St. Johns News

[Jesus said] “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Matthew 5:13

The Spice of Life

Daily Devotion – February 6, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:13

See series: Devotions

When I went away to school, there were plenty of things I missed about home. But one of the biggest things was my mom’s cooking. Don’t get me wrong; she wasn’t the world’s greatest chef. She made some dishes I could have done without, especially her tuna casserole with green peppers. But there is one thing I could always say about her cooking: even if I didn’t like it, her food tasted like something.

That couldn’t always be said of the fare served in our school cafeteria. One of the most frightening sights you could witness during Monday morning breakfast time was the school chef lurking in the kitchen stirring his infamous red sauce with a boat oar. You knew you were in for a tough week. It wasn’t that his red sauce dishes tasted bad. They just didn’t taste like anything. To call them bland would be an insult to the word “bland.”

When it comes to food, bland is bad. That’s why God created spices. They bring out the flavor and heighten the contrasts. They’re meant to be different, savory, and interesting.

You could also say that’s why God creates Christians. In this dying world of sin, Christians are meant to be different. Knowing what God has done to save them from their sins, they want nothing more than to follow his will—even if that means speaking and acting differently from others in this world.

That is the point Jesus is making with his words in Matthew chapter 5. He’s warning God’s children not to blend in with the worldly-minded masses. They’re called to be different, to be the salt of the earth.

Why? Because through their very differentness, they can call attention to the One who has saved them from their sins and made them his followers. And, having grabbed the attention of the people of this world, they will have the opportunity to tell those people about Jesus. He is, after all, their Savior too.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your Word and Spirit, grant me the strength I need to be the salt of the earth. 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.

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.’”
Exodus 19:3-5

A Treasured Possession

Daily Devotion – February 5, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 19:3-5

See series: Devotions

What is your most treasured possession? For a child it might be a bicycle or a doll. For a teenager it might be a pair of jeans or a phone. Perhaps, for you it is your wedding ring or a family heirloom.

Have you ever wondered what God treasures? He has a great deal to choose from since everything in creation is his. Every bird, every animal, every gemstone, every mountain—everything is his.

But what does God treasure most? You. He made you and wanted you in his world. He has provided for you and protected you. And even though you have often strayed from him and gone against his commands, he treasured you so much that he came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ and rescued you from your own rebellion.

You may not believe that you are very valuable. It may seem like other people don’t consider you very valuable, either. You may not think you matter. But the sacrifice God made when he went to the cross is your proof of how valuable you are to him. Let that be your comfort and peace this day, knowing that no matter what you are facing or how you might feel you are failing, by faith in Jesus, you are God’s treasured possession. And he plans to keep you for the rest of eternity.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know there are times I do not feel very valuable. I think of the pain I have caused others and the pain my sins have caused you. But your Word tells me that through Jesus, I am your treasured possession. I marvel at such a thought. May all I do this day be worthy of such an honor. 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.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5

The Meek

Daily Devotion – February 4, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:5

See series: Devotions

Meekness is not a trait that will get a person very far in life. In a dog-eat-dog world success is attained by a bold, assertive spirit which is not afraid to climb over others to get ahead. How different Jesus wants his disciples to be! Responding in thankfulness to God for their salvation, they are to be gentle, patient, humble, quietly resigning their all to God’s will. They don’t seek revenge when others offend. Instead they love others like Jesus meekly did: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).

Jesus says that the meek are blessed. God knows their hearts and gives them a life on earth of blessing after blessing. I have a Christian friend who often remarks, “I’m so blessed!” He looks at his family, job, and possessions and thanks God for the many blessings he has. I can learn from people like my friend to recognize how my loving God fulfills his promise to bless me in all matters of life. Even when it doesn’t seem so, every minute God is with me and caring for me.

“The meek,” Jesus says, “will inherit the earth.” Not only do Jesus’ followers have a life of blessing on earth, but they also have the blessing of eternal life on a new earth. The Bible teaches: “In keeping with God’s promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:13). On the Last Day, God’s creation, including our planet earth, will be destroyed. But God promises that he will make a new creation for his believers, and it will be perfect and last forever.

The meek—all of God’s believers—will be blessed in the next world, as they are blessed in this one, too. Our merciful God has given us the most important gift of all through Jesus—he has taken away the guilt of our sins. By faith in Jesus, we are humbly grateful to have a life of blessing now and are boldly hopeful for even greater blessings to come.

Prayer:
Jesus, you humbly came into this world to bless me with God’s love for this life and for eternity. Impress on my heart the benefit of meekly following you and living in thankfulness for all your blessings. 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.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Mourning

Daily Devotion – February 3, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:4

See series: Devotions

Dr. Alejandra Vasquez has published an article that sheds light on grief. While you and I might associate mourning mainly with the death of a loved one, Dr. Vasquez reminds us that losses of many kinds may cause us to mourn. A few examples include: The loss of a friend through distance or a rift in your relationship. The loss of your sense of home through your having to move to another place. The loss of familiar people and routines at work when your employer creates all kinds of changes. The loss of a sense of identity when you must leave your profession. The loss of your former lifestyle when you take on the care of an ailing loved one. The loss of independence when poor health prevents you from doing what you’ve always done. Even a series of relatively small losses can create what Dr Vasquez calls “compound grief.”

The truth is we live in a sinful, broken world, and by nature we are sinful, broken people. As a result there will be all kinds of losses—losses around us and of our own making. And some of those losses will make us mourn.

If you are in mourning, if you are in grief, know this. You are on Jesus’ mind and heart. And he fully understands what you feel. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” Isaiah says of our Savior. There is no kind of grief you feel that he does not grasp.

But Jesus also gives a promise. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. When our Lord lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died for our every sin, not only did he purchase for us full forgiveness. He also secured comfort for us in this life and absolute comfort in the life to come, “where there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.”

That’s his promise. And with Jesus, a promise made is a promise kept.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know my sorrow. Thank you for your comfort. I look to you to carry me through. 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, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:31

Brag

Daily Devotion – February 2, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:31

See series: Devotions

Bragging is big business. It’s big business not only because it seems to be in our wiring to brag. It’s also big business because companies can make money helping people brag in a way that it doesn’t sound like bragging.

One example. A few years ago, author Peggy Klaus wrote a book entitled, Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It. The book became a best-seller, featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and on The Today Show. Another example. Some companies have begun bragging on behalf of their customers. For instance, a fitness company posts a personal video on a customer’s Facebook page, praising that customer for becoming so fit. A resort does the same thing, praising a customer for planning such a fantastic vacation. The customer then, understandably, passes all this bragging on to their social media friends. In return, the companies receive good publicity.

Bragging is big business. And while one might debate the pros and cons of such promotion in the business world, when it comes to standing alone before God, you and I know we have nothing about which to brag. Standing alone before the God of perfect goodness and perfect justice—all I can point to is my sinful failure and rebellion. All I can point to is my sinful genius for self-absorption, disregarding others, and drifting away from God.

God would have had every right to look at me—to look at us—turn his back in contempt and walk away forever. But he didn’t, and he hasn’t. Instead, he became one of us. God the Son, Jesus Christ, lived a life of perfect humility on our behalf. For all our sins of self-absorption, he endured the full weight of divine punishment in our place. And now, through faith in the Son, God declares us holy, forgiven, and sons and daughters of the King.

Does this compel us to brag, to boast? Yes. But it’s not about us anymore. It’s all about our Savior.

Prayer:
Lord, you have rescued me from the emptiness of self. Praise be to your holy name. 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.

Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
1 Corinthians 1:26

Cinderella Story

Daily Devotion – February 1, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:26

See series: Devotions

Harry was a carpenter and a good one. Earlier in life he’d pursued acting, but that had gone nowhere, one filmmaker telling him there was no future in it for him. One day, Harry was doing some work near the home of a young director. He remembered Harry from somewhere, and asked him to read for a part in the director’s next movie. The young director was George Lucas. The movie was Star Wars. Harry the carpenter was Harrison Ford.

Everyone loves a good Cinderella story—the story of someone of ordinary background who experiences a thrilling change in life. You can find Cinderella stories in many places: The small college basketball team that wins the big tournament. The farm girl whose singing voice is discovered on a national talent show. The penniless, single mom who writes the phenomenal, best-selling book. Or the quiet, unassuming carpenter who goes on to become one of the biggest film stars in Hollywood.

All these stories are child’s play, however, in comparison to the story of what Jesus Christ has done for you and me. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians, “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Those same words certainly apply to the vast majority of us. In fact, because of our sin, the full picture is far worse. Not only are most of us invisible to the eyes of the world, by nature we are broken, toxic souls, reeking in our spiritual failure, deserving only of God’s contempt.

But God did not let the story end there. Instead, he sent his Son. On our behalf, Jesus lived the sinless life we have failed to live. In our place, Jesus washed away our every stain of guilt at the cross. Now, through faith in our Savior, the plot has changed. Our story is different. It’s not necessarily that we are now best-selling authors or famous athletes; our story is far better. We are forgiven. God is our Heavenly Father. He guides every moment for our good. Heaven is our home.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for changing my story. Thank you for sending your Son. 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.

They will eat and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.
Zephaniah 3:13

Ultimate Relief

Daily Devotion – January 31, 2023

Devotion based on Zephaniah 3:13

See series: Devotions

The health magazine, Elemental, published a compelling article about the human experience of relief. The article begins with a simple example that goes something like this. There is an itch on your back you are unable to reach. The discomfort is terrible. Finally, a trusted friend is able to reach the spot and scratch. The relief you feel is so great that your brain lights up in the same area that responds to addictive substances.

But then the article goes on to speak of bigger things. Beyond relief of physical irritations like an itch, there is relief from another kind of pain that’s far more significant. It quotes a neuroscience professor from Dartmouth College. In part, the professor says, “Every time you think about something that makes you feel dread or concern or shame, your [deep emotional] pain is refreshed. And so relief from those negative experiences—for example, relief from…years of intermittent sadness, anger, dread, and embarrassment—can be profound.”

Which brings us to the kind of relief that God describes in the Bible. In the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, God is speaking to souls who are facing dark, difficult days. As he does, however, he gives them an assurance. He assures them that a great relief is on the way. All the things that vex them, all the things that haunt, discourage, and weigh them down—all those things are temporary. As God describes it, one day his people “will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.” In other words—relief that is lasting and true.

This Ultimate Relief has arrived. His name is Jesus Christ. On our behalf, he has lived a life of perfect goodness—the life you and I have failed to live. In our place, he has suffered and died to wash away our every wrong. Now, through faith in him, his full forgiveness gives us a peace that surpasses understanding. And one day, when we enter life eternal, we will experience full release from the presence and effects of sin. Relief that is lasting and true.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through your gospel remind me of the true relief I possess in your Son, 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.

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land.
Zephaniah 2:3

Searches

Daily Devotion – January 30, 2023

Devotion based on Zephaniah 2:3

See series: Devotions

Want to know some of the top internet searches from 2022? Under the category of TV shows, top searches included the Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the modern western series, Yellowstone, and the science fiction series, Stranger Things. Under movies, top searches included Jurassic World Dominion, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick. Finally, in the overall category for top searches of 2022 included items such as Powerball numbers, election results, and Queen Elizabeth.

When you take even a moment to consider what is at our fingertips to read, watch, research, and study—the prospect is staggering. Think about it: any contemporary figure, movie, event in history, scientific discovery, definition, culture, newsworthy headline, how-to video, book discussion, or speculation about the future—all of it and more is just waiting for you to type the word in the search engine and hit, “Enter.”

But even before the internet, humanity found itself surrounded by countless ways we could spend our time and energy. Countless ways we could use our eyes and ears.

Several hundred years before Jesus’ birth, God’s people had taken their spiritual search engines and hit “Enter” on all kinds of things—things that seemed important, that promised pleasure, happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. But they were wrong. They were wrong because all their searches were at the expense of spending time in the presence of their Lord and Savior.

And so, God called them to repentance. “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,” he said. He called upon them to acknowledge their sinful, wandering ways and look to him once again.

Many times, you and I have wandered in the same way. We searched the wrong places. We sought out the wrong people. And in doing so, we drifted from the Lord—the only one who gives us lasting peace, life, and joy.

But God still pursues us and calls us to repentance. And through faith in the Christ Child who has washed us clean at the cross—all is forgiven. And we are his.

Prayer:
Lord, I come to you in repentance. Forgive my foolish searches. Embrace me in your grace. Cleanse me in your blood. I am yours. 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.