Category: Daily Devotions

[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.

[Jesus] said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:59-62

Follow Jesus With All Your Heart

Daily Devotion – July 24, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 9:59-62

See series: Devotions

John Hart is one of the 56 men who signed the United States’ Declaration of Independence. There were many who tried to stop him from signing this historic document. At one point, John had to make a choice between supporting his patriotic beliefs or being by the side of his dying wife and their 13 children. He forsook his family and put his signature on the document.

While his love for his nation is an admirable thing, it’s doubtful that everyone would forsake their family the way he did.

Yet, if we ever have to make a choice between following our family or following Jesus, Jesus clearly expects that we will follow him. In Jesus’ eyes, not even saying goodbye to a father was sufficient cause to delay in following Jesus.

Why? Because he knows that our families cannot save us from hell. Our families cannot pay our debt to God. Our parents cannot earn forgiveness for our sins.

But Jesus did. Jesus, in fact, is the one who keeps our families together even beyond death. His sacrificial death assures us that, though death on earth might temporarily separate us, we will be reunited with our fellow believers in heaven where we will be together forever.

Use your time with family and friends to celebrate this great gift given to us by Jesus. Gather around his Word and encourage one another with his promises so that heartfelt devotion to the Jesus who saves might be the one thing your entire family has in common.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you loved me with your whole heart. Help me to each day offer my entire life in heartfelt devotion 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.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Luke 9:57,58

Follow Jesus No Matter the Cost

Daily Devotion – July 23, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 9:57,58

See series: Devotions

One of the latest trends in some places of the world is to live in what are called “tiny homes.” These homes are exactly what the name suggests—tiny. Some are only slightly larger than a backyard shed. Though the living space is small, these homes are skillfully constructed to include most anything its residents might find in a larger house: a bed, kitchen, electricity, plumbing, and even room to store a few things. They have become the home of choice for many people who are glad to live with less compared to their neighbors.

But anyone living in a tiny home owns more property than Jesus did as he was looking for disciples. “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head,” he said to one man who promised to follow him. With that phrase, Jesus was really asking him a question—Would you be willing to follow Jesus even if it would mean losing all your earthly possessions, including your home?

There are many Christians in the world today who are forced to answer that question. And there are many who choose to lose their homes rather than forsake Jesus. Why?

Because in the Word of God, they’ve found a cross on which Jesus clearly shows his determination to love and forgive us, no matter the cost.

Because Jesus’ empty tomb on Easter morning gives us a better home to look forward to in heaven than even the largest and most extravagant home on earth.

Maybe you will never have to give up your earthly home to follow Jesus. But it would be worth it to follow the one who gave up his life for you.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you gave up so much, even your own life, to build a home of perfection for me in heaven. May I be willing to suffer any loss for the sake of following 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.

[Jesus] said to another man, “Follow me.”
Luke 9:59

Follow Jesus as Your Priority

Daily Devotion – July 22, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 9:59

See series: Devotions

When I was in high school, a friend of mine was driving a number of his classmates along a country road to a school-sponsored event. At one point, he reached over to the radio to change the station. As he reached over, he accidentally turned the steering wheel so quickly and sharply that the car swerved off the road, rolled over three times, and landed upside down in the bottom of a ditch. Remarkably, everyone was okay. My friend didn’t break any laws by trying to change the radio station. It’s a good thing to listen to the radio—except when it gets in the way of safe driving.

There are plenty of good things on which we might focus our attention—our families and friends, our jobs, our hobbies. God brings abundant joy into our lives through a wide variety of means, and it’s good to focus on them—except when we give more attention to them than we do to Jesus.

When Jesus calls individuals to “Follow me,” he isn’t suggesting that he is one of many good things in this world to which we might pay attention. He is expecting to be our highest priority. Why?

Because only Jesus keeps us safe for eternity.

Because our family, friends, jobs, and hobbies are all gifts from him.

Because, when we realize how inattentive we have been to his Word and will, Jesus always treats us with grace.

Because, when we look at the cross of Jesus, we see that his greatest priority will always be to love us.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for making my eternal salvation your greatest priority. Out of gratitude for all you’ve done for me, help me to keep you as the highest priority in 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.

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

No More Slavery

Daily Devotion – July 21, 2019

Devotion based on Galatians 5:1

See series: Devotions

Robert Downey, Jr. is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood. He’s the star of the blockbuster Iron Man movies. He received an Academy Award nomination for his film portrayal of Charlie Chaplin. He has a reputation for a strong work ethic and for being a loyal friend.

He also knows something about slavery and freedom.

For years, Downey was a slave to drug abuse. There was a cycle to his slavery. When things got out of control, he would check himself into rehab. For a time he would be clean and sober. But then he would return to the chains of his addiction. He started getting fired by directors and producers. But the cycle of slavery remained. He started getting into trouble with the law. But the cycle of slavery remained. Then he spent 12 months in a state prison. But the cycle of slavery remained.

Then it happened. He says he was at a restaurant and it finally dawned on him that, this time, he didn’t want to go back to all the awful things that his addiction had brought him. He went out to his car and threw all his drugs into the ocean. From that time forward, Robert Downey, Jr. has remained free.

Is there a cycle of slavery in your life? Is there an old pet sin that just keeps pulling you back? Perhaps it’s weekend benders. Perhaps it’s a gossiping tongue. Perhaps it’s your viewing habits on cable or online. Perhaps it’s your tendency to drift away from God’s house.

Whatever it is, don’t look for the answer inside yourself. Instead, look to the One who died and rose to set you free. Taste the sweetness of freedom and forgiveness you have in Jesus Christ. Remember the peace and security you possess in him. Turn your back on the old chains of sin. Your Savior has come. He has thrown them into the sea.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your forgiveness, fill me with your Spirit. Move me to see the freedom I have in you. Empower me to turn my back on my ancient chains. 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.