St. Johns News

Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor . . . Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive. For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
Isaiah 52:1,2,3

Sleepwalking

Daily Devotion – November 17, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 52:1,2,3


See series: Devotions

Are you or is someone you know a sleepwalker? Sometimes, sleepwalking can result in some funny things happening. One time, my grandmother found my father sleepwalking, and he was trying to water the plants in the house! Sometimes, sleepwalking can be dangerous, like walking out into the middle of the street.

Spiritual sleepwalking is always dangerous. The people of Israel were spiritually sleepwalking through life. It was what brought them into captivity in Babylon. And for many, the lesson wasn’t yet learned. Many looked at their situation as strangers in a foreign land, unable to return home, as a reason to continue to sleepwalk through their spiritual life. Many thought God would not keep his promise of deliverance (even though he told them exactly how long it would be).

Friends, captive Israel is a picture of you and me as we wait for God to deliver us from the “captivity” of this sinful world and, at last, bring us home to heaven.

As you wait, watch out for spiritual sleepwalking! Be on your guard against sleepily stumbling through life because of the sorrow of living in this sinful world. Awake, and keep watch against the devil’s empty promises, which lure us into wandering into the path of destruction.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord calls out to his sleepwalking people, “Awake, awake! Rescue is coming! In fact, it is already yours, even though you do not see it. I have given you garments of splendor because I have washed away all your sins. I have redeemed you, buying you back to myself without money. Not because you have no worth but because the price of your immortal soul is priceless. So I have sent my Son to purchase you with his precious blood. Only I can and will rescue you from your captivity. Only I can and will bring you home. Awake!”

Prayer:
Lord, in your mercy, wake me from my spiritual sleepwalking that I may be ever watchful for the day of your Son’s return. Give me the assurance that I already wear forgiveness as garments of splendor. Amen.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
Matthew 25:1-4

Fuel Supply

Daily Devotion – November 16, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 25:1-4


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As the days grow colder this time of year, we are reminded of the importance of having a good fuel supply. Not having an adequate fuel supply can be deadly in the regions of our world that see below-freezing weather in the winter. In the same way, Jesus wants us to know that having an inadequate spiritual fuel supply is deadly.

To be ready for Jesus’ coming, we not only need to be adequately fueled, but we also need the proper fuel.

This world offers all kinds of options it claims are just as legitimate as God’s fuel supply. Self-worth found in achievements, abilities, and accolades. Strength found in wielding earthly power through wealth, politics, or social influence. Happiness found in pleasures of the flesh, drink, and drugs or of popularity and prestige.

While this sinful world imagines these can fuel a beautiful flame, they are fuels for the wrong fire—a fire of pain and suffering that will not end!

Friends, be fueled by God’s fuel supply—his promises found in the Bible. His fuel supply can never be exhausted, and you can never have too much! Fill up your fuel supply that will fuel your faith to burn even in the coldest winters of this sinful world as you patiently wait for your bridegroom to appear!

He is coming! He is coming to take you home! And he has given you all you need to be prepared to go home. Be in his Word in personal devotion. Be in his house with your fellow waiting believers to encourage one another and to receive the fuel of your salvation in the body and blood of your Savior together with bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, and you will be well supplied!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for providing all the fuel I need to be ready for your return. Help me to treasure this fuel and daily fill up my supply. Amen.

“The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ . . . “The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. . . Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:5,6,10,13

Waiting for the Wedding

Daily Devotion – November 15, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 25:5,6,10,13


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Waiting for the wedding day can be difficult for the bride and groom, the parents, friends, and other family because everyone can’t wait for the joy of that day.

The same is true for us as we wait for the day of Jesus return. We know what Jesus will provide for us on that day will be better than anything this world has to offer. We also know not waiting for Christ in faith will leave us locked out of the wedding banquet of heaven. Knowing this, it can be difficult to live in a world that is not perfect, a world in which there is so much suffering and sin.

But our Bridegroom, Christ, has seen to it that as we wait for his arrival, we will have all we need so that we’re ready when the cry rings out, “Here’s the Bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” He invites you to remember your baptism, which made you his bride. And your Bridegroom invites you to come to a wedding rehearsal meal called the Lord’s Supper, where you get to taste and see just how wonderful that final, eternal wedding supper of the Lamb will be!

Friends, it may still be a long night before the cry rings out that our Bridegroom has arrived or that he has come for you personally in your death. You may still have to struggle through many hardships and dark moments. But you can keep watch. By God’s grace, you have the oil of the gospel. Your faith’s lamp is lit and keeps burning through that gospel. Ours now is but to wait for the wedding. What a glorious day it will be!

Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly . . . But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. . . For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5,9,10

God’s Calendar

Daily Devotion – November 14, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5,9,10


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Even if you’re not big on scheduling your life or using a calendar, you probably still use a calendar for the big things in life.

What if you knew the biggest event of your life was coming, but you didn’t know exactly when it would be? You never received a “Save the Date” for your child’s wedding, or no one told you when to show up for a critical surgery that could save your life? It would be disconcerting at best.

In a way, that is our lives as we wait for the Last Day to come. God has told us that the biggest day of our life is coming, but we don’t know when it will be. This has caused all kinds of people to become frustrated with God. Some have even tried to find hidden messages in the Bible to try and determine when that day will be.

But friends, let God’s peace rest on your hearts because you know your sins are forgiven. Even though the Last Day will come like a thief in the night, the surprise will not upset you because you are children of the light! God has opened your eyes to see the truth that Jesus is your Savior, and you are safe and will live with him forever in heaven!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to give my “Amen” to your calendar, and patiently wait for your Son’s appearing. Amen.

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you’. . . “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’”
Matthew 25:7-12

Lit Lamps

Daily Devotion – November 13, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 25:7-12


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Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised he would one day return. It can sometimes seem like Jesus is taking a terribly long time to return. But just because we are impatient or tempted to think we have all kinds of time doesn’t mean that we don’t need to be ready at any moment for his return.

Jesus warned us about becoming complacent about his return in the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them were ready when the bridegroom arrived, and five were not.

No one is in more danger of finding out that they’re a foolish virgin too late than the Christian who assumes, “Well, of course I’m a wise virgin! I don’t have to worry about anything.” This is to live life as though the gift of faith is some lucky rabbit’s foot rather than a lamp that’s been lit within you that constantly needs to be fueled with the oil of the gospel.

Sadly, Jesus’ parable warns that if we are found with unlit lamps on the Last Day, we can pound on the doors to heaven all we want begging, “Lord, Lord! Open the door for us!” But he will say, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!”

The good news is that Jesus has already done everything necessary to save us from our sins and earn our place in the wedding banquet of heaven. Be sure to keep your lamp of faith lit by regularly fueling it by hearing and reading God’s Word. Just as you are doing right now!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to treasure the gift of the gospel, the oil that keeps my faith lamp lit that I would be ready for the joyful announcement, “The Bridegroom has come!” Amen.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Endless Blessings

Daily Devotion – November 12, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11


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God created the first people perfectly. They were more than free from defects or handicaps; they were completely holy and pure—like God himself. It was God’s wonderful will to have them live in his presence to enjoy his great favor and experience his endless blessings.

But sin entered the scene. Disobedience brought separation from God and fear of his judgment. Though deserving, God did not appoint sinners to suffer wrath. He did not want sinners to be condemned and suffer eternally. Rather, it was his deepest desire that they spend eternity with him.

So, God sent his Son into the world to rescue people from their sins against him. Jesus was born like us—a true human being. But unlike us, he had no sin. In the greatest act of love that this world has ever seen, Jesus willingly took on the guilt of everyone’s sin. He placed himself under the judgment of God in place of us. He died and paid in full the penalty of sin for us all.

Now all who trust in him as their Savior have no fear of eternal wrath, only everlasting life with God. Be encouraged by this tremendously good news and encourage others with it, too.

Prayer:
Dear God, who loved this fallen world and sent your Son to save it, renew my faith in Jesus as my Savior. Comfort me with the good news that by the death of Jesus, I am freed from the fear of your wrath and have the gift of life with you forever. Amen.

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
1 Thessalonians 2:1,2

Boldness

Daily Devotion – November 11, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 2:1,2


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In the first part of this chapter of the Bible, Paul described his ministry to the Christians at Thessalonica. He was not bragging and just attempting to bring attention on himself. As he spoke about the difficulties and opposition he faced in doing the Lord’s work, he hoped to encourage those persecuted Christians to also be persistent and bold in living and practicing their faith.

He reminded them how he suffered and was insulted in Philippi just prior to coming to Thessalonica. Together with his companion Silas, Paul was unjustly accused, stripped, and beaten, severely flogged and thrown into prison. After that humiliating and painful experience, who would have blamed Paul for giving up and just going home?

But Paul kept on, and he did it “with the help of our God.” God helped him to be bold even though he faced strong opposition. God strengthened and sustained him so that he could bring the message of Jesus Christ to the people in that city.

Boldness is also a virtue we pray that God increases within us. Boldness to speak up for Jesus when people put us down. Boldness to defend God’s truth when others trash it with their lies. Boldness to live by God’s Word when so many others ignore it. Even in the face of opposition, boldness to never deny Christ.

Prayer:
My God, help me to be bold in my life of faith. Keep me faithful to Jesus and give me the courage to follow him even when I face opposition. Amen.

[Jesus said] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”
Matthew 5:11,12

Rewards of Grace

Daily Devotion – November 10, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 5:11,12


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Jesus knows how ferocious and cruel life is in this sin-filled world. He knows that as you and I live and work, eat and sleep as children of light through faith in him, the forces of darkness will be pushing back. Satan, his demons, and all their allies will seize every chance to pull down, trip up, intimidate, distract, demoralize, and humiliate—anything at all to discourage us from our walk with the only Savior there is.

With all that in mind, Jesus has chosen to tell us something for the moments he knows will come. The moments when everything is too hard, the mountains of difficulty are too high, the darkness of despair is too thick, and the cackling voices of cynicism are too loud. It is for those moments he tells us, “I see you. I see what you are enduring. I will not forget you. I will acknowledge what you have suffered for my sake.”

Yes, the Lord promises to reward us. However, his reward has nothing to do with our merit or worthiness. It has everything to do with his merciful encouragement. It has everything to do with grace. It has everything to do with his undeserved love for you and me.

Out of grace he lived a perfect life on our behalf. Out of grace he suffered and died for our every sin. Out of grace he encourages us along the way, and he will lead us home.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the road is long, but you know this. Thank you for your rewards of grace to encourage me along the way. And thank you for the home that awaits. 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.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1

Adopted

Daily Devotion – November 9, 2023

Devotion based on 1 John 3:1


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Twenty-four-year-old Jaime Cone had long known that she was an adopted child. Because the adoption had taken place so early in her life, she had no recollection of the world she’d left behind. She took her present life for granted. Her adoptive parents had given her a stable home. She did well in school. She had lots of friends. Hers was a secure, middle-class lifestyle with the usual little dramas of growing up. This world was normal to her because this was the only world she had ever known.

Her presumptions began to change when her adoptive parents decided it was time to give Jaime access to the files pertaining to her adoption. Much of what she read was sobering, chilling. The conditions in which she lived as a baby were dangerous and dark. The one steady light through all the files was her adoptive parents’ relentless determination to pursue her adoption, soldier through the many legal setbacks and disappointments, and to do whatever had to be done to make Jaime their own.

After digesting the files, Jaime came to realize how drastically different her life might have been. She also began to understand how much her adoptive parents loved her.

The apostle John wrote, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

The conditions of your former life and mine were deadly and dark. We were toxic, you and I—toxic through and through. We were addicted to sin, lost, adrift, angry, afraid, and determined not to have anything to do with God.

But he came for us anyway. God the Son came here in the person of Jesus. He did what had to be done to wash us clean at the cross, blanket us in his perfection, bring us to faith, and take us home.

All this makes us realize how drastically different our lives might have been. We also begin to understand how much our adoptive Father loves us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus I am your child. Your love for me is beyond words. Thank 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.

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17

Temporary

Daily Devotion – November 8, 2023

Devotion based on Revelation 7:17


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Human beings appear to be the only creatures who cry. Sure, there are animals that shed tears from time to time for functional reasons. Humans, however, seem to be the only ones who genuinely weep in moments of high emotion.

Based on the current scientific research, there is still a great mystery behind the whole subject of our tendency to weep. Some have speculated that it helps purge toxins from the body. Others have proposed that it helps produce hormones to stabilize a person’s mood. Others consider it a safety valve for moments of extreme stress. Still, others say it signals to others close to you that there’s a problem and you need help.

All that aside, you and I know from hard experience what kinds of things can bring us to tears: A close friend abandons you. A family member breaks your heart. Someone you love receives a ghastly diagnosis. Your child or grandchild is seriously injured. Financial catastrophe leaves you feeling helpless. A critical mass of regret is smothering you. Your burden of life responsibilities overwhelms you. A death surrounds you in the darkness of grief.

Virtually all of us have known such tears. We have felt them on our cheeks. We’ve tasted their saltiness. We’ve struggled with the lump in the throat. We have choked on our own stifled sobs.

Such weeping comes from sin—your sin and mine. For the brokenness of this broken world, the tears fall. For the pain that sin breeds, the tears fall. For the mournful mess that sin has left, the tears fall.

But as they do, the Lord speaks. In Revelation chapter 7, his Word reminds us that our hot, salty tears of grief, pain, disappointment, and loss—these tears are temporary. These tears will not last. For the One who has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” has seen to it that these tears will come to an end. Our Savior has come. His life and death in our place have destroyed the cause of our tears. Very soon, our only tears will be tears of joy. Forever.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know what it is to weep in this fallen world. Remind me that the tears of grief are temporary, but the tears of joy are 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.