Devotions

A Cross-Shaped Life – March 21, 2025

2025/03/21/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 4:1

A Cross-Shaped Life

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Family Devotion – March 21, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 4:1

See series: Devotions

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

Paul made a bold statement: “Join with others in following my example.” They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so you copy those you admire most. Paul invites the people in Philippi (as well as us reading this devotion) to follow his example, but should he really be saying that? Don’t you think Paul remembered that he had blood on his hands? Before he believed in Jesus, he was a proud persecutor of the Church. He had hauled off who knows how many people to prison or even death simply for trusting in Christ as Lord. Then one day, the Lord Jesus knocked Paul off his donkey, changed his heart, and brought him to faith. That’s when the trouble really started. Now a tireless missionary spreading the gospel, Paul endured a shipwreck, beatings, persecution, and a constant thorn in his flesh—all so he could tell people about Jesus’ love.

We can learn a lot from Paul’s example because his story is our story, too. I’ve never been shipwrecked or beaten up for my faith. But Paul wasn’t the only one who needed Jesus to change him. Once, we were separated from God, stubborn and thinking we didn’t need him, until the Lord Jesus stepped in to save us. Jesus carried his cross (and all of your sin!) to Calvary where he followed God’s plan of salvation all the way to death. He didn’t try to escape the suffering, but with you on his heart, Jesus locked his eyes on a middle cross. While we were still his enemies, he forgave our sins, gave us faith in him, and then turned us loose into the world to share his love with others.

And just like it was for Paul, so it will be for us. There will be obstacles as we follow Jesus. There will be enemies of the gospel that try to stop us. Our lives will take on the shape of the cross. But don’t give up, because when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can trust that even hard things will draw us closer to him. Even when life is difficult because we’re Christians, follow Paul’s example and remember—just like Jesus, we know there’s always resurrection on the other side of the cross.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you carried your cross to Calvary and died to pay for our sins. Thank you for rescuing us, even when we were your enemies. Thank you for the privilege of following you. Give us your strength to keep going, even when hardships come. Remind us of your great love and your promise that you work all things for good. In your name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

What did Paul want the Philippians (and us) to do?
Who carried the cross to Calvary to take away our sins?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What hard things did Paul go through because he was telling people about Jesus?
When Paul was tired or hurting, what helped him keep going? What helps us when we feel the same way?

Questions for Middle School and Above

How can tough times actually be good for us?
How can we live like Paul and show Jesus’ love to others?

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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.

Heading in the Only Right Direction – March 21, 2025

2025/03/21/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 4:1

Heading in the Only Right Direction

Daily Devotion – March 21, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 4:1

See series: Devotions

When you’re going someplace, there’s normally more than one way to get there. In the city where I live, detours don’t pose too much of a problem because, for the most part, the streets are laid out on a grid plan. In other words, each city block is a rectangle, so if there’s a detour or an accident blocking the road you’re on, you just have to drive around the block. Problem solved. Traffic jams are rare because there’s usually more than one way to get to where you’re going.

That’s a common perception among the people of this world when it comes to getting to heaven. They think to themselves and even say out loud, “There’s more than one way to get there.” But the Bible tells us otherwise. The apostle Peter made that clear when he confessed about Jesus that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Ac 4:12). But, of course, Peter didn’t invent that idea. He heard it straight from the Savior’s mouth. Jesus clearly proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). In other words, when it comes to getting to heaven, Jesus is the only right direction.

It’s natural for people to object to that truth. Doesn’t it seem exclusive? Shouldn’t God provide multiple ways to his heavenly mansions? Wouldn’t that be more generous, more merciful?

While we might be tempted to think the same thing, we need to consider it from God’s perspective. Why would God limit the roads to heaven to just one? Because he doesn’t want us to guess: what’s the best way there? There is only one way, and that one way is through faith in Jesus, his only Son. And that road is wide open for every sinner; Jesus has cleared away sin and death forever!

No detour is needed, St. Paul tells us. “Stand firm in the Lord in this way.” You’re guaranteed a safe arrival home!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me a perfectly clear road to heaven. 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.

Roadside Assistance – March 20, 2025

2025/03/20/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21

Roadside Assistance

Daily Devotion – March 20, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21

See series: Devotions

Several years ago, my wife enrolled our family in a roadside assistance plan. None of us is particularly mechanical; we probably couldn’t even change a flat tire. So, it just made sense, especially when our children began driving long distances to and from school. It’s nice to have that peace of mind, knowing that if one of our cars breaks down, there’s someone we can call.

But even when we’ve had to set our roadside assistance in motion, we’ve had to wait for the technician or tow truck driver to show up. Sometimes, we’ve waited thirty minutes or even longer. Even though we know for certain that help is on the way, the problem with our car wasn’t immediately fixed the moment we got off the phone.

That’s the situation that God’s faithful people must endure in this world. We certainly have the ultimate spiritual roadside assistance plan through faith in Jesus. By following him and his Word, we can be certain that we’re on the only highway that leads to eternal life in heaven. But sometimes, along the way, we have our own spiritual breakdowns. We get spiritual flat tires, and so often our spiritual batteries need a jump start. The apostle Paul reminds us that on this side of heaven, we’re still operating in “lowly bodies” that are subject to pain, suffering, and death. We continually need to call on Jesus for roadside assistance.

And when we do, we may need to wait eagerly. But that’s okay because waiting teaches us to be humble and patient. Waiting requires us to have faith because we’re compelled to believe things our eyes don’t currently see.

The good news for those who put their faith in Jesus is that he never disappoints. The reason for that is simple: he has “the power that enables him to bring everything under his control.” And he has promised to use that power for our eternal good, to “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” He provides perfect roadside assistance!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me wait patiently for your salvation, for today and all eternity. 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.

Speaking the Truth in Love – March 19, 2025

2025/03/19/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Jeremiah 26:8-15

Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.”
Jeremiah 26:12

Speaking the Truth in Love

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Family Devotion – March 19, 2025

Devotion based on Jeremiah 26:12

See series: Devotions

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

“Being a pastor means saying something when no one else will.” That’s what a professor who taught future pastors once said. When Jeremiah finished speaking the message the Lord had given him, the people in the temple got angry. They grabbed him and wanted to kill him! Why? Because he told them the truth—God’s truth. He warned them that ignoring God and disobeying him would lead to disaster. But people don’t like to hear hard truth, especially when it shows them, they’re doing something wrong. The people in Jeremiah’s day were happy with their lives, but they had turned away from trusting the Lord and his promises. Even though they had a history of ignoring or killing God’s messengers, God still sent them one anyway.

Think about that—even though God knew these people had ignored him before, he still sent them someone to speak his Word. Why? Because he still loved them! What if he had just let them keep going down the wrong path, leading them away from him forever? But he didn’t. Instead, he loved them enough to warn them, to try to bring them back into his forgiving love. If God is still speaking, that’s good news—even if the message is tough to hear.

This is the kind of God you have: the One who keeps sharing his promises with people who don’t always listen; the One who keeps sending messengers, hoping his Word will take root in their hearts; the One who sent his perfect messenger, Jesus, to take on the punishment that was really ours.

Even if you’re not a pastor, sometimes you might have to say something hard because you care about someone. That can be scary! But trust that God will give you strength. Remember, God’s truth always comes from his love. He wants to bring people back to him! God bless us as we speak his truth in love!

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, you speak to us through your Word because you love us. Turn us from sinful ways with the word of your law. Forgive and restore us with the word of your gospel, perfectly fulfilled in Christ. Fill us with your love so we can share your truth with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Why were the people angry at Jeremiah?
Why is it sometimes hard to tell the truth?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

True or False: People always like hearing the truth.
Why does God keep sending people to share his Word, even when many don’t listen?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What’s the difference between just telling the truth and telling the truth with love?
How can rules and discipline from your parents actually be a good thing?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Goin’ Home – March 19, 2025

2025/03/19/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

But our citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20

Goin’ Home

Daily Devotion – March 19, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20

See series: Devotions

In 1922, the American composer William Arms Fisher wrote lyrics to one of the most haunting melodies in the history of music, the opening theme of the Largo from Anton Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Fisher entitled his song, “Goin’ Home,” its words describing a person’s departure from this world to “the world beyond.” Set in the style of an old American spiritual, Fisher penned, “Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home; Quiet-like, some still day, I’m jes’ goin’ home. . . Mother’s there ‘spectin’ me, Father’s waitin’ too; Lots o’ folks gather’d there, All the friends I knew.” The song was popularized when it was played after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Since then, it has been used regularly in connection with the funeral services of U.S. presidents, dignitaries, and soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The song is certainly sentimental, but it’s not really biblical. There is no mention of sin against God or one another, nor its consequences: death (Ro 6:23). Neither is there any reference to our desperate need for divine forgiveness. The lyrics simply assume that everyone who dies goes “home” to heaven, no questions asked, greeted there by their dearly departed family and friends who have gone before them. There is no suggestion of true salvation; no pointing to the only One who freely grants it: Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29).

It makes sense that Fisher’s song would be so affectionately adopted by the people of this world who desperately look for some hope and comfort in the face of death. Sadly, however, they refuse to look to Jesus their Savior, who gives certain hope and comfort by his death and resurrection from the dead. He’s conquered death forever! Instead, they chase after sappy sentimentality.

But at least Fisher got one thing right with his lyrics. He suggested that heaven is home. For God’s people—those who put their trust in Jesus—this is most certainly true. But it won’t only be true someday. The apostle Paul reminds us that even now “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are but strangers here; heaven is our home. And, oh, how God’s people long to be home with Jesus!

Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to flee from faulty hope and comfort and to rest all my confidence in you. 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.

Lent Devotion – In the Savior’s Steps – Week 2

2025/03/18/in Women's Ministry Lenten Devotions, Womens Devotions

In the Savior’s Steps

The Temple

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

John 2:13-22

Do you have a favorite “church” memory? Maybe you remember your confirmation vows, a baptism, or a special Christmas service. You might think of a brass quartet at Easter, an amazing choir anthem, or a funeral sermon. You might have a place you like to sit that makes you feel right at home or a hymn that brings tears to your eyes.

Jesus’ connection to the temple in Jerusalem was much deeper than tender moments or fond memories. Do you remember some of the events that happened there?

This is the temple where an angel brought news to Zechariah about John the Baptist, the forerunner who would prepare the way of the Lord.

Mary and Joseph consecrated Jesus at this temple to fulfill Old Testament laws. Do you think they told Jesus the stories about Simeon and Anna? Did they teach him Simeon’s song of praise or Anna’s proclamation about God’s Messiah? Jesus would have been delighted to hear and learn it all!

Jesus talked to the teachers at this temple, answering deep questions when he was twelve years old. Have you ever wondered if any rabbis remembered the young boy who amazed them? Sadly, they were less eager to hear Jesus’ wisdom and truth when his public ministry began.

Jesus loved to attend worship at the temple and obeyed every God-given law about Jewish festivals, sacrifices, and ceremonies. He sang King David’s psalms and treasured readings from Israel’s ancient prophetic scrolls. With Scripture, prayers, and songs of praise, Jesus felt right at home. The sinless Son of God worshiped in the temple just beyond the ominous veil to the Holy of Holies.

Yet the memory from this temple encounter was very different.

This memory was filled with selfish, greedy men who made Jesus angry. The holy place of God was filled with cheating merchants who swindled worshipers as they purchased animals for sacrificial offerings. Knowing God’s holy purpose for the temple, Jesus would not condone the stench of the profit-driven marketplace. He drove the merchants out.

This wasn’t the last memory Jesus would have at the temple.

Jesus would return to teach in the temple courts days before his crucifixion. People would gather to hear him one last time. Then, the temple would be destroyed. Not the physical temple where Jesus worshiped—but Jesus, the God who came to dwell with his people. Jesus was destroyed. His prophecy resonated, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” And, praise God, he did.

The temple was built to proclaim the truth of God’s faithful mercy to sinners and represent God’s earthly presence among his people. Though God established the Jewish temple for his people, Jesus is the greatest temple—the true temple that fulfilled God’s plan of salvation and opened heaven’s gates to all believers. In Jesus, God came to dwell with his people. Jesus lived in perfect righteousness, died to pay for sin, and was raised to life in victory over death.

Marvel at the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, but praise God for Jesus. He is the greatest temple.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the glorious temple of God—and we praise you as our risen Savior! Thank you for dwelling with us and in us. Continue to fill us with your Spirit, strengthen our faith, and deepen our zeal for your kingdom. Amen.

Written by Naomi Schmidt
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

Watch out: Enemy Crossing! – March 18, 2025

2025/03/18/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
Philippians 3:18,19

Watch out: Enemy Crossing!

Daily Devotion – March 18, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18,19

See series: Devotions

The best roads are built with safety in mind. That’s why freeways are normally multi-lane, same-direction thoroughfares without cross-traffic. They’re made as straight as possible; the valleys are raised up, and the hills are made low. The fewer obstacles there are, the better.

If only the road to heaven would be free of every danger! If only there were no twists or turns, ups or downs, no cross traffic. But the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh are not that cooperative. They constantly throw obstacles in the way in a concerted effort to throw us off course. The last thing our spiritual enemies want to see is us arriving home to heaven safe and sound.

And sometimes, those enemies come in ways you wouldn’t suspect. When, for instance, the apostle Paul laments the fact that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ,” he’s not necessarily referring to people outside the church. Yes, even people who claim to be children of God—faithful followers of Jesus and his Word—too often live as enemies of the cross of Christ. How? By falling into the temptation and promoting the false idea that we should expect our lives as God’s people in this world to be filled with success. They cling to a theology of glory rather than proclaiming a theology of the cross. “Their mind is set on earthly things,” and Paul warns, “Their destiny is destruction.”

We need to watch out for this enemy crossing because we’re all tempted to forget what Jesus made so clear about the life of true discipleship: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34). While we may want to think our lives in this world should be filled with one clear victory after another, Paul knew from experience that a Christian’s reward comes not now but in heaven. But what a reward it will be!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me fix my heart on things above and cling to your eternal promises. 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.

A Wolf Around the Bend – Week of March 17, 2025

2025/03/17/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

A Wolf Around the Bend – Week of March 17, 2025

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 3:18-4:1

ECME Devotion March 17, 2025

See series: ECME Devotions

I was walking through the woods with my daughter when she suddenly needed to go to the bathroom “weeelly bad”. So, I suggested that we take a short cut through the trees to get us back to the campsite quickly. “But Mom!”, she said, “what if there is a WOLF coming around the bend?”

While wolf encounters are not likely in southern Texas, this story reminds me of all the times that we want to take the shortest, easiest path, only to run into dangers that slow us down along the way. How often do we make a mess for ourselves by trying to “cut corners?”

The path that Jesus took to earn our salvation was not easy. Why did Jesus come as a baby? He’s God! He could have come as a king with enemies forced to fall at his feet. Ask any preschooler, and they’ll tell you that he could have come down as a dragon in a fiery cloud, with laser eyes zapping all the “bad guys”. The problem with that is, of course, that WE are the “bad guys”. Every person on earth, besides Jesus, has sinned and fallen short of God’s demands. And so, Jesus took the difficult path along the road to the cross, with the biggest “baddest” wolf of all, the devil, seeking to destroy him and us.

The path of a Christian is not easy, either. God has not promised that we will always feel comfortable. Many people in this world will make fun of us for the path that we have chosen and the life we want to live. They might call us old-fashioned, naïve, or just dumb. They think that we are giving up opportunities and all the wealth and fun that comes with it when we don’t give in to their worldview. But these people are often enemies of Jesus, enemies of the cross that he died on for us.

God tells us not to set our mind on earthly things. This home is temporary. Our true citizenship is in heaven. Instead of wasting our time running after earthly ideas and earthly things, God wants us to spend our time preparing our hearts and the hearts of others for the day that he will come back again.

Watch out for the “wolf coming around the bend”! The true enemy is the devil, who delights in our failures and licks his lips when we fall into sin. But try as he might, “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). We are his forever!

Prayer:

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

The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with his good gifts and spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though all may be gone,
Our victory is won; the kingdom’s ours forever!

Christian Worship 21 863:3-4

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.

Your Stubborn Savior – March 17, 2025

2025/03/17/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 13:31-35

‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day.
Luke 13:32-33

Your Stubborn Savior

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Family Devotion – March 17, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:32-33

See series: Devotions

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

What stops you from reaching your goals? There are so many answers to that! Maybe you don’t feel smart enough, don’t have enough money, or think others have better opportunities. It’s true—some things are out of our control. But I’m not just talking about school or sports goals. What about our faith? Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” We say God’s Word is important, but what keeps us from listening to it—or sharing it? We know God gives us everything we need so that we can be generous, but sometimes we still worry there won’t be enough to go around. What stops me from putting God’s Word first? Excuses stack up faster than laundry! “I’m too tired to go to church.” “I’m too busy to help others.” “I don’t want to share what I have.” What gets in the way? The answer is simple—me.

Look at Jesus’ love in the gospel! He stepped into a world full of excuse-makers like us. The Pharisees warned him that King Herod wanted to kill him. Did Jesus run away? Nope! Instead, his determined feet kept walking. People told him to stop preaching and go somewhere else, but Jesus’ stubborn voice wouldn’t stop sharing God’s love. Why? Because his greatest desire was to gather God’s children, like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Jesus’ love was so great, his mission so unstoppable, that he kept walking, kept preaching—until those same stubborn feet were nailed to a cross and that always-inviting voice fell silent in death. But he didn’t stay silent. On the third day, Jesus reached his ultimate goal—rising from the dead to bring us life!

When we remember Jesus’ unstoppable love, it changes us. The devil and our selfish hearts will try to distract us, but we keep listening to God’s Word because Jesus loves us enough to speak it. We give generously because Jesus gave up everything to save us. Jesus didn’t let anything stop him from rescuing you. Nothing could stand in his way—not fear, not excuses, not even death!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you never let anything stop you from going to the cross and rising again to save us. Fill our hearts with your courage so we can follow you boldly. Help us push aside distractions and stay close to your Word. In your name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Jesus said he wanted to gather people like a mother hen gathers her chicks. Why does Jesus want to bring us close to him?
Who warned Jesus that King Herod wanted to hurt him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How does Jesus feel when people don’t listen to him or follow him?
What can you do when things try to take your attention away from God’s Word?

Questions for Middle School and Above

What does Jesus’ determination show us about who he is? What does it show us about his love for us?
Jesus knew he had to die (crucifixion) before he could come back to life (resurrection). How does knowing we will live forever with Jesus help us when life is hard?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Follow Closely – March 17, 2025

2025/03/17/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Philippians 3:17

Follow Closely

Daily Devotion – March 17, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:17

See series: Devotions

When was the last time you needed to follow closely behind someone to arrive at your destination? That was sometimes necessary in the “olden days” because most maps didn’t provide street-level detail. So, if your group was too large to fit into one car, the driver who knew where he was going would carefully lead the other driver to their destination. If you were following, you needed to stay close, so you didn’t get separated and lost. But with the advent of cell phones and GPS technology, finding your way to unknown locations is now a snap. Your phone tells you where to turn and when. Following someone closely is unnecessary.

But have you ever asked your phone to give you directions to heaven? It doesn’t work; I’ve tried. If you and I can’t get to heaven by asking our phones the way, how can we ever get there? By closely following others who know how to get there.

There was a time in the apostle Paul’s life when he was totally lost. He thought he knew how to get to heaven. Simple; follow the rules, he thought. But then he discovered God doesn’t just require us to try our best or be better than the next person. No, to enter the gates of heaven, we need to be perfect. No missed turns, no sin, ever. Like us, Paul couldn’t manage that. He was lost.

But then Jesus found and rescued him. As the world’s Savior, Jesus did what we could never do. He’s perfect! More than that, he freely forgives our sins and gives us his perfection as a gift. Through faith in him and by following him closely, our destination is certain. We’re on the road to heaven, everlasting life!

Paul learned to follow Jesus closely in faith. Now, he urges us to follow his example and do the same. If we try to get to heaven on our own, we’ll never arrive. But by placing our faith in Jesus and following his life-giving direction closely, we’ll show up safe and sound. Forever.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me follow you in faith to my heavenly home. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – March 16, 2025

2025/03/16/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Jesus Christ is the only path to heaven for us who cannot save ourselves.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 3:17-4:1

No Detours Allowed

When you’re little, adults love asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most kids fire back with big, exciting dreams—astronaut, NFL quarterback, famous gamer. But as you get older, the question starts to change.

Now, it’s not just what you want to be—it’s why. And too often, the answers revolve around things that only matter in this life—money, fame, success.

But here’s the thing: none of that lasts.

That’s why the apostle Paul’s words to the Philippians hit so hard:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20,21).

Think about that for a second. This world? It’s temporary. The culture around us chases self-interest, status, and instant gratification. But for those who follow Jesus, life is about something bigger.

If you believe in Christ, your future isn’t just about what career you’ll have or how much money you’ll make. It’s about where you’re headed—heaven. And the only way there? It’s not through what you do, how hard you work, or how much you achieve. It’s through Jesus.

So stand firm. Keep your eyes on the real prize—eternity, bought and paid for by Jesus’ sacrifice. Let that be the focus of your life, not just what you want to be, but who you belong to.

Prayer:
God, thank you for loving me even when I lose focus. Help me to remember that my true home is with you. 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.

Swifter, Higher, Stronger – March 16, 2025

2025/03/16/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

Swifter, Higher, Stronger

Daily Devotion – March 16, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14

See series: Devotions

“Citius, altius, fortius” is a Latin phrase meaning, “swifter, higher, stronger.” It is the motto of the Olympic games and does well to embody what our calling in Christ pursues.

Christ has placed us on the path of righteousness but still lets us run. Swifter, we flee from temptation. Higher, we stretch ourselves to practice Christ-like love. Stronger, we stand in the midst of suffering in this world. A shining example of this kind of fortitude was revealed in the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico.

A Tanzanian marathon runner named Akhwari was the last man to finish the marathon race. He arrived in the stadium staggering, limping, and finished his race long after the winner did. This, of course, prompted all kinds of post-race questions as to why he continued when he had no chance of winning.

He simply replied, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish the race.”

A Christian who knew why God saved him and set him apart, the apostle Paul also spoke in similar terms, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me . . . I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12,14).

Through the sacrifice of his Son, God set the prize of heaven before us. Now in our life of faith in Jesus, we press on to take full possession of that for which God has taken hold of us.

Run, Christian, run. Finish the race.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me finish the race. Guide my feet to follow the way that you speak in your Word. Extend my arms to reach others in love. Wipe my tears of sorrow so that I can better see the path. Lead me on, Lord. Lead me on. 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 Extent of Jesus’ Love – March 15, 2025

2025/03/15/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

[Jesus said] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 23:37-39

The Extent of Jesus’ Love

Daily Devotion – March 15, 2025

Devotion based on Matthew 23:37-39

See series: Devotions

The entire chapter of Matthew 23 is several stern warnings that Jesus spoke against those who rejected him in unbelief, especially the religious leaders. If you read through those passages, you will see that Jesus spoke very strongly against those who opposed him. His reason for the woes he pronounced was not to antagonize his enemies. No, he spoke as firmly as he did because he truly loved them! He wanted them to see that the confidence they were putting in themselves for salvation was very dangerous. They could not save themselves from condemnation in hell by their attempts to live as righteously as possible. Jesus wanted to correct them. He wanted them to put their faith in him as their Savior so they would not fall under the eternal judgment of God. He wanted them to have eternal life with God by trusting in him as their Savior.

Oh, the great extent of Jesus’ love for people! He wants all to come to the knowledge of God’s truth and be saved from the curse of sin. He reaches out to gather people into the protective care of his boundless goodness and fills them with the fullness of life. He calls upon them to turn away from the emptiness and hopelessness they have without him. How sad and sorrowful he is when they refuse because when judgment finally comes, they will be separated from God forever.

Jesus is our Savior. His death was the sacrifice that God accepted as payment for all our sins. There’s nothing more for us to do for the forgiveness of sins and the joy of life with God. Jesus did it all. Believe it.

Prayer:
Jesus, how greatly you love me to willingly die to take away the guilt of my sins. Fill my heart with confident trust in you alone for salvation and eternal life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

He Gets Us – March 14, 2025

2025/03/14/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Hebrews 4:14-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15

He Gets Us

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Family Devotion – March 14, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15

See series: Devotions

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

Recently, I heard someone say that all the problems in the world come from people feeling alone and unloved. Maybe that sounds like an exaggeration, but I think he’s onto something. Think about how God created the world. Adam, Eve, and everyone who came after them were meant to live in a perfect and loving friendship with God and each other—forever! But then sin entered the world, breaking everything. It separated us from God and put up walls between people. What happened next? Loneliness. Hurt. Broken relationships. In other words, a world full of people feeling alone and unloved. If anyone was going to fix this, to stand in the gap and bring us back to God, it had to be God himself—Jesus.

The book of Hebrews makes it clear that this is exactly what Jesus does for us. He is our High Priest. Back in Bible times, priests had a big job—they made sacrifices to God for the people and also shared God’s messages with them. They were like a bridge between people and God. But Jesus is the great High Priest of all! He became the bridge that connects sinful people to a perfect God. Have you ever felt far from God? Look at Jesus and see—God couldn’t be any closer! In Christ, he became one of us, taking on flesh and blood and facing every single temptation we do. But here’s the amazing part: Jesus never sinned. He never once fell for the devil’s tricks and lies like we do. He knows what it’s like to be human. He gets us! But he lived perfectly in our place.

Jesus is our great High Priest who left heaven to offer the ultimate, once-and-for-all sacrifice—himself—on the cross. He destroyed the barrier of sin and brought us back to God. Now, we can go to God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, our brother, God loves us completely. We are not alone. We are not unloved. Through faith, we are joined to Jesus and loved by God forever. And because of his amazing love, we can share it with those around us, showing them that Jesus understands them too.

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, you are our great High Priest. Thank you for becoming one of us, succeeding where we have failed, and bringing us back to God. Help us to come to you boldly and to share your love with the people around us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

How do you feel when you’re by yourself? How do you feel when you’re with your friends?
Who is always with you, no matter what?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What was the job of priests in the Old Testament?
How is Jesus like those priests? How is he different?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Old Testament priests had to keep making sacrifices for sins over and over again. Why did Jesus only need to die once to take away all sin forever?
How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus understands what it’s like to be human, just like you?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Heaven Is My Home – March 14, 2025

2025/03/14/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion

Based on Philippians 3:17-4:1

Where is home? I know that’s a loaded question for someone who serves in our nation’s military or is a dependent of a military member. You might answer, “Well, it depends . . .”

Where is home? Home could be the barracks; a tiny on-base apartment in the middle of the Pacific; a CONEX container fitted out with A/C in the Middle East; a ship rocking back and forth in the middle of the ocean; or a small, rented home just outside of the gate. Home might mean a house you purchased with your own money.

Home for you—in the back of your mind—is always temporary, isn’t it? As much as you try to bloom where you’re planted, you know that eventually you’ll say, “We’re gonna move.”

And there always seems to be a longing to “go back home,” wherever that is for you—where you’re from, where a good number of friends and family live, and where they’ve lived for as long as you can remember.

For some, there is a longing, a nostalgia to return “home,” but when you go back to visit, it doesn’t always quite play out the way you envisioned in your mind. The time with family and friends doesn’t always go the way you hoped it would. So in this weird twist in your mind and heart, you’re almost happy to be back home where you live: your house, the barracks, that tiny apartment just outside of the gate, the on-base housing.

This longing for home only proves that this place, planet earth, and wherever it is you currently lay your head on your pillow at night, is temporary. All of it. That’s because God has put eternity in our hearts. It’s not just a feeling. God comes right out and says it.

In our reading today, the apostle Paul wrote to Christians who lived in Philippi, which is modern-day Turkey. Philippi was a Roman colony for military veterans, who were very proud of their Roman citizenship. They knew their names were written on a ledger in Rome, which backed up that reality. The Philippians dressed like people in Rome. They spoke like Romans. They incorporated Roman culture into their city. They longed for the city of Rome.

Paul points the Christians in Philippi and us to our permanent eternal home. He writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). In your eternal home in heaven, your names are written in the book of life. There you will be dressed like people in heaven are dressed: in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness. There you will speak the language of heaven, singing the praises of him who called you to that home. There the souls of those who have gone before us call it home and are already enjoying that blessed place called heaven.

So whether you are preparing to PCS this summer, ship out to basic training, go TDY, deploy, or redeploy, or if you’re staying put for a while at your current duty station, would you do this today? Pause, look around you, and say, “Lord, here’s where you have put me. I am here at this time and at this place. It is good to be here. But I have an eternal home. Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes fixed on that eternal home, where you are, where some of my dear friends and family in Christ have gone, where someday I too will be.”

Yes, heaven is your home.

Prayer:
Almighty God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul, knowing that my body and soul are in your protective care until you call me home to heaven.

Lord God, this week we celebrate with our nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, the American Legion, which has actively sought to strengthen our nation since 1919. Lord, we ask that you bless the programs and services of the American Legion so that you through them might enhance the wellbeing of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities. In your name I pray. Amen

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

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

He Leads the Way – March 14, 2025

2025/03/14/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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

He Leads the Way

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 4:1,2

See series: Devotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Like Us but Better – March 13, 2025

2025/03/13/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

Like Us but Better

Daily Devotion – March 13, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15

See series: Devotions

Modern travel has a way of making things impersonal. When driving, you notice the cars but pay little attention to the people in those vehicles. You don’t know anything about them, and they are forgotten as soon as you pass them. Riding in an airplane causes you to pass over homes, but you don’t stop and wonder who lives there or what their lives might be like. We pass by thousands of people, and we give little thought to who they are or what they are experiencing.

As we travel through life, we can feel like God is just one more person who is far away or removed. It can be easy to think of Jesus as someone who is near but doesn’t really understand what we are experiencing.

The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was tempted in every way that you are tempted. He can sympathize with you in your weakness. He knew hunger and had tears running down his cheeks. He had his friends leave him and knew what a long day of work feels like. He was tired, hungry, betrayed, and sad.

The next time you pray, remember that Jesus has experienced all the joys and pains that you have, but in all of this, he did not sin. He is like us but better. In good moments, he never fell into the sin of pride or failed to give thanks to God. In sad moments, he did not lose hope or fall into anger or despair. He faced our challenges and was tempted in every way yet was without sin.

We do not have an impersonal Savior. He knows us and gets us. He has been through what we have been through. He was tempted but was without sin. We have one who is like us but better.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you made your Son to be like me. When I am tempted, make me run to him, knowing that he has been tempted as I am, yet he is without sin. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Jesus, Our Giant Slayer – March 12, 2025

2025/03/12/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 1 Samuel 17:4-11,32-40,45-59

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:47

Jesus, Our Giant Slayer

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Family Devotion – March 12, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:47

See series: Devotions

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

What an unlikely hero! If you had to guess who would win this one-on-one battle, who would you pick? A nine-foot-tall giant soldier, covered in armor, trained for war since he was a kid . . . or a teenage shepherd boy with no armor and no sword? Sounds like an easy choice, right? The Philistines laughed, and the Israelites shook with fear. Back then, battles were sometimes settled by sending out just one warrior from each side to fight. Whichever warrior won; his army won the whole battle! And humanly speaking, there was no way that David—young, untrained, and mostly unarmed—could take down the mighty Goliath.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just speaking humanly.

Even though David was the one stepping onto the battlefield, he knew he wasn’t really the champion of Israel. He told Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!” David knew God was the real warrior fighting for his people. Now, let’s ask again: Goliath or God—who do you think would win? The answer is obvious for anyone who has faith. No one can stand against the Lord when he fights for his people, even if he chooses an unexpected hero!

And guess what? We were in a battle too.

On our own, we didn’t stand a chance against the devil, the world, and our own sin. We were trapped—stuck in sin and death, separated from God. But remember, we’re not just speaking humanly! The Lord still fights for his people. He stepped out of heaven and into our world as the most unlikely hero of all—a tiny baby in Bethlehem, a man baptized in the Jordan River, God hanging on a cross, and finally, Jesus walking out of the tomb—alive again!

Because of his victory, we are free. Free from sin. Free from death. Free to live as God’s children. The enemy doesn’t stand a chance, because this battle belongs to the Lord—and that Lord is on your side in Jesus, our Giant Slayer!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you have defeated all the enemies that stood against us. Thank you for your perfect victory! Give us comfort and peace, knowing that your power is always at work for us, through us, and in us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Why were the Israelites so scared of Goliath?
Who helped David to win the battle against the giant Goliath?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How could David be so confident as he walked out to battle?
How does the Lord Jesus still fight for his people?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Jesus was tempted for 40 days. How are these stories related?
How will it help you to remember that the almighty Lord is on your side in Christ?

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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.

Not Embarrassed but Confident – March 12, 2025

2025/03/12/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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

Not Embarrassed but Confident

Daily Devotion – March 12, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:16

See series: Devotions

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

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

Or we can turn to Jesus.

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

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

We are confident before God because of Jesus.

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Lent Devotion – In the Savior’s Steps – Week 1

2025/03/11/in Women's Ministry Lenten Devotions, Womens Devotions

In the Savior’s Steps

The Jordan River

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Matthew 3:13-16

What comes to mind when you picture the Jordan River? The northern area around the Jordan River is actually lush, fertile, and green, quite different from the barren wilderness further south. But the Jordan is far more than just a geographic feature. It is a place deeply rooted in God’s story of redemption. Throughout the Old Testament, the Jordan served as a symbolic border, crossing into new promises. For the nation of Israel, it marked the passage into the Promised Land. For Jesus, the Jordan was the gateway into his public ministry. At this river, Jesus was not called to repent or be baptized for the forgiveness of his own sins but to stand in our place under the perfect law of God.

Imagine the scene: crowds had gathered, listening to and acting on John’s call to repentance. As John preached, he pointed people’s hearts toward God and prepared them to meet the Savior. When Jesus approached, even John was caught off guard. Here was the perfect, sinless Lamb of God, asking for a baptism of repentance. But Jesus insisted, saying it was necessary “to fulfill all righteousness.” By his baptism, Jesus publicly declared his dedication to carrying out God’s plan for our salvation. As the official beginning of his public ministry, identifying with us in our position under the law was his first step on the road to the cross.

In that moment, as Jesus rose from the waters, the heavens opened, and God’s voice declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, anointing him for the work ahead. This moment was a visible sign that Jesus was the chosen Messiah, fully empowered by the Father and ready to begin his mission. Just as the Jordan had once represented the Israelites’ entry into the land of promise, here it marked the entry of God’s Son into his public ministry to fulfill every promise.

As we stand at the banks of the Jordan with Jesus, what can we learn? His humility challenges us. Jesus had no sin, yet he chose to place himself in our position, under the law of the holy and righteous God. Baptism, which cleanses us, became an indication of his absolute willingness to bear the burden of the law for us. This is the heart of Lent: Christ taking on our sin and guilt, walking the path we could never walk ourselves.

The Jordan River reminds us that Jesus willingly took on his role as Savior, humbling himself to become one of us. As we prepare our hearts for the solemn journey to the cross, let us remember the depth of Christ’s love that began at the Jordan and led him all the way to Calvary. Here, in the waters of the Jordan, we see a Savior who took every necessary step to redeem us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to stand in our place. As we remember Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, continue to show us the depth of his humility and his love for us. Strengthen us in this season of Lent to follow in his footsteps, trusting in your promises and rejoicing in the salvation he offers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Alycia Cameron
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

What Everyone Is Looking For – March 11, 2025

2025/03/11/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 4:14

What Everyone Is Looking For

Daily Devotion – March 11, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:14

See series: Devotions

You can go and see all of it—garments, instruments, and furniture. An organization called The Temple Institute of Jerusalem has, at tremendous cost and utmost care, recreated everything needed to begin regular temple worship in Jerusalem. Carefully embroidered clothing and special furniture covered in gold are all there and need only one more thing: They need the next great high priest to be appointed.

Of course, that isn’t going to happen.

People have poured their hearts and souls into finding a high priest. Some do it by recreating expensive priestly garments and furniture like The Temple Institute of Jerusalem. Others aren’t as flashy but are trying to create a new priesthood just the same. They hope that through some series of good deeds, right prayers, or other efforts they are being made right with God.

We are all searching for a high priest—someone who will make us right with God.

The good news is that we already have that person who has made us right with God. We have a Great High Priest in Jesus Christ. He didn’t do it through his work at the temple or by saying the right prayers. He did this at great cost, but not with gold or silver. He is the Great High Priest because he made the perfect sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world. He is the one who even today is interceding for us in heaven, saying to God the Father, “All their sins have been paid for.”

Everyone is looking for someone. In Jesus, we have the Great High Priest who makes us right with God.

Prayer:
Merciful Lord, you have made Jesus to be the Great High Priest. Make me look only to him and his work for the perfect assurance that I have been made right with God. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Jesus Stands, We Sit – Week of March 10, 2025

2025/03/10/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Jesus Stands, We Sit – Week of March 10, 2025

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

ECME Devotion March 10, 2025

See series: ECME Devotions

Sometimes my sweet tooth gets me into trouble. It’s so hard to stop eating a yummy snack! I read once that a weight loss strategy is to eat half of something, dump the rest into the garbage can and then pour coffee grounds over it so that there is no temptation to dig it out. I remember reading that and thinking “if it’s really good, I don’t think coffee grounds would stop me”.

Sometimes we joke about being tempted by decadent desserts or tempted to spend the day reading instead of cleaning the house. But giving in to real temptations of sinful thoughts and actions is no joke. It’s not funny at all when we sin against our neighbor or coworker by spreading gossip about them. By listening to gossip as a friend “vents”, we are also gossiping! When we see something that we want and “borrow” it without asking and “forget” to return it, this is stealing! When we take five minutes extra for a lunch break, we are stealing time from our employer. These are all real temptations that we face every day.

Jesus felt the same temptations and pressures that we do, but unlike us, he was not born with sin. Sometimes we call the sinfulness that we were born with our “Old Adam” because we remember that first sin that Adam and Eve committed in the garden. But Jesus did not have an “Old Adam”. He was fully human, tempted by the devil, but he was not sinful.

The words that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are” should bring us comfort. Jesus knows our struggles because he lived them! He felt the same pressures, needs, and feelings that we do. What makes him different from us is that he never sinned, never gave in to temptations, never failed. Jesus had all the feelings, emotions, and senses that we do, and yet he did not sin, not even in his thoughts.

Jesus conquered sin for us! By living his perfect life, he was worthy in God’s eyes. He earned our place in heaven, and now God sees us as his redeemed children. As Jesus stands in victory, we sit at his feet. We read and study his Word, knowing that through the works of Jesus we will one day stand before him in heaven, with the crown of victory that he won for us. Now we can approach God’s throne with confidence, knowing that our debts are paid for in full. Praise God for his mercy and love!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for withstanding the temptations of this world and dying on the cross as our substitute. Help us to continue to grow in God’s Word to fight against this world, the devil, and sins that threaten to take us away from you. Keep us close to you always, Amen.

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.

Jesus Fights for You! – March 10, 2025

2025/03/10/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.
Luke 4:1-2

Jesus Fights for You!

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Family Devotion – March 10, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 4:1-2

See series: Devotions

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

Still dripping from the waters of his baptism, the Holy Spirit hurled Jesus into the wilderness—not for rest and relaxation, but to go toe-to-toe with the old evil foe. For forty days, he wandered in the desert with nothing to eat. And then, the devil came with his temptations.

It’s a simple thought that worms into our minds and then spreads like wildfire: “Can you really trust God?” The devil wanted Jesus to doubt God’s words. At his baptism, God had declared, “You are my Son, whom I love!” But now, the devil whispered, “Are you sure? You don’t look like God’s Son. You’re weak, hungry, and all alone. If God really loved you, wouldn’t he take better care of you?”

That’s exactly how the devil works! He used this same method with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he does the same to us today. He sneaks thoughts into our minds that spread like wildfire: “Can you really trust what God says?” He tempts us to chase short-term pleasures instead of trusting God’s long-term plan. He tells us, “Go ahead, take what you want. You deserve it!” He convinces us to be greedy, selfish, and impatient. And let’s be honest, we’ve all fallen for his tricks more times than we’d like to admit.

That’s why this gospel reading is so amazing! It’s not just a “how-to” guide for defeating temptation. It’s about Jesus, our champion. He didn’t just come to show us how to be strong—he came to be strong for us. He left behind the glory, power, and praise of heaven to live a life of perfect humility and obedience. Where Adam, Eve, and every person in history have failed, Jesus was perfectly victorious.

And here’s the best part: Jesus gives that victory to you. He didn’t just fight the battle against the devil—he fought for you. By God’s undeserved love and the Holy Spirit’s power, his victory is now yours!

So, the next time you feel tempted, remember: Jesus already won. Trust him. When you fail (and we all do), turn to him for forgiveness. He is always ready to love, restore, and strengthen you!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you defeated the devil and his temptations for us. Help us trust in your perfect strength when we face temptations. Forgive us when we fail and restore to us the joy of your salvation. In your name, we pray. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Where was Jesus when the devil came to tempt him?
Jesus was hungry after not eating for forty days. What did the devil try to get Jesus to do?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

How did Jesus fight back against every one of the devil’s temptations?
What did God promise you when you were baptized? Why is that promise important when you feel tempted or fall into sin?

Questions for Middle School and Above

The devil wanted Jesus to doubt that God loved him. How does the devil try to make us doubt God’s love when life is hard?
Which is harder to say no to: something fun right now or something good that takes a long time? Why?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

A Volunteer for Us All – March 10, 2025

2025/03/10/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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

A Volunteer for Us All

Daily Devotion – March 10, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:32

See series: Devotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – March 9, 2025

2025/03/09/in Teen Devotions

One key truth: Jesus is our perfect substitute and conquering victor over sin, death, and the devil.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:1-13

One Stands; Everyone Else Sits

Jesus’ public ministry didn’t start off slow—it kicked off with some serious action. Right after being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, he went straight into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting. No food. No water. Just Jesus, alone, physically drained, and totally human. And that’s exactly when Satan decided to strike.

The prince of darkness saw his chance. He threw out every tempting offer he could—power, food, glory—all to try and distract Jesus from his mission. If he could just get Jesus to cave, to forget why he left heaven in the first place, then the whole plan of saving us from our sins would fall apart.

But Satan should have known who he was messing with. Every single temptation was shut down by the power of God’s Word. Jesus stood firm. Satan never stood a chance. This was a total victory—just like the one that would come a few years later when Jesus gave his life on the cross outside Jerusalem. His death paid for our sins. His blood washed us clean. And that victory? It wasn’t just for that moment—it’s ours today, tomorrow, and forever.

Right now, you may be chilling—scrolling through your phone, maybe sitting in a comfy chair. That’s cool. But don’t forget: while we sit, Jesus stood. He stood against Satan. He stood in our place. And because he won, we don’t have to fight this battle alone.

Victory is already ours.

Prayer:
Thank you, Almighty God, for cleansing me of my sin and calling me your own. Use your Word to remind me daily of Christ’s victory and help me seek to serve you alone in all I think, say, and do. 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.

Fear – March 9, 2025

2025/03/09/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
1 Samuel 17:50

Fear

Daily Devotion – March 9, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:50

See series: Devotions

Ancient armies, including Israel’s, used slings. Don’t think of a child’s slingshot—a stone from a skilled slinger could kill. Israel’s camp probably included many good slingers that day.

So why was David the first to meet Goliath’s challenge? Fear. Israel had won military victories, but Goliath and the Philistines presented them with a challenge they decided was too big. They forgot that they were Israel, God’s people.

David wasn’t afraid. He was angry. And he was confident that the Lord would protect him. David told his challenger: “It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47).

What challenges you? Perhaps a certain sin has great power in your life right now. The temptation comes along, and we say, “This one’s too big. All I can do is give in.” Maybe an unbelieving friend ridicules Christianity. You respond, “He’s so intelligent, so witty. I’ll just smile and nod through his tirades because there’s nothing else I can do.” Do we so easily forget that we are God’s people?

Jesus looked like a failure on the cross, but he wasn’t. He bore our failures. All the times we gave into fear instead of calling on faith. Our Champion rose again and continues to live in us, assuring us the battle will finally end in heaven. He continues to live with us, giving us the strength to meet all the challenges we face.

The giants out there are big and strong. However, they’re not nearly as big and strong as the One who is with us.

Prayer:
Lord, give me confidence to know that your strength is always 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.

Life’s Not Fair – March 8, 2025

2025/03/08/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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

Life’s Not Fair

Daily Devotion – March 8, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21

See series: Devotions

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Grab On! – March 7, 2025

2025/03/07/in Devotions, Family Devotions

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.
Luke 18:9-14

Grab On!

LISTEN HERE

Family Devotion – March 7, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 18:9-14

See series: Devotions

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

Imagine you and your best friend are hiking up a huge mountain. The view is amazing, but then—you come to a super dangerous, narrow path along the edge of a cliff! You both move slowly, trying to be careful. But suddenly—one of you slips!

You’re hanging off the edge, gripping onto the rocky cliff for dear life. Your hands are getting tired. You know you can’t hold on much longer. Then, you see your friend reaching out a hand and saying, “Grab on! I’ll pull you up!”

But instead of taking the help, you think, “I can do it on my own. I’m strong enough!” You keep trying to pull yourself up, but no matter how hard you try, you just can’t do it.

Sometimes, we think we can do things all by ourselves. We might feel like we’re smarter, stronger, or better than others. And while it’s great to know our strengths, thinking we’re better than other people can lead to pride, which is a big problem.

That’s what happened in today’s Bible story. The Pharisee thought he was better than everyone else, including the tax collector. He believed he was good enough to get into heaven on his own. But here’s the truth—he wasn’t! Just like the man hanging off the cliff, he needed help.

The tax collector, on the other hand, knew he had messed up. He didn’t try to act like he was better than others. Instead, he asked God for mercy. And that’s exactly what God gave him!

The same is true for us. No matter how hard we try, we can’t save ourselves. But guess what? Jesus can! He’s reaching out his hand to us, ready to pull us up. All we have to do is trust him!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, sometimes we try to do things all on our own, but we know we need you. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us when we couldn’t save ourselves. Help us to trust in you and not in our own strength. 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

Have you ever needed help with something? What was it?
Who is always there to help you, no matter what?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Have you ever been really sure about something, but then found out you were wrong? How did that feel? Who is never wrong and always knows what’s best?
When you feel bad about something you’ve done, like the tax collector did, what can you always be sure of?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Look at how the Pharisee and the tax collector prayed. What does Jesus want us to learn about how we should pray?
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” What do you think this means in connection to today’s devotion? How can we make sure we don’t become too proud?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

One Stands Alone – March 7, 2025

2025/03/07/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion

Based on Luke 4:1-13

There is a section of Interstate 5 that runs from San Diego County through Camp Pendleton in southern California named after a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant. He was sent to a tiny island in the Pacific during WWII, where for five months he and his fellow Marines were in the fight of their lives. Since this island was a strategic location for the Rising Sun Empire, U.S. forces knew they needed to capture and hold the airfield on Guadalcanal.

For two bloody days this Marine, John Basilone, fought against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty. He not only held his ground but under heavy enemy fire battled his way through enemy lines to supply his men with much-needed ammunition. For his personal valor and courageous initiative, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

After being recalled to the States, Basilone toured the country, raising money for the war effort. Just over a year later, Basilone received orders to return to the Pacific fight. On February 19, 1945—80 years ago—the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, Basilone found himself and his fellow Marines pinned down from every direction. Disregarding the safety of his own life, he courageously and shrewdly worked his way around the flanking enemy position, attacking the enemy with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying an entire enemy stronghold.

Then, Basilone repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of enemy shells while coming to the aid of a U.S. tank trapped in a minefield. He skillfully guided the vehicle through the hazardous terrain to safety. Basilone pushed forward with dauntless courage and determination until he was killed instantly by a bursting mortar shell. For his intrepid initiative, he was awarded the Navy Cross.

This story often feels like my own life. What about you? I’m on a battlefield, where the enemy spiritual forces of darkness relentlessly attack my position. They constantly remind me of how often I have failed in my mission from my commander, which is to love and serve my neighbor and my God more than myself. Some days are better than others, but on most days, it feels as if the enemy has overrun my position and my guilt-laden conscience. I have regret over the sinful, selfish decisions I’ve made, and memories of the good I’ve left undone get the best of me. The enemy is more than willing to remind me of these things. What about you?

There on the battlefield stands a hero. One who stands alone. One who received the same attacks and the same accusations from the enemy, but didn’t have any regrets. No guilty conscience. No good left undone. But he was attacked just the same. The enemy tried with all their tactics and cunning to dislodge him from his secure position. With no regard for his own life, he entered that battlefield and won the war, for you and me.

The one who stands alone victorious is your commander, Jesus. When the devil tried to tempt him to disbelieve his Father’s promises, Jesus instead stood firm on his Father’s promises. Jesus defeated the devil this way—not to show you how to defeat the devil but to show you he has defeated the devil.

So when your life feels like John Basilone’s—standing alone, fighting the enemy—know that the battle has been won for you. Stand against the enemy. Know that their bullets and mortar rounds fall short. Christ has won for you. He stands alone so you might stand victorious with him.

I encourage you to read Luke 4:1-13 today. Find joy and comfort and safety in the victory Jesus has won for you over the enemy.

Prayer:
Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil’s temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan’s lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory, that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence.

Today we thank you for men and women who train canines to serve in our nation’s military. Since 1942 our nation’s military has used canines as security patrol, search and rescue, and detection. This week as our U.S. military recognizes Military Working Dogs, we ask that you be with the handlers and trainers of these canines. Use these creatures of your marvelous creation to save and preserve life. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

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

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

A Great Exchange Indeed – March 7, 2025

2025/03/07/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

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

A Great Exchange Indeed

Daily Devotion – March 7, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21

See series: Devotions

The Christian religion seems to be so complicated. What’s an easy way to explain it?

God in heaven is holy. He wants people to join him in heaven, so they must be holy, too. God explains what it means to be holy by giving us his commandments, and he tells us to keep each of them with everything we do, think, or say. He says, “Be holy as I the Lord your God am holy.”

God looks down from heaven and sees that no one is holy, not even one. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He warns us that the consequences of sin include death, and that is not just the separation of body and soul. That is also eternal separation from God in hell. That’s a problem.

Human beings have tried various solutions to the problem. They speculate that they don’t have to be holy; they must simply be holier than the next person. But that’s not what God says. They speculate that they must simply improve as they live their lives. But that’s not what God requires. They think they can do good things to make up for the bad things they have done. But God says that all the ways we try to make up for our sins are worthless.

God has a solution to the problem. He sent his only Son, Jesus, into the world, and Jesus lived a holy life. He always did and thought and said what was right. He never did anything wrong. He had no sin. But at the end of his life, he did not take heaven as the reward for his good life. Instead, he suffered hell when he died on the cross. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. He rose from the dead to prove it.

In a great exchange, God took our sin, and then declared that all people who believe in Jesus get the righteousness of Jesus credited to their spiritual accounts. Through faith, we become the righteousness of God. That’s our ticket to heaven. It’s that simple.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for taking my sin and giving me your righteousness. Amen.

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

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