St. Johns News

“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? . . . Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.”
Jeremiah 23:25,26,28a

The Danger of Spiritual Misinformation

Daily Devotion – September 10, 2019

Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:25,26,28a

See series: Devotions

In recent years, the growing amount of misinformation on the internet has caused people to become less well-informed than they were before. Fake news is everywhere. But our human hearts tend to believe anything that agrees with our already-held opinions. We want to believe the worst about our enemies. We want to believe the best about ourselves.

In the days of Jeremiah the prophet, there was a great deal of “fake news” leading the people astray. False prophets were telling them that they could live as they pleased, and all would be well. But this was not the case. God sent Jeremiah to call the people to repent of their immorality and idolatry and that if they did not turn from their sin, God would allow them to be carried off as captives to a foreign land. The people preferred the “fake news” of the false prophets. They refused to repent, and eventually suffered the consequences, just as God had said through his prophet.

Today there are many who preach a vision similar to the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day. “Don’t worry,” they say, “Imagine a world where there is no heaven or hell. God loves everyone just as they are. You can do or be anything your heart desires!” And our hearts desperately want this message to be true.

But you need to know that this is “fake news,” spiritual misinformation. The truth—God’s eternal, unchanging truth—still calls us to repent today. He calls us to turn from our sin and ask for his forgiveness. But his Word also promises that he will give that forgiveness fully and freely through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. Find for yourself a church and a pastor who faithfully proclaim the truth of Holy Scripture about the salvation which is found in Christ alone.

Prayer:
Lord God, lead me to listen to your eternal Word rather than my own deceitful heart. 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.

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

Hide Yourself in Christ

Daily Devotion – September 9, 2019

Devotion based on Jeremiah 23:23,24

See series: Devotions

In the ancient world, gods were often worshiped as local deities. Their attention was said to be focused only on a certain place or people. The power and presence of these so-called gods were understood to be limited. But throughout the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob showed himself to be different. The one true God, who created all of us, is not limited in any way.

The Lord was with Abraham as he left his home and traveled to the Promised Land. He was with Joseph in Egypt—in both the king’s prison and the king’s palace. Daniel discovered the Lord was with him in the lions’ den of Babylon. And Jonah finally understood he couldn’t hide from God when he was rescued from a certain death at sea.

But what if you want to hide from him? What if the thought of God seeing everything leaves you uncomfortable? Perhaps your conscience is reminding you even now that an encounter with the Lord might be more than a little embarrassing for you. Good! We must never become comfortable with sin, trying to somehow disguise it from our Creator. He will one day judge all people, and nothing is hidden from his sight. It does no good to try to drown out your conscience through worldly distractions or to silence God’s Word by staying away from church. That’s as ineffective as Adam and Eve trying to hide from God by crouching behind some leaves in the Garden of Eden.

But trust me, you want him to find you. Because this is the God who moved heaven and earth so that you could be with him. He sent his own Son to be our Substitute and Savior, removing our sins through his own sacrifice. And now you are invited to hide yourself in Jesus, taking refuge in his love. Repent of your attempts to run from him and find comfort in his promises of forgiveness to all who believe.

Prayer:
Lord God, I have foolishly tried to hide my sin from you. Forgive me for the sake of Jesus, 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.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13-16

Knit Together

Daily Devotion – September 8, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 139:13-16

See series: Devotions

My mom likes to crochet. Each night she sits in her rocking chair with a sewing bag by her side and crochet hook in hand to work on her latest creation. Curiosity often leads a family member to ask, “Mom, what are you making?” She then shares her plans for a baby cap, a new pair of mittens, or a blanket to help keep out the cold of winter. When mom crochets, she always has a purpose and a plan to make something both beautiful and useful.

The Bible uses this same picture to show the care and concern God took in creating each of us. He knit you together, it says. And if you ever need to be reminded of the wonder of God’s creating ability, just look at a newborn baby. Marvel over the little fingers and toes. Celebrate God’s goodness and the wonder of how someone so small can be so precious.

God also made each of us with a plan. Our lives are like books with each day fulfilling the purpose God gave it. Some lives are like short stories that seem to end too soon. Others are like novels with many chapters unfolding over decades.

But just like every book has a conflict, every life has one as well. Each of us is conflicted with sin that affects our relationship with God and those around us. Thank God that he sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world and the hero in the story of our lives. Through faith in him, the Lord forgives the wrong we have done and restores our relationship with him and with others.

With his mighty hand, the Lord created you, and in his love, through Jesus, he made you his child. Take time to thank him and continue to discover his purpose for your life.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you for making me your unique child with a purpose for my life. Help me to live every day that you have given me to your glory. 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.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

The Only Helper

Daily Devotion – September 7, 2019

Devotion based on Psalm 33:20

See series: Devotions

Caring for aging parents can be a lot of work. The washing, the feeding, the moving from place to place—it can be exhausting.

As a caregiver, you have to keep your eyes open all of the time. If your aging parents are easily tricked by scam telephone calls or e-mails, you have to be ready to swoop in and shield them from the people trying to take advantage of them.

If you are reliable, your parents have learned to trust you, and they expect you to be there when you said you would be. If you are unreliable, your parents can develop a lot of anxiety. They might even become more susceptible to pranks and scams as they reach out for support beyond you.

You don’t have to be an aging parent to need help. From infancy through old age, we all need people whom God has provided to help us. We appreciate the reliable ones. We forgive the unreliable ones.

The only helper who will never disappoint us is the Lord himself. He is completely reliable. He keeps his promises again and again. He keeps our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of every promise. He provides us with our daily bread and more. He shields us from enemies, especially the spiritual ones: the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh.

Even when we have difficulties and cannot figure out what to do, we wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help. He is our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Prayer:
May your unfailing love be with me, O Lord, even as I put my hope in 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.

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6

Christian Faith Saves Forever

Daily Devotion – September 6, 2019

Devotion based on Genesis 15:6

See series: Devotions

Faithful Lutheran Christians say it this way: “We are not saved eternally by doing good works. We are saved by faith in Jesus alone.” That’s what the Bible teaches.

But sharp-thinking people ask, “Well, isn’t faith something that you do? No one else believes for you, so faith must be something you do. It must be a good work.” It’s easy to understand how people can draw that conclusion, but the logic is wrong.

All analogies limp. But consider this one: Suppose you fell off your cruise ship, and you were drowning in the ocean. Thankfully, one of your fellow passengers noticed your frantic splashing and quickly threw you a lifesaver. You grab hold, and he pulls you back onto the deck. Now, who gets the credit for saving your life: you or your fellow passenger? I suppose you could argue that you would’ve died had you not grabbed hold of the lifesaver, and you could pat yourself on the back for a job well done. But the truth is, all credit rightfully goes to the one who first provided the lifesaver and then pulled you on board. Your faith in the buoyancy of the lifesaver and the strength of your new-found friend saved you. It wasn’t your work; it was his.

That’s what the Old Testament believer Abram discovered about the salvation of his soul. Getting to heaven wasn’t about him or what he did. It was all about God’s promises and, most importantly, his fulfillment of those promises. Yes, Abram believed those promises, but he didn’t deserve the credit for that. God did. Amazingly, when the broken sinner Abram believed God, God declared him righteous, perfect, free from sin, and fit for heaven. It wasn’t Abram’s doing. It was God’s.

And the same is true for us. Christian faith does not save us from our sins because our faith is ever perfect. It saves us because the One in whom we are placing our trust is perfect, powerful, loving, and forgiving. We are saved by faith in Christ alone.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see that you are the perfect one to trust 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.

(The LORD) took (Abram) outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Genesis 15:5

Christian Faith Believes the Impossible

Daily Devotion – September 5, 2019

Devotion based on Genesis 15:5

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Imagine the headline: “One-hundred-year-old man and ninety-year-old wife have baby.” No self-respecting newspaper would consider printing it. Such an outlandish story would only be fodder for the tabloids. Readers would be more likely to believe that little green men had recently arrived from Mars.

So when curious readers discover the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah in the pages of Genesis, it’s not surprising that the account is often dismissed as a myth. After all, who would honestly believe that such a thing was possible?

Christians would, and the reason is simple: because that’s the whole point of Christian faith. Why should Christians have a faith that expects them to believe things that are possible? That’s no faith at all. That’s just observation.

But Christian faith believes the impossible, like when God took that worn out, childless man, pointed out the array of heavenly stars on a cloudless night, and said, “So shall your offspring be.” In other words, “That’s how many children will be in your family!”

Abraham was no fool. He understood how impossible it was. St. Paul later commented how Abraham “faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Romans 4:19).

But did those facts destroy his faith? Hardly! They hardened his faith since he was “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:21). Abraham and Sarah’s situation was so impossible, so desperate, that the only one who could create that child was the same powerful One who had brought the universe into being with a word. Why would Abraham want to place his trust in anyone less than the only One who can truly do the impossible?

And why would we? Believing possible things is nothing special. The Christian faith is. It believes the impossible, and our powerful Savior never disappoints.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, grant me your Holy Spirit that I might confidently believe your impossible promises and put my trust in you alone. 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] “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:33,34

Christian Faith is Farsighted

Daily Devotion – September 4, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 12:33,34

See series: Devotions

I’m as blind as a bat without my glasses, profoundly nearsighted. Without my spectacles, I need to hold a book just inches from my face in order to see the print clearly. If my glasses were ever broken or lost, I’d have great difficulty knowing what was coming my direction.

Isn’t that a fitting description of our lives in this world? Aren’t we forced into living life nearsighted, worrying about the here and now, because we can’t see the future? So doesn’t it make sense to pile up as much security as we can today because we can’t know what tomorrow might bring? Seeing is believing, right?

This is why we find safety and peace in creature comforts. As long as we are surrounded by them, all is good. But when those worldly treasures begin to evaporate—when we lose our job, our house, our spouse, our health, our lives—our knees begin to wobble.

All of which makes Jesus’ directive in Luke 12 so interesting, “Sell your possessions,” he says, “and give to the poor.” Jesus isn’t actually demanding we divest ourselves of every worldly asset immediately, but he is calling us to get our priorities straight and not be so near-sighted. Sooner or later, we will need to surrender what we have in this life.

So, Jesus urges, why not begin practicing now? Why not begin looking beyond the things of this world to the things of the next world? Because as wonderful and comforting as the “stuff” of this world might be, it doesn’t last. It is quickly passing away. (See Matthew 24:35.)

And what does letting go of our grip on the things of this world demonstrate? Christian faith. One of the things that makes the Christian faith so valuable is that it’s farsighted. It sees and longs for God-given, eternal treasures “…that,” Jesus says, “…will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

We need such farsighted faith because we aren’t close to these heavenly treasures right now. But, through faith, we see them with 20/20 vision. And their everlasting luster prompts us to ease our grasp on our nearby but quickly fading fortunes.

Prayer:
Jesus, give me such farsighted faith. 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] “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32

Christian Faith Grows Through Challenges

Daily Devotion – September 3, 2019

Devotion based on Luke 12:32

See series: Devotions

What requires greater faith: walking on a tightrope extended one inch above your backyard or on one suspended over the Grand Canyon’s widest and deepest chasm?

The answer is obvious. There’s not much risk involved if the worst that can happen is some grass stains on your new white socks. But a head-first tumble into the rocky bottoms would ensure your speedy death.

It’s safe to say that we all want life to be easy and relatively risk-free, like that backyard scamper across a low-hanging tightrope. But often we feel suspended high above the Grand Canyon without a net, wondering whether our next step will be our last. At those times it’s natural to ask, “Where is God? Why is he allowing me to face these challenges and feel these anxieties?”

The irony is that those challenges are no accident; they’re divinely purposeful. When Jesus’ disciples once feared for their lives on a boat in the midst of a ferocious storm, Jesus lay sleeping in the stern. They wondered aloud whether Jesus would do anything to help them, but when the Master finally woke up, he wondered aloud why they were so afraid. At the height of their anxiety, Jesus showed his power by silencing the winds and waves, prompting them to ask, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27).

What we sometimes fail to appreciate is that Christian faith is not normally conceived and nurtured in the soft, green fields of life. Growth requires unforeseen visits to the rocky and treacherous desert, where we are compelled to recognize that there is no one to help—except Jesus, that is. Only then we see his power and love in a way that had previously been unrecognized, and Christian faith grows.

Yes, Jesus allows—even sends—challenges into our lives, not because he loves us a little but because he loves us much. He knows best how Christian faith grows best. It grows through challenges.

But with those challenges, he also sends his saving promise, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Prayer:
Jesus, help me endure the challenges you send, as I cling forever to your saving promises. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Christian Faith Is Not Blind

Daily Devotion – September 2, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 11:1

See series: Devotions

How would you describe faith? Many people think faith requires you to close your eyes tightly and to step into the abyss without any idea of what may happen. You cross your fingers and hope for the best.

When trouble strikes, someone might say to you with the best of intentions, “You just have to have faith.”

There’s just one problem. You need to ask, “Faith in what, in whom?” Too often the response is, “You need to have faith in yourself.”

But that poses an even bigger problem because we have so little control over what happens, and no one can predict the future. If we could, we would have avoided the trouble in the first place! Putting faith in ourselves is true blindness, silliness.

The Christian faith is different. It’s not blind because it’s not based on thin air. It’s based on real facts, on a real person who did and does real things—even impossible things.

Some people think Christians are silly. “You actually believe that Jesus Christ walked on water?” they ask with a smirk. “You actually believe he raised people from the dead, and that he rose from the dead himself?” they wonder.

Of course, Christians do. After all, why would they want to put their faith in someone who cannot walk on water? What good reason would they have to trust someone who could not conquer death?

The Christian faith is not wishful thinking. It’s raw confidence based on the knowledge that the Christ in whom Christians put their hope foresees all things and controls them—yes, even evil and trouble—for the eternal good of his people (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). It’s a certain expectation and assurance that in the end, Jesus alone saves now and forever.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me place my confidence in you alone for all things. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Live by Faith

Daily Devotion – September 1, 2019

Devotion based on Hebrews 11:1

See series: Devotions

Are you an optimistic person? Or do you live each day expecting a bunch of problems? Maybe your life has been difficult, and you have chosen to cope by expecting more troubles. Maybe you are more comfortable calling yourself a realistic person. The truth is, God promises many things in his Word, but an easy life is not one of them.

That is why it is important to understand what it means to live by faith. A good place in the Bible to read about living by faith is in the book of Hebrews chapter 11. This chapter gives a snapshot of historical figures who trusted in God’s promises. Each of them endured some very scary times by trusting that God had something much better in store for them. Each of them knew that this earth was not their real home. They were looking ahead to a much better place. They were looking forward to living forever with God because he promised to send them a Savior.

The fascinating thing about the people listed in Hebrews chapter 11 is that all of them died before their Savior, Jesus came down to earth to pay for their sins. Did this mean they missed out on God’s promise? Absolutely not! They simply took God at his word. They trusted that when God makes a promise it’s as good as done! Hebrews 11:16 says, “they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

How can you live by faith? Trust in God’s promises!

Prayer:
Dear God, please help me to always trust in your promises. What you have promised will come true! You sent your Son into the world to take away my sins and he will come again to bring his believers to heaven! Help me to always live by faith and trust in 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.