Category: Daily Devotions

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”
Psalm 51:1-3

Jesus Gets Rid of Every Spot and Stain

Daily Devotion – October 6, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 51:1-3

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“How will I ever get that clean again, young man?” This cry has gone out more than once when a young child comes in covered with dirt and grass stains. It doesn’t matter what detergent you use. You’ve tried them all. Pre-soaks? Bleach? They just don’t work as well as they are advertised.

David, the writer of Psalm 51, also had trouble cleaning away some dirt. But the dirt and stains he was worried about were not on his clothes or under his fingernails. David, the King of Israel and leader of God’s people, had committed some terrible sins. He had sex with another man’s wife. When David found out his girlfriend was pregnant, he arranged to have her husband murdered.

For a while, David told himself these things didn’t matter. But they did! His conscience bothered him constantly. He couldn’t sleep or eat. He knew he was “dirty.” His dirt, however, could never be taken away with soap or cleaners. There was only one place he could go to get clean.

David took his sins to the Lord and pleaded, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” David knew that sin was a stain that could only be cleansed through God’s forgiveness.

In mercy God sent the Savior for David and for all of us, and “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 Peter 1:7). What a relief it is to know that Jesus gets out every “dirty spot!” What a joy it is to know that through God’s forgiveness all our sins are washed away! Thank you, Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, be merciful to me. As you have so richly forgiven me, continue to send me your Holy Spirit, that I may not fall from faith but remain your child 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.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus…
Philemon 1:1

Worth It

Daily Devotion – October 5, 2019

Devotion based on Philemon 1:1

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In the world of social psychology, the name of Dr. Craig Haney is a familiar one. In particular, Dr. Haney has become well-known for his research on prisoners and prison systems. From his research, he has concluded that typical prisoners will have to grapple with a number of psychological issues—issues that often come along with the reality of confinement.

For example, one issue is the prisoners’ understandable sense of dependence on those who are keeping them confined—something that can threaten to wear them down in negative ways as time goes on. Another can be a diminished sense of self-worth and personal value. This, in turn, can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. According to Dr. Haney, these are just some of the challenges that typical prisoners must be ready to face.

During his ministry, the apostle Paul learned what it meant to be a prisoner. Two times he endured extended confinement. As he did, no doubt he faced the very challenges that Dr. Haney details in his research. No doubt there were moments when he wrestled fiercely with the psychological and emotional issues that can vex a person in a prison setting.

Nevertheless, Paul accepted these consequences. He knew that it was his proclamation of Jesus that had landed him in prison. Even more important, he knew what he possessed through faith in Christ as his Savior from sin. As a result, he knew that any burdens he bore as a prisoner were all worth it.

As Christians, you and I bear burdens too. Satan makes us a target. He does all he can to distract us, to discourage us, to bring us difficulty and hardship. And we too have our share of wrestling matches with all the unpleasantness he can bring.

But just as Paul accepted the life of a prisoner, you and I can accept the burdens that come our way. We can accept them because we know what we have in Jesus. We know that, through faith in him, there is forgiveness, peace, purpose, life, light, eternal joy.

And that makes any temporary burdens well worth it.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when Satan tries to use the temporary difficulties of my life to discourage me, remind me of all I possess through faith 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.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: . . . “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25,27

The Cost of Following Christ

Daily Devotion – October 4, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 14:25,27

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My first experience with a different culture happened when I was three years old. I was unprepared for the shock of being one of the few white children in a crowd of dark-skinned nationals. My pale skin, maize-colored hair, and bright blue eyes alarmed other toddlers. They would cower and cry in their mothers’ arms because they thought they had seen a ghost. Whenever I explored the areas near my home, I would hear my African peers call after me, “Mzungu!” (white-skinned wanderer).

As shocked as I first was, I grew to cherish that culture. In fact, when I left the warm heart of Africa for the cold tundra of Wisconsin, I felt like I had abandoned the culture of my childhood.

Jesus loves you so much. He doesn’t want you to be unprepared for the shock of belonging to his culture or unaware of the eternal shock of being apart from it.

Do you understand what it means to belong to the culture of Christ? Jesus wants you to know. The cross is central to who Jesus is. It is the heart of what it means to follow him. His cross reveals our sinfulness, but it also reveals his love. There he took full responsibility for our sin and purchased our salvation from the shocking consequence of hell. And his cross points us to the home in heaven that he has won for us.

Following Jesus means that we stick out among mainstream culture. Following his Word makes us wanderers in the world. We don’t settle for the good life because we long for eternal life in heaven. We sacrifice sinful pleasures because we cherish every spiritual blessing we have in Christ. We put aside personal agendas because we love the peace we have with God.

Jesus’ words are startling. But those who are wise in Christ rejoice to trust and follow him. For the benefits of carrying our cross far outweigh the shock of being different.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me strong to carry my cross and wise to follow you through this world on the way that leads to eternal 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.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker. . . I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. . . . I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. . . . no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. . . . Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Philemon 1:1-21 (selected verses)

Wisdom Welcomes the Estranged

Daily Devotion – October 2, 2019

Devotion based on Philemon 1:1-21 (selected verses)

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“I don’t have anything to say to you,” he responded as he closed the door. I wanted to reconcile with my brother, but he was unwilling to reconcile with me.

Like me, Onesimus wanted to reconcile with his brother. Onesimus was the slave of a Christian named Philemon. For unknown reasons, Onesimus ran away from his master and went to Rome.

In Rome, Onesimus met the apostle Paul who introduced him to his Savior. Onesimus learned that God had reconciled the world to himself through the cross. Jesus had paid for his sin! Onesimus believed the good news and became a changed man. So, Paul sent Onesimus back to his master with a letter.

Paul knew that Philemon treasured God’s reconciliation in Christ. So, in his letter, Paul called for Christian wisdom: Reconcile with Onesimus and receive him, not as a slave but a freeman and brother in Christ. This act of mercy would glorify Christ.

The good news of Jesus changes us too. As those who are wise in Christ, God equips and empowers us to glorify Christ by reconciling with one another. If we have run away from responsibility, we will make amends. If a brother or sister in Christ sins against us, we will show them their fault. And we will forgive and receive them back as if they had done us no harm whenever they repent.

For, we were slaves once too, slaves to sin. God should punish us, but Jesus intervened for us. He surrendered his rights as God and suffered our punishment. Because he satisfied our debt, God welcomes us back. No longer as slaves, but his children.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to glorify you by repenting of my sin, rejoicing in forgiveness, and reconciling with 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more . . . But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.
Philippians 3:4,7-10

Cling to the Credentials of Christ

Daily Devotion – October 3, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:4,7-10

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Five years ago, a former mayor of New York City made a bold claim. He pointed to all his accomplishments and said, “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven, I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven.”

The apostle Paul once made the same bold claim. He was an elite Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. At eight days old, he was circumcised according to Jewish law. He grew up in the strict Orthodox Jewish tradition. As a Pharisee, Paul followed their laws faultlessly. If anyone could earn his way into heaven, it was Paul.

But then Paul met Jesus. Jesus showed him that he is the only way to get into heaven. Jesus’ credentials are flawless. His life conformed perfectly to God’s will. His death on the cross paid fully for all the world’s sin. He earned our salvation completely. Paul’s credentials couldn’t compare. So, he tore them up, tossed them out, and clung in faith to Christ’s life-giving work.

Like the former mayor of New York City, we can lean heavily on our accomplishments. We may be good at living by the standards we set for heaven. But no matter how impressive our Christian credentials, they cannot get us into heaven. It’s all garbage compared to trusting Christ our Savior.

Like Paul, those who are wise in Christ cling to him by faith. Christ by his life, death, and resurrection brings us God’s forgiving love. He is the only way to get to heaven. Keep your eye on him, and don’t look back.

Prayer:
Your works, not mine, O Christ, speak gladness to this heart. To whom but you, who can alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee? Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. . . . So Abram went, as the LORD had told him. . . . Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. . . . The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” . . . From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 12:1-8 (selected verses)

Wisdom Worships God

Daily Devotion – October 1, 2019

Devotion based on Genesis 12:1-8 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

We left home and family when I was a small boy. The Lord called my father from the mountains of America to serve as a missionary in the plains of Central Africa. When we arrived, we learned that our possessions had been lost in route, from furniture to family photos. I was too young to remember my reaction.

What will you do if the Lord uproots your life and leads you to unfamiliar places? You may lose your health, livelihood, a friendship, or loved one. You may change schools, jobs, or enter the workforce. You may face the end of your earthly life.

We know how Abram responded when God called him to leave his familiar life. He knew the Lord’s promise to bless him. He knew the Lord would be with him along the way and was already at his destination. So, when Abram arrived, he “called on the name of the LORD,” that is, he worshipped God for loving him.

When life takes an unfamiliar or uncomfortable direction, remember Abram’s wise response. Call on the name of the LORD. Worship him for loving you. Exhale your worry and fear. Inhale the life-giving breath of God’s Word. In all things God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called for his purpose. Since he gave us his Son that we might have a home in heaven, he will undoubtedly give us all we need to reach that destination. Know that he is with you along the way and already there to greet you.

Wherever God leads, call on his name and worship him there.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to worship you wherever you lead 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.

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Proverbs 9:8-12

Get Wise

Daily Devotion – September 30, 2019

Devotion based on Proverbs 9:8-12

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When I was three, we visited my grandparents’ home. Inside the window of the stairwell was a fan with metal blades. My mother warned me that if I touched it, I would hurt myself. She gave me the knowledge, but I lacked proper follow-through. Eventually, I reached out and my fingers contacted those rotating blades. Forty years later, my hand still bears the scar. I wasn’t wise.

Wisdom is not the same as book smarts, a high IQ, or even common sense. If you have knowledge, you are smart. If you have knowledge and the right follow-through, you are wise.

At least, that’s how we describe worldly wisdom. The Bible, however, tells us about something even more important—godly wisdom. Godly wisdom is knowing the God of the Bible and putting what we know about him and what he says into practice in our lives. Sadly, like a three-year-old who puts his fingers into the blades of a spinning fan, we are often spiritually unwise. We know what God tells us is right and wrong, what is good for us and what is bad. But we decide to do what is wrong and what is bad for us. We aren’t wise.

What should God do with such people? He could have simply said, “You fools!” and had nothing more to do with us. But he didn’t. Instead, he sent his Son Jesus Christ who lived a life of perfect godly wisdom. And he gives us the credit for it. Through faith in his perfect wisdom, God sees us as being perfectly wise. And, by his Holy Spirit, he grants us more and more godly wisdom. He empowers us to put his word into practice in our lives.

May he do just this for you this day.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the wisdom of God and my wisdom too. Forgive me for my foolishness. And help me follow through, loving you and living 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.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10

True Wisdom

Daily Devotion – September 29, 2019

Devotion based on Proverbs 9:10

See series: Devotions

It is interesting that Japan has a very high suicide rate and Haiti has a very low rate. It doesn’t seem to make sense. One would think that Japan, a very prosperous and modern country, would have few people who would want to end their lives. And one would think that Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, would have plenty of people who would want to escape such poverty and suffering. It doesn’t seem to add up. Why is this so?

There are many questions like that. Why is there so much crime? Why is there still so much war? Why do people in a world full of food, die of starvation?

Solomon, a man specially gifted with wisdom from God, says that answers can be found in true wisdom.

What is wisdom? Some say it is what you know by experience. Others say it is knowing how to use what you know—common sense. Solomon’s definition is the best. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Knowing God and understanding him is the basis for all true wisdom. How can I understand the world if I don’t understand the One who created it? How can I understand the meaning of life if I don’t understand the Giver of all life? How can I understand why I am here without first understanding the One who put me here?

God has revealed himself to us through his Word written in the Bible. As we hear, study, and learn his Word, we come to know him better and find true wisdom for our lives. In his Word, we find the good news that God sent Jesus to solve our greatest problem, our sin. In his Word, we will find the wisdom we need to live in this often-confusing world.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to fear and know you so that my life will be filled with wisdom. 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 Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Never Changes

Daily Devotion – September 28, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 13:8

See series: Devotions

Were you surprised this morning at the wrinkled face peeking back at you in the mirror? Or the sagging where there was once no sag? A gray hair proudly declaring its independence? Or maybe an entire forest of gray? “When did I change so much,” you sigh. But change is a fact of life. We see gas prices rise and fall. The love in marriages grows cold. Professional athletes retire, then un-retire, then retire again. We’ve become so accustomed to change that it would be far more remarkable to witness something that doesn’t.

The book of Hebrews tells us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” I’m not sure that you and I can ever fully appreciate those words. We don’t have anything to compare it to. We’ve never experienced something so constant, so steady, so dependable, and so…unchanging!

But rather than fearing what we don’t understand, let those stabilizing words from your Creator make you feel secure and confident. Because the eyes that once blinked through the hurt of rejection and squinted through the tears of pain are the very same eyes that are watching you with tenderness right now. The hands that bore nail-marks as proof of his love, are the same divine hands protecting you from harm. The head that endured shame and thorns is the same head turned attentively to your suffering and trouble.

Jesus NEVER changes! Your forgiveness is sure; your heaven is secure. He will ALWAYS love you.

Prayer:
Jesus, I’m not quite sure how you can never change. So much of my world changes every day. But I know that it means you love me. And it makes me love you, too. Thank you, my unchanging 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.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors . . . But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
Luke 14:12-14

Build Others Up

Daily Devotion – September 27, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 14:12-14

See series: Devotions

Does Jesus really not want us to have our friends and family over to our homes for dinner? No, Jesus often went to friends’ homes for dinner. And the Bible speaks highly of the early Christians who “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46). Jesus’ point in saying the words of today’s Bible passage is not to discourage us from hosting our friends and family for dinner. Instead, he is encouraging us to be on the lookout for ways to build other people up.

None of us is naturally inclined to build others up. By nature, we see people as mere tools we can use to build ourselves up. If someone has something that we think can benefit us, such as wealth or a good reputation, we seek to use that person in a way that will make us look better. If, however, someone has nothing that can benefit us, we either ignore that person or tear that person down so that we can look better in comparison.

This, of course, is not the way Jesus wants us to treat others. Nor is it the way he treated us. If Jesus had been looking only for people who could bring him some benefit, he never would have chosen us. We had nothing to offer him. Yet Jesus didn’t just associate with us. He became one of us. He humbled himself for the express purpose of building us up, so that through his life and death for us, we might be exalted with him forever.

Now, as we see how Jesus so selflessly built us up from the nothing we were, we are eager and able to build others up as well. It doesn’t matter who the other person is. All are people for whom Jesus humbled himself. All are people whom we, with God’s help, can seek to build up.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, lead me to build others up, just as you have done 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.