Category: Daily Devotions

It is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. . . . What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10,12

The Answer is Revealed

Daily Devotion – February 16, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 2:9-10,12

See series: Devotions

“I don’t get it! I don’t understand!” As students in school or learners in life, we have all been there. A difficult math problem. A perplexing philosophical question. An irreconcilable relationship issue. Aren’t you grateful for the patient teacher, the caring classmate, or the wise parent who helps you? The light bulb goes on. The answer is revealed. “Ahh…now I get it! Now I understand!”

On our own, we are in the dark when it comes to understanding God and knowing how he operates. But God doesn’t want us to be in the dark. So, he reveals himself in the Bible. There, he shows us that we can’t do what he demands of us to win his love. We can’t do what it takes to be perfect like him so that we might live with him.

Then, the Spirit shows us what God has done for us in Jesus. Jesus lived and died for us to solve the problem that has no other solution. He won forgiveness for our failings. He rose from the dead to show his power over death and every other problem of life. He promises that he is with us in this world that he controls. And one day he will take those who trust in him to live with him in heaven.

The Spirit shows us the truths about God. The light bulb goes on. The answers are revealed. “Ahh…now I get it! Now I understand!”

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for sending your Spirit through your Word to show me your love 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.

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The Light Will Speak For Itself

Daily Devotion – February 15, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

See series: Devotions

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most persuasive men of his time. Through a combination of carefully chosen words, good humor, and common sense, Franklin enjoyed great success when it came to winning people over to his point of view.

There was an episode, however, when Benjamin Franklin set his eloquence aside. His home city of Philadelphia did not have streetlamps. Franklin thought it should. But its residents were satisfied with dark streets. Franklin could have unleashed the power of his pen and worked to convince his fellow residents of the many benefits of streetlamps. Instead, he took a different approach. He simply set up a streetlamp outside of his own house. After sunset, the lamp’s light attracted the curiosity of his neighbors. Gradually, the word spread about how wonderful it was to walk near Mr. Franklin’s house at night without fear of stumbling in the dark. Soon the people of Philadelphia were persuaded. Streetlamps for the entire city quickly followed.

There are times when we have a habit of worrying ourselves into silence when it comes to telling someone about Jesus. We convince ourselves that we can convert someone to Christ through our own wisdom and winsome words.

But we can’t. Instead, we have something far better. We have the light of God’s Word. We have God’s promise that his Holy Spirit will work through the words we share about Jesus. By his power, not ours, souls will be persuaded of their need for a Savior from sin and that Jesus is that Savior. So, let the light of God’s Word shine in your life and watch as he uses it to save souls.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, as I tell others about their Savior, help me to trust in you and the power of your Word rather than in myself and my words. 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] “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-20 (selected verses)

Be Salt and Light

Daily Devotion – February 14, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 5:13-20 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

Salt and light are essential for life.

Salt is essential for the proper function of nerves and muscles. It also plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and digestion of food. Without salt, the human body is at risk of heart failure.

The light of the sun is essential to life on earth. The sun controls the changing seasons and weather. The sun generates energy in plants that supply the earth with oxygen. Without the light of the sun, the world would be a lifeless ball of ice-covered rock.

Jesus says that his followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. They are not essential for the physical preservation of the world. They are essential for the spiritual preservation of the world.

Jesus’ followers know that Jesus paid for their sins when he died on the cross and that he gave them eternal life when he rose from the grave on Easter morning. They are so thrilled to know these things that they demonstrate God’s love as they interact with the people of this world. This is what Jesus meant when he said that his followers are the salt and light of the world. The people of this world need to know the true God and all he has done for them. God uses Jesus’ followers to tell them.

What an awesome opportunity! What an awesome privilege!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: supplement – 771)
Heavenly Father, I want to walk as a child of the light; I want to follow Jesus. You set the stars to give light to the world, the star of my life is Jesus. Grant me a heart like his, that all may be drawn by me to 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.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

Live as Light in the World

Daily Devotion – February 13, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Peter 2:9

See series: Devotions

Businesses spent over five million dollars for a 30-second commercial at this year’s Super Bowl. They reached 100 million viewers. Despite that far-reaching audience, analysts say that the best advertising is still personal endorsement.

Like Super Bowl ads, the Bible has a global reach. It is the most circulated book in the world. Yet, those who need it most won’t read it. They will, however, read you. In fact, it was to this that God called you.

Once you were lost, but God sent Jesus to seek you out. You were an outsider, but God made you family through faith in his Son. You were just another face in the crowd, but by his Spirit God set you apart. You were second-rate, but clothed in Christ, you are God’s gem.

As his special treasure, God puts you on display. God wants those outside his kingdom to see the night-and-day difference he made in your life. His hope is that the world takes notice of your joy in Jesus.

Let the world see the wonders that God has done for you. Show them that God has given you a place in his family by living as a stranger in this world. Show them that you have a permanent home in heaven by not getting too cozy here. Show them you are looking forward to eternal pleasures by not giving in to fleeting moments of sinful pleasure. Let them see God’s goodness to you by living honorably among the natives of this world.

By God’s power, when they see and hear your personal endorsement of God’s mercy, you may win over their hearts for the Lord.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 471)
Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright, illumined with the light of grace that issues from your holy face. 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 I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified . . . so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:1,2,5

Someone who will Never Disappoint

Daily Devotion – February 12, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 2:1,2,5

See series: Devotions

No one likes to be let down. No one likes to be disappointed, especially when the one disappointing us is someone we respect and trust. The problem is, eventually everyone we admire will disappoint us in one way or another. The parent who seemed perfect while you were a child suddenly reveals flaws as you grow older and wiser. The professor who seemed to know it all when you were in school turns out to have made mistakes. No matter whom we admire or how much we admire them, eventually, they will let us down.

The apostle Paul knew this. He knew it about himself. He was a sinful man just like every other man. And he knew there was a danger that the people who heard him preach and teach might make too much of him. They might equate the validity of his message with the reliability of his person. And if they did, they might abandon his message when he let them down.

So, he told them not to make that mistake. He reminded them that the validity of his message was not dependent on his personality or power of persuasion. His message was valid because it was true. And his message was powerful because God made it so.

Christians today are in danger of making the same mistake as the first-century Christians to whom Paul gave this warning. We can put our trust in the people who tell us about Jesus rather than in the message about Jesus.

Thankfully, the forgiveness of our sins and hope of heaven does not rely on the people who preach to us about it. It relies on the cross of Christ–where he shed his blood to pay for the sins that separated us from our God. It is an accomplished fact.

No matter how often other people disappoint us, Jesus never has and never will.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 387)
Drawn to the cross, which you have blessed with healing gifts for souls distressed, to find in you my life, my rest, Christ crucified, I come. 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 fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15,16

Serve the Lord

Daily Devotion – February 11, 2020

Devotion based on Joshua 24:15,16

See series: Devotions

If you read a good book, there is some excitement when you reach the end of a chapter. What will happen next? When you finish a chapter in your life, there can be some uncertainty. What will you do next?

Joshua was near the end of his earthly life. Joshua was the man God chose to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan. Before his death, Joshua gave a farewell address to the people. He said, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

“Whom will I serve?” That’s an important question for you to ask yourself. Not just at the end of some season in your life. Every morning is a new chapter. You may plan ahead of time that today you will go here and do that. But before you do anything, dedicate yourself to serving the Lord in everything.

Why would you do such a thing? Just remember what the Lord, in his grace, has done for you. Jesus has delivered you from slavery to sin and has given you a place in his family. Amid life’s changes, he is always your rock. And at the end of your life, he will lead you safely through death to the eternal Promised Land of heaven.

There is blessing in serving the Lord in everything. Throw away the idols that you served yesterday because they cannot save you. Turn your heart to the Lord who alone satisfies your desires. Pray for courage. And let the world see, by humble acts of kindness, the choice of your heart.

Say along with Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Prayer: (adapted from the hymn, Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
Lord Jesus Christ, I confess your holy name. Help me to cast every idol from its throne. Give me courage to show the world that you, with Father and Holy Spirit, are God alone. To you all praise and 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: . . . to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:6-9

Finding God

Daily Devotion – February 10, 2020

Devotion based on Isaiah 58:6-9

See series: Devotions

“I’m showing God how sorry I am for my sins, but God isn’t noticing.”

“I’m doing all kinds of good, but God isn’t reciprocating.”

“I keep praying, but God isn’t listening.”

“Where is God?”

It’s natural for us to say such things when the going gets tough. We expect that if we do good and work hard, good will come back to us. We assume that God should work the same way. If I do what God commands of me, God should reward me. That’s just fair.

But that’s not the way God works. God is not good and merciful to us because we are good toward him or merciful to others. He is good to us because he is good. He gives us what we don’t deserve. He gives forgiveness, daily bread, and eternal life through faith in Jesus who lived, died, and rose again for us.

What does God want? He wants hearts that humbly admit and turn from sin. He wants faith that joyfully trusts in and turns to Jesus for forgiveness. He wants lives that respond to his grace with thanks by serving others with sincerity.

Where is God? You will find him where he has promised always to be—in his Word recorded in the Bible. Make God’s Word your delight and he will satisfy the desires of your heart.

Prayer:
Jesus, Savior, wash away all that I’ve done wrong today. Make me ever more like you, good and gentle, kind and true. 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] “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14

A City on a Hill

Daily Devotion – February 9, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 5:14

See series: Devotions

The Sea of Galilee sits down in a “bowl,” with ridges rising all around it. Jesus was on one of those hillsides when he said, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” On the top of one of those ridges is a city called Safed. It’s thought that Safed was the city to which Jesus was referring in this passage. When you’re near the Sea of Galilee, you can see Safed for miles and miles.

Now put yourself into the shoes of the ancient fishermen, out on the lake and fishing all night. You don’t have much light, particularly if it’s a moonless night. How do you know where you are? Safed—that city on a hill—was your beacon! And most interestingly, Safed was almost in line with the location of the ancient fishing pier. In other words, if you can see Safed you can get home.

The real home for us humans isn’t here, it’s in heaven. Jesus won that home for each of us by dying and rising. His death paid for sins; his resurrection proved that sins were paid for, in full.

And yet many are wandering around in spiritual “darkness,” not knowing Jesus and what he’s done for them. How will they get “home”?

God very well may work through you and me! Jesus calls his followers “the light of the world.” As people see us being kind, compassionate, forgiving, honest, fair, humble, confident, etc., they get a chance to “see” Jesus’ love in action. That, in turn, may open up a chance for us to tell someone about Jesus.

And that may be the time when God works faith in that person’s heart, putting them on the road … to their heavenly home.

Prayer:
Jesus, forgive me for failing to let my light of faith shine as clearly as it should. Often my light is shrouded by sin. Forgive me! Use me to shine brightly, that others might come to know your love, and finally be brought home with you in heaven. 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.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Psalm 1:1,2

Our Delight

Daily Devotion – February 8, 2020

Devotion based on Psalm 1:1,2

See series: Devotions

What delights you? A hot fudge sundae covered with caramelized pecans? A romantic candlelight dinner at a favorite restaurant with the one you love? Time in the outdoors away from the hectic pace of your daily life? A weekend at the spa, being pampered? An offer from your mom to watch the kids, while you and your spouse get away for some needed R & R?

I suppose everyone’s list would be different. But check your list carefully. Maybe something is missing, something vitally important, something that is truly satisfying, something that delights the heart of those who give attention to it, something you have let slip lately.

Psalm 1 contrasts the path of the wrong way of living, and the path of God’s right way of living. When we follow the second path, our “delight” is in the Word of God. The Word of God delights God’s people because it not only exposes our failings and reveals our great spiritual need, but it delivers God’s free solution for sin—complete forgiveness! In the light of God’s unfailing love for sinners, we look to God’s commands not as a hopeless measure that cannot be met, but as a way to show our love to Jesus who kept the Law perfectly in our place.

Don’t daydream today about the things you “think” will give delight to your heart. Spend time on that which will. The eternal lover of your soul has promised that if you “delight yourself in the LORD, he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). The details are found in his Word!

Prayer:
Loving Lord, create in me a desire to spend time with and meditate on your Word and grant me the joy and satisfaction only it can provide. 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.

Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:31

Go Ahead and Boast

Daily Devotion – February 7, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:31

See series: Devotions

Boasting is frowned upon in polite society. No one likes a braggart. Jesus himself once warned that “all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Eventually, boasting will come back to bite you.

So where does the Apostle Paul get off telling God’s people to boast? Well, you’ll notice that he isn’t suggesting that they boast about themselves or their accomplishments. Hardly. Instead, he paraphrases the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and declares, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

What does it mean to “boast in the Lord”? It means telling others what a wonderful Savior Jesus is. Like writing a glowing, online review about some product we’ve recently discovered and love, Paul is urging God’s people to let others know what they’ve found out about Jesus.

And what’s so great about Jesus? Well, has the world ever known anyone more powerful than the very Creator of the universe? No. Has the world ever seen anyone more compassionate than the One who gave sight to the blind and made the lame walk? No. Has the world ever experienced the kind of self-sacrificing love that Jesus demonstrated not just for some, but all people? Never. Has the world ever witnessed anyone else who’s been raised from the dead never to die again, only to promise us, “Because I live, you too shall live”? Absolutely not! Jesus is a one-of-a-kind gift given by a merciful Father in heaven to every one of us. Through him, we sinners have God’s perfect forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life. That’s something special, unique, amazing, and completely undeserved. God saw nothing in us that prompted him to give us such a gift but he gave it anyway because God is love. He can’t help himself. He loves you.

So, go ahead. Boast! Boast in the Lord.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me see what a wonderful and perfect Savior you are, and inspire me to boast about you and your love alone, now and forever. 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.