St. Johns News

“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then [Jesus] said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
Luke 21:9,10

Anticipation Not Fear

Daily Devotion – November 18, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 21:9,10

See series: Devotions

Much of the United States is currently under a severe drought. (As I write, the Mississippi is at its lowest levels in decades, and barges are getting stuck. Several of the largest reservoirs in the western states are at their lowest point since their construction.) Hurricanes have created one of the costliest years ever, with lots of rebuilding needed that will take years. A war with mounting destruction and casualties continues to be fought in Europe as wary eyes watch on, praying there is no escalation in other countries or more destructive tactics.

I would like to think that it is all unique to 2022, but I know it’s not. As we have just seven weeks left of this year, I am sadly confident that what we experienced this year is not all that special. The specifics may change, but the condition of our world will remain the same. There will still be drought in many places. Peace treaties will always be just temporary documents. Storms will continue to bring their destructive forces to bear.

While events like these bring difficulty and sadness to the lives of Christians, they need not bring fear. Jesus told us that all these things would happen as signs that we are living in end times and that they will continue until the final end comes as both a sign and a symptom that we are living in a world with an expiration date. These signs of trouble and decay remind us to look past this world to the life to come—a life Jesus has already won for us when he came to this world the first time. And because he did, his followers can look forward to the day he comes again.

Prayer:
Lord, as I view the events of this world do not let me be afraid. Rather, remind me that it is as all a sign that you are coming soon. 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.

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:6,7

Waiting on Justice

Daily Devotion – November 17, 2022

Devotion based on 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7

See series: Devotions

“Life isn’t fair” might be one of the hardest lessons we learn in this life. We learn it early when we get recess taken away at school for something someone else did. We keep learning it into adulthood when someone receives the recognition, attention, or promotion we deserve. We learn it over and over again as life finds new ways to show us how unfair it can be.

Unfairness can be especially egregious when it is something very personal. When someone hurts us and gets away with it, when they succeed at our expense, or profit at our loss, all feel particularly terrible.

So what is God going to do about it? A better question might be, what has God done about it? You see, two thousand years ago, God became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. He suffered the greatest injustice ever endured when he was nailed to a cross and suffered the punishment for the sins of all people. Because he was willing to endure what we deserve, all who trust in him will receive the forgiveness and eternal life no sinner deserves.

And there’s more. In today’s Bible passage, God’s people are promised that when Jesus returns, he will give relief to those who have been hurt and punish those who have opposed his people. He will restore and make right the things that have been wrong. His coming judgment will be a judgment that brings restoration. What has been unfairly taken away will be restored. What has been hurt will be healed.

So when life seems unfair, when injustices surround you, trust that God will bring relief. With his almighty power he will strengthen you, deliver you, and bring you to his protecting arms.

Prayer:
Almighty King, grant me peace as I live a life in a world full of injustice. Give me confidence in the restoration that you will provide. 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.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.
Malachi 4:2

The Sun Will Rise

Daily Devotion – November 16, 2022

Devotion based on Malachi 4:2

See series: Devotions

The sun is low in the skies, and I am missing the sunshine of summer. There is something refreshing and revitalizing about the sun. Even on these shorter days I do my best to go out and enjoy the light and feel it warm on me. The nights may be cold and long this time of year, but we know that every day the sun will rise.

As Christians, we have this sure hope that the sun is coming up as dark as today might be. We know that tomorrow will always be better. God will bring an end to the night, and the sun will rise.

Maybe the sun is about to rise, and the difficult things you are going through will soon be over. God will provide the healing and hope that you have so needed. The darkness will soon be replaced by rays of light.

Maybe morning is a long way off and the darkness will remain for a while longer. Even then, it is certain the sun will rise, and God will provide healing. Even if it is not in this life but the life to come, the sun will still rise. We may have to wait a little longer, but the outcome is still certain.

It is certain, because it has been promised by the God who cannot lie. It is certain, because Jesus has done everything necessary to earn us a place in the perfect world to come. Whatever darkness you might be facing today, let this certainty be your comfort.

Prayer:
Gracious God, help me to wait with perfect hope and confidence on your healing. Remind me that the night is ending, and a new day will rise with healing. 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.

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
Luke 21:5,6

Gone

Daily Devotion – November 15, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 21:5,6

See series: Devotions

The Jerusalem temple in Jesus’ day took decades to construct and was one of the most expensive building projects in the Roman world. It was six times larger than the famous Colosseum and was paid for by some of the heaviest taxes in the world. The stones used in construction could be as large as forty feet by twelve feet by twelve feet and weighed as much as five-hundred tons. Faithful Jewish people journeyed to this impressive structure multiple times every year.

And so, it would seem that there was nothing more permanent in their lives than this temple. Between its large size and all that the people had invested and its importance in day-to-day life, it seemed that it would have been impossible for the temple to ever be destroyed.

Yet in 70 A.D., destruction is exactly what happened. The Romans came in and destroyed everything, and the temple was no more.

While the temple and destruction were very real, it was an illustration of what is to come. Life is full of many things that seem impressive. Things that are “too big to fail” and seem to be so permanent that nothing will destroy them. Things that are daily parts of our lives and so it is impossible to imagine life without them. Buildings, organizations, knowledge, and culture will one day all come to an end, Jesus said. They will all be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth.

Jesus gives us these warnings not to frighten us but so that we might have confidence even as the world seems to be falling apart around us. Jesus tells us beforehand that what seems permanent in this world will eventually be gone so that we do not find our confidence in anything here and now. Instead, we look forward to the perfect world to come—the world Jesus won for us with his perfect life and innocent death, the world that will never end

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, remind me that this life will soon be gone. Give me hope and confidence in the life to come. 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] “Not a hair of your head will perish.”
Luke 21:18

Safe Passage

Daily Devotion – November 14, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 21:18

See series: Devotions

There is a consistent story found in the pages of the Bible: God’s people go through great difficulty, but they pass through unharmed. The details of the story change, but the end result is the same.

The people of Israel were being pursued by the mighty Egyptian chariots. They had nowhere to run until God opened up a path of dry ground through the Red Sea. The people passed through safely without suffering any loss.

Goliath was shouting death threats against the people of God. A giant warrior wanted them all dead until David knocked him down with just a slingshot and a stone. God’s people defeated Goliath and the Philistines that day without enduring even a scratch.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to comply with the King’s order to worship the god he had built. They were thrown into a fiery furnace for their faith but were completely unharmed. They didn’t even smell like smoke.

Luke chapter 21 is full of terrible things that are happening and will happen in the future. It is a chapter of horrific disasters, betrayal, and persecution without limit, and Jesus wants you to know that you will pass through it all unharmed.

Like the children of Israel walked through the Red Sea, like the people of God faced Goliath, like the three men thrown into the fiery furnace, God promises to bring you through the worst of this world.

Trust his promise. It is a promise from the one who fulfilled his promise to send a Savior to rescue us from our sins and fulfilled his promise to defeat death by rising from the grave. Trust his promise to bring you safely through this world to himself in heaven.

Prayer:
Mighty God, you have told me in advance that this world is passing away and will bring many hardships to me. Grant to me the sure confidence that I will arrive safely to your side in heaven. 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 you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”
Malachi 4:2

Sunrise is Coming

Daily Devotion – November 13, 2022

Devotion based on Malachi 4:2

See series: Devotions

There is something about a sunrise, isn’t there? Whether you’ve had to pull an all-nighter or if you’re an early morning riser, there’s something energizing about those first rays of sunshine piercing the darkness of the fading night. In a sense, it is healing.

For believers in Jesus, that is what the end of the world will be about; it will be about healing. And what healing it will be! God’s healing rays will drive all of sin’s darkness out of us once and for all. When Jesus returns and takes his people to heaven, there will be no more temptations, doubts, fears, anxieties, pride, bitterness, hurt feelings or inadequacy, messed up relationships, broken promises, shading the truth—the list could go on and on.

Sunrise is coming. Jesus is coming back. Yes, the same Jesus who was willing to be laid in a manger, to be led to a cross—he is coming back. He loves you dearly. He paid for your sins in full. He won heaven for you.

And one day he will return in glory, driving out the darkness of sin forever. Sunrise is coming!

Prayer:
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, to heal us! 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.

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
Isaiah 65:17

Anticipating Heaven

Daily Devotion – November 12, 2022

Devotion based on Isaiah 65:17

See series: Devotions

I’m 47 years old. You know what? I don’t remember all that much about what happened during my grade school years. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I appreciated those years! I was blessed to attend a Lutheran Elementary School, so I learned much about Jesus and had some great friends!

But frankly, I don’t really remember all that many details. Did I have days when I was stressed because of some test or assignment? I’m sure there were, but I don’t remember them. Did I have disagreements and arguments with some of my classmates? I’m sure I did. However, I remember very few of those events.

When we get to heaven and live there for eons, how many stresses, hurts, and difficulties of this earth will we remember? According to this verse, they won’t even come to mind!

Why? Because heaven will be so much better than anything on this earth! All the effects of sin will be removed forever. We’ll have perfect love, perfect joy, perfect peace, perfect relationships with everyone who is there.

That doesn’t mean the things which are happening now are easy or trivial. They may be quite challenging!

But that actually leads us to anticipate heaven all the more—a place without any of the difficulties of this world or even the memory of them.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, come quickly to take me to the eternal home you have prepared! 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.

Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:36-40

The World Was Not Worthy of Them

Daily Devotion – November 11, 2022

Devotion based on Hebrews 11:36-40

See series: Devotions

The United States honors military veterans of the Armed Forces. People recognize the sacrifices and hardships veterans and their families undergo and thank them for their service.

The Bible encourages us to honor Christians who suffered hardships and served without recognition or distinction. There have been many in history, and there are, in fact, many of them around the world right now. If you live in a country that practices freedom of religion, you may not realize it, but there are Christians in many countries who face jeers, beatings, and even imprisonment.

Why doesn’t God prevent all persecution? He is planning something better. Together with us, those persecuted saints will be made perfect in heaven. We and they will receive the declaration that we have the perfection of Jesus through faith in him.

Those who have died already shine in that glory of God. We who remain on the earth struggle. But when you struggle, face opposition, and perhaps even persecution for following Jesus, remember the glory God has in store for you one day!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thwart the plans of your enemies so that your people may sing your praises unhindered through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
Revelation 21:6

Using His Power for Good

Daily Devotion – November 10, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 21:6

See series: Devotions

There are places in the world where access to water is power. People who control the water supply can charge outrageous prices to those who need water or can deny them completely. It doesn’t seem fair for something that is such a basic need for life-like water, but that’s how it is.

Jesus is in charge of everything. He calls himself the Beginning, meaning he was around before the world was created. And the End, meaning that he will be around even after the world is destroyed.

So, Jesus is in charge of the spring of the water of life. This water is so basic that without it, no one has eternal life, but with it, people go to heaven. That water is Jesus’ own words, which cause faith in people’s hearts, faith that connects them to Jesus and guarantees them heaven.

Jesus gives that water to people who are thirsty—thirsty for forgiveness, joy, peace, and comfort. Jesus gives all these things through his Word.

And he gives them without cost. He can afford to do that because he has already paid the cost by his perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection.

So, drink up and be satisfied.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, create in me a thirst for you that will not be quenched until I am at home with you in heaven. 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 will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Truly Better

Daily Devotion – November 9, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 21:4

See series: Devotions

Our daughter came home from school and asked for tape that would not hurt her bedroom door. A few hours later, we noticed what she had taped to the door. It was written in marker on construction paper, and it was words from the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Her sign said, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

It touched us that out of all the Bible passages she could have chosen, our daughter chose this one. She felt things deeply, both good and bad, and we knew she did not enjoy crying when bad things happened. Because she knew Jesus, because she knew she was going to heaven, she was already looking forward to a place without crying and tears.

Later she asked us an interesting question. “Could someone sin in heaven and start all of the pain all over again?” We reassured her that the passage taped to her bedroom door was God’s promise that it would not be like that. “There will be no more death.”

Right now, there is a certain order of things. People die, and people mourn. But a day is coming when the old order of things will pass away, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. God speed that day.

Prayer:
Lord, lead me through this world of tears to the place where I will simply rejoice in your presence. 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.