Devotions

Transformed – teen devotion – October 13, 2024

2024/10/13/in Teen Devotions

God’s grace is the most valuable thing you possess.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Mark 10:26-27

You Have the Prize

A man asked Jesus the question every human being should be desperate to get the answer for, “How do I get into heaven?” Surprisingly Jesus didn’t say, “Believe in me as your Savior.” Instead he told the man to obey the commandments. Why?
Getting into heaven is like an archery competition. In order to win the prize of heaven, you have to hit the target. The target is obey God’s commandments. If you do this, you get heaven. The young man thought that he had hit the target but Jesus pointed out that he missed. He would rather sacrifice Jesus for his money than his money for Jesus. If you hit the target by obeying God perfectly, you get the prize. If you don’t hit the target, whether you miss by a little or a lot, you don’t get the prize. It means that you don’t get heaven. You get hell. And so, the man left in sorrow.
The truth is no one is able to hit the target. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. We, like the disciples, come to the same conclusion, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus’ answer, “With man this is impossible, but not with God.” God sent his Son, Jesus, onto the archery range (Christmas). Jesus pulled back the string and hit the bullseye (he had no sin). Jesus won the prize but doesn’t keep it for himself. He comes over to you in your sorrow, and even though you missed the target badly, he taps you on the shoulder and says, “Hey, I want you to have this.” He gives you the prize (Jesus’ death and resurrection). This is God’s grace for you.
The reason Jesus told the man to obey the commandments rather than telling the man to believe in him as his Savior is because he wanted the man to realize he was not capable of winning the prize himself. Jesus wanted him to despair of himself and then look to God to save him. We don’t know if the man ever looked to Jesus to give him the prize. The question is, do you?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank you for winning heaven and giving the prize to me freely as a gift. Help me to never take the credit or take your grace for granted. Help me to show my thanks for your gift by getting as close as I can to God’s target. 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.

Money Becoming Your God – October 13, 2024

2024/10/13/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:23-27

Money Becoming Your God

Daily Devotion – October 13, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 10:23-27

See series: Devotions

You need money. There’s no way around it. You need a job to make money and perform at your job to keep receiving money. You need a plan and budget to manage your money.

You can’t live without money.

So why does Jesus say that being rich is so dangerous? Doesn’t he understand that we need to pay our bills? Why does he say that having a lot of money could keep us from entering the kingdom of God? Wouldn’t life be easier if we just had more money? Not necessarily.

Money is a good thing. But money becomes a bad thing when we make it our ultimate thing. Money can easily become our functional god.

When we look to money to give us ultimate happiness or a sense of peace and security, money has become our god. When we give all our time and effort to making money, we are worshiping money like a god.

At one time or another, we have looked to money to give us what only God can. If money has become our god, how can we possibly be saved?

Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Jesus did the impossible. He left the riches of heaven to be a poor human. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, you, a poor human, have become spiritually rich. Now, instead of worshiping your money, by God’s grace, honor God with your money.

Prayer:
God, my Father, thank you for providing all that I need for my body and life. God, the Son, thank you for giving me the riches of your grace and forgiveness. God, the Holy Spirit, lead me to treasure what is truly valuable in your eyes. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Least I Can Do – October 12, 2024

2024/10/12/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25

The Least I Can Do

Daily Devotion – October 12, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 5:25

See series: Devotions

A professor from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago once did a research paper on what drives people to give their lives in service to others. His research led him to many people and many places. Perhaps the most extraordinary place was in London, England, where a woman had devoted her life to serving the poor. He asked her why. The answer he received is something he never forgot.

She was a woman of Jewish descent. She’d grown up in Germany but had moved to France in the 1930s to escape Hitler. Then the Nazis invaded. Soon, she found herself fleeing from one location to the next in order to avoid capture. In time, she became exhausted and felt like she could go no farther. That is when an old, French widow knocked on her door. The elderly woman warned her that the Nazis were doing another search and that she needed to escape. “But it’s no use,” she told the old woman. “They will find me anyway. They are so close behind.”

But the elderly widow, a Christian, then said this. “Yes, they will find someone here, but it’s time for you to leave. Go. I will take your identification and wait here.” Immediately, the young Jewish woman understood the ramifications of the old woman’s plan. The Nazis would come and find this Christian widow and think she was the fleeing Jew. “Why would you do such a thing for me?” she asked. To her question, the widow responded, “It’s the least I can do; Christ has already done that and more for me.”

The Nazis did come and took the Christian widow in the Jewish woman’s place. She perished within six months at a concentration camp. But her capture gave the Jewish woman time to escape. She found her way to England and, through the power of the gospel, came to faith in Christ.

And that is why she went on to devote her life to serving others. In light of all that her Savior from sin had done for her, it was the least she could do.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I stop to consider what you have done to wash away my sin and to give me life, move me to live my life for others. It is the least I can do. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Families Stick Like LEGOs – October 11, 2024

2024/10/11/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Mark 10:2-16

[Jesus said] “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Mark 10:6-9

Families Stick Like LEGOs

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Family Devotion -October 11, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 10:6-9

See series: Devotions

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

LEGOs aren’t cheap, but they’re worth it! The “knock-off” brands don’t have the creativity or the “sticktoitiveness” as the name brand LEGOs. LEGOs stay together.

That’s the way God wants families to operate, especially a mom and dad joined together in marriage. He wants them to stay together. Jesus explained it like this, “‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

In less than 50 words, Jesus captures the beauty and wonder of marriage. Marriage begins a new family unit. With joy, excitement, and maybe even a little fear, a husband and wife leave the homes they grew up in and begin a new one. A husband and wife are joined so closely in marriage that God calls it a union, even saying that “they are no longer two, but one flesh.” This “two-become-one” happens literally when, through the union of a husband and wife, God creates another human being—a child. Notice that Jesus tells us it wasn’t “luck” or “fate” that joined a mom and a dad in marriage; God joined them together. It is God’s intent they stay together—like LEGOs.

As good as LEGOs are, they don’t always stick together. Sometimes by accident and at other times with intent, the LEGOs come apart. Unfortunately, that happens in marriage sometimes. Jesus wants us to know that when that happens, it messes with God’s intent for marriage. Marriage works best when husbands and wives stick together. And when it happens from a selfish desire for a different spouse, Jesus calls that sin.

Families are like LEGOs in another way. God wants families to stick to Jesus. This time, little children, not moms and dads, gave Jesus the chance to talk about staying close. When Jesus’ disciples told families not to bother Jesus with the kids, Jesus spoke up, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Jesus wants parents to stick close to him, but he also wants children to stay connected to him. The child-like trust in Jesus is the model for all those who want to be in God’s kingdom.

When parents stick together and when families stick with Jesus, then families are like LEGOs.

Closing Prayer:

God of tenderness and strength, bless our home, our family, and our love. Watch over our coming and our goings. Keep us from growing weary in doing good and sustain our family in any hour of trouble. Help us to deal tenderly with one another and knit our lives together in love for you and each other. Amen. (Modified prayer “For a Married Couple” from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, 1993)

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

According to Jesus, who joins moms and dads together in marriage?
Does God want little children in his heavenly kingdom? How do you know?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

For how long does God want husbands and wives to “stick together”?
Why does Jesus use children as the example of those who will be in the kingdom of God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Agree or disagree. Marriages are supposed to last forever.
List at least three blessings that come when spouses stick together, when families stick to Jesus.

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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.

Military Devotion – The Sword of God – October 11, 2024

2024/10/11/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Based on Hebrews 4:12,13; 9:14

Have you seen the shoulder sleeve insignia of the U.S. Special Operations Command? It’s a dagger pointing upward, which represents the unconventional nature of special forces operations. The insignia also contains three lightning bolts. They represent the ability of special forces to strike rapidly by air, land, or sea.

What about the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 65th Medical Brigade? If you’ve seen it, you know that the sword is pointing downward. This indicates a military unit with a non-combatant posture because the Medical Brigade’s mission is to heal and preserve life at all costs.

I want you to think about those insignias as you read the words from the author to the Hebrews in chapter 4. As you do, ask yourself which one of these shoulder insignias represents the sword of God.

The author to the Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12,13).

Well, that’s a frightening picture the author paints! The Word of God, or the sword of God, pierces to the very depths of our soul, doesn’t it? And it’s not just any sword—it’s a double-edged sword, which means that as you drive it into the cavity of another human being, it penetrates down to the deepest part of their insides.

This is the sword of God. It penetrates deep inside our souls, and it opens up our insides and reveals all things. And there are some pretty dark places in there, aren’t there? I know, because I have those too. Those dark places that you wouldn’t want anybody to know about—the thoughts and desires of your heart. The things that you don’t talk to anybody else about, the stuff that nobody knows about, those impure desires that you might have for somebody else, especially of the opposite sex.

Maybe those thoughts and desires that you have are against other people. Maybe they are selfish desires and selfish thoughts. And God’s Word is clear. He demands pure thoughts and desires from us all the time, toward everybody and about all things.

So then we read about the same sword of God, this Word of God, in the same letter to the Hebrews. The author says in chapter 9, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (verse 14).

What the author says here is that Christ offered himself unblemished to God. And that means is if you were to take the sword of God and penetrate Christ and open him up for all to see and peer into the very depths of his soul, you would find purity and blamelessness and righteousness in all his thoughts toward everyone and in all his desires, even to those of the opposite sex. You would find purity even in his thoughts toward his enemies, even in his thoughts toward his family and friends who disappointed him so many times.

And by those pure thoughts and righteous desires, he cleanses our consciences. Your impure thoughts and desires are completely purified and washed and made righteous down to the very depths of your conscience. Now, that sounds like that non-combatant sword of the medical brigade, doesn’t it? A sword that heals and makes whole and gives life.

So we go back to that original question: Which shoulder insignia is represented in our Hebrews passages? The answer is yes—both of them. Because the sword of God functions in both ways and for good reason. It cuts us to our very core and cuts us to the heart, so we repent and then turn and feel the healing touch of that good news about Christ for us. So we then, as the writer says, may go and serve the living God with renewed desires and renewed thoughts and renewed hearts all because of the sword of God.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, draw your sword and pierce our hearts so that our sins might be revealed and that we might repent. Draw your sword and pierce our hearts so that we might be healed by the cleansing blood of Jesus.

This week on October 13th, our U.S. Navy celebrates its 249th birthday. Since 1775, the United States Navy has protected America at sea, and so we pray, Lord, that you keep our sailors safe and faithful in their vocation as they defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

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

Putting Yourself Last – October 11, 2024

2024/10/11/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21

Putting Yourself Last

Daily Devotion – October 11, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 5:21

See series: Devotions

You won’t get very far in life putting yourself last. There are not many CEOs who have a history of making sure their coworkers receive all the attention. The star athlete probably didn’t spend most of their practice time making sure others got enough reps. World-famous artists spend more time working on their own craft than helping others develop their skills.

Our God doesn’t work like the world works, and his people don’t work like the world works. God tells his people to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Because we know it is what Jesus wants, we submit to the wants and needs of other Christians in our lives.

God doesn’t give us this command to submit to one another because he wants us to underachieve or to have lives where we are walked on. Instead, God gave us this command because loving Christ means knowing what Christ does with those who humble themselves and submit to others.

This command is given to us by the God who says the first will be last and the last will be first. He is the same God who put Joseph in a position over all of Egypt, even though he once submitted as a slave. He is the God who elevated David to king, even as David submitted to wicked Saul. It is the God who willfully submitted himself even to death on a cross that we might be lifted up.

God does not work like the world works, and so we don’t work like the world works. God accomplishes so much of his work and gives so many of his blessings as we submit to one another. Not making demands or looking out for ourselves but by putting others’ needs in front of our own and making their will our priority, we submit ourselves to one another. All of this is out of reverence for Christ and in response to what he was willing to submit to in order to save us.

Prayer:
Mighty God, help me to submit to others out of reverence for Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

An Honor for Always – October 10, 2024

2024/10/10/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” —which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1-3

An Honor for Always

Daily Devotion – October 10, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:1-3

See series: Devotions

People are all very different. We come in different shapes, sizes, and shades. We have different cultures and histories, priorities and abilities. Among all our differences, there is at least one thing that we share: We all have had parents. Every single person to ever walk this earth has had a mom and dad.

For many of us, it is these parents who teach us what it means to be human. They are our first personal encounter with unconditional love. They give us our first tangible rules and enforce the consequences when we fail to adhere to those rules. Love, obedience, care, and responsibility are all shown by our parents and then copied by us as we grow.

Our responsibility to our parents is to honor them. Even after we are grown and on our own, we are to honor our parents. Whether your parents gave you a lot or a little, God would have you honor them.

You may not come running to the table anymore when they call you for dinner, but honoring parents will always include listening to them and hearing their words. You may no longer present them with a handful of dandelions picked from the yard, but you are still to esteem them for their role in your lives. You may not say prayers with them before bed any longer, but may their names always be on your list of prayers.

God gave us a good gift when he gave us parents. May we always honor our father and mother.

Prayer:
Jesus, you honored your own father and mother for all the times I have failed. Forgive me for my failures to honor my parents and make me to be more like you in all that I do. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Role Play – October 9, 2024

2024/10/09/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Ephesians 5:21–6:4

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 5:21-23; 6:1-3

Role Play

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Family Devotion – October 9, 2024

Devotion based on Ephesians 5:21-23; 6:1-3

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever heard of a symphony? It’s an elaborate work of music with a lot of musical instruments. There aren’t many symphonies that let a large, loud brass instrument called a trombone take the lead. That usually belongs to the violins, the flutes, or the trumpets. The trombones play the musical notes underneath. Now imagine this: you attend the symphony, and the entire time, the trombones play as loud as they can. Oh boy, you better cover your ears! That wouldn’t be beautiful music. For a symphony to sound delightful, each instrument needs to know its role.

“Know your role” might be a theme for today’s devotion. In Ephesians chapter 6, the apostle Paul addresses life as a family. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” he begins. Families seek to live in service to each other. As each member of the family—mom, dad, kids—carries out their roles, they do so humbly and with the well-being of everyone else in mind.

From there, Paul speaks to each member of the family. Wives are to submit to their husbands. Many hear those words and cringe because they think this is a put-down, like a master/slave relationship. It isn’t. Think instead of the head/helper image God uses. Think of our relationship to Christ. Why wouldn’t we want to submit to Christ when, as our head, he gave himself up for us? So, when a husband lives with self-sacrificing love like Christ, it shouldn’t be difficult for a helper to submit to a head like that, right? What a beautiful role!

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. In love, Jesus took the lead and was responsible for the sins of the world on the cross. He sacrificed himself in our place. Using Jesus as their role model, husbands are asked to do the same and mirror Jesus’ love. They are to be responsible leaders for their families. Whether that means moments of pride or bearing sorrow, husbands sacrifice themselves and their self-interests for the good of the family. God lays the spiritual nurture of the family at the feet of husbands.

Even children fall underneath Paul’s probing eye. Family is the training ground for later adulthood, and as long as children are the learners, God calls for their obedience to their parents.

Each member of the family has a role to play as it goes and grows. Since God forms families, it is good to listen to what he says about our roles. His advice is simple, “know your role.”

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for our home and family, for love and gentleness, for laughter enjoyed and sorrow shared, for daily bread. Help us to be mindful of all your gifts and to rejoice in your goodness. Give us the desire to know our roles and appreciate the roles of others within our family. May your peace be with us and your presence protect us. Amen. (Modified prayer “For the Family” from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, 1993)

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

Who are the people in your family?
Which role do you play in your family: mom, dad, or kid? What is your role?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

In what way are wives to be like the Church?
How are husbands to be like Christ?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Read carefully, who all is asked to “submit,” why, and to whom?
How is Christ both a motivation and an example for husbands to fulfill their role in the family?

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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.

What God Has Joined Together – October 9, 2024

2024/10/09/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “At the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Mark 10:6-9

What God Has Joined Together

Daily Devotion – October 9, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 10:6-9

See series: Devotions

I am only middle-aged, but I have already owned nine different cars, sixteen different cell phones, and lived in seven different cities. It seems there isn’t much in this world that is forever, and the only constant is change.

In our early years, our family and home consist of our parents and siblings. We live in their house and have little say in whom we live with. The family we are given is the family we have. However, marriage brings about a big change, and the person who is our new family is a person of our choosing.

Getting married isn’t the end of change, either. We continue to change jobs, houses, hobbies, and interests. We experience changes in our health and finances. Things will come and go, and there are very few things that we will be united to our whole life.

Because so much of life comes and goes, there is beauty and goodness in a husband and wife united for a lifetime. As things fade away and are replaced by the new, it is good to have a spouse and their love as a constant. As the common wedding vows say, “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health” husband and wife are joined together.

We may be separated from happiness, health, or finances, but let no one separate what God has joined together.

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, strengthen the love and commitment of husbands and wives. In a world full of change, let no one separate those who have been joined together as one flesh. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Not Doing but Done – October 8, 2024

2024/10/08/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus] said to them “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:14,15

Not Doing but Done

Daily Devotion – October 8, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 10:14,15

See series: Devotions

There are some things children shouldn’t do because they just are too young and too little. Ask a young child to bake a cake from scratch, and you are probably in for a mess and not a cake. Ask a child to clean out the gutters, and there is bound to be an accident. Have a child put on the spare tire and I am willing to bet he won’t even get a single lug nut off, and you will be on the side of the road for a long time.

However, there are some things young children can be really good at, even babies. A young child can cry out in need. A young child can receive love. A young child can be cared for and looked after. Young children are not very good at doing, but they are good at receiving.

It is for these reasons Jesus invites the young children to him without hindrance. Even more than just inviting them, Jesus holds them up as models to everyone. It is not because they can do much but because they need much. “Everyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” With this stern yet beautiful invitation, Jesus invites us to lay down our greatest accomplishments and simply trust in him. Through trust, we receive the many blessings offered to us in the kingdom of God.

It is this act of simply receiving gifts that we get worse at as we get older. As we gain abilities, we want to show them off. We want to do more and show that we deserve things. However, our salvation is never something we can do; it must be done for us. As a child cries out and simply receives, may we cry out to God and receive his mercy, love, and forgiveness.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, give me a child-like faith that I would not work for my salvation but receive it only as a gift. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Faith of a Child – Week of October 7, 2024

2024/10/07/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

The Faith of a Child – Week of October 7, 2024

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16

ECME Devotion October 7, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

A church in downtown Milwaukee has some incredibly beautiful stained-glass windows. In the front of the church is a huge window with the classic picture of Jesus sitting with children on his lap, in his arms, and all around him. Historically, stained-glass windows were often used to share important stories of the Bible to the community, especially for those who may not be able to read. Today, they continue to illustrate Bible stories not just to the worshippers in the sanctuary, but also to those who pass by.

This indeed, is one of the most delightful, comforting, and yet saddest stories in the book of Mark. Jesus’ days were full of preaching, healing, comforting, teaching, and travelling from place to place on foot. Jesus’ disciples were his students, his friends, and his supporters. In today’s reading we hear how the disciples rebuked the people bringing their small children to see Jesus. While the Bible doesn’t reveal their motivation, it’s clear that they felt it necessary to try to send the children away.

It’s not often that we hear Jesus get upset but this was one of them. Mark uses the word “indignant.” While I can’t imagine how the disciples felt at his reaction, even more, I can’t imagine how those bringing the children responded. Jesus made it so clear that not only were young children important to him, but that the faith of young children was an example to all. Heaven belongs to those with simple faith and complete trust in what Jesus has done for us.

So, what’s the lesson for us? First, young children are precious to our Father in heaven. The work that you do to share God’s message of grace with the children and their families is precious to him.

A young child can do nothing to earn heaven. They can’t work hard enough, be kind enough, be perfect enough. And neither can we. Forgiveness, grace, heaven are all theirs and ours because of Jesus and because of the faith given to us by the Holy Spirit.

We don’t need to be Bible scholars. Jesus emphasizes that the simple, child-like faith that knows that it’s all up to Jesus and all about Jesus and what he’s done for us is all we need. Should we continue to learn all we can about God and what the Bible teaches? Absolutely! We look to learn more because we’re eager to know as much as we can about our heavenly Father-not because it helps us get to heaven but simply because we love him so.

As you think about that image of Jesus and the little children, picture the faces of the children you know, the people you know, and your own face looking into the smiling face of Jesus. He looks at each one and at you with the eyes of the loving Savior. He holds you in his arms each day and he asks you to do something for him—tell about him. Better than even the most beautiful stained-glass window, you can tell the children, their families, each other, and all about Jesus, their Savior. What a joy and privilege. May the Lord bless your telling!

Prayer:
Gracious Savior, Gentle Shepherd, children all are dear to you;
May your loving arms enfold them in your care their whole life through.
By your tending and protecting keep them safe in all they do.

Tender Shepherd, never leave them, never let them go astray;
By your warning love directed, may they walk the narrow way.
Thus direct them thus defend them lest they fall an easy prey. Amen

Christian Worship 21 757: 1-2

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.

The Very First Wedding – October 7, 2024

2024/10/07/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Genesis 2:18-25

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18

The Very First Wedding

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Family Devotion – October 7, 2024

Devotion based on Genesis 2:18

See series: Devotions

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

Beautiful flowers, moving music, men in tuxedos, ladies in fancy dresses, the smell of fine food, and the chatter of guests. Take a guess where you are. It’s a wedding! You are not, however, at the very first wedding. In Genesis chapter 2, God invites us to be guests at the very first wedding. It looks a little different than a wedding you attended recently. All we see are the bride, the groom, and God. The simplicity of the ceremony focuses our attention on the purpose of marriage rather than fancy clothes, flowers, or food.

In the very beginning, Adam was the only human that existed. However, being alone was not what God intended. God had a plan, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” God would create a companion for Adam. This special creation would not be something lesser than Adam, but a human being, just like Adam and yet different, “a helper suitable for him.”

Look at the way the Lord prepared Adam to love and appreciate the special companion God was about to create for Adam. He let Adam name all the animals, which not only allowed him to show his wisdom but also let Adam see that there was nothing in creation like Adam. How much more would Adam treasure Eve after God planted in Adam a desire to have a companion like all the other creatures had? When Adam first sees Eve, he breaks out into poetry (the first record of any human being speaking): “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

God brought the first man and first woman together in marriage. This wasn’t an arrangement developed by people; God established and defined marriage from the very beginning. According to him, the wonderful blessing he wants for marriage is for one man and one woman to be together for as long as they live. Or, in the words of God himself, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

The very first wedding may not have had all the usual fanfare, but it did establish the foundation of every marriage since.

Closing Prayer:

Gracious and eternal God, in the beginning you created man and woman and established marriage by your design and wisdom. Look with favor on all married couples, who come to you seeking your blessing on their marriage. Guide them with your Word, that with genuine faithfulness and unwavering love for one another they may honor and keep the promises they have made to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (revised from Christian Worship – Rite of Marriage)

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

Who were the two people in the first wedding?
Adam and Eve didn’t have fancy clothes, cake, or a reception. Does a couple need those things to have a wedding? If not, what do they need?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Why was God concerned about Adam?
Why did God have Adam name the animals?

Questions for Middle School and Above

TRUE or FALSE. The definition of marriage can change depending upon changing times. (The point: God defines marriage for us.)
What do you find curious about the reference to “father and mother” in Genesis 2:24 (“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”)? What does this tell you about God’s words about marriage in that verse?

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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.

Better Together – October 7, 2024

2024/10/07/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18

Better Together

Daily Devotion – October 7, 2024

Devotion based on Genesis 2:18

See series: Devotions

The high school dropout rate in parts of Appalachia during the 1980s was regularly as high as 35 percent. To help decrease that rate Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton began a program where she would give each graduating senior $500.

There was a catch. Students were paired with a buddy, and if either one of the pair did not graduate, neither would receive the money. This buddy system had the intended effect, and through encouragement and accountability, the dropout rate went from 35 percent to 6 percent in just a few years. This buddy system became one of the most successful and speedy educational success stories in the entire country.

After God created the first man he said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

There are many ways in which God brings people together, so they are not alone. It was part of God’s good design that we have others for encouragement and accountability. He knew that we would see more blessings through this encouragement and accountability than if we were alone. The joyful times would be more joyful, and the sad times would be less sad if we had others to share life with. This can be close friends and neighbors, or it can be family of all types.

God’s answer to Adam’s aloneness in Genesis chapter 2 was to give him his wife, Eve, and to institute marriage. In marriage, we are paired with someone “until death do us part.” Marriage gives us a special avenue to bring accountability and encouragement to our lives. God gives the blessings of togetherness and faithfulness, intimacy and support, children, and stability through his gift of marriage. More than any other human relationship, marriage provides a closeness to another and blessings and opportunities to serve.

It is not good for us to be alone, so God gave us one another so that things would be better together.

Prayer:
Lord, whether we are married or single, part of a large family or small, remind us that we are better together. Strengthen all relationships so that we may encourage one another and be accountable to one another on the way that leads to eternal life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – October 6, 2024

2024/10/06/in Teen Devotions

Submission or you first love is at the heart of every God pleasing relationship.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21

How to Date the Follower Way

Being a teenager is the time in your life when you transition from being a kid to adult. For many of you, that transition comes with experiencing dating (aka looking for the person you want to marry and practicing being in a marriage relationship.) The world has so many wrong ideas about dating and relationships, so it is good for you to look to God for guidance.

Gentlemen, God tells you to practice being the kind of husband who submits out of reverence for Christ. That means you do what is best for your potential future spouse. You practice faithfulness and sexual self-control by making sure you both save sex and anything imitating sex for marriage. It means honoring marriage by not living together until you are married. It means you make sure that you and your potential future spouse go to church together regularly. It means confessing when you did something wrong and asking for forgiveness. It means forgiving when your potential future spouse sins against you. It means showing the same love Jesus showed you by doing what is best for your girlfriend even though it comes at a sacrifice for you. Be the kind of leader in your relationship that is responsible for making sure your relationship is a God-pleasing relationship.

Ladies, God tells you to practice being the kind of wife who submits out of reverence for Christ. To be clear, that does NOT mean you do everything your boyfriend wants you to do. It means you support and help your future spouse be the kind of man God wants him to be. If he wants to be sexually impure before marriage, you lovingly but firmly say no. God thinks you are worth it. He gave up everything for you. He sent his Son who submitted himself to death on the cross for you. Help your boyfriend value you the same way. If he is not ok with giving up his sexual needs for you, he is not someone you want to marry. Dump him. If he does value you the way God does, help him be the kind of man God wants him to be by being patient and kind, supportive and encouraging. Forgive and ask for forgiveness. Submit to your future spouse by submitting to Christ first.

Love is not a romantic feeling. True love is submitting to each other in a way that would make Jesus smile when he looks at your relationship. That is how you date the way followers of Jesus date.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you gave up your life for me because it was best for me. Help me to show you first love and do what is best for those I have a relationship with. Send me your Holy Spirit to help me do this. 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.

Marriage is a Gift of God – October 6, 2024

2024/10/06/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18

Marriage is a Gift of God

Daily Devotion – October 6, 2024

Devotion based on Genesis 2:18

See series: Devotions

God provided a beautiful home for the first man he created to live on earth. It was a wonderful garden—a paradise! There were varieties of plants and an abundance of animals. But there was one thing that was “not good.” The man was alone. He observed that the animals had mates, but he had none. In the midst of all the beautiful perfection of his environment, he needed to have someone with whom he could closely share his life.

God answered the man’s need. He created another person—a very special person—a woman and brought her to the man. The man loved her, and they joined together in a special union that God intended. In marriage they lived as husband and wife.

The first marriage was God’s plan to bring blessing to the man and the woman. That marriage is important because it is God’s pattern for humanity. God established marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman. Though sin has brought many difficulties into marital relationships, God still blesses couples through marriage as he established it.

If you are a husband or wife, love your spouse and live together faithfully in your marriage. If you are single, honor the will of God regarding the union of marriage. God established his plan for marriage because he loves us and desires to bless our lives through it. Marriage is a gift of God to be respected and enjoyed.

Prayer:
Lord God, praise to you for establishing the union of marriage. Help me to honor this wonderful gift and live according to your will. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

I See You

2024/10/05/in Devotions, Womens Devotions

I See You – Women’s Devotion

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:24-34

They didn’t even get her name. She was suffering in a sea of people, and no one even noticed. Luke (chapter 8) carefully researched it and didn’t come up with a name either. Jairus is remembered, but not this woman. The world was ready to pass her by without comment. But not Jesus. Jesus does have important things to see to—like the death of a little girl. But he stops everything for this woman of no name. Because to him, she is important. She is a daughter. God had made her his own by faith, which Jesus points out because no one seemed to get it. And by calling her “Daughter,” Jesus brings out the Father-daughter relationship she possesses. A relationship that makes her strong and bold. So bold as to reach out and touch the garment of her Savior. “If I just touch his clothes…” she thought. In that moment there was no crowd, no paralyzing self-criticisms, no other priorities, just get to Jesus. If I head this direction, I can slip through the crowd, and I should intersect his path. He’ll go right by, and I’ll be able to touch his clothes. I won’t even bother him with a verbal query. Just a touch and I’ll be healed. And it worked. Her plan worked. Jesus tells us that the success was due to her faith. Simply believing that God cared.

Suffering in life is often done alone. It is natural to draw back and lick the sore wounds. They need attention. They demand attention. But they need healing too—God’s healing. If you but reach out for him he is not far. He knows what has happened. And he sympathizes and even empathizes with your pain. He is ready to be your mentor, doctor, coach, trainer, and friend in tears. We got a good look at our Savior’s heart while he hung on that cross. And what we saw was overwhelming to the point of incomprehensible. Oh, the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God! He did all that for me. And I didn’t even think he noticed. But he does notice. The world may continue on its busy schedule, but our Father is ready to stop the world and remind us, “Hey, Daughter. I have a plan. It is a good plan. And I promise you, it has a great ending.”

Prayer: Lord, sometimes the hurt is so consuming I can’t even begin to tell you where it hurts. Please come and heal me. I need your gentle hand to touch my fragile heart. And just when I’m ready to get up, it all comes back again. So please do not get impatient with my slow healing. I believe you care. And I am not afraid to ask my Father to heal me. So Father, my heart is in your hands. Heal your broken daughter. Amen.

Written by Rev. Alan Horn

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Wash Your Hands- October 5, 2024

2024/10/05/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

Wash Your Hands

Daily Devotion – October 5, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:8

See series: Devotions

A hospital in our area has a special unit for premature babies. Before you enter this unit, there is a washing station. Above the washing station, there is a sign for everyone to see. The sign says: “If you could see the germs, you’d wash your hands.”

That sign says a great deal in just a few words. It declares that if you and I could only see the masses of dangerous germs crawling over our hands, we’d recognize what deadly business these germs can be and do what’s necessary to wash them away.

Sin can be like that. Our noses can get so used to the stench of our sinful habits that we can’t even smell them anymore. Our ears can get so used to the ungodly screech of our sinful thoughts that we can’t even hear them anymore. And our eyes can grow so accustomed to the bacterium of sin crawling over us and through us that we can’t even see it anymore.

“Wash your hands, you sinners,” James tells us. But how? And with what?

When it comes to your sin and mine, the answer is not some antiseptic that squirts out of a hospital dispenser. The answer is blood, the blood of the Son of God.

Jesus saw our filthy, sinful hands. He knew we were helpless to wash them clean. And, so, he did what we needed him to do. He sacrificed himself; he shed his blood to wash away our sins. His blood cleanses us. It makes your life and mine fresh and forgiven, clean and new.

So, let’s wash our hands every day. Wash them in the cleansing blood of our Savior, for “the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purifies us of all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is your blood that washes me clean. Move me by your Spirit to come to you every day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Military Devotion – Loving as Christ Loved the Church – October 4, 2024

2024/10/04/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Based on Ephesians 5:21–6:4

Duty. Honor. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Discipline.

For those of you who serve or have served in our nation’s armed forces, you know the importance of these values because they encapsulate who you are and why you serve, and they give purpose and motivation to carry out your vocation.

These same values align closely with what God calls us to in our relationships. Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loved the church, with the same selflessness and sacrifice Christ showed when he laid down his life for his bride, the church.

Wives are called to submit to their husbands and to respect him—not in a way that is demeaning to them or that diminishes their value as women—but in a selfless, willing attitude where she recognizes her God-given role as helper and companion to her husband. And her model for this self-sacrifice or submission is the way that the church willingly submits to Christ.

For those who are single, they are called to willingly remain faithful to God’s will for sex and marriage and to faithfully serve others as Christ served us. Now for you who serve in our nation, there’s a challenge to remain faithful to these callings. The culture of our military just does not often offer a safe and supportive place for people who are single to remain faithful to God’s will.

Then there’s that challenge to balance duty to country with duty to family and spouse. Then add to that the unique strain and stress of deployments and training that put that strain and stress on your vocations.

The good news, my friends, is that Christ still stands as the head of the church, his bride, which is you. He laid down his life for you. He washed you with water and Word to present you to himself without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. And yes, you heard that correctly. For all the times that you have stained the wedding dress of your vocation with faithlessness to those vocations, Christ has taken you and he has washed you in the waters of your baptism. He is duty bound to you; he is loyal to you; he sacrificed himself for you.

So whether you are deployed or at home, on shore duty or sea duty, Christ calls us to duty, to honor, to loyalty, to discipline, to sacrifice, to love in our vocations. To lead in our families so that they might see Christ, to lead in our marriages so that our spouse may see Christ, to lead our friends so that they might see Christ. To sacrifice for the good of our neighbors, to reflect the love of Christ in our words, in our actions, and in our attitudes.

And that, my friends, is loving as Christ loved the church.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as we contemplate the vocations you have called us to, I ask that you keep all single people in our armed forces strong to resist temptation, to bless them with an attitude of contentment in their calling as single people, and to bless them with faithful friends and family when they are lonely. I ask that you keep all husbands and wives faithful to each other and to you, especially during deployment cycles and training, when spouses are apart from each other. I ask that you bless all parents with patience and love as they raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. May your Word flourish in our homes.

Lord Jesus, for many of our veterans, October 6 is a pivotal date in their history because this is the day Operation Enduring Freedom began in Afghanistan in 2001. This event changed the lives of so many people in our military communities. For those who still struggle with grief and guilt, with trauma and heartache, I pray that you offer them hope and comfort that can only come from your promise. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Lord Jesus, be their Good Shepherd. In your name I pray. Amen.

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

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

You’re on the List – October 4, 2024

2024/10/04/in Devotions, Family Devotions

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20

You’re on the List

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Family Devotion – October 4, 2024

Devotion based on Luke 10:17-20

See series: Devotions

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

The White House is one of the most famous houses in America because it’s home to one of the most powerful leaders in the world. It is not easy to get into it. You can’t just walk in off the street. Your name must be on a list, sometimes months in advance.

How easy is it to get into heaven? Can anyone get in? Does everybody get in? Does nobody get in?

The answer is that your name must be on the list. Well, how do you get on the list?

One word: Jesus. Because of what he has done and through faith in him, your name is written in heaven. This message is what Jesus had sent the disciples to share. God empowered them to do miraculous things to support the truth of their message, even driving out demons. The disciples returned from this trip with joyful hearts. When they shared their experience with Jesus, he explained that the message worked, and he “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” The evil angel, Satan, was defeated when names were written on the list of heaven.

After Jesus sent out his disciples to share his powerful name, the disciples returned and reported they drove out demons because of it. However, Jesus reminded them and us that the most important thing is that our “names are written in heaven.” The only way that happens is through faith in him!

Notice what Jesus said to the disciples personally. As exciting as it was to drive out demons, and as special as it was that they could share Jesus, he reminded them, “Rejoice that YOUR names are written in heaven.” They were on the list. Heaven was their home.

One day, we’ll see the good angels in heaven. The devil and his rebel angels will never be in heaven. Their names will never be on the list. But what a joy that we will have the privilege some of the angels won’t. By God’s grace, our names will be on the list.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to earth to carry out your plan of salvation. Through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, our home in heaven is secured. We are on the list! Please help us to be eager to share this good news with others that they, too, may say, “Heaven is my home!” 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 was something special that the disciples were able to do?
Who are some people who tell you about Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Who is on the list of heaven?
Tell of a time when you talked to someone about Jesus.

Questions for Middle School and Above

Name some people you know whose names are on the list of heaven. Explain why you think they are on the list.
How would you explain to someone why Jesus is so important to you?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The Irony of Judging Others – October 4, 2024

2024/10/04/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11,12

The Irony of Judging Others

Daily Devotion – October 4, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:11,12

See series: Devotions

Jesus could not have been clearer. He said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37). Those instructions were undoubtedly a regular part of our Savior’s preaching and teaching. And why? Because human beings are so naturally and sinfully quick to judge others. It’s easy for us to spot a sinner… until we’re standing in front of a mirror. We tend to overlook our own spiritual flaws because we’re so laser-focused on the sins of others.

And what’s worse, after we notice our neighbor’s sins, what’s the next thing we’re likely to do? Talk about it to someone else. God calls that slander, even if what we are saying about someone is 100 percent true, and through the pen of Saint James, he forbids it. “Brother and sisters, do not slander one another.”

Judging others is truly ironic because by gleefully pointing out the sins of others, you’re sinning yourself. James explained, “Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” What are you doing when you stand in judgment over your neighbor? You’re suggesting that you’re in a better position to be your neighbor’s judge than God is. You’re attempting to push God off his judgment seat in order to take his place. It’s a classic symptom of arrogant, sinful, and deadly pride.

But as James reminds us, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” So, let’s leave the judging to Jesus. After all, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” Jesus has the job of judging all people under control, and his judgments are perfect.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, save me from the sin of arrogantly and lovelessly judging others. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Don’t Hold in Your Sin – October 3, 2024

2024/10/03/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:9,10

Don’t Hold in Your Sin

Daily Devotion – October 3, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:9,10

See series: Devotions

Some of the best advice a person can receive when going through the grieving process is this: “You need to cry.” Some people will claim that they’re not “criers,” but it’s pretty clear that while living in this fallen world, there are times when crying is appropriate. Even Jesus cried when he went to the tomb of his friend Lazarus and when he wrestled in prayer with his heavenly Father over the painful mission he had been sent to accomplish by his death on the cross. So, if Jesus didn’t hold it in, we shouldn’t either. Crying is very much a part of the grieving process, so don’t cover it up. Let it rip. It’s healthy!

That’s also good advice when it comes to our sin. We tend to hide it, to cover it up. But that’s not healthy. In fact, it’s deadly. In Psalm 32, King David described the acute suffering he brought on himself by attempting to cover up his transgressions. It wasn’t a pretty picture. He confessed to the Lord, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” But what was David finally prompted to do? To let it go. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” His heartfelt confession and grief over his sin resulted in forgiveness, peace, and restoration.

Saint James urges us to take this same approach toward our own sin. “Grieve, mourn and wail,” he wrote. “Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord.” And why? Because when we do, the Lord “will lift (us) up” with his powerful and forgiving arms.

You can’t fix your sin by holding it in and covering it up. But Jesus can, and he does. So it’s always best to let it go.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to unburden my heart of sin’s baggage, and lift me up with your forgiving love. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

God Wins, Dragon Loses – October 2, 2024

2024/10/02/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Revelation 12:7-12

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 12:7-9

God Wins, Dragon Loses

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Family Devotion – October 2, 2024

Devotion based on Revelation 12:7-9

See series: Devotions

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

What flies, breathes fire, and goes by names such as Toothless, Smaug, and Puff? Dragons, of course! When we think of dragons, we think of fierce, powerful, and strong creatures. In John’s vision, he sees a dragon battle. “A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.” This wasn’t make-believe—this battle was real! Satan once led a rebellion against God. God fought back with his angels.

The battle is still real. We are the prize. The war between God and Satan is for our souls. Satan “leads the world astray.” He uses the weapon of accusation, hoping to lay our sins before God. Satan is the reason for our doubts, frustration, and sin. The devil lies to us, trying to convince us that we don’t need a Savior or that our sinful condition is hopeless.

It’s not a battle that we can win on our own. God knows that, so he fights the battle for us. The heavenly rebels were cast out. Michael and his angels won, and Satan and his angels were hurled to earth. Even though the war is won, Satan continues to fight battles. He hopes to gain little victories in our lives: an accusation here, a temptation there, a little pride, a little despair.

Listen again to what the voice from heaven announces: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God, day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb.”

Imagine that! A dragon was defeated by a lamb! But it’s no surprise. This lamb is the Lamb of God, our Savior, Christ Jesus. When Jesus died and rose, he forgave our sins, and Satan lost his power to accuse.

Most of the dragons you know are imaginary, but Satan is real. So is God. In the battle between God and Satan, God wins! As it was in heaven, so it is now and will be eternally: God wins! Dragon loses!

Closing Prayer:

A mighty fortress is our God,
a trusty shield and weapon;
he helps us free from every need
that has us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe
now means deadly woe;
deep guile and great might
are his dread arms in fight;
on earth is not his equal.

Though devils all the world should fill,
all eager to devour us,
we tremble not,
we fear no ill;
they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still
scowl fierce as he will,
he can harm us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done;
one little word can fell him.
(Christian Worship: Hymnal – 863)

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

Who is the dragon in the devotion?
Who wins the battle?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What does “Satan” mean?
What does “devil” mean?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What are some ways that Satan tries to deceive us?
How did the lamb defeat the dragon?

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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.

Run to Jesus – October 2, 2024

2024/10/02/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

Run to Jesus

Daily Devotion – October 2, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:8

See series: Devotions

If your clothes caught on fire, it might be your first instinct to run. But as a child, you probably received the same instruction I received if faced with this scenario. I was told to stop, drop, and roll. If your clothes are on fire, running away won’t do any good; it will simply fan the flames. But stopping, dropping, and rolling are meant to snuff the fire out by eliminating the fire’s air supply. It might seem counterintuitive not to run, but it’s the right thing to do.

When Adam and Eve fell into sin, their first instinct was to run. Moses tells us that when the Lord God came to pay a visit to the Garden of Eden, the two occupants of that former Paradise didn’t come running to greet God; they hid from him. Their reason for doing so was simple and straightforward: they had done the very thing that God had told them not to do, and now they were dreading the eternal consequences: death itself!

But rather than leaving them in the misery of their guilt and sin, what did our gracious heavenly Father do? He called those scared sinners to his side. And when they came near to him, what did he do? He came near to them with the promise of a Savior. Yes, they would have to endure some earthly consequences for their sin, but God would send a unique offspring of the woman—his own Son, Jesus—to crush the devil’s head and defeat the eternal consequences of sin once and for all.

What does that important biblical account teach us? That when we find ourselves engulfed in sin, as tempted as we might be to run from God, we should run toward him. No, don’t stop, drop, and roll. Run to the open and forgiving arms of Jesus, who alone can heal the wounds of our sin with the cooling balm that flows from the wounds he willingly endured for us on the cross. And it’s in his wounds where we can wash our hands and purify our hearts forever.

Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to flee to you with my every sin to find forgiveness, peace, and life everlasting. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Resisting the Devil – October 1, 2024

2024/10/01/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Resisting the Devil

Daily Devotion – October 1, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:7

See series: Devotions

Martin Luther loved to mock the devil. That especially became the case after he fully realized just how certain and sure Jesus’ love and salvation were for him. He knew that with Jesus and his Word on his side, he could be as bold as the brave boy David was when he faced the giant Goliath. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,” David told that Philistine warrior, “but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45,46). With Jesus on his side, Luther knew that his victory over the devil was just as certain as David’s victory over Goliath. It would result in a blowout.

But what would have happened to David or Luther if they hadn’t entered their battles with Jesus and his powerful promises at their side? They would have been swiftly defeated and stripped of their brashness. Simply put, if they had believed they could defeat the dark forces of this world based on their own power or wisdom, they would have quickly learned otherwise. Without Jesus, none of us are a match for the devil—he will win every time.

But as Saint James reminds us today, when we resist the devil in Jesus’ name, armed with the sword of the Spirit, his holy Word (Ephesians 6:17), we can’t lose. That doesn’t mean the devil won’t attack us daily with temptation; he most certainly will. But when we resist the devil in Jesus’ name, James assures us, “he will flee from you.”

And so, we sing with Luther:

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none. He judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him (Christian Worship 863:3).

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me daily cling to you and resist the devil’s temptations. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

We Have an Army All Around Us – Week of September 30, 2024

2024/09/30/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

We Have an Army All Around Us – Week of September 30, 2024

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

2 Kings 6:16

ECME Devotion September 30, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

We were standing in an airport in Oregon gathering our things as we headed to Sun River for our younger son’s wedding. Four adults. Two-and-a-half-year-old twin girls and their 2-month-old little sister. The numbers say we had them four-to-three. Nope. The baby was crying and the twins just wanted to be anywhere but waiting for a rental car. We were losing big time.

Not just in airports with little ones at the end of their ropes, but on any given day you and I can feel like we did that day. We look around and the struggles of this life sometimes seem to multiply faster than our ability to get them off our plate. We tell ourselves, “I can do this. I’ve got this.” But in our hearts, we feel our confidence slipping. What else can I do?” we ask ourselves. In the middle of the night we may think, “If only I could…, then all would be ok.”

Satan loves this scenario. He loves to see us in a state of doubt and uncertainty. He smiles as we keep telling ourselves that we can handle things and fight our fears on our own.

That’s quite similar to the prophet Elisha’s servant’s thoughts as they were at war with the Arameans. The King of Aram sent horses, chariots and soldiers to surround the city. Things were not looking good for God’s people. “Don’t be afraid,” Elisha answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” God provided a miracle by striking those who surrounded the city with blindness. Elisha went out, spoke to them and led the Arameans unknowingly into Samaria before the king of Israel. After feeding them, he allowed them to return to their master. What an unlikely resolution to a terrifying scenario.

Life can be hard. No one escapes the struggles of life in the world. Sin and evidence of sin are all around us. But so is God’s army of angels. In love, God sends his angels to surround us, to protect us. Does that mean that we will walk through life unaffected by hardship? No. However, we can face those hardships knowing that we’re not alone. God has promised to be with us in all things. He has also promised that “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11) Our battle with Satan is brutal but our God is more powerful than Satan and his lies and deceit.

Do you feel like you can’t do it alone? You’re right. None of us can beat Satan but Jesus did. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven were all for us to assure us that we are at peace with God and Satan is defeated. So, as you face each day, you can be at peace knowing you’re not alone, the battle against sin is done, and God’s angels are there all around you. We are at peace with God as his dear child, loved and protected by our heavenly Father.

Prayer:
Abide, O dearest Jesus, among us with your grace
That Satan may not harm us nor we to sin give place.
Abide with your protection among us, Lord, our strength,
Lest world and Satan fell us and overcome at length.

Abide, O faithful Savior, among us with your love;
Grant steadfastness and help us to reach our home above. Amen

Christian Worship 21 924 Stanzas 1, 5, 6.

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.

How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin? – September 30, 2024

2024/09/30/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin?

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Family Devotion – September 30, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Kings 6:15-17

See series: Devotions

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

Centuries ago, students of the Bible argued over the question: how many angels fit on the head of a pin? How would you answer? One? A hundred? A thousand? We will never know because angels are spirits and rarely appear in a form we can see. But in today’s Bible reading, Elisha and his servant saw the sight of a lifetime. God let them see real angels. We don’t know how many they saw, but Elisha was correct, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Wouldn’t it be fascinating if we could see angels? Even though we can’t see them, Elisha’s words encourage us: There are many angels watching over us.

Like Elisha’s servant, we face times that make us feel nervous, anxious, or stressed: Starting a new school or job, meeting new neighbors, or making new friends. In our Bible reading today, there was concern over being surrounded by an army. We may also feel uneasy about possible danger. In those moments, God promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The promise of God’s presence is enough. But by his grace, he gives us more—he gives the protection of the angels, “For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

You might wonder if there are enough angels to go around. Does God have angels available to watch over me? Elisha’s answer, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” comforts us. God even gave an apostle named John a vision of the angels, which was more than he could count. He said, “I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” (Revelation 5:11). That’s a lot of angels! We may not know how many God created, but we do know that there are always enough to fulfill our needs.
Although Elisha and his servant were blessed to see the angels God sent to their aid, we can be just as confident in God’s promise to protect us. More important than knowing how many angels fit on the head of a pin is trusting that God has angels ready to serve you.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for angels who watch over us. May the thought of them watching over me tonight let me sleep even better! In Jesus name I pray. 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 angels that Elisha and his servant saw look like?
Who sends angels to help us?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How did Elisha comfort his worried servant?
How are we comforted when we are worried?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Your friend says, “Prove to me that angels exist.” How do you answer?
True or False: Everyone has a guardian angel.

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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.

A Battle of Wills – September 30, 2024

2024/09/30/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Submit yourselves, then, to God.
James 4:7

A Battle of Wills

Daily Devotion – September 30, 2024

Devotion based on James 4:7

See series: Devotions

The parent-child relationship in this broken world is a fairly easy one to summarize—it’s a battle of wills. A parent wants one thing; the child wants something else. And so it is that from a very early age, toddlers begin to utilize and perfect one of their favorite words: “No!” Mommy or Daddy has directed them to do this or that, but their little ones have a completely different idea, a different will, and they resist. And the battle ensues.

Good parenting involves training a child to submit to your will willingly. It’s a valuable lesson to learn. But for children to be willing to do that, they must learn from experience that their parents’ will is good for them. They need to appreciate that Mom and Dad love them and have their children’s best interests in mind. As children begin to recognize this, they’ll be more willing to surrender their will because they see how it results in their blessing.

It’s no different for the children of God. By nature, we don’t trust our heavenly Father. We’re convinced that our way of doing things is better than his. We’re forever tempted to engage him in a battle of wills.

But how could that ever turn out well for us? Consider the many advantages our heavenly Father has over us, not the least of which is his ability to know the future and control it for our good. More than that, when we consider what he wants for us and all people—that he “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)—why would we ever think that his will for us could somehow turn out badly? And when we consider his overwhelming love for us—that he “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:32)—how could we ever imagine that our will is superior to his? God’s will is always accomplished, and his will for us is good.

Simply put, this is one battle of the will we should want to lose because it results in our eternal blessing.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me daily to submit to your good and gracious will for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – September 29, 2024

2024/09/29/in Teen Devotions

No matter how great the danger you face, you have a squad that is more powerful.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:16-17

Meet the Squad

Having a good squad makes a difference between having dread and confidence when facing an enemy. In the pregame lobby of a game of COD or Fortnite, if your squad is stacked, you are confident about what is about to happen. Sometimes, however, you are in that pregame lobby with a squad that is mediocre at best. You definitely don’t have the same confidence going into that game. Maybe you even have a little dread knowing that you are probably going to be destroyed by a squad of squeaky 9-year-olds.

The real danger, real enemies, and real pain that you will face in life is far worse than being defeated in virtual warfare. The devil will tempt you to sin and pull you down into the pit of guilt. His demons are chomping at the bit to stir up hardship and pain in your life. The world will hate you and will love to see you fall. These are the enemies that surround you. Knowing what imminent danger you face fills you with dread of what the future holds.

When the servant of Elisha was feeling dread seeing the enemies that surrounded him, Elisha asked God to open his eyes so that he could see the squad. He saw the powerful armies of God between him and the enemy. We too have God’s fiery angels on our side. Do you see them? We see by faith and not by sight but that doesn’t mean we can only hope the angels are there. We know. The promises of God that we read in his word take our faith from hoping to knowing. And when you know who is on your side, you no longer have any fear facing the enemies.

So believe the promises of God and know you have God’s squad on your side. He will never leave you or forsake you. He works out all for your good. You are forgiven. No one can snatch you out of the hand of God. Heaven is your home.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Open my eyes of faith. Give me confidence knowing that you are on my side. Stop the attacks of the devil, the world, and my sinful nature. Keep my eyes focused on the cross and the empty grave to know that the victory is mine. 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.

Equipped by the Spirit – September 29, 2024

2024/09/29/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.
Numbers 11:24,25

Equipped by the Spirit

Daily Devotion – September 29, 2024

Devotion based on Numbers 11:24,25

See series: Devotions

Moses was a humble, faithful leader of God’s people. As an 80-year-old man, he served with courage and patience, leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan. The Israelites numbered about two million people. God was gracious and provided for their needs on the journey. On a daily basis, he miraculously provided a special food they called “manna.” But the people God fed with this food got fed up with it and ungratefully complained that it wasn’t enough. It was almost too much for Moses. He got very frustrated and prayed to the Lord, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.”

The Lord provided help. Seventy elders were chosen to assist Moses. The Lord equipped these elders for service by putting his Holy Spirit on them. The Spirit gave them the gifts they needed to accomplish the service for which they were appointed.

The Lord gives us his Spirit, too. The Holy Spirit comes to us through the gospel. He uses the good news of Jesus to give us life and salvation. God the Holy Spirit also equips us for the Lord’s service of leading people from the slavery of sin to the promised home of heaven. With gratefulness for all the blessings in Jesus, we gladly serve the Lord in this most important work.

Watch for opportunities that you have in your family, at work, or through your church to serve the Lord and accomplish his work. Equipped by the Holy Spirit, be confident that the Lord can use you to fulfill his will.

Prayer:
Lord, give me the ability to recognize and utilize the special gifts I have received from the Holy Spirit so that I may humbly and faithfully serve you and do all I can to lead more people to Jesus for their salvation. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Wisdom From Above – September 28, 2024

2024/09/28/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
James 3:13-15

Wisdom From Above

Daily Devotion – September 28, 2024

Devotion based on James 3:13-15

See series: Devotions

What does it mean to be wise? What does it mean to possess wisdom and understanding? The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates is attributed with saying, “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” King Solomon, the wisest man ever, came to a similar, sober conclusion when he pursued human wisdom. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he wrote: “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” Just as having more money doesn’t mean more happiness, having more earthly wisdom doesn’t mean a more satisfying life.

Thankfully, God has shown us another kind of wisdom. This wisdom is much more than the accumulation of information or the acquisition of insight; it is a way of life. True wisdom that comes from heaven “is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

This wisdom can be seen perfectly in the life of Jesus Christ. It’s demonstrated in his mercy towards sinners, in his submission to his enemies, in his patience with his disciples, and finally in his selfless sacrifice on the cross. Jesus not only shows us the best possible way to live, but in his wisdom, he saved us from the control of sin and the penalty that it deserves.

When the Holy Spirit leads us to understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us, true wisdom is born in our hearts. This wisdom leads us to put away all bitter envy and selfish ambition. It helps us see through the false wisdom of this world that is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil, and follow Jesus by sowing peace so that we, too, might raise a harvest of righteousness.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, send your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may always know true wisdom in my Savior, Jesus. Help me to live a life that is more and more like his. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

Money Becoming Your God

The Least I Can Do

Read: Mark 10:2-16

Families Stick Like LEGOs

Closing Prayer:

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Putting Yourself Last

An Honor for Always

Read: Ephesians 5:21–6:4

Role Play

Closing Prayer:

What God Has Joined Together

Not Doing but Done

The Faith of a Child – Week of October 7, 2024

ECME Devotion October 7, 2024

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Read: Genesis 2:18-25

The Very First Wedding

Closing Prayer:

Better Together

Marriage is a Gift of God

I See You – Women’s Devotion

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Wash Your Hands

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You’re on the List

Closing Prayer:

The Irony of Judging Others

Don’t Hold in Your Sin

Read: Revelation 12:7-12

God Wins, Dragon Loses

Closing Prayer:

Run to Jesus

Resisting the Devil

We Have an Army All Around Us – Week of September 30, 2024

ECME Devotion September 30, 2024

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Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17

How Many Angels Fit on the Head of a Pin?

Closing Prayer:

A Battle of Wills

Equipped by the Spirit

Wisdom From Above

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