Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Luke 4:1,2

He Leads the Way

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 4:1,2

See series: Devotions

There is something good about being with other people. If you are traveling to a new city, it is more fun to have a friend to go with you. Cheering on your favorite team with 100,000 other fans is more fun than sitting in the stands by yourself. If you have a difficult doctor’s appointment coming up, it is good to take someone with you.

At the beginning of his ministry, God the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness of Judea. There, in that wilderness, he faced the devil. Forty days and forty nights, Jesus endured the devil’s twisted truths, his easy solutions, and his deceptive offers. Through the power of God’s Word, Jesus was victorious and did not sin.

We are not in the wilderness across the Jordan but in a wilderness of sorts. We aren’t alone among the wild animals, but we face all sorts of dangers and difficulties. As Jesus was tempted, we will face temptations as well. The same twisted truths, easy solutions, and deceptive offers are on our minds and in our hearts as well.

Jesus goes with us and leads the way through this wilderness, too. We find great hope in knowing Jesus will keep us safe. We find comfort in knowing when we fail to resist temptation, Jesus stands ready to rescue us. He forgives our failures to remain faithful and removes the burdens of our guilt. He encourages us with his reassuring promises to retake our stand on God’s Word and truth. He renews us with his victory to prepare us for whatever temptation we face next.

As Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, so Jesus goes with us and leads us through the wildernesses we find ourselves in. He goes with us and leads us as we are tempted.

Prayer:
Lord of all, thank you for sending Jesus to be with me and to lead me. Help me to look to him for rescue and strength. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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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.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Not Embarrassed but Confident

Daily Devotion – March 12, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:16

See series: Devotions

I think we’ve all had that embarrassing moment when for whatever reason you couldn’t afford something. Maybe you were standing in line at Walmart when the cashier announced the total; you were thumbing through the cash in your wallet only to discover you were a little light. Or maybe it was a waiter coming back to you at a restaurant telling you your card has been declined. Whenever this happens, there is always panic and a scramble. We are looking for another payment method or need to ask someone if they can lend us money or try to put something back.

How should we approach God when he says that the payment to enter his perfect presence is to be perfect ourselves? We can look through our own life and hope to find enough perfection, but we will always end up a little light. We can scramble and quickly try to clean up our act some. We can panic and despair that there is no way we can be saved.

Or we can turn to Jesus.

Jesus has made the payment with his perfect life. He is the payment for our sins. Through faith, God credits us with the perfect life of Jesus so that we can have what is needed to enter his perfect presence. Jesus paid for all our sins and the sins of the entire world. For this reason, we can be sure that our debt is paid and that God forgives us all our sins.

Though we did not have enough ourselves, we have received grace and mercy because of Jesus. Therefore, we approach God’s throne of grace in faith and prayer with full confidence. There is no panic or embarrassment. There is no doubt about how God feels about us. God hears us and loves us because what we owe has been paid.

We are confident before God because of Jesus.

Prayer:
Gracious God, make me confident before you because of Jesus. Give me faith to grasp the full assurance of love and forgiveness that is mine. 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.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
1 Samuel 17:32

A Volunteer for Us All

Daily Devotion – March 10, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:32

See series: Devotions

There are some jobs no one wants. When the break room is messy, no one wants to be the one to clean it up. When the school is looking for volunteers to take the closing shift on the concession stand, volunteers are hard to come by. When it is time to clean out the long-neglected storage closet at church, few people are willing. Though many benefit from these things, few are willing to do them.

In our Bible story today, we discover a job no one wanted to do. Goliath, a Philistine and giant of a man, had made a clear challenge to God’s people: Send out a man to fight, and the winner would take all. It would be a battle to the death, and the man left standing would take as slaves the army of the other nation. None of the soldiers in the Israelite army wanted this job.

Until David stepped forward and volunteered. He was the one who did the hard thing that no one else would do or could do. He won the day and provided victory not just for himself but for all the people of God.

While there is something to be learned from David’s bravery and willingness to fight the big man Goliath, the more important lesson is seeing David win a victory for all. Though others did nothing, they still received the benefit of David’s work.

In this way, David is a picture of what Jesus would do for us. God is clear in his Word that what needs to happen is for us to perfectly keep his law, but we failed to do the job. Since we did not do what needed to be done, Jesus took our place and did the work, and we receive the benefit of his victory.

Jesus did it all for us, and the victory is ours.

Prayer:
Father of all, thank you for sending Jesus to take my place. Help me to treasure that his victory is my 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.

“God made [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

Life’s Not Fair

Daily Devotion – March 8, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21

See series: Devotions

“It’s not fair!” How many times have we said or thought those words? When we were younger and saw a brother or sister get something that we couldn’t have, we said it. When a co-worker receives a special honor, we think it. As has been so clearly pointed out—life’s not fair.

There is one place where we are so grateful that we didn’t get what we deserved. The apostle Paul says in our Bible verse today, “God made [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We have all disobeyed God. From the angry word that escapes our lips to the lustful thought that runs through our minds to the laziness we have all exhibited, we have sinned. God is very clear about how he feels about sin. He cannot stand it. He hates it and has promised to punish all who do it. There is no escaping this fact. Paul also wrote, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Here, however, the great love of our God has been shown. As Paul reminds us, God made Jesus, who had no sin of his own, to be the very embodiment of sin. All our sins, indeed the sins of the entire world, were heaped upon Jesus. Because our God is a just God who demands that sin be paid for, yet is also a loving God, he punished Jesus in our place. All of God’s anger against our sin was poured out on Jesus when he suffered and died on the cross. He was punished in our place.

Our sense of justice stands up here. It wasn’t fair to punish Jesus. He did nothing wrong. Yet, if God had not intervened, we would be lost forever. In our eyes, it may not have been fair. Yet, it is also the greatest act of love that the world has ever seen. When we hear of this great love for us, we want to thank God for our entire lives.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to be treated unfairly for my sins so I can be unfairly forgiven of my sins. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” . . . Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin.”
2 Samuel 12:7,13

Repentance Opens the Door

Daily Devotion – March 6, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 12:7,13

See series: Devotions

When we have done something wrong, we are often tempted to ignore the implications or consequences of our actions and just go on living as if nothing happened. It is as if we close off our emotions or our thoughts to anything from the outside so we can forget about what happened.

Sometimes, God sends people into our lives to remind us what is wrong. When an Israelite king named David stole the wife of a man named Uriah, God sent the prophet Nathan to David with a story about unjust treatment. After David admitted that unjust treatment was wrong, Nathan shocked David by pointing out that David had treated Uriah unjustly.

David had enough power to punish Nathan for telling the story, but instead of reacting with anger or denial, David repented. He admitted, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

That’s just what the Lord wanted to hear. The Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love and mercy. He knew about the saving work of Jesus. He instructed Nathan to say, “The LORD has taken away your sin.”

That’s also what the Lord wants to hear from us when we have sinned. Repentance opens the door to hear and believe those glorious words from the Lord, “I forgive you all your sins.”

Prayer:
Holy God, gracious Father, I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. Lead me to trust that Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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While [Peter] was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Luke 9:34,35

God’s Pleasure Revealed

Daily Devotion – March 4, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:34,35

See series: Devotions

Do you know what God likes? He likes holiness. He likes good things to be called good, bad things to be called bad, and everything to be exactly right. He does not like things to be messed up or imperfect.

When God spoke from the cloud and told people that Jesus was his chosen Son, he meant for you to understand that Jesus was perfect. Jesus always distinguished properly between right and wrong, good and bad. More than that, he always did the right thing and never did the wrong thing. He had perfect holiness and righteousness.

That’s one good reason to listen to Jesus. He will always tell you the right thing, never the wrong thing, and because he knows you even better than you know yourself, he will tell you about the right thing at just the right time. The Bible is the place to find out those good and right things.

Do you know what God likes? He likes you to be connected to Jesus by believing his words in the Bible. Don’t be afraid to be that close to Jesus. When you are connected to him, you have the gift of his perfect righteousness, and God will treat you as his child.

Prayer:
Lord, open my ears to the words of your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord. 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.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
2 Corinthians 3:12

Bold in the Gospel

Daily Devotion – March 2, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 3:12

See series: Devotions

What makes a person bold? A husband and wife can boldy go to the bank to secure a mortgage for their first home because their credit score is top-notch. An athlete can go into the big game with boldness because he has put in hours of training, practice, and preparation. A young aspiring business professional walks into his interview with boldness because he has a shiny new degree from a prestigious university.

But what makes us bold as Christians? When we look at what God’s law has to say, we have no right to be bold because it shows us that we are sinners who deserve God’s judgment and punishment. Surely, a sinful human being cannot be bold before a holy God. Our boldness does not come from God’s law but from the gospel. God’s gospel tells us that our sins are forgiven in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. The Bible says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Through that message, the Holy Spirit works saving faith in our hearts and thus sets us free from the curse of sin. So, we can be bold not because of what we have done or can do but because of what Jesus has done for us!

That freedom and hope also makes us bold to share the wonderful news of the gospel with others, just as Paul did. We dare not change it or speak falsely about it. We set forth the truths of God’s law and gospel plainly because, “the gospel…is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

So be bold. Know that in Jesus, your sins are forgiven and through faith in him you are made a dear child of your heavenly Father. Then share that gospel message boldly that others may hear it and be saved. Be bold in the gospel!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you and your work of salvation alone do I have freedom from sin and the hope of eternal life. Strengthen my faith in you and make me bold to serve you with my life. 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.

[Jesus said] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:37,38

Do Not Judge, But Forgive

Daily Devotion – February 28, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:37,38

See series: Devotions

“You’re so judgmental!” Have you ever had that accusation lobbed in your direction? There can be a whole lot of emotion behind that accusation. It could just be a guilty conscience trying to deflect a reprimand. At the same time, it can be a very pointed and accurate accusation. Sadly, in recent years, this has been cited as the number one reason that people don’t attend church. Christians are too judgmental.

Now, if you’re a Christian, you can dig in your heels and try to defend yourself against that accusation. But take these words to heart. Have you been judgmental of others? If so, according to whose standards? We’re very good at judging people according to our own standards. Even little phrases like, “I wouldn’t have done it that way,” can smell of arrogance and pride.

So, what’s the alternative when someone has done wrong? Ignore it? No. Rather, instead of using our own standards of judgment that can be marred with pride, be quick to use Jesus’ standard. Jesus didn’t excuse sin or pretend it never happened. He didn’t simply say, “That’s ok.” Rather, he forgave sin. Led by his grace, he didn’t come to condemn the world; he came to save it. Led by his grace, he came to save you. Using his standards, be quick to forgive, knowing you will be forgiven. Using his standards, give his grace, knowing that his grace will be given to you. Pour out his love, knowing that on the cross, he poured out his love for you.

Prayer:
Lord, help me remember how you dealt with sin as I deal with those who sin against 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.

[Jesus said] “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31

The Golden Rule

Daily Devotion – February 26, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:31

See series: Devotions

It’s known as the “Golden Rule” because it’s supposed to be the standard to live by. But it’s amazing how often we misread or misapply the words of Jesus. The Golden Rule isn’t meant to be a compromise, “I’ll do this if you do that.” It’s not a reciprocal response to someone else’s actions. Rather, it’s proactive, “Do to others…” In other words, we are to make the first move. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Taking the first step is not an easy thing. When we’re the new kid in the class or the new neighbor on the block, it’s easy to expect people to welcome us. But instead of waiting to be welcomed, the Golden Rule leads us to reach out to our neighbors and see how we can help them.

But it’s so hard to take the first step! Yes, it is. But aren’t we grateful that’s what God did for us! When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it was God who made the first move as he promised to send a Savior. When we were born in sin, it was God who made the first move, as he called us by the gospel. It was God who made the first move in having a relationship with us as he foreknew from all eternity. Knowing that God made the first move in showing us his love, may now lead us to make the first move to “do to others as we would have them do to us.”

Prayer:
Lord, help us to see that the Golden Rule is not a response to what others have done for us, but rather an opportunity to show love to others as you have done to us. 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.

[Jesus said] “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Luke 6:27,28

Love Your Enemies

Daily Devotion – February 24, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:27,28

See series: Devotions

“Good fences make good neighbors.” So the saying goes. But what happens when the neighbor yells at your son over the fence, “You’re the worst person I’ve ever met!” Or what about when you’re playing a yard game with friends, and she starts walking around her backyard, pounding pots and pans just to annoy you? Or what about when she slams the door in your face when you calmly walk over to her house to ask if you can talk?

Many of us have a neighbor, a co-worker, or a classmate who has wronged us in one way or another. Who is your person? Now listen to Jesus’ words in our Bible reading today: “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.” Really? Can Jesus be serious? In a world that is increasingly divided and promotes a take-care-of-yourself attitude, is Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” reasonable?

Not according to our reason. But his ways are above our ways. His reason is above our reason. And thank God it is because Jesus’ love for us is not “reasonable.” When his enemies pounded nails through his hands, he prayed, “Father, forgive them.” When cultural divides dictated, “Don’t associate with those ‘sinners,’ “Jesus went out of his way to show love to those he should have avoided. And when it comes to us, the Bible tells us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

And just like that, his command, “Love your enemies,” doesn’t seem so unreasonable. Motivated by his love for us, we too, can pray for those who hurt us, bless those who curse us, and do good to that person who hates us. Motivated by his love, we can love our enemies.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, may your love for me motivate me to love others, even those who aren’t always lovable. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7

Confidence

Daily Devotion – February 22, 2025

Devotion based on Jeremiah 17:7

See series: Devotions

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such great confidence that concerns in life didn’t bother you? You didn’t let worries upset you. Nothing makes you afraid.

Maybe you consider yourself to be a “confident” person, but even the most confident person can have questions like:
“Is there a God? What is he like?”
“What if I have to face him someday?”
“Is there a heaven? How can I be sure I will get there?”

Wondering about these things makes it difficult to be confident. It becomes worse when our consciences remind us that we are not “right” with God, and we fall under his judgment for our sins. Surely that doesn’t make us feel very confident!

But God has told us the answers to the big questions of life. He makes them known to us in the Bible. He points out the truth that we are sinners who do not deserve to be in heaven with him. But he has rescued us from this death sentence by sending his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins on the cross. Jesus paid the penalty of sin for us. Jesus rose from the dead to give us absolute confidence that by faith in him, we will live with God forever.

So now, what are the answers to life that we can be confident of? God does exist. And he loved us so much to send a Savior to die for our sins. We know a place in heaven is ours because of Jesus. The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Another Bible verse speaks about heaven, telling us, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).

Gloriously, our Savior lives to assure us that we live forever. We can be confident of this because it is the truth from God.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, strengthen me in my confidence that because of your death and resurrection I have been rescued from death and will live with you forever. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Weakness

Daily Devotion – February 20, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:10

See series: Devotions

Weakness in our world is not appreciated. In fact, weakness is often squashed wherever it is found. As a society, we seek to eliminate weakness. As a result, high school athletes are cut from the team. People of faith are ridiculed for their supposed lack of intelligence. Individuals with mental health issues are shunned. Students who seem defenseless are bullied by classmates. We see individuals suffering, and while we pity them, we are secretly thankful that we are not in their shoes. For these and so many other reasons, we try to hide our weaknesses and troubles.

So how is it then that the apostle Paul (or you and I) could delight in our own weaknesses? It is all a matter of how you look at it. Paul viewed his weaknesses and shortcomings as opportunities to highlight the power of Christ in his life. He also understood that challenges and trials were moments when he could tap into Christ’s power, knowing that Christ’s strength was far better than his own.

Jesus’ strength went to work for us long ago. Before he came into this world, Jesus saw us in our sinful human weakness. He knew that we did not match up to him. We were not on his level. But rather than ridicule, eliminate, or bully us, he was resolved to help us. Rather than feel sorry for us and pity us from afar, God used his power to save us. He sent Jesus into this sinful world to take up our sins. To live a perfect life for us and to die an innocent death in our place. Jesus then demonstrated his power and strength by rising from the dead.

Jesus now seeks to use his power in us. And what better way to display that amazing power, than to rely on his strength instead of our own? Rather than hide your weaknesses, rely on Christ, and his power will shine out in your life.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, lead me to trust in you and rely on your strength today and every day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8,9

Go to God in Prayer

Daily Devotion – February 18, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:8,9

See series: Devotions

Does it ever seem like God isn’t listening to your prayers? Like he is ignoring you? You thought you might try this prayer thing your neighbor keeps talking about, but nothing seems to be happening.

That can be frustrating. God asks us to go to him with our troubles, and we ask him to take one of those troubles away, but nothing seems to happen. Why? It seems that you could be a more effective employee for the company if God would just take away that chronic pain that so often interrupts your work. It goes without saying that you could be a more loving parent and spouse if God would take away the mental health issues you are dealing with. We don’t understand when God doesn’t take these things away from us.

Have you considered looking at it from a different perspective? Maybe the thing you have been asking God to take away is actually serving as a tremendous blessing in your life. Perhaps that pain or ailment can point you toward God and encourage you to put all your trust in him. It might be that God is using this trial in your life to give you an opportunity to rely on him even more.

Jesus had such an opportunity on the night before he died. He knew the events of the next day would bring him severe pain and suffering. He prayed that if it was God’s will, the cup of suffering might be removed from him. God heard his prayers and said, “No.” It was God’s will to make Jesus suffer so that we would never have to suffer as payment for our sins. Jesus humbly accepted God’s will and relied on his Father to provide the strength to endure what he had to go through. And thank God he did! Because Jesus endured through his hardship, you and I are saved now and forever.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you endured suffering so I could be free. Help me rely on you today as I face my own struggles. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. . . . But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
Jeremiah 17:5,7

Trust in the Lord

Daily Devotion – February 16, 2025

Devotion based on Jeremiah 17:5,7

See series: Devotions

In the modern world that we live in, influenced by so much wisdom, supported by sophisticated technology, and pampered by a great amount of materialism, people can be deceived into thinking that they can live without God and his help.

However, those who put their trust in human power and turn away from God deprive themselves of the rich blessings that he intends for people to have. Without God, there is confusion about the true purpose and ultimate direction for life. In the end, having separated themselves from God, finally, God eternally separates himself from them. Cursed indeed!

However, for those people who place their confidence in the Lord, there are wonderful blessings. “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

God is speaking to everyday people who operate businesses and anxiously watch the bottom line, who go to work faithfully and collect their paychecks, who attend school regularly and try to make the grade. There isn’t a lot of difference outwardly between those who are blessed and those who are cursed. The real difference is in the heart.

The cursed trust mainly in their business acumen to succeed; the blessed recognize that it is the Lord who blesses with profits.

The cursed trust their paychecks to provide; the blessed give thanks to God for his provision.

The cursed endeavor with their wisdom to succeed in school and a competitive world; the blessed praise God for the gifts they have and use them to the best of their ability for the glory of God and the good of others.

It is often said, “You can do anything if you try hard enough.” The truth is that the ability to accomplish things is not ultimately dependent on human strength. To put our trust in the Lord opens our eyes to his countless blessings.

Prayer:
Lord, help me surrender myself to you, completely trusting that you will fulfill your promise of blessing me according to your gracious will. I thank and praise you for the greatest blessing of all—your Son, Jesus, my Savior! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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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.

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:12,13

Saved the Same Way

Daily Devotion – February 13, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 10:12,13

See series: Devotions

“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” Those words must have shocked the original recipients of this letter from the apostle Paul. How could Paul say that? From the time God called Abraham over 2,000 years ago, there were differences between Jews and the rest of the world. The Jews were God’s chosen people, specifically separated from other nations. They had a book of laws and regulations to prove it.

Those laws and regulations did separate the Jews from the Gentiles, but the Jews had lost sight of the purpose of those laws. They pointed forward to the coming of a promised Savior, who would rescue people from their sins. Instead, many of the Jews had turned the law into their savior. If they kept these laws, they thought, they would be right in God’s eyes.

But that is an impossible task. No one can be perfect. That is why there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. We all fall short of God’s glory and perfection. God’s law tells us how desperately we all need a Savior. And there is no difference in how we are saved.

Paul quotes an Old Testament prophet tying together Jews and Gentiles who are saved the same way: by calling on the name of the Lord. Looking to Jesus as our Lord and Savior is what saves us. It does not matter what tribe, race, ethnicity, or age. The same Lord is Lord of all.

Sadly, there are some people today who think they are saved because their name is listed in a church membership book, or their family name has been in that book for generations. But just as the Jews were not saved by their lineage or name, neither is anyone saved today because of their last name. Instead, we are saved by the name confessed on our lips and believed in our hearts—the name: Jesus.

Prayer:
Jesus, you are my Lord and my Savior. Help me always confess your name and believe in your 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.