Category: Daily Devotions

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
2 Timothy 1:3,4

Thoughts and Prayers

Daily Devotion – June 23, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 1:3,4


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When you hear about tragedy striking family or friends, you’ll often hear both Christians and even non-Christians say, ‘You’re in my thoughts and prayers.’

Now, it’s certainly a nice gesture and people mean well when they say it, but does it actually help? If my son breaks his arm and misses out on his baseball season, the thoughts and prayers are sweet but what he’d really like is to play ball. Or if my dad goes in for what was supposed to be a simple procedure but dies on the operating table, I don’t want thoughts and prayers! I want my dad back!

But here’s the thing, there is so much in life that is out of my control, so many problems that plague my loved ones, problems that I can’t do anything about. However, God can!

The apostle Paul, who wrote the words for our devotion today to his friend, Timothy, had been separated from him. And Paul knew that the end of his life was near. He had been imprisoned for his Christian faith and was soon going to lose his life because of his faith. Paul longed to see his friend Timothy and be reunited with him. But he also knew that the situation was out of his control, so he left it all up to God with prayer. He prayed that God would bless Timothy and watch over him and keep Timothy strong in his faith. He prayed that he would be able to see Timothy again. And he prayed all those things because he knew that even though he didn’t have any control over them, God did.

There will certainly be things that are out of our control. But when we pray to God, we are demonstrating belief that nothing is beyond him. Thoughts and prayers are not just a nice sentiment. They are a beautiful act of trust!

Prayer:
Dear God, everything is under your control. And so, I pray for those in my life who are struggling and hurting. Be with them and comfort them through your Word of peace. 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.

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Acts 14:21,22

Enduring Hardships

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2025

Devotion based on Acts 14:21,22


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The missionary life of the apostle Paul brings to mind some exciting pictures. We can hear the water rippling over the rocks as Paul preached by a stream. We feel the warmth and joy as Paul was welcomed into homes for a meal or to stay for a few days. Those times must have been wonderful!

Then we remember that Paul was beaten, stoned, mocked, shipwrecked, rejected, ridiculed, and persecuted in many ways. How terrible those times must have been!

What happened to Paul, however, wasn’t the most important thing. The fact that people were brought to believe in Jesus or that they were built up in their faith—that’s what mattered. That could happen when Paul was strong or when persecutions and troubles made God’s grace shine all the more. We do not hear Paul wondering if it was all worth it. However, we do hear a realistic Paul say, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul is not saying his hardships earned him entrance into God’s kingdom. That would be an insult to Jesus, who gave his life for him. What Paul wanted his listeners and us to realize is that going through difficulties is to be expected. As Christians, we are not exempt from suffering. But we are assured that God will help us. He promises to make our difficult times work for our good. He promises that evil will not overwhelm us so that we lose our connection to him. And finally, he promises that he will rescue us from all hardships on earth and give us a life in heaven that is free of all suffering.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I go through hardships as a result of following you and your word, remind me that these come as no surprise and that you are with me and will see me through them. 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 [Jesus] returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:40,41

Watch and Pray

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2025

Devotion based on Matthew 26:40,41


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In the most anxiety-filled moment of his earthly ministry, Jesus did not try to relieve his sorrow by looking to his own resources. He did not try to cope on his own. Rather, he sought help and support from his heavenly Father through prayer.

When Jesus returned from prayer, he found his three closest disciples sleeping soundly. Jesus knew that during the next few hours and days, his disciples would face many temptations to run for their lives rather than stand up for Jesus. They would be tempted to fall into hopeless despair and doubt when they saw Jesus crucified and put into a tomb. He warned them to stay alert and pray to overcome these temptations.

Jesus tells us that while our believing hearts are willing, have good intentions, and honestly want to do what is pleasing to God, our sinful natures are weak. Many temptations afflict us—temptations to give in to pet sins, to deny our Lord, and to live in opposition to him.

However, we can take heart because Jesus’ invitation to his disciples is also an invitation to us. Jesus tells us to pray! Why? Because wherever we cannot succeed, God can. Whenever we are short on power to overcome sin, he will give it to us. Whenever we lack the fortitude to step out of line from the world, he will strengthen us. With so many temptations and things assaulting our faith, Jesus tells us to watch and pray.

Pray for a stronger faith. Pray that he will move you to read and hear his Word regularly to equip you to fight the good fight of faith. Pray for the strength to say no to temptation and, in the power of forgiveness, to live as the child of God that you are.

And be assured that God is pleased to answer your prayers.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, do not permit temptation to endanger my faith or lead me to sin. Strengthen my faith by the power of your Word that I may live for you and faithfully follow your will. When I am tempted and fall into sin, forgive me for the sake of my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I boldly pray. 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.

Hope does not disappoint us.
Romans 5:5

Different Hope

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 5:5


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Of all the different kinds of pain you and I can experience in life, the pain of disappointment crushing hope can be one of the worst. Examples from life? A parent tells you that you cannot go to the amusement park as planned. Your first romantic relationship comes to a heartbreaking end. Your dream of flourishing in a certain field does not come true. Your move to a new city does not pan out. A child with great promise grows up to make some destructive life decisions. Your retirement plans for years of travel disappear with a diagnosis.

Many times, the words “hope” and “disappointment” go together. That, of course, is a result of sin. Our sinfulness has shattered God’s good creation. Because it has, human hope can only be frail and uncertain at best. Human hope is only a thin wish that something good might happen, but disappointment is always ready to pounce, always ready to devour.

Enter Jesus. God the Son entered our time and space to confront the one thing that has spawned all disappointment. He came to confront our sin. In so doing, he replaced our uncertainties with the certainty of himself. As our substitute, he lived a life of perfect trust in his heavenly Father’s will. In our place, he took upon himself all our sins of doubt, sins of betrayal, neglect, and broken promises. For all these and more, he suffered and died.

Then, to give us the absolute certainty that he is who he claims to be and has done what he promised to do, Jesus rose from the dead. As a result, you and I now have a kind of hope we’ve never had before. Rather than some thin wish about something that may or may not happen, we now possess a hope that rests upon the crucified and risen Son of God himself. Through faith in Jesus, you and I have a sure hope that he will carry us through every difficulty. We have a sure hope that he will guide all things for our good and that eternal life in heaven is ours.

Disappointment, therefore, does not have the final word. Jesus does.

Prayer:
Lord, when disappointment darkens my life, remind me that you have the last word. 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.

We also rejoice in our sufferings.
Romans 5:3

To Suffer

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 5:3


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In the brief span of two or three lifetimes, God has chosen to lavish upon us a staggering number of technological and medical advancements. But as I live my life day-to-day, awash in all these marvels. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be convenient. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be comfortable. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be smooth, easy, trouble-free, and without pain.

That presumption can even start to afflict my attitude as a Christian. Without ever mouthing the words, I may ask myself, “If I am a Christian, why do I have to suffer?”

Which brings me to the Word of my God. When he speaks to me about suffering in the Christian life, my 21st-century presumption is in for a shock. Not only does he break the news to me that I may still experience suffering in this world, but he goes so far as to say that a Christian will expect to suffer as part and parcel of the Christian life.

Then my God takes it one step further. He moves the apostle Paul to say, “We also rejoice in our sufferings.” I’ll be candid. My old sinful self does not rejoice in suffering. It flinches. It fears suffering. It wants to cry out, “Unfair!” It wants to run away.

But then he brings me back to the foot of the cross. He calls me to repentance. And through his gospel, he empowers me to see, all over again, Jesus Christ suffering to wash away my every sin, including unwillingness to suffer for his name. As he does, he refreshes my trust in his will for my life. I trust that my suffering is in his plan for me as a soldier of the cross and for a definite good that I may not yet see.

And because it is, I will rejoice.

Prayer:
Lord, when my suffering arrives, move me to trust, move me to accept, move me to rejoice. 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 been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

Real Peace

Daily Devotion – June 18, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 5:1


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If you took a class on ancient history, perhaps you recall the term Pax Romana. Pax Romana is Latin for “The Roman Peace.” It refers to a period in the Roman Empire when, overall, there was very little civil unrest, there were very few wars, and there was great political stability.

Do not imagine, however, that this “peace” was some kind of Utopian Paradise. There were reasons, you see, why most people decided not to create trouble. For example, in the closing scene of the classic movie Spartacus, you see a Roman highway. On each side are crucified men as far as the eye can see. This actually happened. In response to an attempted rebellion, the Empire crucified 6,000 rebels along a major Roman road. The message was loud and clear: If you defy Rome, you’ll end up on a cross. The message worked.

It was during this period of the Pax Romana that the apostle Paul lived. In one sense, Paul’s life was not peaceful at all. People shouted at him in hatred. Others ridiculed him behind his back. Mobs threw stones at him. He received severe beatings. He endured imprisonment. And he grappled with a severe physical problem that plagued him until the day he died.

Nevertheless, God the Holy Spirit moved Paul to speak of a peace that he possessed. As far as Paul was concerned, the peace he possessed was the real thing. What Paul possessed was peace with God.

While the Roman Empire used the cross to enforce a political peace, God used the cross to deliver a real peace. God the Son, Jesus Christ, gathered up all our sins of sinful rebellion. He carried them to a Roman cross. He suffered and died on that cross. He paid for our sins in full. He secured for us peace with God.

In this world, you and I will live through moments, days, and periods that are not peaceful at all. But like Paul, you and I possess peace with God in Jesus. It’s the only peace that’s real. It’s the only peace that will last.

Prayer:
Lord, in moments that do not feel peaceful, refresh me in the peace I have in 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.

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:27

Your Name

Daily Devotion – June 17, 2025

Devotion based on Numbers 6:27


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Here’s a question. Can you say the names of your great-great grandparents? Unless you have a passion for genealogy, you will likely have to give that question some research. And yet, that’s only four generations in the past. Four generations. Your great-great grandparents lived, laughed, worked, and cried on this earth only a short time ago.

Which leads to another question. Four short generations from now, how many people will remember your name? Once again, unless someone in your future family tree pursues genealogy as a hobby, odds are that no one will be able to recall.

It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? For all our work, play, struggle, and grief, the world in which we live soon forgets your name and mine.

But here is a grand and beautiful truth: your name will never be forgotten. Four generations from now, your name will never be forgotten. Seven generations from now, your name will never be forgotten. No matter how many years flow through centuries, your name will always be remembered.

Here’s how. God himself has claimed you as his very own. To make you his own, Jesus became one of us. He walked among us. On our behalf he lived a life of perfect goodness—the life you and I have failed to live. In our place he took upon himself our every sin. And as he paid for them in full on Calvary’s cross, you were on his mind and heart. And three days after his death, he raised himself back to life; all to give you the personal assurance that, through faith in him, you are his. He has placed his name upon you. He will never forget your name.

On this broken, sin-filled earth, people forget. Families forget. Past friends forget. Societies forget. In Jesus, God does not. He has called you by name. You are his.

Prayer:
Lord, in those moments when I feel forgotten, remind me that I am not. You have placed your name upon me. I am yours. Thank 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.

The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:26

Toward You

Daily Devotion – June 16, 2025

Devotion based on Numbers 6:26


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According to a 2021 article in Psychology Today, feeling ignored may be more painful than we suppose. Individuals in a study indicated that being ignored often hurt more than even being in an argument.

Then again, perhaps this should not surprise us. To feel ignored, to feel excluded, to feel overlooked, to feel invisible—such a thing brings a quiet devastation. The ache it produces can be so heavy and profound that people may feel like a physical weight is pressing on their shoulders and chest.

And these terrible moments can show up anywhere. They can show up at work, at school, at social gatherings, among friends, or among family. They can even show up at church.

Indeed, you and I can be very good at ignoring each other. Sin does that. In the brokenness of our broken natures, I can ignore others, others can ignore me, and we can all ignore God. Left to ourselves, you and I would end up abandoned, isolated, alone, and in despair.

But your God has not ignored you. Instead, he has turned his face toward you. He saw you in your sin and darkness. He saw you in your self-imposed exile, isolation, and pain. And he chose to do something about it. Jesus came here. He became one of us. On our behalf, he ignored no one as he walked on this earth. In our place, he endured the worst kind of abandonment possible—an abandonment so absolute that his heavenly Father turned away from him as he bore our sins on the cross. And then he died.

And then he rose. And because he has, you will never need to feel ignored again. Ever. For the One who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you is the One who lives. The One who has promised to be with you always is the One who lives. And the One who has risen from the dead is the One who has turned his face toward you. And he will never turn away.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for turning your face toward me. And thank you for never looking away. 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.

Love . . . is not self-seeking.
1 Corinthians 13:4,5

It’s Not About Me

Daily Devotion – June 15, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 13:4,5


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It was not a very long piece on the TV news. I don’t even recall the mother’s name. But what she does and why she is doing it, I will not soon forget.

The news piece is about this disastrous earthquake in Haiti and its aftermath. It centers on a mother and her young children. Their small house is now rubble. The mother does not know what they are going to eat. She does not know what they are going to drink. She does not know where they are going to live. And she finds herself surrounded by thousands of people who are wondering the same thing.

At present she and her children are living in the open, sitting and resting on a blanket. But as she sits with her children, the mother is doing a strange thing. She’s continually smiling and talking cheerfully.

Someone from the news crew finally asks her why she’s smiling so much. Her response is sober and direct. “It’s for my children,” she says.

Footage like that quickly reminds us of what love is. Love is not about me. It’s not about my needs. It’s not about indulging my fears, fulfilling my dreams, or protecting my self-esteem. It’s about others.

The old, sinful self inside me does not like that. It does not like that one bit. Left to my own instincts, my life would be all about me until there was nothing left but me. And ultimately, there I would exist isolated, alone, and in the outer darkness of hell.

But Jesus came. He came for me. He lived a perfect life for me. He suffered and died for my every failure. And now he lives for me. Because of him, my life is different. I am different. My slavery to self is done. And now I can really love because, through Jesus, it’s not about me. It’s about others.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, love is not about me. It’s about others. Forgive my failures. Empower me to love as you have loved 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.

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30

No Riddles

Daily Devotion – June 14, 2025

Devotion based on John 10:24-30


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Riddles can be used to strengthen the way you think. They can also be aggravating if you don’t have the answer. Many of the Jewish people who listened to Jesus saw him as a riddle. They couldn’t figure out if he was the Messiah or not. So finally, they came up to ask him. “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” No more mystery. They wanted a straight answer.

Jesus gave them a straight answer. “I did tell you.” He performed miracles in their presence. He revealed who he was as he taught the crowds who followed him. The problem is that many rejected the miracles and the words Jesus spoke to them. They did not believe Jesus as he proclaimed, that he was the Son of God.

Do not become like those who gathered around Jesus. Do not begin to think that Jesus doesn’t give a clear answer about who he is or what he came to do. There is no riddle. Jesus also speaks plainly to you. He is God; he stated, “I and my Father are one.” He came to save you from your sins and give you eternal life. Jesus doesn’t speak in riddles about who he is or what he came to do. He speaks plainly to you, his sheep, so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Listen to the clear words of Jesus. Hold on to them in faith. Look with hope to the eternal life he brings.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I give thanks that you have given me life through Jesus your Son. Continue to preserve my faith until I am with you in 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.