Category: Daily Devotions

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Reach for the Finish Line

Daily Devotion – April 12, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:13-14

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I loved to watch the Summer Olympics when I was growing up. The track and field events were of special interest. I couldn’t wait to see how far Carl Lewis would leap in the long jump and how fast the sprinters would finish the 100-meter dash. It was especially exciting when it was a close race and the sprinters would stretch forward as far as they could, trying to be the first to cross the line.

That’s the picture I have in my mind when I read these verses from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Like a good sprinter, Paul lived his life of faith eagerly stretching for the finish line. He couldn’t wait to finish the race and find eternal life with Jesus.

Do you live your faith with the same kind of eagerness and effort? If you are like me, the answer is: not always. This world has a way of weighing us down. The pressures, worries, and anxieties of this world slow our pace. Temptations trip us up and lead us off track. Our life of faith can be exhausting, especially when we take our eyes off of Jesus.

God’s Word encourages us to focus on the prize—to keep our eyes on the wonderful heaven that Jesus has prepared for us. He promises to give his followers an eternity of perfect peace and rest—a place with no pain, sorrow, or fear, a place full of joy, glory, and praise, a place where we will never grow weary or weighed down. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

When life gets you down, keep your eyes on Jesus and reach for the finish line.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, life in this sinful world can be so exhausting. Help me to keep my eyes on the heavenly goal. Fill me with your love that I may always stretch for the finish line. 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.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Forget What is Behind

Daily Devotion – April 11, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:13-14

See series: Devotions

I loved going to summer camp when I was a kid. We had so much fun outdoors playing all kinds of games and sports. One summer, we spent much of our time playing football. It seemed like a good idea at the time. The problem was that there were several trees between the cabins where we were playing. During one particular game I ran out for a pass and was looking back at the quarterback. I didn’t turn around quickly enough and I ran smack into a tree. It is not a good idea to look backwards when you are running.

The same holds true in our lives of faith. If we are going to live our lives for Jesus, we can’t be looking back. This can only cause us to lose direction and get us into trouble. However, that is easier said than done. It is so easy for us to look back either in pride or regret. At times we look back in pride and admire all the wonderful things we have done. At other times we look back and despair over how terrible our sins are, and we are filled with guilt and regret. Either way, we are prevented from focusing on the goal.

Rather than look behind, God’s Word encourages us to keep our eyes ahead and focus on our Savior, Jesus. He lived, died, and rose again to take all our sins away and to give us the free gift of eternal life in heaven. Our past accomplishments cannot save us, and our past sins have been washed away in the blood of Jesus. So, forget what is behind and focus on the heavenly goal that Jesus has won for you!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for winning heaven for me. Help me to forget what is behind and to look forward to what is ahead. 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.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10

Quality Relationships

Daily Devotion – April 10, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:10

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This digital age we live in has certainly impacted our lives both in positive and negative ways. Nearly every day, it seems, a new article is published about either the benefits or evils of social media and the internet. For example, due to the use of social media, people have fewer good friends than they used to. Instead, they have more people in their lives that might qualify as “acquaintances.” They may know more people but their relationships with people are not as deep as they once were.

Have you noticed a similar trend in your spiritual life? Perhaps we are so busy that our connection to Jesus is not as strong as it once was. We so easily allow other areas of our lives to crowd out our time with Jesus. Or maybe we have convinced ourselves that we only need a casual connection to Jesus. In other words, he’s good to have around in a tight spot, but we don’t need him overly involved in our lives. This is a dangerous approach to take.

St. Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 encourage us to be more than just acquainted with Jesus. Did you notice Paul’s desire to learn more about and grow closer to Christ? He says: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10). Paul had a desire to continue growing in his faith. He knew that Jesus is the only way to heaven and because he wanted heaven so much, Paul strove to learn more and more about him. Paul’s goal was eternal life.

As you and I get to know Jesus better in his Word, he will help us reach that goal as well.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, so many things in life threaten to get in the way of my relationship to you. Through your Word, help me to know you more and more each 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.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
Philippians 3:8

Take Out the Trash

Daily Devotion – April 9, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:8

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Garbage day is a good day. Once a week, you get to take a large container and fill it up with all of the worthless and sometimes disgusting stuff that is only cluttering up the house. We can get rid of all that trash and never look back, knowing that it is gone forever.

Paul, the author of this verse, had come to realize the importance of taking out the spiritual trash. He uses the word garbage in describing things that he once viewed as profit. Many in Paul’s day were teaching that a person could be saved by what he did. Paul used to think that way too. But, the more Paul came to know Christ, the more he realized that all of those things he used to take pride in amounted to nothing more than spiritual garbage.

What about you? What kind of garbage do we rely on for the assurance of salvation? Maybe we figure that we are going to heaven because we do more good than bad or because we think we are better than most people. But that’s just it: we aren’t saved because of what we do or how good we think we are.

God’s Word encourages us to, “gain Christ and be found in him.” The only things worth trusting in are Christ and his cross and empty tomb. Only Christ was perfect for us. Only his death on the cross had value before God to pay our sinful debt. Only his empty tomb is powerful enough to open our graves on the last day.

Have you taken out the spiritual trash recently? Have you realized that even your best efforts at providing salvation are nothing more than garbage? Dear friends, it is time to take out the trash. Throw away all the garbage. Make room for what really saves. Like Paul, gain Christ and be found in him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to get rid of all the spiritual garbage in my life. Forgive me for trusting in my own efforts and goodness. Help me to always be found 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.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
Philippians 3:8

Hard to Let Go

Daily Devotion – April 8, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:8

See series: Devotions

Several months back my parents were cleaning out their basement. After 30 years of living in the same house, you can imagine how much stuff had accumulated. In the process of going through it all, they found some things that I had received throughout my childhood – things like games, toys, and pictures. I gave them the go ahead to toss many items into the garbage bin.

But there was one box that was hard to let go. It contained old trophies from my years of playing baseball and basketball. I had not seen those trophies in years, yet for some reason I was unwilling to let them go. They were a source of pride. They made me feel good about myself. I didn’t want to throw them in the garbage.

We all want to hang onto things like that. We desperately cling to whatever makes us feel good about ourselves. We want to know how good we are and often want others to know it too.

In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul reminds us that there is something far better to hang onto than reminders of what we have accomplished. Jesus and his work of saving us from sin and death is what we need to hang onto. Knowing Jesus and his love is more valuable than anything else in our lives. Paul says nothing else in our life can begin to compare to “knowing Jesus Christ my Lord.” In him we have forgiveness and are saved from the punishment our sins deserve. In him we are going to heaven—forever. Now THAT…is worth hanging onto.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to cling to you more and more. 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.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:8-9

Righteousness

Daily Devotion – April 7, 2019

Devotion based on Philippians 3:8-9

See series: Devotions

Righteousness—there’s a heavy church word. But what joy and power is in that word when we believe what the Apostle writes in these verses!

In a trial, the judge evaluates the actions of the defendant and compares them to what the law says. Did any of his actions break a law? If so, then he’s not right by the standards of the law. He is unrighteous. Did his actions meet the law’s requirements? Then he’s right, as far as that law goes. He’s righteous.

When it comes to God’s law, St. Paul knew that he could not measure up. Even his best works fell short. So he counted them all as a loss, as rubbish. Outwardly they looked very righteous, but inwardly they did not measure up. You see, God’s law also judges our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. And what does his law require? Nothing short of perfect love for God, trusting him completely and giving him continuous, glad obedience as we love others as ourselves. How could we ever have a righteousness of our own based on our efforts?

But take heart! There is another righteousness from outside ourselves. This isn’t a righteousness based on YOU keeping the law. It’s based on CHRIST keeping it for you. Paul calls this “the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” God credits this righteousness to you freely, at no charge because Jesus Christ kept the law perfectly in your place. You can be sure of it, because God has said it is so.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you alone are my righteousness. May this truth be my comfort 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.

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

The Cobra Effect

Daily Devotion – April 6, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:25

See series: Devotions

Back in the 1800’s, the city of Delhi, in India, had a troublesome problem with the poisonous snake known as the cobra. The problem was that the colonial authorities thought that there were too many of them. And so the government announced what seemed to be a wise solution to the problem. It announced that there would be a bounty paid for each dead cobra that someone brought in. At first it looked as though the solution was a wise one, as people began to bring in dead cobras by the dozens.

Over time, however, the authorities discovered that people had actually begun to breed cobras in order to bring them in for the money. When that happened, the government discontinued the program. When the bounty program stopped, however, people simply released the now-worthless snakes, thus making the cobra population larger than ever. This came to be known as “The Cobra Effect.” The Cobra Effect describes any wise-sounding solution that, in reality, makes matters worse.

Deep within me there is the strong assumption that I am the solution to my problems—that if I can only get the right information or the right tools or the right method, I can create a life that has meaning, purpose, and fills the void in my soul.

Sooner or later, however, the Cobra Effect will kick in. Sooner or later, looking to myself for the solution will only make matters worse.

That’s why the answer is Jesus. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse me from the guilt of my repeated failures. Only the perfect life of Christ can cover me in the blanket of his holiness. Only his Spirit can empower me to see clearly—to see that the real Solution lies outside of myself. The real solution is found in Christ.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by the power of your gospel send me a rich measure of your Spirit. Empower me to see that my solution is 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.

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Jesus is the Savior We Need

Daily Devotion – April 5, 2019

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

See series: Devotions

Are you disappointed when another person doesn’t live up to your expectations? Sometimes we become disillusioned with leaders and role models when they don’t speak or act in the way that we believe they should. Or we become frustrated with politicians who don’t govern the way that we think is best.

In our bible passage for today, the apostle Paul spoke of people who were disappointed in the Savior that God had sent. Jesus simply didn’t live up to their expectations. The Jews, who had experienced so many miracles throughout their history, refused to accept a Messiah who couldn’t even save himself when his enemies nailed him to a cross. And the Greeks of Paul’s time had sophisticated tastes in religion. They didn’t have time for a God who would demean himself by taking on the human condition—including a bloody, shameful death.

Throughout our history, humans have imagined that we know better than God does about how the world should be run. We dare to be disappointed in him when he doesn’t answer our prayers, or when he allows suffering and loss in our lives. And Jesus is not the Savior we would expect. But he is the Savior we need.

We didn’t need a powerful magician who would entertain us even as he granted our every wish. What we do need is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who through his humble sacrifice was able to conquer sin, death, and the devil. We didn’t need another high-minded guru with eloquent speech and lofty (but ultimately empty) ideas. What we do need is Jesus Christ who is the very Word of God in human flesh, communicating God’s love for us perfectly.

If you are still searching for a different Savior, you will be disappointed. But if you come to see Christ as the Savior you needed and still need, he will never let you down.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for sending me the Savior I needed rather than the one I thought I wanted. 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.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:3

The Living Water

Daily Devotion – April 4, 2019

Devotion based on Isaiah 12:3

See series: Devotions

Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible, water is used as a picture for salvation. Think of the waters of the Red Sea which parted for the Israelites, or the water that flowed from a rock while they traveled through the wilderness. These miracles were frequently cited by the prophets as pictures for the blessings which flow from a gracious God.

For those who live in areas where water is plentiful, perhaps the picture loses some of its punch. With multiple water faucets inside our house, out in the garage, or on the side of the house, we are almost never more than a few steps away from all the water we could need.

But imagine yourself in a dry and barren land with the scorching sun overhead. The last oasis is miles behind you and the next is a day’s travel away. Your lips are dry and cracked and your tongue begins to stick the roof of your mouth. Soon all you can think of is when you will take your next drink of water. What a relief when you finally arrive at the next oasis!

When God’s people rebelled against him, he let them feel the heat of his wrath. Their strength dried up under the weight of their own guilt. But when they returned to him in repentance, the Lord assured them of his love and forgiveness. They had abandoned him, but he had never forgotten his promises to save them. He would one day send a Savior to redeem them—and all people. How refreshing were his words to their soul! Like a splash of cool water to the person dying of thirst.

God’s love and mercy for us are like a well that will never dry up. When your life feels like a spiritual wasteland, when you thirst for good news, when you feel that your spiritual strength is being sapped like in the heat of summer, return to that deep, deep well. Drink deeply of Christ—the Living Water. Let him restore you with his promises of love and forgiveness.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I long for peace and joy. I know that only you are able to truly satisfy my soul. Give me strength to endure the challenges of this world. 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.

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2

The Lord Himself Is My Salvation

Daily Devotion – April 3, 2019

Devotion based on Isaiah 12:2

See series: Devotions

Do you have any enemies? Is there anyone at work or at school who has reason to resent you? Or maybe you’ve antagonized a member of your own family—perhaps without meaning to—and there’s been bad blood between the two of you ever since. Life is difficult enough with all of its challenges without feeling like there is someone who is actively working against you every step of the way.

Maybe you get along fine with all the people in your life, but at the same time you’ve wondered if God himself had it in for you. When we face one obstacle after another or experience a series of setbacks in life, we may begin to fear that God is punishing us for something we’ve said or done. What a frightening thought—to have God himself as your enemy! How could anything ever go right for you? How could you ever have peace, knowing that God is at war with you?

The truth is that we make God our enemy every time we try to live without him. When we insist on going our own way—a selfish and foolish way, God will oppose our actions. That’s because in love he created us to be close to him and receive his blessings and protection. The Lord God wants you to be near him, knows that you need him, and will actively work against your efforts to leave him behind.

He did just that by sending his Son, Jesus Christ. Through his death for our sins, Christ reconciled us to God. The very God whom we angered with our rebellion is the God who rescued us from our own self-destructive ways.

The LORD, the LORD himself, is our strength and our defense; he has become our salvation. When obstacles come your way as you walk with the Lord, you can be sure that he will either give you strength to overcome them or use the situation to otherwise bring you closer to him and his love for you.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, keep me safe from my enemies, including my own sinful nature. Take away my fear by reminding me always of your love and 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, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.