Category: Daily Devotions

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:14

Life is About the Cross

Daily Devotion – August 3, 2019

Devotion based on Galatians 6:14

See series: Devotions

Most of you have probably never heard of a man by the name of Christian Hosoi. In the world of competitive skateboarding, however, Christian Hosoi is a legend. Already in his early teens, he was doing things with a skateboard no one else could do. With early success came fame. With fame came commercial endorsements. With commercial endorsements came lots of money. And when all of this mingled with a reckless, pleasure-seeking lifestyle, Christian Hosoi found himself in the middle of his own self-made universe. Life was about him. It was that simple.

Then his universe collapsed. His finances took a serious downturn. Substance abuse consumed him. Finally, authorities arrested him at an airport for transporting drugs. He received a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Behind bars, one day he had an opportunity to talk to a close friend by phone. Her advice was simple. “Find a Bible,” she said. “Find a Bible and read it.” He did. At first, it was slow going, but then he read about King David’s downfall and God’s forgiveness. That kept him reading. And he kept right on reading until the Word of God brought him to the foot of the cross, the message of what God had done for him through the life and death of Jesus Christ. For the first time in his life, life was not about him. Instead, his life was about something far better.

You and I don’t need to face prison time in order to acknowledge that, very often, our lives have revolved around us. The devil wants us to think that way. The sinful culture around us and our own sinful nature wants us to think that way.

The Apostle Paul had once thought that way too. But the Lord Jesus intervened, and Paul’s life began to be about something far better. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul says. Forgiven through faith in Jesus, you and I can echo his words.

Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for all the times I have allowed my life to be about me. Move me by your Spirit to embrace the reality that my life is about the cross. My life is about 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.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, . . . I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12,13

God Given Strength

Daily Devotion – August 2, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 4:12,13

See series: Devotions

God wants us to always be content. But even after we learn the secret of being content, few of us live it. It is so easy to think that we will finally be happy when we get this or finally earn enough for that.

Discontent flows from envy, jealousy, worry, and fear. But when we remember the secret of being content those things disappear. God gives us everything we need, right now.

Paul believed that. That made him content at his richest and his poorest. But Paul did not reach such contentment on his own. Paul confessed, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul could cope with any and every situation only because Jesus gave him such strength.

Jesus gives you this same strength. Because in Jesus, you have everything you need. Remember, Jesus lived, died, and rose for you. You are forgiven. That is the one thing truly needed and you have it.

As awesome as your earthly blessings may be, they are just that, earthly—good only for today and your time here on earth. But when you die the only blessing that will matter is forgiveness in Christ. That blessing is the difference between heaven and hell. That blessing goes with you beyond the grave into eternity.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for forgiveness, and thank you for everything else. Please give me the strength to always be content. 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 learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. . . . My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:12,19

The Secret of Being Content

Daily Devotion – August 1, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 4:12,19

See series: Devotions

This verse is surprising when you realize where the apostle Paul was when he wrote it. Paul was in prison in Rome waiting for his trial. He was “in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:13) because his crime was telling people about Christ. Execution was a possibility, and all he had done was tell people about Jesus.

So how could Paul be content? His life was so unfair. He didn’t have a home. He couldn’t do his mission work. He didn’t have enough to be content!

But contentment is not getting what you want. Contentment is wanting what you’ve got.

This is why Paul wrote what he did: “I have learned the secret of being content.” He had to be taught to be okay with what he had because it is not something that comes naturally. God had to teach him.

Once he learned the secret, Paul could be content in any and every situation. Whether sitting down to feast or eating prison rations. Whether sleeping in a bed or shackled to a guard. Paul’s contentment was completely independent of what he had or where he was.

So what is the secret of being content? What do we need to learn to be content in any and every situation? Here is Paul’s answer: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

The secret of being content is believing that God is the Provider. God will give you exactly what you need. God will provide plenty when you need it. He will let you be in need when you need it. God will always provide exactly what you need at exactly the right time.

You can be sure of this because God has already provided what you needed most. He provided his Son, Jesus, who paid the price for your sins so that you now stand before God forgiven. Knowing that you are a forgiven child of God means you can be content, whatever your situation.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for meeting all of my needs. Help me to be content. 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 seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. . . . However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17,18,20

Watch Satan Fall

Daily Devotion – July 31, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 10:17,18,20

See series: Devotions

How’s that for a thrill? Satan falls from the heights of power back to the abyss, as suddenly as lightning cracks from heaven to earth. Why? Because Jesus sent seventy-two workers into his harvest field to preach the good news of God’s forgiveness, and it renders Satan powerless.

The word Satan means accuser. Satan earned his name by accusing you of your sins before God. His power is destroyed because he has nothing to accuse you of. Jesus lived, died, and rose for you; therefore your sins are gone. The gospel tells you so.

And whenever people believe the gospel, the devil falls. Watch it. Every time a pastor’s hand dips into the font and pours a cleansing baptismal flood over someone, Satan falls like lightning. Every time you tell someone, “I forgive you, and God forgives you too,” Satan falls like lightning. Whenever you receive forgiveness in the Lord’s Supper, Satan falls like lightning. When you offer your money, your time, and your prayers to support God’s kingdom, Satan falls like lightning.

But as awesome as it is to know that Satan is falling, Jesus reminds you of what you should really be happy about: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” That is cause for joy. The name of every believer in Jesus is written in heaven.

This is why the Father sent his Son into the world, and this is why the Son sends workers into his harvest field: to tell more and more people this good news.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for removing my sins and writing my name 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.

[Jesus said] “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.”
Luke 10:3-7

Confident Because of Peace

Daily Devotion – July 30, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 10:3-7

See series: Devotions

Imagine going on a long trip with no wallet, luggage, or supplies of any kind. People would call you crazy to travel so unprepared.

Likewise, it seems foolish for Jesus to send seventy-two disciples ahead of him with no earthly provisions. Jesus even warned them of the difficulty when he said that they would be like lambs among wolves.

But he also promised that their needs will be met. When they arrived at a town, they could trust that God would provide for them. People would respond to their message by welcoming them with a place to stay and something to eat and drink. In other words, the disciples could be content because all their physical needs would be met as they went about their work in the Lord’s harvest field.

Do you see how their actions reflect on Jesus? Their contentment showed how great their Savior is because he is the One who made them content. Their lack of concern about earthly things—even the most basic needs of food and shelter—showed that they had a message more important than food and drink.

Their message was peace – the same message Jesus shares with you this day. All is right between you and God. In Jesus, you have the unconditional pardon of everything that you’ve ever done wrong. You are forgiven. When you stand before God, he sees you as absolutely perfect. You have freedom from the condemnation that you deserve. And in its place, you get a free pass to eternal life.

That is how you can be content. You have peace. Your eternity is guaranteed. And your present is provided for. You can have confidence as you go about your work in the Lord’s harvest field.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me confident that I have your peace 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.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Luke 10:1,2

The Harvest is Plentiful

Daily Devotion – July 29, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 10:1,2

See series: Devotions

You plant your garden and spend all summer tending it. You eagerly watch the beans grow and the tomatoes ripen. But when the time comes, you’re too busy to pick them. It’s a shame when vegetables rot because they are not harvested.

It’s an even greater shame when souls are not harvested. Jesus says that the world is ripe for harvest. There are countless people who do not know that he is their Savior and they are waiting to be harvested with that good news.

Don’t miss the promise in Jesus’ words: “many will believe and go to heaven.” The harvest is plentiful. There’s only one problem: the workers are few. Today, there are more than seven billion people in the world and only two billion Christians. Taking the gospel to over five billion people is a daunting task.

So notice what Jesus does: he prepares harvest workers and sends seventy-two disciples into the field. But before they go, he tells them to pray for more help. This is a reminder that we are completely dependent on God’s power to carry out his work.

A successful harvest does not depend on our skills or resourcefulness; it depends on Jesus. He has already done all the hard work. He lived a perfect life for the harvest, he died and rose for the harvest. He has given us the tools to bring it in: his Word, his baptism, and his true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.

The harvest is plentiful. So he calls us to pray for his help and work with the confidence that he will meet all our needs and bless our efforts.

Prayer:
Lord of the harvest, send workers into your harvest field and bless our labor. 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.

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her . . . you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.” For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream . . . As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass . . .”
Isaiah 66:10-14 (selected portions)

What Makes You Rich

Daily Devotion – July 28, 2019

Devotion based on Isaiah 66:10-14 (selected portions)

See series: Devotions

When I was young, I believed that if you had a cabin “up north,” that you had “made it.” You were rich. As I grew older, I began to realize things that challenged my youthful perceptions. I learned that those who did have cabins “up north” spent much of their time there cleaning, maintaining, and repairing. They hardly had made it!

More importantly, I realized that riches had very little to do with things—including cabins “up north” and everything to do with the spiritual blessings that come from a loving and personal God.

In flowing poetic language, Isaiah the prophet speaks of some of those blessings.

He records the word of the LORD about peace flowing to us like a river. Think of the peace of forgiveness through Jesus who removed the guilt of sin and the punishment that comes with it, by his death on the cross.

The prophet tells of eternal blessings which the LORD describes as “overflowing abundance.” Think of the indescribable glory of heaven—riches beyond compare and beyond counting.

Isaiah gives us the LORD’s promise of comfort. Think of the comfort of God’s daily, personal presence with each one of his people.

Am I rich yet? Yes, extremely and incomparably rich! I may not own a cabin “up north,” but my God has blessed me through Jesus is calling me up, up to the glory of heaven.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank and praise you for sharing the abundance of your riches with me. Through the proclamation of your Word, I pray that many other lives will be eternally enriched by your grace. 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.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

Daily Devotion – July 27, 2019

Devotion based on Galatians 5:1

See series: Devotions

In June of 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed with his soldiers at Galveston, Texas to announce that the American Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now free. Note that this happened more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. By the declaration of the President, all slaves were free in 1863. However, it took more than two years for all the slaves throughout the United States to hear about it. For more than two years, countless people were living in a slavery from which they had already been set free.

Sadly, the same type of thing still happens. The United States no longer condones slavery. But people feel enslaved every day. Enslaved to alcohol or pornography. Enslaved to the high that comes from drugs or prescription medication. Enslaved to feelings of bitterness, anger, or jealousy. To be enslaved means that you no longer feel in control. You do not do what you want to. Someone or something else has control of you. When what controls you is sin, and you feel chained to the same sinful choices again and again; the discouragement and deep guilt that result can make you feel like you are living in slavery.

But sin’s slavery is one from which you have already been set free. Not by your ability to finally overcome the addiction or to stay away from the temptation. Not by your newfound faithfulness to God’s laws. But by the declaration of Jesus, who died on the cross to take the punishment for your sin, so that you could live every day knowing that you are forgiven. Your sin does not determine your status in God’s family. Jesus does. He declares that you are free from the power and punishment of sin.

“Stand firm, then,” the Bible says, “and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Remember that you have been set free–the next time temptation comes creeping in, when you are overwhelmed with guilt, or you feel weak. Remember “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the precious gift of freedom from sin. Help me to stand firm against Satan and his wicked temptations by remembering your declaration that I am free. 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.

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51

Follow a Leader Worth Following

Daily Devotion – July 26, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 9:51

See series: Devotions

Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he was only half-hearted about medicine? Would you want an attorney to represent you if she was half-hearted about practicing law? Would you want teachers in your children’s classrooms if they were only half-hearted about teaching children?

Neither would it be worth following a Savior who is only half-hearted about saving you.

Thankfully, Jesus wasn’t.

When this verse says that “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem,” it could literally be translated, “he fixed his face for Jerusalem.” In other words, he was absolutely determined to get there. And why? What was going to happen in Jerusalem?

He was going to die, and your sins were going to be paid for.

He was going to suffer, and you were going to be given a place in heaven.

He was going to be punished for your sins, and you were going to be given the right to walk through life knowing each day your Father in heaven is smiling in your direction.

Jesus wasn’t half-hearted about being your Savior. He was all in.

That is a leader worth following.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let me never fail to see your wholehearted devotion to me so that I find abundant strength to follow 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.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30

Follow Jesus in Weakness

Daily Devotion – July 25, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 11:30

See series: Devotions

A pastor received a phone call from one of his parishioners early in the week. “Pastor,” the woman said, “I need you to stop by the house as soon as possible. It’s very urgent.”

“What’s wrong?” the pastor asked, sensing the urgency in the woman’s voice.

“I need you to stop by so I can give you my church offering for this coming weekend,” the woman replied.

“Why don’t you simply bring your offering with you to worship on Sunday?” the pastor asked.

“Because if I don’t give it to you now,” she said, “I’m going to spend it on alcohol tonight.”

This woman had struggled mightily with alcoholism for many years. This temptation exposed her spiritual weakness over and over, again and again. Yet that day, she found the strength to keep fighting against it; a strength that came from knowing that Jesus didn’t die to save the people who prove they’re strong enough to follow him. He died to save a world full of sinners who regularly prove that they are not.

Maybe you feel weak against this same temptation. Maybe the temptation that makes you feel weak is entirely different. But whatever the temptation is that exposes your weakness most often, Jesus already died to forgive that weakness. God loves you. He’s still here for you. He has already prepared a place in heaven just for you.

That’s a special gift that will always provide the strength you need to keep fighting against your weakness.

This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” His weaknesses and the truth that they are forgiven in Jesus provide powerful encouragement and strength to anyone who has ever felt weak against temptation.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my spiritual weakness, and for how often it shows itself in my battles with temptation. I am so grateful for the gift of forgiveness. May it always give me sufficient strength to keep fighting. 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.