Author: Kerry

[Jesus said] “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:39

Find Yourself

Daily Devotion – July 6, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 10:39

See series: Devotions

Do you know someone who was on a conventional path in life but then departed for something completely different? Maybe you tried to describe them to someone else by saying that they were “taking some time to find themselves.”

The expression refers to looking for a purpose in life that makes sense to you. You aren’t feeling it on a conventional path, so you look for a vibe that resonates with you. When you take time to find yourself, you are looking for something that makes you feel satisfied.

Jesus warns against finding yourself without him. Without Jesus as your Savior, it doesn’t matter how good you feel or how sweet the scene looks. All satisfactions are temporary, and eventually, you will lose the life you thought you found.

But when you lose a selfish life and find Jesus, you will be amazed to find a full and satisfying life that has been there for you all along. Your identity will be clear as a dear child of the only true God. Your future, eternal life in heaven, will be secure. There will be reasons for things you like, for the things that resonate with you, and in discovering those reasons, you will discover why God placed you where you are right now in life.

It might seem cryptic, even mysterious, but it makes sense in view of Jesus. Whoever loses their life for his sake will find it.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my heart is restless until I find my rest in 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.

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38

Take up Your Cross

Daily Devotion – July 5, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 10:38

See series: Devotions

At the end of this month, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod will meet in convention with the theme, “Embrace the Cross; Anticipate the Crown.”

At first glance, embracing the cross is a strange concept. The cross was a big wooden instrument of punishment. It was publicly shameful to die on a cross. People didn’t embrace the cross. They shied away from it. They did not want it for themselves, and they did not want it for their loved ones.

Knowing all this, Jesus still encouraged people to “take up their cross.” He explained that it meant to follow him even when there appeared to be unpleasant consequences all the way to death.

Following Jesus is still a challenge today. It’s not always popular, and it doesn’t always lead to pleasant consequences. It may mean denying some of our own desires and sensibilities. It may even lead to death.

But carrying a cross to follow Christ is worth it because he is the only one who can provide for our greatest needs. He went to the cross to die for our sins and win eternal life. He is our only hope! So, whatever challenges come our way because we worship and follow him might be painful, but we will gladly endure them because we know the crown we will one day wear because of him.

Prayer:
Lord, because your hands and feet were pierced for me, and because you were abandoned even by your heavenly Father, I am rescued. Be with me when I face my own crosses, and instill in me the confidence to say, “My Savior has won the victory for 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.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
1 Timothy 6:11,12

Free to Serve

Daily Devotion – July 4, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Timothy 6:11,12

See series: Devotions

Citizens of the United States celebrate the Fourth of July as the day the founders of the country made it clear they were willing to fight for their freedom. A close reading of history shows that those founders disagreed on which freedoms and how to fight for them.

We don’t have to disagree on what it means for Christians to fight the good fight of faith. The Bible is clear. It encourages Christians to flee from the love of money and to pursue things like righteousness and godliness instead. In our Christian freedom, we demonstrate persistent love for the people around us, confident that God will continue to bless us with forgiveness. With a stable government, Christians have the blessing to fight the good fight of faith with gentleness.

In a country with freedom of religion, Christians have gone beyond individual works of kindness and pooled their resources to help their whole communities in the areas of medical care, community support, and a social safety net. The Christian emphasis on helping women and children, widows, and orphans, continues to influence every country where the gospel is proclaimed to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people.

Even more important than these physical blessings is the message Christians have been privileged to proclaim. It is the message of full and free forgiveness found only in the saving work of Jesus. It is the message of freedom from the punishment our sins deserve and freedom to love and serve others to thank God for sending his Son to save us.

On this Fourth of July, thank the Lord for his blessings, large and small. Look for ways to serve others, especially with the good news about Jesus. Keep up the good work.

Prayer:
Almighty God, help me use the freedom you have won to serve the people you have brought into 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.

“Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”
Exodus 32:22-24

Blame Someone

Daily Devotion – July 3, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 32:22-24

See series: Devotions

The temptation to blame someone else is amazingly strong when it is our fault.

Aaron was a leader who saw first-hand how the Lord rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He was an eyewitness of any number of miracles and was aware of the awesome presence of the Lord on Mount Sinai.

But that did not prevent him from sanctioning idol worship in the form of a golden calf. Aaron’s relative, Moses, was terrifically angry when he came down from Sinai, and Aaron’s response in the face of guilt and anger is laughable. “They gave me the gold, I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

The rationalizations we tell ourselves in the face of guilt and anger are amazing. Even when we own up publicly to what we have done wrong, we are tempted to blame someone else in private.

The Lord calls us to repent. But while he tells us to take responsibility, he blames someone else for our sins. Jesus was innocent, but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Jesus took our eternal punishment by suffering hell. As a result, we are on the way to heaven.

God has performed any number of miracles in our lives. Among the greatest is calling us to faith in Jesus. Through him, we have forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me take responsibility for my sins, and lead me to trust in you for forgiveness. 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] “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:37-39

A Loving Relationship With God

Daily Devotion – July 2, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 10:37-39

See series: Devotions

Jesus wants us to be happy. He wants us to experience the greatness of his love and a life with God that gives us happiness that comes only through a relationship with him. That’s why he teaches that a loving relationship with him is more important than any other loving relationship we have with others.

It’s not always easy, though, to love Jesus more than any others. It is not easy to be a Christian when we are put down, disregarded, or rejected because of our faith.

It’s tempting to try and walk an easier path than the one that follows Jesus. But before we go down that way, listen to what Jesus says: “Whoever finds his life will lose it.” If our lives are driven to find satisfaction only in the people and things around us, then we will lose our connection with Jesus. And what a great loss that would be!

Jesus loves us dearly and wants the very best for us. By the connection we have with Jesus through faith, we find life—a life filled with his peace, his presence, his promise. We live with the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that Jesus is always with us, and that we can count on his sure promise to take us to be with him in heaven.

That’s the happiness that Jesus wants us to have and is worth everything to follow him faithfully all the days of our lives.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, and love you more dearly. 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 deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. . . . But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. . . . Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Jeremiah 20:7,8,11,13

You Cannot Lose With the Lord

Daily Devotion – July 1, 2023

Devotion based on Jeremiah 20:7,8,11,13

See series: Devotions

Jeremiah was given a very difficult task. God sent him to preach to the people of Judah—God’s chosen people. He was to warn them that if they did not repent of their sin, God was going to send the Babylonians to conquer them and take them captive. So this is what Jeremiah proclaimed.

As you might imagine, his message was not well-received. People do not like being told they are doing wrong. One of the leaders of Judah even had Jeremiah arrested and put in stocks. It was a difficult time for Jeremiah.

So he complained. He poured his heart out to the Lord, saying this was not right and this was not fair. Why should God’s enemies seem so successful while his servant suffers?

You know how Jeremiah felt, don’t you? You know how frustrating it can be to follow the Lord and receive ridicule in return. It can seem so unfair. And it can appear that you are on the losing side.

But you are not. Neither was Jeremiah. He had the almighty God on his side. What he prophesied came to pass. He was vindicated.

Remember this the next time you are ridiculed for your faith. Remember this the next time it seems you are on the losing side. You have the almighty God with you. He is like a mighty warrior. When you are on his side, you cannot lose.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, sometimes it seems so unfair when I follow you. You know how frustrated I am at times. When I begin to lose heart, send your Holy Spirit to strengthen me with the reminder that you are on my side and will ultimately give me the victory. 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.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7,8

The Crown of Righteousness

Daily Devotion – June 30, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:7,8

See series: Devotions

When you think of the great Olympic athletes of our age, maybe you picture Michael Phelps’ dominance in the pool. Or perhaps you imagine the picture of the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt smiling for the finish line camera as he finished meters ahead of his closest competitor. Olympic winners today receive a gold model, but in the Greco-Roman world of the apostle Paul’s day, they won a crown of olive leaves or laurels.

And one of the most famous Olympians of that era lived about a hundred years before Paul. His name was Leonidas of Rhodes. Evidence suggests that Leonidas was a twelve-time Olympic champion, the greatest runner of the ancient world. In his home city of Rhodes, he had his own statue with the words “He had the speed of a god” inscribed on it.

As Paul neared the end of his life, he used a couple of Olympic metaphors. He had fought the good fight drawing to mind the picture of a boxer lasting all the rounds in the ring. He had finished the race comparing himself to a runner. And what was in store for him? The crown of righteousness. Ancient Olympic crowns of leaves would spoil and fade, but not this crown of righteousness.

Leonidas of Rhodes may have been described as having the speed of a god, but Paul had the righteousness of the one true God. God credited that righteousness to Paul not because of anything he had done but because of the faith Paul had kept in Jesus as his Savior from sin.

Paul already had that righteousness, but when he died, he would be crowned in it, no longer weighed down by his sin but made perfect in Jesus. This crown of righteousness is for all who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for giving me your righteousness through the merits of Jesus Christ. Help me to run the race with my eyes fixed on you as I keep my faith 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.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure is near.
2 Timothy 4:6

Pour One Out

Daily Devotion – June 29, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:6

See series: Devotions

Do you know what it means to “pour one out”? It is not uncommon for people to pour out all or part of their drink in remembrance of someone. It’s done to memorialize a friend or family member who has passed away. Perhaps you’ve poured out a drink for a family member or friend.

The act of pouring out a drink is not a new concept. God commanded the Israelites to pour out a drink offering twice a day as part of their daily sacrifices. Those daily drink offerings always accompanied another sacrifice, the sacrifice of a lamb.

Near the end of his life, the apostle Paul described himself as being poured out like a drink offering. Paul knew that he would soon be martyred. His reference to the drink offering means that Paul viewed his death as an offering to God. He was willing to sacrifice his life for the preaching of the gospel, the good news of sins forgiven in Jesus.

Like those Old Testament drink offerings, Paul’s life being poured out accompanied another sacrifice, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus. Paul’s motivation to live his life as a sacrifice didn’t stand alone to impress God, but out of faith and thanksgiving for the sacrifice God had made for him.

On the cross, Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath. That cup was filled with the sins of the world, and Jesus drank it down to the dregs, paying for everyone’s sins. That’s what motivated Paul to pour out his life like a drink offering.

Western culture pours one out to remember someone. Paul poured out his life as a sacrifice to God. It’s not hard to pour out a drink in remembrance of someone; it’s another thing entirely to pour out your life out of thanks for what God has done for you. God doesn’t call all of us to be martyrs like he did Paul. But God does call us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul. In that way, we pour out our lives to the one who gave his life for us.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving your life for me. Help me live my life for 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.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3,4

Give Me Sound Doctrine

Daily Devotion – June 28, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:3,4

See series: Devotions

Around the year 1900, a man named Clark Stanley captivated audiences. A small stage was built in the town square, and Stanley created a spectacle. His sensationalist show involved using rattlesnakes to create a healing ointment. Stanley claimed his special Snake Oil Liniment was a quick and miraculous cure-all.

People ate it up. The spectacle, combined with the promise of a quick and easy remedy, proved too much to resist. People wanted what Stanley was selling. Even the term “snake oil” appealed to popular imagination since it was associated with exotic and mysterious healing substances.

Clark Stanley called himself the Rattlesnake King, but that’s not how he is remembered. Stanley is the original snake oil salesman known for selling fraudulent and ineffective products. His ointment was found to have very little, if any, snake oil and was primarily mineral oil. It couldn’t cure anything.

But people jeopardized their health and wasted their money because it looked and sounded so good. In the same way, we are tempted to jeopardize our spiritual health when we turn to teachings that look and sound good to us. These teachings might appeal to our desire for physical blessings or our need to make ourselves look good compared to others. Maybe some sort of secret and mysterious teaching makes us feel special.

Whatever it might be, if it turns us away from the truth of sound doctrine, then it is dangerous to our souls. Here is the sound doctrine that we need to hear again and again. I am a sinner for whom Jesus died. My relationship with God is repaired through Jesus, and I can do nothing to acquire this grace apart from receiving it freely as a gift from Jesus.

This is the sound doctrine to which we hold. May God keep it before us all the days of our lives.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me the times I’ve tried itching my ears with anything other than your truth. Keep me in 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.

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
2 Timothy 4:2

Give Us Skilled Preachers

Daily Devotion – June 27, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:2

See series: Devotions

Imagine a skilled blacksmith working in his shop. He meticulously prepares the metal, heats it in the fire, and hammers it into shape. He takes great care and attention to detail, ensuring the final product is strong, durable, and fit for its purpose.

Preachers of the Word of God act similarly to that blacksmith. They are entrusted with the task of using the gospel to transform hearts. They need to prepare themselves, just as the blacksmith prepares the metal. This involves immersing themselves in God’s Word, spending time in prayer, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide their work.

The blacksmith’s work is not confined to a single season. He is ready to work, whether it’s a scorching summer day or a bitterly cold winter night. Similarly, preachers of the Word must be prepared to preach the Word in season and out of season. There will be times when the message is well-received, and other times when it may be met with resistance or indifference. But just as the blacksmith doesn’t stop working because of unfavorable conditions, they must remain faithful and continue proclaiming God’s truth.

The blacksmith not only shapes the metal but also corrects and refines it. He may need to remove impurities, apply pressure, or make adjustments to ensure the final product is perfect. Preachers are called to correct and rebuke when necessary. This requires love and patience. But it is important to have someone in your life who is not afraid of these hard conversations. Someone who loves you enough that they are willing to be disliked if it means correction according to God’s Word.

Just as important as rebuking and correcting is encouragement, similar to how a blacksmith polishes and brings out the beauty of the finished piece.

The blacksmith’s work demands patience and careful instruction. He doesn’t rush the process but takes his time to ensure every strike is precise. Similarly, patience is important in spiritual instruction. Spiritual growth takes time, and preachers must be patient, guiding people with care and offering them the nourishment of God’s Word.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, provide preachers who love you and love your people, who faithfully share the good news of sins forgiven in 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.