Category: Daily Devotions

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Holding on to Hope

Daily Devotion – June 29, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 15:13

See series: Devotions

Hope is a slippery thing. We hold onto it until suddenly and almost always unexpectedly, it is taken away from us.

We can’t help people by just telling them to be more hopeful. That’s like telling an excited child to close his eyes and go to sleep. He may close his eyes as tightly as he possibly can but that won’t make him any sleepier. Hope isn’t something we can have by wishing for it.

Rather, hope needs to be given and who better to give it than the “God of hope”? How does God give hope? He does it by filling us with joy and peace as we trust in him.

Joy is ours as the Holy Spirit teaches and convinces us that God is not our enemy nor is he looking to punish us. Rather, as the Holy Spirit works through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are assured that God has forgiven all our sins and even calls us his friends.

The Holy Spirit gives us peace as we read the Scriptures. He makes us confident that our days are known by God and that he is promising to work all things for our eternal good. He takes away our fears because he guarantees that our future belongs to him and nothing can take that future away from us.

Filled with joy and peace as we trust in God, we truly have hope. Not the kind of hope that can be easily taken away but instead we have an overflowing hope. Filled with peace and joy by the Holy Spirit, hope fills our lives abundantly. Rather than slipping away from hope, it runs over into the lives of others.

All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to hold onto and be filled with hope.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give to us the Holy Spirit that we may be renewed in hope as you fill us with peace and joy. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38

True Spirituality, A Gift from God

Daily Devotion – June 28, 2018

Devotion based on Acts 2:38

See series: Devotions

“I am spiritual.”

It is common to hear that statement when the topic of God and religion comes up. People probably mean many things when they say they are spiritual. Maybe they just want to give an answer that sounds good, so conversation will turn to something else. But in many instances, it seems to indicate an interest in things like morality, spiritual forces of good and evil, or a higher power.

True spirituality is important, something that God wants all of us to have. So he defines it and he tells us where it comes from.

Today’s Bible verse is a message delivered many years ago by a man named Peter. He was speaking to his Jewish countrymen about Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had performed many miracles. He had taught with authority. The Jewish leaders and people called for his death. He was handed over and killed. But he rose from the dead and lives and rules as Lord! Many of Peter’s listeners were convicted of their guilt. “We killed the one God chose and sent! What shall we do?”

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” God the Holy Spirit connects us to Jesus and the forgiveness he earned by his suffering and death for us. True spirituality is a gift from God. It is freely given to those who do not deserve it. It is given to those who have failed God and others. It is given to those who are terrified about what their sins look like to God. It is given through the message of Jesus Christ. It is given through a simple, but powerful and profound, washing of water connected to that word. The Spirit comes to human hearts this way. The Spirit gives spiritual life by turning hearts away from themselves and turning them in faith to Jesus. The Spirit connects people to Jesus’ forgiveness and the peace, joy, and hope that come with it.

“I am spiritual.” By God’s gift of the Spirit through the gospel of forgiveness…by the gift of the Spirit who connects you to Jesus and his forgiveness…yes, you are!

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for your gifts to us. Thank you for Jesus and his forgiveness. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and his work of connecting us to Jesus by the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:1,4-7

The Why Question

Daily Devotion – June 27, 2018

Devotion based on Job 38:1,4-7

See series: Devotions

“Why, daddy?” “Mommy, why?” Can you hear the three-year-old asking questions over and over and over again? “Why is the sky blue?” “Why does ice cream taste so good?” “Why do you get to stay up and I have to go to bed?” “Why do cars go fast?” “Why do light bulbs make light?” And over and over again. For the adult, it can be challenging to remain patient, to continue to answer, or sometimes to even know how to answer. And we can become frustrated.

Is it possible that what frustrates us about three-year-old children is the way we sometimes approach God? “Why do some people have so many talents and I have so few?” “Why do my attempts to get ahead financially seem to fail, while others seem to do very well?” “Why didn’t I make that team, get that promotion, or get that guy or girl?” “Why did this struggle come to me and my family?”

Job was asking the “why” question. He had faced enormous difficulties in his life and became frustrated. In his mind, it wasn’t fair; he’d been a faithful believer, yet his life was in shambles. “Why!” (Read the book of Job, chapters 1 & 2.)

In the last five chapters of the book, God answers, but he doesn’t answer the “why” question. Instead, he focuses our attention from “why” to “who.” Who spoke to Job? The Lord spoke to Job. The Lord, who is the powerful, independent God; who is also the faithful God, showing love and mercy to us humans. That’s who spoke to Job.

And how much power does the Lord have? He laid down the earth’s foundations; he marked off its dimensions. The Lord has amazing powers which go oh-so-far beyond our understanding. He can do anything and everything!

And most importantly, how does the Lord feel about you and me? He loves us! He proved it by faithfully sending Jesus to this earth to live, die, and rise in our place. He loves you and me with an everlasting love which is bigger and better than any love which any human being can have for us. That’s “who” our Lord is!

Is it okay to ask “why?” Sure. But it’s often far better to ask, “Who?” “Who is in control?” The all-powerful God who loves you dearly. That’s who!

Prayer:
Focus me on you, O Lord, that I may be filled with peace during every up and down of 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. … We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:14-16,20

How do you see them?

Daily Devotion – June 26, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-16,20

See series: Devotions

How do you see your coworkers? How about the server at the restaurant where you last went out for food? How do you see your teachers in class? How do you see the neighbor who lives across the street? How about leaders in the government?

Do you view some mostly in relation to how they can serve you, be of use to you, and make your life better? It’s easy to see the people we meet and with whom we interact as means for our personal fulfillment.

Christ’s love compels us to see people differently, because he did not see us this way. He did not see what you could do for him, how you could serve him, or how you could make his life more comfortable.

This is how Christ saw you: separated and distant from God, under his sentence of eternal judgment. He saw you as someone he could serve, someone he could love, and someone whose life he could make incomparably better, because he knew he could reconcile you to God. He could overcome the distance, but he knew it would take selfless service. He needed to become your sin. He needed to assume the guilt that separated you from God. He needed to die for you, and he did.

If you want to live for him who died for you, see others differently. See them as Christ saw them. See them as those whom you can serve, love, and whose life you can make incomparably better. Make God’s appeal to them on Christ’s behalf. Share how he saw them and how it moved him to die. Speak of the reconciliation they have with God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for seeing me as one whom you could serve and save. Move me to see how I can speak of your love to others and tell them of the reconciliation that is theirs. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Mark 4:38-39

Silencing the Storm

Daily Devotion – June 25, 2018

Devotion based on Mark 4:38-39

See series: Devotions

“Let us go over to the other side,” Jesus said. As they were getting into their boat, Jesus’ disciples didn’t expect to be soon staring down a storm that would have them scared for their lives. With Jesus along, no doubt they expected smooth sailing.

That’s like us. We expect our lives to be smooth sailing, especially since we are living our lives under Jesus’ direction. But when the dark clouds of depression form over us, when our relationships are racked by the winds of life, when the waves of sickness have us swamped, we can feel that in the storms of life we are staring down death. Is Jesus asleep when those storms rise up? With rattled souls we cry out to him, “Don’t you care?”

Jesus replies, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Faith always holds on to something. For it to really matter, faith needs to rely on power greater than ourselves. Go outside, you mere mortal, and call on the winds to cease. They won’t listen. Strive against the storms in your own life and they won’t stop. You need someone who has a greater power than wind and storm.

After the disciples woke Jesus up, he said to the wind as if it were a naughty child, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind stopped. The waves were stilled. There was instant silence, serenity, and a glassy sea. The wind and the waves could not prevail against his power. If Jesus has power greater than a storm, then he is the source of real safety for your life.

Of course, he has power, but doesn’t he care when life’s storms strike at us? He cares more than we could ever fully know. He stared down death and won. The storm of sin he silenced. The wind and wave of guilt he put to an end. He threw himself into the swirling storm of sin, guilt, and punishment. He went to the cross and instead of crying out, “Be still!” he cried out, “It is finished!” Sin was silenced. Guilt was over.

Jesus suffered that storm on the cross because he cared about you personally. He wanted that final storm to be done and you to live in peace with him. Jesus cares. If he went to his cross for you, he will certainly not leave you to face the storms in your life by yourself.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for silencing our sin. Use the storms in our lives to strengthen our 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Mathew 10:29-30

An Abiding Love

Daily Devotion – June 24, 2018

Devotion based on Mathew 10:29-30

See series: Devotions

Does God really love me? Is he really concerned about my problems? Does he really hear my prayers? These questions tend to grow when the seeds of doubt and distress are planted, and when they are fully grown, they produce fear. I’m afraid when sickness comes. I’m afraid when problems arise. I’m even more afraid when death threatens.

The answer to my doubts and fears is clear, but I may not always remember it. This is why I need to listen to God’s promises, to trust his will for my life, and to rely on what God has done for me in Jesus.

A good starting point is when Jesus teaches his disciples about his abiding love. What is amazing is that he uses such a simple picture. Sparrows are plentiful, and they have seemingly little value. Still Jesus uses his Father’s care for these tiny creatures as evidence of his abiding love. Think of it. Not one escapes God’s loving oversight. Not one is uncounted. Not one is uncared for.

Jesus uses this picture to remind me how precious I am to God. He further adds that every hair on my head is numbered and not one falls without his knowledge. This is the intimate assurance I need. There is no doubt Jesus has an abiding love for me, but if any doubt lingers still in my heart, then I go to his cross. There I see an even clearer display of his abiding love.

At the cross I see everything Jesus did for me. My guilt, my sorrow, my punishment—all that was needed to free me from sin, death, and the devil—Jesus endured in my place. In his life, his death and his resurrection as my Substitute, Jesus displays his abiding love. Through faith I see his love is pure, limitless, and mine.

It is because of Jesus’ abiding love that I can trust him and rely on his care. It is also why I don’t have to be afraid.

Prayer:
O blessed Jesus, how great is your mercy. How deep is your compassion. How amazing is your love. By means of your abiding love you rule over all things for my benefit. By the same love you also answer my doubts and remove my fears. I rejoice in you, my Savior. Amen!

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side! Report him! Let’s report him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.” But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Jeremiah 20:7-13

Fire in Our Hearts

Daily Devotion – June 23, 2018

Devotion based on Jeremiah 20:7-13

See series: Devotions

The question is whether to be silent or to speak. When you see so much immorality and injustice in the world, do you gain anything by speaking up about it? The prophet Jeremiah wondered. The culture of his time was in steep decline. He wondered if he should say anything.

But the word of the Lord was in his heart like a fire, so he risked ridicule and was honest about what was right and wrong. He counted on the Lord to rescue him from the wicked. He counted on the Lord to send the Savior.

We sing and give praise to the Lord our Savior. His word is like a fire in our hearts, and so we speak what the Bible says is right and wrong, calling people to repentance, so that they can hear the wonderful message of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord God, give me the opportunity and the courage to speak your word so that others can hear about the Savior from me. Amen.

This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.

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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

The Holy Spirit has Called me by the Gospel

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2018

Devotion based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

See series: Devotions

There are a number of things about the work of God the Holy Spirit that are difficult, if not impossible, to grasp. In fact, in John chapter 3 Jesus compares the work of the Holy Spirit to the wind. Where does it come from? Where is it going? How exactly does it work? We see evidence of its activity, but there is so much we don’t understand. In the same way, we don’t understand exactly how God saves us through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Although there are things about the Spirit’s work that remain beyond human understanding, there is one thing concerning his work about which God wants you to be crystal clear. God the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel. The fact that you are a brother or sister in faith is not due to your ethnic or social status. It is not the result of a fortunate set of circumstances or an accumulation of admirable accomplishments. You are a brother or sister in faith, you are a child of God, because the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart and life through the truth of the gospel.

This truth has implications for your ongoing sanctification under the influence of the Spirit. If you don’t want your faith to grow; if, in fact, you want your faith to suffer; if you want your faith to weaken and shrivel; if you want your faith to die—then reduce your exposure to or separate yourself from the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Separate yourself from the gospel in Word and Sacrament. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely does your neglect of the gospel cause great harm to your faith.

If, however, you don’t want your faith to shrivel and die; if, in fact, you want your faith to grow; if you want your faith to be strengthened and thrive; if you want your faith to be living and active—then stay in touch with the means the Holy Spirit uses to create and strengthen faith. Seek and seize opportunities to be immersed in and washed over by the gospel. Stay connected to God’s Word. For as surely as the Holy Spirit works through the truth of the gospel, so surely will your engagement with the gospel bring great blessings to your faith.

Indeed, this is why God chose you—that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, even as you have called me to faith through the truth of the gospel, continue to strengthen me by that same gospel, that I might share in the glory of our Lord 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27

He Knows What He’s Doing

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2018

Devotion based on Romans 8:27

See series: Devotions

People who don’t have much experience or know-how when it comes to home maintenance issues, occasionally speak, plan, and promise as if they did. While sometimes they figure things out and even do an adequate job, often they end up calling in a professional because they need help from somebody who knows what he is doing.

When it comes to spiritual life, we think we can handle it on our own. We think we can come up with the right answers and the best strategies; and often we are sorely disappointed. We think we can know the mind, heart, and will of God simply because we think he is probably a lot like us. And then we find things not going as we thought they should. Maybe we even find ourselves confused or bitter and angry as a result. When it comes to knowing God and interacting with him, we need somebody who knows what he is doing.

And we have him—the Holy Spirit. He is the one who knows all involved intimately and well. He searches hearts. He knows the mind and will of God. He intercedes for us; he goes as our representative to the very heart of God. He does it in a way that is perfect and deeply interested in our welfare. We don’t always know what is best for us. We don’t always know how or what we should pray. We sometimes lose track of the things that a good and gracious Father says are most important. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t. He knows that our greatest needs and the best free gifts from God are spiritual ones—forgiveness, peace, joy, hope. These he gives to us through Jesus and his Word. He knows our need for spiritual resiliency and strength, which he graciously gives us by connecting us to the truth in Christ. He knows our weaknesses and readily comes to our aid.

The Holy Spirit does his work “in accordance with the will of God.” We will begin to better understand those prayer thoughts when we look for God and his will in his Word. We get a good idea of the Holy Spirit’s interceding as we learn the meaning of and pray for ourselves the Lord’s Prayer. He wants every lasting and gracious spiritual blessing for us in Christ.

If you struggle with your thoughts and prayers, take comfort in knowing that at your side and before the Father’s face is one who knows what he is doing and he does it for you!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, we thank you for the way you intercede with our Father on our behalf. Help us to find confidence, joy, and peace in knowing that you do this precious work for our welfare. In Jesus’ name. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it!”
Ezekiel 17:24c

God is the Lord, the Faithful One

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2018

Devotion based on Ezekiel 17:24c

See series: Devotions

This is the end of a challenging chapter of the Bible. God is speaking in picture language. Even though God explains some of it, it’s still somewhat difficult to understand.

Kind of like life, right? So often things which we think ought to happen, don’t; and things we think should not happen, do. Hard to understand!

Perhaps that is why God ends this segment as he does, with clarity and grace. Ultimately, the ruling of the earth and his own people is HIS job. He has made promises; he will do what he has promised to do.

So, we can rest on this truth: God is the Lord, the Faithful One. He has promised to rule all things for the good of his people. He spoke it; he will do it.

And he will do it whether we understand … or not. Thank God!

Prayer:
Faithful Lord, remind me of the wonderful promises you have made, then remind me that you will keep every one of those promises. In your name I pray. 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 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.