Devotions

Confess – December 10, 2025

2025/12/10/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3:4-6

Confess

Do you ever wrestle with regret? I’m not talking about how you may regret not buying that stock when it was at $20 per share or eating at that sketchy restaurant and getting food poisoning. I’m talking about the regret of the decisions that have left you with shame. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? There was that time when you took things too far. There was that time when, so enraged, you said or did something you can’t take back. Or maybe there is that constant guilt that you carry around because you know your life choices aren’t the right ones, and you’ve been acting on that urge or behavior, even though you know it is wrong. You know that it is toxic for you and/or your relationships with others, and you’ve gone back to it more times than you can count.

The people who came to see John preaching at the Jordan River were just like you and me. They wrestled with guilt. They knew shame. And, tragically, when they went to their religious leaders, they were told, ‘Stop doing that! Be better!’ However, John said something else. When they talked with John, they unburdened themselves of that weight of regret and shame. They confessed to their sins that had weighed them down and left them feeling lost. And do you know what John told them? He assured them of their forgiveness!

Whatever guilt or shame has brought regret into your life, confess it. Open your heart to God and confess that sin. Because when we do that, God promises that he has forgiven us because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus has paid for all the things you regret, and he promises that you and I are loved and wanted by him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, forgive me for my past missteps and failures. I am sorry for them. Help me to trust in my Savior Jesus for his forgiveness today and 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 9

2025/12/09/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:105,130

Laws Leading to Freedom

What does light do for us? It guides our path and provides clarity. It illuminates. It makes clear what before lay in shadow. And here we are told God’s Word is a lamp that shines light on our path, granting understanding, giving purpose, and guiding our steps. What is this understanding that God’s Word makes clear?

From nature, we see that God is a God of power and beauty. From our conscience, we feel his displeasure with our wrong actions. But it is in God’s Word alone that we find Jesus. Here we see that our God is a just and merciful God. We find the gospel, the good news of salvation, the love our God has for us, here alone.

This section talks specifically about God’s Word in his law. And this too we cannot gain merely through our conscience. Our conscience can dull. It can be tense and overeager. Only God can tell us what he expects of us, and Psalm 119 contains 176 verses dwelling on the merit and insight God’s law provides. In verses 103-104, the psalmist writes, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”

The law enlightens us: it tells us we need a Savior, and it shows us the good we ought to do. Our salvation does not come from our adherence to the law, but living in line with God’s purpose is a natural response to the acknowledgement that our loving God created guidelines for a reason. Why honor our father and mother? Because God wills it, of course. Because it pleases him. Because out of love for him, we want to follow his purpose. Because it brings our parents joy, and we love them and want to honor them. And still yet, because this particular command comes with an explicit promise: that you shall have long life on the earth.

Good comes from good. God’s laws are for our benefit. A life lived according to them is truly enlightened if it also knows God’s love. The psalmist acknowledges our inability to fully walk in line with God’s law and our consequent need for salvation, saying “May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise” (verse 41). Law alone saves no one. But once the law makes clear our need for a Savior, the gospel enlightens us. It tells us we have a Savior, and it gives us life and love and joy.

God’s Word illuminates the truth. As the law, it is our curb, mirror, and guide. As the gospel, it shows us our salvation. The psalmist writes, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (verse 45). Here we see a seeming paradox—laws leading to freedom—that brings light to the way we live our lives as Christians. God’s Word is light; it has clarity for the simplest and most unread, and mysteries even the most learned cannot unravel. God’s Word, both law and gospel, enlightens us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the light of your Word. We could spend a lifetime studying its mysteries and find new insight each day. Grant that we turn to your Word for guidance and deliverance. Amen.

Written by Alyssa Ebeling

Ready Your Heart for Jesus! – December 9, 2025

2025/12/09/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Matthew 3:1-3

Ready Your Heart for Jesus!

When I was a kid, I remember that we got the word that the President of the United States was coming to town. And, somehow or another, we even heard that his motorcade was going to be driving down the street right by my house. We were so excited! Our family waited by the sidewalk, looking down the road with anticipation, and then, sure enough, a procession of vehicles came whizzing by, with the president’s hand (or some unlucky staffer’s) waving to us!

When a president or, in ancient times, a king, comes to town, you need to make preparations. You must get the road ready for his arrival. That is the picture we see in the message of God’s Word we’re looking at for our devotion. A great king is coming to town, and the road needs to be cleared. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

John’s whole purpose in life was to prepare the world for Jesus. He was the opening act who came onto the scene just before the headliner. And the way he got everyone ready was by preaching to them. He preached God’s Word to them. With that Word of God, he shook them with his call to prepare their hearts.

That call is still applicable to you and me. Our hearts are often filled with things that don’t please God. We prioritize things that don’t really matter. We go our own way rather than listening to God’s Word. But John calls us to repent, to prepare our hearts! Turn away from that sin which so often entices your heart and turn to Jesus who has paid for it with death. Turn your heart to God with joy and see the forgiveness so freely given in our Savior. Ready your heart for Jesus!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins. Help me to turn away from my sin each day and turn to you to find forgiveness and peace. 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 Best Judge Ever – December 8, 2025

2025/12/08/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Isaiah 11:1-4

The Best Judge Ever

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

What choices did you make today? Did you choose what to wear, what to eat, and what to do first this morning? Did you decide to brush your teeth or make your bed? We make tons of choices every single day! Some choices are easy, like brushing your teeth (please do!). Others, like picking out clothes, can feel like a big deal.

Just like you make choices, there are people whose whole job is to make really important choices. They’re called judges. In a courtroom, a judge listens to both sides of a story and chooses if someone is guilty or innocent.

During Advent, we remember something important: one day, Jesus will come back, and it will be judgment day. Everyone—every person who ever lived—will stand before him. Jesus will decide where we spend forever.

That can sound a little scary, right? Jesus knows everything. He knows every thought, every word, every action, even the ones we hope no one ever finds out about. If Jesus were a mean or unfair judge, that would be terrifying.

But guess what? He isn’t mean. He isn’t unfair. He is the BEST judge. In the Bible, Isaiah tells us something amazing about Jesus: “He will not judge by what he sees or hears . . . but with righteousness he will judge” (Isaiah 11:3-4). That word righteousness sounds big, but it simply means: Jesus always does what is right. Every. Single. Time.

And here’s the best news: On judgment day, you don’t have to be scared—because the judge is also your defender! Jesus took your punishment on the cross. He gave you his perfect life as a gift.

So, when Jesus looks at you, he says: “Not guilty! Forgiven! Mine forever!” That’s why judgment day isn’t scary at all. For believers, it’s the day Jesus welcomes us home.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for being a judge who always does what is right. When I start to feel nervous about judgment day, remind me that you already took my punishment and forgave all my sins. Help me trust you and look forward to the day you bring me home to heaven. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What’s one choice you make every single day without even thinking about it?
How do you know that Jesus chose to save you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Does thinking about Jesus judging everything you do make you nervous or comfort you? Why?
Why can you be sure—100% sure—that Jesus forgives you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why is Jesus considered a “righteous” judge? What do you think “righteous” means?
Why is it awesome to know that Jesus is a righteous (perfect and fair) judge?

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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.

Our Judge and Savior – Week of December 8, 2025

2025/12/08/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.”

Matthew 3:1-2, 11

Our Judge and Savior

When do you put your Christmas tree up? When does Christmas music start to be heard through your house and in your car? Do you wait until after Thanksgiving, or do you pull out the red and green décor as soon as the trick-or-treaters stop ringing your doorbell? Sometimes we start seeing “countdown to Christmas” signs in mid-summer, and the excitement for the holidays begins.

When John the Baptist began his ministry, he knew that Jesus was going to begin the work that started on the first Christmas. John knew that Jesus was near, and so John wanted people to live a life of repentance. In other words, John wanted people to turn from sin in sorrow and turn to God in the confidence of forgiveness. As a result, John the Baptist’s entire ministry was pointing people to Jesus, the Savior and Lamb of God.

Many people that John the Baptist met already knew that a Savior was coming at some point. For generations, families had been passing down the words of Moses and the prophets that told about God’s plan to send the Messiah to save his people. Although God gave them several clues about how Jesus would enter the world and what he would do on earth, no one knew exactly when that would be.

But then John entered the picture! God used John to point people to Jesus, the Savior promised long ago.

Do you point people to Jesus? God calls us to point others to Jesus, especially since Jesus is coming again.

But the thought of Jesus’ return can make people uncomfortable. They remember that Jesus will come as a judge and that he knows every sin.

But Jesus is also the one who was judged on the cross to clear the record of every sinner. Jesus is the one who washes sinners in baptism so that they can be members of God’s kingdom. So, when we point people to Jesus, we help children and their families know about God’s undeserved love in Jesus. We remind coworkers that they are forgiven because of Jesus. We point people to Jesus so that they can be confident in life because they have the joy of forgiveness and the assurance that they are members of the kingdom of God.

Jesus is coming! He is coming as one more powerful than John the Baptist. But he will not use his power to judge your sin. He will use his power to bring you into the full joys of his eternal kingdom.

Prayer:

We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward;
Without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay.
Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, and lift us up to fall no more;
O make your face on us to shine, and fill the world with love divine.

Christian Worship 316:3-4

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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 8

2025/12/08/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:20-22

Safe and Secure in Our Darkest Moments

At first glance, Daniel’s praise in this text sounds like a psalm for festival worship. But the setting is anything but bright.

Judah had fallen under God’s judgment. Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple had been demolished, and many were dragged into exile in Babylon. Among them was young Daniel.

I have lived in many countries by choice, but I cannot imagine the realities of this experience: torn from home, nation, and place of worship and forced into training to serve a pagan king. Stripped of freedom. For the Old Testament believer, the additional loss of temple worship and sacrifices—those signs pointing to the promised Messiah—must have felt like the deepest despair, both physically and spiritually.

To make matters worse, the arrogant King Nebuchadnezzar had decided that his troubling dream was a matter of life or death. He demanded it be revealed and explained—or his wise men would be cut into pieces. “No one on earth can do what the king asks,” his advisors cried in despair (verse 10). Daniel was under the same death sentence.

And yet, the faith of Daniel shines. He didn’t panic or scheme but instead asked the king for more time and immediately urged his friends to join him in prayer, pleading for mercy from the God of heaven.

What do you do in moments of despair? How different Daniel’s response is from mine. In moments of fear, I take swift action—rushing to people or Google, unloading my emotions, seeking quick solutions. My body panics, bracing itself for battle, convinced it will fight alone. I grasp for light in all the wrong places. But in mercy, God still calls me back to my knees, back to trust in him.

Daniel’s story points us to something beyond earthly rescues. It points us to the undeserved love of our heavenly Father. God didn’t have to, but he stooped down and revealed the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel, a heavenly rescue. In greater mercy, he has revealed the mystery of salvation to us.

Daniel’s God is our God—the revealer of mysteries. He gave us his story of divine rescue in the Bible so that the power of the gospel would shine into our darkest moments. We do not need to beg for deliverance; in Christ, deliverance is already ours. At the cross, Jesus endured judgment and death in our place. In his resurrection, he shattered the power of sin, death, and the devil. By faith, his victory becomes ours. Saved. Safe.

We may feel like exiles in a foreign land now, but this present reality is not forever. Our true home awaits. So, with Daniel, we proclaim: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever… he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” And in Christ, that light dwells in us.

Prayer: Lord of light and life, thank you for revealing the mystery of your love in Christ Jesus. When we feel surrounded by darkness or far from home, remind us that we are already saved and secure through his cross and resurrection. May your light dwell in us always, so that our hearts overflow with praise for you. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross

Something Has Got to Change – December 8, 2025

2025/12/08/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1-2

Something Has Got to Change

Something has got to change. Have you ever thought that? You might have thought that about your marriage or your relationship with your kids. You probably have thought that about your job or a working relationship with a coworker. At some point in your life, you have probably said that about something going on in government. Something has got to change.

I would suspect, however, that when we’ve had this thought, often, we think this change should happen in someone else. Someone else needs to be fixed. Someone else needs to turn things around. After all, wouldn’t the world just be better if everyone thought like I do and did things my way?

But before we try to change everyone else, it might be helpful if we first look in the mirror and see if there are things about ourselves that need to be changed. That’s really the message that God teaches us through the voice of John the Baptizer.

If you had to summarize, John’s whole message, it would be this: repent. Repentance has two parts: 1) to acknowledge shortcomings, failures, and guilt, and then 2) to turn to Jesus and find forgiveness. You and I can’t change the hearts of other people. But God can and does change our hearts! Through the voice of John, God is calling for you and for me to look at our own lives and be honest about where we fall short, where we have done wrong, not just against others but against God. But in that call to repentance, God beckons us to lift our eyes to see the Savior who has forgiven us of our faults! That’s what Jesus has done for you! You don’t have to live in shame or fear for your faults. No, Jesus has paid for them with his sacrifice!

Recognize your guilt but turn to Jesus and find that peace of forgiveness!

Prayer:

Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Continue to help me daily repent and see the peace which Jesus brings. 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 Judge Is Coming – December 7, 2025

2025/12/07/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: John the Baptist calls us to repent.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1-2

The Judge Is Coming

You can picture the scene, can’t you? A packed courtroom, everyone tense, the accused gripping the edge of their chair. A piece of paper is handed to the judge. He opens it slowly. He leans forward. The whole room freezes waiting for the verdict that could change someone’s life forever.

You’ve watched scenes like this in movies, shows, maybe even real news stories. Courtrooms feel serious because what happens there matters.

But what about the courtroom you can’t see yet?

Soon, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, God Almighty and Judge of all, will return on the Last Day. Everyone will stand trial before him in his eternal courtroom. One verdict. One eternity. Either life with him in the joys of heaven—or banished apart from him in the fires of hell. Forever.

So how do you get people to take something that serious… seriously?

“In those days,” God sent John the Baptist to do just that. Everything about him communicated, “Wake up! This is serious.” He lived and preached in the desert. He ate locusts and wild honey. He wore clothing made of camel hair and a leather belt. He looked wild—and his message was even wilder: “Repent! The kingdom of heaven has come near!”

God used John to shake people awake, turn them away from sin and back to him. To prepare them for Jesus.

Now it’s our turn to listen.

John’s message isn’t just ancient history. Jesus came once, and he will come again. His “rough” message startles us to attention: This is serious. You and I will stand in Jesus’ courtroom.

But here’s the part that changes everything: Don’t be afraid! You already know the verdict. When Jesus came the first time, he declared, “It is finished.” He defeated sin, death, and Satan. Your sin is forgiven. Your guilt is gone. Your baptism stamped his victory onto you. The Judge himself pounded his gavel and took your punishment—so you could be justified—not guilty. Imagine that!

This Advent, listen closely to John the Baptist. His call to repent is still serious, but when you hear that message, lay your sin at the cross of Jesus and know that the final verdict has already been written in stone. When Jesus returns, he will declare you innocent and welcome you into life with him forever.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me truly hear John the Baptist’s message. Give me a heart that is quick to repent and quick to run to Jesus. Remind me every day that because of Jesus’ victory, my verdict is already “not guilty.” Fill me with confidence, joy, and hope as I wait for his return. With faith in your promises I pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 7

2025/12/07/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:8

Our Defender and Protector in the Dark

Some days, it feels like evil is winning. When we hear of yet another school shooting or acts of senseless, random violence, it is hard to see the light. When we see people who profit from manipulating and taking advantage of others, it feels like there is no justice. Some days, it feels like Satan is winning, and it looks like he is gloating. I am sure it felt that way for those who watched Jesus hanging on a cross in agony. And yet we have a promise repeated to us again and again.

At the time when this Scripture was written, electricity had not yet been harnessed. The people of Micah’s day did not have streetlamps or flashlights. The roads connecting the villages were not smoothly paved; instead, there could have been treacherous terrain that might also have bandits and wild animals lurking in the dark. Travel by night was not as simple as it is for you and me today.

However, if someone needed to travel at night, they did have small oil lamps that would light up the ground right in front of them. It would not light up the path six feet ahead of them; it would simply light up the next step. The author of Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” And again in today’s passage from Micah, we hear, “Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.” We already learned that God is light and that this light existed even before the sun, moon, and stars were created.

You and I do not depend on our own might, our ability, or our wisdom and reasoning to get through the challenges of this life. Our enemy does not have power over us, because we have the source and creator of light defending and protecting us.

As the Lord told Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” And with King David, we can proclaim, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

When it feels like we are surrounded by darkness, and when it feels like our enemies are winning and even gloating over us, we can proclaim with every confidence that our Lord will be our light!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me so many examples from your holy Word of people who trusted in you. You have proven time and time again that you are trustworthy. Please help me remember this when I am going through challenging times. Send people into my life to remind me of and encourage me in your promises. You have taken care of my biggest problem—my sin, which separated me from you—and I know you will take care of all of my other problems as well. Amen.

Written by Rhoda Wolle

Planting Seed – December 7, 2025

2025/12/07/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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[Jesus told the people] many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:3-9

Planting Seed

Songwriters have used it. Thinkers have used it. Investors have used it. Even Jesus Christ used it. Used what? They used the picture of planting seed to make a point. Jesus told a story about planting seed to teach us when we hear and learn the Word of God, seed is planted in our hearts.

Seeds need time to grow. In springtime, when gardens are first planted, there’s not much to see. Yet, as every gardener knows, when it comes to seeds, it takes time. As sunlight warms the moist earth where seeds are embedded, seeds take time to sprout and grow.

Sometimes people rarely attend a church and give little attention to the Word. God’s seed has little opportunity to take root. Sometimes people go to worship regularly so that the seed of God’s Word starts to grow, but then they let the cares of life crowd out time and attention for the Word, and so the plant of faith in their hearts gets the life choked out of it.

Sometimes a wonderful thing happens. A person gladly hears and learns the Word of God and puts it into practice. And the seed of God’s Word grows. And keeps growing. The plant of faith which the seed of the Word produces is made strong by God’s complete forgiveness won by Jesus. It flourishes under God’s unconditional love, given in Jesus, and is made resilient by heaven’s guarantee paid for by Jesus.

Are you that person?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, plant the seed of your Word in my heart and make it grow into a fruitful plant of faith to give you glory. 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 6

2025/12/06/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Face Your Fears

So, what’s keeping you up at night? What are you dreading? What holds you back from speaking up, taking a chance, or being fully yourself? What do you hope no one ever finds out? What’s your worst nightmare?

These fears are real. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. King David, the author of this psalm, knew fear firsthand. He faced armies at his door, endured malicious whispers and slander, and carried the weight of personal rejection. These fears weren’t imaginary—they were real, pressing, and sometimes overwhelming.

Yet David didn’t allow his fears to control him. Instead, he confronted them with the only power that could truly expose them for what they were. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Considering David’s life and experiences, he could have been tempted to write that differently. After all, he was king of Israel, loved by the Lord, and adored by the people. He could have said his reputation was his light, his accomplishments were his salvation, or his relationships were his stronghold.

But he didn’t. He knew that anything other than the Lord would eventually fail to withstand fear and the things causing it.

David’s own life was proof. He killed a loyal friend to be with a woman. Thousands died because of a plague brought on by his greed. His son destroyed his reputation to take the throne. David knew very well that only the Lord could stand firm. Only the Lord could cast a light that exposes fear for the empty threat it often is. Only the Lord could be a refuge against forces far beyond human control.

What about you? How do you face your fears? Do you find security in your relationships or your child’s accomplishments? In your influence, career, or that special someone? Perhaps money in the bank, a life insurance policy, or a clean bill of health makes you feel strong. All of these will one day fail, fizzle out, or disappear. And when they do, the fear you tried to manage on your own doesn’t vanish—it remains, often stronger than before.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Lord is your light. He shines into the darkness of your fear, revealing it for what it truly is: a shadow that cannot withstand his presence. The Lord is your salvation. Only Jesus can rescue you, redeem what is lost, and restore what is broken—and he has! The Lord is your stronghold. Even if the worst happens, nothing can touch the security of your soul.

Whatever you named at the beginning of this devotion—the thing that keeps you awake, anxious, or worried—you don’t need to fear it. Hear the words of David for yourself: the Lord is your light, your salvation, and your stronghold. When he stands in your corner, fear is powerless. The battle is already won, and your soul can rest.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we wait for you this Advent season, shine your light into the fears and anxieties that keep us awake, and remind us that you alone are our salvation and stronghold. Help us to trust you above all else, knowing that nothing in this world can overcome the security we have in your presence. Prepare our hearts to celebrate your coming so that we may live each day in the peace and courage only you can give. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz

Come to the House of God – December 6, 2025

2025/12/06/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the LORD’S temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
Isaiah 2:1-3

Come to the House of God

Does everyone in your community know where your church is and what it believes and stands for? Do the members of your congregation pour out from Sunday worship and Bible study just looking for people to tell about God? Do you? Do your neighbors know that you are a follower of Jesus?

When Jesus, the Son of God, died on that cross to pay for the sins of every person in the whole world, and rose again to prove he was the victorious King of kings, the prophecy of Isaiah in our Bible reading for today was fulfilled. The “mountain of the Lord’s temple was established as chief among the mountains.” Now Jesus rules over all things, and the kingdom of God will prevail for all eternity. The One who rules the universe has claimed you as his very own. You are part of the greatest, strongest, tallest, mountainous, most powerful organization in history. And it will last forever!

Jesus is the greatest, most powerful, most victorious ruler of the world. There is nothing more important or valuable than being a member of his kingdom. That’s good news for you and something you will want to share. Testify to the greatness of Jesus by the way you live. Invite the people you know to “come to the house of God,” where God will teach them the way of salvation!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, remind me of the amazing blessings I have through forgiveness in Jesus. Lead me to walk in the light of your path and draw others to your Word so that they may also believe and share these blessings with 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.

Military Devotion – Hope in December – December 5, 2025

2025/12/05/in Military Devotions

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Based on Romans 15:13

Hope in December

When you step off the boat and walk up the ramp and step into the memorial, you look down 184 feet to the other side and see a wall through a small opening. As you walk the length of the memorial and step into that room, you stop and see that the wall holds the names of 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed aboard the USS Arizona during the attack of December 7, 1941. There are no artificial lights, but the artwork on the sides of the walls allows natural Hawaii sunlight to shine on those names.

The artwork is called the Tree of Life, created by architect Alfred Preis, who wanted it to be “a symbol of renewal to inspire contemplation.” The tree of life is referred to in the books of Genesis and Revelation—a lifegiving tree for all who eat its fruit. That first tree in the Garden of Eden was destroyed in the great flood at the time of Noah. Paradise was lost because of sin. In Revelation the apostle John sees paradise restored and redeemed by Christ, who destroyed death by his resurrection from the depths of the grave. In the Garden of Eden restored, John sees the Tree of Life there, bearing fruit every month, for the healing of the nations, to dry the tears of those who mourn. This is the promise held out to you and to all who hope in Christ for life eternal.

This is the hope we have when we stand in places like the USS Arizona Memorial, when we stand at a coffin or urn, or lay flowers at a gravestone. There is life in the places where the dead lay. Those bodies in their watery grave, both those who perished and the survivors who died and have been interred with their shipmates, will rise again, and we with them. This is the hope we have as we wait for Jesus to come again and bring us to that place in heaven. There we will eat the fruit from the Tree of Life and live forever, never to die again. Listen to the apostle Paul’s encouragement in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Days of remembrance, like December 7, might be hard for you, especially if you’ve lost someone in combat or in a tragic accident. These days leading up to Christmas might be difficult as you think about the reality of someone close to you not being here at Christmas.

My prayer is that this sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead when Christ comes again fills you with joy and peace this Advent and Christmas season.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, the God of all hope, always hold before our eyes that vision of the Tree of Life so that we may always have hope. Grant peace and joy to those who mourn. Use remembrances like December 7th as a reminder for us to repent of our sins daily so that we are ready for your return. Use days like December 7th to remind us to pray for peace, to pray that your Almighty hand guard and keep us from those who would bring evil on us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and bring us to that place of everlasting peace and joy. Amen

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

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

The Greatest Victory Parade – December 5, 2025

2025/12/05/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11

The Greatest Victory Parade

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

What do a July 4th parade, a Thanksgiving parade, a Christmas parade, and even a Super Bowl victory parade all have in common? They celebrate something!

A long time ago, on a Sunday, there was a very different kind of parade for Jesus. It didn’t have marching bands or big floats, but people were shouting praises and making a special procession for him. They laid palm branches and coats on the road in front of Jesus to honor him. But why?

The Bible tells us in Matthew 21:4-5, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to Daughter Zion, see, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.’” The people shouted praises because they recognized Jesus as their King!

But what kind of king was he?

Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a gentle king. He didn’t come to take power or force people to follow him. Later that week, he wore a crown of thorns, not gold. He came to pay for the sins of the world, not to demand anything from us.

Jesus is a very different kind of king. He loves you even when you don’t always listen. He rules all things for your good, even when you think you know better. Sometimes we try to make up our own rules—that’s called sin, and sin must be punished.

Here’s why we can praise Jesus just like the people in that parade: Jesus is a king who came to serve, not to be served.

As your King, he serves you through his Word and sacraments.
As your King, he watches over you and protects you.
As your King, he rules over everything for your good.
And most importantly, he paid the price so you can be with him forever in heaven.

Next time you see a parade, think of Jesus. Think of the greatest victory parade when he rode into Jerusalem as your King—and then went to the cross to win the victory over sin, death, and the devil.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for being our humble King. Forgive us for the times we don’t want to follow you. Help us listen to you and trust that you are always caring for us and protecting us. Thank you for winning the victory over sin and death! Help us praise you with our words and actions every day. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? Why did he ride that way?
Jesus is your King. What does he do for you as your King? (Protects, cares, serves, guides, forgives—anything you can think of!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Make a list of all the things Jesus does for you as your King.
How can you show your gratitude to Jesus? (Pray, obey, tell others, love people, share God’s Word.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

Why is it comforting to know that Jesus is your King?
Why does Jesus want you to follow him? (Because he loves you and wants what’s best for 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 5

2025/12/05/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Isaiah 60:1-3

Your Light Has Come!

Getting up can be a struggle at this time of year. I’d rather stay in bed. The to-do lists are long, but my energy level is low. Then I read Isaiah’s words: “Arise, shine!” How?

In today’s reading, toward the end of his book, Isaiah paints a picture of a new day that will come: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Luke shows us how this new day finally arrived: In the middle of the night, the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in a field. The glory of the Lord shone around them. The Savior was born! The light has come!

The angel told the shepherds, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). Our light isn’t a distant, spiritual being, but a real human being—Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary. A little baby.

Isaiah told Israel: This is your light. But it’s also for the nations. Jesus is the light of all people. We all need this light. Left to ourselves, we would remain covered in the darkness of sin. We needed the Lord himself to intervene—and he did. The Lord entered the deep darkness of sin, carried it, and took it away. We’re no longer covered in sin, but clothed in his light!

But I don’t always have sunny days. I have gloomy days. I know darkness of different kinds: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. What about those times when we feel like a smoldering wick? Can we still arise and shine?

Absolutely. Yes, because our light has come. We are not the light—Jesus is.

I don’t know how, but by God’s grace, we reflect his light. We smile. We ask, “How are you?” and genuinely want to know. We say things like, “You know, God loves you.” We shine. An unbelieving friend of mine who battles depression calls me her “sunshine.” It’s an overstatement, but I gladly accept it. I stay close. I pray for her and trust God’s promise that his light draws people to himself.

It’s Advent, a season of waiting and anticipation. We wait for Christmas, but we also wait for Jesus’ second coming. Then we will truly arise and shine forever! We’ll see Jesus, our light, with our own eyes. All darkness will be gone forever.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come.” By God’s grace, you can get up and tackle your daily tasks—however many or few, big or small. But if this is a time when you need to rest, lie down in the certainty that you have peace with God. Your sins are covered. God’s face is shining upon you. He’s smiling. He loves you.

Prayer: Jesus, you are my light in every season of darkness. When I struggle to get up, remind me that you have already risen for me. Help me reflect your light to others, especially those who need to see your love today. Amen.

Written by Rakel Drechsler

Come and See – December 5, 2025

2025/12/05/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
John 1:39

Come and See

Whenever something wonderful happens to us, what do we do? We tell someone. We call out to friends and family, inviting them to experience it with us. Whether it’s a sunset, a newborn baby, or the last-second shot that wins the game, we grab their attention and say, “You’ve got to come see this!”

We want to share our excitement and joy with others. This is what Andrew did.

Andrew had just met Jesus and spent time with him. Once Andrew understood and believed who Jesus truly was—the Lamb of God and the promised Savior—he couldn’t keep the news to himself. He immediately ran to find his brother, Simon Peter, with the excited announcement, “We’ve found the Messiah!” and urged him, “Come and see.”

Do you feel that sharing Jesus is complicated? Do you feel unready? Unprepared?

Andrew’s invitation was simple and full of heart. There was no pressure, no argument. He radiated the pure joy of encountering someone who transforms lives.

This is still how faith is shared today. It does not start with a heated debate or a clever argument—it begins through genuine relationships. When people notice the peace, the hope, and quiet joy that shape your life, they become curious about what makes the difference.

Their curiosity opens a door for a simple, heartfelt invitation. You don’t need all the answers or perfect words. You just need to know Jesus. Sharing Jesus does not have to be complicated. It can start with the most natural impulse in the world—an invitation: “Come and see.” This is an open invitation—not just at Advent but year-round.

Come and see the One who took your place. Come and see the One who forgives your guilt. Come and see the One who gives your life meaning, direction, and hope. And then—go and tell.

When you’ve met the Savior, you’ve got something truly worth sharing.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for inviting me to come and see your grace. Fill me with joy and courage to share you with 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 4

2025/12/04/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:6-7

Bringing Light Into Our Lives

Isaiah 42 is one of the “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah. In these sections of Isaiah, the Lord talks to his Son. These sections of Isaiah are prophecies of the coming Messiah. The verses before our Bible reading describe the Messiah as:

God’s chosen one in whom the Father delighted (verse 1). We think of Jesus’ baptism when the Father said, “This is my Son… with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
One who would not shout or cry out, or raise his voice (verse 2). We think of Jesus remaining silent at his trials and going to the cross willingly.
One who would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick (verse 3). We think of Jesus gently and lovingly working with people, careful not to push them away.

In today’s reading, the Father says that he will call Jesus and take hold of his hand. God the Father directed every aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry. The Father says that Jesus will open eyes that are blind and free captives from prison. Jesus healed the blind, the deaf, and the sick. And what prison did Jesus free people from? Jesus’ death on the cross provided the forgiveness that freed us from the worst prison in the universe—the prison of hell.

God the Father also calls his Son a “light for the Gentiles.” Strictly speaking, the Gentiles are people who are not Jews. In this context, the Gentiles are unbelievers—unbelievers who sit in the darkness of sin, captive to the guilt and shame of their sin. Jesus called himself the “light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus brings the light of forgiveness, life, and peace to those held captive to sin. We thank Jesus for bringing his light into our lives!

And where do we find ourselves in this reading? The apostle Paul said that he was appointed by the Lord to be a light for the nations so he could bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). Paul proclaimed Jesus as he traveled the Roman world. When Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, he was commissioning them—and us!—to be lights for the nations to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Do you remember and realize how “dark” the world is? Do you live with the knowledge that everyone who doesn’t trust in Jesus will spend eternity in the darkness and misery of hell? You are the light that can share and reflect the eternal Light who has paid for the sins of the world. What a privilege. What a responsibility!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have given me the joyful responsibility to be a light to this sin-darkened world. Give me the courage and discipline I need to carry out your will for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Angela Kom

Restore Us, O God – December 4, 2025

2025/12/04/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:3

Restore Us, O God

“Do you see me?” This silent question lingers behind many cries for help. In a world filled with overwhelming noise, loneliness, and struggle, people long to know that someone notices them. They want the comfort of knowing that someone genuinely cares.

Psalm 80 gives voice to those who feel left behind and overlooked. They’ve wandered away from God. Surrounded by adversity, they are broken and lost. Still, they don’t give up. Instead of surrendering to despair and defeat, they cry out to God in prayer: “Restore us, O God! Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

This prayer paints a beautiful picture—God’s face shining upon his people. Rather than shining with anger or disappointment, God’s face radiates love, joy, and grace. When God’s face shines on you, it means that he does see you. And seeing you, he smiles upon you, sings over you, and rejoices to rescue and restore you.

Yet, how can sinful people like us stand in the brilliance of God’s presence and live? On our own, we cannot. We have failed to imitate his love and have turned away from him. Like Israel, we experience the consequences—broken relationships, heavy hearts, and lingering guilt.

Despite our sinfulness, Advent brings hope. The face of God has already shone on this world—in the face of Jesus Christ. He came into our darkness to bring light. He came, not to condemn but to restore. He carried our sin and shame and rose again to give us peace.

Even when we feel lost or forgotten, God hears our prayers for restoration. Through Jesus, God truly sees you—and in seeing you, he forgives you, welcomes you, and rejoices over you.

As you wait for Jesus to come again, you do not wait alone or in the dark. You wait enveloped in the warmth of God’s grace.

Prayer:

Lord, when I feel far from you, turn my heart back. Restore me by your mercy. Let your face shine on me through Jesus, my Savior. 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.

Peace in the Midst of Stress – December 3, 2025

2025/12/03/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: Philippians 4:4-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Peace in the Midst of Stress

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

He was so nervous! Daniel and his family had just moved to a new town. He didn’t know what his new classmates or teacher would be like. As he walked from the car where his mom dropped him off, he felt like everyone was staring at him. His heart was beating fast as he walked up to his new teacher.

But when she turned around and saw him, she smiled and gave him a high five. Daniel’s nervousness started to disappear. His classmates were nice too! By the end of the school day, he even made a few new friends. He couldn’t wait to go back the next day!

Change can be hard. Maybe you’ve had a big change like Daniel. How did it make you feel? Were you scared or nervous? That’s normal! During this season before Christmas, called Advent, God wants to give us a really good change. He wants to turn our stress and fear into joy and happiness!

How does he do that? The apostle Paul wrote to his Christian friends in a town called Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.”

That means when we feel scared, worried, or stressed—about school, friends, tests, or anything else—we can pray! And God is always listening. Paul also says, “the Lord is near.” He is watching over us and caring for us.

We know this is true because about 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born. He became human to be near us. He came to save us! Whenever we mess up, make mistakes, or hurt others with our words or actions, Jesus died and rose again to bring us close to God. That’s how Jesus gives us peace.

So, the next time you feel scared or nervous, remember Jesus. Talk to him in prayer, and rejoice that he loves you, listens to you, and will help you.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes we feel scared or nervous about what’s happening in our lives. Thank you for being with us every day. Help us remember that you love us and listen to our prayers. Turn our worry into confidence and give us your peace. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What are some things that make you feel scared?
How does Jesus help you feel better when you are scared or nervous?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Make a list of a few things that make you nervous or worried.
How can taking those things to Jesus in prayer help you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What is stressing you out right now?
In what ways does Jesus give you peace? (Hint: praying, trusting him, feeling loved, remembering he’s always near.)

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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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 3

2025/12/03/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

Hope and Purpose

This passage describes us as a people walking in darkness. Why is it that we are “living in the land of deep darkness”? Well, look around. We see hopelessness and despair. We know something about this world isn’t right, but we don’t know how to fix it. No political system, no act of charity, no script of behavior can change the problem of sin and the fact that people live in pain and then die.

But we don’t stay in the dark—“a light has dawned.” What is that light? What could change the darkness we cannot seem to escape? Isaiah doesn’t leave us wondering, continuing in verse 6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is that light for the people walking in darkness. Isaiah prophesies the gospel message and relives the anticipation of the Savior. All of Scripture points to him, and he is the light by which we interpret the most difficult passages of Scripture.

In her book Creed or Chaos, Dorothy Sayers says of Christ. “The Church asserts that there is a Mind which made the universe, that He made it because He is the sort of Mind that takes pleasure in creation, and that if we want to know what the Mind of the Creator is, we must look at Christ. In Him, we shall discover a Mind that loved His own creation so completely that He became part of it, suffered with and for it, and made it a sharer in His own glory and a fellow-worker with Himself in the working out of His own design for it.”

Jesus is true God and true man. His death has meaning because it is the death of God’s own Son—of God himself—and his resurrection brings us joy because we share in it! Through Christ we see God and his nature, and in Christ we see our highest purpose and joy. Christ’s identity is at the center of Christian theology. If he did not rise, our faith would be in vain. If he did not die, our debt would remain unpaid.

Now that we know who Christ is by faith, we are enlightened; we have hope. We know why we are here, and what we are to do here, and why it all matters. By faith in Christ, we see evil and pain through the lens of his death and resurrection.

Sayers continues, “Accepting the postulate, then, and looking at Christ, what do we find God ‘doing about’ this business of sin and evil? And what is He expecting us to do about it? Here, the Church is clear enough. We find God continually at work turning evil into good… as He made the crime of the crucifixion to be the salvation of the world.”

God took a symbol of pain and death and lifted it up as the key to our hope. God works through us, his sinner-saints, to carry out his purpose and fulfill the needs of our neighbors. In Christ, we see hope for our eternity and purpose for our today.

What do we do with this light? We share our hope. We declare, each year with the same joy: Jesus is the light of the world!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us Jesus, the light of salvation. You take a dark world and make it brilliant with the light of your love for us. Grant that we never close our eyes to your love. Amen.

Written by Alyssa Ebeling

He’s Almost Here – December 3, 2025

2025/12/03/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

He’s Almost Here

Have you ever waited at the airport for someone special? You scan the crowd. Your heart jumps every time someone comes around the corner. You can’t wait to see their face. You yearn to give them the warmest embrace.

That’s the kind of eager longing captured in the final words of the Bible. Jesus declares, “Yes, I am coming soon.” The Church responds, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Advent is a season that focuses on this longing. We reflect on how Jesus first came in humility—born in a farming town, wrapped in rags, and laid in a feeding trough. He came not to be served, but to serve—to walk among us, to suffer with us, and to save us. We also look forward to his promised return. Whenever that is, he won’t come in weakness. He will come in power and glory to make all things new.

The world desperately needs this renewal. We need this renewal. We’re tired of suffering. Tired of sin. Tired of bad news. While we yearn for the peace and justice only Jesus can bring, our weariness makes it easy to grow numb, distracted, or discouraged. That’s why we need this promise: “I am coming soon.” These words renew our hope and give us a clear focus.

Yet, what does “soon” mean? From our perspective, it may not always seem fast, but it is certain. Jesus isn’t dragging his feet. He hasn’t forgotten us. He’s giving more people time to come to know him. His delay is not a sign of neglect, but of mercy.

Rest assured, Jesus, our Savior, is coming. He is closer now than ever before, and he will not be late.

While we wait, we live in hope. We listen to his Word, and we take it to heart—living in daily repentance for our sin and trust in God’s salvation.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you promised to return, and I believe you. Keep my heart ready, my hope alive, and my eyes lifted. Come quickly! 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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 2

2025/12/02/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:21-22

God’s Hand of Protection

I was only six years old, but the memories remain vivid. Our windows were boarded up, making the house unusually dark. Water jugs were at the ready. I was huddled into a tiny, windowless bathroom with seven other people, listening to the winds whip around our island home. I remember suddenly feeling wet and realizing that water was seeping in under the door.

We sang hymns as the worst of Hurricane Luis pummeled our house. My adult mind now connects this to Paul and Silas singing in the depths of their prison cell in Philippi. Suddenly, my dad pressed pillows and couch cushions on top of our heads. The galvanized roof over the bathroom bounced, letting in snippets of light.

When the category four winds finally began to die down, we stepped out and, in shock, realized much of our roof was gone—except over the bathroom we had occupied. I remember my mom saying that an angel had held down the roof for us.

This image comes to mind when I think of the exodus. The Israelites had just witnessed the plagues devastate Egypt, painted blood on their doorposts, and departed, leaving behind the land of their enslavement. I imagine joy, disbelief, and an unnerving sense of “What now?”

God had already done so much, and in love he went further: he made his presence visible, leading his people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The relief! God is here. He is not just rescuing; he is guiding.

Sometimes, the relief of God’s guiding and rescuing can be fleeting—like the eye of a hurricane. A Scripture reading or worship song brings peace beyond all understanding. A friend offers sound, godly counsel. But then the winds of worry or despair quickly return, and our peace turns into a cry: “God, where are you?”

As the Israelites camped by the Red Sea, Pharaoh pursued them. Terror rose in the camp as his chariots closed in. How often do we echo that cry: “Is this deliverance, Lord? Where are you?” We expect perfect peace in this world and forget that God’s peace is found in Christ and his promises, even in storms. My bouncing roof during Hurricane Luis was God’s hand of protection—even if it didn’t feel like it at the moment.

We know the end of the story. God placed his pillar of cloud behind the Israelites, standing between them and Pharaoh’s army, granting them time to witness the sea part and to rejoice on the other side. In the same way, God placed his Son on the cross, standing between us and sin, death, and the devil. He grants us undeserved victory through faith and confidence of eternal celebration at his side. We are no longer slaves; we are redeemed.

God is always at work for our good, whether we see it or not. His presence goes before, behind, and alongside us. The God who commands armies of angels is always by our side.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding and protecting us even when we cannot see your hand at work. Strengthen our faith to trust in the saving work of your Son and the light of your Word. Grant us confidence in the redemption you have won for us. Keep us mindful of your presence, and walk with us through every storm. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross

Peace and Joy – Week of December 1, 2025

2025/12/01/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

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Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7

Peace and Joy

How often do you pray? Do you pray before meals and before bed? When you have an unexpected challenge and need help? Do you pray for friends and enemies? God wants us to pray for all of these things and much more!

God wants us to come to him in prayer, thanking him for blessings and humbly asking him for things that we need. We have this gift of prayer because we are made God’s children through faith in Jesus, and God wants to hear from his children.

Being a believer does not mean we never have trials. We will still have fears, temptations, and times of sorrow. The “to-do list” for both work and home may seem infinite, and the calendar may seem full with no rest in sight. Perhaps there is a personal or professional relationship that is fragile or broken, and you wonder if the connection can ever be repaired. Or maybe you are weighed down with concern about financial instability, a family member with an illness, or regret about a choice made. How broken our world feels sometimes!

The approach and perspective of a Christian, however, will be very different from an unbeliever.

A child of God will have joy, even during times of trouble. We can still have this joy inside, even when troubled by sins and happenings of the past. This joy comes from knowing that Jesus has rescued us, forgiven us, and that he will come again.

God tells his children to let their gentleness be evident to all. But we cannot do this by ourselves! We lack the humility and patience God requests. So, we pray that the Holy Spirit helps us live a life of joy and gentleness because we know that Christ has been humble and patient to us.

A child of God will have joy and peace—and also a peaceful heart. This peace is so powerful and pure, that it doesn’t make sense to the world. It doesn’t fit in with the chaos of the daily life of mankind. Those that do not share our faith might laugh at us or show confusion because of our peaceful heart. That’s because this peace comes from God. He has given us knowledge and trust that he saved us from sin and death and has promised to come again to take us home. This peace guards us from the sins of worry and doubt.

What joy and peace we have, even when we have struggles! We know that we are saved by God, that he is near, and that he wants to hear everything that is on our hearts and minds. May we continue to bring our thanksgiving, requests and prayers to our heavenly Father!

Prayer:

Before you, Lord, we bow, our God who reigns above
And rules the world below in boundless pow’r and love
Our thanks we bring in joy and praise, our hearts we raise to you, our King!

Christian Worship 775:1

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 Light of CHRISTmas – December 1, 2025

2025/12/01/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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Read: Isaiah 2:1-5

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:3,5

The Light of CHRISTmas

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

Are you excited to celebrate Christmas? Why? Maybe you love opening presents, giving gifts, or spending time with family. But before Christmas even gets here, do you like decorating your house or your bedroom with lights, trees, or ornaments?

Now imagine someone really important is coming to your house for Christmas—like Grandma or Grandpa. Would you want your room to be clean? (Probably!) Would you want the house to look nice and decorated? Of course!

For Christians, the time before Christmas is called Advent. Advent means “coming.” It’s the season when we get our hearts ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It also reminds us that Jesus is coming again someday as our King. Just like we get ready for Christmas by decorating our homes, we want to get ready to meet Jesus when he comes again.

Some people feel afraid when they think about Jesus coming back—because they don’t believe he’s their Savior. But you don’t have to be afraid! Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah told God’s people to “walk in the light of the Lord.” That’s how they could be ready to meet Jesus—and not be scared. And when you walk in Jesus’ light, you don’t have to be scared either.

So, what does it mean to “walk in the light”? It means believing in Jesus, trusting his Word, and letting his truth guide us. The Bible says sin is like darkness—it messes things up, hurts relationships, and makes life harder. Think about it: Has sin ever brought darkness into your life? Have your words or actions ever hurt someone else?

This week, when you see all the Christmas lights, remember that Jesus is the Light of the world. His Word shines into our hearts. As our King, he protects and takes care of us until we see him in heaven. As our Savior, he shines forgiveness into our lives, helping us love, forgive, and bring peace to others—just like Isaiah wrote about.

Prayer:

Thank you for being the Light of the world. Please forgive us when we sin and bring darkness into someone else’s life. Shine your truth into our hearts so we can love and forgive others, just like you love us. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Do you like decorating your house for Christmas? Why or why not?
How can we be ready to meet Jesus someday? (Faith, trust, staying close to his Word, living as his children.)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How did Jesus bring God’s light into the world? (By teaching, healing, forgiving, dying for us, rising again.)
How can you shine God’s light to others? (Kindness, helping, forgiving, sharing Jesus, encouraging someone.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

How do you feel about meeting Jesus face to face someday? (Excited? Curious? Comforted?)
What does it mean to “walk in the light,” and why is it important? (Following Jesus, trusting him, living in his forgiveness.)

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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.

Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 1

2025/12/01/in Devotions, Womens Advent Devotions

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Genesis 1:3-5

The Original Source of Light

Isn’t it interesting to realize that light existed before God created the sun, moon, and stars? On the very first day of creation, before he hung the celestial bodies in the sky on the fourth day of creation, God said, “Let there be light,” and it was so. Light does not ultimately come from the sun, but from God himself. He is the true source of all light.

We see this truth repeated throughout the pages of Scripture. The psalmist declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Jesus affirms, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). From Genesis to Revelation, God is revealed as the source of light—both physically and spiritually.

Light is essential to life. It brings clarity, direction, warmth, and life itself. Without it, we lose our way and stumble in the darkness. Without light, much of nature withers and dies. The same is true spiritually. Without the light of Jesus, our world is filled with confusion, fear, and eternal separation from our Creator. But when God is our source of light, darkness flees, and we can walk with confidence and hope. One single match struck in a room that is pitch dark scatters the darkness. Jesus does the same for us. Darkness and evil flee when they are illuminated by the love of Jesus.

Just as the moon does not produce its own light—instead it reflects the light from the sun—we are not the source of light. We simply reflect the light of the Holy Spirit who has illuminated our hearts through the Word and who lives and acts within us. On our own, we cannot shine. But because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we reflect Christ’s brilliance to the world. Jesus calls us “the light of the world” and instructs us not to hide that light but to let it shine so that others may see and glorify God (Matthew 5:14–16). What an incredible privilege! Our lives become lamps on a stand, illuminating God’s love, truth, and grace in the everyday spaces where he places us.

Every day, from that very first day, we move through a 24-hour cycle of light and darkness, day and night, work and rest. This daily rhythm reminds us of God’s creative order and care. Each sunrise whispers his faithfulness and that his mercies are new every morning. Each evening reminds us that we can rest in peace because even in the darkness, our almighty God is still in control of all and is working all things out for our good.

In this life, we still have times that are dark. Some days, we walk in the shadows that bring fear, pain, doubt, and anguish. But be encouraged that you are children of light, reflecting the radiance of your Creator, and shining in a world that desperately needs the hope, peace, and light that Jesus came to bring to us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being the source of all light and love. Thank you for bringing me peace and hope through Jesus. Please shine in my heart and help me to be a reflection of you and your love for those people you place around me. Grant me peace as I trust you and your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, I have every confidence that you hear me. Amen.

Written by Rhoda Wolle

Watch and Warn – December 1, 2025

2025/12/01/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.”
Ezekiel 3:17

Watch and Warn

We have all experienced those moments when we see danger approaching and feel an urgent need to warn others, “Watch out!” we shout. Perhaps a car backed up too quickly, or a child reached for something hot on the stove. In such situations, remaining silent would not just be wrong, but also unkind.

This is the image God gave to the prophet Ezekiel. He was chosen to be a “watchman”—someone who remains vigilant and alerts people when trouble is near. However, the warning Ezekiel was to give was far more serious than damaged bumpers or burnt fingers. It concerned sin and its consequences. God called Ezekiel to deliver both hard truths and healing words.

Although we are not prophets like Ezekiel, we share the same responsibility: to warn others and to bear witness. This calling can feel intimidating. Sometimes we keep silent because we are afraid of offending or uncertain about what to say.

Thankfully, Jesus never chose silence. He spoke the hard truth to those who were proud and offered gentle words to those who were hurting. He warned about the reality of sin and called people to turn back to God. Even when people didn’t listen, Jesus did not walk away. He went to the cross.

Jesus bore the punishment for sin so that we would not have to. He rose again to give us new life. Today, by his Word, the Spirit works in us to be loving and courageous watchmen for those around us. You do not need a loudspeaker or a pulpit to be a watchman. You just need the gospel—the good news of a Savior who came for sinners like us.

This Advent, listen for the coming footsteps of Jesus and lovingly let others know that he is on his way.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for speaking the truth in love and for taking my sin to the cross. Make me bold and gentle to speak your truth to those around 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.

Rejoice in What’s Coming – November 30, 2025

2025/11/30/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Rejoice in Jesus’ coming.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in What’s Coming

Rejoice? In what?

Philippians 4:4 is up there on the most famous list of Bible passages. Students memorize it. Adults buy Bible artwork on Amazon displaying it. Christians often quote it. But here’s the question nobody really asks out loud: Do we actually believe it?

It’s pretty easy to rejoice when life is coasting along smoothly on autopilot. But you’re a teen—you know life doesn’t usually work like that. School drama, sports pressure, friend issues, family stress, anxiety, breakups, breakdowns, and being pulled in a hundred directions can make rejoicing feel… well, unrealistic. Sometimes impossible. You may respond like many suffering Christians—Rejoice? In what?

Before giving up on the idea, stop and notice something important: What time is it?

Yes, it’s almost Christmas-shopping-and-hot-chocolate season. But in the Church Year, it’s something deeper: Advent. Advent means coming or arrival. It’s a season that tells us to look in three directions at once:

Jesus came at Christmas to be our Savior.
Jesus comes to us now through his Word and sacraments.
Jesus will come again on judgment day.

And believe it or not, all three of those advents give you real reasons to rejoice—even on the hard days.

Why Advent actually matters

Verse 7 says we have the peace of God that “transcends all understanding.” Why? Because Jesus came in real skin and bones to live perfectly and die for you. That means:

You are forgiven.
You are loved.
Not even death can win anymore.

That kind of peace doesn’t make sense to the world—but it’s real. And it “will guard your hearts and your minds” every single day, even on the days you don’t feel strong.

Because Jesus has made you part of God’s family, verse 6 becomes true for you too: You can bring anything—literally anything—to God. The anxiety. The mistakes. The fears. The future. And he listens.

Then Paul drops one more reminder: “The Lord is near.”

Near… as in coming back soon.
Near… as in the ending of the story is already written.
Near… as in joy is the final chapter, not fear.

When Jesus returns, every pain disappears. Every heartbreak is healed. Every problem ends. Joy wins.

So dear teen, rejoice in the Lord always! Why? Jesus has come for us, Jesus still comes to us, and Jesus will come again. Yes, “I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, so many things weigh us down and stress us out in this life. When anxiety feels heavy and worries pile up, remind us of your Advent. Remind us that you came for us, you still come to us through your Word, and you will come back for us without fail. Fill our hearts with peace that doesn’t make sense and joy that can’t be shaken. With confidence in your promises, I pray: Come, Lord Jesus. 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.

Peace That Comes from God – November 30, 2025

2025/11/30/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 2:3-5

Peace That Comes from God

In the United Nations Plaza in New York City, today’s Bible passage is quoted: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares . . .” All people desire peace, don’t they? Isn’t that why the United Nations was established in the first place? But it hasn’t worked so well, has it? Are Isaiah’s words just a fantasy?

If you’re looking for a truly peaceful “United Nations,” you’re not going to find it in this sinful world. But that’s not what Isaiah was describing. Isaiah was describing peace that the world can’t give, find, or produce. Isaiah described peace that only comes from God.

God brought peace to the hearts of people when he kept his promise to send his Son, Jesus, the Christ. Jesus came to bring peace to the earth by living and suffering and dying for a world full of sin and sinners, sinners like you and me. Because of Jesus’ perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection, we have peace. We have the peace of knowing that there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves because Jesus has done everything. We have the peace of knowing that we don’t need to satisfy God’s wrath against our sins because Jesus has washed them away. We have peace because Jesus has set us free.

That peace is yours and mine in Jesus! That peace is what moves us to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn his ways. That peace is what moves us to walk in the light of the Lord.

Prayer:

May the peace of God, which the world cannot give, which surpasses our understanding, guard and keep your heart and mind through faith in Christ Jesus! 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.

Christ Is Superior – November 29, 2025

2025/11/29/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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[God the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:13-17

Christ Is Superior

Consumer Reports is a magazine you would look at for the best of a given product and the best deal for your wallet.

In today’s Bible reading, Paul gives us the “consumer report” on Christ. He clearly explains why Christ is superior to anyone or anything else. He is God. He created all things. He is eternal, without beginning or end. He is the firstborn from among the dead, never to die again. He holds everything together.

Each part of these verses lays out an objective fact about why Christ is superior. And each of these truths has important significance for our daily lives.

Despite the times we see sin interrupt our lives, despite the horrors of wickedness we hear about in the news, and despite the atrocities human beings commit against one another, evil and wickedness are not in control. Even though they may appear to be running the world, they are not. No matter what evil or wickedness may throw at us, there is nothing they can do to wrest control away from Christ. Nor is there anything they can do to separate us from Christ. For Christ defeated sin and death through his death on the cross and declared his victory as he rose from the dead.

This is the report we have on Christ. He is supreme. No one is greater. There is no one who can take control from him or can separate us from him. What confidence this gives us as we continue our pilgrimage on earth!

Prayer:

O Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, in your mercy you have brought me into your kingdom. Continue to rule over me, protecting me from the evil one until I join you in your heavenly kingdom. 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.

Getting Ready for God – November 28, 2025

2025/11/28/in Devotions, Family Devotions

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[Jesus said] “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Luke 12:35-40

Getting Ready for God

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

What do you have to do to get ready for school in the morning? When your alarm goes off, maybe you eat breakfast, get dressed, brush your teeth, pack your homework, and grab your lunch. There are usually quite a few things you need to do to be ready for a day at school!

Just like we get ready for school, Jesus wants us to be ready for the day he returns. In our reading today, Jesus says, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” But what does that even mean? Do we need special clothes? Do we need real lamps with fire in them? No! Jesus is using picture language to help us understand something important: He is coming back someday, and we don’t know when—so we should be ready.

Here’s the problem: we can’t get ready by ourselves because we mess up and sin. But God already knew that. That’s why he “clothes” us in Jesus’ perfection—Jesus covers us with his perfect life so we’re ready to meet God.

So instead of wearing special clothes for the Last Day, we can “wear” Jesus’ goodness every day. When we show kindness, forgiveness, and love, people can actually see Jesus’ love shining through us! And when we tell others the great things God has done, that’s like keeping the light of our faith burning bright.

We get ready for lots of important things—school, visitors coming over, church, birthdays. Let’s also make sure we’re ready for the most amazing thing of all—the day Jesus takes all believers to heaven.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we want to be ready for the day when you come. Help us to remember that we can’t get ready on our own. We need your help! Be with us as we prepare for the day that you will return. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What is something you do to get ready for the day? (Wake up routine, morning habits, chores, etc.)
What did God do for us to help us be ready for Jesus’ return? (Hint: Jesus’ perfect life, forgiveness, faith!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What is one thing you could do today to get ready for Jesus to come again? (Be kind, pray, help someone, say sorry, tell someone about Jesus.)
Why might some people be scared about Jesus coming back? Do we need to be scared? (Hint: believers don’t need to be afraid—Jesus loves us!)

Questions for Middle School and Above

Do you ever talk about heaven during your week? Why might it be good to start? (To remind ourselves of God’s promises, to encourage others, to give hope.)
Read Revelation 4:2-6. What words or pictures are used to describe heaven? (Examples: throne, rainbow, shining like jewels, peace, beauty, power.)

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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.

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Read: Philippians 4:4-7

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