Category: Daily Devotions

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:21-23

Trust and Forgiveness

Daily Devotion – May 1, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:21-23

See series: Devotions

A father is about to hand the keys to his 16-year-old for the very first time. After last-minute instructions about buckling up and checking the rear-view mirror, he hands over the keys with a bit of reluctant hesitation. Why? He knows keys come with power and require responsibility.

A living Jesus confidently tossed a set of keys to his disciples. “It’s all yours,” he says, “I give you the keys to my kingdom.” There are earthly keys to a car, house, shed, boat, or bank vault. The keys Jesus gives are just as real, yet so powerful, they open and close heaven itself.

Heaven doesn’t have doors of wood or metal, but Jesus has the opening and closing of heaven in mind when he hands off two keys with these instructions, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” One key locks. The other unlocks. One key opens the door of heaven to the person hurt and devastated by the consequences of their own wrongdoing. That person then looks to Jesus and cries, “Lord have mercy on me!” The other key locks the door to a person still tied to their wrongdoings because they are not sorry for their sins. That person never looked to Jesus and asked for forgiveness.

What a powerful set of keys given us by a resurrected, all-powerful Savior! You have Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, too. Every time you say, “I forgive you,” you are speaking Jesus’ words and believing that Jesus untied you from your sins. His death paid for your freedom! His resurrection proves you are truly forgiven! And should you ever be forced to lock up forgiveness, may love for that person be your only motive—a serious warning, a sincere, loving call to repentance

Handle the keys of the kingdom carefully, my friends! Forgiveness is a spiritual power that brings spiritual consequences. Never forget the amazing mercy and grace of God who chose to forgive our sins in his Son and never tires of saying, “Peace be with you!”

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for unlocking heaven’s door! Help me be mindful of the power that comes with these keys. No matter how big my sin, your forgiveness is bigger. Increase my trust in the forgiveness only you can and do give. 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.

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:20

Trust and Joy

Daily Devotion – April 30, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:20

See series: Devotions

Emotions are contagious. You’ve probably noticed this as you’ve journeyed through life. Someone “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” They walk into a room and quickly sour the mood of everyone there. Meanwhile, another person bubbles with happiness. You find yourself feeling happy too. Why? Because emotions are contagious. Studies show this same thing. Moods can move through rooms, homes, organizations, and even cities.

Jesus’ followers were filled with sadness and fear. They had run away from Jesus in his hour of need. Jesus had been killed and buried. You can imagine the depressing mood in that room—shared and intensified by their mutual loss and guilt.

Suddenly the mood changed for the disciples, their tear-filled eyes saw Jesus. The one who had been dead was alive! The one they had run away from had come to them. Jesus was there, alive! What else could they feel except joy!

For you and me, joy starts with seeing Jesus. The sight of freshly-pierced, nail-scarred hands and feet show us who he is and what he’s done to cover sin’s cost. It’s not until you see that—not a teacher with wounds, or a man with wounds, but to know that GOD had wounds for you! Such a sight melts our hearts! Now we know our sin, guilt, and shame have been taken away. With that good news, what else can we feel except joy!

The disciples would not stay cooped up in that room behind locked doors. They would share their joy with friends and neighbors near and far away. May Jesus fill your heart and life with nothing but joy today! Share that joy!

Prayer:
Jesus, many things in my life try to rob me of the joy you give me. No matter what hardships I experience, Increase my trust and joy in you. Bless me with the opportunities and the heart to share your joy with others. 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.

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

Trust and Peace

Daily Devotion – April 29, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:19

See series: Devotions

Fear rattles your heart. I don’t know the particular things that scare you. But fear has this unsettling ability to change our plans and keep us awake at night.

Jesus’ disciples were afraid. Their leader and close friend died. He was the one they hoped would be the long-promised Savior. Their hope died with him. Afraid, they wondered, “Are we next?” Fear rattled their hearts as they hid behind the locked door.

But they couldn’t hide from Jesus. He knew exactly where they were and how they were feeling. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them. Their friend, their Savior, their Lord—he was alive! Their reasons for fear melted like snow on a hot spring day.

Jesus said to them: “Peace be with you!” Jesus didn’t just wish peace for them. Jesus proclaimed and gave peace to his formerly fear-filled friends. Only he could give the kind of peace which quieted their souls and strengthened their faith. Because Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” it changed everything! His resurrection guaranteed his peace can be trusted.

Jesus now gives this peace to you. He wants you to know the kind of peace which quiets the soul and removes fear. No matter how the circumstances of your life may change, Jesus’ resurrection and the peace he gives does not change. When the peace of God enters our hearts, the storms of life are not removed, but the presence of the risen Christ removes our fear of them.

Jesus lives! Trust and enjoy his peace!

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for showing so clearly and repeatedly that you rose from the grave. Increase my trust in you. Increase the peace that you can and do give to me. 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.

In a loud voice [the angels] sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain.”
Revelation 5:12

Worthy is the Lamb

Daily Devotion – April 28, 2019

Devotion based on Revelation 5:12

See series: Devotions

His name was Charles Jennens. Charles was a wounded, broken man. His spirit had been broken by a tragic death in his family. But in his bouts of grief, he found comfort in the words of the Bible, especially in those passages that spoke to him about his Savior.

As a result, Charles decided to put together a set of lyrics that, he hoped, someone could set to music. The lyrics were unusual in that he lifted almost all of them from the Bible.

As it happened, the set of Charles’ lyrics caught the eye of a gifted composer. But that composer was under a cloud of sadness as well. A recent stroke, money troubles, and a series of failures in his life had left him feeling defeated. But in those lyrics, the Word of God spoke to him—so much so that it moved him to pick up his pen.

He started slowly. But soon the music began to flow. Note after note, page after page, he worked from morning until night. He wrote nonstop for a week. One week became two, then three. In 24 short, explosive days, he was done. The sad composer had set to music a collection of Bible verses that brought comfort and strength to a man reeling from tragedy and pain.

The composer was George Frideric Handel. He entitled his composition, Messiah. It declares that Jesus is the One who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. It declares that Jesus is the One who has washed our every sin away. It declares that we have forgiveness and eternal life through faith in him, for Christ is risen from the dead.

At the conclusion of Messiah, the choir sings, Worthy is the Lamb. If you have a moment, find it on YouTube and listen. It is a song of victory and unbridled joy in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The truth of that song will never fade. It will never fade because Jesus, our Messiah, lives

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You have risen from death. Your promises are true. Move me to sing your praise with 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.

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!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19-21

Peace

Daily Devotion – April 27, 2019

Devotion based on John 20:19-21

See series: Devotions

Jesus’ disciples were paralyzed by fear. They were afraid of the Jewish leaders. They were afraid because they thought they were alone and didn’t know what was going to happen next. It was during this time of fear when Jesus appeared to them. No longer held by death and the grave, he came to offer them exactly what they needed. And it is exactly what you and I need.

I need Jesus’ peace because I am terrified by my enemies. The devil tries to confuse me. The world tries to corrupt me. Even my sinful nature tries to lead me into despair.

I need Jesus’ peace because I realize it is impossible for me to stand before God as he desires. He is without sin, and I am sinful. He desires perfect obedience, and I bring before him my disobedience. He longs to be my Lord and Master, but I rebel.

I need Jesus’ peace because I know how weak I am. Daily I struggle with sinful distractions and deceptions. Daily I lack the ability to stand my ground against the devil’s deadly temptations. Daily I am troubled by my guilt.

I desperately need Jesus’ peace. How blessed I am that he comes to me with his precious reassurance: “Peace be with you!” Because he established this peace which guards my heart and life, I can find rescue and relief. His peace removes my fear of enemies, reconciles me to God the Father, and renews me in my struggle with temptation. His peace reminds me I am not alone.

When I am paralyzed by my fear, I need to remember I have a victorious, powerful, and ever-living Savior. He comes to me with the very words I need to hear and trust: “Peace be with you!”

Prayer:
O gracious and living Savior, I need your presence, your power, and especially your peace. Give me the strength of faith to rely on the gifts of your love and the reassurance of your peace. 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.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:1,2

Hold Firmly to the Word

Daily Devotion – April 26, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:1,2

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Would you ever go digging through eight tons of garbage? That’s what one husband and wife decided to do. The wife had taken off her 12.5-carat wedding ring to do the dishes on a Sunday afternoon. She didn’t remember the ring until the next morning. But when she went to look for it, it was gone. They soon figured that it must have fallen into the garbage, which had already been picked up by the garbage truck. They were able to find the truck that picked up their trash just minutes before it dumped its load in the landfill. The truck dumped out its eight tons of dirty, stinky, who-knows-what-that-was-originally trash onto the street instead. The husband and wife both jumped in. Thankfully, they found her ring.

And, thankfully, you do not need to dig through eight tons of garbage to find what is most valuable to you. You only need to dig through the living and breathing Word of God to find the promises that will breathe life into your heart and soul. That’s why the Bible tells us to “hold firmly to the word.” In that Word, you will always find life, strength, forgiveness, and heaven. Because in that Word, you will always find the Christ who has risen.

In the risen Christ, you have the God-given right to look at death and expect to find life. You have the right to know that even your greatest pain will not separate you from the greatest joy God can give any of his children—eternal life with him.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for the priceless treasure I receive through Jesus my Savior. Give me strength each day to hold firmly to your Word so that I never lose sight of what I receive through him. 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 gospel you are saved . . . For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:2-5

He Was Raised to Life for You

Daily Devotion – April 25, 2019

Devotion based on1 Corinthians 15:2-5

See series: Devotions

In 1994, Nevest Coleman was working his dream job as a groundskeeper for the Chicago White Sox, until he was convicted of murdering a 20-year-old woman. He received a life sentence. Twenty-three years later, in November of 2017, DNA evidence proved that the crime was committed by someone else. He was released from prison. A few weeks later, for the first time in more than two decades, Nevest Coleman showed up again for work. The Chicago White Sox had given him his job back.

As he languished in prison those twenty-three years, Mr. Coleman must have thought he would never again work at his dream job. Just as Jesus’ disciples thought they would never see Jesus again—not after what had happened to him on Friday. His horrible death had shattered their dreams and left them wondering what they would do now.

But at various times over the following weeks, their friend who had been so wrongly convicted, was standing right there in front of them, fully alive even after he had died. Showing them that, in the end, death does not win. Jesus did. And, because of Jesus’ victory, death does not get the final say in the existence of Jesus’ followers. Jesus does. You see, it wasn’t his own victory he was most eager to show the world. It was yours. “By this gospel, YOU are saved,” the Bible says. No matter how weak, exhausted, guilty, or broken you feel from day to day. You are saved!

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of salvation. Help me to live confident of the victory I have been given through my risen Savior, Jesus Christ. 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 is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharoah’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea.
Exodus 15:2-4

Praise the Lord for His Amazing Victory

Daily Devotion – April 24, 2019

Devotion based on Exodus 15:2-4

See series: Devotions

There are many times in life when someone might believe that they will never see or feel anything good ever again—someone who has lost a loved one; someone who struggles with an addiction; someone who has lost a job, a friend, or a fortune. A person can begin to believe that there is no hope.

In Exodus 14, the nation of Israel wasn’t far from the land God had promised them. But coming after them was a well-trained Egyptian army very eager to destroy them, and right in front of them was a large body of water blocking the way to their freedom. But they learned that just because you can’t see how anything good can happen doesn’t mean it can’t.

In Exodus 15, Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to God for opening a way to freedom that they never saw coming. God showed Israel that he was with them, and that he was fighting for them, when he divided the waters of the sea, allowing Israel to walk to safety before bringing the waters together again to destroy the enemy that was pursing them.

You may never be caught between an Egyptian army and a body of water as large as the Red Sea. But the same God who delivered the Israelites has provided a way for you to enter an even greater Promised Land. Through the perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus, God has guaranteed that your enemies of sin and death will not keep you from the one place where there is no more pain and where every tear is wiped away.

Maybe you have days when it doesn’t feel like you’re on your way there. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t. Because of Jesus, you are.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, we praise you for making a way to heaven that we could never find on our own. May our hearts and lips forever praise you for the gift of salvation. 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.

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.
Luke 24:6

Remember What God Said

Daily Devotion – April 23, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 24:6

See series: Devotions

A fan is nervously pacing the room. His favorite team is losing in the last seconds of a game. As the final buzzer sounds, the team scores the go-ahead points. Suddenly, the fan doesn’t feel nervous anymore. He feels excited. What he saw immediately changed how he was feeling.

On Easter morning, the woman who approached Jesus’ tomb were sad and scared. Then they saw an angel, and the angel said, “Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.” What had Jesus told them? Jesus had told them they would be delivered into the hands of sinful men, he would be crucified, and that on the third day he would rise again.

There was probably a time not long before this, that they believed none of those things would happen. But Jesus said he would be handed over—and they saw that happen. Jesus said he would be crucified—and they saw that happen. Jesus said he would rise—and the angel assured them that he had.

They ran to the other disciples and told them that Jesus was alive—not because they had seen him with their eyes, but because the angel had helped them remember the promise he had made. The promise is what made the difference.

Which of God’s promises would the angel remind you of? Didn’t he say that one day he will wipe every tear from your eyes? Didn’t he say that you don’t need to worry about anything? Didn’t he say that all things work out for the good of those who love him? Didn’t he say that he is with you always to the very end?

He did. And God always keeps his word. May his promises change everything for you this day.

Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to remember and take to heart the many gracious promises you give me in your Word. 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 first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 24:1-3

Find a Reason to Believe

Daily Devotion – April 22, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 24:1-3

See series: Devotions

Easter Sunday morning was difficult for the women who went to visit Jesus’ tomb. It was just a few days earlier that they had seen their friend die. The image of Jesus hanging on a cross was still fresh in their minds. The rapid pace at which it had all happened was still stunning.

Have you ever felt like these women would have on their way to Jesus’ tomb early that Sunday morning? Have you ever gone nights without sleep because your sorrow is so deep? Has your heart ever tried to carry a heavy burden you did not see coming? Have you ever sat for days in the dark valley, wondering if the recent death of someone you love really happened? Have you ever mourned deep in your soul because of someone or something that suddenly went missing? And if you have felt any of those things, have you ever felt like that feeling is never going to change?

It seems the first women to the grave on Easter morning did. You wouldn’t bring burial spices to a grave if you were looking for the living. They weren’t expecting to see life. They were expecting to see death. But what they found instead was enough to give hope, peace, and joy to anyone who has ever been convinced they will never again feel those wonderful things.

They saw the emptiness of Jesus’ grave. They saw proof that Jesus was risen and that his sacrifice for our sins was accepted. They saw God’s ability to keep a promise to love us and give us the greatest victory of all. They saw, just as we do as we consider the empty tomb, the glorious significance of Easter morning.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of Jesus’ resurrection, by which you have given us the victory over death and sin. May we live in that victory each day and so overcome our daily enemies of guilt and discouragement. 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.