Category: Daily Devotions

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Soar through Life like an Eagle

Daily Devotion – May 11, 2019

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:31

See series: Devotions

Life can get pretty heavy at times. A person can begin to feel like an overburdened pack mule plodding along with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Perhaps you can picture the packages you are carrying. There is the package of overdue bills on one side and strained relationships on the other. There is the package of worries at work and overdue projects at home. You may be carrying the package of meeting the endless needs of your young children or caring for an aging parent. On top of all these there can be chronic illness or clinical depression. And, as if all of these are not heavy enough, there is the guilt of thoughtless words you have said and kind deeds you did not do. You struggle from one day to the next with no relief and the weight is getting heavier and heavier. Plod…plod…plod…

Now, listen to God’s Word: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” God in heaven knows all about your burdens—your work and worry and guilt. He can carry the loads of life—whatever they are. He is the almighty Lord who never tires or grows weary. Rather than relying on your own wisdom or strength to see you through, put your hope in the Lord. He lifts your burdens off your back and frees you so that instead of plodding like a pack mule, you soar through life like an eagle.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me for how often I rely on my own wisdom and strength. My hope is in you. Today I hand over my heavy burdens to you, knowing that you are able to carry them far better than I can. Grant me the faith to spend this day soaring like the eagles. 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.

But the Lord said to Ananias . . . “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Acts 9:15,16

Not an Easy Life

Daily Devotion – May 10, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 9:15,16

See series: Devotions

We don’t know much about Saul’s life before he took his eventful journey to Damascus. However, it seems safe to say that if Saul’s life had not changed so drastically in Damascus, his life could have been rather easy by human standards. In Jewish society, he had every advantage imaginable. Even in Roman society, he had much going for him since he was a Roman citizen.

Yet, Saul’s life after becoming a Christian was anything but easy. By his own account, Saul was whipped on five separate occasions. Three times he was beaten with rods. Wherever he went, his life was threatened. He often went without food, clothing, and shelter. Finally, he spent his last days in a Roman dungeon before being executed for his faith in Jesus. These are the kinds of things that God was talking about when he told Ananias that he would show Saul “how much he must suffer for my name.”

It may not seem fair that those who follow Jesus can expect to face difficulties in life that they wouldn’t face if they weren’t Christians. Our human logic tells us that following Jesus should make our lives easier, not harder. The reality, though, is that being a friend of Jesus means being an enemy of Satan and all his allies in this sinful world. And Satan and his allies are not known for making the lives of their enemies easy.

This, however, is no reason to become discouraged. As Jesus told his disciples on the night before he died, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection, has totally defeated Satan and all his allies. This means that we who have been joined to him in baptism also have totally defeated Satan and all his allies. Saul understood this and later wrote, “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Through faith in Jesus, we have the same confidence. When we trust in Jesus, we are strong, no matter how hard life may become.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when life becomes hard, help me always to rely on you for my confidence and 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.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.
Acts 9:17-18

An Astounding Miracle

Daily Devotion – May 9, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 9:17-18

See series: Devotions

When Ananias arrived at the house where Saul was staying, the Lord enabled him to be a part of two astounding miracles. The first, of course, was the restoration of Saul’s sight. Yet, immediately after that miracle another miracle took place. This second miracle may not be as obvious at first. But in many ways, it is by far the more astounding of the two. The second miracle took place when Saul was baptized.

If you have ever witnessed a baptism, you know that on the surface it looks like anything but an astounding miracle. Water is poured over someone’s head in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And when it’s all over, the only thing that looks different is that the person who’s been baptized is wetter than he or she was before.

But through that washing with water and the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is performing an astounding miracle. Later in his life, Saul (who by then had changed his name to Paul) described this miracle in a letter to the Christians in Rome: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4).

That is the astounding miracle that happened when Saul was baptized. In his baptism, Saul died, was buried, and rose again with Jesus. Everything that Jesus did for Saul’s salvation became Saul’s own. And that same miracle has happened to each of us who has been baptized. When we were baptized—we died with Jesus, we were buried with Jesus, we rose again with Jesus. And everything that Jesus did for our salvation became ours. That, without out a doubt, makes our baptism a most astounding miracle.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for joining me to yourself in the miracle of Baptism. May I always grow in my appreciation of this precious gift. 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.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”
Acts 9:10-15

Loving Our Neighbor

Daily Devotion – May 8, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 9:10-15

See series: Devotions

Ananias knew who Saul was. He knew all that Saul had done in Jerusalem to arrest and condemn Christians to death. He knew that Saul had now come to Damascus, with the authority of the chief priests, to do the same thing. And so, Ananias was uneasy, to say the least, when the Lord told him to go to Saul and restore his sight.

Would any of us have reacted any differently than Ananias did? How easy is it for us to show love (or even kindness) to someone who has shown nothing but hatred toward us? How much easier would it be to just write that person off as someone who’s not worthy of our love?

But the Lord didn’t give Ananias the option of just writing Saul off as dangerous and not worthy of love. God had plans for Saul. Even more than that, God loved Saul. Therefore, God also wanted Ananias to love Saul. And with God’s love living in him, Ananias would be able to love Saul, even as God loved him.

Loving our neighbor is not always easy, especially when that neighbor has not shown love to us. Yet our neighbor’s lack of love does not excuse us from loving them. Regardless of who they are, God still loves them. Therefore, he also wants us to love them. And as God’s love lives in us, we also will be able to love all our neighbors, just as God in Christ has loved each of us.

Prayer:
Lord, let your love overflow through me to all those who are around 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.

As [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:3-6

A Divine Confrontation

Daily Devotion – May 7, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 9:3-6

See series: Devotions

What would it take to turn Saul, the persecutor of Christians, into a Christian? Would it take a convincing debate with a prominent Christian teacher? Would Saul have to put in a lot of work researching Christianity so that he on his own could conclude that Christianity was true? I dare say that neither of those approaches would have worked in Saul’s case. He was absolutely convinced that what he believed was the truth and that Christianity was wrong. No amount of debate or research on its own could have changed Saul from a persecutor of Christians into a Christian.

The only thing that could turn Saul into a Christian was a divine confrontation. When Saul got close to Damascus, Jesus himself appeared to Saul in a flash of light and spoke to him. He confronted Saul with the reality that he truly was the Son of God. He confronted Saul with the reality of Saul’s rebellion against him. He confronted Saul with the reality of his resurrection from the dead. And in this divine confrontation, the Holy Spirit worked in Saul’s heart and brought him to faith in Jesus. Nothing short of such a divine confrontation—and nothing else besides—could have made Saul a Christian.

All who have been brought to faith in Jesus have experienced a similar, if less outwardly dramatic, divine confrontation. Through his Word in the Bible, through the water and Word of Baptism, Jesus confronted us with himself. He confronted us with the reality of who he is as the Son of God. He confronted us with his life, his death, and his resurrection, through which he rescued us from all our sins. In this divine confrontation, God the Holy Spirit worked in our hearts and brought us to faith in Jesus. Nothing short of such a divine confrontation—and nothing else besides—could have caused us to believe in Jesus as our Savior.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for confronting me with yourself and all that you have done for me. Amen.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1,2

The Most Unlikely of Converts

Daily Devotion – May 6, 2019

Devotion based on Acts 9:1,2

See series: Devotions

Saul of Tarsus was not a Christian. Nor did he want to be a Christian. In fact, Saul firmly believed that it was his God-given task in life to root out and destroy as many Christians as possible. To him, these “followers of the Way,” as they were called, were nothing more than heretics who had been deluded by that charlatan Jesus of Nazareth. And he was willing to go to any length, including traveling several hundred miles from Jerusalem to Damascus, in order to get rid of them.

It is hard to imagine anyone less likely to become a Christian than Saul of Tarsus. And yet, as we will see in our daily devotions this week, Saul not only became a Christian but also one of the greatest Christian missionaries of all time. Saul of Tarsus, who once dedicated his life to destroying Christians and Christianity, eventually dedicated his life to spreading the faith that he had worked so hard to destroy.

Why would God even want to bring someone like Saul into his Church? Actually, why would God want to bring any of us into his Church? Were any of us any more likely to become a Christian than Saul was? While we may not have traveled hundreds of miles to persecute Christians, the Bible makes it very clear that all of us were from birth naturally hostile to God. That natural hostility toward God made us just as unlikely to be brought into God’s family as Saul of Tarsus was.

And yet, in spite of who we were on our own and all we had done against him, God still wanted each of us to be brought into his family of believers. Just as he did for Saul, God loved us and reached out to us. And by his grace, he brought us, who along with Saul were the most unlikely of converts, to saving faith in him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me, the most unlikely of converts, to faith in you. Amen.

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

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

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

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. . . . So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
John 21:7,8,11

Fisher of Men

Daily Devotion – May 5, 2019

Devotion based on John 21:7,8,11

See series: Devotions

When I was a kid, I loved to go fishing. No matter how small the fish, I wanted to keep it just so I could pull up to the dock and show mom and dad how many fish I caught. Dad once warned me that I was going to catch every fish in the lake! “Naw, that’s impossible, dad. There are too many!” Of all those baskets of fish, I don’t think I ever came home with 153, let alone, all large ones. I could never do that.

Now, I’m older, I don’t take the time to fish like that anymore. But God has called me to be a fisher of men, women, and children, young and old, big and small. I fish for them by telling them about Jesus, their Savior. With every person who comes to trust in him, it’s plain to see another miracle of the Lord. With each person I see the Lord’s mighty power working in their hearts and lives. It’s exciting to see the Holy Spirit catch them. It’s fun to share with them that Jesus has cleaned them up perfectly. It makes me want to go back out fishing again.

As you go about your day, see the people around you. The Lord has brought them to you. Share with them the good news of Easter. Share with them the joy and excitement you have in knowing that Jesus your Savior lives. Invite them to come and hear more with you at church. Impossible? No, for Jesus is the Lord, and he is still doing miracles every day. Go fishing and see the power of the Lord!

Prayer:
Use me, Lord Jesus, to catch more people for you. Amen.

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

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

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

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19

Peace Be With You

Daily Devotion – May 4, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:19

See series: Devotions

We tend to think peace is something that happens when you finally have nothing to do. You’ve finished your “to do list.” Your work is finished. Ah, peace and quiet. While there is something peaceful about it, this kind of peace pales in comparison to the peace Jesus gives us. For one thing, tomorrow that “to do list” will appear again.

When Jesus appeared to his disciples alive on Easter evening, he declared peace to his disciples. They no longer needed to worry—about their future or their fate. Jesus’ resurrection assured them of his power, and his power to provide eternal life for all who follow him. There was nothing left for them to do. His perfect life and his innocent death paid the price for their sins.

So sit back tonight when your work is done for the day and ponder this peace Jesus gives you. Share the joy of this peace with others who are close to you. Bless them with the same peace Jesus gives you. “Peace be with you as you rest tonight.” Ah, that’s real peace—knowing that Jesus is your Savior, knowing that all is done, and knowing that one day you too will be with Jesus in heaven.

Prayer:
Jesus, fill my heart with your peace that I may always live in the sure hope of 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 performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30,31

Trust is the Goal

Daily Devotion – May 3, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:30,31

See series: Devotions

When memoirs and behind-the-scenes tell-all’s about famous and powerful people are released, people can’t wait to discover the secrets of these incredible people. Perhaps they’re looking for scandalous details or digging to find their keys to success.

God gives us many details about Jesus’ life and ministry in the gospels (the books in the Bible called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). I strongly encourage you to read them. They’re beautiful, powerful, and life-changing.

But I warn you, while the Bible is the most read book on the planet, God doesn’t tell us everything we’d like to know. Nor is he obligated to answer every little question that pops into our heads.

God considers the information in this book incredibly important. He gives us a glimpse of himself. He opens our eyes to see some of his sacred secrets. The Bible tells us who God is, who we are, and about where we’re going.

God doesn’t tell us everything we’d LIKE to know, but he does tell us everything we NEED to know: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ—the Son of God—and that by believing, you may have life in his name.”

God doesn’t tell us everything we’d like to know. On this side of the grave, he never will. But for here and now he’s told who we are, and who he is, and what he’s done for us so we can be his again, and what that means for us in this life, and what that means for us in the next life. He does tell us everything we need to know.

And that’s enough.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for giving me exactly what I need. Increase my trust in this truth as you take care of my daily needs and as I read the Bible. Give me new life and eternal life in your name. Amen.

This week’s devotion focus on John 20:19-31 as we take a closer look at “Resurrection Trust.”

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 week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:26-29

Trust is a Blessing

Daily Devotion – May 2, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:26-29

See series: Devotions

On Easter Sunday, believers around the world love to joyfully sing this truth, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives.” But not Thomas. Thomas would have sang, “I don’t know, and I won’t believe My Redeemer Lives.” His fears and doubts got in the way. A week later, Thomas saw Jesus alive for himself. Jesus told Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).”

The trouble Thomas had is the trouble that followers of the Lord have had ever since. It’s hard to just believe and trust! There’s something way down deep inside us that urges us to seek proof and to believe only what makes sense to our minds. The Lord has told us over and over again not to worry—but we do! He tells us not to be afraid because he is always with us—but what scares you at the moment? The Lord tell us not to doubt or question his ways, but every time a senseless act of evil or sudden hardship happens in our lives, we wonder, “Is God in control?”

Like Thomas, you need an encounter with the Living Lord! You need evidence that your sins are forgiven? You want assurance that God still loves you? You need proof that God’s promises are true for you?

Every day, approach Jesus who daily says, “Peace be with you!” Put your hand over his pierced side. Feel his hands and his feet. Taste and see that the Lord is alive and good, powerful to save, and abundant in love and mercy. He asks us to believe without seeing the future and to trust his plan for our life.

Prayer:
Jesus, we humbly and wholeheartedly believe you to be our Lord and God! Thank you for being so trustworthy and faithful to all your promises. Strengthen my weak faith to trust in you always. Because today, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives! Amen.

This week’s devotion focus on John 20:19-31 as we take a closer look at “Resurrection Trust.”

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.