St. Johns News

Jesus, Help! – October 14, 2025


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As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
Luke 17:12-15

Jesus, Help!

Have you ever cried out for help? Sometimes, we simply ask for help. But when the need is great, we cry out for help. For example, if you’ve fallen, broken a bone, and you’re all alone, you likely had to cry out for help.

Have you ever cried out to God for help? One day, ten men with leprosy, a horrible skin disease, saw Jesus, and they called out to him. “Jesus, help!” And he did! He healed them all by the power of his promise. Their leprosy was cured! Jesus helped and healed. However, one of them returned to praise and thank God in a loud voice. He realized that his problem was not only skin-deep. He realized that the blemish of sin was something Jesus could heal, too.

We may not have a horrible skin disease, but we all need what only Jesus can do—cleanse us from sin. You can be grateful for all the prayers that Jesus hears and answers. No problem is too small to pray about. Nothing you need help with is too heavy a burden for Jesus to lift. We express our gratitude when we return to Jesus in prayer and thank and trust in him for every need, big or small.

If you haven’t ever cried out to Jesus for help, or if it’s been a while, try it. Trust that he is your help and salvation. Know that he hears you and cares. Know that his care and concern for you is not merely skin-deep. He cares for the whole person, body and soul. He cleanses you of sin and every stain.

Prayer:

Lord, have mercy on me. Help me in my time of need. Move me to thank and praise you, for you are my help and my salvation! Amen.

 

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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.

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Providence Produces Praise – October 13, 2025


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Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Genesis 8:20-22

Providence Produces Praise

You can walk into a grocery store in season and out of season and find fresh produce at your disposal. God never ceases to provide. As much trouble as there is in this world, as hard as some days are, as long as some sleepless nights seem, the world keeps turning and the sun rises each morning. God’s gracious providence never ceases. God’s providence means he provides for and sustains his creation. Through his providence, God keeps the world turning, sends rain upon the earth, and makes things grow.

In the days of Noah, God sent rain upon the earth, so much rain that it flooded the entire world, and everything was wiped away. Noah and his family may have wondered what they were going to eat after this devastating flood. But God spoke to that need. First, he spoke to a spiritual need and promised never again would he curse the ground and flood it. One day, he would provide a Savior from sin, and as Noah and his family waited for the Savior, God would provide every other need as well.

Here we are many thousands of years later, and God’s providence for body and soul hasn’t ceased. He kept his promise not to flood the world again. He sent his Son, Jesus, to save the world and give eternal life.

How did Noah respond to God’s promise? He praised the Lord. How can we respond? God’s providence for body and soul produces in a believer a life of praise. For the food that sustains our bodies, and even more for the Savior that fulfills all God’s promises and grants eternal life, we forever praise God whose love never ceases!

Prayer:

Lord, I praise you for showering me with every blessing for my body and soul. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Saved by God – October 12, 2025


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By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”
Genesis 8:13-17

Saved by God

Noah and his family were in the ark for a year and ten days. All this time did not make Noah perfect. In fact, Noah wasn’t saved from the flood because he was perfect at all. He was saved because of God’s grace, mercy, and love. The same is true of you and me. We are only saved because God has shown mercy to us, not because of anything we say or do.

Are we still sinful? Are we still prone to mistakes? Do we still set up other gods, misuse God’s name, fail to worship him, dishonor our parents, hurt, lust, steal, slander, cheat, and covet? Certainly, we do. We are even born sinful. But God has rescued us. He has saved us from the rising flood of our sinfulness with his death on a cross.

Therefore, we strive to obey God’s holy commandments, not because we have to, but because we want to, in thanks for rescuing us from our sins and preserving our lives.

Prayer:

My dear God, though I am a sinner, you have been merciful and rescued me through Jesus. Forgive me when I fail to live according to your holy will. Strengthen me to act and speak in ways that demonstrate that I am very thankful for your love. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Take Comfort in God’s Love – October 11, 2025


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Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Take Comfort in God’s Love

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle is responding to troubles among the Christians there. The trouble they faced came in at least three ways: They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. At the very beginning of his letter, Paul addresses this problem and offers encouragement to those persecuted Christians. Then there was the growing problem of the Man of Lawlessness, whom the apostle John calls the antichrist. Paul lays out several ways to identify him and tells the Thessalonians about the troubles he will bring. Finally, Paul turns to a problem inside the congregation—people who had stopped working to idly wait for the Lord’s return. He instructs them to live productive lives until Jesus’ coming on the Last Day.

Through the power of the gospel, God keeps us in the faith and helps us grow in our love for him. He leads us to a deeper understanding of his will and moves us to live according to his Word. Our love for one another grows as we follow Jesus. Amidst the troubles and opposition that we endure, we have peace with God, for we are forgiven sinners. No matter how challenging things get, nothing can separate us from the love and life we have with God through our Savior, Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, whatever situations I face or troubles I contend with, keep me focused on your love in Jesus and fill me with your peace. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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The Gift of Giving – October 10, 2025


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“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:14

The Gift of Giving

King David of Israel wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God decided that David would not be the one to build it. Instead, his son Solomon would. If David was disappointed, he didn’t let it show. While he wouldn’t build it, that didn’t mean he couldn’t help assemble the materials and donate from his own personal wealth toward it.

And so that’s what David did. He gave generously, and so did his royal officials. This temple would be the most magnificent building in all of Jerusalem and Israel. It took over 175,000 workers seven years to build it. Massive amounts of stone, cedar, gold, and silver were used in its construction. It’s impossible to put a modern-day price tag on the cost of the construction, but the amount of gold and silver used alone would be close to $300 billion.

King David gave generously, and after he made his donation, he prayed to the Lord. He didn’t pray seeking recognition from God for his generosity. He prayed out of thanksgiving because David rightly recognized that all he had given already belonged to the Lord. All the blessings David had received in life came from God. Giving back to God was a privilege.

The temple would bring glory to God’s holy name for generations. King David and the people of Israel were making an investment that would have returns echoing for eternity.

We don’t have a temple to build, but we do have endless opportunities to give back to the Lord. We do that not just with our money, but with our time, talents, and love. Every act of generosity is an investment in God’s Kingdom that can echo into eternity. Our gifts testify to the greatness of God as we remember that all we have comes from him in the first place.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, all that I have comes from your generous hand. Thank you for the blessings of life, but above all, thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Teach me to give joyfully and with thanks that I may use my gifts to bring glory to your name. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Strength for Your Struggle – October 9, 2025


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We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Strength for Your Struggle

Sometimes a simple compliment can make your entire day. You might even remember a special compliment years later. Words of affirmation and compliments remind us that we’re on the right track. They build confidence and diligence.

Paul gave the believers in Thessalonica one of the most beautiful compliments of all: “Your faith is growing. Your love for one another is increasing.” In fact, Paul was so impressed that he bragged about them in other churches!

But how did Paul know their faith and love were increasing? Not because their lives were getting easier. Quite the opposite. Evidence was found in how they endured suffering. They were insulted, opposed, and persecuted for following Jesus. And yet their faith did not wither; it deepened. Their love for one another did not shrink. Instead, it grew stronger.

That’s not usually how we look for affirmation. We often expect God to show us we’re on the right path by removing obstacles, by giving us smoother roads and brighter days. But Paul points us in a different direction. God affirms and strengthens our faith not by taking trials away, but by using them to root us deeper in his promises.

When life is hard, it doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. It may be the very way he is growing you. Just as muscles are strengthened through weight training, faith is strengthened during trials. And as we lean on God’s promises together, love for one another increases, too. So, take heart: trials don’t mean your faith is failing; they may be the way that God is growing your faith in him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when trials come, help me not to doubt your love but to lean on your promises. Use hardships to deepen my trust in you and to grow my love for others. Strengthen me to endure with perseverance and hope. Amen

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Faith Like a Seed – October 8, 2025


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The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6

Faith Like a Seed

After hearing Jesus’ commands not to cause others to stumble and to forgive repeatedly, the apostles blurted out, “Increase our faith!” They wanted to obey, but they knew how weak they felt.

Jesus reminded them that the strength of faith doesn’t come from faith itself. A seed, by itself, is just a speck. But planted in rich soil, watered and warmed by the sun, it grows into something far beyond what anyone could imagine.

Faith works the same way. By itself, it’s nothing. But when rooted in God’s promises, nourished by the gospel, and strengthened through forgiveness, faith flourishes. God’s Word and his promises are the “nutrient-rich soil.” The water and sunlight are the gospel’s power and the certainty of sins forgiven. Faith is created and sustained by God, not by us.

And here is the comfort: if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you already have this faith. You trust the promises of God. Even when your faith feels small, the power lies not in your strength but in the Savior who holds you. That’s why Jesus could say a mustard seed of faith is enough. Faith clings to Jesus, and he can do the impossible.

So, when your faith feels weak, don’t look inward for strength. Look upward to Christ. Obey his commands in trust. He isn’t asking you to hurl oak trees into the sea. But by his Spirit, you can forgive. You can walk blamelessly. You can see the quiet but powerful fruits of faith because of what Jesus has done for you. Even mustard-seed faith is enough because it clings to a mighty Savior.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my faith often feels small and fragile. Thank you for reminding me that even mustard seed faith is enough when it is rooted in you. Nourish me with your promises, strengthen me with your forgiveness, and help me live in joyful trust each day. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Forgive as You’ve Been Forgiven – October 7, 2025


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[Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Luke 17:3-4

Forgive as You’ve Been Forgiven

When someone repents of a sin, Jesus tells us to forgive freely, fully, and immediately. There’s no probationary period or list of hoops to jump through. There is no time delay until we feel ready. We forgive as God has forgiven us.

But that’s not easy. Our sinful hearts often want to hold on to anger, to demand repayment, or to wait until the other person proves they deserve it. And the world tells us it’s normal, even healthy, to cling to a grudge.

Yet forgiveness is powerful. In 2006, firefighter Matt Swatzell was driving home after a 24-hour shift when he fell asleep at the wheel. He crashed into another car, killing a young mother and her unborn child. Her husband, Erik Fitzgerald, was left to raise their toddler alone while burying his wife and baby.

Erik could have demanded the harshest possible sentence. But instead, he forgave Matt. He even asked the court for a lighter punishment. Erik explained, “You forgive as you’ve been forgiven. It wasn’t an option. If you’ve been forgiven, then you need to extend that forgiveness.”

That act of mercy changed Matt’s life. Crushed with guilt and depression, he found hope in the forgiveness Erik gave. He even began attending church, seeking the God who makes such forgiveness possible.

This is what Jesus calls us to. Not because sin is small, but because God’s grace is bigger. On the cross, Jesus bore every offense we’ve committed. He doesn’t ration forgiveness or make us earn it. He gives it freely, every time we repent.

So, when someone comes to you saying, “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” the response of faith is simple: forgive. Not seven times, not seventy times, but every time. Because that’s how God has forgiven you.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, your forgiveness never runs dry. Thank you for carrying my sins to the cross and canceling every debt I owed. Help me reflect your mercy by forgiving others freely and fully, just as you have forgiven me. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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Watch Yourselves – October 6, 2025


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Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves.”
Luke 17:1-3

Watch Yourselves

Think of a mousetrap: the bait rests on the trigger, and when it’s touched, the bar snaps down. The trap doesn’t just appear; it’s set.

That’s the picture Jesus gives when he speaks about stumbling blocks. In this world, traps are constantly baited. Temptations are set, waiting for someone to take the bait. The results are deadly.

Jesus warns that because we are sinful, our words and actions can become part of the trap. A careless word, a crude joke, or a dishonest shortcut at work can send the message that sin isn’t serious or that Christians are hypocrites. Either way, it lures people closer to danger.

Whether we like it or not, people notice the behavior of Christians. If we live no differently than the world, some may assume Christianity excuses sin. Others may think faith itself is fake. Both conclusions spring the trap, and someone’s trust in God may be crushed.

That’s why Jesus speaks so strongly: “Woe to anyone who causes one of these little ones to stumble. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck.” It’s a shocking image, but it shows how seriously he views leading someone away from faith.

Jesus not only warns us about the danger, he came to rescue us from it. On the cross, he stepped into the snare for us, took the crushing blow of our sin, and freed us. Because of his forgiveness, the trap of guilt has no hold on us.

Now, with his Spirit guiding us, we watch ourselves, not to earn God’s favor, but to live in a way that points others safely to Christ.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you know how easily I fall into sin and how often my actions can harm others. Forgive me. Guard my words and deeds so that my life points people to you, not away from you. Fill me with your love, so I may encourage others to trust in you. Amen.

 

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

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