Category: Daily Devotions

Jesus replied “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:34,36

The Son Has Set You Free

Daily Devotion – November 1, 2022

Devotion based on John 8:34,36

See series: Devotions

Jesus always told the truth. So, when he introduces a statement by saying, “Very truly I tell you,” he is emphasizing how truly important his next words are. And make no mistake, the truth here is very important.

It is awful because it reveals the harsh reality of the human condition: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” We all enter this world with a sinful nature that convinces us that freedom means doing whatever we want.

But freedom to follow your sinful nature does not make you free. You are a slave to your sins: fear, despair, envy, anger, lust. Sinners suppose they have found freedom, but all they have found is more slavery.

The thing about slavery is that you cannot free yourself from it. Someone else has to take action and free you. Thank God that the awful truth of our sinfulness is answered by the important truth of God’s forgiveness: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

How did he do it? Jesus said to the God the Father, “What they deserve, give to me. What I deserve, give to them.” And that’s what happened. Jesus embraced the awful truth of our sinful condition. He became sin for us. He was punished for our fear, despair, envy, anger, and lust. He was damned with our damnation, receiving in his own body what we deserve.

Our freedom was not free and wasn’t even cheap. Our freedom cost Christ everything. The Son willingly gave his life on a cross to free you. And the One who was dead now lives again forever! The resurrection is God’s promise to you: “You are free!” You don’t belong to sin. You belong to the Son, and when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, protect and comfort me in all temptations with the truth that you have set me free. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
John 8:31

Hold to Jesus’ Teaching

Daily Devotion – October 31, 2022

Devotion based on John 8:31

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A little over 500 years ago, on October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This document contained statements questioning the church’s teachings about how God forgives sinners.

Its intention was to encourage scholarly discussion, but it grew into something much more important. In fact, only four years later, Martin Luther stood trial before the most powerful men in Europe because his questioning of the church was becoming a reformation of the church.

The issue, in this case, was not how we are forgiven but who was in charge of Christianity. Luther believed that Jesus’ teaching in the Bible was the one source of authority for Christians. But at that time, almost everyone believed the church’s leaders in Rome were in charge.

So, at his trial they asked him a simple question: “Will you recant?” He knew what they meant: “Will you admit that you were wrong and take back everything you taught?” They wanted him to say yes, but that would mean letting go of Jesus’ teaching. But Luther was Jesus’ disciple and had learned to hold to Christ’s teaching at all costs.

What about you? Do you want to be Jesus’ disciple too? You are Jesus’ disciple if you hold to his teaching. That means hearing, reading, learning, and taking it to heart.

And when the Word is heard, things happen. Jesus’ Word opens deaf ears, unlooses mute tongues, expels demons, illuminates blind eyes, and raises the dead. Jesus is the Word made flesh that dies and returns to life. His Word promises that sinners are forgiven through faith in him. Luther knew that Christians had to hold on to that teaching at all costs, because it frees us from listening to those who contradict God’s Word.

That is why he refused to recant and gave them a simple answer: “Unless I am convinced by Holy Scriptures and plain reason my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither safe nor right. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me! Amen.”

Prayer:
Lord, keep me steadfast in your Word. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
John 8:31

Stick to the Playbook

Daily Devotion – October 30, 2022

Devotion based on John 8:31

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Are you a fan of American football? Even if you aren’t, you can understand that in football, as in any team sport, the coach has a playbook. The playbook guides players to take the right number of steps, make the right cuts, throw the right passes, attack the right angles, all to defeat their opponent and win the game. Training camps and practice after practice drill those plays into the athletes, so they become second nature during the game. Imagine the disappointment of the coach when his players don’t follow the playbook!

Imagine the disappointment of God when his people don’t follow his Word! Indeed, the Bible is so much more than a playbook. God hasn’t given his Word to drill the right steps to take and tell you the decisions you need to make, but the Bible does present a message of victory for you.

Jesus teaches you of the victory you have in him. Even though you have taken the wrong steps, attacked the wrong angles in your life, and disappointed God, Jesus teaches you that you are forgiven. Jesus teaches you that he is your Savior. He stepped onto the gridiron of this world and faced the fiercest opponent. Jesus faced death itself for you, and he won. He gave up his life on the cross for your forgiveness but then rose again in victory over the grave.

That’s why his teaching is so important. It’s why he tells you, and all who follow him, to hold on to it with such a grip that no opponent can ever force a fumble out of your hands.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach and strengthen me to hold firmly to your Word of Truth. Help me to boldly live my life as your disciple. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:7-12

This is Love

Daily Devotion – October 29, 2022

Devotion based on 1 John 4:7-12

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Hand in hand, they walked down the hall. It was a slow walk because their legs of eighty-plus years just didn’t quite move the way they used to. When they talked, it was a little bit loud because their hearing wasn’t that great either.

It was a beautiful sight for a young married couple to behold. I remember smiling along with my wife and saying, “Thid is awesome love! That’s the kind of love I want us to have 60 years from now.”

As Christians, we are not only to love our husband or wife, our parent, and children; we are to love everyone. Where do we look to find out what this love is to be like?

The apostle John tells us, “God is love.” In other words, if you want to know what true love is, look no farther than God himself and what he has done.

God sent his one and only Son into the world, knowing everything that would happen to him here. He sent him to be the sacrifice that would pay the price for every one of our sins. He sent him to die so that you and I might live.

The love that God has for you and me is selfless and sacrificial. His biggest concern was not his feelings. His biggest concern was you and making sure that you would be able to pass through the gates of heaven without any of the sins that would keep you out.

That is love! Since God so loved you, love one another with a love that is selfless and willing to make sacrifices to provide for what others need.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you have provided me with the greatest example of love—the sacrifice of your one and only Son. Forgive me for the times love has been all about me and how I feel. Help me to be willing to sacrifice for the needs of others as you sacrificed your Son for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 10:17,18

The God Who Helps

Daily Devotion – October 28, 2022

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 10:17,18

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When I was in grade school, and teams were being picked for kickball, basketball, or baseball during recess, I regularly witnessed what I think is the typical playground experience when choosing teams: the captains always chose the strongest first and made their way down to the weakest. They chose the individuals whose talent or skill could provide the most help to the team.

God doesn’t do the same thing. Time and again in the Bible, when God chooses the individuals, he will associate with, he regularly chooses the individuals who need the most help or feel the most invisible. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,” Moses reminded Israel.

There are people who have had to walk through life without father, whether that father left by their own choice or was taken from them by death. There are many people who walk through life as a widow, living each day without the comfort of companionship they formerly enjoyed. There are many people who aren’t fatherless or widowed yet walk through each day feeling rejected, unlovable, or invisible.

But we are never invisible to God. This is the God who chose Israel—the smallest nation—to bring the Savior into the world. This is the God who chose Moses—not the greatest speaker or bravest man—to deliver Israel from slavery. This is the God who chose David—an afterthought even in the minds of his own family—to defeat a giant and lead as a king. This is the God who chose to save all of us, though he is very familiar with all of our sins, by forgiving those sins entirely through the perfect life and sacrificial death of the one truly “good” person—Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t choose the people who are better than most. He chooses people who need him the most.

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for helping me so completely and perfectly through my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today.
Deuteronomy 10:14,15

The Choice

Daily Devotion – October 27, 2022

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 10:14,15

See series: Devotions

Eleven millionaires were on the Titanic, the famous luxury cruise ship that sank in 1912. One of those millionaires was Major A. H. Peuchen who brought along with him onto the Titanic over $300,000 in cash, jewelry, and securities. When the ship was going down, however, he didn’t grab any of those things on his way to the lifeboats. Instead, he grabbed three oranges. He thought the oranges would be more valuable to him at the time.

God can always have whatever he wants. “To the Lord belongs the heavens … the earth and everything in it,” Moses reminds the nation of Israel. If he wants a beautiful sunrise, it’s his. If he wants an oceanfront view, it’s done. If he wants a jaw-dropping view of the Rockies, no problem. But when he saw that this world was going down on account of our sin, he didn’t choose to reach for any of those things. “He chose you,” Moses said. And that truth doesn’t apply just to the nation of Israel. It applies to all who benefit from the work of the Savior who was born from that nation—the Savior who took the whip to save you, felt the nails to redeem you, dropped his blood to cleanse you, broke out of his grave to prove that your grave will one day release you, and sits up on high preparing the most wonderful place in all eternity just for you.

When you are reminded that we live in a world that is dying—remember God’s gracious choice of sending a Savior to save us from it.

Prayer:
Gracious God, keep me firmly rooted in your choice to send Jesus to be my Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”
Luke 18:18,19

Faith Rejoices

Daily Devotion – October 26, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:18,19

See series: Devotions

The young man who spoke with Jesus that day isn’t the only person to wonder what a good life looks like. We do the same thing when we look at ourselves.

This is challenging for us because some days we don’t feel good about our lives. It’s easy to look at our lives and remember the times we weren’t good to spouses, parents, children, or friends. On some of those days, it may even be easy to wonder if God could ever love someone like me.

The problem with that line of thinking is that it finds us guilty of doing the same thing this wealthy young man did—focusing our primary attention on ourselves. Jesus gives us a better way to live: Instead of spending so much time looking at our lives, look at his. Instead of focusing so much on what you have or haven’t done, focus on what Jesus already did.

This young man walked away from Jesus sad when he could have stayed right where he was and found the true wealth his life was missing. The type that will never disappoint you for any reason; the wealth we already have in Jesus, who shed his blood over all the bad in our lives so that we could be forgiven and washed clean of every sin. And therefore, have absolutely nothing in our heart, soul, or mind that isn’t “good” according to God’s definition.

The way we live our lives might not make us good fits in God’s kingdom. But the life and death of Jesus does. You’re good. That’s what the cross of Jesus means. He has made you good—by God’s own declaration.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness that makes me a “good” fit in God’s kingdom. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:18-22

Need for a Savior

Daily Devotion – October 25, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:18-22

See series: Devotions

Often when you see a picture of the Ten Commandments, you see them split up on two different tablets. On the first tablet are the first three commandments, with the remaining commandments listed on the second.

The commandments Jesus quoted to the young man in our Bible reading today would fit on the second tablet. They focus on how we’re supposed to treat the people around us—forbidding adultery, murder, stealing, lying, and dishonoring our parents. And this man didn’t react all that differently than many people might today when they hear those things: “Well, I’ve done a pretty good job with those. I haven’t murdered anyone, haven’t had an affair, and yesterday I called my mom and told her I love her. And if I haven’t, I think that with a bit of effort, if I stepped up my game a bit, I could do those things pretty well.”

We can all be tempted to think we are good enough for God. It appears that the young man speaking with Jesus did. So, out of love, Jesus tried to show the man that he wasn’t good enough and needed someone to save him from his sins. He needed Jesus.

It doesn’t appear that the young man learned his lesson. When Jesus revealed that the young man loved his money more than he loved his God, instead of repenting and seeking forgiveness—the man went away sad.

Don’t let this happen to you. When God uses the words of the Bible to reveal your sin, don’t walk away sad. Instead, turn to your Savior. Jesus has already paid the price for your sin. He has lived the perfectly good life you could never live. He is the answer to the question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Trust in the One who has earned eternal life for you.

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, keep my eyes always fixed on your work as my Savior and the everlasting value it gives to me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
Luke 18:18-23

Faith Is Fully Dependent on Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 24, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 18:18-23

See series: Devotions

By all appearances, he was a wealthy and successful young man who genuinely wanted to do good things. He seemed to say and do all the right things. In case there was something good he hadn’t done, he asked Jesus for guidance. All in all, he appeared to be a good man who did many good things.

But appearances can be deceiving. He still lacked the one thing that can truly make a person good in God’s sight–a recognition of his sin and trust in Jesus as his Savior.

We can learn much from this young man and his interaction with Jesus. The seeming goodness of our lives is not what makes us a good fit for God’s kingdom. It is only the perfect goodness of Jesus, his complete sacrifice for our sins, and his enduring desire for our salvation that makes us a perfect fit for God’s kingdom.

What must you do to inherit eternal life? Place your trust in what Jesus has done to save you and follow him to the heaven he won for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to rest daily in your good and perfect love for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:12

Life in Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 23, 2022

Devotion based on 1 John 5:12

See series: Devotions

The doctor walked solemnly into the hospital room. He explained to the anxious family of his unconscious patient, “All medical procedures have been employed and exhausted. There is no life left.”

Doctors offer excellent and compassionate service. But how difficult it must be for them to say helplessly and hopelessly: “There is no life left.” If only someone could grant life! Wouldn’t any doctor or patient and their family give anything and everything for life?

Death proves that there is no life anywhere else in this world of sin. But God sent his own Son to live our life perfectly for us, granting us the eternal robe of his righteousness. Jesus died our death for us on the cross and rose from the dead, triumphant over sin, death, and hell. Only in Jesus is there life, for “he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” In God’s Son, Jesus, there is life with God.

Trusting in Jesus as your Savior, this life is yours, already now, and forever. You have it. Treasure it! Live it! In Christ, you share the grand privilege of encouraging other believers with the life we have in Jesus, and in reaching out to others who do not yet know and have life, eternal life through Jesus.

God bless you this day and forever as you truly live in Jesus!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for winning and giving me life. Help me to live that life and encourage others in that life today and always. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.