Category: Daily Devotions

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Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.
Luke 15:1

Let’s Gather Around Jesus!

Sometimes people who don’t go to church have a misconception about those people who do: ‘They think they’re better than me.’ If I’m honest, there have been times when I have looked down upon other people because of the train wrecks they’ve made of their lives, and I think to myself, ‘Well, at least I didn’t do that.’ Shame on me for thinking like that. It’s wrong. It’s repulsive. It’s sinful.

But the more I have gotten to know other Christians and the more open they have been about their life stories; I’m met with this reality: Everyone is broken. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. Everyone has moments they wish they could take back because that action anchors their heart with guilt. EVERYONE. I am not an exception to this. And you aren’t either.

And that, my friend, is why we gather around Jesus, because Jesus is the solution to our shame! God wanted to be with his children, but sin separated us from him. So, God sent his Son to dive into this world of broken people and tell us what he was going to do about our sin—he died for it. He gave his life on the cross for us. He loves us and wants us to know that. And THAT is why we go to church—to gather around Jesus, to celebrate the forgiveness that God so freely gives to us.

Maybe you’ve had that misconception about people who go to church, but they’re just like you; they’re broken. However, they have found peace in Jesus and want you to have it too. So, take a chance! Stop into church and you’ll meet some wonderful people who will love you. But even better, you’ll meet your Savior who loves you infinitely more!

Prayer:

Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Bless me as I reach out to those who are hurting and aching because of their guilt. May they come to know the forgiveness that is theirs because of Jesus. 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.

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Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.”
Luke 15:3-6

Every Soul Is a Treasure

What would you do if you lost your keys? Would you try to remember the last time you used them? Would you retrace your day’s steps, looking everywhere? Would you rifle through the stack of papers on your desk? Rummage through all the drawers in your dresser? Check all your pants’ pockets? Hunt under the bed? Poke down into the cushions—hunting in between the stale pretzels, paperclips, and pennies for your keys?

And why would you go to such trouble to find your car keys? Simple. They have value to you. Without your car keys, you won’t be going to work today. No shuttling of the kids to after-school activities. No quick drive to buy groceries for tonight’s supper. So, when you do finally find your car keys, how do you feel? There’s a mixture of relief and joy—that which was lost has been found!

Shortly after God created his perfect world and his perfect people, he lost you. Not that he forgot where he placed you or forgot your name. He lost you because you loused up your relationship with him through your breaking of his commands. And from then on, you were indeed lost to him—estranged from him in time and separated from him for all eternity in hell.

But God sent his Son, Jesus, to “find” you. Jesus lived a perfect life for you, always keeping all of God’s commands in your stead. And because God values you so highly, he punished his perfect Son on Calvary’s cross for your sins so that you might not be lost to him any longer. Now he calls you to fully place your trust in Jesus, so that you might forever enjoy your fully restored relationship to him. So, dear fellow “lost” sinner, put your trust in Jesus as your only Savior from sin and hell. For God “finds” you only in him.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for caring enough to find a lost soul like 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.

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Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7

The Object of Faith

“You just gotta believe!”

When life gets hard, when no solution seems available, someone will inevitably offer up that tired phrase as encouragement. “You just gotta believe!”

Believe in what, exactly?

In governments? In myself? In money? Those things may seem capable of solving problems, but they really can’t.

Essentially, every small problem originates from one big problem for which none of us has a solution. Sin. Sin results in animosity, frustration, pain, tears, and death.

In whom, then, should I put my trust when things go wrong? The problem of sin is too big for me to solve.

Trust “Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Jesus did what we never could or would do for ourselves. Though we don’t deserve it, he provided us with the perfect solution to the problem of sin.

His perfect life and death is the “Way” God chose to pay for our sins. His powerful resurrection shows that he is our Savior. His forgiving love and peace are what we need to start over, as Paul did, and live our lives for him.

When life gets tough, when problems pile up higher than we can manage, when tears start flowing, and hope seems to fade, God calls us to believe in his Son—the solution to all of life’s problems, big and small.

Now, that is worth believing!

Prayer:

Eternal God, thank you for the grace and peace which are mine because you invited and brought me to believe in the solution to all my problems, 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.

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[Jesus said] “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 14:34,35

Stay Salty

Have you ever bitten into a bland meal and thought, “This needs salt”? A little salt makes all the difference. But what if the salt has lost its saltiness, its very essence? That’s Jesus’ point in today’s Bible reading.

Earlier in Luke chapter 14, Jesus spoke about the cost of discipleship. Following him means denying ourselves, carrying our crosses, and surrendering all. And then he said, “Salt is good… but what if it loses its saltiness?” He was describing what happens when disciples lose their distinctiveness. When Christians blend into the world—chasing the same priorities, hiding the gospel, forgetting grace—we become like flavorless salt. In other words, useless.

That’s a sobering warning. It’s easy to go through the motions of religion while our hearts grow cold, our witness dulls, and our faith drifts from Christ to comfort. But Jesus isn’t trying to shame us. He’s calling us back. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” He wants us to repent, to remember who we are.

Because in him, we are salty again. Jesus, the perfect disciple, never lost his saltiness. He gave his life for us. By his forgiveness, he makes us new and useful again. Through his Word and sacraments, he preserves our faith and reignites our witness.

So, stay connected to Christ. Soak in his grace. Let his love season your words, your choices, your days. You are his salt in a bland world.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave everything to save me. Forgive the times I have lost my zeal and blended into the world. Restore me with your grace and use me to reflect your love. 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.

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[Jesus said] “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? . . . Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
Luke 14:28-33

Count the Cost

Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. He didn’t promise an easy life or worldly success. Instead, he spoke honestly: “Count the cost.”

Following Jesus isn’t just about going to church, saying prayers, or being a good person. It’s about giving him your time, your priorities, your possessions, and even your relationships. Jesus isn’t looking for part-time followers. He wants all of you.

That might sound overwhelming. In fact, if you truly count the cost, you’ll realize you can’t afford it. Who of us has loved Jesus more than family or put him first at every turn? None of us has the perfect devotion he describes.

But here’s the beautiful twist: Jesus counted the cost of your salvation, and he paid it in full. He didn’t back down when he saw what it would take. He gave up his glory, his comfort, his very life on the cross to make you, his disciple.

Now, following him is not about earning his love but responding to it. We carry our crosses not to impress God, but because Jesus already carried his cross for us. We surrender everything not in fear, but in joyful trust that Christ is worth more than anything we give up.

So, count the cost but also count the gain. In Jesus, you lose nothing that lasts, and you gain everything that matters: forgiveness, peace, purpose, and life eternal.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave up everything to win me. I confess that I am tempted to hold back, to cling to comfort, or to follow at a safe distance. Forgive me. Help me count the cost and gladly give my life to you, because you gave your life for 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.

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Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25-27

Carrying the Cross

Jesus had a way of thinning crowds. Just when his popularity surged, he would turn and speak hard truths. Today’s words are among the hardest. Hate your family? Hate your life? Carry your cross? What is Jesus saying?

He’s not calling us to despise our loved ones. The Bible clearly teaches us to love, honor, and serve those closest to us. But compared to our love and loyalty to Christ, even our strongest earthly attachments must take second place. Jesus demands first place, not out of arrogance, but because only he can give what we need most: forgiveness, salvation, and life that never ends.

That means discipleship won’t always be comfortable. Sometimes, following Jesus causes tension in our families. Sometimes, it brings loss, rejection, or suffering. That’s what Jesus means by “carrying your cross.” It’s not about daily annoyances; it’s about faithful endurance, even when faith costs us dearly.

These words test us. We like to follow Jesus when it’s easy, when it fits our schedule and goals. But are we willing to follow him when it’s hard? When obedience means sacrifice? When his path leads to a cross? If we’re honest, the answer is often no. We cling to comfort, relationships, and reputation more than we cling to Christ.

And that’s why we need him all the more.

Jesus walked this path perfectly for us. He loved his Father above all and bore the ultimate cross. He gave up his life so that we would be forgiven for all the times we haven’t. He makes us his disciples not by our strength, but by his grace.

Now, empowered by that grace, we follow because Jesus is worth everything.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for loving anything more than you. Strengthen me to carry my cross and follow you, knowing you carried the cross to save 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.

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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. . . Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
Philemon 1:10-12,15,16

I Appeal to You

It’s not always easy to forgive, especially when someone has hurt you or broken your trust. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to a Christian named Philemon about a runaway slave named Onesimus, who may have stolen from him before fleeing. But something amazing happened. While on the run, Onesimus met Paul and, more importantly, met Christ. The once “useless” slave became a child of God.

Now Paul gently pleads with Philemon: “Receive him back, not as a slave, but as a brother.” This short letter is more than just a personal favor. It’s a powerful picture of the gospel.

We are all Onesimus. By nature, we run from God, seek our own gain, and are useless in his kingdom. But Jesus pursued us, not with threats, but with grace. He paid for our sins on the cross and bought us back, not as slaves, but as dearly loved children and heirs.

And now, God invites us to show that same grace to others.

In Christ, relationships are transformed. Former enemies become family. That doesn’t always happen easily or instantly, but through the gospel, hearts are changed. Forgiveness becomes possible. Reconciliation becomes real.

Paul reminds Philemon that maybe all of this—the loss, the pain, the time apart—had a greater purpose: “That you might have him back forever.”

What about you? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? In Jesus, you’ve been forgiven. And now, by his strength, you can forgive too.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, thank you for not giving up on me when I was far from you. Thank you for making me your child. Help me to forgive as I’ve been forgiven and to see others as brothers and sisters in Christ. 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.

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This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20

The Lord is Your Life

Life is full of choices. Some are small: what to eat, what to wear. Others are huge: where to live, whom to marry, what to believe. In Deuteronomy chapter 30, Moses speaks to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He lays before them the biggest choice of all: life or death.

But this isn’t just about ancient Israel. It’s all about us as well.

At first, it sounds like a moral checklist: love the Lord, listen to his voice, hold fast to him. But if you look closer, you’ll see this isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about trusting the One who already claimed you as his own. Moses doesn’t say, “Choose life and maybe God will be good to you.” He says, “The Lord is your life.”

That’s the key. We don’t choose life by our effort. We receive life by faith. We choose life by trusting in the Savior who chose us first.

Jesus chose the cross so that we could be forgiven. He chose suffering so that we could be blessed. He chose death so that we could live. When God calls us to “choose life,” he’s not telling us to save ourselves. He’s inviting us to trust Jesus, who already has.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for choosing me in Christ. Help me daily to live by trusting you, listening to your Word, and holding fast to the Savior who gave his life for 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.

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Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25,26

Hate?

Did you ever have anyone dump a bucket of cold water over the shower curtain rod while you were in the middle of a nice warm shower?

In our Bible verse today, Jesus dumped some pretty cold words on the myriad of wide-eyed miracle marvellers who were following him. No, he was not telling them to hate their family members for no good reason. That would be contrary to his command to even love our enemies. But like a blast of cold water, Jesus wanted them to stop and seriously consider what it means to follow him.

From time to time, we need to have Jesus dump some ice-cold reality upon us so that we examine our priorities. Is Jesus really priority number one? Following Jesus means that our love for our families, and yes, even our own lives, cannot come before our love for Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the only one who could pay the price for our sins, earning God’s forgiveness and giving us eternal life. If we lose him, we lose everything.

So, out of love for us, Jesus encourages us not to let anyone or anything come between us and him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that from time to time, I do not love you as I ought. Forgive me and wash me clean. Help me to walk in your footsteps each day and truly reflect your love to my family, friends, and neighbors. 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.

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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1,2

You Have an Advocate

A criminal defense attorney said that the most frequent question he is asked is: “Why do you defend people you know are guilty?” Normally, he responds that he doesn’t consider himself to be a successful attorney only if his client never sees the inside of a prison. He admitted that most of his clients are guilty of something. However, he went on to say, “not every person charged with a crime is treated fairly.” Under the law, even criminals have rights; they have rights that are sometimes violated or ignored. The attorney said that his goal is to make sure every person is treated fairly under the law. That way, he can be successful whether his client is found to be innocent or guilty.

The Bible describes Jesus as an advocate; someone who, like a lawyer, comes to the defense of someone. And the Bible says that those whom Jesus chooses to defend are those who sin.

But he not only defends us, knowing we are guilty of sin. He also did something even the very best criminal defense attorney wouldn’t. He volunteered to take our punishment. Not by sitting in a prison. But by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins on a cross.

And the reason he did that is to give you rights. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you have the God-given right to walk through life knowing you are forgiven. You have the right to be released from the heavy burden of guilt you’ve been carrying. You have the right to know that God loves you, no matter how you have sinned. You have the right to know that you will always have an advocate who will come to your defense and will always win.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my advocate. Help me to live today in the judgment of freedom and forgiveness you won for me with your sacrifice on the cross. 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.