well-prepared and polished fashion he delivers a message that clearly shows you your sin and points you to the cross of your Savior Jesus. At least that’s the ideal! When pastors strive for this ideal, they strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus’ closest followers who were commissioned by the risen Lord himself (Matthew 28:19). Throughout the Book of Acts the apostles looked so confident, polished, and prepared as they preached Christ boldly. But what do we see here in Acts chapter 8? “A great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). How terrible! Because of violent opposition to Christianity, believing men and women were scattered! They were forced away from their loving and supportive church home in Jerusalem. They no longer had the apostles that God sent to preach to them. What could they do now? In verse 4, God tells us that “those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

How amazing! These men and women were not divinely called to take a leading role in the church like the apostles were. They were mostly new believers in Christ. They were not sent preachers in the sense that Christ sent them out with a divine call. They were scattered preachers! Painful events in their life had forced them away from familiar people and places. Once scattered, they came into contact with new people and places. Many of them did what often comes naturally to a new believer. They shared the good news of Jesus wherever they went! Were they as bold, as persuasive, and as powerful as the apostles? Probably not. But through their testimony to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, people were saved and the church grew. It is amazing how God worked through these scattered preachers!

Sometimes people today may get the impression that because they are not as polished and prepared as a pastor, they have no business sharing the gospel with people. Nonsense! A professional football player doesn’t always need the perfect moves to score some points. Sometimes, all they need to do is push ahead, stumble, and bumble their way across the goal line. The reality of a Savior who died on a cross to forgive our stumbling and bumbling attempts to preach the gospel is certainly a source of great comfort for pastors who have been sent to preach. Let that same gospel comfort empower your efforts to share Jesus as a “scattered preacher.” You may not have been sent to preach in the same way as your pastor has been sent. But God has used events in your life to move you around and put you into contact with people who need to hear about Jesus. You have been “scattered” for a purpose. The Book of Acts shows us what wonderful things God can do with his “scattered preachers.”

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, thank you using the events of my life to bring me into contact with people who need your love and forgiveness. Bless me with opportunities to share your love and forgiveness that have been shared with 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

The Message for All Seasons

Daily Devotion – October 24, 2018

Devotion based on Isaiah 53:10-12

See series: Devotions

For Christians around the world who annually observe the season of Lent (the 40 days before Easter—reviewing the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus), Isaiah’s amazing chapter 53 prophecy is, at that time, a common reading. But now it’s mid-fall! Many thoughts are trending toward mission festivals, the Reformation, and Thanksgiving! Yet, Isaiah’s Spirit-inspired prophecy continues to be “The Message for All Seasons.” It is a message that foretells the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ!

At first reading, or first hearing, today’s lesson seems complex and even confusing. That is because of the personal pronouns. Let’s repeat the lesson, identifying the pronouns and descriptive titles. The power of Isaiah’s chapter 53 prophecy lies in its precision. It was exactly fulfilled by Jesus!

“It was the Lord’s (God the Father’s) will to crush him (Jesus, our Savior) and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord (God the Father) makes his (Jesus’) life a guilt offering, he (the Father) will see his offspring (Jesus) and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his (Jesus’) hand. After the suffering of his (Jesus’) soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my (the Father’s) righteous servant (Jesus) will justify many (i.e. the great mass—all sinners), and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I (the Father) will give him (Jesus) a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.”

That’s “The Message for All Seasons” and for all people! Think about it, and if you can, yet today, read Philippians 2:6-11 as a glorious post log to Isaiah’s precious prophecy.

Prayer:
Lord, when a portion of your Word seems very deep to me, grant me the Spirit’s help to understand, and/or give me courage to ask a pastor about it. The message of salvation, foretold and fulfilled, is my peace and 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Our Perfect Substitute

Daily Devotion – October 23, 2018

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:14-16

See series: Devotions

I remember being a teenager and believing, “my parents just don’t understand. They don’t know what it’s like to be me. They don’t understand the pressure to be popular, the pain of gossip, and the shame of being left out.” I didn’t realize that my parents still remembered what it was like to be a teenager.

I have young children and the cycle continues. They just can’t believe that I can remember how hard it is to be a kid. But I do. I do know what they are going through.

On a much higher level, we struggle to believe that the almighty God knows what it’s like to be human. So, we struggle to pray to God with transparency because it’s difficult to understand how he can relate to our pain.

That is why we love these words from Hebrews chapter four. The writer says that Jesus is our High Priest. That means Jesus is the mediator between us and our heavenly Father. But he is not a high priest that is out-of-touch with our feelings. Jesus came into this world and experienced everything we do. He was tempted in every way that we are.

The only difference: Jesus did not sin.

The writer reminds us of Jesus’ holiness, not to shame us, but to encourage us. Jesus is our perfect substitute and Savior. Jesus gives us his perfect record as a gift. Therefore, we can approach God with absolute confidence. We can tell him what we struggle with and all our guilt and pain. He hears us and even empathizes with us. And most of all, he forgives us.

Prayer:
Lord God, you know what it’s like to be misunderstood, even hated. You know what it’s like to be tempted. I pray that you would both forgive my sins and lead me to walk in your ways. And I will give you all the glory. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus]. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask. … Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” … When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:35,37,41-45

Saved to Serve

Daily Devotion – October 22, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 10:35,37,41-45

See series: Devotions

James and John were ambitious. They knew that great things were in store for Jesus and those who followed him. They wanted to be rewarded and recognized as Jesus’ closest disciples.

We are ambitious. We like to be acknowledged. We want God to bless and prosper us right here, right now. We want mom and dad’s approval. We want classmates to envy us. We want the corner office at work. We want to be the Joneses in our neighborhood. But because of our sin, we all fall short. We fall short of other’s expectations, of personal goals, of God’s glory.

Jesus had ambitions too, and he did not fall short. He did not come to earth to push people around. He had his sights set on saving humanity from the damning consequence of sin. He came to serve the world by offering his holy life as a payment for all sin. And God gave his approval of Jesus’ work by raising him from the dead.

By faith in Jesus, we have God’s full acceptance. We are his beloved children in whom he is well-pleased. Since we already have God’s full recognition, we don’t need to seek it from the world. Motivated by the Son of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are free to use our energy to serve others. Our ambition is that others see Jesus in us and hear about him from us, so they become God’s children too.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, forgive me for my selfish ambition. Grant me a spirit of humility and a heart that looks out for the needs of others. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. … Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. … When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. … Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” … Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. … Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth 1:1-19 (selected verses)

God Heals Our Brokenness

Daily Devotion – October 21, 2018

Devotion based on Ruth 1:1-19 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

What was Ruth thinking? She had married into a family from Israel after they had immigrated into her country of Moab. This family experienced great misfortune. They had left Israel because of a famine. The father of the family died before Ruth married his son. Then both sons died, leaving only Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi, and a sister-in-law.

When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem in Israel, Ruth went with her. Why?

If Ruth went back with Naomi, what did her future hold? Ruth would be living in a foreign land far from her parents and siblings. Customs would be different. Ruth’s chances of remarriage were slim. When Ruth swore faithful, unwavering love to her mother-in-law, what was she thinking?

Could Ruth have been thinking about the God her new family had shared with her? This God promised to rescue his people from their guilt and sin. Were his promises more important to Ruth than a comfortable life in Moab?

We can find “spiritual” people who promise to make us prosper, give us a fantastic marriage or career success. God’s promises are different. He doesn’t promise a pain-free life filled with success. He promises to take care of our deepest needs—our brokenness because we have insisted on living our lives on our terms, not God’s. God sent his Son Jesus to heal us of our brokenness and take away our guilt. Jesus suffered in our place to restore us into God’s family. Jesus fills our hearts with joy, peace, contentment no matter how pleasant or painful our life is right now.

Ruth knew God’s forgiveness was far greater than any short-term struggles she faced in Israel. She wanted to stay with the God of undeserved love who healed broken people.

God makes the same promises to us!

Prayer:
Lord, help me look past my current struggles and heartache to see your promises of forgiveness, comfort, rescue, and healing. Strengthen my faith to think about my eternal hope. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Habakkuk 1:2-3

Justice in Due Time

Daily Devotion – October 20, 2018

Devotion based on Habakkuk 1:2-3

See series: Devotions

Was God’s prophet preaching this 2,500 years ago or just last week?

When Habakkuk looked out his front window, he saw violence and injustice. The bad guys just did whatever they wanted to. All of Habakkuk’s neighbors seemed OK with injustice and violence. They took advantage of evil to advance their own cause without any concern for the people getting hurt. Habakkuk could not understand how God allowed all this wrong to happen. Wasn’t he a just God? Wasn’t he a loving God? Habakkuk prayed and prayed the Lord would set things right, but nothing happened.

Sound familiar? Today people abuse their authority to take advantage of others. People disrespect authority to hurt others. People jump to conclusions and ignore facts just to prove their point. No one seems concerned about the people getting hurt. Most people just want to win the argument and advance their personal agenda. Why doesn’t God punish the evil doers? Why does God tolerate all the destruction and violence we see in this world? Why doesn’t he bring an end to conflict and peace to strife-torn hearts?

God answered Habakkuk’s prayer by explaining he would bring justice in his own time and way. God told Habakkuk to be patient and trust that God would do the right thing at the right time–which God did.

Do we really want God to bring justice in our time? Think about it. Have I lost my temper? Have I cut people down with my words? How concerned am I really about people getting hurt by others? What am I doing to help relieve the pain of the suffering? If God pays back people what they deserve, will he be paying me a visit? Do I really want to beg God to bring justice to the world?

Our God already has. On a cross outside of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, God brought justice to this world. He blasted Jesus with all the punishment deserved by all the violence and evil and wrong committed by the human race. God’s Son unjustly suffered in our place. Jesus took that burden because he did not want us condemned. He wanted us forgiven.

On the cross, God’s justice collided with God’s love. On the cross, God punished all wrong-doers by punishing Jesus. On the cross, God forgave all wrong-doers by punishing Jesus. Relying on Jesus as our Savior, we can look forward to meeting God without any fear. Because of Jesus, God will welcome us into heaven.

God will also take care of justice here on earth—in his own time and his own way. Sometimes we will have to wait patiently for God to act. Most importantly for us, we know God has already acted to forgive our sin. We never have to fear that he will punish us. Jesus took our place!

Prayer:
Lord, bring about justice in your own time and way. Give me patience when I am troubled by injustice. Give me a stronger faith that you will never condemn me, despite my sin. Jesus died in my place, for which I am eternally grateful! Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Declare [the LORD’s] glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:3

Spread the News

Daily Devotion – October 19, 2018

Devotion based on Psalm 96:3

See series: Devotions

When you see something amazing, you just have to share it: the grandeur of a waterfall or canyon, an astounding play or accomplishment in an athletic contest, an inspiring performance on a stage, or anything else that strikes you as rare and remarkable. You want someone to know what you saw and to share in your excitement and amazement.

The Bible is filled with awe-inspiring scenes and stories, and they are all true. God speaks, and a beautiful world unfolds before him out of nothing. God intervenes, and kingdoms rise and fall according to his plan. God acts, miracles happen, and life is never the same again.

Heaven opens, and the Son of God is born of a woman. Shepherds come from near, wise men come from far, and they return home, telling others about the things they have heard and seen, declaring God’s glory among the nations.

The grave opens, first to receive the Son of God after he is crucified on a cross, and then to reveal that the Son of God has risen from the dead three days later. And friends and followers go out to tell the good news, declaring God’s marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Because people like them shared the good news with you, you know and trust Jesus, the Savior who came to live in your place, to die your death, and to rise again for you.

As you hear and read what the Bible says, you see more of the grandeur of God’s plan to save you and of the heaven that is waiting for you. You witness the awesome way that God won the victory over sin and death for you. You watch an inspiring and flawless performance that changes your life forever!

Thank God for those who have shared Jesus with you. Then go, spread the news! Tell those near and far about the marvelous deeds God has done for you and for them. Invite them to church with you. Share a devotion on social media. Talk to a friend about what you’ve heard, seen, and read. What God has done is too amazing to keep to yourself!

Prayer:
Amazing God, your deeds are marvelous and amazing. Move me to declare your praises wherever I go. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.