St. Johns News

The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.
Revelation 22:6

Assembly Required

Daily Devotion – November 22, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 22:6

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“Some assembly required.” Those can be dreadful words. You purchase a new bookcase, and before you know it, parts and pieces are strewn all over the floor while you pore over the directions. “Insert hardware piece A into side panel 12. Insert hardware piece B into shelf C. Tighten bolt DD with locking nut FF.” By the time you get to step 22-3a, you lose patience and try to figure things out on your own. But just when you think you are done, you are concerned that there is still one board, four nuts, and three brackets. For a completely assembled product, you need to follow the steps in order.

From the beginning, God has proved himself a God of order. He didn’t create the fish on day five and then slap his forehead, “Ugh! I forgot to create water.” Creation had an order. So too, on the other end of the world’s timeline, God is all about order. Certain things must take place before this world comes to an end. We may not know all the “things that must soon take place,” but “the Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,” showed us what we need to know. From the rest of the Bible, we know some steps are quite difficult—wars, natural disasters, persecution. These “things” may not be easy, but according to the God of order, they are necessary.

Such things can be disturbing. But they ought not be surprising. And the fact that the God of order said this is how it would happen brings us great comfort. For it assures us that when this world seems to be spinning out of control, our God is still the One in control. And he is the One who will see us through these things until we reach the perfect new world; he has promised all those who place their trust in Jesus as their Savior from sin and hope for heaven.

Prayer:
Lord, assure me that everything I see happening in the world is still according to your great plan. 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.

The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 22:6

Trustworthy and True

Daily Devotion – November 21, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 22:6

See series: Devotions

Occasionally, I’ll watch a movie, and right before the credits roll, the producers will provide real-life updates on the characters. Shocked, I’ll think, ‘That was a true story?’ As soon as you know what you just watched was based on real people, it has a way of changing your perspective on the whole movie.

Just as the credits are about to roll after the last chapter of the Bible, we hear the same message, “This is a true story.” Maybe we had been convinced of that long ago. But at some times more than others, we need to be reminded, “These words are trustworthy and true.”

This was one of those times for a believer named John. He had witnessed some seemingly unbelievable events during his lifetime. As part of Jesus’ “inner circle” he watched Jesus raise a little girl from the dead. He watched a glowing Jesus converse with two heroes of faith who had already gone to heaven. When Jesus stood in John’s midst and explained his words and actions, there was little room for doubt in John’s mind.

But when John wrote the words of our Bible passage for today, Jesus hadn’t been around in the flesh for over fifty years. John’s friends and fellow disciples had all been killed. John himself had been exiled to an island. Things weren’t looking good for John or the Christian Church.

Perhaps you’ve felt the same way. You may feel abandoned and alone. Christianity seems not to be doing well, as Christians are viewed more as haters than helpers.

It is for you that the words of today’s Bible passage were written. God’s Word is true. And because God’s Word is true, it is also trustworthy. You can trust that your sins are forgiven through Jesus’ selfless sacrifice. You can trust that he defeated death when he rose from the tomb. You can trust that he has not left you alone. These words are trustworthy and true.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 872)
Lord, thank you for the truth of your Word. Use them to increase our trust that the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song.

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.

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:5,6

Be Thankful

Daily Devotion – November 20, 2022

Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:5,6

See series: Devotions

In America, it’s a few days before Thanksgiving. It’s certainly appropriate for us to set aside a day on which we give thanks to God.

So, what are you thankful for this year? I’m guessing some of us can come up with a lengthy list: financial gains, new relationships, health, or job opportunities, and more.

Others of us might struggle a bit. For those of us who have lost loved ones, or have a debilitating or incurable illness, or suffered through a divorce or job loss—perhaps it’s more difficult to find reasons to be thankful.

How about if we go back to the basics? Just think of all that we have to be thankful for on the basis of the Bible verses of our devotion today: 1) We have a God who keeps his promises—Jesus came, just as God promised he would. 2) Our God reigns wisely. 3) Our God always does what is just and right (even when we don’t understand it). 4) Our God is a saving God who brings eternal safety for his followers. 5) As God names himself, he connects himself to us. “This is the name by which he will be called: the LORD Our Righteousness.” 6) And because he is “our righteousness,” in God’s eyes we are absolutely innocent.

Those are six great reasons to give thanks and there are certainly more thoughts we could have pulled from these verses. Thank God we have so many reasons to give thanks!

Prayer:
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever! 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.

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”
Malachi 4:1,2

A Day of Judgment and Joy

Daily Devotion – November 19, 2022

Devotion based on Malachi 4:1,2

See series: Devotions

The Lord blesses earthly life with special days that are eagerly anticipated. Young children count down the number of days until Christmas. Spouses lovingly anticipate the celebration of a wedding anniversary.

In the final chapter of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi describes the most significant day in our future, the Last Day of this world’s existence. But why should we eagerly anticipate a day that Malachi says will burn like a furnace? How can we look forward to a day that will be filled with fire?

With vivid imagery, the prophet paints the sobering picture of the coming day of God’s just judgment. Malachi reminds us that the Lord is serious about sin—even our very own sin. The portrait of our sinful lives stands uncovered before the all-seeing eyes of the Lord Almighty. By nature, we deserve his eternal wrath that is surely coming on the Last Day.

Yet the Lord Almighty is also the gracious and compassionate Lord. On that day, our Savior, Jesus Christ, will return to rescue all who believe in him. He is the one who took away the sickness of sin and brought us the healing of his salvation. He exchanged God’s fiery judgment for the sunlight of God’s pardon through his death on the cross.

The Last Day will be a great and glorious day! We eagerly anticipate that day when the Lord will return. Yes, it will be a day filled with fire, fear, and dread—but not for those who trust in the returning Savior. Through Jesus, our escape from God’s wrath is guaranteed. He promises the light and splendor of everlasting life in heaven to all who believe in him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your sure promise of forgiveness for all my sins. Because of your forgiveness, I eagerly anticipate the sheer joy of your coming. 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.

“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.