Devotions

Bad or Good? – February 6, 2026

2026/02/06/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Matthew 5:1-12

[Jesus said] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

Bad or Good?

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

Devon was having a rough morning when he came down to breakfast. He hadn’t slept well because of all the thunder and lightning from the storms last night. And then his morning got worse when he looked out the window and saw his favorite tree lying in pieces on the ground. Devon was ready to cry until his dad said something surprising: it was a good thing the storm caused the tree to fall down.

Devon didn’t understand how his dad could be glad about a tree falling down. What a mess! Yes, Devon’s dad explained, that was true. But the tree was old and rotted. It needed to be taken down because it could have easily fallen on the house or on power lines. Instead, the tree fell in a way that didn’t hurt anybody or cause any major damage. So, what looked like a bad thing to Devon was actually a good thing.

Jesus taught his disciples lots of things during their three years together. Some of those things were surprising—like the Sermon on the Mount. In this special sermon, Jesus talked about people who are blessed (or happy). How surprising when Jesus identifies them as the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and so on. He then says something even more surprising: that his followers are blessed when people insult them and mistreat them and tell lies about them because of him. Not only are they blessed when these things happen—they should even rejoice and be glad!

Thankfully, Jesus also explains why his disciples should rejoice and be glad. Everything bad that might happen to them because they believed in Jesus was only temporary. Yes, life would be hard for them on this earth because they followed him, but that was only for a short time. They had something much better to look forward to—an eternity in heaven where they would receive their reward.

You likely won’t be treated badly in the same way Jesus’ disciples were. But what if someone makes fun of you because you believe in Jesus? What if they say you spend too much time at church or that going to church is stupid? Even though it hurts when people are mean to you, remember this: you can rejoice and be glad, because someday you will see God face to face, and that will be your greatest reward!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, it can be hard when people make fun of me for believing in you. Thank you for reminding me to be glad in those hard times and to look forward to my reward in heaven. 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 did Jesus tell his disciples to do when people made fun of them for believing in him?
What could Jesus’ disciples look forward to?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why can we rejoice and be glad even when people are making fun of us?
Sometimes our reward in heaven seems so far away. Name one thing that helps remind you of heaven.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Matthew 5:1-12 is called “The Beatitudes” or series of “Blessings.” Read the whole section. Which “blessed are you” statement stands out the most to you? Why?
When you endure something humiliating because of your faith, why is it important to remember your greater reward in heaven?

Download Family Devotions

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.

Peacemaking – February 6, 2026

2026/02/06/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Peacemaking

What is a peacemaker? A peacemaker is someone who steps into tension with a goal, not to win, not to escape, but to bring peace. That sounds noble. It also sounds exhausting. Especially when we remember that people are complicated and disagreements are real, and peace isn’t always welcome.

So, Jesus’ words come to us both as a comfort and a challenge: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Before we think about what it means for us to make peace, we need to start with the One who made peace with us. The Bible says that by nature we weren’t neutral toward God. We were actually opposed to him. Our sin created a war we couldn’t end. Yet God didn’t stand at a distance, demanding that we make the first move. Instead, he sent his Son to reconcile us to himself.

Jesus made peace not by ignoring sin but by carrying it. Not by pretending the conflict didn’t matter but by absorbing its full cost in his own body on the cross. His resurrection declared victory. Peace is now yours, fully and forever.

That peace with God becomes the foundation for peace with others.

Peacemaking doesn’t mean surrendering truth. It doesn’t mean allowing harm to continue or pretending wrong is right. It means approaching every person in conflict as someone who has been forgiven much and loved deeply. It means speaking truth without hostility, offering grace without conditions, and seeking understanding instead of retaliation.

Peacemaking is often quiet and unseen, but Jesus sees it. And here is his promise: “They will be called children of God.” Not because peacemaking earns your place in God’s family, but because it reflects the character of the Father who brought you into it. Every act of peacemaking whispers that you are blessed to belong to the God who made peace with you through Christ.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for making peace between God and me. Give me a heart that is gentle, truthful, and willing to seek peace. Help me reflect your love in every conflict I face. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Mercy – February 5, 2026

2026/02/05/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7

Mercy

If mercy were easy, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to preach about it. Mercy means showing compassion when it isn’t earned and giving kindness when it isn’t deserved. Mercy steps toward people who disappoint us, inconvenience us, or wound us, which are not usually moments when we feel particularly “blessed.”

That is why Jesus’ words might surprise us: “Blessed are the merciful.” The world often views mercy as a sign of weakness. Jesus calls it evidence of a heart transformed by grace.

To understand mercy, we start not with what we give, but with what we’ve been given. Think about the mercy Christ has shown you. He saw you long before you cleaned up your behavior or learned Christian vocabulary. He saw you tangled in sin, burdened by guilt, and unable to fix yourself. And instead of turning away, he drew near.

Mercy carried him through dusty villages to the forgotten and the broken. Mercy led him to wash the feet of his disciples who would soon abandon him. Mercy moved him to pray for his executioners even as they drove nails through his hands. Mercy kept him on the cross, where he took the punishment you and I had earned so that we could receive the forgiveness we could never deserve.

That is the mercy that saved you. And that mercy now shapes your life.

When Jesus calls you blessed for showing mercy, he isn’t saying you earn God’s favor by being kind enough or forgiving enough. He is saying that those who know his mercy begin to reflect it. Mercy is not a task to perform but a fruit that grows in a heart touched by grace.

The same mercy that met you at the cross meets you again every morning, covering your failures, lifting your spirit, and renewing your ability to show mercy to others. You give mercy because you live from mercy. And that makes you blessed indeed.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the mercy you show me every day. Let your compassion soften my heart, guide my words, and shape my actions, so that others may see your love through me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Striving to Be Foolish and Weak – February 4, 2026

2026/02/04/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

Striving to Be Foolish and Weak

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

Foolish. Weak. What do you think of when you hear these words? Do you feel like you want to be foolish and weak, or would you rather be wise and strong? That’s a silly question, isn’t it? You go to school every day so that you can be wise instead of foolish. You eat healthy foods and get enough sleep so that you can be strong instead of weak. Who would want to be foolish or weak if they could be wise or strong?

The apostle Paul gives us a surprising answer to that question. He says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Why? Why would God choose weak or foolish things when he could have something strong or wise instead? Does God actually want you to be foolish and weak? Yes . . . and no.

God doesn’t want you to stop going to school so that you can be foolish. He doesn’t want you to eat junk food all day and stay up all night so that you can be weak. He does want you to remember where your strength and wisdom come from, though.

Trying to be wise and strong on your own apart from God isn’t going to get you very far. Instead, that attitude will bring you to shame sooner or later. You’ll eventually run into a problem you can’t solve or a task you can’t tackle, a problem or a task where your own wisdom or strength just isn’t good enough. But when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you can be confident that he’s walking alongside of you and giving you everything you need to live a life of faith.

Relying on God for your wisdom and strength might make you look weak and foolish to those around you. They might say that it doesn’t make sense to believe in God. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus must have looked foolish and weak to the world when he was hanging on the cross, but that’s how he saved us. So when you appear foolish and weak to the world, when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you’re doing exactly what God wants you to do. Without God, you have nothing. With him, you have everything!

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for being my wisdom when I am foolish and my strength when I am weak. 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

Would you rather be foolish and weak or wise and strong?
Who should you rely on for your strength and wisdom?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Agree or disagree: God wants you to be foolish and weak.
Why might you look foolish or weak to the world when you rely on God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Explain what he means.
How can you live during your time on this earth so that your life will truly be finished at its end?

Download Family Devotions

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 Gives Us Comfort – February 4, 2026

2026/02/04/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Jesus Gives Us Comfort

At first glance, Jesus’ words sound contradictory. Blessed are those who mourn? Most of us spend our days trying to avoid sorrow, rather than embracing it. We fill our schedules, distract our minds, and tighten our emotional armor so we don’t have to face the things that hurt. Mourning doesn’t feel like a blessing. It feels like breaking.

But Jesus knows something we often forget. Sorrow has a way of bringing us to the end of ourselves so that we can find our beginning in him.

When Jesus speaks of those who mourn, he certainly includes those weighed down by the griefs and losses that come with living in a broken world. But Jesus also speaks of a deeper mourning: sorrow over sin. There is a particular kind of ache that comes when God’s Word exposes truths we’d rather not face.

And here is Jesus’ promise: “They will be comforted.” Not “might be.” Not “if they pull themselves together.” They will be comforted.

The comfort Jesus gives is not the shallow reassurance that things aren’t so bad. It is the deep comfort of forgiveness fully won at the cross. It is the comfort of a Savior who sits with you in the ashes and lifts your chin to remind you that your sins are nailed to his cross and cannot condemn you anymore. It is the comfort of a Shepherd who walks with you through the darkest valleys and promises that no grief will have the final word, not even death. His empty tomb guarantees it.

So, if you live today with sorrow, whether sorrow over life’s wounds or sorrow over your own sin, hear Jesus’ gentle blessing. You are not abandoned, forgotten, or cursed. You are blessed because Christ comes near to comfort you with mercy that does not run dry.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, teach me to bring my sorrows and my sins to you. Comfort me with your forgiveness, strengthen me with your presence, and fill my heart with the hope only you can give. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Wisdom from God – February 3, 2026

2026/02/03/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30

Wisdom from God

If you have ever wondered what it means for your identity to be Christian, wonder no longer. This Bible verse answers the question. Everything a person is as a believer begins and ends with Christ.

The Bible says that Christ “has become for us wisdom from God.” That means you don’t have to figure out how to reach God. You don’t have to decode spiritual mysteries through your own intelligence or intuition. God’s wisdom has already come to you, wrapped in the person of Jesus. When you look at Christ crucified, you see God’s heart, God’s plan, and God’s love laid bare.

Christ is your righteousness. Think of that word the way a judge would. Righteousness means innocence, a perfect record, a spotless standing before the law. You don’t earn it. You don’t polish it. You don’t maintain it by good performance. Through faith, Christ gives you his own record, his own obedience, his own perfection. In Christ, God looks at you and sees “not guilty.”

He is your holiness, too. Holiness isn’t about how flawless you feel on your best days. It’s about being set apart by God as his treasured child. Because of Jesus, you are declared holy even when your heart feels cluttered with the same old sins. Your status in God’s family rests on Christ, not on the strength of your spiritual progress.

And Christ is your redemption. That word pictures a price paid, a slave set free, a prisoner released. Jesus didn’t just speak forgiveness over you; he purchased it with his own blood. He didn’t just open the door of your cell; he walked you out into the sunlight of a new life.

So today, remember what defines you. Not your success or failure. Not your feelings or fears. Not your wisdom or weakness. Christ is your wisdom, your righteousness, your holiness, your redemption. In other words, you have everything you need in him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for being everything I need. Teach me to rest in your righteousness, walk in your holiness, and trust in your redeeming love. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

You Are Equipped – Week of February 2, 2026

2026/02/02/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27

You Are Equipped

Imagine you’re meeting a friend for coffee. You both stand in line and catch up as the barista makes your drink. After the barista hands you your beverages, you find a table ready to continue chatting. But then your friend says to you, “You know; you’re not smart, influential or important.”
Wait, what?!

Our natural reaction would be to try to prove that we are smart, influential, or important. How quickly we would list the accolades that make us exactly those things. How quickly we would come to our own defense. Tearing you down—that’s not what friends are supposed to be for.
Then, we get quiet.

We remember what it was like to be handed our firstborn baby, walk out of the hospital, and think, “What am I supposed to do now?!”

We think about the to do list – the groceries, the school signups, and the dinner that needs to be made. We think about the classroom that will never be prepped in time and the materials that just never seem to be where they are supposed to be. And why are we always out of blue paint?

We remember the camping trips where inevitably something is always forgotten. (That’s okay; I guess I didn’t really need a pillow.)

It may feel like our family is falling apart and we never have enough time together.

Then there’s the loss of a loved one that we still think about daily.

We think of all the ways that Jesus reminds us, “You have nothing without me.” Yet, we keep trying to do it ourselves. We continue to get frustrated when that doesn’t work. We continue to be frustrated that we keep falling short and that we keep spinning in circles after trying everything.

Finally, we’re brought back to reality. Then we have to say, “You’re right. I’m not smart, influential or important!”

Then comes God. God’s power and wisdom are not dependent on human status and what we can do on our own.

As God always does, he doesn’t leave us alone and unequipped. He remains constant. He reminds us that he has equipped us. He stands still for us. He says, “I’ve got you. You have nothing without me, but you have everything with me. When you feel alone, I’m right beside you. When you walk through the dark valleys, I am with you. Those big hard things that seem impossible, I will equip you for all that comes your way. Remember? I have overcome the world. You are blessed through me and because of me.”

It all may be too big on our own. By ourselves, we can’t handle the to-do list and serving one hundred school kids and their families. By ourselves, we don’t have the strength when a family feels like it is falling apart or we are grieving the loss of a loved one.

But the beautiful thing is that we don’t have to do those things alone. God stands strong, he stands tall, and he says, “I. AM. HERE. I’ve got you. With me, you are wise. With me, you are influential. With me, you can do everything. With me, you are blessed. You are never alone. You are equipped for whatever I put in your life.”

May Jesus continue to remind you, today and always, that you are equipped, you are exactly where God called you to be, and you are blessed.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Please remind us today and always, that I am equipped and exactly where your Father needs me to be. Thank you for always reminding me that I am blessed by you and through you. In your name I pray. Amen.

A Question to Consider:

What is a way that God has blessed you in the last week? What is a way that God may use you to bless others in the next week?

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.

Give Thanks for the Little Things – February 2, 2026

2026/02/02/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11-13

Seek the LORD, all you humble people of the earth who have carried out his commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. Zephaniah 2:3 (EHV)

Give Thanks for the Little Things

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

What’s something you’re really good at? Maybe it’s a sport where you’ve helped your team win trophies and championships. Maybe it’s a musical instrument where you’ve played a really hard piece perfectly at a recital. Maybe you’re good at school and can solve hard problems.

When you’re good at something, you naturally want to tell someone about it. You want your friends and family members to come watch your game or concert or listen to what you’re learning in school. It’s fun when people compliment you on something you’re good at, when they give you recognition and praise.

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of things you’re good at and accomplishments you’ve worked hard to achieve. But in today’s reading, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us that there’s something else we should be good at. He says to be a humble person and “seek humility.” It means not bragging about things you’re good at. But when you’re good at something, you naturally want to share that with people! So how can you be both proud and humble at the same time?

If you rely on yourself, you can’t. If you think you’re really good at something just because you worked hard and practiced, you can’t. But if you remember where your abilities came from, if you remember who made you good at something in the first place, then you can be both proud and humble.

You are special to God. He made you just the way he wanted you to be and gave you exactly the gifts and talents he wanted you to have. Without God, you wouldn’t be good at anything. So when you remember you’re only good at something because of God, when you remember to say thank you for your successes, when you get your strength from God rather than from the things you’re good at, then you’re being humble and proud at the same time.

Thank God for what you’re good at. Thank him when you do something well. Remember that all your abilities come from him, and then you’ll be both proud and humble.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the special gifts and abilities you gave me. Remind me to always give you thanks for all the things you equip me to do well. 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’s something that you’re really good at?
Who gave you the gifts to be good at it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does it mean to be humble?
How can you be both proud and humble at the same time?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Agree or disagree: It’s wrong to appreciate recognition and praise when you do something well.
When you do something well, what is something you can say or do to show people around you that you’re thankful to God for your success?

Download Family Devotions

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 Only Credential – February 2, 2026

2026/02/02/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

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

The Only Credential

If we were to ask people at your church the reason God chose them to be believers in Jesus, you’d probably see some uncomfortable shifting in the pews. A few smiles. Maybe even a laugh. We know better. Left to ourselves, none of us has a list convincing enough to impress God.

The apostle Paul invites us to “think of what you were when you were called.” Not to shame us, but to assure us. God didn’t wait for us to become wise, influential, impressive, or spiritually polished. He called us when we were helpless and unworthy, when we had nothing to offer him but our sin. His calling was not based on our qualities but on his compassion.

This is the upside-down beauty of grace. The world celebrates strength, status, intelligence, and achievement. God delights in rescuing the weak, the unknown, the ordinary. In a world obsessed with proving ourselves, the gospel frees us from the exhausting effort of self-validation. God’s love didn’t choose us because of who we are. Instead, it helped us become what we could never be on our own.

Think of what that means for you today. Your worth does not rise or fall with your productivity. Your identity is not anchored in your accomplishments. Your hope does not depend on whether you feel spiritual enough. God’s call came to you through water and Word, through promise and proclamation, and it rested entirely on Christ’s finished work. His perfect life replaced your broken one. His cross absorbed the judgment you deserved. His empty tomb wrapped you in a future that cannot be undone.

So, walk today with confidence, the kind that comes from hearing your Savior say, “You are mine.” When doubts whisper that you are not enough, return to the truth the Bible proclaims. God chose you deliberately, joyfully, graciously. You may not be wise by the world’s standards. You may not be influential or noble. But you are Christ’s. And that is the only credential that matters.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, remind me daily that your call is pure grace. Quiet my pride and insecurity and let my confidence rest in you alone. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Christian Self-Talk – February 1, 2026

2026/02/01/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Because of Jesus, your value isn’t based on how impressive you are, but on the fact that God chose you and calls you his own.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Christian Self-Talk

It’s really easy to be hard on yourself—especially in your own head.

That voice in your mind (your self-talk) can be brutal. We set high expectations for ourselves—or feel them coming from parents, teachers, coaches, or friends—and then tear ourselves down when we don’t meet them. We want perfect grades, perfect performances, perfect bodies, perfect posts. Even the things we do for fun can start to feel like pressure.

And then there’s comparison. We scroll through social media and compare our normal, messy, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. It can leave us staring in the mirror wondering, “Am I actually good enough?” Good enough for friends. Good enough for family. Good enough for God.

But when you read the Bible—especially 1 Corinthians 1:26–31—God’s voice sounds very different from our inner critic. God doesn’t pretend we’re perfect. He’s honest about sin and weakness. But he doesn’t stop there. He tells us who we are because of Jesus. And that changes everything.

Paul reminds us that most Christians weren’t considered impressive by the world. Not the smartest. Not the strongest. Not the most popular. And yet—God chose them anyway.

Do you ever feel foolish? God chose your foolishness.
Do you feel weak? God chose your weakness.
Do you feel ignored, invisible, or looked down on? God chose the lowly and despised.

Why? So no one could brag about themselves—only about God.

When God looks at you, he doesn’t see your worst moment, your biggest mistake, or your most embarrassing failure.

He sees Jesus.

That means your self-talk doesn’t get the final word. God does. And God says, “You are chosen. You are redeemed. You belong to me.” So when that voice in your head starts tearing you down, remember this: You don’t have to boast about yourself—but you can absolutely boast about the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my thoughts about myself can be harsh and unfair. Help me see myself the way you see me: forgiven, loved, and chosen. Don’t let my mistakes or insecurities define me. Let your grace define me instead. When I look in the mirror, remind me that I belong to you. Help me live confidently as your child and love others the way you love me. 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.

A Gift Worth Opening – February 1, 2026

2026/02/01/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.
Isaiah 42:21

A Gift Worth Opening

You receive a gift. You open it up. The gift may tell you something about the person who gave you the gift. Are they a big spender? Do they have a solid grasp on current fashion? Do they know you well or not?

The same happens when you open God’s gift to you–his Word found in the Bible. Each day as you open that gift, what will you learn about your God? You will learn that he is wise and powerful and loving. And, as the prophet Isaiah writes in our Bible passage today, you will see that the God who loves you is righteous.

God wants you to know his righteousness. So, God made his Word great and glorious. He did this, not to make it a “great read” or best seller (although it is). He made his Word great and glorious so that you would clearly see and know his righteousness. And the One who is righteous makes you righteous, too.

Perhaps one of the most important clues you may pick up from a gift you receive is a clear indication of what the giver thinks of you. But many gifts from others often don’t accurately reflect this. Perhaps they like you, but not as much as their lavish gift seems to indicate. Or they deeply love you but are lousy gift givers. In the Bible, you clearly and repeatedly see that God loves you. That’s a gift that’s worth opening every day!

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, thank you for the great and glorious gift of your Word. Give me the time and desire to regularly read and study your Word. May the Holy Spirit give me understanding, wisdom and increased faith in you. Empower my faith to shine in a life of love for you and others. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Kingdom of Heaven – January 31, 2026

2026/01/31/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23

The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins

Matthew uses the word “kingdom” fifty-four times in his Gospel. The “kingdom” Jesus is talking about is not a place, but rather the saving activity of God. For example, in Matthew 13:24, we see that “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed seed…” This is a picture of the way God gathers people into heaven by means of the gospel.

The “good news (gospel) of the kingdom” is the message about how God gathers us to be his people. Part of the message is repentance—sorrow for sins and turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Another important part is God’s assurance that our sins are forgiven. For people living in an uncertain world, a world filled with tragedy, disaster, war, anger, fear, doubt, loneliness, and guilt, the assurance from God that our sins are forgiven is the only remedy. Jesus spread this remedy around and also gave people convincing proof that his message was true by performing miracles. No wonder people came from all around. He spoke words that gave people eternal life and true hope.

Jesus has also spoken to us. We have his gospel message, which assures us that our sins are forgiven. We are not held accountable before God for our sins because the guilt of all our sins was laid on Jesus. As our Savior, he rescued us from the death we deserved for our sins. He fully completed the work of our salvation. Yet the activity of God’s kingdom continues. The message about Christ and his completed work still needs to be spread through the saving Word of God. Who better to do that than you and me, who have the peace of Jesus in our hearts?

Prayer:

Jesus, amid many difficulties and challenges of my life, I am so grateful for the peace that comes from knowing you as my Savior. You established your kingdom in me by faith, now rule my life always with your loving power and tender mercy. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Good News of Epiphany – January 30, 2026

2026/01/30/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 (EHV)

The Good News of Epiphany

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

Each year has its own seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Which is your favorite?

Each church year has its own seasons, too. We just finished the Christmas season, where we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Now we’re in the Epiphany season (say it like this: ee-PIH-fuh-nee). Epiphany is an old word. It means “to show” or “to be made known.” It can also mean a big “aha!” moment—when something suddenly makes sense. People long ago used it to talk about the moment one of their gods appeared.

That helps us understand the church season of Epiphany. During Epiphany, God shows us who Jesus really is. Jesus is not just a baby in a manger. He is God’s Son, sent to save the world.

The Bible tells us that Jesus traveled through Galilee, just like the prophet Isaiah said he would hundreds of years earlier. He taught in synagogues (that’s like a Jewish church). And what did Jesus teach? He taught “the good news of the kingdom.” That means God loves sinners, forgives them, and welcomes them into his family. Anyone who is sorry for their sin and trusts in Jesus belongs to God’s kingdom.

Jesus didn’t just say these things—he showed them. He healed sick people. He made blind people see and hurting people well again. The Bible says he healed “every disease and sickness.” Only God can do that. So Jesus clearly showed who he was.

And yet . . . some people still did not believe him. They saw the miracles. They heard his words. But they still said no. Before we wonder how they could do that, we should think about ourselves. You believe in Jesus. You know who he is. But sometimes we don’t act like it.

Jesus told people the good news everywhere he went—but sometimes we stay quiet about our faith. Jesus helped people who were hurting—but sometimes we don’t want to help when it’s inconvenient. When that happens, we deny Jesus with our actions. So here’s the big question: Will Jesus deny us? No! That’s the good news of Epiphany. Jesus, the Son of God, appeared to forgive sinners—people like us. If you trust in him, you are forgiven.

Now God gives you a special job: May people who see you have their own “epiphany.” May they see Jesus’ love, kindness, and forgiveness shining through you.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for sending your Son to appear to us. May we be a mirror that reflects his love and forgiveness. 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

Why are you happy that Jesus came to earth?
If you could talk to Jesus face-to-face, what would you want to say to him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does epiphany mean? (Try explaining it in your own words.)
What are some ways Jesus showed that he is the Son of God? (Think about miracles, teaching, forgiveness, resurrection.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why do you think some people still rejected Jesus, even after seeing miracles?
Why is it important for the church to celebrate the Epiphany?

Download Family Devotions

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.

Renewed by the Light – January 30, 2026

2026/01/30/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:14

Renewed by the Light

Before you go camping in the woods, be sure to check that your flashlights all work properly and the batteries are all new. You will be far away from the artificial lights illuminating the cities and suburbs. Many thick trees can block the natural light of the stars. Unforeseen clouds and rain might also douse the light of a campfire.

Before facing a new day in this dark world, be sure to check that your spirit is recharged with the truth and grace of Jesus. We are still living far away from heaven’s glorious light. The things of this world that are supposed to bring us happiness are merely artificial lights that quickly burn out. Unexpected temptations threaten to plunge us into sinful decisions and right back into the darkness of fear and shame.

We constantly need to recharge the lights of Jesus’ truth and love in our hearts. John tells us how: “I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

The evil one still accuses, deceives, and seeks to destroy faith. Yet John dares to speak in the past tense: “You have overcome the evil one.” This victory is not based on present feelings or visible success, but on Jesus’ finished work. By his cross and resurrection, Jesus has already defeated Satan. Faith clings to that victory.

In ourselves, we are weak. Our faith wavers, our resolve collapses, and our obedience is imperfect. But in Jesus, we are strong. Those who live in the word of God will have the word of God living in them. It will renew your faith in Jesus’ victory. It will continually rekindle the joy in your heart that Jesus has overcome the darkness of evil for you.

Keep living in the word of God, and the word of God will live in you, reminding you daily that in Jesus, you are strong.

Prayer:

Jesus, Light of the world, shine in my heart. Forgive my sins and fill me with your love so that I may walk in your ways and love my neighbor as you have loved me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Walking in the Light – January 29, 2026

2026/01/29/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light.
1 John 2:8-10

Walking in the Light

Anyone who has spent too long cooped up in one place knows what cabin fever feels like. At first, it’s comfortable, safe, familiar, and predictable. But slowly, irritation creeps in. Small things start to bother us. Our patience shortens. Our perspective narrows. The walls begin to feel closer. What once felt like shelter starts to feel like confinement.

Spiritually, cabin fever can happen, too. When people remain inward-focused and demonstrate by their attitudes and actions that they love themselves more than others, darkness closes in. Our hearts become disconnected from loving relationships with God and with others.

That is what the apostle John addresses in our Bible reading when he says, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”

The best way to overcome cabin fever is to step out of your place of confinement, breathe in the fresh air again, and, best of all, go where the sun is shining.

John reminds us that the true light is already shining. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, continues to shine the light of God’s mercy and forgiveness into our darkened hearts. The good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead in victory, enlightens our hearts to believe that God’s love for us will overcome the darkness of evil.

In the end, spiritual cabin fever fades when we remember that life in Christ was never meant to be lived in isolation or fear. His love replaces our impatience with peace. His Word and promise of life with him forever, replaces our weariness with renewed purpose—to love one another as Christ loved us.

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light. Where Christ-like love is practiced, the darkness lifts, the cabin fever fades, and life opens up again.

Prayer:

Gracious Savior, you are the true Light shining in the darkness. Drive hatred and bitterness from my heart. Fill me with your mercy so that my life reflects your love to others. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The One Who Loves His Brother – January 28, 2026

2026/01/28/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: 1 John 2:3-11

The one who says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and nothing causes him to stumble. 1 John 2:4,10 (EHV)

The One Who Loves His Brother

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

Imagine saying to a police officer, “I know you! I like you!” But then you grab his hat and run away laughing.

Imagine saying to a teacher, “I know you! You’re the best!” But then you cheat on a test in her classroom.

Imagine saying to your brother or sister, “I love you!” But then you punch them in the arm or say something mean.

People would say, “That doesn’t make sense.” You can say you love someone a hundred times, but if your actions don’t match your words, people won’t believe you.

That’s what the apostle John was teaching when he wrote, “The one who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commands is a liar.” John was talking about Jesus. If someone says they know and love Jesus but never listens to him or never tries to do what he says, their words don’t match their actions.

That can feel a little scary. Have you always listened to Jesus? Have you always been loving? Kind? Obedient? John also writes, “The one who loves his brother remains in the light.”

So think about today: Were you kind to your brother or sister—or did you say something mean? Did you listen to your parents and teachers—or argue and complain? Did you treat classmates and friends with love—or ignore them or hurt their feelings?

These questions help us do something important called repentance. Repentance means admitting we have sinned and being sorry about it. But repentance doesn’t stop there. Repentance means taking that sin and sadness to Jesus. And here’s the best part: Jesus forgives. Always. Jesus is the one who perfectly loved his brothers and sisters—us! He showed that love by going to the cross and taking the punishment for our sins.

Because Jesus loves you and forgives you, you really do know him. And because you know him, you want to listen to him. That’s what it means to be “the one who loves his brother” and “remains in the light.”

God forgives you. Jesus is with you. And one day, he will raise you to live forever. That’s why, even when we mess up and stumble in sin, don’t stay stuck—keep walking in the light!

Prayer:

Lord, as you first loved us, inspire us to love one another. 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

When is it hardest to love your brother, sister, or parents? (What usually causes arguments or hurt feelings?)
How did Jesus show that he loves you? (Think about the cross, forgiveness, and promises.)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does it mean to “know Jesus”? (Is it just knowing facts—or trusting and following him?)
What are some ways you can show others that you know Jesus? (At home, school, or with friends.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

What is repentance? (Try to explain it in your own words.)
Why do we need repentance every day—even when we’re believers?

Download Family Devotions

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.

Turn to the Light – January 27, 2026

2026/01/27/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17

Turn to the Light

Driving at night on winding, unfamiliar roads, we rely heavily on our GPS to get us where we need to be. On a recent drive, navigating the roads as they twisted and turned, I diligently scanned for deer and watched for broken tree limbs that might have come down on that windy night.

I realized that the GPS guiding me was extremely important, but there was something else I was relying on. Without it, I would never have made it home. Even a perfect map would have done me no good if I did not have headlights to show me where the turns were, where the dangers were.

Light is a good thing—it exposes the dangers around us that we need to avoid. It shows us where we are headed.

The light of Jesus is very good. In Jesus, God himself came into the world and promised: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Believing in Jesus is the way to the kingdom of heaven. He is the one who endured sin’s curse for us, removing it forever. And he is the one who rose from the darkness of his own tomb, bringing to light the way to everlasting life.

But until we reach heaven, many dangers still lurk in the darkness. Often, it feels like we’re driving at night with the lights turned off.

So, Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” By calling sinners to repent, Jesus is urgently pleading with us: “Turn to me in faith! Turn on the Light of the world! I will expose the dangers around you. I will guide you on the way of peace and bring you safely to the kingdom of heaven.”

When you are uncertain of where your life is heading, turn on the Light of the world. Turn to Jesus and trust his promise: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you that your kingdom has come among us through Jesus. Turn my heart toward you in repentance and faith. Let your mercy and forgiveness guide my life today. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

A Light has Dawned – Week of January 26, 2026

2026/01/26/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Listen to Devotion

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
…
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 4:16-17,19

A Light has Dawned

“I’ve seen the light!”

You have probably heard someone say that when they suddenly understand something that they didn’t before. Or, sometimes people say it when they change an old habit or adopt a new behavior. Sometimes it is a change in health or philosophy. Other times we discard an old tradition and bring in something different that can serve us or our family better. It can be refreshing to learn something new and adapt your lifestyle to the idea.
Jesus is the light of the world, and he came to share that light with all people.

Those who are stuck in unbelief are “in the dark,” so to speak. Their sinful thoughts and imperfect actions leave them in the darkness of their own evil desires. They cannot see God and cannot find their way to him.

How, then, did you come to “see the light” of Jesus?

Many think that we have a role to play in coming to faith. Many think that in order to see the light we are the ones who first have to make a choice, a decision, or an action. This is dangerous thinking because it puts the focus on ourselves, not on God.

God’s word shows us something better. God’s word says that he shines his light on us and that God gives us the ability to “see the light” of Jesus! Martin Luther explained, “I cannot by my own thinking or choosing, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” The Holy Spirit gave us the faith to see that in Jesus, the light of salvation has dawned.

Now, the Holy Spirit has changed our behavior and way of thinking. Now, we want to live in the light and live for Jesus. We have a new zeal to do what our Savior asks of us. And what better way to live in the light of salvation than to “fish for people”? We bring the good news of Jesus to others, so that the Holy Spirit can cut through the darkness of their unbelief and see the light of Jesus’ forgiveness. May we share this light with everyone that we meet!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming to be the light of the world. Help me to share that light with others, spreading your message of repentance and forgiveness to the people you have placed in my life. Amen.

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.

A Great Light – January 26, 2026

2026/01/26/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: Isaiah 8:19–9:4

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (EHV)

A Great Light

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

“Can you leave the door open just a little bit?” a two-year-old asks at bedtime. Mom smiles and leaves the hallway light on. A thin line of light sneaks into the room. Suddenly, the darkness doesn’t feel so scary anymore. The shadows don’t look like monsters. The child feels safe, happy, and thankful. Soon, she falls asleep.

Darkness and light can do powerful things. Darkness makes it hard to see and makes our imaginations run wild. Light helps us see what’s really there. Darkness hides things; light shows the truth. That’s why the child wanted light, it helped her feel safe.

That’s what the prophet Isaiah said about God’s people long ago. He said they were “walking in darkness.” He didn’t mean the sun disappeared. He meant their lives felt scary and confusing. They were afraid of a powerful enemy called Assyria, who had attacked them. They felt lost—like trying to walk on a path at night with no flashlight. They wanted to follow God, but they kept wandering off. Isaiah called this “living in the shadow of death,” because without light, things don’t grow—they die.

We have darkness in our lives too. We can be afraid of things like getting in trouble, being left out, failing a test, or letting someone down. We want to follow God and do what’s right—but we mess up. That’s called sin. Sin separates us from God and leads to death.

But Isaiah gives us amazing news: “A light has dawned.” People who walked in darkness have seen a great light! This light scares away monsters. This light forgives sins. This light defeats death.

Who is that light? Jesus tells us: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was like a bright star shining into a dark world.
When Jesus died on the cross, he took the darkness of your sins onto himself.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he chased away the shadow of death forever.

So the next time the dark feels scary, remember this promise: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is your light—and he is always with you.

Prayer:

Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Help us walk according to it. 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 some things that make you scared of the dark?
How does Jesus make you feel safe?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How is sin like darkness?
How is Jesus like light?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What did the prophet mean when he said that people “were walking in darkness”?
When Jesus says, “I am the light of the world,” what is he promising us?

Download Family Devotions

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 Light Has Dawned – January 26, 2026

2026/01/26/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Matthew 4:16

The Light Has Dawned

Spelunking in a massive cave takes a lot of courage. I don’t have that much courage, so I took a guided cavern tour instead. After venturing far into the cave, the guide stopped us in the deepest cavern and told us that all the lights would be turned off for one minute. As soon as he turned all of the lights off, I was paralyzed with fear. The darkness was so thick and oppressive that I could not see an inch in front of me. I felt that if I moved one step into the darkness, I would be lost forever. When the lights finally came back on, expressions of profound relief were clearly visible on everyone’s faces. We were safe again.

The Bible describes an even deeper, more terrifying darkness covering all people living on this earth. It is actually the darkness that is within each of us. It is the terrible darkness of selfishness and greed, bitterness and hate, pride and self-glory, that covers our hearts and minds like a thick, weighted blanket. Living in this thick darkness is truly terrifying because deep down, we realize that we are living under the shadow of death. We will be lost forever.

But our gracious God did not leave us in eternal darkness. He sent Jesus to shine the brilliant lights of God’s forgiveness and God’s truth for all to see and believe. We see the light of God’s loving forgiveness shining out from Jesus as he carried the evil of the world’s sins with him to the darkness of his crucifixion and death. We see the truth that Jesus is the true Light of the world as he rose from the dead. He lives to shine the light of God’s mercy and forgiveness, truth and hope into our minds and hearts.

In our Bible reading for today, the apostle Matthew tells us, “On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” May you experience profound relief in your soul as you live and believe in the light of Jesus’ forgiveness.

Prayer:

Jesus, Light of the world, shine into the dark corners of my life. Turn my heart toward you. Help me trust in your mercy each day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Resentment or Relief – January 25, 2026

2026/01/25/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Jesus shines his light not to shame us, but to rescue us—leading us out of darkness, into forgiveness, and into new life with him.

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:12-17

Resentment or Relief

When a light suddenly turns on, your reaction depends on what you were doing in the dark.

If you stayed up until 4:00 a.m. gaming, scrolling, or cramming for a test, and someone flips on the light at 6:30, that light feels annoying—maybe even rude. You’d probably feel resentment.

But if you’re lost in the woods after sunset, your phone battery is dead, and you can’t see where to go, someone showing up with a flashlight would feel like a lifesaver. That light brings relief.

The same thing happens when Jesus shines his light into our lives.

Jesus shines brightly into the darkness of the world—and into our hearts. But not everyone likes that. Some people resent it. Why? Because light exposes things we’d rather keep hidden. Sin looks safer when it stays in the dark. When Jesus preached and taught, many people pushed back against his light—and the same thing still happens today.

But God’s people don’t fear or resent his light—even when it reveals our sin. We need that light. When our sin is exposed, God is not trying to shame us; he’s calling us to turn back to him. That’s why Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Repentance isn’t about being crushed—it’s about being rescued.

By nature, we live in darkness—the Bible calls it “the shadow of death.” Left on our own, we are lost. That’s why the promise from Isaiah matters so much: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is that light.

So when God’s light shines on your life, don’t resent or push it away. Jesus shines his light because he loves you. He calls you to follow him so he can lead you out of darkness and into life. And amazingly, he doesn’t stop there—he gives you his light to reflect, so others who are lost in the darkness around you can find hope too.

Only Jesus brings real relief: a light strong enough to break the darkness of sin and lead us all the way home to heaven.

Prayer:

Light of the world, Lord Jesus, shine into my darkness and bring me to sincere repentance for my sins. Let me never resent your light, but always lead me to follow it in this sin-darkened world. Give me the strength to shine this light so that others may see it, too. 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.

Jesus’ Ministry – January 25, 2026

2026/01/25/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23

Jesus’ Ministry

Preaching, teaching, and healing. Those three actions pretty much summarize Jesus’ earthly ministry. He touched a lot of lives during those thirty-plus years. But he’s touched a lot more lives since, like mine. He’s touched my life in ways beyond counting. He’s forgiven my sins. And there are plenty to pardon! He’s given me the peace of knowing that I’m loved by the Father despite myself. He’s reconciled the two of us . . . put us back into a right relationship again.

He gives me a fresh perspective and a whole new set of “eyes” with which to see others, the circumstances of my day-to-day life, and the problems I inevitably face as I go about my business.

He put a song in my heart and a spring in my step because he has convinced me, by his Spirit, that no matter what happens, he’ll walk beside me, guiding and protecting me and working all things out for my ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Nothing in all creation can separate me from his love (Romans 8:39).

It’s encouraging to begin each day knowing that because of Jesus and what he’s done for me, and continues to do for me, I’ll be more than just okay: I’ll be blessed beyond belief!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I thank and praise you for all the blessings with which you enrich my life. Teach me to dedicate my life to you in gratitude for all you give to me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Look, the Lamb of God! – January 24, 2026

2026/01/24/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

Look, the Lamb of God!

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he could have pointed to the fact that this man approaching was the almighty God, the second person of the Trinity, “through whom all things were created!” Instead, he called him “the Lamb of God.”

In most cases, a lamb is nothing to get excited about. A lamb doesn’t stand a chance against a lion or bear. A lamb cannot carry anyone on its back like a noble steed. However, John knew this Lamb had a higher calling, an eternal calling, a calling that would serve all people of all time, for all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

John knew that Jesus came to sacrifice himself as a sin offering for all people’s sins—that includes yours and mine. By doing so, the Lamb would forever destroy the power of the devil. Unlike the Passover lambs, which were sacrificed year after year, Jesus would offer himself once for all!

This Lamb is our Savior, and this is something to get excited about! His victory, which is ours through faith, will never become old, outdated, or surpassed by any other. As you look to Jesus today, hail him, sing his praises, and point him out to others as the one who has taken away all our sins.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for winning the victory over the devil for me and taking away all my sins. Help me each day to rejoice in the gift of salvation you have given to me. Strengthen my faith so that I may live for you and point others to you, for you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Military Devotion – As in the Days of Midian – January 23, 2026

2026/01/23/in Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion

Based on Isaiah 9:4

As in the Days of Midian

There are some battles that are so widely known that you just need to say one or two words and most people know: “D-Day.” “The Bulge.” Or today, January 23, 1943… (how well do you know your military history?) U.S. forces seized control of… Guadalcanal.

There is a battle that was so well known among God’s people that the prophet Isaiah only needed to use one word, and everyone knew which battle he was talking about. “For as in the day of Midian’s defeat…” (Isaiah 9:4).

I’d encourage you to read about this battle in Judges chapter 7. The after action report would have said, “Despite overwhelming odds, the small company of Israelite war fighters thoroughly destroyed the warriors from the nation of Midian.”

The Midianites brutally oppressed the people of Israel. The enemy so impoverished the Israelites politically, economically, agriculturally the people cried out under its awful weight. God, through a man named Gideon, shattered that yoke, that heavy bar across their shoulders.

Isaiah predicted that God would do this again: “For as in the days of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Isaiah 9:4).

The well-known battles would be fought, not with swords or spears, not with Paladin or Patriot missiles, but with words and a will that would not be broken. The battlefield was a wilderness where the enemy failed to drive the hero to despair. The battlefield was a garden, where the hero wrestled in prayer, but in the end, willingly submitted his will to his Father. The battlefield was a cross, where the accusations of the enemy and the wrath of a holy God and the burden of guilt was laid on his shoulders, on his soul. The battlefield was a tomb that could not hold the hero’s dead body, which came back to life and lived and lives today. By his resurrection he has destroyed the grip of the grave and death over you.

These battles are so well known that you only need to say a word or two and you know it means victory for you: Gethsemane, Golgotha, garden tomb. Whatever burdens your soul today, whatever guilt you feel pressing down on your conscience, whatever sadness or grief weighs down on your heart, know that it has all been removed, crushed, destroyed – for Christ, our hero, has won the battle against overwhelming forces that fought against him and against us.

When you feel burdened by your guilt, when you feel overwhelmed by the enemy, return to these battlefield sites, walk through them, and remember what happened there: victory for you; freedom from oppression for you. And you can say, “As in the days of Midian’s defeat… so are the days of the devil’s defeat… so are the days of my sins’ defeat… so are the days of my death’s defeat…”

Prayer:

Lord God of hosts, you shattered the power of Midian and through your Son, broke the yoke of sin, death and the devil. When we feel oppressed by guilt, fear or grief, lead us again to the cross and empty tomb, that we may rest in Christ’s victory and live in the freedom he has won for us. In the name of our victorious hero, Jesus. 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.

It’s Good to Point! – January 23, 2026

2026/01/23/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: John 1:29-41

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

It’s Good to Point!

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

Parents teach their children many important lessons. One lesson kids often hear early on is: “It’s not nice to point.” Pointing can be rude. It can hurt someone’s feelings. So parents remind kids to keep their fingers to themselves.

But here’s something interesting. Sometimes pointing is actually a very good thing. Think about babies and toddlers. Before they can talk, what do they do? They point! They point to toys. They point to snacks. They point to things they want you to see. Pointing means, “Look at this—it’s important!”

In today’s Bible lesson, God was very happy with two people who pointed. The first was John the Baptist. Whenever John saw Jesus, he wanted everyone to notice him. So he said loudly and excitedly: “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John wasn’t being rude. He was helping people see their Savior.

Another person who pointed was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew didn’t use his finger either—but he used his words. He ran to Peter and said: “We have found the Messiah!” Both John and Andrew pointed people to Jesus—and God praised them for it.

Now think about this question together: Who pointed you to the Lamb of God? Was it your parents—when they brought you to be baptized, brought you to church, or prayed with you at home? Was it a teacher? A pastor? A grandparent? A friend? Christians love to point to Jesus because only good things happen when people look to him. Jesus loves when people point to him!

That’s important, because sometimes we forget to look at Jesus. We rush away from the dinner table without stopping to thank Jesus. We let sports, screens, or homework take over time we could spend with God’s Word and prayer. We let scary or sad things make us forget that Jesus is always with us. When that happens, God lovingly sends people to point us back to Jesus again. And Jesus doesn’t get tired of that. He keeps forgiving. He keeps loving. He keeps staying with us.

Now here’s the exciting part: You can be a pointer too. You can be a modern-day John the Baptist. You can be a 21st-century Andrew. You can point your parents, your friends, your classmates, and your teammates to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away their sins too.

Yes, sometimes pointing can be rude. But pointing to Jesus is loving. Pointing to Jesus is helpful. Pointing to Jesus helps people know they have a Savior.

Prayer:

Dear God, you pointed me to my Savior through many different people. Give me opportunities to point others to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away all sin. 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

Why do parents usually tell kids not to point? Why is pointing to Jesus different?
Who has helped point you to Jesus? (Parents, teachers, pastors, friends?)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What is one Bible story you really like listening to or talking about? Why do you like that one?
If a friend wondered, “Does God really forgive me?” what Bible story could you share?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What would you do if you pointed someone to Jesus, but they didn’t believe right away? (Who could you pray for? What could you keep doing?)
What makes you feel nervous about talking about Jesus? What could help calm those nerves?

Download Family Devotions

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.

Keep Your Attention on the Lamb of God – January 23, 2026

2026/01/23/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

Keep Your Attention on the Lamb of God

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what did John want people to do when he said, “Look!”?

The word he used means something like, “Hey, look over there!” It is a kind of interjection, a way to draw people’s attention to something important that they might have otherwise missed. If John hadn’t pointed out Jesus, most would not have given him a second glance. There was nothing about Jesus’ appearance that would make him stand out in that crowd.

John’s whole ministry, however, was to get people ready for the coming of God’s promised Savior. Jesus was the one hope of salvation that sinners have. It was important they didn’t miss, or worse, ignore the Lamb of God who was standing among them. When John said, “Look!” it was more than just calling their attention to a quick curiosity or a momentary distraction. Jesus was to hold their permanent attention. The Bible says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Somewhere, at some time, someone pointed you to Jesus. You have (hopefully!) come to know him as your Lord and Savior, the one who died to set you free. Now, don’t let yourself be distracted away from him. Rather, continue to train your eyes on him and his cross, and tune your ears to his voice in the Scriptures. Through his word, he will strengthen your faith and change your heart. Let the model of his humble love and the certainty of forgiveness in his name occupy your thoughts and fill your heart with joyful service and thanksgiving.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me and keep my attention focused on you and your love. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Lamb Who Died for All – January 22, 2026

2026/01/22/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6

The Lamb Who Died for All

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he took away the sin “of the world”?

The beginning of the Bible tells us how God created the entire human race through one man, Adam. All eight billion of us, spread around the world, are descended from him—all the way to the last baby born just before Christ returns on the Last Day. Unfortunately, just as Adam has passed down his human genes to us, we also inherit our sinful nature from him. We see evidence of that sin everywhere we look—including within ourselves. The Bible says that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

But Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Not only the sin of some or just a few, but every single descendant of Adam and Eve. The prophet Isaiah foretold what Jesus would do: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Note that all have sinned, and the sins of all have been laid on Christ. God’s Word is clear about the extent of Jesus’ work: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2).

That includes you, of course! Your sins were also placed on Jesus as he suffered for all. Whoever you are, however insignificant in the eyes of the world, lost among the masses of humanity, you, too, are loved by God and redeemed by the blood of his Son.

Prayer:

Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world—including my own. Have mercy on me! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Victory Through a Substitute – January 21, 2026

2026/01/21/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Listen to Devotion

Read: Colossians 2:6-15

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10a

Victory Through a Substitute

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

Right before the school talent show started, Connor developed a bad cough. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t stop coughing. There was no way Connor could sing his song on stage. No performance meant no chance to win the prize.

But something amazing happened. Connor’s brother, Grayson, stepped in. He looked a lot like Connor. He wore Connor’s clothes. He sang Connor’s song. Everyone thought, “Wow, Connor did a great job!” The performance won first place. And when it was time to get the award, Grayson gave all the credit to Connor—even though Connor hadn’t sung a single note!

That’s called a substitute—someone taking another person’s place. That kind of switch only worked because Grayson was human and looked like Connor. When it comes to the prize of heaven, something similar—but much bigger—happened. Jesus became one of us so he could take our place. Yes, Jesus is God. But he also became fully human. That’s what the apostle Paul means when he writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness” (Colossians 2:9-10a). Jesus didn’t stop being God—but he also became a real human being.

The Bible is clear what we humans have earned because of our sins. We have earned suffering, pain, and death. God made that clear to Adam and Eve—and he explained it to us too. For sin to be forgiven, someone had to pay the price. That price was death. And it had to be paid by a human who had never sinned.

That’s a problem—because none of us are perfect. We couldn’t make a perfect sacrifice. So God made one for us. God sent his own Son. Jesus became human so he could:

Live a perfect life
Follow God’s law completely
Suffer and die in our place

That’s what it means when we call Jesus the Lamb of God. He didn’t just show us who God is. He took our place and paid our debt as someone who was innocent.

What you and I couldn’t do, God did for us. What you and I don’t deserve, God declared that it is ours. Jesus, the Lamb of God, looked like us. He had a body. He got hungry and tired. He felt sad. He felt pain. In everything, he stepped in for us, just like Grayson did for Connor—but on a much greater scale. What we lost because of sin, God gave back to us completely through Jesus.

Now that’s victory—through a substitute!

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending a substitute to die on the cross instead of us. Help us to praise you for this wonderful gift with our thoughts, words, and actions. 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

Because Jesus was human just like you, what are some things he experienced that you experience too? (Being tired? Hungry? Sad? Happy?)
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus did everything needed so you can go to heaven?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why did Jesus have to be both true man and true God? (What could he do as God? What could he do as a human?)
What are you most excited about when you think about heaven—the reward Jesus won for you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

While he lived on earth, Jesus was true God. Can you think of times when he didn’t use his full power? (When he was tired? When he suffered? When he died?)
Why couldn’t God just say, “I’ll forget about everyone’s sins”? (What does this teach us about God’s justice and love?)

Download Family Devotions

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 Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins – January 21, 2026

2026/01/21/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14

The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But what does it mean that he “takes away our sin”?

Sin is defined in various ways throughout the Bible. It is rebellion against God; it is failing to live up to God’s law of perfect love; it is every thought, word, and action that does not flow from a right relationship with our Creator. Sin’s corruption permeates every part of our lives. Not only does sin lead to needless pain and cause countless problems in every personal relationship, but it also separates us from the holy God who made us and who will be our judge. Finally, the wages of sin is death.

As one preacher of the gospel, Martin Luther, said, there are only two places where sin can be: on the sinner or on Christ. Either we carry the weight of our disobedience ourselves and accept its consequences of eternal separation from God, or we rejoice in God’s work of placing our sin—all our sin—squarely on Jesus, the Lamb of God. This is the heart of the gospel, the good news of what Christ came to accomplish for us. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).

The result for those who turn to Jesus in faith is that God no longer treats us as our sins deserve. Although our corrupted nature still leads us to act contrary to his word, sin does not factor into how God sees us. Instead, he assures us that, in Christ, we have been forgiven. He gives us strength to live for him and joy in the knowledge that we are his dearly loved children through faith in Jesus.

Prayer:

Lamb of God, you took away the sin of the world. Thank you for your mercy! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Lamb of God Is God Himself – January 20, 2026

2026/01/20/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen to Devotion

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.
Colossians 2:9-10

The Lamb of God Is God Himself

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward where he was baptizing in the Jordan River, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But in what way was Jesus the “Lamb of God”?

First, Jesus was a sacrifice for sin that only God himself could offer. All the lambs and other animal sacrifices brought to the temple by Jewish believers would never be enough to reconcile sinners to a holy God. Rather, they served to prepare the people for the one Lamb sent by God who alone could make full payment for our sins.

This is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was not only sent by God, he is God. The Bible tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” So, when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem, we can say that God in all his fullness was laid to rest in the manger. And when that child grew into a man, it was God in all his fullness who was hung on the cross to die.

What does that mean for you and me? There can be no doubt that the payment made on our behalf was sufficient—more than sufficient—to cancel our debt with God. The blood that was shed for us was divine and holy blood. The very God that we have offended is the One who came to redeem us to himself, and, in Jesus, his work of redemption is complete. God and man have been fully reconciled through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was both fully God and fully man. Resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, he continues to intercede for us before the Father. Our salvation has been brought to fullness.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God and yet you came to die in my place. Because of your holy life and innocent death, my sins have been forgiven and my debt with God has been paid in full. May this truth bring me comfort and peace, as I trust in you, my perfect Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

Read: Matthew 5:1-12

Bad or Good?

Prayer:

Peacemaking

Prayer:

Mercy

Prayer:

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Striving to Be Foolish and Weak

Prayer:

Jesus Gives Us Comfort

Prayer:

Wisdom from God

Prayer:

You Are Equipped

Prayer:

A Question to Consider:

Read: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11-13

Give Thanks for the Little Things

Prayer:

The Only Credential

Prayer:

Christian Self-Talk

Prayer:

A Gift Worth Opening

Prayer:

The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins

Prayer:

Read: Matthew 4:12-23

The Good News of Epiphany

Prayer:

Renewed by the Light

Prayer:

Walking in the Light

Prayer:

Read: 1 John 2:3-11

The One Who Loves His Brother

Prayer:

Turn to the Light

Prayer:

A Light has Dawned

Prayer:

Read: Isaiah 8:19–9:4

A Great Light

Prayer:

The Light Has Dawned

Prayer:

Resentment or Relief

Prayer:

Jesus’ Ministry

Prayer:

Look, the Lamb of God!

Prayer:

As in the Days of Midian

Read: John 1:29-41

It’s Good to Point!

Prayer:

Keep Your Attention on the Lamb of God

Prayer:

The Lamb Who Died for All

Prayer:

Read: Colossians 2:6-15

Victory Through a Substitute

Prayer:

The Lamb of God Takes Away Our Sins

Prayer:

The Lamb of God Is God Himself

Prayer:

MENU

ABOUT

HELP

SOCIAL

WELS Center for Mission and Ministry