Devotions

A Few of My Favorite Things – April 26, 2024

2024/04/26/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me . . . and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:11-18 (selected verses)

A Few of My Favorite Things

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Family Devotion – April 26, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:11-18 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the musical, The Sound of Music, A nanny named Maria sings a soothing song to the frightened children of Captain Von Trapp. The children ran to her room and huddled in her bed, shaking with anxiety. She takes their minds off the terrifying thunder and lightning storm by asking them to list some of their favorite things.

Before long, the children named everything from bunnies to crisp apple strudel and brown paper packages wrapped up with string! Maria has them dancing and jumping on the bed while singing, “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad!”

In today’s devotion, we have something far better than a song to sing if we’re feeling bad. We have a Good Shepherd. The words of John chapter 10 are kind of like Maria’s list of “Favorite Things” because they can combat any “dog bite” of depression or “bee sting” of sadness that life may throw at us.

So let’s try making our list of “Favorite Things!” How about when you find yourself saying: “I’m worthless. No one likes me.”
Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep because I love you.”

“I don’t have any friends, and I’m lonely.”
Jesus says, “I know you. I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

“People walk all over me. I don’t get any respect from anyone.”
Jesus says, “I’ll let people walk all over me instead of you. I have the authority to lay down my life and take it up again.”

When the dog bites or the bee stings, turn to John chapter 10 and read some of these favorite things from Jesus, our Good Shepherd!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Good Shepherd, thank you for making us your little lambs and carrying us across your shoulder when the thunderstorms in life scare us! Help us to turn to you whenever life’s troubles rise to meet us. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

What are your favorite things? What are you scared of?
Do you like singing? If you do, let’s sing, “I Am Jesus Little Lamb.”

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why is Jesus called the Good Shepherd? How do you know he’s the Good Shepherd?
Describe how a shepherd carries his sheep. Describe how Jesus carries his people.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Discuss: It is an insult to call someone a “sheep.”
In a world where everyone wants to be a lion, and the lion with the loudest roar is the King of the Jungle, why can we boast of being a lamb?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Military Devotion – Keep Connected to Christ the Vine – April 26, 2024

2024/04/26/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Military Devotion – Keep Connected to Christ the Vine – April 26, 2024

Based on John 15:5

One of the best things that we can do for our military children is to have some kind of continuity—something that is the same wherever they go. And what better continuity than Christ? Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When we stay connected to Jesus in his Word and through his sacraments, we are reminded of our baptisms and all that he has done for us. He’s called us his sons and daughters, he’s forgiven our sins, and he’s given us the sure hope of eternal life in heaven.

I’m still wearing purple this week. Purple is for the month of April—the Month of the Military Child. Last week, we looked at the unique challenges and difficulties that

I’m still wearing purple because it’s still the month of April, and purple is the color for the Month of the Military Child. If you’re wondering why the color purple is for the Month of the Military Child, you’re not alone. I had to look that up too.

Purple combines all of the branches’ colors into one. The Air Force, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Space Force all use shades of blue. The Army uses green and the Marine Corps, red. So that combines all of the colors into purple and reminds us that there are children in each of the branches of our nation’s military.

So as we think about the Month of the Military Child and children in military families, I was thinking about one of the readings that will come up on Sunday. If you are privileged to be in person with your family at your church home, or if you’re watching online (as many of you do since you are far away from your church families being in our nation’s military), one of the readings will be from John’s gospel, chapter 15, verse 5. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

The reason I thought of this and connecting it to military children is that there’s so much change that military children often go through. And one of the best things that we can do for our military children is to have some kind of continuity—something that is the same wherever they go. And what better continuity than Christ? Jesus himself says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” The picture that he’s using is one that the disciples would see every day as they walked the roads and the paths in Israel. They would see those vine branches growing up on the hillsides, and they would immediately have been reminded of Jesus’ words. “Look there. There’s a vine and there’s a healthy branch, and it’s growing this big cluster of grapes. They look healthy and great for eating and making wine.”

That’s us and our good works. Jesus wants us to go out and love our neighbor in whatever vocation he’s given us. But the only way that we can do that—and also grieve with hope and handle the changes in our life and go through stress and anxiety—is if we stay connected to Christ and he to us. And what better thing can we do for our children, especially those in military families, than to keep them connected to Christ?

Remember, we have resources for you. If you’re wondering, How can I, as a parent of a military child, with all of these changes that we’re going through in our lives, keep my child connected to Christ? And how can I keep myself connected to Christ? Because that helps my child stay connected to Jesus. Contact our office at [email protected]. We have resources that we can send you, things that we can share with you, and places that we can point you to and say, “Hey, here’s a way to daily stay connected to Jesus.”

There’s one family that I keep in touch with on a weekly basis. They’re stationed in South Korea, and they have a new baby girl. She’s a few months old, but even at a few months old, what this couple does is when they have their devotions together as husband and wife, their daughter is sitting on their laps listening and hearing the Word of God. And when we hold our online worship service for all of the folks that are stationed in the Pacific, there she is, singing along with the hymns. She’s hearing God’s Word.

So whether your child is 2 months or 2 years or 12 years or 22 years, or maybe you are that 22-year-old or 32-year-old or 42-year-old reading this devotion and you are a child of a military family—maybe you followed in Mom’s or Dad’s footsteps—what better way for you to stay connected to Jesus than to be in his Word and hearing his promises, from your risen, resurrected, and living Lord Jesus, who promises to stay connected to you?

When we stay connected to Jesus in his Word and through his sacraments, we are reminded of our baptisms and all that he has done for us. He’s called us his sons and daughters, he’s forgiven our sins, and he’s given us the sure hope of eternal life in heaven.

When we receive his very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins—this is the price that he paid to set us free from those sins and keep us connected to him.

When we read a devotion like this, when we open our Bibles, and when we gather with other Christians to hear the good news about Jesus—we stay connected to Christ, and more importantly, he stays connected to us as a branch remains in a vine.

My encouragement to you today is to keep connected to Christ. He will stay connected to you. That is his promise to you.

Prayer:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you’ve set the lonely in families. We commend to your care all the homes in which your people live. Keep them free from bitterness, pride, and selfishness. Fill them with faith and wisdom, with patience and godliness. Let children and parents show respect for one another. Bless us all with a spirit of kindness and true affection. Raise up faithful fathers and mothers to bring the Word of God to their children so that we might tell the next generation the wonderful and amazing things that you have done for us and for them. Keep us connected to you as we listen to your Word as it is read and studied, as we remember our baptisms, and as we receive your Holy Supper for the forgiveness of our sins. We ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Mine! – April 26, 2024

2024/04/26/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3

Mine!

Daily Devotion – April 26, 2024

Devotion based on Psalm 23:1-3

See series: Devotions

Mine! A child reaches for a toy, rips it from his brother’s hands, and shouts, “Mine!” Certainly, a lesson in sharing is in order when it comes to playing. But a heart that cries out “Mine!” isn’t always a bad thing. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, loves us so deeply and possessively that he declares, “Mine!” And when a heart responds to Jesus’ love, it shouts, “Mine! You are mine, and I am yours!”

The writer of this psalm pictures himself as a helpless sheep, no longer helpless because the Lord is his shepherd. Hear the possessive love, “My Shepherd!” I am his and he is mine forever. Mine! None of us are literal sheep or literal shepherds, but we can appreciate the imagery. Even if you’re not a sheep, can’t you picture the peace and quiet of lying down on the green grass near a babbling brook where you’re just resting, no longer running around and scrambling through a frantic life? The Lord, our Good Shepherd, gives us a rest far greater than that! He gives us rest for our souls. He refreshes us with the very love of God to sustain us all our days and give us eternal life. These blessings are not something I have to wait for; right now, they are mine through Jesus!

The Lord shepherds you through this life with a love so tender and possessive, a love that screams from a gruesome cross and then from an empty tomb, and now from a throne in heaven, “Mine! You are mine!” your Good shepherd declares. And throughout this life, we can confidently respond, “Mine!” Jesus and all his blessings are mine! The Lord is my Shepherd. He shepherds us through life and to our final destination—heaven, where we will be at peace in our Good Shepherd’s arms. He is mine, and I am his. Forever.

Prayer:
Lord, you are my Shepherd, and I lack nothing. “Surely, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 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.

Listen to the Good Shepherd’s Voice – April 25, 2024

2024/04/25/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10:14,16

Listen to the Good Shepherd’s Voice

Daily Devotion – April 25, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:14,16

See series: Devotions

When you hear different voices all shouting at once, which one do you listen to? Parents know what that’s like when all their children are crying at once. Teachers have been in a classroom where multiple students call out different answers to the same question. When so many voices are calling out, it’s hard to hear any one of them.

There are a lot of voices in the world clamoring for our attention. All of them are saying different things. There’s the voice of popular opinion—what people think is correct and acceptable. There are the voices of false teachings—this teacher says this, that teacher says that. There are voices of criticism calling the Christian faith outdated or unloving. Internally, we hear the voice of doubt and uncertainty.

But there is one voice that triumphs over all. The voice of the Good Shepherd calls us to listen to him. And as we listen to him, we come to know him better. The voice of your Good Shepherd calls out to you in every word of the Bible. He quiets the clamor of all the voices in the world. He calls us back from the dangers of sin and unbelief and speaks soothing words of forgiveness and reassurance. We listen to his voice to know what is true and good. We listen to his voice to have all doubt chased away so we can live confidently in God’s love.

Prayer:
Good Shepherd, quite the clamor of the world around me so I may always listen to your voice. 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.

Are you my mother? – April 24, 2024

2024/04/24/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 1 John 4:1-6

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not from God.
1 John 4:1-6 (selected verses)

Are you my mother?

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Family Devotion – April 24, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 4:1-6 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight are identical twins. They are also YouTubers and social media personalities who go by the names “Mary & Martha.” The twin known as Martha has five young daughters ages 2–8. One time, Mary and Martha dressed the same—from their curly hair to their dangly earrings, belted dress, and black boots—they looked exactly alike! Then, starting with the youngest to the oldest, Martha’s husband separately brought each of the daughters into the room where the twins were and asked, “Which one is your mommy?” and “Which one is Auntie Mary?”

After closely examining the two ladies standing in front of them, each daughter would give her guess. The two and three-year-old daughters both guessed incorrectly—while the three older girls quickly surveyed the twins and then confidently and correctly picked their mom. When asked how they knew it was her, each gave a different answer. One said, “Auntie Mary has a beauty spot on her neck, and Mom doesn’t.” another said, “Mom is a little higher (taller) than Aunt Mary.” And the oldest daughter said, “Easy, Auntie Mary’s fingernails are manicured, and Mom’s are not.”

The older daughters had the benefit of spending more years with and studying their mom more closely. They picked up on the little differences their younger siblings had not yet learned.

In our reading for tonight, John counsels us to do a similar thing. “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). From outward appearances—false prophets in this world can look like the real deal. They smile and have a nice voice that says nice words, but they are “from the world and speak the viewpoint of the world.” We, on the other hand, are children of God. We want to be like those older daughters who were not fooled into believing their aunt was their mom. We want to study the Scriptures because when we do, we know more about Jesus and how to stay close to him.

Keep testing the spirits like someone who tests ice on a frozen lake! And take heart, because the “One who is in you, is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4: 4).

Closing Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making us your children. Thank you for giving us your Word to teach us about you! Please help us to gladly hear and learn the Scriptures to tell the difference between false voices and your loving voice. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Do you know any identical twins? What are some ways that you can tell them apart?
Does your mom or grandma ever let you ‘taste-test’ what they are baking? Why do they do that?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Arrange the following things from least to most important:
a. Testing the buckle on an amusement ride,
b. Testing the ice on a frozen pond,
c. Testing the spirits to see whether they are from God.
Why is it the most important to test the spirits?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Verse 5 says, “[False prophets & spirit] are from the world and therefore speak from the view-point of the world and the world listens to them.” Name two or three view-points that the world has today that are different from our viewpoint.
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!” (verse 4) Describe a situation and explain why this verse could be of great comfort to a Christian.

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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 Good Shepherd Knows – April 24, 2024

2024/04/24/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14,15

The Good Shepherd Knows

Daily Devotion – April 24, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:14,15

See series: Devotions

A fan can know a lot about a celebrity on a superficial level. They can know the celebrity’s birthday, life story, and so many other details. However, if they were to bump into each other in public, the celebrity would know nothing about the fan. It’s a one-sided, superficial relationship at best.

Have you ever thought of your relationship with Jesus in the same way— “I know a lot about him, but does he really know me?” Or maybe you are searching the Bible to learn more about God and what he’s like, but does he really know you? It’s actually the other way around. Jesus, your Good Shepherd, knows you. And not on a superficial level. He knows you better than you know him. In fact, he knew you, loved you, and laid down his life for you before you ever came to know him.

Before the sheep realized the danger, the shepherd knew and acted to save the sheep. Before it ever dawned on us how much we needed Jesus and his salvation, he laid down his life for us. He knows his sheep. He knows you intimately. At first thought, it might startle you to realize God knows you that well. Perhaps there are things about you that no one else knows, and it would terrify you if they did. Jesus knows those things. However, it didn’t lead him to run away or shun you. It led him to lay down his life for you. Listen to what your Good Shepherd calls you: my sheep!

He knows your deepest needs better than you do, and he knows how best to meet them. He knows the guilt you’ve felt and the trouble you’ve experienced. He takes you in his arms, cleanses you of all guilt, and calms your troubled heart. Your Savior knows you and loves you. You are his!

Prayer:
Lord, shepherd me through the ups and downs of life and grant all that I need, as you know best. 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 Good Shepherd Saves – April 23, 2024

2024/04/23/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:12-15

The Good Shepherd Saves

Daily Devotion – April 23, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:12-15

See series: Devotions

Save the animal in danger, or save your life? Which would you choose? It seems like a no-brainer. As much as you care for a creature in danger, would you protect that creature if it cost you your life? A hired hand would protect his own life over the life of a sheep, and understandably so. But not the shepherd, especially not the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd protects and saves his sheep at the expense of his own life.

Of course, we’re not just sheep. God is our Creator, and we are his creatures—the crown of his creation! Humanity didn’t mindlessly wander away from the Lord; we sinned and rebelled against our Maker. It’s understandable that a hired hand would not spare his life to save a sheep. It’s even more understandable, humanly speaking, that our perfect God would take our life as punishment for our sins. Instead, he gave his life to save us from sin. Our Good Shepherd didn’t abandon his creatures who once abandoned him. He laid down his life for us.

You are more precious than a sheep. You are such a precious soul that your God and Maker valued your life at the price of his own Son’s life. Your Good Shepherd defied all human understanding by giving his perfect life to give you eternal life. He saved you from being abandoned and devoured by sin and Satan. He brought you into his fold, where you belong to the God who made and saved you.

Prayer:
Lord, I belong to you because you created me, and you saved me with the price of your own blood. 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.

Real Tears – April 22, 2024

2024/04/22/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Acts 20:28-38

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. . . So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. . . When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.
Acts 20:28-38 (selected verses)

Real Tears

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Family Devotion – April 22, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 20:28-38 (selected verses)

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

David is a wonderful Christian husband, father, and pastor. He faithfully serves his Lord in each area of his life. When David is happy, he smiles broadly and genuinely. When something is funny, he has a great chuckle to share. When he is angry or sad, the emotion shows on his face. However, for as long as people can remember—David never cried.

One day, David and his family were out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Somehow, a tortilla chip went down the wrong way and got caught in his throat. Don’t worry; he was fine, but the coughing that followed caused a single tear to appear in the corner of his eye. His teenage daughter pulled out her phone and said, “I need to get a picture of this! Dad never cries!”

In Acts chapter twenty, the apostle Paul cried or wept three times (vv. 19,31,36). What in the world could cause a man like the apostle Paul to cry so much?

Like a parent giving a child advice before driving off to college, Paul warned his dearly loved friends about the dangers they would face without him. The parent knows what temptations and pitfalls their child might experience during those first years away from them. They are so concerned for their child—not just in a casual, “BTW” kind of way—but with a tear in their eye, a firm shoulder pat, perhaps with a shaky voice filled with emotion. Paul is feeling the same when he says, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock…so be on your guard” (Acts 20:29)!

A parent isn’t trying to frighten their child with scary pictures of life away from home. It comes from a loving heart that but that wants to guard and protect. It’s the kind of love expressed through teardrops. Jesus loves you so much that he expressed it through drops of blood he shed on the cross.

Dear child, love leads every parent, guardian, and supporter of you to say, “I commit you, [name of child], to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (vs. 32)!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for my parents and everyone you use to warn me about the evils of life. Keep me connected to you so that someday, we will all be reunited in heaven, where there will be no more tears! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Have you ever seen your mom or dad cry?
Why did the apostle Paul cry in our reading?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

When was the last time you cried? What did you cry about?
What made you feel better after you cried?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Think of a time when you had to say, “Goodbye” to someone. How does Acts 20:32 give you something to say to someone who you won’t see in a long time?
What advice might a parent give to a child going away to school? How does Paul’s advice parallel that?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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’ Sheep-Folk – Jesus’ Wealth – Week of April 22, 2024

2024/04/22/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Jesus’ Sheep-Folk – Jesus’ Wealth – Week of April 22, 2024

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:14-16

ECME Devotion April 22, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

If there is one thing in this world people chase, I think we could all agree that it is money. Now, don’t let me lose you here. Maybe you aren’t hoping to win the lottery or looking for the next side-gig or constantly checking your investments to see if they’ve gone up or listing everything you own on Facebook Marketplace. But I think we can all agree that a little more money wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for our lives and more often than not we tend to chase wealth.

Do you know what God chases?

It’s you.

He chases after the sheep of his flock. We humans are just sheep-folk in need of a shepherd to guide us and keep us safe from the evil one trying to steal us from the safety of what the shepherd promises us. So when we wander off, our Good Shepherd chases after us because we are his livelihood, in other words, he lives for us! Just as sheep are the wealth of a shepherd, we are Jesus’ wealth. We mean everything to him!

Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, lives to serve us. Jesus lives to plead for us in front of the Father. Jesus lives to free us from the guilt and shame of our sins. Jesus lives to prepare a place for us in heaven.

The world promises us so much, but the world fails us even more. Wealth in this world promises a life filled with freedom to live how we want, to travel, to eat well, to dress well, to be entertained. But no matter the amount of wealth we have or chase after, it will always leave us feeling empty in one way or another.

But Jesus… our Good Shepherd promises us a wealth that is beyond our comprehension. When we sheep-folk listen to his words, we hear of the freedom that is already ours in Christ, no chasing needed. We hear of the goodness of God who wants nothing more than to be with us forever. We hear of the peace that awaits us in the arms of our Savior. We hear the truth that we are worth more than life itself. Jesus lives for us. We are his wealth!

Prayer:
Dear Good Shepherd, you chase after me daily and daily I listen instead to the words of this world. Tune my ears to hear your voice above the rest, to chase after you and be near you each day. Remind me of my worth in you. Remind me of your goodness, peace, and truth that I may tell others about my Good Shepherd too! Amen.

Question to consider:
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, chases after us. What is one way you can chase after him today?

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he proved that we were worth more than anything to him. List a few other ways that Jesus has shown us that we are worth so much to him.

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.

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 Good Shepherd Cares – April 22, 2024

2024/04/22/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
John 10:11-13

The Good Shepherd Cares

Daily Devotion – April 22, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:11-13

See series: Devotions

There is pride in ownership. When someone rents a house, they might not care as much about the day-to-day upkeep. Some tenants don’t treat it like their own because it’s not. When you buy the house, and it’s yours, the pride of ownership brings a whole new level of care and upkeep. An hourly employee may put in a good, honest day’s work, but at the end of the shift, he punches the clock and goes home. However, the owner stays late to do what it takes and makes sacrifices for the company because it’s his.

In our Bible reading for today, Jesus makes the point that a shepherd who owns a flock of sheep cares for them in a way a hired hand does not. He cares for them because they are his. He will care for and protect them at any cost.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Unlike a hired hand, he does what it takes and makes the ultimate sacrifice because we are his. Jesus is not simply another human sent by God to serve on God’s behalf. He is true God from eternity and the God who made us and who came to save us. Jesus cares for you and laid down his life for you. He takes pride in you because you belong to him for time and for eternity. Your Good Shepherd cares!

Prayer:
Lord, shepherd me through life ever closer to your tender, loving care. 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.

Transformed – teen devotion – April 21, 2024

2024/04/21/in Teen Devotions

One truth shared: Jesus wants us to use his Word to test the teachings we hear.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirt of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

1 John 4:1-6

Dear Teen, Test Carefully

How many science tests do you think you have done in all your school years? You probably started out with some simple tests learning about chemical reactions, gravity, or energy. Perhaps your teacher made “elephant toothpaste” erupt out of a beaker. Maybe you dropped wrapped-up eggs off the roof or designed popsicle stick bridges. As you got older you likely learned to test liquids with litmus paper to see if they were acids, neutrals, or bases. Maybe by now you’ve done some more complex tests in biology, chemistry, or physics classes.

Some students love doing these tests, others find them a bore or dread them. No matter what you feel about the scientific method and tests, you are learning important life skills. It is essential to be able to think about things with a critical and analytical mind, carefully using logic and deduction to make wise and appropriate decisions. It’s also pretty cool to be able to know how God’s awesome creation works! The ability to test something is an important life skill.

However, “testing” is an even more critical spiritual-life skill. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, blesses his Church by giving pastors and teachers who serve as under-shepherds that preach and teach to Jesus’ flock and sheep. But there are a LOT of pastors and teachers out there in a LOT of different churches! In addition, there are endless videos, blogs, and articles online to sort through. How are you supposed to know which one to listen to? This is where your testing skills come in!

The apostle John warns us with this advice: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John’s encouragement is to become very good at testing. Because there are many false teachers in the world, we should test what they teach. So how do we do that? With God’s Word! The Bible is the litmus paper we must use to test whether someone’s teachings are accurate or true.

This is a big challenge! Don’t get pulled into believing everything you see or hear online, or from the next church down the street that has something fancy or looks cool. Just like in school, do your homework! Listen to what they are saying. Look for statements of faith on websites. Find out what people really believe, and then compare that with the Bible. Be a student of the Word who uses it to carefully test what is right and wrong. So, stay connected to Jesus, study up in the Word, and put all your testing experience and careful thinking to good use!

Prayer: Good Shepherd, thank you for giving so many shepherds to serve as preachers and teachers of your truth. But there are also many false teachers who are wolves in shepherd’s clothing. Help me to grow in faith and knowledge so I can carefully test all teachings and remain faithful to the truth of your Word. Amen.

Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Too Good To Be True? – April 21, 2024

2024/04/21/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
John 10:11,14

Too Good To Be True?

Daily Devotion – April 21, 2024

Devotion based on John 10:11,14

See series: Devotions

Almost daily, some advertisements make incredible claims: “This is the best product on the market.” “This is the most effective product.” “There is nothing that can compare with this.” These are just a few of the claims. Then, the offer becomes even more enticing: “Double the amount at an incredible savings.” Finally, there is the clincher: “A one-hundred percent money-back guarantee.” Almost immediately the thought ignites: “This is too good to be true.”

Too good to be true is often a reliable axiom. But not when it comes to the claims made by Jesus. In a very precious and picturesque way, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd.” What makes this claim believable is how he backs it up. Jesus gives more than a money-back guarantee. He even offers more than double the regular amount. He provides solid and unmistakable proof.

Just think about the claim Jesus makes as the Good Shepherd. When rejected because of failure and disappointment, the Good Shepherd calls us his own. When cries for help go unanswered, the Good Shepherd responds in the best way possible.

It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! Assurance comes from what Jesus did and what he does daily. His obedient life, his willing death on the cross, his precious shed blood, his victorious resurrection—here is indisputable evidence. Our Savior-Shepherd will always be there. He even gives his word: “I know you.”

Although this may sound too good to be true, it is the good news Jesus established through his innocent suffering and death. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He knows us, and he loves us!

Prayer:
O precious Savior, because you gave your life for me, I am now your lamb. Be with me. Keep me safe in every danger. Guide me and give me peace in knowing, I am your sheep, and you are my Shepherd. 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.

You Have an Advocate – April 20, 2024

2024/04/20/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1,2

You Have an Advocate

Daily Devotion – April 20, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 2:1,2

See series: Devotions

A criminal defense attorney said the most frequent question he is asked is: “Why do you defend people you know are guilty?” Normally he responds that he doesn’t consider himself to be a successful attorney only if his client never sees the inside of a prison. He admitted that most of his clients are guilty of something. “However,” he went onto say “not every person charged with a crime is treated fairly.” Under the law, even criminals have rights—rights that are sometimes violated or ignored. The attorney said his goal is to make sure every person is treated fairly under the law. That way, he can be successful whether his client is found to be innocent or guilty.

The Bible describes Jesus as an advocate—someone who, like a lawyer, comes to the defense of someone. And the Bible says that those whom Jesus chooses to defend are those who sin. In other words, he chooses to defend us—individuals who are most certainly guilty of pride, hate, arrogance, greed, and any number of other sins.

But he not only defends us, knowing we are guilty of sin. He also did something even the very best criminal defense attorney wouldn’t. He volunteered to take our punishment. Not by sitting in a prison. But by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins on a cross.

And the reason he did that is to give you rights. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you have the God-given right to walk through life knowing you are forgiven. You have the right to be released from the heavy burden of guilt you’ve been carrying. You have the right to know that God loves you, no matter how you have sinned. You have the right to know that you will always have an advocate who will come to your defense and always win.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my advocate. 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.

Making Sense of Salvation’s Math – April 19, 2024

2024/04/19/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 24:36-49

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:36-49

Making Sense of Salvation’s Math

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Family Devotion – April 19, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 24:36-49

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The math teacher was nearing her wit’s end. She had done everything she could think of to explain the concept of subtracting with regrouping, but Joey was not getting it. She worked with Joey outside the classroom and at recess. She even showed him some videos on an educational website. Joey was still confused.

Then, she noticed his sci-fi shirt and had an idea. “Joey, how about you think of it like this—if you don’t have enough ones, you can go over to the tens column and then transport the tens to the ones.” “Transport?” said Joey slowly. “Oh! I see—I TRANSPORT the tens to the ones! I got it!” he ended enthusiastically.

The teacher opened Joey’s mind by using a word he could understand.

The disciples were confused, not by a tricky math problem but by the fact that the One whom they had followed for the last three years was killed, right before their eyes, on a cross. It just didn’t add up. What were they supposed to do? Confused and afraid, they hid together in a room.

Jesus appeared to his disciples and gazed at them with loving understanding. “Peace be with you,” he said as he watched their scared and bewildered faces. They wondered, “Is this really Jesus? What if it’s Jesus’ ghost?”

Then, like the teacher did for Joey, Jesus found ways to help them understand. “Here guys! Look! It’s me! See these scars on my hands and feet? Remember three days ago when you saw me nailed on the cross? Touch the nail marks, I’m real!” The teacher, Jesus, could see that his students were still not quite getting it, so he tried another approach. “Do you have anything to eat? Watch me eat this broiled fish. How many ghosts eat broiled fish?”

And then, “Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Like Joey, they finally got it. With their newfound understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection—he urged them to tell others about what they had learned.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Teacher, sometimes things just don’t make sense. Thank you for opening our minds to the most important math lesson: 3 nails + 1 cross = 4 giveness because of Jesus, and heaven is ours! Please help us to tell others the same. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

What is something you have trouble understanding?
What were the two things that Jesus did to show his scared disciples that it really was him and not a ghost?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

It’s easy to get angry or frustrated when you don’t get something. When that happens, how can this story help you deal with times of confusion in your life?
Who is your favorite teacher? What makes that person a good teacher? Thank God for the good teachers in your life and the best teacher—Jesus!

Questions for Middle School and Above

What are some math concepts that confuse you? How did you eventually figure them out?
What are some biblical truths that might confuse you? What can you do to clear up the confusion ? (Spoiler alert: thank God for the Holy Spirit who works faith in our hearts despite our confusion!)

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Military Devotion – Jesus Shepherds Military Children – April 19, 2024

2024/04/19/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Military Devotion – Jesus Shepherds Military Children – April 19, 2024

Based on Psalm 23

Jesus brings more good news this week from Psalm 23 to the military child. You have a Good Shepherd who walks with you through dark valleys. Even when we have to face the dark valley of death, King David says, we will fear no evil, because Jesus faced that dark valley of death, and he came through on the other side by rising from the dead. So will we too.

I’m still wearing purple this week. Purple is for the month of April—the Month of the Military Child. Last week, we looked at the unique challenges and difficulties that military children often face, and we saw how Jesus addresses those challenges by giving the peace that only he can give.

Today, Jesus uses a little bit of a different picture to address some of those challenges that military children face, and he does that through the words of a military father, a war fighter, a combat veteran, a commander, a general, a king. You could use all of those words to describe this man. His name is David.

David wrote a lot of songs in the Bible. They’re called psalms. And in Psalm 23, King David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd.” King David uses the picture of a shepherd, because before his vocation was soldiering and being a king, he was a shepherd. And David knew how much sheep need a shepherd. Sheep are kind of helpless creatures. They get themselves into trouble. They have a bad sense of direction, and sometimes they’ll just walk right off of a steep ravine and fall and break their legs or break their necks. They get lost. They’re pretty defenseless creatures. When a wolf or a lion or a bear attacks, sheep could run away for a little bit, but there’s no way to defend themselves. They will be caught by that wild animal and killed. Sometimes sheep don’t know what to eat, and sometimes they eat poisonous things in the wild that actually cause them to die.

Sheep need a shepherd to protect them, show them where to eat, and show them the foods they ought to eat. David understood this. And he, as a shepherd, admits, “I need a shepherd too.” Even though David as king was shepherd of God’s people, the nation of Israel, he needed a shepherd too. And that’s why in Psalm 23 he writes, “The Lord is my shepherd”—especially because of what he says in verse 4: “I walk through the darkest valley.”

For you as a military child, are there days that feel that way? That you’re walking through a dark valley? You’re walking down this path, with rocks and earth rising up to your right, and rocks and earth rising up to your left, and you can barely see the top on either side? There are trees and it’s dark and you don’t know what’s out there? It can be very scary.

Does it feel that way when you know that you have to move again? Does it feel that way when Mom or Dad deploys? Does it feel that way when Mom or Dad has to go out into the field for training, and you know sometimes that can be dangerous too?

Does it feel that way when Mom and Dad just seem a little bit off? Not normal—something is just not right with them, and it frightens you a little bit. You worry about them. Or maybe it feels that way when Mom and Dad fight, and they fight a lot.

Sometimes it can feel that way in life, walking through that dark valley, but here’s the thing. King David admitted, “I walk through that dark valley, but I have a good shepherd. The Lord is my shepherd.” You see, Jesus is your Good Shepherd too. And when you walk through that dark valley, first of all know this: that he understands, that he gets it because he’s been there.

Some of the things that Jesus had to go through in his life—he had people that just hated him. He had friends that abandoned him. He had a friend that betrayed him. Jesus had friends that died, and that made him really, really sad. Jesus even had people who hated him so much that they crucified him by putting him on a cross so that he died and had to be buried because he was dead.

But Jesus, even though he walked through that dark valley, came out on the other side just fine because he rose from the dead. And he lives today to be your Good Shepherd, to walk with you as you walk through that dark valley. When you have to move again, when Mom or Dad just seems a little bit off and that makes you worried, when Mom and Dad fight a lot, when Mom or Dad deploys, when they have to go out into the field for training—any dark thing that is happening in your life—Jesus is your Good Shepherd, and he walks with you. He promises that.

King David said, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” And the only way that Jesus can be with you all the time, no matter where you are, no matter how you are feeling, is if he has been raised from the dead, and he most certainly has.

So go today, dear military child, with this good news. You have a Good Shepherd who walks with you through that dark valley. Even when you and I have to face the dark valley of death, David says, we will fear no evil, because Jesus faced that dark valley of death, and he came through on the other side by rising from the dead. So will we too. We will come through on the other side just fine, because we will rise from the dead just like Jesus, never to be afraid, never to be scared ever again.

Prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word, that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore, for you live and reign with him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Full Forgiveness – April 19, 2024

2024/04/19/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8,9

Full Forgiveness

Daily Devotion – April 19, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 1:8,9

See series: Devotions

People love to minimize the real faults in their lives. They will admit to doing something wrong in the past, but they will quickly explain how it’s not as bad as what someone else has done. They claim to be improving, at least to the point where previous faults should not be brought up. They have thought through so many rationalizations that it becomes hard to pin them down.

God says that is a dangerous way to live. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, plain and simple. Everyone has sinned and continues to sin. There is no one righteous, not even one. If you claim that, you are simply not telling the truth.

It is far safer and healthier to confess our sins. In fact, the healthiest practice is daily confession. You don’t have to fear that you are conceding something to God when you confess the bad things you have done, or the good things you have neglected. God has promised to forgive you and is faithful to all his promises.

Because of the work of Jesus, taking the punishment for your sins, God is even just when he forgives you. He cleanses you from all unrighteousness by his powerful word of forgiveness.

Prayer:
Holy God, gracious Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. 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.

Extraordinary Eyewitnesses – April 18, 2024

2024/04/18/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48

Extraordinary Eyewitnesses

Daily Devotion – April 18, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 24:48

See series: Devotions

Your friend busts into the room with an amazing story. He tells it with great gusto and appropriate hand gestures. He pauses just before the good parts. You are captivated. Then you ask him, “Were you there?” And he responds, “No, I just heard about it.” It doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the story, but it does make you wonder whether it actually happened the way he described it.

Every Easter we hear the story of Jesus rising from the dead. It’s breathtaking, and it gives us shivers to hear it, think about it, and celebrate it. But some wonder whether it got garbled in the retelling. Did it really happen the way that the Bible says it did?

The disciples of Jesus saw the resurrection happen. They reported it just as they had seen and heard it. Jesus gave them a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that they could report it word for word without mistakes. When it comes to Jesus rising from the dead, we have extraordinary eyewitnesses.

When the details of the resurrection get garbled in your head, go back to the original accounts in the Bible and read them again for yourself: Matthew chapter 28, Mark chapter 16, Luke chapter 24, and John chapter 20. You will be able to read what the eyewitnesses have to say, and can enjoy repeating their story with gusto and joy.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 746, st. 6)
Lord, I love to tell the story.
O wonderful redemption!
The price for sin is paid,
Salvation is accomplished
My heart is unafraid
For God has raised Christ Jesus
To show the work was done;
His glorious resurrection
Declared the vict-ry won! 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.

Walk Straight! – April 17, 2024

2024/04/17/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 1 John 1:5–2:2

God is light; . . . if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:5–2:2 (selected verses)

Walk Straight!

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Family Devotion – April 17, 2024

Devotion based on 1 John 1:5–2:2

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Before leaving their classroom, the first graders in Mrs. Robinson’s class would recite this poem: “When we’re lined up straight and tall, mouths shut—eyes forward, hands at our side; then we’re ready for the hall.” The students were well-trained by their teacher and tried to show their love for her by following those rules.

When Mrs. Robinson’s class waited patiently in the cafeteria line or quietly lined up after recess, a bystander would comment on their fine behavior. The students would smile, knowing that when they got back to their classroom, Mrs. Robinson would reward them with a tally mark—getting one tally closer to their goal of an “afternoon movie!”

From time to time, however, a student from Mrs. Robinson’s class would not be lined up straight or tall—their mouth would not be closed, and their hands not at their side. This was the opposite of their hallway motto. When that happened, the janitor or another bystander would remark, “Aren’t they in Mrs. Robinson’s class? They sure aren’t acting like it!”

Sometimes, it is easy and looks like fun to be like one of those students wiggling in line or talking when they’re not supposed to. How many times have we listened to the world’s classroom rules instead of our loving teacher, God’s rules?

For example, God’s rule: “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.” The world’s rule: “Remember your SELF today by sleeping in soundly.”

Here’s one more of God’s rules: “You should have no other gods.” The world’s rule: “You be you and have no other worries.”

When we break God’s classroom rules, what do we deserve? No afternoon movie! Instead a recess in hell that never ends. How horrible! But God is our loving teacher and wants us in his classroom. He sent someone who “walked straight and tall, mouth shut—eyes forward, hands at his side; ready for the hall.” Thanks to the perfect student, Jesus, who shed his blood that “purifies us from all sin,” we are getting closer and closer to the most beautiful place of heaven!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes it’s so hard to just sit still and listen when I want to wiggle around and say what I want. In that moment, help me follow you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Explain how to play the game, “Follow the Leader.” What happens if you don’t do exactly what the leader does?
What makes a good leader? Who is the best leader?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Share at least two rules at your school or at home.
True or False? “Rules are a good thing.” Explain your answer.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Think of a time you got in trouble for breaking the rules in some way. What was the consequence for it? How did you feel about it?
Think of a time your friend got in trouble for breaking a rule. What was the consequence for them? Would you have been willing to take the punishment for your friend? Why was Jesus willing to take our punishment?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Marvelous Message – April 17, 2024

2024/04/17/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.
Luke 24:47

Marvelous Message

Daily Devotion – April 17, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 24:47

See series: Devotions

Jesus had some pretty interesting things to say. He found people who thought they were living their best lives, and he told them that it wasn’t good enough. They had to repent. He found people who were despairing that they would ever be able to live good lives, and he told them that their sins were forgiven.

Anyone could have said the things that Jesus did. People have talked about living better lives in a variety of ways, but you have to wonder whether their ideas are better than anyone else’s. People can assure you that you should feel better about your life for various reasons, but you have to wonder if those reasons are really valid.

Jesus said that his ideas about how to live were really what God wanted. Jesus said he would earn forgiveness of sins by sacrificing himself on the cross. Then Jesus rose from the dead to prove that what he said was really true.

Jesus told his disciples that the message continues to this day. He calls you to repentance, that is, to stop thinking that your own works can get you to heaven to be sorry for what you have done wrong. He calls you to faith, that is, confidence that your sins are really forgiven through the work of Jesus.

It’s a marvelous message.

Prayer:
Lord God, we give you thanks for clearly calling us to repentance and forgiveness through faith in 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.

Real Resurrection – April 16, 2024

2024/04/16/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see, a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Luke 24:39-43

Real Resurrection

Daily Devotion – April 16, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 24:39-43

See series: Devotions

The early disciples must have wondered if Jesus was a ghost when he rose from the dead. It would have made sense to them. They had seen him die, and they had seen him buried, so if he were to come back from the dead, it would have to be as a spirit.

Jesus demonstrated to them that he had risen from the dead in far more than spirit. He had them touch his body. He showed them the hands and feet that had been nailed to the cross. He ate real food. Jesus had risen from the dead with both soul and body.

In these modern days there are people who insist that Jesus could not actually have risen from the dead. After all, no one does that, right? People are willing to consider the possibility that there are ghosts and even willing to consider the idea of zombies, but they are unwilling to believe that people can rise from the dead, body and soul.

Jesus did rise from the dead, body and soul, and he made it clear that everyone who believes in him will do the same. On judgment day, believers in Jesus will have their real souls reunited with their real bodies in a glorified form, unable to sin anymore.

Because Jesus lives, we too shall live.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise of real resurrection. 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 Have a Meaningful Message to Share – Week of April 15, 2024

2024/04/15/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

We Have a Meaningful Message to Share – Week of April 15, 2024

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7

ECME Devotion April 15, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

You fill the sensory bin with water, put some sponges in it, give the instructions to the kids and let them play. They’re exploring and having fun! When a child puts the sponge in the water, lifts it up from the water and squeezes it… what trickles out of the sponge? Water, right? It would be some sort of absurdity if orange juice or milk was squeezed out of the sponge that only had contact with water, right?

The same is true of a Christian. A Christian is filled up with God’s Word; we take in the message of the gospel, of sins forgiven and the grace given freely to us through Jesus, totally undeserved. We are left in awe and wonder of the love of God, that he would give up his only Son to pay for our sins!

As a Christian filled with God’s love, grace, and forgiveness, nothing but the Gospel can flow out of us!

Unfortunately, this is not always true in our lives. We are filled up with God’s Word on Sunday at church and at our weekly bible study group. Maybe we even top ourselves off with a daily bible reading as a side to our morning coffee. Doing pretty good, aren’t we?

But then we’re also filled up with God’s name haphazardly used in our friend group, the TV show we’re binging that contains just a few scenes every episode of extramarital relationships, the slander of other people in the break room at work. And sooner or later we find anything but the Gospel message being squeezed out of us.

The people we work with or the friends we surround ourselves with don’t see God’s light shining through our words and actions, but rather the things of this world that are not from God. Those people we care so much about don’t hear the life-saving message of the Gospel come out of our mouths, and we miss the opportunity God is placing right in front of us to share his name!

So we pivot! God’s law convicts our hearts. The love of Christ compels us. We are blood bought sons and daughters of the Eternal God himself, heirs to his kingdom, and messengers of his love! The words we proclaimed on Easter morning, “HE IS RISEN INDEED!” become our tagline! Because of Jesus’ resurrection we have already won the battle and are victorious over Satan’s temptations to speak anything but the good news of salvation through Christ alone!

So what is going to squeeze out of your sponge today? May it always be the love of God. May you be filled with the gospel and squeeze it out onto everyone you come in contact with today – the children you teach, the people you work with, the family you serve. You have the most meaningful message to share: He is risen indeed!

Prayer:
Fill our hearts today, Risen Savior! Fill us up with your grace and compassion. Convict our hearts when temptation gets the best of us and we fail to share the good news of the gospel with others. The message we have to share is an eternal one that has life-changing truth! Give us strength and eagerness to share this message always. Amen.

Question to consider:
Gossip, slander, sexual immorality, and the misuse of God’s name surround us far too often. Consider a few ways you can stand firm and not fall into temptation. Think of a few ways to fill yourself up with God’s Word instead of those things.

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.

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.

Sing a Little Ditty of Praise! – April 15, 2024

2024/04/15/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read:Acts 3:11-20

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them . . . When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? . . . The God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed. . . . You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. . . I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
Acts 3:11-20

Sing a Little Ditty of Praise!

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Family Devotion – April 15, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 3:11-20

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Years ago, there was a cartoon character named Psalty the Singing Songbook. Psalty had a few hit songs , perhaps his biggest hit being, “Amen, Praise the Lord!” It is an action song sung with energy by many Sunday schoolers and teachers. If there is a lull in the lesson, or the students need a brain break, nothing gets the kids moving like getting out of their seats and following the directions to this little ditty; “I’m gonna jump down, turn around, touch the ground and praise the Lord!”

Right before our reading—a man unable to walk since birth was healed in Jesus’ name and performed a similar sequence of actions. “He went…walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

After witnessing the commotion of the crazy events when Peter healed the man, people composed an action verse of their own: “We were astonished, came running, showed surprise and stared at them!”

That’s when Peter began to do some finger-pointing at the surprised people. He walked them step by step through Jesus’ journey to Calvary. He said, “You handed him over, disowned him, released a murderer instead and killed the Lord.” That is not as catchy or happy as the fun Psalty song, but it had to be said. Peter knew the people “acted in ignorance”—he alerts them to what they had done without knowing they had done it.

God used those awful actions for his purpose. Like he often does, God twists, turns, and flips something bad into good for those who love him. Jesus, the author of life and composer of all, was killed. And if that was the end of the stanza, we would never feel like singing again. But there is more to the stanza of salvation, “God raised him from the dead” (Acts 3:15).

Thanks to the Holy Spirit who worked faith in our hearts, we are not ignorant of that stunning song of salvation! We know and believe that our sins have been wiped out because of Jesus, and that gives us reason to “Jump down, turn around, touch the ground, & Praise the Lord!”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, even when things aren’t going well in our lives, please help us remember what you have done for us, and by faith, we can join in singing this song, “Repent, turn to God, be refreshed, and praise the Lord!” Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Name one thing you heard in today’s devotion that makes you want to “Jump down, turn around, touch the ground, & Praise the Lord!”
After today’s devotion is done, have someone look up “Amen, Praise the Lord!” so you can you do all the actions!

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Discuss the following: Singing praises to God only counts as praise if it sounds pretty.
Make a list of things you always wanted to talk to God about. Which do you want to talk to him about today?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Put yourself in the sandals of one of the people who didn’t know what they did to Jesus. How would you feel after hearing the laundry list of all those awful things you did wrong that ended with Jesus being killed?
After Peter showed them their sins, he refreshed them with the sweet gospel message. Play the word association game. In 30 seconds, come up with all the words that you think of when you hear “refresh.” And that’s how we can feel knowing our sins are wiped away!

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Perfect Peace – April 15, 2024

2024/04/15/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Luke 24:36

Perfect Peace

Daily Devotion – April 15, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 24:36

See series: Devotions

In the Middle East, it is common to greet one another by saying, “Peace.” That was true already at the time when Jesus rose from the dead. So when he appeared to his disciples and said, “Peace be with you,” it could have been understood as a simple greeting.

But it was far more than that. The disciples were unsettled. They were not sure that Jesus had really risen from the dead. They were uncertain whether they had done the right thing at the time of his trial and crucifixion. They did not know where they stood with one another, much less where they stood with Jesus.

All those uncertainties made it important for Jesus to greet them by saying, “Peace be with you.” He needed to assure them that his relationship with them was good. Because he had died to take the punishment for their sins because he had risen from the dead to prove that his promise of forgiveness was true, he could calm a whole range of anxiety with those simple words, “Peace be with you.”

We also live with uncertainty. We wonder whether we have done the right thing. We don’t know how we stand with one another, and we waver in our confidence that Jesus loves us. Because Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins because he rose from the dead to prove that his promise of forgiveness for us is true, we rejoice to hear Jesus say it to us, too. “Peace be with you.”

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for calming our anxiety by assuring us that we have perfect peace with 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.

Transformed – teen devotion – April 14, 2024

2024/04/14/in Teen Devotions

One truth shared: Jesus is the Savior of all people from all sins.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 1:5 – 2:2

A Savior for All

Trey and Tyler had become good friends over time. They had been working together, flipping fries side-by-side, for almost seven months. They usually were scheduled on the same days, and they had a lot of fun. They called it T² Tuesdays when they worked together on that day. Silly, but that’s the kind of fun they had. That is, until Tyler started acting funny.

Trey wasn’t sure what it was, but he could tell Tyler was off. His head and shoulders seemed to droop. He acted and talked like he was distracted. His big belly laughs became few and far between. After noticing this getting worse over a couple of shifts, Trey finally asked Tyler, “Hey, are you alright man? You seem like you’ve been off lately.”

Trey was shocked to see tears welling up in the eyes of Tyler, a normally fun-loving yet tough football player. What he didn’t know was that he was actually the first person to notice and say something to Tyler. Sputtering out words that he seemed to have been holding back for weeks, Tyler said, “Nah man. I’m not. I’m not good right now.”

In a vulnerable moment, Tyler went on to share that he had not been making many good choices lately. He got caught up in drinking and smoking with some friends, and then he got caught doing it, too. He was in big trouble with his parents. He was going to be suspended for the first two games of the next season. And worst of all, among all the people he let down, it hurt to know that he let himself down. Tyler didn’t know what to do or if he could ever forgive himself.

It was definitely a blessing from God that the two had developed a friendship over the last months, because Trey felt comfortable enough to tell Tyler exactly what he needed to hear. He shared some of the verses above from 1 John. Trey reminded Tyler that there is a lot of sinful darkness in the world, and that he too falls into sin. But then he reminded Tyler that Jesus came as the Light of the world to shine brightly in the darkness with his love and forgiveness. What a comfort to know that, “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” The two were busy at work, so they didn’t have a lot of time to talk. But Trey could tell his words about Jesus and his forgiveness made Tyler feel a little better. He invited him to church to hear more about Jesus.

The joy of knowing that Jesus is alive and that we have peace is the greatest joy of all. What can be better than knowing that not only your worst sins, but all your sins, have been paid for by Jesus! Too few in this world don’t know that message. So be bold and courageous and shine brightly in this world. Let the world know that there is a Savior for our sins, “not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I’m so thankful that you came to save me from my many sins. You have rescued me from the darkness of death and hell. Help me to shine with the brightness of your light and love into this dark world. Use me to spread the good news that you are the Savior of all. Amen.

Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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 Ultimate Refreshment – April 14, 2024

2024/04/14/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
Acts 3:19,20

The Ultimate Refreshment

Daily Devotion – April 14, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 3:19,20

See series: Devotions

A multitude of products promise to quench our thirst: A variety of teas and juices, sports drinks, and dozens of brands of soda ranging from caffeine-loaded to caffeine-free all claim that if we drink them, we will find refreshment.

Interestingly, many of these products actually deprive the body of the refreshment it needs. Despite flashy marketing techniques and new and exotic tastes, some beverages fall flat when it comes to delivering the refreshment the consumer is paying for.

The same can be said of the many religions that promise spiritual refreshment. Not many deliver what is promised. Not many deliver what the soul needs: peace, hope, joy, contentment, and freedom from fear.

In fact, only one product delivers true, lasting spiritual refreshment. The only thing that refreshes is the forgiveness of sins.

Only the forgiveness of sins gives peace—peace of conscience and the peace of knowing that we are no longer enemies of God. Only the forgiveness of sins deals with the guilt and scarring left by sin and failure. Only the forgiveness of sins, won for all by Jesus’ death on the cross, gives lasting spiritual refreshment.

In our Bible reading today, the apostle Peter’s call to repentance echoes across the centuries to our hearts. Rather than take forgiveness for granted, we confess our sins and are refreshed with God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness of sins is the ultimate refreshment. It’s free, and it’s yours through Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you I am forgiven and refreshed. May I always cling to you, my perfect Savior. 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.

Peace Be With You – April 13, 2024

2024/04/13/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19

Peace Be With You

Daily Devotion – April 13, 2024

Devotion based on John 20:19

See series: Devotions

What causes you to lock the doors? What makes you afraid?

For Jesus’ first disciples, it was fear of what the Jewish leaders might do to them, fear that they might do to them what they had done to Jesus. You might also say it was fear of the future—fear of an unknown future. That fear caused them to hide and huddle. It paralyzed them.

How about you? What causes you to huddle and hide? What keeps you from taking action in life and in the name of the Lord? Is it fear of what others might say or do? Is it fear of an unknown future? What causes you to lock the doors?

When situations that have the potential to fill you with fear rise around you, Jesus stands next to you and says, “Peace be with you!”

After Jesus spoke those words to his first disciples on Easter evening, he said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” and went on to talk about the work of the Holy Spirit and the gift of forgiveness. Jesus was not only the extender of peace—he was the provider of peace. This is why he had come—to seek and to save the lost, to offer himself in perfect payment for sin, and to offer his living hands and side as positive proof of his victory. Jesus came to bring the forgiveness that disarms fear and opens the way to true, lasting peace.

This peace does not dictate what others might say or do to you, but it keeps you secure no matter what others might say or do. This peace does not determine what the future holds for you, but it does uphold you no matter what the future holds. All of this is wrapped up in Jesus’ words: “Peace be with you!”

Prayer:
O blessed Savior, I thank you for your death and resurrection. Through your faithful work, I know I have peace with God. Continue to bless me with this peace. Use it to calm my fears, remove my doubts, and give me a never-failing joy. 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.

Courage that comes from confidence – April 12, 2024

2024/04/12/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Acts 18:1-11

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Acts 18:1-11

Courage that comes from confidence

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – April 12, 2024

Devotion based on Acts 18:1-11

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever been really sure of something? Like really, really sure of something?

Paul was so sure that Jesus was the Savior of the world that he told as many people as he could, no matter where he went. He was convinced that Jesus died not only for his sins, but for everyone. He knew for certain that Jesus rose from the dead, and that by believing in Jesus, a person could live with God forever.

But some people didn’t want to hear what Paul had to say. Others listened but didn’t believe him. Still others got angry at Paul because of what he was teaching people. They told Paul they were going to hurt him if he didn’t stop telling people about Jesus.

Paul was so sure of what he believed, he was so sure that Jesus was the Savior, he was so sure that everyone needed to hear about Jesus, that he kept telling people. He wasn’t going to stop simply because some people had told him to stop. Jesus even appeared to Paul and encouraged him in the work of telling people about all he had done. He promised that he would always be with him, so he didn’t need to be afraid.

You’ve heard in our devotions this week how you can be sure that Jesus died for you and now is alive. He has forgiven your sins and given you eternal life. But it is good news that isn’t just for you only! Jesus wants everyone to know that he is the Savior.

You can be just as sure that Jesus is your Savior and the Savior of everyone. Like Paul, you too can tell everyone about Jesus! Jesus even encourages you to talk about him—especially to someone who doesn’t know about him. He promised that he will be with you when you do. You don’t need to be afraid, especially when sharing Jesus with other people!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, you have convinced me that Jesus is my Savior and that he rose from the dead on Easter. Strengthen me and help me to share that good news with everyone I know and everyone I meet. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Who is someone you want to tell about Jesus and what he has done?
What is so good about Jesus and what he did that we will want to tell others?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How did the Lord encourage Paul?
What makes you afraid to tell people about Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why do you think Paul needed the Lord’s encouragement about his mission work?
How does the Lord encourage you in your work of telling people about Jesus?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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.

Military Devotion – Peace for the Military Child – April 12, 2024

2024/04/12/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Military Devotion – Peace for the Military Child – April 12, 2024

Jesus has words for the military child and the military family. And it’s just four simple words: Peace be with you. These are the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples after he rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Proof of the Unseen – April 12, 2024

2024/04/12/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Then Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29

Proof of the Unseen

Daily Devotion – April 12, 2024

Devotion based on John 20:29

See series: Devotions

There’s an old adage: Seeing is believing. It means you need to see something to accept that it is true. That saying, however, is not always true. People believe in all sorts of things they have not seen. For example, do you believe that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?

Of course! Even though you didn’t see it happen, you know that it did. Why are you sure of it? Because there is proof of what you yourself did not see. Other people met him and gave eyewitness testimony about him, so you believe it happened.

What about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Do you need to see Jesus to believe he rose from the dead? Thomas thought that. He had missed Jesus’ first appearance to the disciples after he rose from the dead. When the others told him they had seen Jesus alive again, Thomas did not believe them. He said, “Unless I see, I will not believe it.”

Like Thomas, you have never seen Jesus alive after being dead for three days. Should you bet your life and eternity on something you have never seen? Not if seeing is believing.

Thankfully, seeing is not believing—there is proof of what you have not seen. Jesus answered Thomas’ doubt by physically appearing to him and giving him the proof he wanted. He gives you proof, too, but in a different way.

Jesus only appeared in person for forty days after his resurrection. After that, people relied not on seeing him with their own eyes but on the eyewitness testimony of those who did see him. In fact, Jesus calls you blessed if you believe even though you have not seen.

You don’t need to see or touch Jesus’ wounds to believe. You don’t need to see Jesus to know he’s real. When it comes to believing in Jesus and his resurrection, he has provided you with proof of the unseen that is just as blessed as witnessing it yourself.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for blessing me, through the testimony of your witnesses. 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.

Salvation Delivered – April 11, 2024

2024/04/11/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:21-23

Salvation Delivered

Daily Devotion – April 11, 2024

Devotion based on John 20:21-23

See series: Devotions

When Jesus came into our world, he lived a perfect life, completely fulfilling God’s law. Then he died a sinner’s death, paying the price for your sins. Finally, Jesus rose from the dead, guaranteeing your sins are forgiven. By his life, death, and resurrection, he accomplished your salvation.

But how does that accomplished salvation get to you? If Jesus lived, died, and rose for you, but you didn’t hear about it, would it do you any good? If God has forgiveness for you but you don’t receive it, how can it help you?

Thank God for today’s Bible passage! On the evening of the first Easter, the risen Christ appeared to his disciples and commissioned them to preach the results of his work to the world.

They told people about the sin that would damn them. Why? Because they wanted their listeners to turn from their sins and live forever with Jesus in heaven. If the people acknowledged their need for forgiveness, the disciples forgave them. If they refused to admit their sin, the disciples refused to forgive them. In all this, they simply announced what Jesus had accomplished, and God did the work of convicting and forgiving.

He continues that same work to this day—sending Christians in every time and place to preach and teach his Word. And by that Word preached, taught, and read from the Scriptures, the salvation he accomplished on the cross is delivered to you.

First, he does it. Then he delivers it. You need both! Thank God he has done both!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for delivering the salvation you accomplished to those you need it, including 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.

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