Category: Daily Devotions

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16

A Friend in a High Place

Daily Devotion – February 15, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 59:16

See series: Devotions

The man who wrote these words had some enemies in high places. David, the composer, wrote the words of this song when the king at the time, Saul, had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

I can hardly imagine the danger I would be in if the ruler of my country were trying to kill me. I’m not sure I would be singing. I think I would be trying to keep as quiet as possible, especially if people were watching my house with a view toward ending my residency there.

David was a brave man. In the face of danger, he sang. But he did not sing about his own strength, or his own ability to defeat the king. David sang about the strength of the Lord his God, and not just about his strength, but also about his love. David knew that God was stronger than any king, and David knew that God loved him.

David had a friend in an even higher place than the top of the government. David had a friend in heaven.

No matter who or what your enemy is, God is stronger. He is able to control the events of the world, large and small. There is nothing happening in your life that is too big for God to handle.

Even better, God loves you. He proved his love by sending his Son into the world to save you. He proves his love today by providing you refuge from your enemies, refuge in times of trouble. He forgives your sins, and silences the mouths of your accusers, even of a guilty conscience. His promises are meant to give you security and comfort. He is your fortress, your trusty shield and weapon.

It’s great to have friends in high places. But it’s even greater to have a friend in heaven.

Prayer:
Deliver me from my enemies, O God, and protect me from those who rise up against me. Keep me safe 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.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19

That Perfect Love

Daily Devotion – February 14, 2019

Devotion based on 1 John 4:18-19

See series: Devotions

There can be a lot of fear in our relationships. We fear that the other person will find out who we really are. We fear that we do not really know the other person. We fear that we will be misunderstood, or that we will disappoint the other person.

There can be a lot of fear in our relationship with God. We fear that he will punish us when we fail to follow his Word. We fear that we misunderstand what he wants and that he will be disappointed. We fear that we have not been good enough, and that we will end up in hell as a result.

God’s perfect love for us drives out those fears. God promises that he has punished his own Son, Jesus, for our sins, so he will not punish us with hell. Instead, in his perfect love, he promises us heaven through faith in Jesus, and tells us, “Don’t be afraid.” The perfect forgiveness we have through Jesus takes away our fears.

That perfect love leads us to love God. Even though he is holy, he has reached down to us unholy people and lived with us in the person of Jesus Christ. Today he promises to be with us wherever we go, wherever we live.

That perfect love also leads us to love other people. Because God has forgiven us, we do not withhold our forgiveness from others. When we need the strength to show that love and forgiveness, even to people who don’t deserve it, we remember that God has loved us and forgiven us even when we don’t deserve it, and we are moved to love.

We love because he first loved us.

Prayer:
Lord of life and love, take away our fears, and give us confidence to live our lives for you in love for one another. 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 your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The Prophet of Grace and Truth

Daily Devotion – February 13, 2019

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15-20

See series: Devotions

Anyone who has begun studying the Bible might come away from it a little overwhelmed. So much to learn! So much to remember! So many changes I need to make in my life! What if I mess up?

God’s people Israel had received much instruction from Moses over the course of forty years. They would be blessed if they remembered to obey all that the Lord had commanded them through the prophet. But now Moses was soon to die—just as they were on the verge of finally entering the Promised Land! What if they forgot all he had taught them?

Unfortunately, they did just that. The people that God had chosen to be his own forgot about him and turned to serve false, make-believe gods that could not help them. They did what pleased their sinful hearts and brought the curse of the law down upon themselves.

But the Lord kept his promise through Moses to send another prophet, a greater prophet. Jesus Christ, the Son of God in human flesh, did not just come to remind the people of what they should be doing or point out how they had failed to do what God had commanded. Jesus came to keep that law perfectly as everyone’s substitute and to bring forgiveness of sins to all who trust in God’s promise of grace through him. The Bible teaches: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:17-18).

When it comes to following God’s holy commands, we can make mistakes. We can, and we do. But with the coming of Jesus, the Prophet of Grace and Truth, we are free from the fear of failure. The Lord has revealed himself to us as a God who has removed our guilt through the death of his Son on the cross. Our faith in his forgiveness allows us to look at each day as an opportunity to show our gratitude for his love.

Prayer:
Holy Father, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus to reveal yourself to us as a forgiving God. Let his word and work of salvation be my greatest hope and joy. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13

The Greatest Expression of Love

Daily Devotion – February 12, 2019

Devotion based on John 15:13

See series: Devotions

In two days, many in the United States will celebrate Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is now observed in many countries as a day celebrating love and affection. Though the date may be different in different places, in most cases it has become a day on which gifts are given as expressions of love.

Common expressions of love include cards, flowers, and heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Sometimes these gestures are empty of real meaning. A grade school student may give cards to everyone in her class, regardless of how she feels about the individual members. An adult may give a gift, not because he really wants to, but because that is what everyone does on Valentine’s Day. More often these gestures are true expressions of love and affection, and those for whom we do such things are those for whom we would do even greater things.

If it came right down to it, who of you wouldn’t give your life for those you love? Your spouse. Your child. Your dear friend. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Life is the greatest expression of love one human being can offer for another.

For Jesus, the Son of God, the greatest expression of love goes even farther. He didn’t just send you a card—though he did give you an unsurpassed love letter in his Word. He didn’t just get you flowers—though he does hold out to you the beauties of creation and the bounties of the earth. He didn’t just give you a box of chocolates—though he does open his heart so that you may taste and see that the Lord is good. Jesus gave more; even more than a human life. Jesus gave his perfect life for you. Jesus shed his holy blood for you. Jesus endured the agony of hell for you. And now Jesus lives for you.

In so many ways and with infinite depth Jesus’ love surpasses yours and mine. Praise God that his greatest expression of love has made you a child of God. It has prepared you for life to come, and it empowers you to truly love those around you.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for extending the greatest expression of love to me. May I live in the love of Jesus today and always! 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
Mark 1:25-26

The Devil Shrieked

Daily Devotion – February 11, 2019

Devotion based on Mark 1:25-26

See series: Devotions

Following the first sin in the Garden of Eden, God promised to send “the seed of the woman to crush the serpent’s head” (Genesis 3:15). It was that promise which guided and strengthened all who put their faith into what God had said. When the time was right, God the Father sent his Son into the world to fulfill his long-standing promise. (See Galatians 4:4-5.)

Jesus’ ministry was clear from the start. His reason for coming was not to make people feel better about themselves. Nor was his mission to make life easier. He came to destroy the devil’s power and release people from his tyranny. It is a ministry for which I am eternally grateful.

In an early account of Jesus’ ministry, Mark provides a glimpse of the precious work Jesus came to accomplish. Jesus had gone to Capernaum and into a synagogue to teach. While he was there an evil spirit revealed himself and challenged him. Sternly Jesus silenced him and commanded him to come out of the man. The evil spirit left with a shriek. It was that display of power which offered a preview of what Jesus would later do for me and for all people.

Through the authority of his teaching, and later through his death on the cross, Jesus did battle with the devil. No matter how hard the devil tried, he could not overcome Jesus with his temptations or defeat him with his power. Whatever authority the devil had come to an end when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. The risen Jesus descended into hell and there proclaimed his complete and ultimate victory. The head of the serpent was crushed. All the devil could do was shriek in defeat.

It is because of Jesus’ overwhelming victory that I am able to say, “No to sin and all ungodliness” (Titus 2:12). This means I can stand “toe to toe” with the devil in the good fight of faith. I am no longer a hapless victim. I am no longer hopeless or helpless in the battle. I can draw on the victory Jesus has secured for me, as well as the strength he provides in his Word.

When I rely on Jesus and depend on the power of his victory, the devil will flee from me with a shriek.

Prayer:
O blessed Redeemer, you have freed me from the devil’s control. You have also enabled me to fight and win the good fight of faith. Help me draw on the victory and the strength you offer and keep me faithful until the end. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19

Reconciled

Daily Devotion – February 10, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:19

See series: Devotions

Do you ever feel like the whole world is against you? No matter where you turn, you find opposition, and where there is no active opposition, there is simply apathy and ignorance. You think you know people, and then they turn against you. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, most things go wrong.

What is your reaction when that happens? Frustration? Anger?

You may feel like the whole world is against you some days, but God has the right to feel like that every day. No matter where he turns, he finds opposition, and where there is no active opposition, there is simply apathy and ignorance. Even when people claim to know him, they end up with mixed motives and deeds that fall short of their aspirations. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, most things go wrong.

What is God’s reaction when that happens? It’s not frustration and anger.

Instead, God’s reaction was to send his Son, Jesus, into the world to be the Savior. Jesus is not the Savior of only a few people. He is the Savior of the world. God does not count people’s sins against them because of the perfect life and innocent suffering and death of Jesus. He does not count your sins against you.

That is the message of reconciliation from me to you. God is not your enemy, even though he could easily be disappointed by your life. He is your Savior, and he is there for you even when the whole world seems to be against you. He invites you to repent and to trust in his promises of forgiveness in Christ.

Prayer:
Lord God, when nothing goes right, remind me that, in Christ, you have reconciled me to you. Let me live in the joy of full forgiveness. Amen.

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

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

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

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

The Path of Life

Daily Devotion – February 9, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 16:11

See series: Devotions

The late Yogi Berra, a famous baseball player, once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” He made that saying the title of a book of his many well-known “Yogi-isms.” It’s a silly saying, because everyone knows that when you come to a fork in the road, you have to walk down one path or the other. The point of a fork in the road is that you can’t walk both directions.

The Bible says that life has two paths. The one is the path to eternal life. The other is the path to eternal death. You can’t walk both directions.

We give thanks to God that he has made known to us the path of life. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” he says. “Whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.” The path to life is the path of faith in Jesus as Savior.

The path to eternal life has some sacrifices along the way, because faith in Jesus as Savior means that we do not believe in ourselves as saviors, or in other people who want to entice us to follow them rather than Jesus.

But the path to eternal life ends with joy in the presence of the Lord. All of the joys of heaven, all of the eternal pleasures, involve being in the presence of God forever.

The other path, the one leading to eternal death, may look good, but at its end there is only destruction. Many are on that path. Through Jesus, the Lord leads you on the path to heaven, the one less traveled, and that will make all the difference.

Prayer: : (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 422)
Jesus, lead us on till our rest is won; and although the way be cheerless, we will follow, calm and fearless. Guide us by your hand to our fatherland. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:25-27

Walk as a Bride Today

Daily Devotion – Walk as a February 8, 2019

Devotion based on Ephesians 5:25-27

See series: Devotions

Though the first word of today’s Bible passage says, “Husbands,” this devotion is not directed to husbands; it is directed to the bride. But not the bride of an earthly husband. It is directed to the bride of Christ. It is directed to you—one who believes in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints.

As St. Paul talks about the relationship between husbands and wives, he holds up the beautiful relationship between Christ and his bride, the church. In this relationship we see a bride who is beautifully dressed for her husband. In fact, she is holy. She is blameless. She is radiant. Without any stain or wrinkle or blemish. She is the perfect bride!

What is it that makes this bride so beautiful? What is it that makes you so beautiful in God’s eyes?

Notice, there is no talk of the dreams the bride had from little on. There is no talk of the plans the bride outlined in the years and months leading up to her wedding day. There is no talk of the detailed preparations the bride made as the hour of her wedding drew near. What we do hear, what we do see, what we are blessed with, is the loving work of the bridegroom–the loving work of Christ.

Christ made his bride holy and blameless. Christ cleansed her and made her radiant. He did that by giving himself up for her. The Son of God offered his holy, blameless life for his beloved. The Lamb of God, without stain or wrinkle or blemish, sacrificed himself—the perfect payment for sin making the sinner perfect.

This is not a dream or a fairy tale. This is the story of God’s love for you.

Dear friend in Christ, walk as a beautiful bride today. Walk up and down the aisle, out the door, across the street, around the corner, along the path in front of you, with complete confidence in your bridegroom and with eager anticipation of what lies ahead. Walk as a bride who knows that her bridegroom is beaming at her with love.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for cleansing me by the washing with water through the word. May I rejoice to live as your bride today. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your home town what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”… All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.
Luke 4:23,28-29

The Truth Hurts

Daily Devotion – February 7, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 4:23,28-29

See series: Devotions

“You need to hear this.” When Phil heard these words, he didn’t know what to think. He could sense it wasn’t going to be pleasant. Still, he figured he needed to hear what his friend had to say. But was it going to be a gentle correction, a needed criticism, or a stern rebuke? In any event, he prepared himself because he knew the truth would hurt.

The truth was what Jesus shared with the people in Nazareth, and there was an honesty which was hard to accept. The truth hurt. Because of the painful truth Jesus revealed, many rejected him. They were also ready to silence him. The account provides a much-needed caution for me.

While I prefer to hear about God’s goodness and love, I desperately need to hear when he speaks honestly with me. I have to hear the whole truth, and, the truth hurts. I am a sinner. I am rebellious and hostile to God. By nature I don’t want to do what God desires, nor am I inclined to even think about obeying him.

As Jesus opened the eyes of the crowd, so he opens mine. He confronts me with the truth of my rebellion. He also confronts me with the truth of my condemnation. The truth hurts. It is when I feel the sting of this harsh reality and am broken under its pressing burden, that I long to hear what Jesus has done for me.

He accepted the punishment I should have endured. He experienced the condemnation I should have received. He rescued me from the painful sentence I should have borne. This precious truth brings relief. It also renews me through faith, so I can delight in doing what he desires.

By faith, Jesus has set me free from the painful reality which confronted me and replaced it with the peace only the whole truth can provide. In this truth I now live and rejoice.

Prayer:
O blessed Savior, my Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for the precious truth you provide. This alone reveals the burden of my sin, and leads me to you, the one who has released me from that burden. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I Knew You

Daily Devotion – February 6, 2019

Devotion based on Jeremiah 1:4-5

See series: Devotions

“I knew you.” You might hear those words from someone who thinks you’ve changed. They knew you at one point in your life, but now you’ve apparently changed. You might hear them from someone you’ve drifted apart from. At one time you were close, but then one of you moved—off to school, off to a new job, off to a new you.

The perspective is one of looking back on who you once were. Time and distance have changed you. What they knew about you no longer seems to be true.

The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and told him: “I knew you.” But the Lord isn’t surprised at Jeremiah—who he is, how he’s changed, or what he’s up to now. No, the Lord’s perspective was different. Before Jeremiah even existed, the Lord knew him and what he would do.

From our perspective, life can feel like a chaotic tornado or a giant game of Plinko (a “Price Is Right” reference for those of you who don’t know game shows). When we feel that way, we all too easily give in to temptations. When it feels like no one is in control, we decide to take the reins. We start making all the decisions ourselves, regardless of what God says. When it feels like our lives are stuck in a dangerous swamp of question marks, we worry about everything, even though worrying has never worked. The list could go on, but the point is simple: when we think no one knows or cares, we sin.

The Lord is here to tell us differently. He knows. He cares. The Lord has plans for you. The Lord’s plans started before you were even born. He planned for you before this world was created. His plans included a cradle where his Son, your Savior, was born. He planned for the cross where Jesus’ punishment brought you peace. In your life, God brought you his Word and Jesus. And, Jesus is planning and preparing a room for you in heaven.

The Lord, who has known and planned those HUGE details for you, knows every little detail, too. The Lord knows. He knows you. He loves you.

Prayer:
Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Forgive me for not trusting your loving care. Give me confidence always that you know me, you love me and your plans for me culminate with my happy home in heaven with 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.