Devotions

Jesus, Save Us! – December 8, 2023

2023/12/08/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Mark 11:1-10

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:1-10

Jesus, Save Us!

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Family Devotion – December 8, 2023

Devotion based on Mark 11:1-10

See series: Devotions

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

About a week before Jesus was put to death on the cross, he entered the city of Jerusalem in a most interesting way. He rode on the back of a donkey. But not only did he enter in an interesting way, the people who welcomed him said a most interesting thing. “Hosanna,” they said, which in their language meant, “Save us.”

By saying “Hosanna,” the people were counting on Jesus to be the one that God had long promised would come to the world and put an end to the power and rule of sin and death. They were hoping for nothing less than an entirely new world. They made this clear by connecting the arrival of Jesus with the arrival of the kingdom of David.

David was an ancient king in the Old Testament whose reign was a glorious one. King David was a picture and promise of the even greater king who would one day come to rule not just a little piece of land, but the entire world forever. Jesus was called the “Son of David” because he was an actual descendant of David and because he would complete God’s promises to David. Jesus was the great king who would save the whole world.

And that’s what Jesus did. He answered the cry, “Hosanna! Save us!” by not only dying on the cross for the sins of the world, but also by rising again to bring the promise of new life to all who believe in him. That’s why “Hosanna! Save us!” is something good to cry out before Christmas. We’re crying out to the Lord who has died and risen again, and we know our cry will not go unanswered. In Jesus we have God’s answer, “Yes, I will save you. I have saved you.”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, together with the people outside of Jerusalem we cry out to you, “Hosanna! Save us!” You are the king we’ve been waiting for—a king who rules by dying, rising, and saving. Bless us as we put our trust in you. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What did the people shout as Jesus came into the city?
What kind of animal did Jesus ride as he came into the city?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does the word “Hosanna” mean?
When the people said “Hosanna,” what were they saying about who they thought Jesus was?

Questions for Middle School and Above

The people didn’t just invent their opinion of Jesus. How does what they said connect their understanding to God’s written promises from the past?
If Jesus had died but not risen again, he could not have been the promised Savior. Why is his resurrection so important?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Prepared for Everything – December 8, 2023

2023/12/08/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Prepared for Everything – December 8, 2023

Based on 2 Peter 3:8

How do you prepare for something that hasn’t happened, but you have been told that it will happen eventually? Your military training prepares you for those moments in whatever MOS or position of leadership you find yourself. In the same way, Jesus prepares us for the most significant event in life by telling us exactly what will happen and how he plans to get us through it.

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

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

The King Shall Come To Save Us – December 8, 2023

2023/12/08/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:10

The King Shall Come To Save Us

Daily Devotion – December 8, 2023

Devotion based on Mark 11:10

See series: Devotions

When the ancient Israelites saw that all the nations around them had kings to rule over them, they said they wanted their own king. They decided to use the form of government with a king at the top so that someone would have the ultimate responsibility of defending the whole nation against enemies.

The most successful Israelite king was named David. He was well known for defeating Israel’s enemies on all sides. The Lord promised that when the Savior of the whole world would come, he would be a descendant of David.

When that promised Savior arrived on the scene, God told his parents to name him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves.” When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people recognized that he was a descendant of David. They yelled a Hebrew word, Hosanna, which means “save us!”

We don’t know what was on those people’s minds when they called out that word, but when we say it ourselves, we are acknowledging that we need saving. Our enemies threaten to overwhelm us in a sea of guilt and shame, but Jesus saves us with his forgiveness and love.

Jesus comes to us in a variety of ways today, in both Word and sacrament. He has the ultimate responsibility of defending us against our enemies. He is our King and comes to save us.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 412)
All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, our King and Blessed One. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 7

2023/12/07/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Called to Be an Elizabeth

In a loud voice [Elizabeth] exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:42-45

“Comparison is the thief of joy” is a statement often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. However, women know this to be true, and it can be seen all throughout history. I’m not talking about long-ago queens or grasping socialites. Think further back. Think of Rachel and Leah all the way back in Genesis fighting for affection. Were they happy? We’re told of their open hostility toward each other.

Social media has made it even easier for modern women to struggle with comparison. It eats away at them: the house they own, the clothes they wear, their body image, their wealth and status, their relationships and even fertility, etcetera, etcetera, and on, and on… It’s a sinful attribute that humans struggle with all the time. We all fail at being content as God would have us be.

We have no idea what’s going on with another person’s life. Is she advancing up the career ladder but secretly wishing to be home with a baby? Does it look like she is effortlessly leading a Bible study or committee when really she only does it because no one else stepped up (again)? Has she lost weight but is really fighting a bad health struggle? We’re all fighting something. We do not need one more enemy, because we are great at that on our own.

And so God calls us to have the humble contentment of an Elizabeth. Here this woman, who according to Luke had fertility issues and was very old, found out she was going to have a baby boy who would help lead others to their Savior. What a marvelous miracle! In Luke 1:25, she even states feeling like the Lord has finally taken away a disgrace. See? Even Elizabeth struggled with outside opinions and her own feelings of failure.

Now along comes her young cousin, who is not only pregnant, but pregnant with THE SAVIOR. There’s no comparison, no feelings of inadequacy, no hate when Elizabeth shouts her happiness for Mary. She could have easily felt like her miraculous pregnancy was diminished, but no. She is clearly thrilled for her cousin and the news that the Savior would be born in her lifetime. All the waiting, sacrifice, and Jewish laws will soon be unnecessary (although Elizabeth and Mary don’t really know how). Promises of long ago are being fulfilled, and Elizabeth can’t contain her excitement.

Don’t let discontent hinder the excitement and joy we can feel for others. Yes, we may feel discouraged at times, but it is not OK to dim the lights of others. God needed Elizabeth at the right time to be the mother of John the Baptist so that he could lead the way for Mary’s baby boy. You might not know when or how, but God will use you to encourage others just as Elizabeth did for Mary.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I do not know your plans. I do not know why I have to overcome struggles in my life, but I do know that your ways are better than mine. I know that you want us to encourage others. Please use me as you used Elizabeth to lift the women around me so they can feel your love—whether they are in a period of waiting, wanting, or resting. Keep comparison out of my heart and give me contentment in its place. Amen.

Written by Jen Wolf
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

In the Name of the Lord – December 7, 2023

2023/12/07/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Mark 11:7-9

In the Name of the Lord

Daily Devotion – December 7, 2023

Devotion based on Mark 11:7-9

See series: Devotions

Let’s be honest. You can visit me whenever or wherever you want, but if you come in the name of someone important, I am going to pay more attention to you.

Jesus had entered Jerusalem before. But when he entered on Palm Sunday on a colt, the foal of a donkey, people recognized that he was doing something special. He was coming in the name of the only true God, fulfilling an ancient prophecy, and they shouted a Psalm verse that showed they were paying attention.

When Jesus enters your heart in the name of the only true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—you pay attention to his promises. Every time you hear those words in baptism, you recognize that something special is going on. Every time you hear those words at the beginning of a church service, you remember that the only true God has promised to be there in a special way.

Remember that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. When someone comes in that name, it has to do with your salvation. You do well to pay attention to that arrival. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Prayer: (Psalm 8:9)
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 6

2023/12/06/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

The Right Person for the Job

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20,21

Is there a person in your family who is the quiet glue? You know the person. Things wouldn’t get done if it weren’t for this person, or it wouldn’t feel right if they weren’t there. Perhaps this is the person that you need at a family gathering to keep the peace. They are the link that keeps everyone together.

Joseph could have easily been replaced by another man who traced his ancestry back to Abraham. Or he could have been left out of the situation entirely. And yet God chose Joseph to be Jesus’ earthly father—not because of his job or his social standing, but because of the kind of man he was. In many ways, Joseph would serve like that family glue, would be a steady presence, would provide just what Jesus and Mary needed. If it weren’t for Joseph, Jesus’ earthly family wouldn’t have been the same.

We don’t know much about Joseph, but what we do know points to a strong sense of honor, family, and integrity. He didn’t want to bring disgrace to Mary, the unwed mother. He was faithful and obviously knew the promise of a Savior. He kept the laws, both of Judaism and the Roman government.

After receiving a heavenly message and reassurance that he was the right man for Mary, we can only imagine the side eye looks he and Mary got once she began to show. There is nothing in the Bible that tells us they were shunned or mocked, but with the size of celebrations surrounding weddings, we could guess there would be some gossipy, vindictive people counting how many months until Jesus’ birth. Again, Joseph is the glue that held it together, getting Mary all the way to Bethlehem during her pregnancy, holding on to this promise of a Savior.

Much like Joseph, we can be the steady presence in our families, holding them together and keeping peace among relatives. With Joseph’s unwavering support, he and Mary built a life together. If we’re not the “gluey” one in our family, we can do our best to support those that are. Helping manage family feuds and hurt feelings isn’t an easy job. Those people probably take a lot of hurt on themselves before easing the path toward reconciliation. Joseph probably blocked Mary from a lot of hurtful comments.

If you ever notice paintings of the Nativity, especially those from the very early church, Joseph is rarely included. If he is in the painting, he’s crouched in a dark corner or standing outside of the stable. He might not be the main man in the story, but he certainly served an important part: providing shelter, care, safety, and even love for the Savior of our salvation.

Beyond the early years of Jesus’ life, we don’t know much more about Joseph. But what we do know gives us a good example of how we can trust in God’s will and timing in our lives to strengthen our families and make way for whatever God has for us.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please use me as an instrument to build up my family and support others who do their best to strengthen others. Even when I don’t understand my role and struggle as Joseph did, help me understand that you have a plan for my life—big or small. Amen.

Written by Jen Wolf
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Jesus Takes All the Blame Away – December 6, 2023

2023/12/06/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:3,4,8,9

Jesus Takes All the Blame Away

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Family Devotion – December 6, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:3-4,8-9

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever been blamed for something bad that happened? Was it your fault that someone got hurt or that something got broken? Have you ever broken a rule or said something that caused pain? Everyone has. Which means everyone can be blamed for something. Everyone is guilty of doing things wrong. Everyone knows this. You know this, right?

So how can the Bible say that we will be “blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ?” How can we be totally innocent when we know we’ve been guilty many, many times?

The messenger of Jesus named Paul has an answer in 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. God is the one who makes us blameless. God calls people to trust him as their king and their savior. He promises that all who trust him this way are treated as people who have no blame and no guilt. But this is no trick. The reason we are blameless is because Jesus was blameless in our place. The Bible says that when God looks at you, he sees someone who is as perfect as Jesus. And anyone who is blameless like Jesus receives all the rewards that Jesus has earned.

In the future, this means every believer will inherit life that never ends with Jesus in heaven. Right now, it means every believer receives the gift of a clean conscience. Sometimes we feel guilty and don’t want to show our face to other people because we are ashamed of something we have done. But God forgives all our sins, which means the people around us can forgive us as well. Moms and dads can forgive each other and their children. Brothers and sisters can forgive their parents and each other. Forgiveness makes hearts feel happier and brings peace to homes.

Of course, we don’t always forgive perfectly. But Jesus does. That’s how God can promise to hold us close and safe and blameless until the end. Because he is the faithful one. As long as we are in his hands then we are safe and sound—and blameless.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we are often guilty of hurting or harming the people we love. Forgive us for our sins and take away our sadness. Give peace to us and in our home built on the sure knowledge that when we are in your hands, we are held blameless to the very end. Bring us to that great day. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Tell a time you took the blame for something wrong you did.
Tell what it feels like to be guilty of hurting or harming someone.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Name two or three sad things that happen when we are guilty.
Name two or three happy blessings that come when we are forgiven.

Questions for Middle School and Above

What does it mean to have a clean conscience?
What does the Bible say is the way that God holds us blameless?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Blameless – December 6, 2023

2023/12/06/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:8

Blameless

Daily Devotion – December 6, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 1:8

See series: Devotions

Did you know you need to be blameless to get into heaven? God in heaven is blameless and says that nothing unclean or impure will ever enter there. He commands you to be holy and righteous, just as God is holy and righteous. You need to be blameless on the day when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead.

When God looks down from heaven, he sees no one who is blameless. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Everyone deserves punishment for their sin, and the punishment is death. The wages of sin is death, and that’s not just the separation of soul and body. It’s eternal separation from God in hell.

People read the Bible and realize these truths, but they don’t know how to remedy the problem. They try to point out that they are more blameless than other people, but that is just a misunderstanding of the total blamelessness that God demands. They try to make up for their sins by doing good deeds, but they don’t understand that all their attempts to be blameless fall far short of the real blamelessness that is required.

God realized that people’s attempts at blamelessness were not going to work, so he sent his only Son, Jesus, into the world to live a blameless life. Rather than taking the heaven he deserved for that blameless life, Jesus took the hell that you deserved when he died on the cross. God declared that the blameless life of Jesus counts for you through faith in him. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we become the righteousness of God.

Everything that God does to preserve your faith in Jesus will keep you firm to the end. Every contact you have with the Word of God in the Bible does precisely that. Through faith in Jesus, you will be blameless on judgment day.

Prayer:
God of peace, sanctify me through and through. May my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 5

2023/12/05/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Trusting the One Who Has the Answers

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:31-34

Questions follow life-altering news. Whether it’s a diagnosis, a failed attempt, a passed test, an accident, or an achievement, people want to try and wrap their minds around what is going on in their lives. “What is the plan?” “What do I do next?” “How did this happen?” “Why is this happening to me?” “When do I start?” Even the Super Bowl winners get asked, “What will you do now?”—as if they hadn’t just experienced something huge.

Mary’s reaction to finding out she will be the mother of the Savior makes sense in some ways. How will this be? She knows that it is physically impossible, and this is also not the direction she thought her life would go. Marry Joseph? Yes. Make a home with him? Yes. Have children? Yes.

That had all changed. Become pregnant with the future Savior, break the news to Joseph, hope she doesn’t bring dishonor to her family, take a trip to a small town to have her baby among livestock, and need to run to a foreign country to escape a king who wants her infant dead. Not to mention men breaking out in praise when they meet her baby son, losing him as a tween on a trip to Jerusalem, witnessing miracles, being devastated by Holy Week, and experiencing the joy-terror of seeing her son resurrected. Mary’s question might have been different had she known all this was ahead of her.

Mary didn’t know. How could she? We don’t know what’s ahead for us either. Mary focused on the one part that was so very human. She looked only at what was physically impossible—a pregnant virgin—practically ignoring the fact that she was to be the mother of the one of whom prophets spoke and for whom generations hoped.

Even if we think we have great plans (and contingency plans), they can change. A job promotion can turn into a terrible power struggle. A diagnosis can turn from optimistic to tragic (or vice versa). We only think of these things in ways that our finite human brains understand with earthly limitations. How we fit into a God-sized plan is impossible for us to figure out. That’s the great thing, though. We don’t have to figure it out. God already knows how it will work out.

Learning from Mary’s reaction, I think we can agree to change our question. Instead of, “How will this be?” we can ask for strength, acceptance, and trust when we don’t understand what’s happening. We don’t need all the answers. We need the One who has the answers and who will help guide us through any uncertainty in life.

Prayer:

Lord, when my life seems to veer off course because of unexpected change, please help me to accept the change and lean on you. Please open my heart to possibility and show me how I can glorify you in the midst of uncertainty. Finally, help me to be willing to accept the help of those you put in my life to provide me with clarity and comfort. Amen.

Written by Jen Wolf
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Worth the Wait – December 5, 2023

2023/12/05/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:3,4

Worth the Wait

Daily Devotion – December 5, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 64:3,4

See series: Devotions

When our children were little, they had some difficulty understanding the passage of time. Everything in the past happened “yesterday,” and everything in the future was “tomorrow.” When they were anticipating something exciting like another visit from their cousins, they would ask, “Is it tomorrow yet?” On the day their cousins were to arrive, they would often check the front door and gaze out the front window until the moment finally arrived. It was agonizing—but it was worth the wait!

We may wish we were old enough to understand God’s timetable when it comes to the end of the earth and the return of Jesus in glory. He said he was coming soon, and it doesn’t seem soon according to the way we think of time. But as God’s children, we realize that he has a long view of time. It is agonizing—but it is worth the wait!

To remind ourselves that the wait is worth it, we think of awesome things that God has done. He sent his Son to be our Savior. Through that Savior, he forgave our sins and assures us that our sins are forgiven, even when we don’t expect it.

There is nothing like a visit from the only true God. We have seen what it was like when Jesus lived, died, and rose again, and we look forward to seeing what God will continue to do on behalf of those who wait for him.

Prayer: (Psalm 40:17)
As for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 4

2023/12/04/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Being the Lord’s Servant

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38

Being the mother of God incarnate must have been a monumental task. I often wonder whether Mary ever experienced self-doubt at being the mother of Jesus Christ himself. It’s wonderful to me that her response at being told she would carry and raise the son of God was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled,” instead of, “Are you kidding? That job is too big! Haven’t you seen my flaws?”

I have been overwhelmed and doubted myself at much smaller tasks than Mary’s. “Those aren’t my gifts,” I whine like Moses. “I need more help,” I deflect like Barak. Those are even some of the better days. There are other times I struggle to find the good at all. I look at the tasks God has set before me and I wonder if there was some sort of mix up. Why would he give me a certain challenge or task when he made me the way that he did?

There are personality tests to match people with the best line of work. It makes a lot of sense to put people in positions that align with their skill and values. The idea is that people will be happier doing things that are more congruent with who they are as a person. Yet God doesn’t always choose to work that way. He is not in the business of making people as happy as they can be in this life; he is in the business of saving as many souls as possible from the fires of hell so they can be secure with him in paradise forever.

When God sets a task before you and you can’t see how it aligns with what you believe you’re capable of handling, consider the fact that our Creator also supplies what is needed. He often does not call us to face the greatest obstacles with strengths we already possess, but rather with strengths he intends to give and grow in us on the journey. We are vessels, and if we can get out of the way, God can use us for important kingdom work, regardless of whether or not we understand the method or reason.

Mary didn’t cross reference the role of “bearing the Son of God” with her enneagram or Myers Briggs first, not even her Clifton strengths. She said, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She did not need to first identify the strength and ability within herself; she trusted God to show up with the strength needed.

Trust the Creator as Mary did—not first taking an inventory of your own strengths or abilities, but trusting him who made you to bring you through what he sets before you, regardless of your own perception of your ability to do so.

Prayer:

Heavenly Creator, you know me more intimately than I know myself. Help me to trust you as I face things in this life. Give me trust and joy like Mary’s as I face all you place before me. Amen.

Written by Jes Woller
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

God’s power is scary-good! – December 4, 2023

2023/12/04/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Isaiah 64:1-9

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains would tremble before you!
For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:1,3,4

God’s power is scary-good!

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – December 4, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 64:1,3,4

See series: Devotions

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

Isaiah was asking for something that seems strange. He is asking God to rip the sky open and make the mountains shake. Anyone who has been in an earthquake or a big thunderstorm knows that these are very scary things. So why would anyone want God to do something scary like that?

The answer the Bible gives is clear. When God comes in his power, he comes to be the God who saves.

This time of year, we begin to look forward to the coming of our God on Christmas. When Jesus was born, the true God entered our world. Jesus is true God and true man in one amazing person. And Jesus came with a remarkable mission. He came to take away our sin, and by doing that, he has made the end of all things sad and scary possible. He even defeated the scariest thing of all—death.

Isaiah knows that he needs God to save him. He knows that he has not always loved God with all his heart and he has not always shown love to the people in his life. Isaiah knows that even though every person is important to God, not a single one has been what God asks us to be. Isaiah knows this is why people die.

But Isaiah is confident and glad to know that his God is the one who does things for the good of others. He says, “No eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” As believers all over the world begin this time of waiting before Christmas, they all wait for the God who saves. He saves us with all the power he has, the kind of power that can shake mountains. In fact, when Jesus died to save the world from sin, the people who saw it said that the earth shook. God used all his mighty power to rescue all people from sin and even from death. All who believe in Jesus will one day die, but in the end, God’s power will raise us to live forever with the one who does good things for his people.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down to save us. When you died for our sins the earth shook, just like Isaiah wanted. Give us faith to trust that you are the God who does good things for his people. Bless us today and always. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What are some of the scary things Isaiah hopes God will do (in verse 1)?
When Jesus died on the cross it was a scary thing. How did God use such a scary thing for our good?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

People dying is sad and can be scary. How does Jesus dying and rising again help us when people we know are hurt or maybe even die?
Put in your own words how God uses his mighty power to do good things for his people.

Questions for Middle School and Above

If God is powerfully at work in our lives, why do so easily forget him?
“O Lord, we are the clay, you are the potter” (verse 8). What is Isaiah hoping God will “re-shape”?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The King Is Coming – Week of December 4, 2023

2023/12/04/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

The King Is Coming – Week of December 4, 2023

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory.
Psalm 24: 7-10

ECME Devotion December 4, 2023

See series: ECME Devotions

The King is coming! Imagine the red carpet rolled out, the best food prepared, the beautiful music. We would give our very best to show our love and support for a great leader.

As we look forward to Christmas, we prepare for a different king. This psalm was written by King David, one of the greatest kings in Israel’s history. He told his people to prepare for an even greater king. This king would be a King of glory, one who is strong and mighty in battle.

And then the king came. Born in a stable to parents who didn’t have much, he may not have looked like a king. There was no glory evident as he was placed in a feed trough. Yet never before and never again would such a king be born.

This king fought our biggest battle. He didn’t carry a sword or shield. He spent his short life on earth telling and living God’s love and forgiveness. He certainly didn’t look like a mighty king as he hung on the cross, beaten and bloodied. But just a few days later, the victorious king came back to life, assuring us of victory over sin, death, and the devil. This King of glory won the battle for us.

And so we get ready for this glorious king. We lift up our heads to welcome the Christ child, our hearts full of joy at the salvation he brings. We lift our voices to sing his praises. We lift our feet as we run to tell the good news of our King, just as the shepherds did that first Christmas Eve.
And this doesn’t end with Christmas. Our King of glory is coming back. When Jesus returns, we will lift our heads with our fellow believers and all the angels, singing his praises in eternity. We will be with our King of glory forever. The King is coming!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the king of glory! We praise you for defeating sin, death, and the devil for us. We look forward to when you come again and we get to join you in heaven for eternity.
Amen.

A Hymn to Consider:
Christian Worship 305: Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates

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

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

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

Enemies – December 4, 2023

2023/12/04/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
Isaiah 64:1,2

Enemies

Daily Devotion – December 4, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 64:1,2

See series: Devotions

You may think you have enemies. You may be able to identify them by name, and you may be able to list the ways they threaten to harm you and your loved ones.

Wouldn’t it be nice to simply name something those enemies are afraid of and then watch them cower in fear? Wouldn’t watching them back away and stop their threats be even nicer?

The prophet Isaiah called on God to come down from heaven in such a dramatic way even the mountains would tremble, and the enemies of God’s people would feel the heat.

God chose to come down from heaven the first time in a less dramatic way with the birth of a child named Jesus.

But make no mistake, the child who grew into a man was doing everything exactly right to fight the enemies of God’s people. Sin, death, and the devil threatened him, but he stood up to those enemies, and eventually, they cowered before him.

When sin, death, and the devil threaten you, cling to the name of Jesus, your Savior. Those enemies know him and tremble.

He is coming again soon, and the second time, it will be far more dramatic. When the mountains tremble, you will not because you know that he comes to save you from your enemies.

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 314)
O Savior, rend the heavens wide; come down, come down with mighty stride. Unlock the gates, the doors break down; unbar the way to heaven’s crown. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 3

2023/12/03/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Fully and Wholly Trusting God

When [Zechariah] came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
Luke 1:22,23

Be careful what you wish for. Zechariah asked Gabriel for a sign that he and his wife would conceive a son, and Gabriel definitely gave him that sign when he removed his ability to speak. Now Zechariah holds incredible and exciting news of the impending miracle and he’s stuck with inexperienced attempts at signing to communicate. He must wait for his son in silence.

Zechariah’s silence was a consequence for doubting God’s plan. He stood before the angel Gabriel himself, who had just delivered the incredible details of a miracle God had set in motion, and Zechariah responded by reminding Gabriel how illogical the plan was, how little sense it made in the context of his age and his wife’s sterility.

You can hear Gabriel’s tone, can’t you? How dare you question God? Silence.

Do you wonder if some of the difficulties we face in this life might be consequences of our doubting? Have you suggested plans to God that made a little more sense in consideration of the gifts, desires, and situation you were in? Can you imagine how different life would be if we fully, wholly trusted God, uninhibited by how little sense God’s plan might make from a worldly perspective?

In this account, it’s worth appreciating that there are certainly consequences for Zechariah’s doubt but God’s plan to roll out this incredible miracle remained unchanged. It is tempting to doubt God’s plan because his timeline is so much different than ours. The difficulty in trust is often in the wait time. Just think about Noah working on an ark in front of everyone while day after day it did not rain. Zechariah was told he was having a son, but he still had to wait for that son to arrive.

Whether it is trusting God to bring us through difficulties in our personal life or trusting that he is present and in control in the midst of so much sin in this world, we often have to wait and trust that God not only has a masterful plan for our benefit, but also has the power and wisdom to carry it out. Trust and patience in difficulty are hard, but just as Zechariah stayed and carried out his priestly duties until his time of service was completed, we too have daily work to do. We too must be diligent in accomplishing what is set before us now, small piece by small piece, prayerfully trusting our Savior to carry us, work through us, and bless us.

In our moments of doubt or error, we are reassured that although there may be consequences, God’s plan for salvation is as firm as ever. Our home in heaven is secure, not dependent on our perfect trust or obedience. There are blessings beyond our imagination in store for us, and trusting God to bring us through to receive them can help comfort us while we wait.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your mind, your plan, your power, and your timeline are beyond my imagination. Help me to trust you while I wait, working diligently in the roles you place me. Comfort me with the assurance of the certainty of salvation. Amen.

Written by Jes Woller
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Transformed – teen devotion – December 3, 2023

2023/12/03/in Teen Devotions

One truth shared: Having the right expectations for Jesus shapes our anticipation for his coming!

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:7-10

He Is Coming to Save Us

Our entire perspective on whether something is good or bad can hinge on the expectations we had going into it. The season of Advent helps us to look forward to the coming of our King, Jesus. Having the correct expectations for Jesus can keep us from becoming disappointed or disenchanted. What kind of a king are you looking for in Jesus?

Some expect for Jesus to bring them earthly health and success. They have the expectation that if they follow him and serve him, then earthly success and health will come to them.
Others expect from Jesus a richness of earthly blessings like luxury and ease.
Still others expect that following Jesus means there will be no hardships or challenges or sad times or loss. When you look to him as the one who can take away physical problems, it is disheartening when those problems continue.

It’s easy to come to Jesus with all the wrong expectations and, like the crowd on the first Palm Sunday, become disappointed and disenchanted.

The crowd had it correct when they shouted, “Hosannah,” which means, “Come and save us.” This is exactly the reason for which Jesus came to this earth! He came here to save us. The hard part of recognizing this truth is that it begs the question: Do we need saving? The hard truth is: Yes, we do. It helps shape our expectations this Christmas. A newborn King enters our world so that he might be the King who fights for us. Jesus could see everything on the way into Jerusalem and everything on his path to the cross. He saw the battlefield and the satanic forces of evil facing him. And then, he saw you. He heard your cry, “Come save me!” What motivated Jesus from his cradle to his cross? It was you—his love for you.

What a King we have! As we prepare to celebrate the coming of our King, let’s make sure that our expectations are in the correct place. We are celebrating a King who came to save us!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending into this world the exact King that we needed to save us from our sins. Keep our eyes focused on him as the only one who defeated the devil and offers eternal life. Help us to continue to do battle against our sinful nature, the world and the devil himself. Keep us safe eternally as we look forward to the joys of heaven that we will enjoy with our King. Amen.

Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Hope – December 3, 2023

2023/12/03/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14

Hope

Daily Devotion – December 3, 2023

Devotion based on Titus 2:11-14

See series: Devotions

We went shopping at a local mall on a Saturday afternoon in September. As we rode the escalator to the second floor, my wife looked beyond me and said, “Don’t turn around!” I knew what she meant: “Turn around, but you won’t like what you see!” What terrible sight was about to greet us on the second floor? A fully decorated Christmas tree with lights, garland, and ornaments! Did I mention that it was September?

Our US culture observes its secular version of Christmas long before Christmas Day. The day after Thanksgiving used to be the start of the secular Christmas season. Now the starting date seems to be the day after Halloween—or even earlier! Impatient Americans don’t wait to celebrate the holidays. We exhaust them long before they arrive on the calendar!

How very different is the Christian’s Christmas celebration! Christmas Eve and Day don’t end the celebration but begin it. We spend the weeks leading up to Christmas not in celebration but in hopeful anticipation. We light the first candle of the Advent wreath as we take our place in the sandals of Old Testament believers who looked up to the heavens, waiting and watching and hoping for the Lord to keep his promise to send the Messiah.

God promised to send his Son to undo the damage of sin caused by Adam and Eve and each one of their descendants. That includes you. Jesus would have had every right to come into this world with his wrath and anger aimed squarely at us. He would have had every right to fill us with fear instead of hope. Instead, God’s promised Messiah came with grace and humility aimed solely at saving us. His mission from cradle to cross would remove the guilt of sin and restore the relationship between God and humankind.

Old Testament believers waited and hoped for God to send the Messiah as he promised. New Testament believers now wait and hope for Christ to return in glory and bring us to the glories that he won for us. Despite many attempts to predict that day, we cannot know when it will be. And so we patiently wait and hope. We hope in Christ, knowing that he who kept his promise by his first advent will come again in his good time for his final advent. With hopeful anticipation we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with patient hope as we wait for your triumphant return. Keep us faithful to you and fix our eyes on the promises of your Word so that when you return in glory, we may joyfully receive the salvation that you won for us at your first advent. Amen.

This Advent devotion is brought to you by Forward in Christ magazine. For an enhanced version of this devotion including a flipbook and video or to read other devotions in this series, visit forwardinchrist.net/advent-2023.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 2

2023/12/02/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

An Orderly Account of God’s Artistry

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:3,4

Luke begins this letter to Theophilus with an explanation of why he’s writing. He wants to share this “orderly account,” inspired by the Holy Spirit, to ensure the details of the incredible and miraculous events that have occurred are recorded. There were so many elements at play in the life of Jesus and throughout the Bible. Luke wants to ensure Theophilus, and all of us, keep the story straight and appreciate all that went into play to secure the salvation of our souls.

Have you ever indulged in a movie about an elaborate heist? The Sting, National Treasure, any of the Oceans 11 movies, and so many more create such a fun and complex series of events and personalities in order to carry out a seemingly impossible plan. For weeks (or longer!) you see different people obtaining the right job, item, uniform, or relationship so they can play their specific part. The day finally comes, and countless details are now set in place to accomplish the impossible.

Rescuing our wretched souls for eternal salvation should have been an impossible plan. Yet, in all his wisdom, God put everything in place. Scripture provides an orderly account of how God safeguarded the line of David, inspired and fulfilled prophecies hundreds of years apart, and called countless souls to play their specific roles in his design for divine deliverance.

While it is indeed “finished” and our salvation is won, God is still actively at work in our lives, curating our lived experiences to accomplish important work for his kingdom. The difficulties we face, the relationships we are a part of, and the lessons we learn all work together within his greater plan to grow our faith and strengthen our relationship with him.

Not only do our experiences shape and inform our individual lives and faiths, but they are woven together with the lives of countless other people both in our lifetime and throughout history to create a breathtakingly intricate tapestry. The artistry in God’s design is beyond our imagination.

As we examine our own lives and decipher the orderly account of God’s artistry within them, we can appreciate Luke wanting to share with Theophilus the miraculous details that came together in the life of Jesus. Our own testimony, in conjunction with the inspired Word of God, is a powerful tool in sharing the joy and confidence of salvation with the lost or wavering.

The orderly account within the book of Luke and all of Scripture helps us to appreciate how perfectly God’s plan of salvation comes together so that you and I can be with him forever in paradise—the impossible made possible.

Prayer:

God of wisdom and power, you have made the impossible possible by rescuing my sin-stained soul for salvation. Help me to appreciate the artistry at work throughout Scripture and within my own life. You know no limits, and I marvel at the works of your hand. Amen.

Written by Jes Woller
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

A Sight to Keep In Mind – December 2, 2023

2023/12/02/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9,10

A Sight to Keep In Mind

Daily Devotion – December 2, 2023

Devotion based on Daniel 7:9,10

See series: Devotions

You don’t often think about the memorabilia you have stuffed into storage. Unless you’re a mechanic, you don’t often think about your vehicle’s engine. Out of sight, out of mind.

Then suddenly, you find yourself thinking about those things. You crave to see some old pictures because a dear friend has died. You pop open your car’s hood because that one noise has gotten so much louder.

Too often, God drifts out of our regular thoughts. We see and experience people, things, joys, and the struggles of life—they’re right in front of our faces. But God doesn’t visibly occupy a chair at the supper table. He doesn’t physically hug you when you cry. Is God out of sight and often out of mind?

One day, God will be very much “in sight.” About 550 years before Jesus was born, God showed Daniel a vision. As Daniel described that vision, he wrote how God appeared. God’s clothing was white as snow, and his hair white like wool. The throne he sat on was flaming with fire. Daniel was seeing God in his holiness and power. God was seated to judge.

One day, you will stand face-to-face before God, who will judge you. But if you believe in Jesus as your Savior, you will not be alone. Jesus will be at your side. Through faith in Jesus, God has credited you with the perfection of his Son’s holy life, and God has declared you not guilty of your sins on account of Jesus’ innocent sufferings and death for you.

Keep that day in mind—the day you’ll stand face-to-face with God. Keep Jesus in mind—his life, death, and resurrection for you. Keep in mind your forgiveness and peace with God, and even though God is now out of sight, one day that will change, and you will see God face-to-face.

Prayer:
Dear God, it is so easy to forget about you and the day I will see you face-to-face. Forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake. Fill my heart with your peace and my life with love for you and others. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Advent Devotion – Christmas Reflections – Day 1

2023/12/01/in Womens Advent Devotions, Womens Devotions

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

A Love For All Eternity

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:1-3

These short verses at the beginning of the Gospel of John are packed with intentionality. They proclaim Jesus as true God both to the Jew and to the Gentile. At the same time, they establish this person of the Godhead to have experience, eternity, and incredible power.

When our congregations merged a few months ago, I found myself in the role of moving coordinator. By the end of summer, I grew to deeply appreciate a core group of men who never failed to show up on our volunteer days. These men knew the building inside and out. I would need whiteboards relocated, shelving units wall mounted, and any other number of specialized tasks. They not only knew which tools the job needed, but they had them along and required no further instruction. In fact, I would have had absolutely no idea how to do many of those things myself. I was entirely reliant on their strength and experience to accomplish what needed to get done. After the first couple of volunteer days, I began to realize how lost I would be without them and worried that they may burn out and stop coming. They never did. Their love for God and for his church compelled them to continue to show up, to do what I could not have possibly done myself.

These were human men, sinful and flawed, but I grew to love and depend on them as they simultaneously showed me my limits and accomplished the goals set before me. How much more does our Savior have the experience and strength to carry us through difficulties in this life? When faced with obstacles, we can trust that our Savior knows not only our lives inside and out but the universe and all eternity. We can rely on the strength and experience of our Savior as well as his relentless love and dependability. Let us deeply appreciate our Savior who never fails to show up.

Our God has known each specialized task that would be set before us since the dawn of time. In all his wisdom, he put them in place himself, and he has been ready with the tools, the experience, and the strength to see us through each one, needing no instruction from us.

His love—his timeless, dependable, and unrelenting love—has not and will not ever burn out or fail to show up. Unlike human men whose love and strength would wane over months and years of our calling on them, our God’s strength and love have been in place for all eternity. That love and might will never wane, and he is eager for us to acknowledge our need for him, to know and rely on his love for us.

You have been loved since the beginning of time by a God who can and will get you through anything and everything set before you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, turn our hearts to total dependence on your love and power. We are so often tempted to rely on ourselves, forgetting the might and the love that you would wield if we only stopped trying to do things ourselves. Let not our will, our way, or our strength lead our lives, Lord, but yours alone. Amen.

Written by Jes Woller
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

God is your judge… and that’s good! – December 1, 2023

2023/12/01/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Matthew 25:31,32,46

God is your judge… and that’s good!

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – December 1, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 25:31,32,46

See series: Devotions

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

Do you know what a judge is? A judge is someone who typically sits in a courtroom and decides whether a person is innocent or guilty, whether they have done right or wrong. They typically send the guilty to jail, and the innocent they let go free. That’s what a judge in a courtroom does.

The Bible says that God is a judge and the last day of this world will be judgment day because God is going to judge everyone. In today’s reading, Jesus wants you to picture him “separating the sheep from the goats.” He’s going to judge whether people are good or bad, whether they’ve sinned or not. He is going to bring the good people into heaven, and he is going to lock the bad people away forever in hell.

Did you catch the problem? We are sinners. We have all sinned. A lot. Every single day. God tells us he wants us to be perfect. We’re not even close. If we stand before God, our judge, on the last day with all these sins, we would all look like goats, wouldn’t we? Oh-oh! How scary!

Thankfully, God did something for us. Instead of leaving us like that, he sent Jesus to wipe away every last one of those sins. The Bible says that when you were baptized, you were “clothed with Christ.” This means that when God looks at you, instead of seeing our sin, he sees Jesus. He sees sheep, not goats. To be a sheep is to be loved by Jesus. The Good Shepherd gave up his life to give life to sheep. You and I were made sheep, because the shepherd appeared to take our “goatiness” away.

That means on judgment day, we can stand before God, our judge, and not be scared. Not because of how good we are, but because of everything Jesus has done for us. God can now look at you and see a perfect child, with no sin. He judges you to be a sheep whom he will welcome into heaven.

Until then, what do sheep do? Jesus says, they busy themselves serving others—thinking of others first and giving up what’s important to them to consider what is important to others. May we be busy sheep who share Jesus with everyone, so that they might join us in heaven too.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, keep us always connected to Jesus and his saving Word that we might remain strong in the faith and ready for your return. Give us the courage to share your saving gospel with others. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What is a judge?
Jesus will judge sheep and goats on the Last Day. Because you believe in Jesus, which one are you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why don’t we need to be afraid of judgment day?
Agree/Disagree: To be ready for judgment day means you must be really good and stop sinning.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Explain why it’s good to know that God is our judge?
Why do you think God gives us these details about judgment day?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Save Us – December 1, 2023

2023/12/01/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Save Us – December 1, 2023

Based on Mark 11:1-10

To whom do you look for rescue when situations in life become difficult? Our King, Jesus, gives us every reason to blurt out a confident “Hosanna!” in any and every situation of life.

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

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

A Never Ending Joy – December 1, 2023

2023/12/01/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

A Never Ending Joy

Daily Devotion – December 1, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

See series: Devotions

Trumpets. Angels. Flying. Reunion with loved ones. You’ve contemplated some or all of those things. God willing, you have been encouraged by all of them. And yet, they fail in comparison to the encouragement of the words before us today. We won’t just meet our loved ones in the air, “we’ll meet the Lord in the air. We will be with the Lord forever.”

When we’re with the Lord, nothing else matters. Think of some of the commercials you see this time of year. Some of the tear-jerking commercials are military members coming home for the holidays and being reunited with their loved ones. When a daughter runs into her G.I. dad’s arms at the airport, you don’t hear her complain, “Daddy, it’s really warm in this airport.” Her joy of being with her once-deployed dad supersedes any discomfort. Likewise, when a deployed daughter surprises her mom with coffee in the kitchen on Christmas morning, you don’t hear the mom complain, “Folgers? Why not Starbucks?” She’s just glad to be with her daughter.

On the day Jesus returns, so many exciting things will happen. But nothing will compare with our supreme joy of being with the Lord—a joy that will never end. Therefore, be encouraged with these words and that your King is coming to be with you.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I can’t wait to be with you. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly! Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

The Joy of Heaven – November 30, 2023

2023/11/30/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds . . . Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17,18

The Joy of Heaven

Daily Devotion – November 30, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17,18

See series: Devotions

As a kid, I’d tie or safety-pin a blanket around my neck to create a makeshift cape. Like many children, I wanted to be Superman or some other superhero who could fly. But it’s not just children. It seems that practically from the time Adam named the birds of the air, humans have dreamt of flying.

While the Wright brothers made human flight possible with the assistance of an aircraft, on the Last Day, Jesus will make human flight possible without any aircraft. Can you imagine what that will be like? How exciting!

But the excitement of flying will soon be overshadowed by an even greater thrill. It’s not so much that we are caught up in the air that will make the Last Day exciting, rather, it’s with whom we get to fly. We get to fly with our loved ones who have died in the Lord before us. We will be “caught up together with them in the clouds.” Imagine the joy. Perhaps the best way I can picture it is open seating on Southwest Airlines. If you board early, you watch the passengers go by, wondering who will sit next to you. Maybe it will even be someone semi-famous. How exciting! Can you imagine the joy and excitement if your loved one who has died in the Lord walked down the aisle and sat next to you? After getting over the shock, you wouldn’t be able to wipe the smile off your face.

That’s part of the joy of the day Jesus returns. You will be reunited with your loved ones. Therefore, be encouraged by these words. Be encouraged that your King is coming, and he’ll take you into the air to be with your loved ones.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, fill me with joy and anticipation as I look forward to the reunion in the sky with my loved ones who have died in the Lord. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

Death is Like a Nap – November 29, 2023

2023/11/29/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:14

Death is Like a Nap

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – November 29, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:14

See series: Devotions

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

Do you ask your parents a lot of questions? Did you know that asking questions is actually a good thing? That’s how we learn as kids. But it’s also important to understand that your parents can’t answer every question. Sometimes a parent has to say, “I can’t answer you now. Wait until I have more time.” Or “I just don’t know the answer to that.”

Here’s today’s difficult question: “What do I say to someone at a funeral when their loved one dies?” What about a friend in school who loses a grandparent to death? How can you find the words? What should you say to yourself when death makes you cry?

Don’t believe everything you see in movies. People don’t wander the earth when they die or cross over to the land of the dead and live there… so long as people remember them in the living world. That’s just not true.

The Bible tells us the truth today. The apostle Paul says, “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” God tells you that death is a sleep and Jesus will one day wake us up from that nap. Do you know why? Because Jesus woke up! He took a three-day nap after his death on Good Friday’s cross and woke up early Easter morning. And guess what? He’s never going to sleep again! So don’t be afraid to nod off at the end of your life. Jesus will gently wake you up in time so you won’t be left behind to miss a thing!

So, the next time you’re wondering what to say, don’t overthink it. Say this, “We believe that Jesus died and rose.” Remember what that means. It means that your grandpa, your mom, your friend, or anyone who died in Jesus isn’t actually dead. They’re taking a nap and they are safe. Someday, Jesus will wake them up. And one day, he will bring us all to be with him.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to die and rise so that I can have certainty that when I die, I will be in heaven. Please give me the simple words of truth and comfort to speak to others when they lose someone they love. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

In today’s devotion, what is death like?
What do you think heaven is going to be like?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why do plants, animals, and people die?
Why don’t we need to be afraid of death?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Name two things that make death kind of scary to think about. How does Jesus overcome those fears?
Life on earth is pretty short (70-80 years is average). Heaven is for eternity. Why is that important to remember as we go about our days on this earth?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The Coming King – November 29, 2023

2023/11/29/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. . . The Lord himself will come . . . and the dead in Christ will rise first . . . Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:14,16,18

The Coming King

Daily Devotion – November 29, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:14,16,18

See series: Devotions

“They’re going to miss it.” That’s maybe what you thought as you sat by the grave of a loved one. “They’re going to miss their daughter’s wedding. They’re going to miss their first grandchild. They’re going to miss traveling in retirement.” They’re going to miss ‘it,’ whatever ‘it’ is.

And there’s a sadness that comes with this, at least for the survivor. Many of you know what it’s like to experience a wedding, a birth, or some other occasion without sharing the joy of that event with certain loved ones. But there is one event our loved ones who have died in the Lord will not miss. Not only will they not miss Jesus’ return, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” There’s a certain amount of joy that comes with this, isn’t there? As a spectator, I love watching my child get a blue ribbon at the track meet or the spelling bee. I rejoice in seeing my spouse receive an award at her place of employment. We love seeing our favorite players win a championship or our preferred candidates win an election. We find joy when our loved ones win.

While you may miss your loved ones at an upcoming wedding, be assured, they’ll be the first ones to the wedding banquet of heaven. You may miss a Christian friend at an upcoming reunion but be assured they’ll be the first ones in the air, waiting to be reunited with you. Be encouraged by these words. Be encouraged that your King is coming, and he’s bringing those who have fallen asleep with him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, may the joy of my loved one’s victory overshadow the sadness of me missing them here. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

A Celebration – November 28, 2023

2023/11/28/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The Lord himself will come . . . with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God . . . Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

A Celebration

Daily Devotion – November 28, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

See series: Devotions

One hundred eighty-seven-yard par three, the wind is blowing slightly from left to right. You’re deliberating between the four and five-iron and grab the five. The swing feels smooth. It’s a perfect launch, right at the pin and landing a few feet in front of the hole. The little white orb rolls forward and then disappears. A hole-in-one! You jump up and down and scream in elation. Unfortunately, there’s not a single witness. You’ll tell the story again and again. Some people will believe you, but there will be others who will doubt. And that doubt, even though you know the story is true, has its way of robbing a little bit of your joy.

Perhaps you have known the joy of knowing Jesus as your Savior for years. You know the peace of being reconciled to God through the payment that Jesus made for your sins. You know the comfort of forgiveness and assurance of eternal life. But you’ve been surrounded by doubters who have robbed a little bit of that joy and find yourself defending the truth more than celebrating it. As a result, your celebration of his victory has been a bit subdued.

And if it’s not doubters from the outside, sometimes the biggest thieves of joy are the doubts coming from within. ‘Did Jesus really win and secure a spot in heaven for me? Is Jesus really coming back?’ When Jesus comes back, there will be no doubts. Everyone will see and hear who he is. “A loud command. The voice of the archangel. The trumpet call of God.” Be encouraged by these words and that your King is coming for all to see.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, erase my doubts with the certainty that you are coming back as my victorious King for all to see. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

A Heavenly Home Worth Waiting For – Week of November 27, 2023

2023/11/27/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

A Heavenly Home Worth Waiting For – Week of November 27, 2023

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 25:34

ECME Devotion November 27, 2023

See series: ECME Devotions

What are you looking forward to? Checking a project off your to-do list? Seeing a friend or family member? A holiday break from school and meetings? Purchasing a certain Christmas gift? Sleeping in next weekend? It’s natural for us to look ahead to things we’re excited about, to things we’re looking forward to.

Do you know what God’s looking forward to and excited about? Welcoming you home. God has a future so amazing planned for you that it’s beyond your imagination. A place without sin or heartache or pain or fear? Hard to imagine. A place where we will continually live in joy and harmony with one another? Hard to imagine. A place where you’ll see God’s glory and sing his praises day and night without reserve? Hard to imagine. And yet. It’s true. God has prepared a heavenly inheritance for you, and through faith in Jesus, God brings you into his family to receive it. You don’t have to earn it or purchase it or get on the wait-list. In Jesus, it’s already yours, and God can’t wait to share it with you.

If only, we let that be enough. Instead, we find ourselves comparing the materials and opportunities someone else has to what we have. We congratulate ourselves for completing a task more effectively than someone else. We do something to be recognized or praised rather than to genuinely help someone out. We fail to be the perfect people God has called us to be. In summary, we get caught up in sinful thoughts, words, and actions rather than looking for opportunities to serve in joy and gratitude for the grace God has shown to us.

When we recognize these sins and failures and bring them to God in repentance, he gives us more good news – in Jesus, our sins are completely and forever forgiven. They cannot keep us from God’s love, and through faith in Jesus, that heavenly reward is still ours.

Therefore, we can see each new day as another opportunity to serve God in love by loving and caring for those around us – in the classroom, at the grocery store, at home, out at the park, in rush-hour traffic, or in your neighborhood. Let people see God’s love and forgiveness evident in you as we wait for Christ’s return. Look ahead in joy and anticipation, knowing God can’t wait to welcome you home!

Prayer:
Dear God, it’s so easy for us to lose sight of the incredible gifts you give us – love, forgiveness, a place in your family, and an eternal home. Thank you for making all of that possible through the death of your son, Jesus. Help us to look ahead to that day when we will see you face to face. And while we wait, help us to make the best of each opportunity to share your love with those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Question to Consider:
Take a moment to reflect on and praise God for the incredible gift of heaven. Tell someone you love about God’s incredible gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Listen to “Heaven Changes Everything” by Big Daddy Weave for some inspiration.

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

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

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

What do you see? – November 27, 2023

2023/11/27/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13,14

What do you see?

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – November 27, 2023

Devotion based on Daniel 7:13,14

See series: Devotions

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

Do you know what a holusion is? A holusion is a picture that looks like a bunch of jumbled squiggly lines and colors. You can’t tell what it is from a first glance. But after looking, blinking, staring, and squinting, your eyes start to see something. Only this time, almost behind the picture, a three-dimensional picture magically seems to appear out of nowhere.

Life is kind of like a holusion. To understand what’s really going on, you have to see behind the picture. On the surface, it just looks like a bunch of squiggly lines and confusing colors. It’s hard for us to see how God is working it out.

That’s why God gives us this vision through Daniel so he could see behind the picture. Daniel saw kingdoms rising and falling and the world going crazy! But Daniel also saw that God knew exactly what would happen and was in complete control the whole time.

It’s good to remember that God is the king of history. He never loses control. Even when there are scary things going on around us, nothing is more powerful than our God.

Sometimes we forget that. Sometimes life seems like such a scary, jumbled, confusing mess. it can make us forget or doubt that God is in control. So Daniel encourages us to see what he saw.

He saw a man who walked before the throne of God. A man “like a son of man.” Do you know who the Bible calls the “son of man?” It’s Jesus.

See, God wanted you to see Jesus as someone who was just like us but so strong and powerful, he changed our future from the scariness of death and darkness to the safety of his family and a place where we are forever protected.

There are moments where we all get scared because we don’t see the whole picture. But remember to look behind the picture. Let your eyes see God in complete control. Let your eyes see Jesus, your Savior King, ruling for you.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, let my eyes join the eyes of Daniel and see my God in control at all times and in every way. Let the scary parts of this life fade away when I see your hand ruling for my good. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What’s the thing you’re most afraid of?
In today’s devotion, who is bigger than that scary thing?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What is one thing you’re worried about this week?
Why is it comforting to know that Jesus has all power and authority?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why is it comforting to know that Jesus is standing before the throne of the almighty God for us?
Today’s devotion is about God ruling over all things for your good. Name three areas of your life where you find that truth especially comforting.

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Know Where Your Path Leads – November 27, 2023

2023/11/27/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

Know Where Your Path Leads

Daily Devotion – November 27, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

See series: Devotions

Not too long ago, my wife and I went on a long walk. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to walk beyond our planned path. As we meandered through a subdivision on this unmarked path, we weren’t quite sure where it would lead. Nor did we have our phones on us to provide a map.

When we came across two women sitting on the park bench, we didn’t simply ask, “Do you know where this path leads?” Rather, my wife started by asking, “Do you live around here?” When the women said, “Yes,” our confidence level went up. We were encouraged. They would know where the path led because they were from here.

As we go through life, we don’t always know where our paths lead. But considering that our goal is heaven, how encouraging it is to know that’s where our Lord lives. And the reason he’s there is because he finished his work here. Jesus lived a perfect life for you and died to take away your sins. He rose again, sealing his victory over death so he could open heaven to us. Today, in heaven, he is sitting at the right hand of God, ruling over all things for your benefit. Don’t miss the significance of those two little words, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven.” Be encouraged by these words and know that your King is coming from heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, as I go through life, I often get discouraged by the difficulties of life. Today, encourage me with the assurance that you are already in heaven and you are coming back so that I can be with you there. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

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

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

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

Read: Mark 11:1-10

Jesus, Save Us!

Closing Prayer:

Prepared for Everything – December 8, 2023

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The King Shall Come To Save Us

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Called to Be an Elizabeth

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In the Name of the Lord

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

The Right Person for the Job

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Read: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Jesus Takes All the Blame Away

Closing Prayer:

Blameless

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Trusting the One Who Has the Answers

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Worth the Wait

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Being the Lord’s Servant

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Read: Isaiah 64:1-9

God’s power is scary-good!

Closing Prayer:

The King Is Coming – Week of December 4, 2023

ECME Devotion December 4, 2023

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Enemies

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

Fully and Wholly Trusting God

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Hope

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

An Orderly Account of God’s Artistry

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A Sight to Keep In Mind

Christmas Reflections: Timeless Truths for Today

A Love For All Eternity

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Read: Matthew 25:31-46

God is your judge… and that’s good!

Closing Prayer:

Save Us – December 1, 2023

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A Never Ending Joy

The Joy of Heaven

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Death is Like a Nap

Closing Prayer:

The Coming King

A Celebration

A Heavenly Home Worth Waiting For – Week of November 27, 2023

ECME Devotion November 27, 2023

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Read: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

What do you see?

Closing Prayer:

Know Where Your Path Leads

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