St. Johns News

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus’ Compassion

Daily Devotion – June 24, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 9:35-38

See series: Devotions

What a heart Jesus had for people in their suffering! He didn’t ignore them. He stopped and stooped to heal people and free many from severe suffering and debilitating handicaps of physical illness and disease.

But Jesus was more than a miracle worker. His compassion for people went further than sympathy for their physical condition. As he went through all the towns and villages, he taught the people and preached the good news of the kingdom. Jesus compassionately reached out to their souls that were held captive by sin. Jesus saw them as prisoners of Satan and under the death sentence of hell. Without him, they were hopeless and helpless.

Jesus proclaimed to them the good news that he had come to free them from the kingdom of the devil. He had come according to his heavenly Father’s will and planned to take their place under their death sentence. Jesus came to crush Satan’s power and break open the prison cell of death and hell.

Jesus’ deepest desire is for people to believe in him and have the blessing of salvation—that they not be separated from him but have eternal life with him. With Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead, he gives hope and joy to all who believe in him as their Savior from sin. That’s why he continues to have the good news of salvation preached and taught by his workers in the world today. He wants everyone to know his love and have life in his name.

Prayer: (Christian Worship – A Lutheran Hymnal: 358)
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away all fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the heart’s unrest;
‘Tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary, rest. 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.

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
1 Corinthians 4:6,7

Taking Credit

Daily Devotion – June 23, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:6,7

See series: Devotions

The Bible teaches that we all have different gifts from God. No two people are exactly alike. That means we will be surrounded by people who are better at some things than we are. And then there will be some things where we excel compared to others. Frankly, that’s what makes the world go round. If we were all equally gifted at the same things, we wouldn’t be able to serve one another with our gifts, and the world would be a very boring place!

That was also true when it came to Paul and his fellow apostles. Paul had a suite of gifts and abilities that were unique to him. And that was true of the other preachers in Paul’s day, including a man named Apollos.

But some Christians in the city of Corinth preferred Apollos over Paul, for whatever reason. Yet Paul wasn’t going to let that bother him because all the gifts he and Apollos had were on loan from God. God had gifted them both; he deserved the credit.

And what was true for Paul and Apollos is also true for us. Paul asked, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” It is easy to believe I am better than those around me. What a tragic sin this is. Not only is it unloving toward the people around me, but it takes credit for the gifts God has given. But when I remember that every ability I have comes from God, I realize I have no reason to boast. Thank God that, through Jesus, he forgives my arrogance and is able to instill an attitude of humble service in my heart so that I can serve him and those around me.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be your humble servant by humbly serving others. 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.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
1 Corinthians 4:5

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Daily Devotion – June 22, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:5

See series: Devotions

First impressions can mean a lot. That’s why Christian congregations should carefully consider how guests are welcomed. Are they met with friendly, comfortable greetings, or do they simply have a service folder jammed into their hands? Do they have to navigate an awkward gauntlet of strangers in a narrow entryway, or are they given some space to become comfortable in their new surroundings? Congregations will want to do all they can to welcome their guests.

At the same time, it is also true that first impressions are often inaccurate. Perhaps the person handing the guest a service folder wasn’t feeling well that morning; normally he’s the friendliest of fellows. Or perhaps the guest happened to step into the church when the entryway had suddenly become congested. It was a tight squeeze, but it only lasted a few seconds. It would be unfortunate if a guest judged the book by its cover.

It is especially unfortunate when people unfairly judge the motives of those around them. The apostle Paul warns us in today’s Bible reading not to judge other people’s motives; since we cannot read their hearts. In other words, be careful not to judge a book by its cover.

But the day will come, Paul promises, when Jesus “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” Rather than judge the motives of others, we do well to assess the motives of our own hearts. Where those motives are not God-pleasing, we can confess them to Jesus and know that those sins, too, were paid for when he went to the cross. His love and forgiveness will motivate us to be generous in the way we think of others and less likely to judge books by their covers.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep me from judging others unfairly. 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.

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
1 Corinthians 4:3,4

Only One Judge Counts

Daily Devotion – June 21, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:3,4

See series: Devotions

Judging others is easy. Jesus once pointed out how gifted people are in finding the speck in their neighbor’s eye without realizing that they’re lugging around a log in their own eye (Mt 7:3-5). We’re all much better at spotting what’s wrong with other people than identifying and correcting our own mistakes. We love to play the judge.

But as the apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians, there’s only one judge who counts, especially when it comes to serving God. That judge is Jesus. The people in Corinth were playing favorites, comparing one preacher to the other, and choosing whom they liked better.

Paul’s response to this Corinthian beauty pageant was simple. “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court,” he wrote. “Indeed, I do not even judge myself.” As far as he was concerned, when it came to public proclaimers of salvation in Christ, there is only one judge who counts. “It is the Lord who judges me,” Paul explained. And what is the basis for Jesus’ judgment of preachers? Not flashiness, but faithfulness to his saving Word.

May we keep this in mind as we strive to tell others about Jesus and share his saving Word. Above all, we want to be faithful to him!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep me faithful to 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.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2

Ambassadors are Meant to Represent

Daily Devotion – June 20, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:2

See series: Devotions

“I’m only the messenger.” Have you ever said that to someone when forced to break bad news? “Don’t be upset with me; I’m only the messenger.”

No one likes being the bearer of bad news, delivering a message that an audience won’t like. But sometimes, that’s what ambassadors get paid to do. They’re not asked to sugarcoat the king’s message in order to make it more palatable for the hearers. They have one job: repeat the words of the one who sent them. Ambassadors don’t have permission to go off-script; they are meant to represent. Above all else, they must prove faithful.

But that’s not only true when you’ve been asked to announce bad news. That’s also the case when ambassadors are sent to proclaim good news. They aren’t allowed to hold back or to make it sound less exciting than it is. The king sends his ambassadors to shout out good news from the rooftops so that everyone can hear!

What a joy and privilege it is to be the bearer of good news! The beauty and skill of the messenger is insignificant! If the news is good enough, just about anyone will be up to the task of delivering it. All they need to do is be faithful to the message. Ambassadors are to represent.

Christians have good news to proclaim to the world. It’s the best news ever. Through Jesus, God has reconciled the world to himself, not counting people’s sins against them (2 Co 5:19). Death has been conquered forever. Heaven is ours, no strings attached, through faith in Jesus. Eternal life is a certainty. That’s good news.

And whom does God call to proclaim that good news to a world in need of hearing it? Every Christian. They don’t need to be fancy, just faithful, because ambassadors are simply meant to represent.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Word and Spirit, empower me to believe and proclaim the good news of salvation found only in 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.

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
1 Corinthians 4:1

A Mystery

Daily Devotion – June 19, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:1

See series: Devotions

All things considered, the apostle Paul had to admit he was not much to write home about. Why Jesus would ever choose a man like Paul to be his ambassador is truly a mystery.

Just consider his past. Paul had been a violent persecutor and murderer of Christians. But his life changed forever one day when Jesus called Paul to be the single greatest missionary the world has ever known; millions still read and study his letters today.

This is shocking when you consider that even Paul recognized that his message was not the kind of philosophy and wisdom treasured by the people of this world. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. . . . I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words” (1 Co 2:2-4). To the world, the message about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and being raised back to life is foolishness.

All of which prompts us to ask: why would God choose to operate this way, to bring people to faith and save them forever through such worldly foolishness? It’s a mystery!

But that’s the point. God purposefully chooses to do things in a way that runs counter to how this world would do them. To our physical eyes, it all seems backward. But our Savior calls us through his Spirit to look behind the curtain and marvel at the way he delivers forgiveness and eternal salvation to us: through people and things that seem so weak and powerless.

Gospel preachers are nothing more than “servants of Christ . . . entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” And his way of doing things works perfectly!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Word and Spirit, grant me the eyes of faith so that I can see your power working through the weak people you choose to proclaim your powerful, saving gospel. 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 went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38

A Heart for Missions

Daily Devotion – June 18, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 9:35-38

See series: Devotions

Our Savior certainly has a heart for missions! As Jesus traveled around Galilee, what he saw disturbed him. He witnessed people wandering around lost, with no guidance or direction in their lives. Others could have seen the same people and thought, “That’s their problem. I have my own life to think about. I’m not going to get involved.” But our compassionate Savior does not feel that way about any of his lambs. Our Good Shepherd simply loves us too much not to get involved.

Our Savior’s heart for missions flows from his heart for us. Jesus cared enough to get involved. And when Jesus gets involved, he gives it his all. Jesus stepped in when we were lost and gave his life so we could have eternal life. And when we wander off—an everyday occurrence—Jesus steps in through his Word to get us back on the right path. He loves us too much to leave us wandering about in the darkness of our sin. He loved us so much that he paid for our sin with his own life. He loves us too much to leave us in the dark, so he sends his Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the power of his Word. Jesus has a heart for missions—reaching people with his Word—because he has a heart for us.

Jesus calls us to share his heart for missions. Be eager to seek the lost in your community, workplaces, and families. When Jesus’ love touches our hearts, he gives us a heart for missions and empowers us to answer his call, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Prayer:
Lord of harvest grant anew, joy and strength to work for you, till the gathering nations all see your light and heed your call. 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.

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”
Exodus 3:13-15

I AM WHO I AM

Daily Devotion – June 17, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:13-15

See series: Devotions

It’s one of the first things you do when you meet someone. You ask their name! If you don’t know a person’s name, can you really say you know that person? It’s hard to have a relationship with someone if you don’t know their name.

God provided Moses with his name for his own benefit and the benefit of God’s people: “I AM WHO I AM—The LORD.” Our God depends on no one else for rank or meaning. He relies on no one else for strength or value. He is who he is! He is God. Unlike any other, apart from any other, far superior to any other, He is “I AM.” He is “the LORD.”

God gave Moses his covenant name. God is faithful and filled with full and free forgiveness. For all the times that we forget God’s name or forget to praise him, there is forgiveness. For all the times that we misuse his name or elevate our own name or someone else’s higher than his, there is forgiveness. For all the times that we doubt his forgiveness or question his love, I AM forgives us.

I AM WHO I AM—yesterday, today, and forever. His word will not change. His promises will never fail. His love endures forever. Rejoice that the LORD is who he is—our Savior God.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank you for the privilege of calling on your name. I am blessed to be in your family and to have a loving Father like you. Remind me daily of your name and love, through 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.

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
Exodus 3:15

The God of Every Generation

Daily Devotion – June 16, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:15

See series: Devotions

It is possible to get to know a person from the past fairly well. We can study the recorded details about his life. From what he wrote and said we can get a glimpse into the way he thought. But that historical figure, no matter how great he is, doesn’t know you.

It’s easy to view the Bible and think of God as the God of the past since the Bible tells us about what he has done in the past. Perhaps Moses felt like the God of his forefathers was a God of the past. No doubt, he had heard the oral histories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and how God was active and made huge promises and poured out many blessings back in their day. But when God told Moses that his name is “I AM,” he wanted Moses to know that he was not simply the God of the past but the God of every generation.

The same Lord who came to Moses in a burning bush came in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and proved he is the God and Savior of every generation, all people of all time, by taking up the sins of every generation and dying. Then he rose from the dead. Unlike any other historical figure, he lives. So, unlike other historical figures, he does know you. He is the God of every generation, and he is your God too!

Prayer:
Lord, my God and Savior, thank you for making your power and love known to every generation. Use me to tell the next. 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.