Devotions

We are Weak but He is Strong – Week of February 5, 2024

2024/02/05/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

We are Weak but He is Strong – Week of February 5, 2024

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even you grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Isaiah 40:28-31

ECME Devotion February 5, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

There are pictures of my nephew sleeping everywhere. On the table, under the table, on a bench at the playground, and even on top of a garbage can during the Disney World parade. When he is tired, he sleeps—no matter where he is or what is going on around him.

Have you ever been THAT tired? So tired that you can sleep anywhere? Or perhaps you feel very fatigued but can’t stop to rest. You feel as though you have to “push through” the busy day, only to get up the next day and do it all again. It’s difficult to do tasks well and faithfully when we are tired. It’s hard to give the best that we have when we are weary and don’t have the energy.

What’s more, the devil knows our weaknesses. He sees our fatigue and uses it to try to separate us from God. The devil wants us to give in to our fatigue and doubt God and his promises. And then we do–we give in to his temptation and our selfish desires. We do the things that we know we shouldn’t do, and then excuse ourselves by saying “I was just tired.”

Yes, the devil knows our weaknesses. BUT the good news is, so does God. God is our creator and we are his creatures. In six days, he made the world and everything in it, using only his power and his words. God understands our needs and weaknesses because he is the one who made us!
We grow weary and weak, but God does not. He never tires. He always gives his best and never leaves a task incomplete. His promises stand firm forever, and his strength goes far beyond our understanding.

We are made strong through the death and resurrection of Jesus, who took all our weaknesses upon himself when he died on the cross. And now that we are his own, he strengthens us. When we trust in God and his promises, asking him for strength, he gives it. God gives us the strength to complete our tasks faithfully.

When we try to rely on our own strength to resist temptation, we fail. It is only through faith in Jesus that we find the strength that we need. And when our body is so fatigued, so weak that we cannot take another breath—God will strengthen us once again. He will take us to our true home, heaven, where we will never grow weary or weak. May God renew our strength as we continue to serve him until he brings us home!

Prayer:
Dear Everlasting Lord and Creator,
You know my weaknesses and failures. Help me to trust in you to give me the strength to resist temptations and complete the tasks that you have set before me. Renew my strength so that I may live for you until you take me to be with you in heaven. Amen.

A Question to Consider:
What truths from God’s Word can you remember the next time that you are tired or weak?

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.

I Can’t Do This Anymore! – February 5, 2024

2024/02/05/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Isaiah 40:27-31

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:28,29,31a

I Can’t Do This Anymore!

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Family Devotion – February 5, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:28,29,31a

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever tried again and again to get something right, but you couldn’t seem to succeed? Maybe you are struggling with a math problem at school or a basketball shot that never goes in the hoop, maybe you said something to a parent but could tell they weren’t really listening. You get frustrated. Maybe you’ve even said, “I can’t do this anymore” or even worse, “If this is happening, does God really care about me?”

Does it help to know you’re not the only one? In today’s reading, God’s people were feeling the same. Here was their concern, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause disregarded.” That’s Old Testament language for, “Does God even care about me anymore?”

Here is God’s answer: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” That means that God knows better. He knows know you feel. And he knows what’s better for you at home, at school, or wherever you are.

It’s okay to admit that you are weaker than God. You might be strong, but God loves showing his power when you’re feeling weakest. Think about it like a game off tug-of-war. If God is pulling in one direction, and you’re pulling against him, you will lose every time! But God loves to be on your side and pull for you especially in the times you feel most frustrated. It doesn’t mean you won’t still face problems, but they will not be torture. In fact, it might even be as easy as gliding like an eagle in the sky!

The next time you’re frustrated and want to give up saying, “I can’t do it!” remember to “hope in the Lord” (verse 31). Hope isn’t just wishing things were good (like “hoping the weather is good tomorrow”). God never gets tired of helping you. You can trust him to pull you in the right direction.

Closing Prayer:

God, humble me to see your ways as better than my ways. Remove all the things that are not pleasing to you from my life and renew my strength from my hope in you alone. 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

Talk about the last time you walked or ran so far that you got tired and needed someone to carry you.
It’s okay to get tired or frustrated. How can God “carry” you during those times?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

The Bible talks about soaring like an eagle when we trust in God. Describe the difference between how an eagle soars and other birds who flap their wings.
Why would God say that we will soar like eagles when we trust in him?

Questions for Middle School and Above

In verse 28 the author asked, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” This assumes that we should already know and have already heard what he’s going to say next. But he still says it again. Why do you think we need to hear these promises of God again and again?
What’s a place in your life where you sometimes think God doesn’t care about you? How does today’s Word of God answer your worry?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The Devil’s Work Undone – February 5, 2024

2024/02/05/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Mark 1:32-39

The Devil’s Work Undone

Daily Devotion – February 5, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:32-39

See series: Devotions

Demon possession is an ancient problem. When Jesus came to earth to undertake his saving work, many people were demon-possessed. Jesus drove the demons out of them. When the demons tried to speak, Jesus would not let them. They knew that Jesus was God, and they might have said so, but since demons like to lie, people might have been confused.

The devil and his demons are all liars. They claim the work of Jesus is not complete, and that people are not forgiven. Such lies are a problem both ancient and modern. Jesus spoke the truth when he preached so that people would not be deceived by lies. He undid the lying work of the devil.

People who speak the truth today continue to undo the lying work of the devil. The message of repentance and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus is the central truth of the Bible. Anyone who speaks against that truth is doing the work of the devil and his demons. Anyone who speaks that truth is undoing demonic work.

There is still demon possession today. But the devil’s work is undone by the power of Jesus in his Word and sacraments. Let the promises of God give you strength in the face of all fears and temptations. Jesus has defeated the devil.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let your holy angel be with me, that the devil may have no power over me. Amen.

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

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – February 4, 2024

2024/02/04/in Teen Devotions

One truth shared: Our battles with Satan throughout this life are victorious in Christ alone.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11

The Devil’s Work Undone

“Stop fighting” is a phrase that most of us heard as children at least a few times… and sometimes many more. It can be a passionate command shouted from a teacher, a parent, or a coach.

In our reading for today, though, the apostle Paul tells Christians of all time and place something very different. He reminds us that a very real battle is being waged throughout our time on this earth. A fierce battle. A battle in which someone wins, and someone loses.

That, though, is why Peter’s encouragement gives us so much comfort, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Truth is, Satan hates you, dear Christian. He is a sore loser and will do anything and everything in attempt to drag you away from God’s goodness and mercy. He will use the influences all around you to try to get you to forsake your blood-bought relationship with Jesus our Savior and to distance yourself from worshiping him alone.

And that’s why we fight. That’s why we confidently hear Peter’s command to “Resist (Satan).” Not only do we resist him, though. Christ stands beside us to bolster our resistance. What an amazing assurance Peter shares with us—an assurance for today; an assurance for eternity—“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” What an amazing promise that in Christ, we will triumph.

We are in the Epiphany season of the church year. The Epiphany King who reveals himself in so many ways during our lives also fights for us, dear warriors. In him there is strength. In him there is victory. In him there is peace. That’s why Peter ends this section of Scripture—and we end this devotion—with a resounding, “To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Prayer: Keep me close to you, Lord Jesus, by the power of your Word and sacrament. Empower me for the battles ahead, knowing that my home is with you in heaven. 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.

Depending on Our Great God – February 4, 2024

2024/02/04/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

Depending on Our Great God

Daily Devotion – February 4, 2024

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:26

See series: Devotions

Have you ever wondered when Michaelangelo finally knew that the Sistine Chapel was done? How did Leonardo da Vinci know Mona Lisa’s smile was just right? At what point did Rembrandt know he had finished a masterpiece?

Now try to grasp our God creating the universe and concluding that one more star would be too many, and one less would be not enough. Think about the fact that he called them all into existence and named each one of them.

It is valuable to feel small and insignificant in the presence of our great God. We are reminded how blessed we are to be dependent on him. This great God has given his Son to pay for our sins. This great God assures us that we can rest securely in his protective care. This great God comes to us in his Word and tells us how much he loves us.

Prayer: (Psalm 108:3-6)
I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. Amen

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

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

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

Respect

2024/02/03/in Devotions, Womens Devotions

Respect – Women’s Devotion

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:1-4 EHV

In this passage, Paul was talking to the church in Philippi; he wanted the church to be unified in their devotion to the Lord and not fighting all the time. Yet these concepts are applicable to marriage relationships as well, particularly regarding respect—respect for one’s spouse and respect for the marriage bond.

Christian marriages unite two people in Christ and make them “one in spirit” even if they don’t always feel in sync. Their unified purpose is to bring glory to God in a loving and successful marriage. Christian spouses will be like-minded in serving the Lord with all their actions, but the way they treat one another should be of utmost importance. Respect for one’s spouse shows respect for God and his blessing of marriage.

Even if a husband is not a believer or is a believer with a weak faith, the two can still be of the same mind in their marriage, with the goal of creating a loving and successful relationship. If they are like-minded in putting their partnership ahead of their individual desires, they will respect one another and act in the best interest of the marriage. The purpose of the believing spouse remains the same: to bring God glory and to strive for a compassionate marriage.

In both cases, respect for one another is key to achieving the shared purpose. A woman who shows admiration for her husband, even when he makes mistakes, is bringing joy to the Lord of blessings and unity to the marriage. “Selfish ambition and vain conceit” would tell us to make demands of our husbands and to belittle them so we ourselves look better. To combat this sinful tendency, it is important to stop and think before we speak and act. Is what I am about to do or say in his best interest or in the best interest of our marriage? Is making fun of my husband in public, going behind his back to make important decisions, or criticizing his actions going to bring glory to God? Am I being humble, recognizing my own sins and weaknesses, before pointing out his? Am I building him up or tearing him down?

Marriage is difficult. It is only through the encouragement of being united with Christ that we can show love, compassion, and respect, considering our spouses above ourselves. With the gift of a marriage partnership, God gives us the responsibility of a shared purpose and the privilege of a shared joy.

Prayer:
Thank you, God, for the gift of marriage and the unity we have in Christ. Enable me to bring you glory as I respect my husband and show him love and compassion. Amen.

Written by DeLyn Wagenknecht

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We Live in God’s World – February 3, 2024

2024/02/03/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:4

We Live in God’s World

Daily Devotion – February 3, 2024

Devotion based on Hebrews 3:4

See series: Devotions

The Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Chicago is one of the tallest and most famous buildings in the world. That building did not just appear by itself. Behind the fame of that building is the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. This firm has received great honor for its work with that tower. Every time someone looks into the history of the building, its name is attached to it.

The accomplishment of this firm is put into perspective by the message we read today from God’s Word. God is the builder of everything. He built everything when he created the world. We live in his world, but we don’t always give him the honor he deserves. In fact, we do just the opposite. We tend to take what he has made and abuse it and waste and misuse what he has given us. We aren’t satisfied with the physical and natural blessings he provides. Through our sins, we heap insult and dishonor before his feet and destroy what he has built.

But in his grace, God did not wipe us out for the lack of honor we show him. Instead, he followed a plan to rescue us from our failures and restore us to himself. His plan included sending prophets like Moses, who proclaimed that a Savior would come to save us. His plan unfolded as the promised Savior finally came, revealing himself as Jesus, the Son of God. Through Jesus, God grants us the forgiveness of sins and gives us new life—life that lasts forever with God.

Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill may receive honor as long as the Willis Tower stands. Yet we have a God who will receive eternal honor, for he has restored us as a new creation through Jesus, a restoration that will never be destroyed.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I give thanks that you have restored me through Jesus as your new creation. Lead me to honor you always for every blessing you give for both body and soul. Amen.

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

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

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

There’s Power When Jesus Speaks – February 2, 2024

2024/02/02/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Mark 1:21-28

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Mark 1:21-28

There’s Power When Jesus Speaks

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Family Devotion – February 2, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:21-28

See series: Devotions

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

Seven-year-old Lucas took his dog Skipper for a walk. Skipper was a big dog. In fact, Skipper was twice as big as Lucas! As they were walking on the sidewalk in front of his house, a rabbit suddenly ran out from underneath a shrub. “Uh-oh,” Lucas thought, “This is trouble.” He immediately took a deep breath and said as loudly as he could, “STAY BOY!” Amazingly, Skipper stayed. Skipper stood still, looked up at Lucas, and began to wag his tail. Lucas knelt down next to him, wrapped his arms around him, and praised Skipper. “Good boy,” he said over and over. Then Skipper gave Lucas a great big sloppy kiss on the cheek.

If Skipper hadn’t listened and took off after the rabbit, what do you think would have happened to Lucas? You’re right, he would have been dragged behind him. Skipper was much stronger than the boy. But he had also been trained to listen to that one command, “STAY!”

There is no way you can take the devil for a walk on a leash. He is so much more powerful than we are. Too often, we can’t even control ourselves. We think that if we just try hard enough we will never sin again. But the devil loves to tug us toward temptation. Sin has a powerful pull on us. It is so hard to control.

But when Jesus speaks, the devil and his evil spirit must listen. Today’s Bible reading proves it! And when Jesus speaks about you, he says that you are a child of God. That means something coming from Jesus. It is a promise that has power behind it. Even the devil himself has to listen and submit. He cannot do anything to take you away from Jesus.

Oh yes, the devil will try to tug you away from Jesus. He will shriek and holler and tell lies. He will try to get you to believe that you don’t need Jesus or his Word in your life. Don’t listen to him! Listen to Jesus and his Word. He can command, “Be quiet!” or “Come out!” or “Go away!” and evil has no choice but to obey him.

When Jesus speaks to us today, all the authority of God has been given to him. When Jesus speaks, the devil and his armies fall in terror. When Jesus speaks, his sheep listen to his voice and know they are safe.

Don’t ever stop listening to Jesus!

Closing Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for speaking powerfully to us in your Word. 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 can we still hear Jesus speak to us today?
God is omnipotent, which means he is all-powerful. Make a list of at least three things that God has power over. How do you feel knowing that God is in charge of all things?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Jesus demonstrated power over an evil spirit by simply speaking. What does that tell us about the power of God’s Word we have in the Bible?
Think of a problem you are facing in your life right now. How does this Bible reading help remind you of God’s ability to help you in any situation?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Jesus came to earth to defeat sin, death, and the devil. In this reading, Jesus demonstrated his authority over an impure spirit from the devil. Where did Jesus also show his power over sin and death during his ministry on earth?
Apply today’s Bible story to your life. Think of something bad or evil that you feel powerless to change. With it in mind, pray the Lord’s Prayer and especially keep in mind the petition, “Deliver us from evil.”

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Military Devotion – We Are At War – February 2, 2024

2024/02/02/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Military Devotion – We Are At War – February 2, 2024

Based on 1 Peter 5:6-11

An Iraq air base, housing US troops is attacked by Iranian linked militants – and U.S. military personnel are injured. One my friends is on that base. Two Navy SEALS are declared dead after a mission to stop Iranian weapons off the coast of Somalia. I have friends who worked with those SEALS. U.S. troops in Syria have been attacked almost 100 times since October 2023. I know some of those troops in Syria. Naval sailors and aviators engage in targeted strikes while patrolling the waters of the Red Sea.

We are at war.

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.

Authority Worthy of All Honor – February 2, 2024

2024/02/02/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
Hebrew 3:1

Authority Worthy of All Honor

Daily Devotion – February 2, 2024

Devotion based on Hebrew 3:1

See series: Devotions

Moses was a great prophet. Jesus is greater.

God sent Jesus to share God’s message. He showed the world that sin is not just something we do. We are sin-sick. Sin so thoroughly stains our hearts that even the good we do is filthy in God’s eyes. But it is to sin-sick people like us that God sent Jesus. He shared with the world that God takes no delight in the death of anyone. He is our Savior who wants everyone to be saved.

That is why Jesus came into this world—to save sinners. He did not save us because of our good behavior. He saved us by the sacrifice of himself on the cross. He did it without our asking or pleading. By the sacrifice of his Son and the work his Spirit through his Word, God sets us apart for salvation. He makes us his sons and daughters and gives us a share in the glory of heaven.

For giving us what we do not deserve, Jesus deserves our highest honor. God told Moses that honoring Jesus means listening to him. But listening to him means more than just hearing what he has to say. Listening to Jesus means doing what he says.

Fix your thoughts on Jesus—and you will freely forgive as God in Christ has forgiven you. Fix your thoughts on Jesus—and you will find freedom in living a pure and decent life in word and action. Fix your thoughts on Jesus— and you will delight to serve others and consider their needs more important than your own. Fix your thoughts on Jesus—and you will never lose confidence or hope in the future glory Jesus is preparing for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength belong to you forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

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

Verbal Authority – February 1, 2024

2024/02/01/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
Deuteronomy 18:15

Verbal Authority

Daily Devotion – February 1, 2024

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15

See series: Devotions

This year, countries with more than half the world’s population will hold elections. That is a lot of campaigning. Some of what they say will be good and helpful, and some will be bad and harmful. Sometimes, what sounds good will be bad, and what sounds harmful will be helpful.

How can you know to whom and what you should listen? You need one voice that serves as the authority over all other voices. A voice that is always unchanging, reliable, and true. Who is like that? People lie. People fail to keep their promises. People change their minds. But God is not like us. He cannot lie and does not change his mind. He says what he means and does what he says.

Jesus, the Son of God, is a voice you can trust. The Old Testament records over 300 prophecies and promises regarding the Savior. Jesus fulfilled them all. Everything he spoke came from God. As God, Jesus has the authority to tell us what is right and what is wrong. He has the authority to condemn us for not listening to his Word but also has the authority to forgive us. And he has.

Because he is truly God, Jesus had the authority to lay down his life for the sins of the world. His death pays for sin, once and for all. But he also had the authority to take his life back again. His resurrection is proof that everything he did and said is unchanging, reliable, and true.

So, when it comes to other voices in the world, how can you know to whom and what you should listen? Compare what they say to what God’s Word, the Bible says. If what they say does not line up with what God says, cover your ears.

God’s Word does not tell us everything we might want to know, but it does tell us everything we need to know. By the authority of Christ Jesus, you are forgiven for all your sins. Listen to him.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, your Word is my light and my life. Lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.

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

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

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

Jesus Builds Your House – January 31, 2024

2024/01/31/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Hebrews 3:1-6

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Hebrews 3:1-6

Jesus Builds Your House

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Family Devotion – January 31, 2024

Devotion based on Hebrews 3:1-6

See series: Devotions

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

When builders build a house, there are many questions they ask. How many bedrooms and bathrooms will the house have? Will it have a garage? Will it have a big kitchen? Will it have a basement, a fireplace, a pool, or a front porch? Then they then have to plan how all of those pieces will fit together. Where will the rooms be? How will electricity and water run safely through the house? Will the walls be able to support the weight of the roof? The details are almost countless.

Today, God pictures his Church as a house. God’s people throughout the history of the world have all been built together to form one unit. Even though there are many pieces and many different ways history could have gone, God made sure it went one way.

What is the way God made sure everything went? It all points to Jesus. Everything in the Old Testament, even though it was written long before Jesus lived, points to Jesus. Everything in the New Testament, even the things that happened after Jesus died and rose again, all points to Jesus.

The same is true for you and me. Everything that we do points to Jesus. After all, God says we are part of his house. And Jesus is over his house. This is why the church preaches Jesus every time you attend worship. This is why God has placed you where you are right now. You can say to yourself, “I was put here by God to point to Jesus.” Then live in such a way that gives honor to Jesus as the one who built the church.

There are lots of ways you do this. You start by going to a church which faithfully preaches Jesus. You also try at all times to avoid sin. And when you fail, you turn to Jesus. He doesn’t kick you out of his house. Instead, he forgives you so you can always remain in his house. When people ask you why you live the way you do, tell them that you are not any more special than they are. But you are part of a very special house—Jesus’ house!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me to live a life that always points to you as my hope. 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

List some of the people who live in your house. The Bible tells us that we are part of another family of believers in Christ. Who are some of the other people in this family?
In today’s devotion, who is in charge of the house? How do you know?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

List some of the tools and materials that a builder needs to build a house. How does God build his “house” of believers?
How does Jesus give us confidence and hope that we are part of his house?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Moses was a faithful believer who led God’s people, the Israelites, out of Egypt and to the land promised them by God. Moses was a prophet who spoke from God to the people. How was Jesus like Moses? How is Jesus greater than Moses?
“Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” Describe in your own words what that’s saying. Then give one way you can do that.

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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.

Humble Authority – January 31, 2024

2024/01/31/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites.
Deuteronomy 18:18

Humble Authority

Daily Devotion – January 31, 2024

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:18

See series: Devotions

God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of four centuries of slavery. Moses stood face to face with the Pharaoh of Egypt and won. He oversaw millions of people, handling their complaints, leading them through the wilderness, and judging their toughest disputes. Moses was important. He was the man. But he wrote of himself: “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).

Isn’t that ironic? It certainly does not seem like a very humble thing to say. Until you consider what author C.S. Lewis wrote, “humility is not thinking less about yourself but thinking about yourself less.” That certainly was Moses. Moses did not care about rank or reputation. He put the needs of the Israelites ahead of his own and brought them to the Promised Land.

As humble as Moses was, his sin barred him from entering the Promised Land. And his humility could not save all the Israelites who died in unbelief in the wilderness.

It was the humility of another like Moses that got Moses into heaven. Jesus is the prophet God chose to lead his people out of spiritual slavery. As God, Jesus has absolute authority over everyone and everything.

Yet Jesus did not use that authority to his own advantage. He put our needs ahead of his own and gave his life on the cross. He used his humble authority to pay our sin debt with his blood. Victorious over the grave, Jesus is the way through the wilderness. All who believe in him have eternal life in the land that God has promised.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, give me humility like yours so I can be confident in my salvation and share your salvation with those in need. Amen.

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

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

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

The Final Authority – January 30, 2024

2024/01/30/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. . . Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”
Mark 1:21,23-27

The Final Authority

Daily Devotion – January 30, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:21,23-27

See series: Devotions

Seventeenth-century French philosopher Rene Descartes is known for the saying: “I think, therefore I am.” The Twenty-first Century bumper sticker equivalent is: “Honk if you exist.”

If you want to know what issues matter to society or the mindset of current culture, read their bumper stickers. One of the more popular is the command to “QUESTION AUTHORITY.” It is a warning not to follow blindly after anyone just because they are influential. Certainly, not everyone with authority is trustworthy, but that does not mean that everyone is not trustworthy.

Jesus is an authority you can trust. He proved it by what he proclaimed. When Jesus taught in the synagogue, he did not just regurgitate what other teachers of the law thought God’s Word meant. He did not reiterate their manufactured laws. Jesus proclaimed the freedom, healing, and release that God promised. Then he backed up his word with action. With the same authority that the people heard Jesus teach, they witnessed him drive a demon out of a man.

Despite society’s efforts to convince us otherwise, regardless of whatever bumper sticker gets slapped on the back of a car, Jesus is the final authority. When Jesus died on the cross, he destroyed the devil’s work. And when he rose from the grave, he proved his victory over sin, death, and hell. That victory is yours through faith in your Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, what peace, what joy, what hope is mine that you are the final authority over all things in life and in death. Amen.

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

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

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

Nothing but the Truth – January 29, 2024

2024/01/29/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”

The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Nothing but the Truth

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Family Devotion – January 29, 2024

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15-20

See series: Devotions

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

The movie Raiders of the Lost Ark ends with the bad guys opening the lost Ark of the Covenant and seeing the glory of God. At least, that’s what the movie wants you to imagine. Of course, a movie could never capture the glory of God. Yet, this movie did demonstrate this truth: Seeing God’s glory is terrifying.

In today’s devotion, the people of Israel experienced the presence of God in the wilderness. They listened to the prophet, Moses, as he shared with them the very words God gave him. The Israelites didn’t have to guess what God wanted them to do. He told them. When they heard his commands and saw him display his awesome power, they were scared.

God is still powerful and awesome. And he still has given us commands to follow. In the Bible, he tells us exactly what to do. And if we don’t obey him, he says we will die. Make no mistake, God will treat us that way if we reject him and if we don’t listen to his word. That’s scary, isn’t it?

Thankfully, that is not what he wants to do—scare you into obeying him. God wants us to know everything about him. He wants us to know that he was totally committed to the people of Israel. He protected them and led them to the land he promised them. That what it means to be faithful. God is faithful. And he promises to be faithful to us, too.

The best way he showed his faithfulness was giving us a prophet even greater than Moses. Jesus is a better prophet than Moses because he not only tells us what to do, he tells us what he has already done. He has kept God’s commands perfectly in our place. He listened to everything the Lord our God said. Jesus also says to us that we need only listen to him.

What a comforting message! When someone says that you have to work harder for God to love you more, listen to Jesus. He says he has done everything we need and promises to always tell the truth. And here’s the truth for today: Because of Jesus, God’s glory isn’t scary anymore. So go to Jesus. Listen to him! Pay attention to what he says and enjoy the best news you’ll ever hear. It’s God’s undeserved love is for you!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me fix my eyes always on you for my hope and my salvation. 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

Today’s devotion talked about God’s glory and how scared God’s people were of it. Explain why you don’t have to be scared of it.
The name of Jesus wasn’t in today’s Scripture reading, but it did talk about him with a special word, what was it? (Hint: “I will raise up for them a prophet ….”)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Prophets were people who spoke from God to his people, the Israelites. How is Jesus a better prophet than any other one (like Moses)?
God warned about false prophets who don’t tell the truth about him. Why is God serious about the teaching of his Word?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Later in the Bible, Jesus warns that many false teachers will appear before end times and lead people away from the truth of God’s Word. According to the reading above, how can we separate truth from false teachings?
Describe how you would want to react if you heard someone teaching contrary to God’s Word. Why is important to watch our reactions?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The Builder of Everything – Week of January 29, 2024

2024/01/29/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

The Builder of Everything – Week of January 29, 2024

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

Hebrews 3:1-4

ECME Devotion January 29, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

There’s a Victorian house in the heart of St. Paul, MN that was built in 1889 and then purchased by newlyweds in 1983. The house had been converted to 6 apartments, and the couple spent years bringing the house back to the original one-family dwelling. They spent hours researching the time period and then even more time working with their own hands– sanding and stripping wood to bring back the original floors and banisters, searching for wall paper and furnishings for the time period, and living in less-than-comfortable conditions as the bathrooms and kitchens were worked on. It is a beautiful home, and I am proud of the work that my aunt and uncle put into this home. The “builder of the house has great honor”.

It is easy for us to look at man-made work with honor and respect, forgetting that everything that we do, even our “best work”, is tainted with sin. There is nothing that we do that is without sin. We complain about the work we have to do, or covet the skills or means of others, or we get weary and only do the bare minimum. God is faithful; we are not.

God wants us to focus our eyes not on our earthly home, but our heavenly home. He wants us to honor not the builders of things in this world, but the “builder of everything”. The creator is superior to his creatures. God made the world, and when his creation was destroyed by sin, he made a plan. God, the “builder of everything”, made a blueprint for our salvation, a path to heaven. His plan was to give us a Christmas miracle, a tiny baby that would live the faithful life that we cannot, and then take on the sins of the entire world that he created.

God wants us to “fix our eyes on Jesus”, the ONE that saved us from our big problem of sin. God has absolute authority over heaven and earth, and he sent his son, Jesus, to destroy the sin in this world and in our hearts.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, all power in heaven and on earth is yours. Thank you for giving us this world to live in. Most of all, thank you for sending your son to die for the sins of all people. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus until the day that you bring me to him. 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.

A Prophet Like Moses – January 29, 2024

2024/01/29/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites.
Deuteronomy 18:15

A Prophet Like Moses

Daily Devotion – January 29, 2024

Devotion based on Deuteronomy 18:15

See series: Devotions

The prophet. When you hear those words, who comes to mind? If you are of Arab descent, you think of Muhammed, the founder of Islam. If you live in the western United States of America, you probably think of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church. If you are connected to Orthodox Judaism, you think of Moses.

There were many prophets that God commissioned in the Old Testament. But none like Moses. God himself sent Moses to the Israelites. God made Moses their leader, and he was their deliverer. Moses led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. He performed miracles and wonders. And God spoke face-to-face with Moses, giving him the laws that governed the Israelites for over a thousand years.

As great as Moses was, God raised up a greater prophet—Jesus.

The law was given through Moses, but the Israelites could not fulfill it. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. We cannot fulfill God’s law either, but Jesus graciously kept the law in our place. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the laws that God gave Moses.

The truth is we all deserve to die for our sins, but Jesus graciously died in our place. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the entire world. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. By his resurrection from the dead, Jesus has opened the way to eternal life with God in the Promised Land of heaven.

Jesus is the way for all who follow him in faith.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my Prophet, Priest, and King, teach me your way, forgive my sins, and govern my heart by your grace and truth. Amen.

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

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

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

Transformed – teen devotion – January 28, 2024

2024/01/28/in Teen Devotions

One truth shared: Christ Jesus has absolute authority in every aspect of our lives as his children on earth.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Mark 1:21-28

Absolute Authority

Even the demons knew who Jesus was and had to admit his absolute authority! How amazing.

Jesus shows up with his disciples at the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath Day. Already well known, he is invited to speak to the assembled crowd. His wisdom about Scripture and the manner in which he applies it to the people’s lives does not go unnoticed. The crowd is in awe as he “taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

This wasn’t limited authority, though. A teacher has authority over a classroom. A mayor has authority over a city. The owner of a sports franchise has authority over every aspect of his team, and a governor has authority only over his state. Not Jesus, though. He not only taught as one who had authority over the Scriptures, but exhibits with the man possessed by an evil spirit that he had power over much more than that. This Jesus of Nazareth was God become man. He had absolute authority in any and every situation.

What a comfort that gives us, dear friends. When life seems to be spiraling out of control, Jesus has got us. Divine authority must be factored in. When no one else seems to understand, our Savior does. Not only does he have the want and desire to help, though. He’s got the power and authority to help us through any and every situation as well.

Throughout this Epiphany season, we see Jesus revealing himself as the true Son of God and Savior of the entire world. We see little glimpses of his divinity, all the while marveling at his humility which led him through life and to the cross. As we look at our reading today, no wonder “news about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.” Let it be today’s headline for your life! Jesus still is the authority of what’s best for your life. He will continue to work faith in people’s hearts and strengthen us for life today and life eternal in heaven.

Prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of my worship and praise. I look to you for all things and ask you to never leave me. 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.

Amazed – January 28, 2024

2024/01/28/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 1:21,22

Amazed

Daily Devotion – January 28, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:21,22

See series: Devotions

What does it take to amaze you? Are you often astounded? Or does that happen somewhat infrequently, only when there’s something really out of the ordinary?

Mark says that the people were amazed when Jesus taught in the synagogue. Why so? It was because of the content of Jesus’ teaching. The religious leaders simply demanded from the people: “Do this! Live this way! Act this way!” Jesus, on the other hand, spoke not merely of external things, but spoke to the heart. He spoke of God’s promises being fulfilled of the promised Savior—himself! He told them that in him was the salvation which God had promised to send to the world.

Think of it—God loved you and me enough to come to this earth himself. God loved you and me so much that he was willing to live our life and willing to die for us. We sinful humans had separated ourselves from God and had no way to get back to him, but God loved you too much to lose you, so he did what was necessary to reunite you to him. He lived, he died, he rose, all for you!

Amazing. And true! Because it comes from God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me about all you have done for me. May it always amaze me! Amen.

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

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

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

A Substitute – January 27, 2024

2024/01/27/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

God made him [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

A Substitute

Daily Devotion – January 27, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21

See series: Devotions

On June 2, 1925, Wally Pip, the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees, was hit in the head by a pitch in pre-game batting practice. The manager put a substitute in to play for Pip that day. Pip never started another game at first base for the Yankees because his substitute went on to play in 2,130 straight games—a record that stood for many years. What a substitution! You probably never heard of Wally Pip. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, you probably heard of Pip’s substitute: Lou Gehrig. He’s in Baseball’s Hall of Fame!

The Bible tells us about a substitution that was even more spectacular. Over 2,000 years ago, God put a substitute on Calvary’s cross for all sinners. Our substitute’s name was Jesus Christ. Although this God-man was perfect, he willingly took our sins and imperfections upon himself and was punished in our place. He experienced the agony of hell and the righteous anger of a holy God for you and me! By his wounds we are healed. Our sins are paid for. We are righteous in God’s sight because of our substitute.

Because of a substitution, Lou Gehrig is in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Trusting in the substitute that God appointed for you—Jesus Christ, you will be in heaven’s Hall of Fame, forever!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often sin and deserve to be separated from you and all your blessings. But in love you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, who bore the guilt of my sin for me and died to set me free from the condemnation I deserve. Thanks and praise to you for Jesus, my substitute! Amen.

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

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

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

Faithful Fishermen – January 26, 2024

2024/01/26/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Mark 1:14-20

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:14-20

Faithful Fishermen

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Family Devotion – January 26, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:14-20

See series: Devotions

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

Do you like fishing? Would you like to do it for a living? Before you answer, know this: Being a fisherman is not easy. There are times that they don’t catch many fish even though they spend an entire day and night on the water. A professional fisherman can tell you how hard and dirty the work is. Their hands smell of worms and fish. It gets hot, and they sweat. It gets cold, and they shiver. They often get tired and angry. Many fishermen quit.

Here’s another question: Do you like being a Christian? Before you answer, know this: Being a Christian can be a lot like being a fisherman. Sometimes it is really hard because it doesn’t seem like anything you do works. God tells you to be honest. But when you are honest, you get in trouble with other people. God tells you to love people even when they are mean to you. But when you do, they are still mean to you. God tells you to share the good news about Jesus with people so that they can believe, too. But when you do, someone might ignore you or maybe even make fun of you. You become tired. You become frustrated. You may want to yell, “I quit!”

In the Bible reading today, Jesus calls fishermen to be his first disciples. In the years that followed, the work they did was hard and dirty. Many of them were beaten and killed. And yet these disciples did what Jesus told them to do.

Why would anyone live this life of a fisherman for Jesus? Listen to Jesus’ answer: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” The good news is that Jesus has “caught” you and me. He has put people in your life who have shared God’s Word with you. They are the fishermen Jesus used to catch you. They are your parents, your pastors, and all your Christian friends.

Jesus has made you a fisherman, too. He has called you to a life that sometimes feels hard and dirty because of the sin that surrounds us and lives in us. Don’t give up! Instead, keep faithfully living your faith according to God’s Word. Keep faithfully sharing your faith with people. Who knows? God may already have a fish he wants you to catch!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the many people you have put in my life who share God’s Word with me. Please help me also to share your Word with others. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

Fishing requires bait to catch fish. What good news does God give us to “catch” people?
Simon, Andrew, James, and John left their jobs as fishermen to follow Jesus. Who does God want to be the most important person in our lives?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

What tools does a fisherman or woman use to catch fish? What is the only “tool” that you need to fish for people?
Agree or disagree. The only way we can obey Jesus’ command, “Come, follow me!” is by becoming a pastor or teacher.

Questions for Middle School and Above

“Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus said. How does that message prepare you for your calling to fish for people?
Make a list of the important things in your life (family, friends, activities this week, etc.). Then place “following Jesus” at the top of the list. What are ways to make sure that following Jesus remains your top priority?

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Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

Military Devotion – The Chain of Command Begins and Ends with Jesus – January 26, 2024

2024/01/26/in Devotions, Military Devotions

Military Devotion – The Chain of Command Begins and Ends with Jesus – January 26, 2024

Based on Mark 1:21-28

If you had an issue or a problem in your company, flotilla, brigade, platoon, would you take it straight to the Commander in Chief? No. That would be improper protocol.

But with Jesus, you may go straight up the chain of command and speak directly to the Commander in Chief, because he is Jesus, your Savior.

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

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

The New is Here! – January 26, 2024

2024/01/26/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:16,17

The New is Here!

Daily Devotion – January 26, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:16,17

See series: Devotions

At the beginning of a new year, we desperately want an answer to this question: Can people change? That is, given enough time and effort, can I change my old habits and habitual sins? And, in a world characterized by selfishness and tribalism, can I change the way that I view other people?

Well, consider the man behind today’s Bible passage. Twenty years before he wrote these words, the apostle Paul was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1 Timothy 1:13). He hated Jesus and Jesus’ disciples, so he hunted them down and arrested them.

All that changed when Jesus blinded him with light, spoke to him from heaven, and sent a man named Ananias to preach the good news to him, to baptize him, and to shine the light of faith in his heart. That’s how Paul became “a herald and an apostle and a teacher of the true faith” (1 Timothy 2:7).

Paul is proof that people really do change. And God continues to change people to this very day. When you become a Christian, God changes you from dead in sin to alive in Christ. Because of Christ, when God the Father looks at you, he sees someone clothed in the perfection of his Son.

Because of Christ, when you look at other people, what do you see? That every single person—regardless of their age, their race, their economic status, or their politics—is someone for whom Christ died.

The Son of God does not see you as some hopeless, lost cause of a sinner. You are an heir of eternal life, and that changes the way you look at life. You don’t have to be selfish anymore. You don’t have to be angry anymore. You don’t have to lose control anymore. You have been changed. You have been forgiven. The new is here.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for making me a new creation. Please give me strength to live like it. Amen.

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

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

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

A Life Lived for Jesus – January 25, 2024

2024/01/25/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. . . 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 5:14,15,21

A Life Lived for Jesus

Daily Devotion – January 25, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:14,15,21

See series: Devotions

You may have encountered the slogan “WWJD?” It is shorthand for “What Would Jesus Do?” The goal of that acronym is to get people to live like Jesus. Although its intent is noble, it has one major flaw: it gives an incomplete view of Jesus and his work.

The problem is that it presents Christ primarily as an example to follow. Today’s Bible passage, however, destroys the notion that Jesus is just an example for Christians to follow on their walk with God.

Have you ever heard better news than these three verses? Jesus died for all of our sins in our place as our substitute. And when Jesus died, it was as if everyone who has ever lived, is living, or will live had died. He died for all so that you will never know the horror of hell.

This means that when God saw his Son on the cross, he saw all of the sins and sinners, and Christ was punished for each sin of all sinners. More than that, Jesus gives sinners what he alone has—his perfection and righteousness. The love behind that great exchange is what compels Christians to live, not for themselves, but for the One who had died for them.

All this means that Christianity is not about what you should do. It’s about what someone else did for you. A better acronym would be “RWJD,” shorthand for “Remember What Jesus Did.” In other words, we don’t live like Jesus; we live for Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let your life, death, and resurrection for me empower my life lived for you. Amen.

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

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

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

You’re Hired! – January 24, 2024

2024/01/24/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 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 5:17-21

You’re Hired!

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Family Devotion – January 24, 2024

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever heard of an ambassador? An ambassador is someone who is sent to speak for someone else. The words an ambassador uses are not his or her own words. The person who hires the ambassador chooses the words to say. When a company or a country hires an ambassador, they choose someone who likes the person he or she works for and is good at communicating what needs to be said.

God tells you in today’s reading that you are Christ’s ambassador. In other words, Jesus has “hired” you to speak his words. But the way God has done this is different from the way a company or country would hire an ambassador.

You see, Jesus doesn’t choose the people who are the best for the job. We are not always good at communicating what God wants people to know. We sometimes don’t even like the things God wants people to know.

We need to be reconciled. That is a big word! It means that our relationship with God was broken because of sin. We were enemies of God because of sin. But Jesus fixes our relationship with God. Our sins were counted against Jesus instead of against us. He reconciled us to God.

God now tells us that since we are reconciled, we are also ambassadors. We have to be! We get to be! We get to tell people that Jesus has fixed what was broken. He has hired you to tell people his words.

Are you the best person for the job? Are you good at communicating these words to others? God actually says that you are! Because you are reconciled to God by Jesus, he has made you the right person for the job. Even if you feel like someone else could do it better, God has chosen you.

Trust him. Just like you trust him to forgive your sins, trust that he has made you an ambassador who has to speak his words to others. He hired you to do this!

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for reconciling me to God. Help me to be your ambassador so that many more people can know and believe your words. 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

A word in today’s devotion was ambassador. What’s an ambassador?
God gives each of his children an important job of being an ambassador. What does God want you to do with the good news he shares with us in the Bible?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Reconciliation means to restore peace to a relationship that was broken. How did our relationship with God get broken? Then explain how God solved that problem for us.
A country chooses an ambassador to represent their home country’s interests in a foreign land. A company might hire an ambassador to promote its products. God calls you Christ’s ambassador. What do you envision yourself doing in your role?

Questions for Middle School and Above

In your own words, define the message of reconciliation described in the reading. (It might help to read it again.) What comfort does that give you?
Today’s reading said, “From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.” Explain what it means to think of others from a “worldly point of view.” The reading goes on to talk of a better view. What is it? And how does that affect how we view others?

Download and print devotion

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.

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

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

The Right Tool for the Job – January 24, 2024

2024/01/24/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
Jonah 3:3-5

The Right Tool for the Job

Daily Devotion – January 24, 2024

Devotion based on Jonah 3:3-5

See series: Devotions

Sometimes the right tool for the job is the last thing you would expect. For example, if you accidentally immerse your smartphone in water, you can salvage it by putting it into a bag of uncooked rice. That doesn’t seem like it should work, but in an emergency, the moisture-absorbing properties of the rice can save an expensive piece of technology.

What if you need to save a city full of thousands of people from the wrath of God? What’s the right tool for that job? Nineveh was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. It was the capital of the Assyrian Empire and was renowned for its brutality and cruelty. It was filled with people who worshiped false gods. In short, the inhabitants of Nineveh were headed for hell.

So God sent Jonah to turn the Ninevites from their sin. That doesn’t seem like it should work. What could one man armed with the Word of God accomplish in a city with thousands of people? Turns out, quite a bit.

Jonah preached, and the people repented. They showed their sorrow over sin by not eating and wearing uncomfortable clothing. Of course, what made the difference was not Jonah but the Word of God that Jonah spoke.

God’s Word does what it says. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Through his prophet, God said, “Repent,” and stony hearts were turned in repentance. The Word says “Believe,” and dead, unbelieving hearts come to life, trusting in the good news about Jesus.

Thank God that what at first seems inadequate is, in fact, the right tool for the job. Praise God for the power of his Word!

Prayer:
Lord God, give me confidence in the power of your Word. Amen.

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

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

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

A Lofty Charge – January 23, 2024

2024/01/23/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18

A Lofty Charge

Daily Devotion – January 23, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:16-18

See series: Devotions

The Bible makes it clear that there is a vital chain of events that leads to salvation for sinners. In order to call on the Lord and be saved, people must first believe in him. In order to believe in him, they must first hear about him. In order to hear about him, someone must preach to them. In order for someone to preach to them, that person must first be sent.

This brings us to today’s Bible passage, where Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to be links in the chain that connects sinners to Christ. But why does God use people—even simple fishermen!—to spread his Word? Why doesn’t God speak from heaven, or why doesn’t he send angels to do this important work?

Well, read the Bible and you will discover that when God spoke directly to the people, they begged him to stop. When angels delivered messages, the recipients were often terrified. Sinners cannot stand in the presence of God’s holy perfection.

So, God sends ordinary people like Simon and Andrew to spread his Word. God wants one sinner to tell another the greatest words ever spoken: “Jesus has done it all for you! Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus has not called you to be an apostle; like these men. He may not have called you to be a pastor or teacher in his church. But every Christian gets to declare “the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

What a lofty charge! What joy to know that the God in whose presence you cannot stand brings himself into your presence by his Word; that the God who called you, sought, and bought you forges you as a link in that vital chain of events that leads to salvation for sinners.

Prayer:
God of salvation, help me to speak your Word and fish for people. Amen.

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

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

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

God Is All About Forgiveness – January 22, 2024

2024/01/22/in Devotions, Family Devotions

Read: Jonah 3:1-5,10

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 3:1-5,10

God Is All About Forgiveness

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Family Devotion – January 22, 2024

Devotion based on Jonah 3:1-5,10

See series: Devotions

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

When you think about the story of Jonah from the Bible, what is the first thing you think of? Probably a big fish, right? God miraculously saved Jonah from drowning by sending a fish to swallow him. Jonah was in the belly of that fish for three days and three nights. And then God saved Jonah again by making the fish spit Jonah onto dry ground.

God had a plan for Jonah. His plan was all about love. Love for Jonah. And love for an entire city. Neither Jonah nor the city of Nineveh deserved love. After all, Jonah ran away from God. Nineveh was filled with wicked people who didn’t love God.

But God is all about love and forgiveness. He loved Jonah so much that he gave him a second chance to do what God had commanded him to do: go preach to the city of Nineveh. He loved the people of Nineveh so much that he sent Jonah to them to call them to repent of their sin.

God has a plan for your life too. When you think about the story of your own life, what is the first thing you think of? Maybe you think about your friends, or your family, or sports that you play, or an instrument you are good at. Or maybe you think about how you fall short—you’re not the perfect child or student. You make mistakes as a teammate or musician. Maybe you think of how you fall short of what God commands you to do. God says this failure means you do not deserve his love and forgiveness.

But remember, God is all about love and forgiveness. He gives you his Word to remind you of how he forgives sin because of Jesus’ work of salvation. He gives you pastors to proclaim this forgiveness to you. And then he calls you to turn away from that sin and do what he commands.

One of the greatest things he commands you to do is share his love and forgiveness with others. Sometimes this means telling people first that they are sinners. As scary as that can be, you have a promise from God that he is with you. His words are powerful. Some words warn while other words forgive. Together, they change hearts and lives. You will get to see it, too. And when you do, you will get to share with people the God of second chances.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, give me the courage to share your words with others. Fill me with joy because of your love and forgiveness. 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

Give an example of a time you said you were sorry to someone. What did they then say to you? When we tell God that we are sorry for our sins, what does he say to us?
God gave Jonah the job of preaching God’s Word to the people of Nineveh. Who are the people in your life that tell you about Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Share a time that you repented of a sin and received forgiveness. How does it make you feel when you are forgiven?
The Bible tells us that the people of Nineveh were very wicked. Would you have wanted to be in Jonah’s position to point out their sins? Why was it so important for the people of Nineveh that Jonah obeyed God’s command?

Questions for Middle School and Above

Jonah attempted to run away from God when he first charged Jonah with proclaiming repentance to the people in Nineveh, but God gave him another chance. Why does God give people like us such important work of sharing his Word when he knows we might run away from it?
Think of someone you know who does not know the saving message of God’s Word. How can you be like Jonah in their life?

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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.

Committed to Christ – Week of January 22, 2024

2024/01/22/in Devotions, ECME Devotions

Committed to Christ – Week of January 22, 2024

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 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 5:20-21

ECME Devotion January 22, 2024

See series: ECME Devotions

The little girl slipped into the living room and asked meekly “Daddy?. . . . Umm, never mind. . . “ bowed her head and walked out of the room. She came back, moments later, and tried again: “Daddy? Can we, can we. . .never mind”. For the third time, she tried again, as meekly as she had the first, eyes wide and pleading: “Daddy? Can we have. . . Can we have some. . . . . . . .popcorn?” Before he even finished saying “Of course, sweetie.” she turned on her heel and yelled robustly to the back bedroom “He said YES!” The big-eyed 3-yr-old had been selected as the neighborhood ambassador on a mission for popcorn, and she performed her duties masterfully.

An ambassador speaks on behalf of someone else. “Christ’s ambassadors”, don’t speak for or about themselves; they speak about Jesus. The words that Christ’s ambassadors say are not their own, but what God wanted them to say, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The writers of the Bible wrote the words that God wanted us to have.

God has already done all the work that needs to be done, through Jesus. In this sense, we are already “reconciled to God”. But the words that his ambassadors are telling us here mean that even though Jesus died for all people, only those that believe this message in their hearts will receive the benefits that come from it. These benefits include true peace that comes from the forgiveness of sin and, when we die, eternal peace in heaven.

Sometimes we talk about the work that God did through Jesus as “The Great Exchange”. The last verse shows that exchange well: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us”. Jesus had no sin. He never had wrong thought, never a wrong action, never once waivered from God’s Word or God’s commands.

We, however, are the complete opposite of perfect. Our thoughts are impure, we hurt other people, we fail to live as God wants us to live, and we sometimes forget to trust God and the promises in his Word. But God allowed Jesus to “exchange” his perfection for our imperfections. Jesus took all of our sins upon himself and gave us the salvation that he earned. God gave us the “credit” of righteousness that Jesus earned for us. Jesus became sin for us. Jesus died, that we might live. How thankful we are for this gift of salvation!

May we continue to live as his ambassadors until our work here is done and God calls us home.

Prayer:
CW 869 v 1
Onward, Christian Soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ the royal master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

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.

A Different Kind of Kingdom – January 22, 2024

2024/01/22/in Daily Devotions, Devotions

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14,15

A Different Kind of Kingdom

Daily Devotion – January 22, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 1:14,15

See series: Devotions

Today’s Bible passage has an ominous start. John was the man sent by God to prepare people for the coming Savior. Why was he put in prison?

Because preparing people to meet Jesus meant confronting them with their sins, and not everyone appreciated that. When John called a king named Herod to repentance for his unlawful marriage, Herod put John in prison. The message was clear: in Herod’s kingdom, confronting sin could make you an enemy of the state.

Unknown to Herod, however, was the fact that the Savior had arrived. No sooner was John in prison than Jesus began preaching his own clear message: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

His message is about a different kind of kingdom from Herod’s. It doesn’t have a set location because it is not a place; it is God’s saving activity among people. It is not characterized by ignoring sin or imprisoning its enemies. Instead, it is all about forgiving sin and turning its enemies into citizens.

Because of sin, all people enter this world hostile to God. Repentance changes that. When you repent, God changes how you think about sin. He makes you sorry for it and turns you away from it and toward himself. He is your King, who wore a crown of thorns and shed his blood on a cross to obliterate all your sins.

That good news characterizes this kingdom and is the reason why we need to be confronted with our sin so we will repent of it and believe the good news that we are forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Repentance is not a turning you do to yourself; it’s a turning Jesus’ Word does to you. Belief is not something you conjure up in yourself; it’s a gift that Jesus’ Word gives to you.

This King establishes his kingdom not by fighting, but by speaking. Remember, this is a different kind of kingdom. You are its citizen by the grace of God, by repentance and faith in the good news.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for bringing me into your kingdom. Amen.

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

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

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

WELS CENTER FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY

We are Weak but He is Strong – Week of February 5, 2024

ECME Devotion February 5, 2024

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Read: Isaiah 40:27-31

I Can’t Do This Anymore!

Closing Prayer:

The Devil’s Work Undone

Depending on Our Great God

Respect – Women’s Devotion

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We Live in God’s World

Read: Mark 1:21-28

There’s Power When Jesus Speaks

Closing Prayer:

Military Devotion – We Are At War – February 2, 2024

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Authority Worthy of All Honor

Verbal Authority

Read: Hebrews 3:1-6

Jesus Builds Your House

Closing Prayer:

Humble Authority

The Final Authority

Read: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Nothing but the Truth

Closing Prayer:

The Builder of Everything – Week of January 29, 2024

ECME Devotion January 29, 2024

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A Prophet Like Moses

Amazed

A Substitute

Read: Mark 1:14-20

Faithful Fishermen

Closing Prayer:

Military Devotion – The Chain of Command Begins and Ends with Jesus – January 26, 2024

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The New is Here!

A Life Lived for Jesus

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

You’re Hired!

Closing Prayer:

The Right Tool for the Job

A Lofty Charge

Read: Jonah 3:1-5,10

God Is All About Forgiveness

Closing Prayer:

Committed to Christ – Week of January 22, 2024

ECME Devotion January 22, 2024

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A Different Kind of Kingdom

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