United in God – June 9, 2023

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

United in God

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Daily Devotion – June 9, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Jesus once prayed that God’s people would be as close and unified as the triune God. He wanted us to be one as the Father, the Son, and Spirit are one. (See John 17:21-23.) Unfortunately, that is not exactly what we experience today. Among God’s people, there is bickering, backbiting, and dissension.

The apostle Paul had a similar experience in the churches he started, especially in Corinth. In this church, the people were divided over their favorite pastor, some were boasting of their acceptance of sin, and others were trying to discredit Paul and his message. These problems caused the church to be splintered and hostile.

Paul knew that Jesus desired his church to be completely unified. So he worked to lead God’s people to repent and forgive each other. In love, he spoke forcefully about the work of Satan among them, begging them to leave their wicked ways and unite around the truth.

Paul could not accomplish this goal on his own. That’s why he closed his letter with this blessing. He asked for the “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” to be on the Corinthians. They needed to remember that their status with God was based on the grace of Jesus Christ. He prayed for the “love of God” the Father to be on them. He wanted the congregation to love one another as the Father loved them. Finally, just as they were united with God through “the fellowship Holy Spirit,” Paul wanted them to be united with one another.

We need this same blessing spoken over us. We, too, experience division and discord in the family of God. We need our God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to give us his grace, love, and presence. As we are united with God through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to be united with one another.

Prayer:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all so that we may be one as our God is one. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Let Us Make Mankind In Our Image – June 8, 2023

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27

Let Us Make Mankind In Our Image

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Daily Devotion – June 8, 2023

Devotion based on Genesis 1:27

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Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between humans and the other creatures in God’s world. For example, I find myself talking to my dog like she is just another family member. But humans are different from animals. On the very first page of the Bible, God says that humans, both male, and female, were made in God’s image, in his likeness.

One of the primary characteristics of God is love. God’s love is not just a warm feeling; but an action. We see this eternal love displayed at Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus came out of the water, the Father spoke from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit was there too, resting on Jesus, empowering him to serve.

Jesus’ baptism gives a window into an eternal reality. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have always loved one another. As God’s image-bearers, we were created to mirror that love in the world. Unfortunately, that’s not who we have always been. We have not loved one another as God has loved us.

That’s why we needed a new kind of human to enter our world. The God-man, Jesus Christ. He lived a life of complete selfless love to the point of death. He conquered death through his glorious resurrection. Because of the work of the Son, the Father now says to us, “You are my child, whom I love. With you, I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit now rests on us and empowers us to love as God’s image-bearers.

So take up your place in God’s created world. You are more than a mere creature. You were made to be like God, to love as he loves us.

Prayer:
Lord God, you created me to be more than just a mere creature, satisfying my own desires. You created me in your image, in your likeness. As a forgiven child of God, give me your Holy Spirit so I would love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The True God Has Reclaimed His Creation – June 7, 2023

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1,2

The True God Has Reclaimed His Creation

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Daily Devotion – June 7, 2023

Devotion based on Genesis 1:1,2

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How do you imagine the first moments of creation? The Bible tells us there was a kind of chaos. “The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Our world was a disordered mess. But then God spoke and formed new structures—light and darkness, skies and water, dry land and vegetation.

Sadly, after God created a perfect place for his people, a new type of chaos came into our world. As a result of the disobedience of the first man and woman, the darkness of evil and selfishness became a reality. In his love, God the Father continues to create humans to inhabit this world. Even more remarkably, he sent his Son to pay for the sins of the world. And the Holy Spirit now works in the hearts of men and women to trust that what Jesus did; he did for them.

And still, our triune God is not finished. He promises to return one day to make all things new, to make a new heaven and a new earth, to put all things back the way they are supposed to be. Until that day, let us trust our Creator, Savior, and divine Counselor to love us, be with us, and give our lives meaning and purpose, even in the chaos.

Prayer:
Lord God, you created all things by your power. Create in me a new heart that trusts you and wants to follow you wherever you want me to go. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Baptized Into God’s Family – June 6, 2023

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Baptized Into God’s Family

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Daily Devotion – June 6, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 28:18-20

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Have you ever felt like an outsider? I remember feeling like an outsider when I didn’t make the seventh-grade basketball team. I didn’t have the skills, size, or speed to contribute. I felt the same way when I didn’t get a delivery job because of my past failures behind the wheel.

Have you had a similar experience? Maybe you didn’t make the team, club, or company because of your lack of skills or experience. So, you remained an outsider. You just didn’t belong.

Thankfully, there is one team on which you can be sure you belong–God’s team. In fact, two thousand years ago, Jesus commanded his followers to tell people about God’s team and his desire for them to be on it.

You might wonder, “Am I really qualified to be on God’s team?” The truth is, you’re not. No one is. But Jesus’ life, death and resurrection qualify us to be on God’s team. That’s why Jesus told his followers to go to all nations. It doesn’t matter your race or ethnicity, whether you are young or old, rich or poor, male or female. God wants all people on his team, and Jesus has done everything necessary for them to be on God’s team. You don’t need to submit a resume, compete in a tryout, or submit your record. To get on this team, you don’t do anything. In fact, God does something for you. He told his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The water combined with those words qualifies people to be on God’s team. What a wonderful gift!

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the waters of baptism that bring sinners like me into your family. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Worship Jesus – June 5, 2023

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him.
Matthew 28:16,17

Worship Jesus

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Daily Devotion – June 5, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 28:16,17

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If someone asked you to describe who Jesus was, you might be tempted to say, “He was a great teacher.” But according to the well-known scholar, C.S. Lewis, that is the one thing we must not say. Although Jesus taught many important lessons about God, he also said, “I am the true God.”

According to Lewis, a person who says such a thing is either a liar who is willfully deceiving his listeners, a lunatic who has a delusional understanding of reality, or he is who he says he is: true God and also true man.

Jesus’ closest followers believed their leader fell into the third category. But it took them a while to come to this conclusion. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, the disciples would ask, “Who is this? He even commands the winds and the waves to obey him?” Over time, they concluded that Jesus was more than a mortal man, and he seemed to have divine influence. But then, their miraculous Messiah was crucified and died, and they were again confused and disillusioned. He saved other people, but he couldn’t seem to save himself.

But three days after his death, he appeared to them alive. He told them he had to die to pay for sins and rose back to life to conquer our last enemy, death itself. And so, when Jesus gathered this group of followers on a mountain before he left them, Matthew tells us, “They worshiped him.” Jesus was no mere teacher. This man standing before them was their God. All the praise they had offered to the Lord of Israel was now directed towards Jesus, their Savior.

Now it’s your turn to worship Jesus just as his disciples did. Because Jesus did more than just teach about God; he proved himself to be God. He lived a perfect life, died in your place, and rose again so you would never reduce him to the status of a mere mortal.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I worship and praise you, my Savior and my God. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Meaningful Purpose – June 4, 2023

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26,27

A Meaningful Purpose

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Daily Devotion – June 4, 2023

Devotion based on Genesis 1:26,27

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Why am I here? More than one person has reached a certain point in life when they asked themselves that question. Perhaps the new job isn’t working out the way you wanted it to. School can be so challenging that the same question may come up. What about when you find yourself among a group of people with whom you really don’t have anything in common? “Why am I here?” you may silently ask yourself.

Throughout the generations, people have asked themselves the same question when it comes to not only where they live; but why they were born in the first place. Wonderings of this sort have led some people to believe in fate—that is all a matter of chance. But isn’t there something more certain than that?

The Bible tells us that we have been placed here by a perfect and loving God. He made us exactly what we are and gives us every good thing we receive in this life. This God is wise enough to create us, loving enough to rescue us from the punishment our misdeeds deserve. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are not creatures of fate tossed to and fro. God has a meaningful purpose for you—to praise him and live for him in thanks for all he has given and done for you. That is why you are here!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, move my lips to praise you and my heart to trust in you all my days. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Loyalty – June 3, 2023

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 2:21

Loyalty

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Daily Devotion – June 3, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 2:21

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Say the name “Napoleon Bonaparte,” and many people today picture in their minds a short, cartoonish man wearing an old-fashioned military hat and an oversized ego. But Napoleon Bonaparte was no cartoon. Rather, he was one of the most prominent leaders the world has ever seen. In the opening decade of the 19th Century, Napoleon was the master of Europe. His victories were stunning and brilliant. And perhaps most striking of all, Napoleon had a way of nurturing within his army a loyalty to him that defies description. For Napoleon they would endure the searing heat of Egypt and the lethal cold of Russia. Many thought he could do anything. They, in turn, would endure anything for him.

But as ingenious and capable as he was, Napoleon was just a man. That reality hit home one day after a battle. One of his officers lay mortally wounded. He called for his general. Napoleon appeared. In the man’s haze of agony and fear, he asked Napoleon to save him. All Napoleon could do was shake his head sadly and turn away. Later, as the moment of death approached, the man cried out, “Save me, Napoleon. Save me!” But his fierce loyalty to Napoleon made no difference when it came to this. The man soon died.

As we work our way through life, you and I develop all kinds of loyalties, and rightfully so. There is loyalty to family, loyalty to friends, loyalty to mentors and employers, co-workers, and colleagues. But if our loyalty to human beings begins to take the place of our Savior from sin, then we have drifted into a place where our Lord does not want us to be.

Consider where your loyalties lie. Give them some serious thought. Repent of those loyalties that have clouded your focus on Jesus. Be washed in his blood. And with fresh clarity, fix your eyes on the only Lord of life and death there is. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for the misguided loyalties that have distracted me from you. Fill me with your Spirit. Renew the zeal of my loyalty to you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Thirst – June 2, 2023

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”
John 7:37

Thirst

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Daily Devotion – June 2, 2023

Devotion based on John 7:37

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The more we learn about the human body, the more we see the sophistication of this wondrous machine God has created. Take the simple act of quenching your thirst with a glass of water. Even after years of research, scientists are not certain how it all works. So far, their best guess goes something like this. In your brain is a small area called the lamina terminalis. The lamina terminalis has the ability to monitor when your body needs more fluids. When it does, the lamina terminalis sends you a signal by making you feel thirsty.

But here is where it gets even more interesting. Let’s say you feel thirsty. You fill up a glass with cool, crisp, clean water, and you begin to drink it down. Although it takes quite a while for a glass of water to have a real effect on your body, your lamina terminalis will give you an instant dose of a feel-good transmitter called dopamine. It’s your body’s way of telling you up-front that it’s receiving what it needs.

Each of us, by nature, carries the burden of a deep, desperate thirst. But it does not come from a lack of fluids in the body. Rather, it’s a spiritual thirst. And what causes this thirst is sin—your sin and mine. On our own, we have tried to quench this thirst. We’ve tried money, power, pleasure, entertainment, and success. We may even have tried mind-altering drugs, politics, or better behavior. But nothing works. Nothing satisfies. Nothing quenches the thirst.

Enter God the Holy Spirit. Through the words of the Bible, he speaks to us. As he does, he identifies the one thing that quenches our thirst. What quenches our thirst is forgiveness—forgiveness that God the Son purchased for you and me through his suffering and death on the cross.

“Come to me and drink,” Jesus says. Through the work of his Holy Spirit and by the power of his gospel, be refreshed. Be filled. Be forgiven in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, by your gospel, quench my thirst in Jesus alone. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Miracles – June 1, 2023

No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3

Miracles

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Daily Devotion – June 1, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 12:3

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Miracles are taking place all around us. True miracles. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.

Iran: The man had been a member of the Taliban. His role had been an executioner—putting to death those who did not agree with his religion. But then came the sleepless nights. He was troubled and restless. Then he heard about Jesus. Over time, he came to trust in Christ as his Savior. The sleepless nights are gone.

Afghanistan: In growing numbers, the young wish to learn more about Jesus. For example, a phone call came into a Christian broadcast center. It was from an apartment where 25 young men had secretly gathered because they wanted to learn more about the gospel.

China: Even after decades of persecution, house churches of Christians are multiplying. According to one estimate, there are now one hundred times more Christians in China than in 1949.

South America: In some of the darkest, most remote regions of the Amazon rainforest, souls are coming to faith in Jesus as their Savior. They are finding their peace in Christ, turning their backs on the old superstitions.

United States: Even in a country where secularism seems to be the trend, souls from New York to LA are still leaving behind their old lives centered on materialism and self-gratification. Burned out by living for status and money, people are still discovering true purpose and meaning and joy in Jesus Christ and the sure promises of his Word.

The apostle Paul points to the source of these miracles. No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. It is God the Holy Spirit alone who is responsible for bringing lost souls to faith. And Paul should know. As a former persecutor of Christians, Paul knew he had come to faith in Jesus solely through the work of the Holy Spirit.

And the miracles continue—person by person, soul by soul. God the Holy Spirit uses his gospel message to draw individuals to Christ, to trust in Jesus as the One who died for their sins and arose from death. And on it will go, until the Lord calls us home.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank you for working miracles through your Word and sacrament. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Name – May 31, 2023

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2:21

The Name

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Daily Devotion – May 31, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 2:21

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Consider the curious power of a name. On the one hand, a name is simply a sequence of selected vowels and consonants. But when you see or hear the name of someone you know, that name is an instant trigger. It immediately delivers to the front of your mind everything you know about that person. It delivers to you the person’s appearance. It delivers to you the sound of the person’s voice. It delivers to you that person’s personality, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. It can also deliver to you all the good and bad experiences you’ve had with that person.

Some names have the power to make you smile and laugh and bathe you in warm memories. Other names may have the power to make you wince and grow silent. That is how potent a name can be.

Which brings us to the most powerful name there is. When you and I take even a moment to meditate on the name of our Lord, his truth and beauty arise. There is his goodness, his justice, his mercy, his faithfulness, his power, his wisdom, his eternity, his glory. And there is his grace, his undeserved love for you and me in Jesus Christ.

And that’s why the name of our Lord is something more. The name of our Lord is not simply a trigger that delivers to my mind all the profound truths his Word has revealed. The name of the Lord is the name that saves my soul. As the apostle Peter says elsewhere, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

When God the Holy Spirit, through his gospel, creates within me the miracle of faith in my Savior; and when, in faith, I call on the name of the Lord, forgiveness is mine, God’s promises are mine, eternal life is mine. All mine through faith in the name of the One who lived a perfect life in my place, suffered and died for my sin, and rose from the grave. That is the power of the name of the Lord.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your Spirit move me to call on your name every single day. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Misunderstood – May 30, 2023

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “. . . These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!”
Acts 2:14,15

Misunderstood

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Daily Devotion – May 30, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 2:14,15

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Ten days after the risen Christ had ascended into heaven, he sent his promised Holy Spirit. As he did, the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ apostles to speak God’s Word in all kinds of different languages. A large crowd quickly gathered around the apostles to find out what was happening. But while many were delighted to hear the message of Jesus in their own native language, others misunderstood. They dismissed the apostles as drunken babblers because they could not understand what they were saying.

It was not the first time believers in Christ were misunderstood, and it would not be the last.

You and I live in a world broken and twisted in sin. You and I also live in a world where Satan and his demons will seize every opportunity to nurture misunderstanding and misperception. We ourselves have fallen for it at times. Thank God that his Son has come. Thank God that Christ Jesus has lived a life of perfect truth on our behalf, and God has taken our every lie and deception and paid for them all at the cross on Golgotha. And thank God that his Son has risen from the dead.

Now it’s our privilege and joy to live for him—to declare Jesus in our words and actions. As we do, some will misunderstand, and some will draw wrong conclusions. Some will assume the worst. They will accuse us of many things—from toxic hypocrisy to dark, hidden agendas.

If they do, that’s okay. They misunderstood Jesus, too. Sometimes, on purpose. But Jesus kept right at it—teaching, serving, demonstrating love, showing kindness, proclaiming the truth, calling souls to repentance, announcing the good news of full forgiveness in him.

As souls washed clean in Jesus’ blood, you and I can do the same.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there were those who chose to misunderstand you. There were those who chose to misunderstand your followers. In the face of misunderstanding, give me courage. Give me patience. Move me to keep right on living for you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Finding Your Voice – May 29, 2023

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.
Acts 2:14

Finding Your Voice

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Daily Devotion – May 29, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 2:14

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On December 5, 1955, 26-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. received a shock. He and others had gathered to prepare for a first-of-its-kind mass meeting. The meeting was to address the overt racism that existed in their city’s policies. Dr. King had no interest in serving as a leader in this effort. He just wanted to attend. But less than an hour before the meeting began, the group, to his dismay, chose him to make a speech.

He had 20 minutes to prepare. He later said he wasted five of those twenty minutes having a panic attack. Then he had to fight traffic. Then he had to struggle through the crowd of thousands. Finally, at 7:30 P.M., with only a few notes, Martin Luther King, Jr. began to speak. The packed hall listened. The rest is history. Martin Luther King, Jr. had found his voice.

Ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the apostle Peter stood up to address a crowd in Jerusalem. Up to this point, Peter’s reputation for courage under pressure was sketchy at best. But things had happened—extraordinary things. For one, the promised Holy Spirit had filled Peter with courage through the power of the gospel. For another, Peter’s crucified and buried Lord had risen from the dead. So when Peter stood up to speak, he spoke with real bravery. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit, Peter had found his voice.

In our sinful weaknesses, you and I can often wince and cower at the thought of speaking to someone else about Jesus. But things have happened—extraordinary things. For one, the promised Holy Spirit has come to fill us with courage through the power of the gospel. And for another, our crucified and buried Lord has risen from the dead.

You and I may never be a Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking to thousands in a single speech. You and I may never be a Peter, speaking boldly to people who had called for Jesus’ crucifixion. But the Lord can move you to speak to another soul about Jesus. In him, you can find your voice.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you’ve washed me clean. You’ve risen from death. Empower me to find my voice. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Pentecost Miracle – May 28, 2023

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:41

Pentecost Miracle

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Daily Devotion – May 28, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 2:41

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When the Holy Spirit revealed himself on that first Pentecost Sunday, the people of Jerusalem witnessed dramatic miracles. They heard men speak languages they had never studied before. They heard the sound of wind rushing through that room in the temple—but there was no wind to be found. They saw what appeared to be little tongues of fire hovering over the disciples’ heads. Incredible miracles—each indicating the special presence of God the Holy Spirit with his people.

Which of these miracles would you say was the greatest? Anyone who has attempted to learn another language will verify how amazing a miracle it was when those mostly unschooled disciples started speaking all the different languages of the world—without ever cracking a book. And the other sights and sounds were equally remarkable. But all these miracles pale in comparison with the greatest Pentecost miracle.

The greatest Pentecost miracle occurred later than all the rest. The Bible tells us that “about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41). Just think of it! Three thousand people raised from death to life! Three thousand people added to God’s workforce to carry out our Savior’s Great Commission to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Though the other Pentecost miracles were incredible, there was no comparison with the miracle of faith that the Holy Spirit worked through God’s Word that day.

That greatest Pentecost miracle continues today. When we hear and read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit bolsters and strengthens our hearts. When we speak God’s Word, the Spirit works to bring people from death to eternal life. A simple splash of water or a morsel of bread and a sip of wine, when used with God’s Word, creates and strengthens God’s gift of faith. The Holy Spirit continues the greatest Pentecost miracle as we use and share God’s Word and sacraments. What a wonder!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, through your Word and sacrament, continue to work your miracle of faith in my heart. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Rejoice in Your Sufferings – May 27, 2023

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12,13

Rejoice in Your Sufferings

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Daily Devotion – May 27, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:12,13

See series: Devotions

What makes you happy? The end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation? Seeing a beloved family member again after a long separation? Being able to spend some time on the golf course or in the wood shop or at the pool?

How about suffering? Does suffering make you happy? Would you consider it pure joy to actually suffer physical violence because you told other people about Jesus?

Jesus’ apostles really did consider it pure joy to suffer in that way. One time, after the Jewish ruling council had them flogged for preaching about Jesus, they “went out…rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name” of Jesus (Acts 5:41). In fact, they went right back to the temple and kept telling people about Jesus, despite the punishment they had just endured.

The apostle Peter tells us in today’s Bible passage that we, too, can “rejoice as [we] share in the sufferings of Christ.” When people ridicule us for being Christians, we can consider ourselves blessed because God’s Spirit rests on us. Such suffering doesn’t come to us because we’re doing something wrong. Rather it comes because we’re doing something right. We’re suffering for following Jesus. And that is nothing to be ashamed of.

But rejoicing in our sufferings is not something that comes naturally. When someone ridicules us, our first reaction is to strike back at them, not to rejoice. Yet, all that changes when we remember the one for whom we are suffering. We’re suffering because we belong to Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again for us and soon will return in glory to take us to the eternal joys of heaven. Because we belong to Jesus, we, like the apostles, have been counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of his name. What a reason to rejoice!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of being able to suffer for your name. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Destination Restoration – May 26, 2023

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10,11

Destination Restoration

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Daily Devotion – May 26, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:10,11

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Many of us can look back and laugh at family road trips we took as children or with our children. They were torturous for children and parents alike. The frequent bathroom breaks. The incessant questions. “Honey, do you know where you are going?” “Do I need to pull this car over?” “Are we there yet?” The road seemed to stretch on forever and the destination forever out of reach. But once you arrived, the glory of the destination often outweighed and outshined the frustration of the journey.

Suffering during our journey through this life as we head toward heaven can be just as torturous, indeed, more so. We do not tend to look back on tough times with humor. The road of suffering seems to go on forever. The end, forever out of reach. We break down frequently. We question God incessantly. “Lord, how is this good for me? Have you forgotten about me? Can you even put a stop to this?”

The apostle Peter assures us that God can. He is still in control. His ability to act on our behalf has not run dry. He will always have the power to deliver us. Therefore, we have no right or reason to squabble with God. Regardless of how much of our life is marked with suffering (even if it is every single day of our lives), God is always the same. He is always full of grace. Always giving all his mercy to all his children. He holds nothing back.

If you doubt it, look to Jesus. Because of Jesus, you have a share in God’s eternal glory. Your days of suffering will end. And when they do, God will be there to greet you. The end of that road will reveal a destination that is extraordinary and unending in its splendor. Compared to the glories of eternal life, the sufferings of earthly life will seem little and light.

Are we there yet?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Stand Firm in the Faith – May 25, 2023

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
1 Peter 5:8,9

Stand Firm in the Faith

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Daily Devotion – May 25, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:8,9

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“In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.” You probably know this song from the soundtrack of a popular Disney movie. However, the original was written and recorded in 1939 by South African, Solomon Linda.

Linda grew up as a herder who spent his time protecting the cattle from bush lions. His hauntingly hypnotic song contains only two words, Mbube zimba. Less of a lullaby, Linda’s song is the cry of a child cattle herder pleading, “Lion, stop!”

Like Solomon Linda’s original melody, the apostle Peter wrote about a lion that does not sleep. The devil has been prowling and devouring unsuspecting victims throughout the world since the beginning. We should not be lulled into a false sense of security that we are safe in God’s peaceful village. We need to be vigilant.

So, Peter urges us to stay alert, to keep a sober mind, and to stand firm in the faith. Stay alert because that lion masquerades as an angel of light. Keep a sober mind because that old evil foe knows your weaknesses. Stand firm in the faith because one little word can fell him.

He is vicious; but he has no power against the victorious Lamb of God. Jesus’ crucifixion took the teeth out of the jaws of that lying lion. Our Savior’s resurrection has shown the lion’s accusations to be more “meow” than “roar.” The devil cannot tear us from our Champion.

The next time Satan comes snarling, sing with Solomon Linda, “Lion, stop!” But sing it with the confidence of Martin Luther, “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? For I know the One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ.”

Prayer:
God, your Word is my greatest treasure for salvation and truest weapon against the spiritual forces of evil. Help me to hold it tightly and wield it rightly. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God Cares for You – May 24, 2023

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6,7

God Cares for You

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Daily Devotion – May 24, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 5:6,7

See series: Devotions

I need help.

Those are three of the hardest words for anyone to say. They are a humble confession that I have limitations. I am not strong enough. I am not smart enough. I am not skilled enough. I am stuck and cannot see a way through this.

But these three words are some of the most liberating words for anyone to say. Especially when the person to whom they are said can provide the help we need.

That is why going to God when we need help is so wonderfully comforting. The apostle Peter knew this. That is why he points us to God as our perfect helper. God can do anything by the power of his mighty hand. Picture the helping hand of God throughout history. Picture the Lord opening a road through the Red Sea for Israel to escape the Egyptian army. Picture the Almighty making a way through the wilderness for the remnant to return from Babylon. Picture Jesus reaching down to grab hold of Peter’s hand as that experienced fisherman floundered and flailed for his life in the Galilean Sea. Picture Jesus, at the appointed time, stretching his hands on the cross to die for a world of helpless sinners. Picture those same scarred hands embracing Peter as Jesus urged him, “Feed my sheep.”

So, go to God when you need help. He does not simply care about you. He cares for you. It is who he is. It is what he does. Let him take care of it for you. At the proper time, he will help in the perfect way.

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you are my capable and caring God. Help me to humble myself before you, trusting that you will help me at the perfect time, in the perfect way. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Praise God in Persecution – May 23, 2023

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:14-16

Praise God in Persecution

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Daily Devotion – May 23, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:14-16

See series: Devotions

Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, told his disciples to imitate him. To imitate his love. “Love one another just as I have loved you. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

As we share and show the love of Jesus, people will take notice. But not everyone will appreciate it. Some will make you suffer violence for it. Others will attack you verbally. Your attackers want you to feel ashamed for being a Christian. But you are not doing something wrong or dishonorable.

There is no shame in bearing the name of Jesus. How can we be ashamed to carry the same banner we so proudly stand behind? Jesus said that when we suffer in his name, it is a sign that we belong to him.

That’s the good news. Christ has had compassion on us. He came from heaven to earth to suffer and die for us. He was misunderstood by his parents and mocked by his siblings. His body was mangled by his enemies and mounted to a cross. Our sin is paid for. And now he lives as proof that our guilt is pardoned.

Praise God when you are persecuted. Persecution is a badge of honor! Persecution is proof that you belong to God and are chosen and loved by him. You are set apart from the world. Now you suffer at the hands of the world, but you are set apart for glory.

First the cross. Then the crown.

Prayer:
Triune God, how great is your love that I should belong to you. Even in persecution, I will yet praise you. For in you, I put my hope. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Rejoice in Suffering – May 22, 2023

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12,13

Rejoice in Suffering

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Daily Devotion – May 22, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 4:12,13

See series: Devotions

After a difficult day, you go home, get comfortable, and cozy up on the couch. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Then, there is a banging at the door. You were not expecting company. Whoever it is, is not welcome. You try to ignore it, but it does not stop. So, you get up, walk to the door, and open it. Your annoying neighbor pushes their way in, flops down on the couch, props their feet on your coffee table, and drinks down your glass of wine. You shake your head at the rudeness of this unwelcome guest.

The trials we face as Christians can seem like unwelcome guests. These trials go beyond life’s annoyances and inconveniences. They are the painful experiences we endure because we follow Jesus. When we do good, the world calls us evil. When we speak God’s truth, the world labels us as liars. When we show the love of Jesus, the world hates us for it.

The question is not whether I will face persecution for my faith. The question is how I will respond when persecution comes knocking. The apostle Peter says we should not be surprised. Jesus said it would be this way. “Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Therefore, Peter encourages us to embrace this suffering with joy. Suffering is not evidence that God has abandoned you. Suffering is proof that you are partnered with Jesus. He died and was raised to life to open the way that leads through this life’s dangers and disappointments to the inexhaustible and inexpressible joys of the glorious life to come. The suffering we experience for following Jesus keeps us from getting too comfortable in this world. Suffering reminds us that salvation is coming.

So, chin up. Welcome suffering with a smile. And walk on.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I rejoice in all that you suffered for me. Help me to be joyful whenever I must suffer for you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Lord’s Hand Is in Everything – May 21, 2023

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:24-26

The Lord’s Hand Is in Everything

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Daily Devotion – May 21, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 1:24-26

See series: Devotions

Have you ever taken time to consider how many people have had a hand in your education? How about the people involved with your upbringing?

It would be rather difficult to list all the people involved in making you who you are. From the people who farmed the land which produced the food you ate, to the people who processed and packaged that food, to the people who delivered that food to the grocery store where your parents used to always shop. Now imagine all the people involved with your education (both your teachers and their teachers).

It’s really incredible when you think about how all these things have fit together to help you become who you are. From the Bible, though, we learn that it was a lot more than just fate or chance that things have turned out the way they have for you.

The Lord has had his hands in everything. He provides pastors, teachers, missionaries, Christian family, and friends who are sent by him to proclaim his amazing message of forgiveness and his comforting message of eternal life in heaven.

Know and trust the Lord’s hand still is in everything! Turn to the Bible and find out all that he has in store for you!

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for all the people you have used to shape my life and share with me the good news about who you are and what you have done for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Nail – May 20, 2023

In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
1 Peter 3:15

The Nail

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Daily Devotion – May 20, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:15

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Author Dale Hays tells of a Haitian pastor who once used an illustration that Hays will never forget. The pastor said that a man in Haiti wanted to sell his house for $2,000. A buyer stepped forward. He wanted to purchase the house but was unable to pay the full price. The seller came up with a curious arrangement. He would sell the house at half-price with one provision. The provision was that he, the seller, would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from the house’s doorway. The buyer agreed.

Time passed, and one day the former owner of the house showed up and announced that he would like to buy his house back. The new owner refused. With that, the former owner noted the one part of the house he still owned—the small nail sticking out of the doorway. He then dragged up to the house the carcass of a dog and hung it on his nail. Before long, the stench became so bad that the new owner and his family had to abandon the house and leave it to the former owner.

The story is a good illustration of what can happen when a person holds on to a particular sin—just a corner of their life where they don’t want God to interfere. But there is a danger to this idea. The devil sees an opportunity and will want to hang further temptations on this nail and ruin your entire spiritual life.

Think for a moment. Is there a nail in your life? If so, confess it to God. Turn to him for the forgiveness Jesus won on the cross. Then, commit your entire life to serving him. No more nails involved.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me the times I have withheld a part of my life from you. Wash me clean in your blood. I am yours. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Always in Control – May 19, 2023

It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:21,22

Always in Control

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Daily Devotion – May 19, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:21,22

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Where is Jesus when I need him? Have you ever wondered that? We can’t see Jesus. Sometimes he seems distant. He, at times, does not seem to answer when we pray. Where is Jesus when I am sick? Where is he when money is tight and bill collectors are hounding us? Where is Jesus when things are difficult at work or at home? So often in life, it can feel like Jesus is nowhere to be found.

These words from the book of 1 Peter remind us that Jesus is right where we need him to be: in the driver’s seat. Jesus is described as being at “God’s right hand.” To be at the right hand of God is to be in a position of power and authority. This is the Bible’s way of telling us that Jesus is in control. He has power over all things. We are even told that all the angels are under his control.

This reminds us of a couple of things: First, nothing happens by accident. Jesus knows exactly what is happening, and better yet, he knows why it is happening. He is in control of all things and has the power to do anything. Secondly, prior to taking up this place of power and authority, Jesus demonstrated his love for us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. This same loving Savior who gave his life in your place is now in control of all things. In that same love, he will direct all things for your good.

So that means he is not absent. He is very much aware of what is going on. It also means we can trust him. Our loving Savior will work all things out for our good. He loves you and is in control. Always.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for rising victorious over death. Now that you are in heaven, use your power on my behalf. Help me to trust that you are in control of all things. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Big Deal – May 18, 2023

In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:20,21

A Big Deal

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Daily Devotion – May 18, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:20,21

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When was the last time you witnessed a baptism? Do you remember it? As you listened, a few words were said. As you watched, some water was sprinkled or poured on the individual’s head. Nothing flashy, just water and words. It probably took all of five minutes. What’s the big deal?

It has become easy for us to view baptism as nothing more than a nice church custom. To think of it as this thing we must do or a ritual we must participate in to check another box. A traditional rite of passage that we better get on the calendar so that Grandma will quit pestering us.

In these verses, the apostle Peter reminds us that baptism is, in fact, a big deal. Holy Baptism is a powerful act of God and not just a symbol. Baptism is not merely a task to be checked off or a ritual to complete. Nor is it something that I do for God. Rather, it is something wonderful that God does for me. Namely, “baptism saves you.” Baptism cleanses us from sin and creates faith in our hearts. Baptism is a wonderful means of grace where God saves us from sin, death, and hell.

But how can this seemingly small thing have such power? Baptism saves us because it connects us to the resurrection of Jesus. Through baptism, we die and rise with Christ. His victory over death becomes our victory. His salvation becomes our salvation. In baptism, Jesus washes all my sins away and makes me his child. The next time you see baptism, marvel at what happens there through water and God’s Word.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the saving gift of baptism. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Reconciled – May 17, 2023

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18

Reconciled

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Daily Devotion – May 17, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18

See series: Devotions

Have you ever experienced a broken or damaged relationship? Perhaps it was with a spouse or a significant other. Maybe it was with a sibling or a parent or a child. Whatever the case, it all started with some hurtful words or actions. As a result, things are now cold and distant. Feelings are hurt. Resentment is evident. Their guard is up. The distance between you feels like there might as well be a canyon separating one from the other.

This is a good way to illustrate our relationship with God. Imagine, for a moment, what sin has done to your relationship with God. Imagine the impact on that relationship when we lie to others…when we fill our hearts with greed or lust…when we curse at the people God has placed in our lives…when we act in unloving ways with our coworkers. With each sin we commit, the divide between God and us gets wider and deeper. Because of our sin, the divide between God and us might as well be the Grand Canyon. It goes without saying, there is no way for us to bridge that gap. There is nothing we can do to eliminate that divide.

Thankfully God did it for us. God sent Jesus, who gave his life on the cross, in order to bring us back to God. Jesus saw how far our sins had driven us away from God and knew we did not have it in us to fix the situation. So he sacrificed himself to pay for sin. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven and removed; now, there is no divide! Jesus has brought us back to God, and we have a relationship with him. He calls us his own, watches over us, and blesses us each and every day. We are reconciled to God!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for eliminating the divide between us and the Father. Thank you for giving yourself on the cross to bring us back to God. Help us live as your people today. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Our Perfect Substitute – May 16, 2023

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18

Our Perfect Substitute

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Daily Devotion – May 16, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18

See series: Devotions

Are you going to heaven when you die? If so, why? Is it because you are good enough for God? Have you stacked up enough good deeds to outweigh whatever wrongs you may have done? Have you worked so hard to be better than the average person—so much so that you have avoided most of the ‘big sins’?

Maybe you have determined that you are going to try harder every day and get better each day so that you will reach a level of goodness where God will be pleased enough to let you into heaven.

That all sounds exhausting. And none of it ever works. To be sure, people are striving hard to do good things and be better people. However, the world doesn’t have any perfect people–none who would classify as being without sin. God has one requirement for heaven: perfection. We can all try as hard as we want, but we will never reach that goal on our own.

God has a better way. He provided a substitute. He knew we could never achieve perfection on our own. So he provided someone who could do it for us. God sent the righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus came into this world and lived a perfect life. He never once sinned! And at the end of that perfect life, he gave himself over to death on a cross to die in our place. In a wonderful exchange, God traded the perfect life of Jesus for our lives of sin. Through Jesus, God provided us with the righteousness we lacked. Getting to heaven is not about what we do. (Thank God for that because try as we might, we are unrighteous.) Rather, it is all about what Jesus has done for us. Through his work on the cross, his righteousness replaces our unrighteousness. Through faith in his work for us, we are going to heaven!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being righteous in my place and earning my salvation. Rather than relying on my level of goodness, help me to trust in your work and sacrifice on my behalf. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Jesus Solved Our Biggest Problem – May 15, 2023

For Christ also suffered once for sins.
1 Peter 3:18

Jesus Solved Our Biggest Problem

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Daily Devotion – May 15, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Peter 3:18

See series: Devotions

What is the biggest problem you have in your life right now? Maybe it is a health issue for you or a family member. Perhaps it is an issue related to finances at home or at work. It could be problems with employees, or a strained relationship with a spouse or sibling. Maybe it is a combination of all the above. Or maybe, it is none of the above but a whole list of other things. Life is full of problems.

No matter how many of these listed problems are plaguing you, none of them are actually your biggest problem. The Bible helps us to understand that we have a problem far greater than sickness, finances, and relationships. Our biggest problem is sin. Sin is so easy to notice when someone does it to us, but we somehow have difficulty recognizing it when we sin against God. And sins add up quickly. Our impure thoughts, unloving actions, and unkind words all are sins against God. Each sin might not seem like that big of a problem, but here’s the thing: each sin deserves to be punished with eternal separation from God and his goodness. We don’t like to hear that, but deep down, we know it to be true.

But the wonderful news of the Bible is that someone already suffered for us. Jesus came into this world as our substitute, and he suffered and died for each and every one of our sins. Our sinful thoughts, words, and actions are paid for. Jesus endured the punishment that should have been ours, and as a result, we are forgiven and saved. We will not be struck down by God for our sin. Rather, through faith in Jesus, we will be welcomed into the mansions of heaven. Jesus has solved our biggest problem, and now through faith in him, we can trust him to help us take care of the other problems we face in this world.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for suffering in my place so that I am forgiven and saved. Be with me and give me strength as I face the problems of this world, knowing that you have already won heaven for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Finding God – May 14, 2023

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Acts 17:27

Finding God

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Daily Devotion – May 14, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 17:27

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Greek mythology includes a man named Tantalus, who was uniquely favored because he was invited to share the food of the gods. However, he abused his relationship as a guest and was punished by hunger and thirst. He was immersed up to his neck in water, but when he bent to drink, it all drained away. Fruit hung on trees above him, but when he reached for it the winds blew the branches beyond his reach. From this myth, we get the word “tantalizing.” By it we mean we are almost there. It’s just out of reach.

That’s what the apostle Paul wrote about when it comes to finding God. We can look around us and see that there is a divine order to all of the creation in which we live. Look at the way our bodies function. Look at the order in the universe. We can tell great things about God from the world around us, but we can’t tell who he is. Isn’t that “tantalizing”?

God gave us the ability to recognize this order so that we would hopefully seek God and find him. But God doesn’t hand out clues like some celestial riddle maker. Nor do we need to be a spiritual Sherlock Holmes to find him. He gave us the Bible so we would have specific information and know who he is and where we can find him. God sent Jesus to make us absolutely certain that God is right here with us, loving us, directing us, and providing for us. You can find him too, in the Bible.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me in your Word. Direct my eyes to the wonderful mercies you have shown to me through Jesus. Lead me to your Word daily so that my soul may be refreshed by your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Hope – May 13, 2023

[Jesus said] “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:2,3

Hope

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Daily Devotion – May 13, 2023

Devotion based on John 14:2,3

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In Jesus’ day, it was the wedding custom that just after the Jewish couple was engaged, the groom would go to prepare a home or room for his bride. Then upon returning to the bride’s home, he would sweep his lady off her feet and take her to their wedding ceremony.

Part of this sounds very romantic—a bride waiting expectantly, not quite sure when her beau will come. Surely the young woman had great confidence that her fiancée would return to pick her up for the wedding. After which, they would have a glorious life together. But there must have been a little doubt as she waited so eagerly while hours, even days passed by.

Jesus understood that after he left the earth, the hope of his followers for his return could easily slip from sure faith to nagging doubt. So just before he died, Jesus explained that they could be confident in their hope in him. No matter how long the delay, Jesus would return and take them to heaven with him.

Jesus gives this sure promise to all who have hope in him: “I am going [to my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you. … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

You might be hoping to get a raise or that your team wins the World Series, or even that you have found the right “someone.” Yet, with all our dreams and hopes, we can never be sure. Relationships can go sour, jobs can get cut, or teams can fizzle out during the stretch. What makes Jesus so amazing is that we can put our complete confidence in him and know that he will never fail us—not now, not forever. In Jesus, we have true hope.

Prayer:
Jesus, focus my faith on your promise that you will return to take me to the glorious heavenly home you are now preparing for me and all believers. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Jesus the Cornerstone – May 12, 2023

Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:11,12

Jesus the Cornerstone

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Daily Devotion – May 12, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 4:11,12

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A cornerstone plays a vital role in the construction of a building. It is the first stone or brick placed on a corner where two walls meet. The cornerstone must be perfectly level and straight because it serves as a guide for where the rest of the stones or bricks will be placed. If the cornerstone is imperfect or unlevel, even slightly, the completed building is likely to be unstable. The quality of the cornerstone is important, and not just with buildings.

The apostle Peter quoted Psalm 118 when he referred to Jesus as the cornerstone. It is a fitting title for Jesus as he and his Word, like a cornerstone, serve as a perfectly reliable guide for our lives. We are wise to live our lives in line with the perfect instruction we find in God’s law, and we have all suffered to varying degrees the consequences of what happens when we don’t.

“Cornerstone” is a fitting title for Jesus for another reason. If Jesus were imperfect, even slightly, his death on the cross would not have been accepted as a sacrifice on our behalf. But Jesus was perfect and without sin, giving stability to our souls as we build our lives on the certainty of forgiveness won by him.

Those who crucified Jesus rejected the cornerstone. Let us never fail to embrace him by faith.

Prayer:
Lord God, help me to guide my life according to your Word and ground my faith on all that was accomplished for me by Jesus, the cornerstone of my soul. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Witnesses of the Way – May 11, 2023

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:8-12

Witnesses of the Way

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Daily Devotion – May 11, 2023

Devotion based on Acts 4:8-12

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Some would say that what Peter did here was risky, unwise, or even foolish. He and the disciple John had been thrown into prison the previous evening by people who did not like the message of Jesus they were teaching. They ordered them not to tell people about Jesus anymore.

But the very next day, Peter boldly proclaimed the greatness of Jesus again by crediting Jesus’ power as the cause behind the miracle he and John had performed. Then, Peter went on to condemn his accusers for their sin of crucifying Jesus. Finally, Peter sharply told them they were all spiritually misguided for not believing in Jesus as the Savior.

Not exactly the best way to make new friends, some might say.

But Peter knew people needed to hear about Jesus. He knew there was no other life so perfect that it could fulfill God’s laws on our behalf. He knew there was no sacrifice as sufficient as the one Jesus offered on the cross to forgive our sins. He knew there is no better Savior than the One who is proven to be more powerful than death and has promised eternal life to all who believe in him.

That’s why Peter wasn’t afraid to share his faith. This is why we don’t need to be either. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. No one can ever take us from his gracious and perfect care.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there is no name that evokes such gratitude in my heart as yours. Keep me always close to you so that I will be a bold witnesses of my Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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