Devotions

Resurrection Promised. Resurrection Delivered. – April 23, 2025

2025/04/23/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:5-8

Resurrection Promised. Resurrection Delivered.

Daily Devotion – April 23, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 24:5-8

See series: Devotions

It didn’t make sense to them when Jesus spoke those words. They had seen his power. Power over sickness. Power over nature. Power over spiritual forces. But when Jesus spoke about dying—death at the hands of his enemies and sinners—it didn’t make sense.

How could their Messiah die? And what did he mean about being raised again? No one had ever done that. Sure, people like to call their shot, but no one has ever called their own shot about coming back from the dead. Once you died, that was it! At least until Jesus came.

The angels reminded the women that everything had happened as Jesus said it would. He was delivered to his enemies and crucified, but now it was the third day. And Jesus was raised to life. The woman remembered that Jesus had predicted this all along. It wasn’t just that Jesus had predicted this; it was the implications.

If Jesus can predict his death and resurrection from the grave and then has the power to pull it off, what can’t Jesus do? And if Jesus kept his promise to rise from the dead, he would keep all his promises. Jesus is exactly who he says he is. Jesus does exactly what he promises to do. His resurrection from the dead proves it.

We could spend our entire lives marveling at what that means; it still wouldn’t be enough time. Thankfully, Jesus’ death and resurrection mean that his believers will spend an eternity with him, not just marveling at what it means but experiencing it. Because Jesus has power over his death, it means he has power over your death. Trust him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, your resurrection proves you are the Son of God. Help me to believe all your words. 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.

Lent Devotion – In the Savior’s Steps – Week 7

2025/04/22/in Women's Ministry Lenten Devotions, Womens Devotions

In the Savior’s Steps

The Empty Tomb

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Mark 16:1-7

Here we are again, at a tomb. And again, this isn’t just any tomb. For the women and the disciples, this tomb is personal—even more personal than Lazarus’ tomb would have been. This is the tomb of their companion, their teacher, their friend, and their hoped-for Savior.

There’s more than physical death at this tomb. There’s also the death of their hopes and dreams, of their expectations for the One who promised that although he would be killed, he would also rise again (Mark 8:31).

For Peter, this tomb holds even more sorrow and anguish. For Peter, this tomb holds his well-intentioned but often-misplaced brashness. It holds his promise to remain firm even if all the other disciples fell away and his subsequent denial of Jesus—three times!—only a few hours later. It holds the tears he wept bitterly when Jesus looked at him, and it holds his guilt and shame for not coming to the cross to see his friend and Lord just one more time.

Or, rather, that’s what this tomb held. When the women arrived at the tomb, they found it empty of a dead body, and the words of the angel assured them that this emptiness had also swallowed up all the other death and sorrow and anguish in this tomb. “He has risen! He is not here!” Their companion, teacher, and friend was truly the promised Messiah. Their hopes and dreams were alive again!

But what about Peter? Was the tomb empty, even for him? After all, this tomb held more for Peter. Could Jesus’ resurrection from the dead truly erase all that Peter had said and done? Could things ever be the same between him and Jesus? Could Peter still follow his friend and Lord in the same way as before?

Yes, the tomb was empty—even for Peter.

How do we know? We can look to Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter (John 21:15-19), to Peter’s later ministry, to his faithfulness even to the point of death.

But for Peter, all that was still in the future. Peter needed something now to assure him the tomb was empty, even for him. And Jesus loved him enough to give him this assurance on Easter morning through two beautiful words from an angel: “and Peter.”

These two words become even more meaningful when you know the history of the gospel of Mark. It’s likely that Mark wrote this gospel based on Peter’s preaching, and the words “and Peter” appear only in Mark’s resurrection account. Imagine how much these words must have meant to Peter if he included them in his preaching often enough for Mark to record. Imagine how tightly Peter must have clung to these words in times of hardship and suffering.

“And Peter.” “And Kristi.” “And (your name).” These two beautiful words assure us that the tomb is empty for us, too. No matter the sorrow and anguish you carry, no matter the sins that trouble you—these are no match for the empty tomb.

This Easter season, come back to the empty tomb again and again, and be assured it is empty for you.

Prayer:

Risen Savior, thank you for your assurance that the empty tomb is truly for me. Lead me to live each day in this resurrection joy, and give me the opportunity and the words to share this resurrection joy with others. Amen.

Thank you to Rev. Dr. Wade Johnston for introducing me to the concept of “and Peter” in his book A Path Strewn with Sinners.

Written by Kristi Meyer
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Raised Imperishable – April 22, 2025

2025/04/22/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51,52

Raised Imperishable

Daily Devotion – April 22, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:51,52

See series: Devotions

Our bodies wear out. We know this all too well. We see it in the mirror as wrinkles form. We feel it in aching joints. We watch it in our loved ones as disease, disability, and dementia take their toll. Sin has infected not just our hearts and minds but our flesh. Every human body is subject to decay, disease, and death.

But listen! The apostle Paul reveals a mystery. “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.” In an instant, everything will be different. When Jesus comes again, the dead will be raised imperishable. That means no more sickness. No more disease. No more weakness. No more death. The perishable will be clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality.

Imagine a body untouched by sin’s curse—no cancer, disease, dementia, pain, aging, or death. Every tear wiped away. Every sorrow erased. This is not just wishful thinking. This is the promise of God.

How can this be? How can bodies that have been buried, decayed, or turned to dust be raised anew? Because Jesus lives. His resurrection is the guarantee of our own. He took on our sin, suffered in our place, died our death, and then conquered the grave. His resurrected body was real—touchable, recognizable, perfect. And through faith in him, we are connected to his resurrection.

What joy this brings! We grieve now when we watch loved ones suffer. We mourn as we feel our bodies growing weaker. But we do not grieve like those who have no hope. We know what is coming. We know who is coming. And when he does, we will be changed. We will be raised imperishable.

This promise comforts you in sickness, strengthens you in sorrow, and fills you with anticipation. Because when Jesus returns, our perishable bodies will be no more. We will be changed—forever whole, forever alive in him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of resurrection and the hope of bodies made new. In Jesus’ name. 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.

Mountaintop Views – April 21, 2025

2025/04/21/in Devotions, Family Devotions

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
Isaiah 25:6-9

Mountaintop Views

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Family Devotion – April 21, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 25:6-9

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever climbed a really big hill or even a mountain? When you reach the top, everything looks amazing! You can see for miles, and it feels like you’re on top of the world.

In our Bible reading today, God gives us a mountaintop view—but not just any mountain! This is God’s holy mountain, which is a picture of heaven!

What do we see when we get to the top? A huge feast—the best food ever, a joyful celebration with people from everywhere, and best of all, no more sadness, no more tears, no more sin, no more death. God has taken all of that away!

But right now, we’re still climbing. We’re not at the top yet, but we can see where we’re going. And guess what? Jesus made the path for us! His death on the cross and his resurrection opened the way to God’s mountain. That means we don’t have to be afraid of anything—not even death—because Jesus already won!

And here’s one last thing to remember—when we finally reach heaven, we will talk about our faith. “We trusted in him, and he saved us.” We’ll look back and see how God helped us through everything. We won’t be sad about the tough times anymore. Instead, we’ll celebrate because Jesus brought us safely to the mountaintop!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving us a mountaintop peek at heaven! Help us trust you as we climb toward the amazing celebration you have waiting for us. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Heaven sounds amazing! What do you think it will be like?
What’s something that worries or scares you? How does it feel knowing Jesus has power over everything—even death?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Think of the happiest moment in your life! How do you think heaven will be even better than that?
Why will we be so happy in heaven? And why can we already be happy here on earth, especially during Easter?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What’s the most exciting or comforting thing about heaven from this Bible passage?
This is an Easter reading! What words or verses remind you of Jesus’ victory on Easter Sunday?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Death’s Sting Is Removed – April 21, 2025

2025/04/21/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” . . . But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55,57

Death’s Sting Is Removed

Daily Devotion – April 21, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:55,57

See series: Devotions

If you’ve been stung by a bee or a wasp, you know it is not a pleasant experience. The stinger doesn’t just pierce your skin, but the venom causes lasting pain. For that reason, many people have a fear of bees and wasps. But what if you knew that the bee or wasp didn’t have a sting? Well, take away the sting, and you take away the fear. Remove the sting, and the power of that flying insect is gone.

When Jesus rose from the dead, he took away the sting of death. Death had a powerful sting. Death is coming for everyone, and it casts a shadow over all of life. No matter what joy you experience, it won’t last because death is coming.

Death stings because it robs you of your loved ones. All the people you love will one day die. Death separates you from them. There is no FaceTime or phone calls with the dead. They’re gone.

Death stings because everyone has this gnawing feeling deep down that after death, there will be an accounting, a judgment. You are accountable to someone for your deeds and actions. There is a certain sense of fear and uncertainty of what that might be like.

Death stings and its venom can choke out even the best moments of life. The sting of death looks like ultimate defeat. But when Jesus rose from the dead, it meant a stunning reversal. Death no longer held the victory. Death no longer had its sting. Instead, Jesus gives the victory to all who put their faith in him.

Jesus has already undergone the judgment and punishment for sinners. His believers don’t have to fear a final reckoning with God. Jesus promises that those who die believing in him are not lost forever but alive in heaven. You will see them again. And Jesus’ resurrection means that death is not the end of the story for his believers. They will rise to an eternity of perfect joy and love.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for robbing death of its sting. Your resurrection means you have given me the victory. 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.

Transformed – teen devotion – April 20, 2025

2025/04/20/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: When life stings, real hope is found in the empty tomb.

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Ouch, that stings!

Here’s a funny (and slightly embarrassing) story for you. Picture this: a slightly out-of-shape pastor reaches into the deck box to grab the patio cushions after a long winter. Just as he pulls one out—BAM! A sharp sting shoots through his hand. His reaction? Hurl the cushion into the air and run around the yard, arms flailing, voice an octave higher, screaming, “WASPS!” at the top of his lungs. His kids? Watching through the patio door, asking their mom, “Uh… is Dad okay?”

What’s something that has stung you lately? Maybe a tough breakup? A friendship that fell apart? A loss in the family? We’re surrounded by Easter baskets full of candy, but sometimes life just stings.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we have something better than a tube of anti-itch cream—we have a risen Savior. For people in Corinth who thought they had all the wisdom and worshiped man-made gods, the idea of Jesus rising from the dead was mind-blowing.

For us? Paul says we preach Christ crucified, but even more importantly, we preach Christ risen. That truth is the best medicine we could ever have. There will be days—maybe even today—when you feel like you’re running around, arms flailing, overwhelmed by life’s stings. But none of that changes your status in Jesus. Even when life stings, you can stand firm, knowing Jesus has already paid for your sins and defeated death once and for all.

The gospel will always be better than any cushion you could hide behind—just watch out for the wasps.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for taking the ultimate sting of death for me. When life stings, help me find peace in your presence. 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 Resurrected Life – April 20, 2025

2025/04/20/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

A Resurrected Life

Daily Devotion – April 20, 2025

Devotion based on Colossians 3:1-4

See series: Devotions

He had lived all his life on the streets. His skin was weathered. His hair was a tangled mess. His clothes were tattered and stained. He slept on cardboard and under garbage bags. He dined in the alleyways from restaurant dumpsters. Days he spent squatting on sidewalks, begging from passersby.

One day someone stopped, lifted him, cleaned him up, dressed him, and gave him $10,000 a week to live on. But months later, the pauper-turned-prince was still living on the streets. Once a week, he’d clean up. Once a month, he’d dine in a restaurant. He was not taking advantage of his new-found life.

The Bible says that through faith we have been raised with Christ. But are we living the resurrected life? Not if we only focus on Christ’s resurrection one day a year, Easter Sunday. The blessings of a resurrected life are life-changing. Take advantage of it!

A resurrected life is a life that looks up. Guilt can’t consume us because we find daily rest in Christ’s payment for all our sins. The world can’t fool us because we have God’s wisdom for making good decisions. Bad days can’t stop us because we have confidence in a better eternal tomorrow. Happiness is never out of reach, because it’s already in hand as we imitate the humble servant-life of our victorious Savior, Jesus Christ.

A resurrected life is a life connected to Christ. Your conscience may condemn you and Satan may accuse you. Let them! You have been set free from the guilt of sin. You are a redeemed child of the Father, purchased by the blood of Christ.

A resurrected life is a life with a glorious future. You may be overcome by the world’s hatred and hardship. But remember, what is over your head is still under Jesus’ feet. And one day, you will reign with Christ forever.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on you and the heaven you won for me rather than on the things of this 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.

All These Things

2025/04/19/in Devotions, Womens Devotions

All These Things – Women’s Devotion

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
Luke 24:9

No wonder the disciples didn’t believe them. Out of breath from running and “afraid yet filled with joy” (Matthew 28:8), I imagine the women must have been a frenzy of excitement and confusion when they came back from the tomb. How could they fully explain the divine encounter they had just experienced?

What were “all these things”?

What they thought was their biggest barrier was removed when an angel rolled the stone away from the tomb. What they thought was their greatest sorrow became hope when they saw the empty place where Jesus was laid. What they thought was their worst fear was dispelled with the good news that Jesus had risen just as he said. And what they thought was devastating disappointment became their mission with the charge to go and tell the disciples they would also see Jesus again.

And so the women told all these things to the Eleven and all the others.

Can we do the same?

Whatever we think is going on right now because of our current life experiences, circumstances, or outlooks, Easter brings all these things into perspective.

Because on Easter, Jesus removed the biggest barrier of sin that kept us from God. Jesus comforts our greatest sorrow with the assurance of full and free forgiveness. Jesus dispels our worst fear with the good news that we will be with him forever. And Jesus gives clarity and purpose to what we do by commissioning us to share the good news we have.

This Easter, with the same good news the women had, let’s run to our families, friends, and communities. Because we also have all these things to tell!

Happy Easter!

Written by Dawn Schulz

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Attitude – April 19, 2025

2025/04/19/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-5

Attitude

Daily Devotion – April 19, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:3-5

See series: Devotions

How has your attitude been lately? Have you gotten short-tempered with your children, spouse, or employees? Have you been disrespectful to your parents, teachers, or boss? Have you been a little self-righteous and unconcerned about the people around you? How has your attitude been toward the people you run into on a regular basis?

Now think about this: How is your attitude toward God? You may be happy with God when life seems to be going well, but it’s easy to blame God when things don’t go as planned. You may find yourself getting angry at God when there are difficult times in life—when you attend a funeral, miss a promotion, fail the exam, or have an illness. You may think that you know better than God, even though he is the Almighty and will judge all people one day.

We so desperately need Jesus. His attitude was always to glorify God and to love others. Jesus always displayed a humble attitude. He came to serve, not to be served. That is clearly seen when Jesus died on the cross to suffer the punishment for our sins so that we may live with him in heaven. Jesus even died to forgive you for the times when you had a bad attitude toward God and others!

Jesus’ forgiveness and love for you will change even a bad attitude into a life of love and service toward God and your fellow man.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to improve my attitude toward others that I may be more like you. 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.

What’s So Good About Good Friday? – April 18, 2025

2025/04/18/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: John 19:17-30

Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

What’s So Good About Good Friday?

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Family Devotion – April 18, 2025

Devotion based on John 19:30

See series: Devotions

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

What’s so good about Good Friday?

Think about it. On Good Friday, Jesus went through so much pain. The soldiers spit on him. They beat him. They whipped him. They nailed his hands and feet to the cross.

On Good Friday, Jesus died.

On Good Friday, God the Father punished Jesus, his Son, for all the bad and hurtful things we do. On Good Friday, God the Father punished Jesus for all of the lies you’ve told your parents, for all the arguments you’ve had with your brothers and sisters, for all the bad things you’ve done at school or when nobody else was looking.

In that sense, we have to admit that what happened on Good Friday was our fault. It was our sins he carried. It was our punishment he took. On Good Friday, we have to face the scary truth about how much we’ve messed up—the bad stuff we deserve.

The day Jesus died was a dark Friday, a sad Friday—a really bad Friday.

So, why do we call it “Good” Friday? We call it Good Friday because Jesus wanted to do it. He didn’t have to, but he chose to do it because he loves you and me so much.

We call it Good Friday because when he died, Jesus won forgiveness for us. Our sins were nailed to that cross forever. God will never punish you because Jesus took your punishment instead. No matter how much you mess up, no matter how bad you think you are, God will always forgive you because of Jesus.

We call it Good Friday because we know the story doesn’t end there. Jesus died, but he didn’t stay dead. He came back to life on Easter Sunday. Jesus is alive! That means Jesus’ story had a happy ending.

And so does ours. Because Jesus died and came back to life, we will live too, even though we die. Because he died and rose again for us, we get to go to heaven!

Even though it’s hard to think about all the painful things Jesus went through on that dark Friday, we can be happy because of it. Because of what he did, we are forgiven. Because of what he did, we get to go to heaven.

That’s what’s so good about Good Friday.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for all that you suffered and sacrificed for us on that dark Friday 2,000 years ago. You are truly good. 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 were some of the bad, painful things that people did to Jesus on the day he died?
Jesus is God. He could have stopped them from hurting him. Why do you think he didn’t stop it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

When you hear about all the mean things people did to Jesus and how much he suffered, how does it make you feel?
Why does it make you feel that way?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Jesus said, “It is finished” before he died. What do you think he meant by “It is finished”?
Think about this: Just like the day Jesus died, we can say that the day any Christian dies is a “good” day. Why do you think that is true?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Remember Me – April 18, 2025

2025/04/18/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion

Based on Isaiah 49:16; Luke 23:42

I can usually pick you out or figure out who you are without even seeing you in uniform or wearing a baseball cap that says “Veteran” on it. Because you wear it. You wear it not in your emotions, but you literally wear it on your body—that black aluminum bracelet around your wrist. It tells me that you are someone who has served or is serving in our nation’s military, or you are a first responder. That memorial band around your wrist—engraved with names, ranks, and dates—is your way of honoring those who have fallen in the line of duty. It’s a way for you to remember their sacrifice so that you don’t forget.

There are some who, after a loved one or friend dies, will say things like, “They will live on in our memories.” But what happens when our memories fade and we forget? Do those people still live on? What happens when we die, and generations pass? Does this mean that this individual no longer lives on because most have forgotten them?

There is someone in history who, as he was dying, asked another individual to remember him. That’s a lot to put on someone as you are gasping for your final breath, considering that the one to whom he directed his request was also breathing his final breath! But this was no ordinary man he was asking. This was the King of heaven and earth, the God from eternity. He was dying a sinner’s death, dying to make death a thing of the past, dying to make life the new reality for those like that man who made the request to be remembered.

It is likely that most would remember that man as the one who brought chaos into their lives with his criminal activities. He was a man who died a broken, bloody, shameful mess, buried in an unmarked grave for criminals. Not many (if anyone!) would wear any kind of memorial bracelet to remember him.

But one person would remember him. That one person would grant his request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). In his answer Jesus was saying to the dying man, “Yes, I will remember you! Because today you and I will die. Our bodies will die and the angels will escort our souls to heaven, and we will be together in paradise! I’ll have to leave you in the care of my Father in heaven while I redeposit my soul back into body and bring it back to life in three days. But I’ll be back with you in paradise in about 40 days after I ascend into heaven. Yes, I will remember you, and so will everyone who hears your story, because it is their story.”

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are the most important days on the Christian church year calendar. They assure us of this: God himself will not forget us but will remember us. After all, he gave us life. He called us by name in the waters of our baptism. He called us to a life in heaven. As he said through the words of Isaiah the prophet, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16)!

He remembers those souls whose names you have etched on your wrist. He won’t forget them. He remembers those whose remains rest in an urn or a box. He won’t forget them. They do not live on in our memories, because our memories fade and we die. But for those who die in Jesus, they live on because they live in Christ and in his death and resurrection.

And so, when you die and when I die, eventually we will be forgotten as generations pass, but that’s okay! Because Jesus doesn’t forget. He will remember you as you draw your final breath and mutter, “Jesus, remember me . . .” And he will answer, “Today you will be with me in paradise. See! I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands. I can’t help but think of you when I see the scars on the hands of my exalted, resurrected body. I had you in mind when I hung on the cross and when I rose again from the dead. When I send my angels to gather you on the Last Day, you won’t be forgotten.”

This is our joy and confidence, our hope and comfort this Easter weekend and every day. Say it with confidence: “Jesus, remember me.” And then listen as he responds to you: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Prayer:
Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through Baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise now and forever. Amen.

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

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

The Curse Is Ended – April 18, 2025

2025/04/18/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” . . . Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Galatians 3:10,13

The Curse Is Ended

Daily Devotion – April 18, 2025

Devotion based on Galatians 3:10,13

See series: Devotions

The plot of many fairy tales focuses on trying to end a curse, to break the spell cast by the story’s villain. In the end, you know that the hero will eventually appear, end the curse, and save the princess or even the entire land.

That plot is more true-to-life than we might like to admit. The Bible says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Who can claim to have done everything required by God’s Law? We can’t even rightly claim to have kept a single one of God’s laws.

God’s Law demands actions that always step up to help and never cause hurt. His Law demands words that only build up with truth and love and never tear down. His Law demands hearts and minds that are perfectly pure and never polluted with hatred, greed, envy, or lust. And anyone who doesn’t live up to everything written in God’s Law is under a curse. Because of our sins against God’s law, we deserve death. We earn an eternity of God’s wrath in hell. “Cursed” hardly seems to be a strong enough word.

But what happened on a dark Friday afternoon nearly two thousand years ago changed all of that. Christ redeemed us from that curse by becoming a curse for us. He accepted our guilt—all of it. And he received the curse that it deserved—all of it.

Jesus was hung on the cross not only to suffer man’s wrath but the wrath of God and to pay the price demanded for our souls. With his life, he redeemed us. He paid the price to set us free from sin and guilt, from death and hell. Nothing less could have ended sin’s curse. Jesus paid that price in full. The curse is ended forever! And that’s why we call this Friday “good.”

Prayer:
What wondrous love is this! You paid the awful price for my soul! 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.

Faithful to His Promises – April 17, 2025

2025/04/17/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

Faithful to His Promises

Daily Devotion – April 17, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 10:23

See series: Devotions

Today, Christians celebrate Maundy Thursday or, as it is also called, Holy Thursday. The shadows of this night stretch back 3500 years. The descendants of Abraham had been forced into slavery in Egypt. But the Lord had promised that they would one day live in their own land where, through one special descendant, all nations on earth would be blessed.

The Lord kept that promise. Through a series of powerful miracles that you can read about in the Bible’s book of Exodus, the Lord rescued Abraham’s descendants from their slavery and brought them into that Promised Land.

Along the way, the Lord appeared to them with a covenant, a contract that said, “Obey me, and I will bless you.” But almost immediately, the people broke their side of the deal. And they continued to disobey and rebel against the Lord.

But the Lord gave a greater covenant to his people—a promise that didn’t depend on their obedience. A promise of forgiveness and deliverance from disobedience and death, just as he had delivered them from slavery and death in Egypt.

Every year, the people of God celebrated a special meal called the Passover. That meal remembered God’s rescue in Egypt. More importantly, it foreshadowed God’s future rescue, when he would make good on that promise of forgiveness and deliverance for all people.

Jesus came to fulfill that covenant promise. As he ate the Passover meal with his disciples, he was just hours away from giving his life to win a home in a heavenly Promised Land for all people. That night, he gave them a special meal to recall the covenant he came to fulfill. He fed them his own body and blood with bread and wine in a miraculous meal we call Holy Communion. It was their assurance, and it remains ours today, that God is faithful to his promises to unfaithful sinners like us.

No matter how unfaithful we have been to God, God’s faithful love gives us hope. Sure hope that, because God never breaks a promise, every one of our sins is forgiven through Jesus. Sure hope that one day, we will celebrate an even greater feast with Jesus in heaven.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me hold unswervingly to the hope that your faithful love gives 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.

We Remember – April 16, 2025

2025/04/16/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 22:7-20

“. . . Do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19

We Remember

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – April 16, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 22:19

See series: Devotions

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

The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history. Over 600,000 American soldiers died. After the war, families and friends who were sad and missed their loved ones would often decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers.

In 1868, a group of soldiers called the Grand Army of the Republic decided to make May 30th a special day called “Decoration Day,” where they decorated the graves of soldiers with beautiful spring flowers.

In 1882, this day was renamed “Memorial Day.” In 1967, it became an official holiday. Memorial Day is a day to remember—a day to honor those who died to give us freedom.

We honor their memory by decorating their graves. We honor their memory by being thankful for the freedom they fought for. We honor their memory by remembering what they did for us.

This week, we remember another sacrifice. Just like Memorial Day, Holy Week is a time to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. Holy Week is a time to remember how Jesus died to set us free from our sins.

On the night before Jesus died, he shared one last meal with his disciples. He gave them bread and said, “This is my body.” Then he gave them wine and said, “This is my blood.”

We call that Holy Communion. In Holy Communion, Jesus gives us his body and blood with the bread and wine in a special way to help us remember what he did for us.

Jesus died so that we could live forever with him in heaven. He died because death was the punishment we deserved for all the bad things we do. He died because he loves us so much.

Just like Memorial Day, Holy Communion is a Memorial Meal. When you see your parents and other adults receive Holy Communion at church—and when you receive it one day—take the time to remember.

Remember what Jesus did for you on the cross. Remember his sacrifice. Remember everything he gave up for you.

Remember how he died so that you could live.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me to never forget your amazing sacrifice for me. 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

We have many symbols and pictures in church to help us remember. What should you remember every time you see a cross?
Many Christians memorize verses from the Bible (like John 3:16). Why would it be good for you to memorize Bible verses like that?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What other things can you do to help you remember what Jesus did for you?
Just like the soldiers who died fighting for our freedoms, Jesus died to set us free. From what did Jesus set us free?

Questions for Middle School and Above

A traditional name for Holy Communion is “Eucharist,” which literally means “thanksgiving.” What does that name remind us to do as we remember what Jesus did for us this week?
When Americans today celebrate Memorial Day, they often get distracted by picnics, hot dogs, and family get-togethers, to the point that they don’t remember what the day is all about. When we take Holy Communion at church, what similar temptation is there for us?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Obedient All the Way to Death – April 16, 2025

2025/04/16/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8

Obedient All the Way to Death

Daily Devotion – April 16, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:8

See series: Devotions

People are willing to put up with a lot if they think it will be worth it in the end. Many athletes and high achievers in various fields will endure long hours of grueling training, decades of preparation, financial sacrifice, and the high demands of professors, coaches, and bosses along the way. But there is a limit to what people will do.

Recently, there’s been a trend in sports of athletes retiring earlier. Sometimes, it’s because athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger, so the effects of age more quickly leave them unable to compete. Other times, it’s because the toll competing takes on their body is not a price they are willing to pay for long.

Do we ever get that way in our walk with God? God’s law makes demands that we just aren’t willing to meet. Undivided devotion? No way. Love for our enemies? That’s a big ask. Complete trust when it seems like God has forgotten us? That’s a pretty hard road to stay on.

When Jesus entered the world on a mission to save, he knew the price that would be demanded of him. Not just long hours teaching and healing, days traveling on foot, or seemingly endless opposition along the way. Jesus knew that death would be required of him. A most shameful death by crucifixion on a Roman cross. Knowing what was coming, when his Father said, “Go!” Jesus went.

When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, how good it must have felt to hear the crowds shouting his praises. How easy it would have been to take a different path. Grab onto the glory and chase after the power and greatness. It was there for the taking.

But love for you and me led Jesus to surrender to his Father’s will and give himself over to death. For the times we have considered the cost of obedience too high, the price of following Jesus too great, Jesus willingly paid the price with his life. Because of his surrender, the end of the road for us is not death but life, not pain but paradise. We can surrender all to follow him, knowing that the end will be worth any price.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for giving up everything for 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.

Lent Devotion – In the Savior’s Steps – Week 6

2025/04/15/in Women's Ministry Lenten Devotions, Womens Devotions

In the Savior’s Steps

The Mount of Olives

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22:39-44

Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives to pray. This beloved place was just beyond Jerusalem along the road heading east toward Bethany. Jesus would have passed the Mount of Olives many times, perhaps even as a young boy entering Jerusalem for the Passover.

Jesus would have known the heart-wrenching story of King David, who escaped up the Mount of Olives a thousand years earlier. King David was overthrown by his son Absalom, who turned the people of Jerusalem against God’s anointed king. As David fled the city, he “continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot.” (2 Samuel 15:30). God’s chosen ruler, rejected by his people, fled up the Mount of Olives. Is it possible this shepherd-king knelt in prayer as he foreshadowed the perfect, promised Messiah?

Almost 500 years later, God gave a prophecy—which mentions the Mount of Olives. “Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley… You will flee by my mountain valley… Then… the Lord will be king over the whole earth” (Zechariah 14:3-5, 9). The Lord promised he would victoriously provide the way to save his people, and Jesus is the way—the final fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. Even Jesus’ name means “God saves!” No battle on the Mount of Olives will ever compare to Christ’s victory when he defeated death and the devil and saved us from our sins. He will return, gather believers to himself, and be exalted as the Lord of all.

It was on this same Mount of Olives that our Savior knelt again and again to talk to his Father. The Garden of Gethsemane was a familiar and welcome refuge for Jesus. Here, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death and pleaded, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus knelt on the Mount of Olives and prayed for strength to complete God’s plan of salvation. Jesus prayed this petition just as he had taught his disciples in the Lord’s Prayer. Yet Jesus’ prayer was not just a perfect example; it is the perfect completion of God’s command to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

You may not have prayed on a holy hill, but perhaps you’ve whispered a prayer in a quiet place. With faith in Christ Jesus as your Savior from sin, your prayers are like those offered on the Mount of Olives; they are heard by the triumphant Lord who answers prayers. Your prayers are heard by the God who saves his people.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you found refuge on the Mount of Olives and prayed there for strength to finish your work as my Savior. Thank you for being willing to suffer in my place. Thank you for dying to pay for my sins. Thank you for rising from the dead to live and rule through all eternity as God and Lord of all. Amen.

Written by Naomi Schmidt
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Pursuing Justice – April 15, 2025

2025/04/15/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.
Isaiah 42:3,4

Pursuing Justice

Daily Devotion – April 15, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 42:3,4

See series: Devotions

Some of the greatest heroes in history are those who have fought for justice. In American history, the emancipation of slaves, the fight for women’s suffrage, and the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement are all times when great men and women have made great sacrifices in pursuit of justice. Stirring speeches have encouraged those who listened not to give up the cause until there is justice for all.

The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah about the work that the Messiah, the Savior, would come to do. He said that he would bring justice. And he would not give up, falter, or be discouraged until it was finished.

But if we look at ourselves honestly in the mirror of God’s law, justice is a frightful thought. True justice not only pursues the end of unjust oppression, but it also pursues proper punishment for those who have done wrong. God’s justice says that the proper punishment for disobeying even one of his laws is death and unending suffering in hell. To let the lawbreaker off without a penalty would not be just and make God’s law meaningless.

Jesus came to bring justice, but not in the way we might expect. Jesus came to bring justice by surrendering himself to justice in our place. Because we could not go free without justice being carried out, Jesus assumed our guilt and surrendered to the just penalties we deserved. There was no plea bargain, no legal loopholes. He faced every charge and suffered every punishment.

One hymn writer put it this way: “Many hands were raised to wound him; none would intervene to save; but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that justice gave.” In love, Jesus willingly suffered horrible things at the hands of angry human enemies. Even more, in love, he willingly suffered the stroke of God’s justice, the punishment of hell for you and me.

Because he did, the punishment for our sins has been carried out. Now, we are justly counted as innocent in God’s eyes. And only the reward of eternal life remains.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for facing God’s justice for me so that I will always be free. 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.

Pulling Back the Curtain – Week of April 14, 2025

2025/04/14/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Pulling Back the Curtain – Week of April 14, 2025

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6-11

ECME Devotion April 14, 2025

See series: ECME Devotions

Despite America’s revolutionary departure from England’s monarchy, our country seems to have an intense curiosity about royal living. We are eager to pull back the curtain on the lives of those who are not like us and learn they really are like us in many ways. For example, Princess Anne, daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth, never accepted royal titles for her own two children. This effectively made the grandchildren commoners. Being far down the line of succession, Princess Anne and her husband felt this would help their children find more authentic jobs in the workforce. What a wonder to be an ordinary citizen but to have a living queen for a grandmother! Apparently, the Queen’s grandchildren would rough-house with their royal cousins in the palace balconies demonstrating that children are children no matter who your granny is!

Our reading points to a more significant man of royal blood living as a commoner. This Royal, Jesus, was the Son of God. He was also truly a common man but most importantly, was without sin. He did common things. He ate. He slept. He wore clothes. During this Holy Week, we also learn that he prayed. He sweat. He had friends who deserted him. He had enemies who tortured him. He bled. Exposed and vulnerable, he finally surrendered himself to death and was buried in a rocky tomb. Does this sound royal or majestic?

Just as we marvel at English royals doing regular things, we can consider why the Son of God would pursue the life of a common man. Using Scripture, we can pull back the curtain on his natural life. Jesus forfeited his royal advantage, not because he wanted to see how “the other side” lived but because he submitted to his Father’s will. His Father’s will was that Jesus become “the other side”, stripping him of his royal privileges, taking the place of helpless humans. You see, there was another curtain hanging. This curtain, our sin, separated you and me from our holy God. Separation from God is not just a tough life on the other side of the tracks. It is an eternity in actual hell. But Jesus did not just pull this curtain back, he tore this curtain, rendering it useless as a divider between God and those who believe in him. Now, because of Jesus, those who believe in him have peace with our holy God.

Our royal Savior, Jesus became common and walked among sinners to save them from eternal destruction. Because of Jesus we will become royal and walk among saints in the glorious halls of heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for tearing down the curtain of our sin that divided us from our heavenly Father. Keep us faithful until we walk with you in heaven. 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.

Don’t Make the Rocks Have to Sing for You – April 14, 2025

2025/04/14/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 19:28-40

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:40

Don’t Make the Rocks Have to Sing for You

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Family Devotion – April 14, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 19:40

See series: Devotions

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

Did you know that Jesus liked rock music? On the Sunday before he died, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a very special way. He rode on a donkey while people laid palm branches and coats along the road.

That may sound a little strange to us, but it was like rolling out the red carpet for a celebrity today. The people were welcoming Jesus as a king. And as the crowds cheered him on, they sang, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)

They were singing Psalms that talked about the coming Savior. They were saying that Jesus was the promised Savior. They were calling him a king.

But some of Jesus’ enemies didn’t like that. They didn’t believe that he was the promised Savior or king. They hated Jesus, and it drove them crazy to hear the people singing those songs to him.

So, they went to Jesus and told him to make the people stop singing.

“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

See, Jesus liked rock music!

Actually, he liked the songs the people were singing to him even more. Jesus loves it when his people sing praises to him. He deserves to be praised!

That’s what he meant when he said, “The stones will cry out.” On that Palm Sunday, 2,000 years ago, Jesus was going to be praised one way or another. If the people didn’t sing out, God would make the rocks sing!

Do you know what Jesus likes even more than rock music? He loves your music. He loves it when you sing praises to him at church. He loves hearing your voice sing his praise.

Sometimes, though, we get embarrassed. Maybe you don’t want people to think you’re weird, or maybe you don’t like the sound of your voice. So, you don’t sing very loud at church, or maybe you don’t sing at all.

But Jesus loves you. He loves the sound of your voice. He isn’t embarrassed to call you his friend. In fact, he loved you so much that he went into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday because he was going to die for you on Good Friday.

So, don’t be embarrassed to sing praises to him. Don’t make the rocks sing for you!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are awesome! Thank you for riding into Jerusalem to die for me on the cross. Help me to never be too embarrassed to sing my praises to you. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What is your favorite song to sing to Jesus?
Why do you like that song?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

When we sing our songs of praise in church, we do it for Jesus, but who else does it help when we sing?
Why should we never be embarrassed about Jesus or our faith in him?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. Just five days later, Jesus would be hanging on the cross. What does it tell you about Jesus that he rode into Jerusalem, knowing exactly what was waiting for him on Good Friday?
A friend tells you, “I don’t sing in church because I can’t sing. Nobody wants to hear my terrible voice.” What would you say in response?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

If You Want It, Go Get It – April 14, 2025

2025/04/14/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Christ Jesus . . . being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing.
Philippians 2:5-7

If You Want It, Go Get It

Daily Devotion – April 14, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:5-7

See series: Devotions

If you want something, you have to go get it. That’s the kind of advice a parent, grandparent, coach, or mentor might have for a young person. Success doesn’t just come to you. Opportunities don’t just appear with no effort on your part. You have to get out there and make something happen and seize the opportunities when they come. You have to go get what’s yours.

In most cases, it’s probably good advice. But it doesn’t seem like advice that Jesus heard or accepted. He had it all. He had the power and glory. He was God. He could do anything he wanted to do. But he gave it all away.

“He made himself nothing,” the Bible says. He gave up comfort and ease. He set aside power and authority. He gave it all up to live as a human being, to live life as a lowly servant in this world. In utter humility, Jesus was counted among the worst criminals and sentenced to death. He was crushed under the weight of God’s anger over sin and disobedience.

Instead of selfishly seizing greatness, he surrendered to lowliness. Why? Because of the greatness of his love.

You see, there was something that Jesus wanted. He knew it wouldn’t happen on its own. He had to go out and get it. He seized the opportunity and sacrificed everything to get it. What was it? It was you. It was me.

Jesus surrendered to lowliness and suffering to seize you from the grip of death in which your sins held you. He gave up everything to give you life and riches that you could never earn or achieve for yourself. Riches that will outlast every achievement and reward this world can offer.

Jesus seized the opportunity to surrender what he had to give you what was his—a place in the family of God and an eternal home. That’s what this week that Christians call “Holy Week” is all about.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, no one loves me as much as you love me. Thank you for coming to earth and giving up everything to give me life with you in heaven. 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.

Transformed – teen devotion – April 13, 2025

2025/04/13/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: A one-time substitute buries all-time guilt.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Galatians 3:13

The Curse Traded for a Cross

Let’s be real—life can feel like a constant test. Whether it’s grades, sports, friendships, or even trying to be a “good person,” the pressure to measure up is everywhere. And deep down, we all know the truth: we fall short. No matter how hard we try, we mess up. We break promises, say things we regret, think thoughts we wouldn’t want anyone to know.

That’s exactly what Galatians 3 is talking about. God’s law is perfect, and if we could follow it 100%—never sinning in thoughts, words, or actions—we’d be good. But that’s impossible. Instead of being blessed by the law, we’re crushed by it. It’s like playing a game with rules so strict that one mistake means you lose forever. The Bible calls this being under a curse—and it’s serious. Sin doesn’t just bring bad feelings; it separates us from God.

But here’s where Good Friday changes everything.

Instead of leaving us under that curse, Jesus stepped in as our substitute. He never sinned—he didn’t deserve punishment. But on the cross, he became the cursed one in our place. That’s why Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Think about it this way: A one-time substitute buries all-time guilt. Jesus, the perfect substitute, took every sin, every failure, every regret—and buried them in the grave. And when he rose again, the guilt stayed buried, but you didn’t. You’re free.

When Jesus hung on that cross, he took the punishment we should’ve gotten. He carried our sin, our guilt, our shame. He faced separation from God so we wouldn’t have to. His last breath, his pain, his suffering—it was all for you. Not because you earned it, but because he loves you that much.

So what does this mean? It means you don’t have to prove yourself to God. You don’t have to carry guilt like a backpack full of bricks. Jesus carried it for you. The curse is broken. The debt is paid. The cross wasn’t the end—it was the rescue.

On this Good Friday, don’t just see the cross as a sad event. See it as Jesus’ love letter to you, written in his own blood. And because of him, you are free.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy. We fall short, but Jesus took our place, bearing our sin and breaking the curse. Through his sacrifice, we are free and forgiven. Help us to rest in his finished work, not striving to prove ourselves but living in gratitude and faith. In Jesus’ name, 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.

Can’t Keep Quiet – April 13, 2025

2025/04/13/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:37-40

Can’t Keep Quiet

Daily Devotion – April 13, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 19:37-40

See series: Devotions

As spring warmth returns to the northern regions, choruses of birds greet the morning sun. They can’t keep quiet. Rather, they praise their Creator.

As Jesus came to Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds raised their voices, shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” They couldn’t keep quiet.

And we have an even greater reason not to keep quiet. Because we know that God is not only our Creator. We know that Jesus did more than perform miracles.

Praise him because you know why he came to Jerusalem. He came to die for sinners, to die for you and me.

Praise him because you believe in him, your King. You, like me, were once a slave to sin. But the King ransomed us to be his blood-bought people. His death on the cross redeemed you, so that by faith, you confess that he is your King. What’s more, one week after he entered Jerusalem, he proved himself our victorious King. He conquered death by rising from the dead. He broke sin’s chains and crushed Satan’s head. His resurrection makes our faith sure. So, praise your victorious King.

Praise him because he has taken our hearts that were once stone-dead in sin and made us spiritually alive. How powerless we were! But through his word in baptism and the Bible, he entered your heart and established his throne. Through his gospel, he reigns in you. Your faith holds on to this good news: You have peace with God in heaven above because Jesus reconciled you to him by his death on the cross.

Yes, now we, who were once like stones, can’t keep quiet. We cry out: “Glory to God in the highest, who gave up his Son to bring us peace. Glory to our Savior-King, who reigns forever and ever.”

Prayer:
I praise you, Jesus, for all you have done and continue to do as my King! 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.

Forgetting What Is Behind – April 12, 2025

2025/04/12/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

Forgetting What Is Behind

Daily Devotion – April 12, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14

See series: Devotions

After a long day, that glorious moment has finally arrived. However, as your weary head sinks deeper into its pillow your mind begins reviewing the events of the day, and you find that sleep is not going to come as quickly as you would like. Unfinished tasks, disappointing events, words that you regret speaking. There are all sorts of things that happened during the day that you wish you could go back and change, but you can’t.

One of the most frustrating things in life is also one of the most solid truths. We cannot go back and change anything that has happened in the past. There is no time machine that allows us to go back and avoid making the mistakes we have made.

How awesome our God is! He does undo the past. He has erased those mistakes, not by using a time machine, but with the blood of his Son, Jesus. Every hurtful word spoken, and selfish decision made, all the sinful acts we have ever committed—they have all been erased by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now we have been given a tremendous gift—a future. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, all our sin and guilt have been removed and by faith in Jesus we have been given eternal life in heaven. Instead of ending the day with a mind that is spinning, filled with the regrets of the past, we can rest in peace with our eyes focused on the wonderful future God has graciously given to us.

May the Holy Spirit graciously enable us to echo the apostle Paul’s words: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill my heart with a faith that focuses on the eternal prize that Jesus, my Savior, has won for me with his blood. With my eyes focused on heaven, help me to live my life here on earth as the forgiven child of God that I am. 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 Most Important Stone – April 11, 2025

2025/04/11/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 20:9-19

‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’
Luke 20:17

The Most Important Stone

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Family Devotion – April 11, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 20:17

See series: Devotions

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

In 2006, a fishing crew from the Philippines got stuck in a big storm. The boat’s anchor got caught on something, and they couldn’t move.

One of the fishermen dove down to the bottom to free the anchor. When he got there, he found the anchor stuck on a giant clam. As he freed the anchor, he discovered something in the clam—a huge, oddly shaped pearl, almost two feet long and weighing nearly 75 pounds! He brought it home and put it under his bed for good luck.

In 2016, when the fisherman moved, he gave the pearl to a friend to keep safe. That’s when he found out that the pearl was the biggest one in the world and worth over $100,000,000!

For ten years, the pearl sat under his bed because he didn’t realize how valuable it was.

Just like in the story Jesus told about the evil tenants, the people of Israel in the Old Testament rejected God’s messengers, the prophets, over and over. When God finally sent his Son, Jesus, they rejected him too, even though they killed him on the cross.

They rejected Jesus because he wasn’t what they wanted him to be. They didn’t realize how much he was worth. In today’s reading, Jesus quoted a verse from Psalm 118: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

A long time ago, the cornerstone was the most important stone. It was the first stone builders used when they started a building. All the other stones depended on it.

Even though Jesus was the most important stone, the people of Israel rejected him. Like the fisherman’s pearl, they thought he wasn’t worth very much.

Sometimes, we can forget how valuable Jesus is. We can get so busy with school, sports, and everything else that we forget about him during the week. We go to church on Sundays but then don’t think about or talk to him the rest of the week.

We don’t completely reject Jesus like the Israelites did, but we forget he’s worth more than a $100,000,000 pearl. Without Jesus, we wouldn’t exist. Without him, we couldn’t live or breathe. Without Jesus, we would be lost forever.

Jesus is the most important stone.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for everything you give us—our lives, our families, and everything we own. Thank you especially for dying for our sins on the cross and giving us heaven. Help us always remember how special and valuable you are. 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 is Jesus so important to you?
How can we show Jesus that he is the most important thing in our lives?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why do you think some people don’t believe in Jesus or reject him?
Look up 1 Corinthians 10:12. Do you think you could ever reject Jesus? Why or why not?

Questions for Middle School and Above

In the Old Testament, God’s people wouldn’t listen to his messengers, the prophets, and they lost everything. What warning does this give us when we go to church and listen to God’s Word?
How is this statement true? “Show me what you spend your money and time on, and I will tell you what is most important to you.”

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

This King Saves – April 11, 2025

2025/04/11/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion

Based on Luke 19:28-40

I received a text from a US Navy sailor who asked, “Chaplain Horn, could you please say a prayer today for my shipmates? They were underway and then out of the blue were told that their tour got extended by a handful of months. They are headed right into the thick of it in the Middle East.”

I reached out to one of our deployed US Army soldiers who is in Eastern Europe and asked, “How I can pray for you today?” He responded, “Pray for peace. The number of dead bodies in large-scale combat is not something we can fathom in our American minds.”

Earlier today I reached out to an Air Force National Guardsman who just deployed, asking how she was. She responded, “I just landed in country. I start my job tonight. Pray that my wing supports those who fly sorties, but I’m more concerned about my husband and infant son back home. Please pray for them.”

Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars. These are the things that keep us up at night and cause anxiety, and the reason our prayer lists do not diminish but seem to always increase. It feels that this is ever-present in our life. And it is. It’s because of the presence of sin in a broken world. Some have asked, “Is it proper for us to pray for peace? Will it actually happen on this earth? Is this something that our King in heaven can actually bring about?”

This coming Sunday you will hear about this King, on the Sunday we call Palm Sunday, or Sunday of the Passion. You will most likely hear the story of Jesus as he rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. The disciples and the crowds of people cut down branches from the trees and lay them down in the dirt road to show respect for a king as he comes into his city. They shout, “Hosanna!” We hear this ancient word all the way back in the psalms. It’s a cry to the Lord that says, “Save us!” And that’s exactly what the King comes to do. He rides into Jerusalem to save—to save by going to war.

He goes to war against all that keeps us up at night, against all that makes us anxious. He goes to war against war itself. He goes to war with death and grave. He goes to war against the devil and his forces of evil, who use war and anxiety and fear and frustration to cast doubt in our minds that our King can truly save us. He goes to war by sitting atop a donkey, amid the cheers of “Hosanna!” He goes and he does just that: He saves.

He saves not with Tomahawk missiles but in meekness. He saves not with a show of force but in weakness. He wins by way of a cross and a tomb. Not much of a military strategist, is he? But he wins but stomping on the head of the devil, crushing death by rising from his tomb.

With this victory, no more can Satan cast doubt in our hearts about this King, for he has done what he said he would do. No more can death and grave scare us into submission. For this King lives and lives to give us the sure confidence of life eternal. This King saves. This King restores all things, and he does this for you.

Whatever keeps you up at night, whatever causes you to feel anxious, be at peace. Know that Jesus came to save you, your loved ones, and your battle buddies—to save them from all that might frighten us.

As for that for peace, the answer is, “Yes.” When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us our daily bread,” part of that prayer includes peace for the nations. When there is peace, when there is good government, there is safety. When there is peace and safety there is the ability to earn our daily bread in our varied vocations. Peace helps us love and serve our neighbor. Even in wartime and disaster, there is certainly opportunity for us to love and serve our neighbor.

Let us pray for peace, and pray that our hearts may be at peace, knowing and believing and trusting that this King saves. He saves us now and for eternity.

Prayer:

We praise you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you have redeemed us and saved us through your Son, Jesus Christ. As he was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments and branches of palms in his path, so may we always hail him as our King and follow him with perfect confidence.

Keep safe all our nation’s warriors and those who support them. Bring peace to those areas of our world where there is conflict.

Continue to bless our nation’s Air Force Reserve, which celebrates its birthday on April 14. It is by your gracious hand, Lord, that since 1948 you have provided a combat-ready force for varied missions across the Air Force. Today, as these men and women deploy weather reconnaissance to keep our pilots safe and engage in modular aerial firefighting and Pararescue, keep them always ready to assure victory for our nation—anytime, anywhere, to “fly, fight, and win.” We ask this in your gracious name. Amen.

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

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

To Press On – April 11, 2025

2025/04/11/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

To Press On

Daily Devotion – April 11, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:14

See series: Devotions

When word leaked out that Sylvester Stallone was working on yet another Rocky movie, many people groaned and rolled their eyes. After all, it had been thirty years since the original film and fifteen years had passed since the last installment, Rocky V, opened in theaters. Critics had panned Rocky V as nothing more than a thin, tired last gasp of a worn-out franchise.

Despite the guffaws, Stallone soldiered on. He believed Rocky Balboa still had something to say. He was right. The film, simply entitled Rocky Balboa, hit the big screen in 2006. And to everyone’s amazement, Rocky Balboa was good. Very good.

The climactic scene of the film is an emotional exchange between Rocky and his son, who, by now is a young adult. His son has just poured out his heart to Rocky, describing the difficulties and hardships he’s had to endure because of the ups and downs of his famous father. Rocky’s response is poignant and powerful. After describing to his son how brutal, unfair, and relentless life can be, he says, “[But] it ain’t about how hard you’re hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

The apostle Paul knew a thing or two about taking hits. Over the years of his ministry, he’d endured beatings with rods, imprisonment, stoning, angry mobs threatening his life, shipwrecks, hunger, thirst and lack of sleep. He’d endured the heartache and disappointment of people turning their backs on Jesus.

Nevertheless, Paul pressed on. But here’s the point: He pressed on not to make himself worthy of his heavenly prize. Rather, he pressed on because of what Jesus Christ had already done to secure the heavenly prize for him. Christ had already secured victory by living a life of perfect persistence in Paul’s place. He had already secured victory by going to the cross and washing away Paul’s many sinful stumbles and falls. Therefore, what drove Paul to persevere was God’s persistent love for him in Jesus.

And that is what drives us, too.

Prayer:
Lord, move me to press on, as you pressed on for 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.

Deepest Wish and Need – April 10, 2025

2025/04/10/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Philippians 3:8

Deepest Wish and Need

Daily Devotion – April 10, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:8

See series: Devotions

Christian writer Tim Keller once quoted an author by the name of Cynthia Heimel. In her circles, Heimel got to know a lot of celebrities before they became celebrities. Then she got to watch them after they made it big. As a result, she said the following: “I pity [celebrities]. No, I do. They were once perfectly pleasant human beings. But now, their wrath is awful. More than any of us, they wanted fame. They worked. They pushed. [But] the morning after each of them became famous, they wanted to take an overdose. Because that one giant thing they were striving for, that thing that was going to make everything okay, had happened. And nothing changed. They were still them. Cynthia Heimel then went on to say, “I think when God wishes to play a rotten practical joke on you, he grants your deepest wish.”

How about you? It’s easy, of course, to pick on celebrities who find out that being famous does not make everything okay. But you and I are just as vulnerable. Sure, we may not pick fame as our deepest wish. Our deepest wish may be something entirely different. Perhaps it’s popularity or respect from others in your line of work. Perhaps it’s success, financial security, authority, and influence. Perhaps it’s living life with a minimum of trouble.

The problem is that our deepest wish can often miss the mark of our deepest need. When that happens, we will experience the same fate as Cynthia Heimel’s celebrities. We will find that even when we get our deepest wish, nothing changes. We are still us.

That’s what the apostle Paul discovered. When he looked back on all the ways he had fulfilled his deepest wishes, respect, success in his field, success, and power, all this power he now regarded as harmful distractions in comparison to his deepest need.

Jesus Christ filled that need. He washed away Paul’s sins on Calvary’s cross. He connected Paul to God. He’s here to do the same for you and me.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my greatest need is you. Do what you must to keep me close. 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.

True Value – April 9, 2025

2025/04/09/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Philippians 3:4-14

Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 3:7

True Value

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Family Devotion – April 9, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:7

See series: Devotions

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

Do you know anyone who collects sports cards, Pokémon cards, or other cool collectibles? Andy collected baseball cards when he was a boy in the 1980s. In 1985, he spent his newspaper route money to buy packs of baseball cards and was super excited when he pulled out five rookie cards of a young player named Mark McGwire.

In 1998, Mark McGwire broke the single-season home run record. His rookie card became super valuable—each one was worth thousands of dollars! Now an adult, Andy thought about selling his cards. Then he thought, “If they’re worth thousands now, just imagine what they’ll be worth in a few years!”

So, Andy didn’t sell any of his Mark McGwire rookie cards. But then, in 1999, rumors started that McGwire had cheated by using steroids to become bigger and stronger. In 2001, another player broke his home run record. Just like that, the value of his cards crashed.

The same cards that were once worth thousands were now only worth a few dollars each.

The apostle Paul once thought he had something really valuable, too. He thought he was earning his way to heaven by being a good person and doing everything right. He thought God loved him because he followed all the rules and was better than others.

For a long time, Paul believed all the good things he did were worth a lot.

But then something happened. Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to a place called Damascus. Jesus showed Paul that he had it all wrong. Paul realized that, even though he thought he was good, he was actually hurting people and making bad choices. He learned that he couldn’t earn God’s love—because God already loved him!

Paul discovered that God loved him no matter what. Even though he had messed up, Jesus had already taken his punishment on the cross. God forgave him completely.

In the end, Paul realized that what he thought was so valuable was actually worth nothing. But in Jesus, he found a treasure that would never lose its value.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, please forgive me for all the times I treat other things as more valuable than you. Help me remember that your love is the greatest treasure of all. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What is something you really love, or think is important? Can you think of anything even more important than that?
Why do you think some people might care more about things like toys or money than about Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What do you think it means that God loves you just because you’re you, not because of anything you do?
Name at least one way you show that you love God.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why do you think Paul called the things he tried to do to earn God’s love “garbage”? What do you think he meant by that?
What are some “good things” you do because you love God? How do those good things show God’s love to others?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Connection – April 9, 2025

2025/04/09/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The people I formed for myself.
Isaiah 43:21

Connection

Daily Devotion – April 9, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:21

See series: Devotions

In April 2020, a ten-part series entitled The Last Dance began to air on the sports network ESPN. It told the story of Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls, and their legendary place in NBA history. For many who love the game of basketball, the series reaffirmed their conviction that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.

But imagine, for a moment, the unimaginable. Imagine Michael Jordan going it alone, without a basketball team. Imagine him disconnecting from the league of teams known as the National Basketball Association. Imagine him disconnecting from the fan base that makes professional basketball possible. The very notion is absurd on its face.

In Isaiah chapter 43, the Lord says something that’s often easy to forget. He not only created us. He created us for himself. He did not simply manufacture us and plunk us into a universe of his own making. He created us for the express purpose of living life in profound connection with him.

This reality has huge ramifications. It means that my life has no independent value. It means that while I may drift away from God and convince myself it’s okay to dismiss him from my life, doing so empties me of the very purpose for which I exist. And while I may manage to deceive myself with a life of busyness, career, recreation, and pleasure, it means nothing. Nothing.

And yet, in your sinful madness and mine, you and I often try to give it a go. We fade away from God. We replace him with something or someone else. We disconnect from the very One for whom we exist.

But so precious is his connection with us that out of a love we cannot grasp, he did what he had to do to bring us back. He became one of us. He walked among us. On our behalf, he lived a life of perfect faithfulness to replace our lives of faithlessness. Then he took upon himself all our sins of abandonment and betrayal. He suffered and died for all of them in our place. He washed them all away.

All so that he, you, and I could be together again. Connected once more.

Prayer:
Lord, you made me for yourself. In Christ, I am yours once again. Thank you. 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.

Lent Devotion – In the Savior’s Steps – Week 5

2025/04/08/in Women's Ministry Lenten Devotions, Womens Devotions

In the Savior’s Steps

Lazarus’ Tomb

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:1,4,6-7,14-15,38-44

Death wasn’t anything new for Jesus. At this point in his ministry, he had already raised two people from the dead. But a tomb… that was different. Death’s hold hadn’t been so strong before. Lazarus had been in the grave for four days, past the time when some Jews believed the soul still lingered near the body in hopes of returning to it.

Nor was this just any tomb. No, this one was personal. Jesus had almost certainly never met Jairus’ daughter before, nor the widow of Nain’s son. But Lazarus? This was Jesus’ friend, the brother of Mary and Martha, the family whom Jesus loved. The disciples must have been shocked that Jesus waited two days before going to the tomb. Why would he wait? They had seen his power over sickness and death—why not go immediately to heal the one that he loved?

But Jesus did wait, and Lazarus did die, and so here they were: at a tomb. Although we aren’t told what Jesus was thinking when he approached the tomb, there certainly could have been a sense of anticipation as the cross—and the tomb—loomed large. Even the prophet Isaiah linked the Messiah with a tomb: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death” (Isaiah 53:9).

Like the disciples, we’ll have to wait until Easter morning to see victory over that tomb. But we don’t have to wait that long to see Jesus’ power over death. As we hear him call Lazarus to come out, we also see Lazarus emerge—resurrected, alive, back with his family and loved ones.

Death is also often personal for us. Whether the grief is still fresh and raw or the pain has faded to a dull ache, death always leaves a hole. We might pray for the same outcome as Lazarus: that our loved one would emerge from the tomb and live among us once again. And while nothing is impossible with God, he doesn’t seem to work through those types of miracles anymore.

Where does that leave us in our sorrow and grief? At a tomb with Jesus. Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, and he knows the heartbreak we are experiencing. Death was personal for Jesus, just like it’s personal for us. We can turn to him in our moments of anguish, knowing that he, too, lost someone he loved.

And more importantly, we know the tomb is not the end of the story. Mary and Martha saw the glory of God on full display when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We’ll likely have to wait a bit longer for this glory and probably won’t experience it on this side of heaven. But we do have heaven as our sure and certain hope.

Yes, we all stand at tombs, and there’s a tomb in our own future (unless Jesus returns first). But Jesus’ story didn’t end at the tomb, and neither will ours. As we approach Holy Week, may we see it all: the cross, but also the empty tomb, and the sure hope that our graves—and the graves of all those we love—will be empty one day as well.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we marvel at your power over death. In our moments of grief, give us the hope to cling tightly to that power. Remind us that death cannot separate us from your love, nor does it separate us from those we love who die in you. Amen.

Written by Kristi Meyer
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

Resurrection Promised. Resurrection Delivered.

In the Savior’s Steps

The Empty Tomb

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Raised Imperishable

Mountaintop Views

Closing Prayer:

Death’s Sting Is Removed

A Resurrected Life

All These Things – Women’s Devotion

Attitude

Read: John 19:17-30

What’s So Good About Good Friday?

Closing Prayer:

The Curse Is Ended

Faithful to His Promises

Read: Luke 22:7-20

We Remember

Closing Prayer:

Obedient All the Way to Death

In the Savior’s Steps

The Mount of Olives

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Pursuing Justice

Pulling Back the Curtain – Week of April 14, 2025

ECME Devotion April 14, 2025

Read: Luke 19:28-40

Don’t Make the Rocks Have to Sing for You

Closing Prayer:

If You Want It, Go Get It

Can’t Keep Quiet

Forgetting What Is Behind

Read: Luke 20:9-19

The Most Important Stone

Closing Prayer:

To Press On

Deepest Wish and Need

Read: Philippians 3:4-14

True Value

Closing Prayer:

Connection

In the Savior’s Steps

Lazarus’ Tomb

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