St. Johns News

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
1 Corinthians 1:26

Your Worth

Daily Devotion – February 3, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:26

See series: Devotions

Like me, you’re probably not often asked, “How much are you worth?” Unless you roll with the Bill Gates of the world, your wealth is not wrapped up in your stock portfolio. Instead, it may be no greater than next week’s paycheck. Like Old Man Potter once mused about George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” we may even be worth more dead than alive.

The people to whom St. Paul was writing in his letter to the Corinthians were apparently in the same boat. They weren’t worth much in the eyes of the world. They weren’t movers and shakers. They had never gotten—nor could they ever expect—their fifteen minutes of fame. “Not many of you were wise by human standards,” Paul reminded them. “Not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”

We naturally wish it was different. Regardless of how big our house is, we wonder what it would be like to live as the rich and famous do. Little girls dream about being princesses, and little boys knights in shining armor. We want to be a somebody, but so often we feel like a nobody. We seem to be nothing. Regardless of how much we might have, we still feel worthless.

And that’s only when we’re comparing ourselves to other human beings. Consider comparing yourself to our holy and perfect God! If God is the measuring stick for judging our worth and worthiness, then where does that leave us? Doubly worthless!

If that’s the way you feel about yourself, good. At least you’re being honest about yourself. More than that, though, you’re exactly the kind of person that Jesus chooses to save and bless eternally.

Jesus once told a story about one self-important man who boasted about his worth and another man who couldn’t help but confess his worthlessness before God (Luke 18:9-14). The second man, Jesus concluded, was the one worth imitating. He was the one who was saved from his sins because he was the one who knew he needed saving.

What are you worth to Jesus? Everything!

Prayer:
Jesus, help me understand how much you value me. 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] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous . . . Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-45,48

Love Like the Lord

Daily Devotion – February 2, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 5:43-45,48

See series: Devotions

Sometimes the words of the Bible make you cringe. Sometimes they make you crinkle your brow in confusion. Sometimes they seem so wrong. Love your enemies? What a crazy concept! “Love the ex-spouse who hurt me? Love the co-worker who ruined my reputation? Love the family member who took advantage of me? No! I want to make them pay for what they did. I want to hurt them for the way they hurt me. It just makes more sense.”

It makes sense to my sinful nature. But it is not God’s nature. He sends blessings even on those who thumb their noses at him. He sacrificed his own Son to save those who sinned against him again and again—people like you and me. Our Father PERFECTLY loves us—although we have not perfectly loved others.

If we want to be like our Father in heaven then we will love even our enemies. We will forgive the spouse who hurt us. We will be kind to the co-worker who ruined our reputation. We will pray for the family member who took advantage of us. After all, they need love and forgiveness just like we do.

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for loving me perfectly. Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me when I was unlovable. Dear Holy Spirit, create in me a perfect love for others, even my enemies. 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.

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, LORD, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Psalm 130:3,4

Free and Full Forgiveness

Daily Devotion – February 1, 2020

Devotion based on Psalm 130:3,4

See series: Devotions

Imagine you are taking a look at your checkbook, and you don’t like what you see. Or maybe you don’t have to imagine. Looking at the list of deposits placed into your account, you see a problem. The amount of income is not enough to cover your expenses. Frustration! What’s more, you don’t have a solution for reconciling the account.

Imagine if the Lord God kept a record of sins like we keep a record of our finances in our checkbook. We would have a massive debt before God and have no hope of settling the account with him. We would be helpless and hopeless before God.

But don’t despair; there is good news: with the Lord there is forgiveness. He is our merciful, loving God who paid the debt of sin for us. He charged his Son for our sin; the blood of Jesus was the complete payment that has set us free from the guilt of all of our sins. We are forgiven!

If some kind person made a deposit into your checking account to wipe out your financial debt, certainly you would be happy and thank that person for their help and generosity. How much more will we always thank and praise the Lord for the free and full forgiveness of sins that we have through Jesus!

Prayer:
Lord God, fill me with the peace and joy of the forgiveness of sins accomplished by Jesus’ suffering and death for me. 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 throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23

Miraculous Change

Daily Devotion – January 31, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:23

See series: Devotions

Isn’t it interesting how Matthew writes about Jesus’ miracles? These works that bend the laws of nature are stated so matter-of-factly that they run the risk of going unnoticed altogether. More importantly, notice who’s benefitting from Jesus’ divine, miraculous work. When Jesus flexes a little almighty muscle, it’s not to pump up his Instagram likes or to boost the views on his webpage. It’s not to benefit him, but those who trust in him.

When you look at action words in this verse, you see that all of Jesus’ work here was born of his outward-focused, servant heart. Going…teaching…proclaiming…healing. It was all to draw people closer to God. Truly “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

And today, Jesus still serves, sending his Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of his people through the words of the Bible and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. And wonderful changes take place. First, they see him as the Savior who indeed gave his life as a ransom for them. And then they serve, with grateful hearts. No, it’s not a perfect service—no sinner could offer that! But by the Holy Spirit’s power, naturally self-centered people now look outward. People who are naturally inclined to serve self, now also seek to serve God and neighbor. People who by themselves are spiritually powerless, are empowered to be God’s instruments bringing help for people’s lives and hope for people’s souls. That is a miraculous change of heart and purpose. May God ever equip his people for such a changed life!

Prayer:
Gracious God, continue to miraculously change my heart and train me to serve, rejoicing in sins forgiven and following the example of my Savior 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.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21,22

Miraculous Response

Daily Devotion – January 30, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:21,22

See series: Devotions

What kind of opportunity would it take to make you switch careers? A bigger salary? An office with a window and the respect that comes with it? A more solid retirement package? It would probably have to be an invitation so powerful that it knocked you off your feet—especially if you like your current job.

Did you notice what kind of offer caused James and John to drop their nets and hop out of their respective boats? Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat. Can this response be anything less than a miracle, the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit himself through Jesus’ powerful Word? The men were losing money in this career change. They were risking the good graces of their father. They were leaving behind business and family and stability. What kind of a person does that? The person to whom Jesus says, “follow me.” These men would continue to be followers of Jesus even if it cost them their lives. His call is powerful, eliciting a miraculous response.

Here we are, 2,000 years later, half a world away from the Sea of Galilee and yet Jesus calls people to follow him today in the same way that he called people to follow him then, with simple, powerful words.

And the fact that we follow, that we respond in faith, is nothing short of a modern-day miracle of the Holy Spirit. For how else could we describe the spiritually dead coming to life?

Consider how God’s powerful Word brings people to faith and moves them to obediently follow. Consider how it lifts the spirits of those who are sick, trains the hearts of the young, comforts the hearts of the old—and you will understand the miracle of discipleship, a miracle that our Jesus still performs today.

Prayer:
Jesus, you call me to follow you with your powerful Word. Send your Holy Spirit to instill a faith in me that allows me to do so. 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.

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:15-17

Miraculous Comeback

Daily Devotion – January 28, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:15-17

See series: Devotions

Greatest Comeback Ever. Avid sports fans might remember the 1993 NFL Playoffs where the Buffalo Bills overcome a 35-3 third quarter deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers by a field goal in overtime. There have been plenty of comebacks in NFL history, but this is the one that Wikipedia refers to as “The Comeback.”

One might say that the Old Testament tribal lands of Zebulun and Naphtali were in need of a comeback. These two lands were ransacked and their inhabitants deported by foreign invaders.

But God orchestrates the greatest comebacks. In the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, Zebulun and Naphtali are singled out for future honor by God. And in our Bible reading today, we see the comeback perfectly executed, the promise perfectly kept. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali became known as Galilee in the New Testament, and that was the very place where Jesus began his preaching. Could there be a greater honor than getting to hear sermons preached by the mouth of God himself? Could there be a greater comeback than going from the shadow of spiritual death to the light of the kingdom of heaven?

Could you, too, be a witness of such a comeback? Not only a witness but also a beneficiary and a participant by grace, through faith! For the One who was dead, Jesus, is now alive. And the ones held captive by their fear of death, now have been set free. The ones once bound for hell, are now heirs of eternal life. Believe it and rejoice in the…Greatest Comeback Ever!

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, how great and how merciful you are, in calling miserable sinners from darkness to light. Lead me to repent and to look to you in faith, that I may live with you eternally. 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.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Miraculous Call

Daily Devotion – January 29, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:18-20

See series: Devotions

Peter and Andrew were doing what fishermen do–casting their nets–totally oblivious that their lives were about to be changed forever. It’s not like they came barreling up to Jesus. Rather, he saw them, choose them, invited them.

There’s a difference. Think about it this way. It’s one thing to go to a baseball game. But it’s another to be invited by the team’s all-star right fielder to be his special guest in his club suite at the stadium. The first you might not even mention to your friends. But the second would be all over Facebook, texts, email, or whatever means you use to tell people really important stuff that’s happening to you. Going to see a celebrity is one thing. But having the celebrity come to you, seek you out, and invite you to be his guest. That’s pretty incredible. That’s exactly what’s happened in our text. It’s exactly what’s happening to us. Jesus himself said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).

If that had been you on the seashore, would you have possibly thought: “Why me? There are certainly people who seem more fit to be Jesus’ friends and followers. How could he choose me…someone who’s messed up so badly, so consistently, so frequently over the years and decades?”

The answer, of course, is grace. Jesus says, “Follow me” because of grace, undeserved love, and mercy alone. We deserve to hear him say, “Go to hell, the eternal punishment you’ve earned.” But instead, he says, “Come to heaven, the eternal home I earned for you and am giving to you.” We deserve to have him say, “Get away from me.” But instead, he says, “Come follow me.” That is a miracle and we are its stunned and grateful beneficiaries.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the miraculous grace you’ve shown us in calling me to be your disciple. Help me follow you with humble appreciation and heartfelt zeal. 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 Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
Matthew 4:12

Miraculous Courage

Daily Devotion – January 27, 2020

Devotion based on Matthew 4:12

See series: Devotions

Drama draws us in. Tension gets our attention. In an iPad, Netflix, Hulu world, we want life and death, happiness and sadness, an unexpected turn of events, an action hero.

Of course, when you read the Bible, you see all of that. Jesus is special forces tough and superhero strong. Jesus walks on water. Jesus tells the sky to stop raining and the wind to stop blowing…and they listen. Jesus commands fish to jump in a fisherman’s net and they listen. The Gospels are a highlight reel of Jesus’ power—the Almighty Savior from heaven turning the laws of nature inside out. But he doesn’t do that in our Bible reading for today.

Consider the simple words: When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Is there anything miraculous about that?

Usually, we associate a “withdrawal” with a quiet retreat, a concession of defeat. And that would be what we would expect here. If you are Jesus and a friend of your cause garners the negative attention of the authorities and is imprisoned, maybe you try to lay low for a while, withdraw to a less conspicuous place to avoid the heat. But Jesus had just been in the less conspicuous place—away from civilization, tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Withdrawing to Galilee, in reality, meant going to where the people were and where the heat was on, with Jesus now publicly taking up the cause of preaching the gospel in John’s absence. When Jesus withdrew to Galilee, he wasn’t slinking away from the heat, he was rushing to the frying pan.

That is Jesus. Where we might resort to self-preservation and self-protection, Jesus miraculously, courageously embraces the work of God’s kingdom. That’s the kind of Savior we have. Giving no thought to his own well-being, he rushes to where his people need him.

Prayer:
Jesus, I praise you for your miraculous courage. Your people still need you today. Graciously, powerfully rush to our aid. 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 next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:43-46

Whom Are You Following

Daily Devotion – January 26, 2020

Devotion based on John 1:43-46

See series: Devotions

Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader” when you were in elementary school? The challenge was to do everything the leader did. Later in life, the fun and innocence of this elementary school game give way to a critical life question, “Whom am I following?”

All around us we hear the calls of our culture summoning us to “Follow me!” The call of wealth, the appeal of power and prominence, the desire for acceptance and relationships. What good can come from these enticing leaders? Is a blessing to be found as we follow them? Our finances disappear. Our position is eliminated. Our friends abandon us. When the façade of these “leaders” is shown for what it is, we are left without direction, hope, or a leader.

This is when the gentle sound of Jesus’ voice comes to us with the sweet invitation, “Follow me.” At first, our response might be like Nathanael, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Can anything good come from following Jesus? Why Jesus? Why fall in step with him? How is he any different?

Come and see. See him take your eyes off the treasures of this world that come and go to the treasures of heaven that have eternal value. See him show that power and prominence come not from being served, but from serving others. See him point out that the relationship that matters most is with him. See him give eternal hope to the lonely.

As the leaders in your life fail or abandon you, hear the gracious invitation of Jesus to “Follow me.” In him, we have the only leader who can lead us safely from this life to eternal life in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus forgive me for the many times I allow the distractions and facades of this world to be my leader. By your grace let me hear your call to follow you and gladly fall in step behind you. 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 always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way.
1 Corinthians 1:4,5

Priceless

Daily Devotion – January 25, 2020

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:4,5

See series: Devotions

A few years ago, a series of commercials from Master Card has featured the word “priceless.” The commercials described some extravagant purchases the owner of the credit card made: a dinner at a five-star restaurant, a limousine ride, a diamond ring, celebrating his wife’s birthday—priceless!

As I watched those commercials, I thought, “Sure…but how are you going to pay off the credit card bill?” That comes with a price. Suddenly priceless gets pricey.

If God’s blessing came with a price tag on it, who could afford it? The price to obtain God’s favor would cost you your life. Unless you have kept every command of God perfectly, you cannot expect even an ounce of his favor.

The testimony of God’s Word says, “The ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—that he should live on forever and not see decay” (Psalm 49:8-9).

With a great sense of relief, we know that God’s grace is free. He demands nothing from us. He gives us everything. He leaves us under no obligations because Jesus has so perfectly met them all.

The apostle Paul thanked God for his priceless grace given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus. If you read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, you will discover how undeserving this group was of God’s favor. If you read your life accurately, you will come to the same conclusion.

Jesus Christ secured God’s grace for us. His priceless, perfect life established the standard of conduct God accepted for all sinners. His priceless bloodshed on the cross established that no curse for sin remains for any sinner anywhere.

When you know this and believe it, then you are enriched in every way. Embrace God’s priceless grace in Christ Jesus and enjoy being enriched in every way.

Prayer:
Dear Savior God, impress on my heart the inestimable value of your priceless grace. Enrich me in every way as I contemplate your gift to me in Jesus Christ. 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.