Category: Daily Devotions

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27

Turn from Empty Promises

Daily Devotion – May 31, 2019

Devotion based on John 14:27

See series: Devotions

There is an old saying, “Promises are like pie crusts; they are easily made and easily broken.”

We are surrounded by promises given by others. We are also committed by the promises we make. What every promise shares is the responsibility to keep it. There is also the reality that many promises are broken. Hence, the proverb.

We rely on promises which is why we are disappointed when they are broken. The promised family outing is usurped by work. The promised gift is put on hold because of lack of funds. The promised change of a bad habit is broken because it is not easily overcome.

There is one promise which stands apart from every other promise, and from the proverb. It was not easily made, and it will never be broken. It is the promise Jesus gives. He promises peace—peace with our God and peace with our own consciences. The blood he shed washed away our sin and guilt. So, there is nothing for God to be angry about and nothing for us to feel guilty about. We are at peace.

Jesus’ promise stands unbroken because he is the ever-faithful God. He perfectly accomplished everything he promised to do. Furthermore, we can rely on his promise because he has given us a blood-signed guarantee. In his crucifixion, death, and resurrection we have his lasting testimony that we are at peace.

What a blessing! Because of Jesus’ faithful and unbroken promise, we can be confident and courageous, even when every other promise fails.

Prayer:
O gracious Savior, you know how much I rely on your promises. Remove every temptation, every uncertainty, and every doubt which would make me question your faithfulness. Then, through your never-failing promise give me peace, courage, and confidence. 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.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:19,20

Turn from Spiritual Apathy

Daily Devotion – May 30, 2019

Devotion based on Revelation 3:19,20

See series: Devotions

“Whatever!” It seems this has become the mantra for just about everything. The parent tells her child to clean his room. The response is, “Whatever!” The employer expects his employee to be on time. The response is, “Whatever!” The Lord says be faithful to the point of death. The response is, “Whatever!”

There is an inherent danger with this response, especially when it is directed to the Lord. When he says, “Be earnest and repent,” he does not expect the response: “Whatever!” He expects people to acknowledge their need and humbly repent—now.

Unfortunately, there are many distractions and excuses. Each finds its root in spiritual apathy. While it may be subtle and seemingly harmless, soon it becomes blatant. The end result is, even the most urgent call from the Lord is met with, “Whatever!”

Because the danger is always present, we need to humbly repent. We also need to earnestly understand apathy will lead to eternal judgment. This is why we turn from spiritual apathy and seek the Lord so he can purify our hearts.

Only Jesus can bring about this change. He makes us realize our apathy. He leads us to confess our sin. He draws us to his cross. He then assures us we are forgiven. In love he persists because he does not want us to perish.

This is why we want to do everything we can to build ourselves up in our devotion to the Lord. We study his precious Word. We meditate on its inspired truths. We sincerely apply them to our lives. Through the powerful working of the Word, we will be aware of the warning signs and turn away from spiritual apathy. We will also rejoice to hear our Savior’s voice and welcome him as a dear guest.

Prayer:
O gracious Lord, there are many complications and distractions in my life. All these turn my attention away from what is important. Reclaim my heart. Strengthen my faith. Renew my desire to live for you alone. 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.

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God.
Revelation 21:10,11

Turn from an Uncertain Future

Daily Devotion – May 29, 2019

Devotion based on Revelation 21:10,11

See series: Devotions

What does the future hold? While there are some who claim to know, their predictions lack any credibility. So, where do we turn to know what is in store for us? There is an old proverb which is helpful. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.” This, of course, is the Lord.

Although this knowledge offers comfort, we continue to have our misgivings. Too often we wonder, “What if…?” This can actually become a deadly infection. It starts with a hint of uncertainty. It spreads to become a lack of trust. Finally, it overcomes with deadly despair.

St. John’s words from the book of Revelation provide the remedy. He reveals what the future holds for those who put their trust in the Lord. He doesn’t offer a rose-colored perspective, nor does he make promises which will never be kept. He does offer God’s own assurance of what is in store for the future for those who know and trust in him, and that is heaven.

The beautiful picture John described offers the reassurance we need. For loneliness, there is companionship in the presence of the Lord. For earthly loss, there is the anticipation of heavenly blessing. For death, there is new life in the Holy City of the eternal God.

While this may not answer every question we have about tomorrow or the next day, what God does provide keeps us from being overwhelmed by doubt and despair. We know who holds the future, and we know who holds us in his gracious and protective care. It is the Lord who rescues us from sin, death, and every danger. The same Lord tells us what our future holds. There is no uncertainty whatsoever. We will be where he is.

Prayer:
O merciful Lord, we are often short-sighted and overwhelmed by doubt. Strengthen our faith so we trust you and cling to your faithful promises. Throughout this life, fix our eyes on your rescue and the place of blessing you have prepared for us. 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.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16,17

Turn from Baseless Fears

Daily Devotion – May 28, 2019

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:16,17

See series: Devotions

Fear can be good. It can make us careful and help us avoid dangerous, even tragic situations.

While some fear is healthy, baseless fear is not. This is what overwhelmed Elisha’s servant. He was terrified by what he saw. All he could see was the vast and powerful army surrounding the city. This realization brought panic and a sense of hopelessness.

We can relate to the servant’s response. We often find ourselves surrounded by enemies. The devil is always stalking us. The world is always ready to terrorize us. Unfortunately, because of the weakness of our flesh we are seized by baseless fears. We overlook the help God provides, and we fail to take God at his Word. The end result is fear. We are terrorized by what we see just like Elisha’s servant. But this is a baseless fear.

Here is where we need the Lord to intervene. So we humbly ask the Lord to open our eyes and show us the help that is readily available.

So what will we see? We will see a faithful and all-powerful Father who loves us. We will see a victorious and ever-present Savior who stands ready to rescue us. We will see a devoted Lord who will never allow anything to separate us from his love.

There is no better place to look for courage, confidence, or help than in the Lord. He will guide us in all our ways. He will rescue us from harm and danger. He will remove our baseless fears and replace them with an unshakable trust.

Prayer:
O loving heavenly Father, I am weak, but you are strong. I daily fail, but you always succeed. Open my eyes to recognize you are always with me. Give me faith to rely on the help you are always ready and willing to provide. Amen.

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

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

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

We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
Acts 14:15b

Turn from Worthless Things

Daily Devotion – May 27, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 14:15b

See series: Devotions

Whenever a person moves from one home to another, questions abound. What will the next place be like? What will the new neighbors be like? Then there is the most pressing question: What do I take with me? How does one sift through years of memories and memorabilia? How does one determine what is worthless and disposable? It is not an easy question to answer. But it is an important question to answer when a person is moving.

It is even more important for every person to ask this question regarding their spiritual life. When Saint Paul visited the ancient city of Lystra, he explained to the people there that the false gods they worshiped were worthless. “Turn from worthless things to the living God,” he told them.

Nearly two thousand years later, Paul’s message still applies. If he would look at us, he would say the same thing: Turn from worthless things. Although difficult to accept and, even more difficult to undertake, it is exactly what we must do.

Because, like the people in Lystra, we often worship what is worthless. We spend far too much of our time and effort chasing things that are not worthy, things that will not last. Nothing this world offers can match the lasting value of knowing Jesus and what he has done for us. His precious life was lived to offer us perfect obedience. His priceless death was given to release us from judgment. His incomparable resurrection now provides eternal blessing in heaven.

Recognizing what Jesus gives us makes us realize it is time to clean house, to turn from worthless things to the priceless blessings of the living God and our precious Savior.

Prayer:
O gracious Lord and Savior, how can I thank you for your gifts of priceless worth! Turn my heart to that which has lasting value, and strengthen me to turn away from things that have no worth. 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 city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 21:23

All The Light We Need

Daily Devotion – May 26, 2019

Devotion based on Revelation 21:23

See series: Devotions

If you ever want to experience darkness, get in your car some cloudy night and put an hour or two between yourself and the nearest town, pull off on some side road, stop your car and turn off your lights. Without street lights, traffic lights, billboard lights, or lights from apartments and homes, the darkness is truly dark.

That’s the nighttime darkness the Apostle John knew when the Lord allowed him to see a revelation of heaven. It was a beautiful city without sun or moon, and yet those who lived there had all the light they needed. The light came from the Lamb of God, Christ himself.

Thanks to Mr. Edison you and I have all kinds of ways to pierce the darkness of night. When it comes to the darkness of sin, however, well that’s another matter. Out of the darkness of our sin comes the darkness of fear, despair, bitterness, failure, guilt, grief, and death.

If we look within ourselves to pierce such darkness, more darkness is all we’ll find.

That’s why the only answer is Jesus, the one who conquered the darkness of our sin through the cross and the empty tomb.

Therefore, you and I don’t have to be afraid anymore. We have Jesus. And Jesus is all the light we need.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, in this world of darkness, you are my light. Empower me by your Gospel to bask in your light 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34

Limitless Love

Daily Devotion – May 25, 2019

Devotion based on John 13:34

See series: Devotions

The thing about love is that it almost always has limits.

You might really love someone or something, but there is probably a limit to that love. You may love a certain food, but you will only pay so much for it. Perhaps you love a certain sports team, but after so many losing seasons you may just give up. Even in a marriage, one of the more infinite loves, we say our vows with, “Till death do us part.”

Even though almost every love we know has its bounds, we still crave truly limitless and unconditional love—a love without any end.

God filled our desire for limitless love by sending Jesus to win eternal life for us. God didn’t set a limit or an end to his love. With his limitless love Jesus came to live and die for us to take away our sins and to win for us a place before God forever. This love will never end.

In response to his love for us, God commands us to love one another as he has loved us.

How can we do that? We can do the kinds of things that will make sure even death will not limit our love. If you want to love your spouse, pray for and encourage their faith. If you want to love your children, make sure that they grow up in a place where their faith can be nurtured. If you want to love your neighbors, do the kinds of things that allow you to share with them the hope you have in Jesus. Helping those you love to be in the Word of Christ and to follow his commands is one of the greatest expressions of love, because it is the only thing that is truly limitless.

God loved you in the ultimate way by winning eternity for you. Go and love others by sharing that message with them.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus. Help me to love with the limitless love you have shown to 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.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35

House Colors

Daily Devotion – May 24, 2019

Devotion based on John 13:35

See series: Devotions

Olympic athletes wear the colors of their country. Ships fly the colors of their country. Traditionally, houses of nobility each had their own house colors. Harry Potter readers and viewers will remember the four houses at Hogwarts School—each with its own unique set of colors.

Jesus tells us to fly our house colors. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

When we show Christ-like love for each other, the people around us can see our house colors as clearly as a flag fluttering in the wind. They can see that we belong to the household of faith. They can see that we belong to Jesus.

The goal is not simply to identify ourselves to the world around us. The goal is to invite others from the world around us to wonder. What motivates this kind of selfless love? Where does it come from? Why is it so strong? Why do these believers love so freely, without compulsion or legalistic enforcement? What makes these people so kind?

On the flip side, when believers don’t demonstrate Christ-like love, it can be damaging. People get a bad impression of what believers are like and what belonging to Jesus is like. Lord, forgive your people for not flying your colors more boldly and truly.

Just think of Jesus. Think of what it means to belong to him. Forgiveness through his cross. Eternal hope through his promises. Victory over death, through his victory over death. What a joy and a blessing to belong to Jesus and his family of faith. Wear his colors. Fly his flag. Show his love.

When others see our love for each other, they will also see Jesus and his love. Christians, fly your house colors!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what a tremendous joy and gift to belong to you! Thank you for your selfless love. Help me also to fly those colors in my life, that others may see you through 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.

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:33,34

While He Is Away

Daily Devotion – May 23, 2019

Devotion based on John 13:33,34

See series: Devotions

“There is a list of chores on the refrigerator,” says mom to the kids as she rushes out of the house on the way to work. “I expect them to be finished when I get home.” Although she is not with her children that day, her instructions are.

Jesus knew he was going away. He was soon going to return to his rightful place at his Father’s side in heaven. He wanted his disciples to know what he wanted them to be doing while he was away. He wanted them to love one another.

It would not be easy. Jesus’ disciples were sinful men—men filled with selfishness and pride, both of which are the enemies of love.

It is still not easy. Jesus’ disciples, including you and me, are still filled with selfishness and pride. Our selfishness screams at us to serve our own needs rather than others. Our pride proclaims that we are better than those around us and so they don’t deserve our love.

But then we look at Jesus. We see him hanging on a cross our sins deserve. We see him serving those who didn’t deserve a lick of his love. And, witnessing what he has done to save us from our sins and serving us in spite of those sins, we are transformed. We are empowered to serve selflessly—even those who do not deserve it. And, suddenly, we find ourselves carrying out his command, doing what he wants us to be doing while he is away—loving one another.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your selfless sacrifice and service. May they be my motivation to carry out your command. Let me love those you bring into my life this day. 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.

“A new command I give you: Love one another.”
John 13:34

A Not So New Assignment

Daily Devotion – May 22, 2019

Devotion based on John 13:34

See series: Devotions

Back in the old days, there was a TV show called Mission Impossible. Each episode would introduce a new assignment given to the main character on a recording. It was top secret. The recording would self-destruct after revealing the assignment. If anything went sideways, the shadowy figures who had given the assignment would disavow any knowledge of it.

The night before his death, Jesus gave his disciples a new assignment. Unlike those on Mission Impossible, this assignment isn’t a secret. It is his assignment for all of his people of all time— “Love one another!”

“But,” you might be thinking: “That’s not new. God has always wanted his people to love others.” True. When Jesus said this command was new, he meant it was being renewed. It needed to be renewed because it had been so obscured by the religious establishment of his day. They had turned their relationship with God into a system of works—doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in order to make themselves right with God.

But we can never be right with God by trying to do the right thing or keep the commands of God. As sinners, we fall short. We stumble and fail.

Jesus came to renew, refresh, recreate, and restore our relationship with God. Jesus lived a human life, but new and improved—not sinful, but sinless; not imperfect, but perfect; not stumbling, failing, or falling, but succeeding perfectly in his life before God. Through faith in Jesus and what he has so perfectly done, we are restored to a right relationship with God. A new and improved relationship with God.

In this newly refurbished and restored relationship with God, we trust in him, not our own goodness. We look to serve him, not ourselves. Our goal is to love others, even at our own expense.

It is the same old command: love one another. But we take on this assignment as if it’s brand new. Because in Jesus, we are brand new.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for restoring my relationship with God by doing perfectly what I could not do. Continue to renew me, refresh me, restore me, that I may follow your new command in new life, with new strength. 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.