Category: Daily Devotions

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21

A Great Exchange Indeed

Daily Devotion – March 7, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21


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The Christian religion seems to be so complicated. What’s an easy way to explain it?

God in heaven is holy. He wants people to join him in heaven, so they must be holy, too. God explains what it means to be holy by giving us his commandments, and he tells us to keep each of them with everything we do, think, or say. He says, “Be holy as I the Lord your God am holy.”

God looks down from heaven and sees that no one is holy, not even one. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He warns us that the consequences of sin include death, and that is not just the separation of body and soul. That is also eternal separation from God in hell. That’s a problem.

Human beings have tried various solutions to the problem. They speculate that they don’t have to be holy; they must simply be holier than the next person. But that’s not what God says. They speculate that they must simply improve as they live their lives. But that’s not what God requires. They think they can do good things to make up for the bad things they have done. But God says that all the ways we try to make up for our sins are worthless.

God has a solution to the problem. He sent his only Son, Jesus, into the world, and Jesus lived a holy life. He always did and thought and said what was right. He never did anything wrong. He had no sin. But at the end of his life, he did not take heaven as the reward for his good life. Instead, he suffered hell when he died on the cross. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. He rose from the dead to prove it.

In a great exchange, God took our sin, and then declared that all people who believe in Jesus get the righteousness of Jesus credited to their spiritual accounts. Through faith, we become the righteousness of God. That’s our ticket to heaven. It’s that simple.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for taking my sin and giving me your righteousness. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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 Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” . . . Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin.”
2 Samuel 12:7,13

Repentance Opens the Door

Daily Devotion – March 6, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 12:7,13


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When we have done something wrong, we are often tempted to ignore the implications or consequences of our actions and just go on living as if nothing happened. It is as if we close off our emotions or our thoughts to anything from the outside so we can forget about what happened.

Sometimes, God sends people into our lives to remind us what is wrong. When an Israelite king named David stole the wife of a man named Uriah, God sent the prophet Nathan to David with a story about unjust treatment. After David admitted that unjust treatment was wrong, Nathan shocked David by pointing out that David had treated Uriah unjustly.

David had enough power to punish Nathan for telling the story, but instead of reacting with anger or denial, David repented. He admitted, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

That’s just what the Lord wanted to hear. The Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love and mercy. He knew about the saving work of Jesus. He instructed Nathan to say, “The LORD has taken away your sin.”

That’s also what the Lord wants to hear from us when we have sinned. Repentance opens the door to hear and believe those glorious words from the Lord, “I forgive you all your sins.”

Prayer:
Holy God, gracious Father, I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. Lead me to trust that Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14

Lowering Our Defenses

Daily Devotion – March 5, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 18:9-14


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You may think it is important to make a good impression on other people. It may be difficult for you to admit to other people that you have done anything wrong. You may want them to see everything good that you’ve done instead. If you spend enough time justifying yourself, you may become confident of your own righteousness.

That would be a mistake when it comes to talking to God. God wants to you to admit your sins to him—your faults and mistakes. He is looking for you to ask him for mercy. He doesn’t want you to think that you deserve forgiveness. He wants to give that to you as a gift, something that you didn’t earn and don’t deserve.

Such a humble attitude means lowering your defenses. Because Jesus earned your forgiveness and promises to give it freely, you don’t have to defend your actions in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people. Remembering that we are just dust and ashes, it is best simply to say, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Prayer:
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

While [Peter] was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Luke 9:34,35

God’s Pleasure Revealed

Daily Devotion – March 4, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:34,35


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Do you know what God likes? He likes holiness. He likes good things to be called good, bad things to be called bad, and everything to be exactly right. He does not like things to be messed up or imperfect.

When God spoke from the cloud and told people that Jesus was his chosen Son, he meant for you to understand that Jesus was perfect. Jesus always distinguished properly between right and wrong, good and bad. More than that, he always did the right thing and never did the wrong thing. He had perfect holiness and righteousness.

That’s one good reason to listen to Jesus. He will always tell you the right thing, never the wrong thing, and because he knows you even better than you know yourself, he will tell you about the right thing at just the right time. The Bible is the place to find out those good and right things.

Do you know what God likes? He likes you to be connected to Jesus by believing his words in the Bible. Don’t be afraid to be that close to Jesus. When you are connected to him, you have the gift of his perfect righteousness, and God will treat you as his child.

Prayer:
Lord, open my ears to the words of your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:28-31

God’s Plan Revealed

Daily Devotion – March 3, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:28-31


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How do you discover God’s plan for your life?

Moses lived 1,500 years before Jesus. Elijah lived 900 years before Jesus. They knew how their lives had turned out. They had gone to heaven at the end of their earthly lives. But they were still interested in how the life of Jesus would turn out. So, in a glimpse of the glory of heaven, they talked to him about it.

Three of Jesus’ disciples watched the amazing sight and listened to the conversation. As Jesus described the plan for him to die and then rise from the dead, those disciples had to wonder if that was the plan for their lives as well. Later, they would understand that Jesus was living and dying and rising again so they could join him in heaven.

How do you discover God’s plan for your life? You can ask Jesus about it in prayer. You will find the answers to your prayers in the Bible, where Jesus describes the purpose for his life and yours. When unexpected things happen in your life, you can be sure that God still wants you and others to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

That truth is glorious and amazing. No matter the details of your life, you have eternal life with Jesus in heaven to look forward to. Thanks be to God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep me focused on your presence in my life until I join you in the glory of heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
2 Corinthians 3:12

Bold in the Gospel

Daily Devotion – March 2, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 3:12


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What makes a person bold? A husband and wife can boldy go to the bank to secure a mortgage for their first home because their credit score is top-notch. An athlete can go into the big game with boldness because he has put in hours of training, practice, and preparation. A young aspiring business professional walks into his interview with boldness because he has a shiny new degree from a prestigious university.

But what makes us bold as Christians? When we look at what God’s law has to say, we have no right to be bold because it shows us that we are sinners who deserve God’s judgment and punishment. Surely, a sinful human being cannot be bold before a holy God. Our boldness does not come from God’s law but from the gospel. God’s gospel tells us that our sins are forgiven in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. The Bible says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Through that message, the Holy Spirit works saving faith in our hearts and thus sets us free from the curse of sin. So, we can be bold not because of what we have done or can do but because of what Jesus has done for us!

That freedom and hope also makes us bold to share the wonderful news of the gospel with others, just as Paul did. We dare not change it or speak falsely about it. We set forth the truths of God’s law and gospel plainly because, “the gospel…is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

So be bold. Know that in Jesus, your sins are forgiven and through faith in him you are made a dear child of your heavenly Father. Then share that gospel message boldly that others may hear it and be saved. Be bold in the gospel!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you and your work of salvation alone do I have freedom from sin and the hope of eternal life. Strengthen my faith in you and make me bold to serve you with my life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17,18,21

Overcome Evil with Good

Daily Devotion – March 1, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 12:17,18,21


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A Christian friend shared this story from his life. He was driving across town and irritated another driver on the roadway. That driver accelerated past him, yelled some choice words, made an obscene gesture, and sped on by. Not long after, the Christian man saw that same car stopped on the shoulder with car trouble.

What would you have done if that sequence of events happened to you? Would you have laughed at the other driver’s misfortune? Would you have said a prayer or even stopped to help?

Throughout our lives, people will say and do evil things that cause us pain and hardship. Our sinful hearts will want to avenge these wrongs. Our sinful hearts will think that the best way to overcome evil is with evil. The Bible warns, “Do not be overcome by evil!”

The Bible also encourages, “But overcome evil with good!” This is only possible through a good God who alone can deliver us from evil and who has overcome the evil of our sins. This is only possible through a just God who assures that he will avenge and repay. This is only possible with a God of peace whose forgiveness allows us to live at peace with him and whose peace enables us, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone.

So, what did the Christian driver do? He stopped behind the other car. When the driver saw who had stopped, he feared that the man he had treated so poorly would now treat him poorly. But this Christian man hadn’t come to repay evil for evil. He came to offer help and assistance. He overcame evil with good. May our God equip us to do the same!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, deliver me from evil! Forgive the evil I have done to others. Forgive others the evil they have done to me. In the faith, with the goodness, and strength you provide, help me to overcome evil with good. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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 said] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:37,38

Do Not Judge, But Forgive

Daily Devotion – February 28, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:37,38


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“You’re so judgmental!” Have you ever had that accusation lobbed in your direction? There can be a whole lot of emotion behind that accusation. It could just be a guilty conscience trying to deflect a reprimand. At the same time, it can be a very pointed and accurate accusation. Sadly, in recent years, this has been cited as the number one reason that people don’t attend church. Christians are too judgmental.

Now, if you’re a Christian, you can dig in your heels and try to defend yourself against that accusation. But take these words to heart. Have you been judgmental of others? If so, according to whose standards? We’re very good at judging people according to our own standards. Even little phrases like, “I wouldn’t have done it that way,” can smell of arrogance and pride.

So, what’s the alternative when someone has done wrong? Ignore it? No. Rather, instead of using our own standards of judgment that can be marred with pride, be quick to use Jesus’ standard. Jesus didn’t excuse sin or pretend it never happened. He didn’t simply say, “That’s ok.” Rather, he forgave sin. Led by his grace, he didn’t come to condemn the world; he came to save it. Led by his grace, he came to save you. Using his standards, be quick to forgive, knowing you will be forgiven. Using his standards, give his grace, knowing that his grace will be given to you. Pour out his love, knowing that on the cross, he poured out his love for you.

Prayer:
Lord, help me remember how you dealt with sin as I deal with those who sin against me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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 said] “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:32-36

A Higher Standard

Daily Devotion – February 27, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:32-36


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“Remember who you are!” That’s what the high school principal told his son before he enrolled as a freshman. “Remember who you are!” That’s what the coach told her daughter before the first day of tennis tryouts. “Remember who you are!” That’s what the company owner told his son before his first day working on the factory floor.

What’s the point? Sometimes, a relationship means we are held to a higher standard. Our initial reaction may be to say, “That’s not fair.” Just because someone is related to someone else, there should’t be higher standards. But because there is, they don’t just represent themselves as individuals. They represent the family.

While relationships with people in high places may bring more pressure, they can also bring more privilege. The son of the principal is blessed to have an in-house tutor who can help with homework. The daughter of the tennis coach can receive tips outside of practice. The company owner’s son may be first in line to buy or inherit the business.

The same is true in God’s family. Children of God are held to a higher standard since the way we live in this world and treat our neighbors isn’t just about us. As Christians, it’s as if we walk through life wearing a uniform as people know we also represent Christ. And while we may say, “That’s not fair to have all that pressure,” stop and consider what a privilege this is. As Christians, we have the privilege of seeing God’s mercy up close and personal. As Christians, we are children of the Most High who await “a great reward” all because of what Jesus has done.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to see the privilege I have to represent you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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 said] “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31

The Golden Rule

Daily Devotion – February 26, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:31


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It’s known as the “Golden Rule” because it’s supposed to be the standard to live by. But it’s amazing how often we misread or misapply the words of Jesus. The Golden Rule isn’t meant to be a compromise, “I’ll do this if you do that.” It’s not a reciprocal response to someone else’s actions. Rather, it’s proactive, “Do to others…” In other words, we are to make the first move. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Taking the first step is not an easy thing. When we’re the new kid in the class or the new neighbor on the block, it’s easy to expect people to welcome us. But instead of waiting to be welcomed, the Golden Rule leads us to reach out to our neighbors and see how we can help them.

But it’s so hard to take the first step! Yes, it is. But aren’t we grateful that’s what God did for us! When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it was God who made the first move as he promised to send a Savior. When we were born in sin, it was God who made the first move, as he called us by the gospel. It was God who made the first move in having a relationship with us as he foreknew from all eternity. Knowing that God made the first move in showing us his love, may now lead us to make the first move to “do to others as we would have them do to us.”

Prayer:
Lord, help us to see that the Golden Rule is not a response to what others have done for us, but rather an opportunity to show love to others as you have done to us. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.