Transformed – teen devotion – February 16, 2025

One key truth: God reveals his power and grace in my weaknesses.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ā€œMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.ā€ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christā€™s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christā€™s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

When Iā€™m Weak, Then Iā€™m Strong

In WWII, Audie Murphy, a frail Texan rejected by multiple branches of the military for his size, became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history. In 1945, during a German assault, Murphy held off an entire company alone, manning a burning tank destroyerā€™s machine gun while calling in artillery. Wounded and outnumbered, he fought for an hour, forcing the enemy to retreat. His valor defied all expectations.

We love underdog stories like this, stories where people overcome incredible odds and win big.

The apostle Paul could relate to an underdog. Paul knew what it felt like to go hungry. He knew what it was like to go days without sleep. He had been flogged, whipped, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, imprisoned, and shipwrecked three times. Paul had no shortage of hardships, and no shortage of enemies either. He knew exactly what it felt like to be down for the count. He even boasted about his weaknesses!

Paulā€™s resume had all the makings of a great underdog story. Against all odds, he succeeded as one of the greatest apostles in New Testament history. He was directly called to his apostleship by the risen Jesus. He was directly taught by Jesusā€”and even received tremendous visions and revelations from him. Paul could have flaunted such a resume at anyone throwing shade at him. It would have been easy for him to grow prideful and conduct his ministry with arrogance. God knew that, too. So, ā€œin order to keep [Paul] from becoming conceited, [Paul] was given a thorn in [his] flesh.ā€

Paul never tells us what his ā€œthornā€ was. Whatever it was, Paul considered it a painful and limiting nuisance that he could not get rid of . Paul couldnā€™t ā€œunderdogā€ his way out of this one.

Each and every one of us have some kind of ā€œthornā€ tooā€”and we canā€™t get it out. Maybe itā€™s a physical limitation that doesnā€™t seem like it will go away. Maybe itā€™s grief that hangs heavy on your heart. Maybe itā€™s a sinful habit youā€™re trying to kick, or an addiction with a stranglehold on your life. We do everything we can to fix it ourselves. And when we canā€™t fix it, we try to spiritually rationalize it: ā€œMaybe my devotional life is lousyā€ or ā€œMaybe God is mad at me or something.ā€ We might even try to bargain with God, thinking if we try to be a better Christian, we can barter God into making our lives easier. Exhausted, we pray and plead ā€œLord, take this thorn away!ā€

Paul was convinced heā€™d be a better missionary for God if that ā€œthornā€ in his flesh was gone. God had other plansā€”not because he didnā€™t love Paul, but because love was the answer. Where Satan uses ā€œthornsā€ to destroy our faith in Jesus, God works through those thorns to refine our faith. Satan uses thorns to drive us to despair. God works through thorns to drive us to himself. When we are weak, he is strong!

Believe it or not, your God gets it. Jesus prayed a similar prayer to Paul. He asked his heavenly Father if there was any other way for the Son of God to save the world, that he would take away the cup of suffering that he was about to drink. And the Fatherā€™s answer was ā€œNoā€ā€”not because he didnā€™t love his Son; he did. But his love for his only-begotten Son didnā€™t stop your heavenly Father from sending his Son to the crossā€”because of the Fatherā€™s unrelenting love for you. It was that same love that moved Jesus to drink that cup of wrath down to the last dropā€”because you were worth it.

Everyone loves a good underdog story. But your salvation isnā€™t one of them. Because when you were hopelessly down for the count, your God gracefully came in swinging. When complete obedience to Godā€™s law was beyond our ability as sinners to accomplish, Jesus didā€”being obedient to death. When the wages of sin warranted our death, Jesus died in our place. And because Jesus rose from the dead, that not only means that you are completely forgiven and restored to God; it means you will never exhaust the all-sufficiency of Godā€™s grace for youā€”no matter what thorns are in your life.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for the sufficiency of your grace for me. When I feel weak, remind me that you are strong. In your name I pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – February 9, 2025

One key truth: You are coveredā€”head to toeā€”by Godā€™s grace. And his love doesnā€™t just cover you: his love qualifies you.

I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
ā€œHoly, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.ā€
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
ā€œWoe to me!ā€ I cried. ā€œI am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.ā€
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ā€œSee, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.ā€
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ā€œWhom shall I send? And who will go for us?ā€
And I said, ā€œHere am I. Send me!ā€
Isaiah 6:1-18

The Least Qualified Are the First Sent

Do you like going to the gym? Maybe you do, and maybe you donā€™t.

Maybe you like exercisingā€”you just donā€™t like the feeling you get when you walk into the gym and youā€™re surrounded by people whose bodies are as toned and sculpted as Greek statues. You donā€™t like the feeling you get when youā€™re struggling to bench press as much as the ā€œbody builderā€ next to you is curling. You donā€™t like the feeling you get when the elliptical has exhausted you after just five minutes and the woman next to you has been on hers for nearly fifteen minutes and barely broken a sweat. We donā€™t like the feeling of not measuring upā€”where you say to yourself, ā€œMaybe I shouldnā€™t be here. Maybe I donā€™t belong here.ā€

Isaiah knew the feeling.

God gave him a vision of fiery angels, billows of smoke, and the LORD Almighty enthroned in radiant splendor. This vivid, awe-filling vision would humble even the haughtiest of the LORDā€™s prophets. It is in this vision that the LORD Almighty calls Isaiah, son of Amoz, to serve him as his prophet. And as Isaiah is brought into Godā€™s ā€œoffice,ā€ the first voice he hears isnā€™t that of the LORD, but of choirs of angels flying throughout the temple. And these angels describe God as, not just holy, but three times holyā€”absolutely holy. The choirs are so loud, the temple is shaking, and smoke is billowing everywhere. ā€œWoe to me!ā€ Isaiah cried, convinced he would drop dead where he stoodā€”because he knew that no sinner could see Godā€™s face and live. Isaiah felt like he shouldnā€™t be thereā€”like he didnā€™t belong there.

You would be very wise to cry out ā€œWoe to meā€ every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to sleep. We would be wise to we say it together. Donā€™t ever stop confessing sin, donā€™t ever stop fearing sin, and donā€™t ever stop hating sin. ā€œThe soul who sins is the one who will die ā€ (Ezekiel 18:4). There it is: cold metal grating on hard steel. The tragic truth is this: Sin kills… every sin kills… my sin kills me and your sin kills you!

But this vision doesnā€™t end there. Isaiah continues, ā€œThen one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ā€˜See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.ā€™ā€ The verbs that describe what this divine fire does as it touches Isaiahā€™s lips paint amazing pictures of Godā€™s love for you. The first: ā€œYour guilt is taken away.ā€ Itā€™s a picture of God removing the immense, debilitating burden of guilt from you forever. The second: ā€œYour sin is atoned for.ā€ Itā€™s the picture of your sin being covered foreverā€”that thereā€™s Someone who stands between you and the unrelenting holiness of Godā€”Someone who makes peace between you and God so you can stand before him forever.

That Someone is Jesus.

He touches our unclean lips with the tip of the crossā€”the symbol of our forgiveness. He declares, ā€œYou are no longer a sinner, but a saint!ā€ Jesus satisfied Godā€™s justice by embodying the needed atonement to cover over your sins. Your Savior declares you clean! Your God qualifies you to confidently stand before him.

You might not feel like you belong at the local gymā€”but never doubt your belonging to God in Christ. Covered head to toe in his grace, God asks, ā€œWhom shall I send? And who will go for us?ā€ Equipped by his Holy Spiritā€”where you are, as you areā€”answer his call, ā€œHere am I. Send me!ā€

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in your love for us, you would die our death on a cross and credit us with the gift of your holiness. Thank you for your boundless mercy and gracious gift of forgiveness. Because of you and you alone, we not only have confidence to stand before you on the day you take us to heaven; because of you, we have confidence to dynamically live our lives of faith before the world. In your name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – February 2, 2025

One key truth: Does lack of popularity bother you? God doesnā€™t just tell us not to be afraid; God gives us reason not to be afraid: God will be with us always.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
ā€œBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.ā€
ā€œAlas, Sovereign Lord,ā€ I said, ā€œI do not know how to speak; I am too young.ā€
But the Lord said to me, ā€œDo not say, ā€˜I am too young.ā€™ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,ā€ declares the Lord.
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ā€œI have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.ā€
Jeremiah 1:4-10

Popularity is Not Proof of Success

Imagine being called to serve as the Lordā€™s prophetā€”Godā€™s direct mouthpieceā€”at just 13 years old. Thatā€™d be pretty intimidating, wouldnā€™t it? Jeremiah didnā€™t have to imagine.

Weā€™re told Jeremiah was a young man when God called him to be prophetā€”some even suggesting he was as young as 13. And over the next four decades, heā€™d see quite a bit. Jeremiah would watch the nation of Judah spiritually and morally waste away. God and his Word had effectively been kicked to the curb. Despite Godā€™s warnings and emotional pleas that the people turn from their spiritual unbelief and lives of wickedness and turn back to him, the majority of Judahā€™s inhabitants wouldnā€™t. As a result, God raised up the nation of Babylon to be an instrument of judgment against Judah. Jeremiah would watch the very temple that was rededicated at the beginning of his ministry be reduced to rubble by the end.

Jeremiah had no idea what was in store for him the day God called him to be his prophetā€”but God did. From the singular moment his existence began at conception to the day his time on this earth would end, Jeremiahā€™s entire biography laid before Godā€™s all-knowing eyes. He knew the message he had commissioned Jeremiah to speak wouldnā€™t win him widespread popularity with the peopleā€”quite the opposite! God knew that Jeremiah would be hated, insulted, slandered, beaten, imprisoned, thrown into a cistern, and nearly starved to deathā€”all for speaking the truth of Godā€™s Word. But Jeremiah had no ideaā€”and in a relatable way, neither do we.

You, like Jeremiah, have been called by God to bring his Word, both his law and his gospel, to others. And weā€™ll hastily respond just like Jeremiah, donā€™t we? ā€œLord, I donā€™t know the Bible well enough.ā€ ā€œIā€™m not sociable enough.ā€ ā€œIā€™m not patient enough.ā€ ā€œIā€™m not brave enough.ā€ Do you see the problem here? The issue here isnā€™t a failure to cite our inexperience, our weakness, and our sinfulness as limitations; the issue here is us imposing our limitations on God and his Word.

But Jeremiah was right about one thing: it wouldnā€™t be his words that would win the day. The words Jeremiah would speak werenā€™t hisā€”but Godā€™s. Godā€™s Word is what plants and uproots. Godā€™s Word is what tears down and rebuilds. And thatā€™s comforting, isnā€™t it? It takes all the pressure off! Your job is to put the Word of God in motion; God does all the rest. But thatā€™s not the only comfort and encouragement we find in this story. You see, if God is the one who calls you, then he will equip you for the job! If God has given you his word to speak, he will help you speak it! But thatā€™s not all your God promises you. God says to Jeremiah, ā€œDonā€™t be afraid . . . I will be with you and I will deliver you.ā€

Your Christian faith may (and likely will) come at a cost to your popularity with certain people. But that lack of popularity isnā€™t proof of your failure as a child of God. If that were the case, what would we make of the life of Jesus? Jesus would not only faithfully share the gospel under persecution for us, but he would die for us; he bore for the world the wrath of God on the cross so we would be delivered. When our guilt and shame had rendered us unqualified to stand before a holy God, God would qualify us through his Son. Jesus became our sin, so we would become his righteousness.

And if, in Christ, we already stand confident before God, we can stand confidently before anyone, canā€™t we? When the hands that were nailed to a cross for you are the same hands that uphold you and sustain you, you donā€™t need to be afraid. So, dear Christian, when your popularity takes a hit for your hope in Jesus, do not be afraid. Not even death can separate you from the love of God you have in Jesus. No one can take away what your Savior has won for you. He will be with you always.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, while we were still sinners, you died for us. When we had nothing to give you, youā€”through your death and resurrectionā€”have given us everything: forgiveness, new life, and eternity with you in paradise. This hope we have in you is a living hopeā€”because you have risen from the grave. May this living hope we have in you comfort us when we lose popularity for your sake. For nothing lost for your sake is truly lost. In your name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – January 26, 2025

One key truth: Our God stands by ready to give exactly what is needed when and where you are afraid to shine for our Savior: not an escape from shining our faith, but a boldness to shine even brighter.

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ā€œSovereign Lord,ā€ they said, ā€œyou made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
ā€œā€˜Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.ā€
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 4:23-31

Rejection is Not Proof of Failure

The past few days had been quite eventful for the apostles Peter and John. While they were at the temple in Jerusalem, they met a lame man begging temple-goers for money. And God, through Peter, performs an amazing miracle and heals that man on the spot! Just as Jesus had promised, his chosen apostles were equipped with an incredibly unique outpouring of the Holy Spiritā€”enabling them to perform amazing signs and miracles. Those miracles were performed not only to confirm their message, but also to draw massive attention to it. And this miracle did! And as a massive crowd gathers around Peter and John, they share the good news of Jesus.

While many who heard [their] message believed in Jesus, not everyone did. Members of the religious eliteā€”the Sadduceesā€”arrive at the scene, and with them the captain of the temple guard. The Sadducees hated the name of ā€œJesus.ā€ And they would not tolerate anyone proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead on temple grounds. So, they had Peter and John thrown into prison.

The next day, Peter and John stood on trial before the Sanhedrinā€”the religious ruling council. That should sound familiar. Because thatā€™s the same religious ruling council that oversaw the trial of Jesusā€”the same council that accused Jesus of blasphemy, condemned him to death, and had him crucified. The Sanhedrin eventually let Peter and John go, but not without a series of serious threats. They were told to never teach anyone about Jesus or talk to anyone about Jesus ever again . . . or else.

How would you react to this news? That you can never talk about or share the good news of Jesus ever againā€”by threat of capital punishment? Letā€™s be honest: weā€™d be afraid. Extremely afraid.

Thankfully, you and I live at time and place where weā€™re able to worship freely and talk openly about Godā€™s Word and the hope we have in Jesus. And yet, so often we donā€™t.

You see, we donā€™t need the help of a Sanhedrin to silence our sharing of Jesus, do we? We care so much about what other people think about us that weā€™ll willingly silence ourselves. Weā€™ll treat religion as a taboo topic like everyone else. We want a comfortable Christianity. A Christianity that never pushes us outside of our comfort zone. A Christianity that compromises conviction for the sake of fitting in. Fear is one of Satanā€™s favorite weapons he works against the Church; and his goal is to rob us of courage to the point where the only place weā€™re comfortable talking about Jesus is here.

But when adversaries of the Church would plot her destruction, the One enthroned in heaven laughs. Nations can rage and people can plot against Godā€™s plan of salvation: itā€™ll backfire every time! Herod, Pilate, and the Sanhedrin tried to bury Jesusā€”and it looked like all their plotting had paid off as the Son of God hung on a cross; yet there, in the weakness of the cross God revealed his strength; there, in the foolishness of the cross God revealed his wisdom. There on the cross, God was winningā€”not for himself, but for you! God was winning you!

In Christ, we find Godā€™s faithfulness to his word as he fulfills centuries of promises to you. Jesus is the greater Passover Lamb who would be sacrificed once and for all for usā€”so that we would have complete forgiveness before God! Jesus is the Suffering Servant that Isaiah spoke aboutā€”the one who willingly endured hell so that we who cling to him in faith would inherit heaven as our home!

That these Christians cry out ā€œSovereign Lordā€ invokes a dimension of Godā€™s divinityā€”his might, his control, and his power over all things. In other words, your God defines himself by promises heā€™s made and fulfilled for you. That alone gives us boldness, doesnā€™t it? When this world would rage against Christians everywhere, your God thunders back, ā€œWho again is Lord of heaven and earth?ā€ Thatā€™s a gamechanger, isnā€™t it? That means that, instead of running from confrontation and discomfort, we can run to God for courage and confidence to face it.

Prayer:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, so often we are afraid to give reason for the hope that we have in your Son. So often, we let fear get the better of us and we hide our faith from others. For times like these, we rest in the refuge of your grace and forgiveness. By your Spirit, work within us a confidence to be your witnesses boldly. In Jesusā€™ name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – January 19, 2025

One key truth: Godā€™s mission is bigger than ours, and his timing is better than ours.

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesusā€™ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesusā€™ mother said to him, ā€œThey have no more wine.ā€
ā€œWoman, why do you involve me?ā€ Jesus replied. ā€œMy hour has not yet come.ā€
His mother said to the servants, ā€œDo whatever he tells you.ā€
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, ā€œFill the jars with waterā€; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, ā€œNow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.ā€
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ā€œEveryone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.ā€
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2:1-11

God Delivers More Than We Ask, Not Less

A wineless wedding may not be a big deal to you, but in ancient Jewish society, a wedding without wine was culturally disastrous.

Mary, Jesusā€™ mother, apparently knew that. So, she asks her son, Jesus, to do something about it. Was she hoping heā€™d work a miracle? Maybe, but weā€™re told this was the first miracle Jesus had ever performed; up to this point, she had never seen such raw demonstrations of her sonā€™s divine power. As Mary speaks to Jesus, you get the impression she talks to him as if he was only her sonā€”and nothing more; the son she bore; the son she nursed; the son she cradled; the son she taught to walk and took to the temple.

Mary certainly hadnā€™t forgotten what the angel said to her about this child: the child she would miraculously conceive was born of God: the child she carried was the Son of God, God Incarnate. But when Mary discovers there is no more wine, she leverages her relationship with Jesus as his mother to get him to do what she thinks is best when she thinks itā€™s best.

And Jesus, with gentleness and respect, ā€œleveragesā€ his relationship to her as the Son of God and Savior of the world to effectively tell her two things: 1) My mission is bigger than yours, 2) and my timing is better than yours.

So, what calamity is crashing into your life right now?

Where, in your life, do you feel things arenā€™t going according to your plans?

Is it fatigue from feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Is it the fear of getting sick? Is it the weariness of feeling like a failure? Like you just canā€™t do anything right? Is it when your closest relationships seem to be falling apart all around you? Is it the sting of being dumped or rejected? Is it the pain of losing a loved one? You donā€™t have to be the guest or groom at a dysfunctional wedding to doubt Godā€™s mission is bigger than ours and his timing is better than ours.

But this story showcases more than hearts dealing with doubts in the face of disaster; it showcases a better groomā€”and he brings a better wedding. When it came to wine in first century A.D., it was commonly diluted with waterā€”to where the wine that was served was two parts water and one part wine, or sometimes even three parts water and one part wine. And then thereā€™s Jesus, and when he makes wine at this wedding, he fills six 20-30 gallon jarsā€”not with two parts water and one part wineā€”not even with three parts water and one part wineā€”but with one part water and zero parts wine. For the Lord of all creation, the God through whom all things were made and all things hold together, water was more than what he needed to make wine. And not just any wine: wine better than the wine before it.

That is what is so beautiful about this wedding story: Jesus doesnā€™t just give these wedding guests something they didnā€™t have; he gives them something better than what they did have.

You see, Jesus didnā€™t come to this broken, fallen world because our wine glasses would be empty without him; he came because we would be empty without him. Our God didnā€™t enter this dying world to save weddings; he came to save you.

At that wedding in Cana, Jesus reveals himself to be the better bridegroom. Just as God spoke of his love for his wayward world as a faithful husband to a faithless bride, our God would demonstrate that unwavering fidelity and love by dying for us. This bridegroom would endure the justice of a holy God on a cross so we would be brought into his family. This bridegroom gave up his body and blood into death to give us something better than this world could ever give: forgiveness, newness of life, and heaven as our ultimate home. This bridegroom washed you in the waters of baptism to present you to himself as a radiant brideā€”without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. And this bridegroom is the one who will carry you over the threshold of this life into the mansions of heavenā€”where the wedding party will never end!

Prayer:
Lord God, heavenly Father, so often things spiral out of our controlā€”and weā€™re incredibly quick to panic and frequently fail to give it over to you in prayer. Forgive us for these moments of doubt, encourage us with your steadfast love, and help us by your Spirit to trust your plan and your timing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – January 12, 2025

One key truth: Your baptism is the explicit proof of your adoption into Godā€™s family, and Godā€™s pledge of undying devotion and fidelity to you.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:4-6

The Cure for an Identity Crisis

Have you seen the docuseries called, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace?

Natalia was born in Ukraine with a rare form of dwarfism, and subsequently surrendered by her mother for adoption. Eventually, a family from Indiana, the Barnetts, adopted Natalia. But the relationship she had with Kristine and Michael Barnettā€”her foster parentsā€”was anything but ideal: their relationship was abusive, manipulative, and dangerous.

Why? Depends on whom you ask.

Kristine and Michael Barnett depicted Natalia as a sociopathic con-artist who tried to harm them; Natalia, on the other hand, would tell you the actual crimes committed were by Kristine and Michael Barnett; they, according to Natalia, neglected her, abused her, abandoned her, and disowned her.

So, whoā€™s telling the truth?

Right when a particular side of the story sounds more plausible, the docuseries presents you with reason to discredit it. Itā€™s as if the producers want you to be left constantly without any narrative clarityā€”starving for closure that will ultimately never come. Youā€™re left feeling like Nataliaā€™s belonging to a family that loves and cares for her is an ending to the story that is always out of reachā€”where adoption into that kind of family is too good to be true.

Our adoption can sound too good to be true, tooā€”canā€™t it? Thatā€™s what your baptism is: Baptism wasā€”and isā€”a washing of rebirth and renewalā€”a washing of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the explicit proof that God has adopted you into his family. In baptism, he has adopted you to be his.

As much as we get hung up on the ā€œhowā€ of baptism, our real hangups are on the ā€œwhy.ā€ ā€œIf baptism is not merely a sign, but a seal of Godā€™s grace, why would God both sign and seal himself over to me?ā€

Weā€™re self-righteous and proud. Weā€™re selfish and unsympathetic. Weā€™re users and abusers. Weā€™re liars and cheaters. Weā€™re hateful and hurtful. Weā€™re not even worthy to stoop down and untie the straps Jesusā€™ sandals. Why would God want to adopt us into his family?

It’s when you and I ask ā€œWhy?ā€ of our adoptions that our God takes us to the waters of Christā€™s baptism.

Think about it: why would Jesus need to be baptized? Why would the sinless Son of God need a washing of rebirth and renewal? Why would the blameless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world need to be baptized for repentance and the forgiveness of sins? Heā€™s not being baptized for his own sakeā€”but for yours. It was fitting for Jesus to be baptized as us for us to fulfill all righteousness.

That wordā€”righteousā€”refers to absolute, complete, total perfection and holiness. And if we had any hope of standing confidently before God, that righteousness is something we didnā€™t have and couldnā€™t giveā€”but we desperately needed it.

There at the Jordan River, we find the sinless Son of God emerging from the ranks of sinners to live and die for sinners like us. In Christ, all righteousness has been fulfilled.

Jesus actively kept his word to the letterā€”and not one stroke of the pen fell through his fingers. Jesus has passively suffered and diedā€”clothed with our rags of sin and regretā€”so that we would be clothed with the robes of his righteousness. Your baptism is assurance Christā€™s wardrobe is yours. Your baptism is Godā€™s promise to you that you, in Christ, are completely and totally forgivenā€”that you have been washedā€”head to toeā€”by the cleansing tide of his graceā€”that you belong to him!

Some adoption stories of this world might resemble the story of Natalia Grace; but your adoption into Godā€™s family is a completely different story. No cliffhangers. No lack of closure. Your baptism is Godā€™s pledge of undying devotion and fidelity to you! In Christ, your adoption into Godā€™s family is signed and sealed.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, at the waters of your baptism, you emerged from the ranks of sinners to live and die for sinners like us. But because of you, our primary identity is that we are baptized children of God. Whenever we doubt your love for us, bring us not only to the waters of your baptism, but the waters of our baptism, too. For there, weā€™ve been clothed in your righteousness and adopted into your family. In your name we pray. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – January 5, 2025

Jesus came to be a Savior for all people.

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORDā€™s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

1 Kings 10:9

The Gift of God is for All People

Christianity is both the most exclusive religion in the world and the most inclusive religion in the world.

What does that mean? Consider this: there are only two groups of people in the world. There are those who believe in Jesus as their Savior and those who do not. Those who do not believe in Jesus

when they die will face punishment in hell. In that way, Christianity is exclusive.

At the same time, Christianity is the most inclusive religion in the world. Christā€™s sacrifice on the cross was payment for the sins of the whole world no matter someoneā€™s race or language. No one is excluded. In that way, it is the most inclusive religion in the whole world.

The words from 1 Kings above were spoken by a gentile queen. She was not Jewish, but she had heard of Solomonā€™s great wisdom, so she traveled a long distance to come and learn from him.

When she saw the wisdom God had given to Solomon and all the ways he had blessed Israel, she spoke the words above. She wasnā€™t from Israel, but she praised the true God.

On Christmas Eve the angel told the shepherds, ā€œI bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.ā€ (Luke 2:10)

The good news of Jesus is for everyone. It doesnā€™t matter if you were born in America or China, Africa or the Middle East. It doesnā€™t matter if you were born and raised a Christian or if you didnā€™t hear the gospel until you were older. It doesnā€™t matter if your past is littered with mistakes.

The good news of Jesus is for all people, and that includes you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you came to be a Savior for all people. Help me to see everyone as someone that you came to die to save. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – December 29, 2024

God gives himself to us in Christ. It is the gift we desperately needed. It was the gift we didnā€™t deserve.

ā€œBut,ā€ he said, ā€œyou cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.ā€

Exodus 3:20

God Gives Himself as One of Us

Moses had asked God to see his glory. God compromised with him. Moses could see his back and his goodness, but he could not see his face, because no one can see the face of God and live

Mary and Joseph looked down into the manger at the face of the infant child staring back at them. They looked upon the face of the eternal God.

This is the mystery of the incarnation. That the God whom no one can look upon without dying masked his glory in human flesh so that everyone could see him.

Do you want to know God? Look at Christ.

Want to know Godā€™s compassion? Look at how Jesusā€™ heart went out to the people who flocked to him. They were like sheep without a shepherd.

Want to know Godā€™s power? See the Son of God heal the sick, drive out demons, and raise the dead to life.

Want to know Godā€™s love? See Jesus hanging on the cross pouring out his life to repair the broken relationship between God and man.

Who could but sigh: Immanuel (God with us)! Who could but shout: Immanuel! (Christian Worship 330:2)

God gives himself to us in Christ. It is the gift we desperately needed. It was the gift we didnā€™t deserve.

Sit in wonder as you look upon the face of God veiled in flesh. See his glory in the grace he shows to you.

He took on that flesh for you. He took on that flesh that it might be pierced by nails and put to death to pay for your sins. He took on that flesh that you might have eternal life.

What a miracle! What a gift!

Prayer:
Father in heaven, fill my heart with wonder and thanksgiving as I ponder the gift of the Christ-child. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – December 22, 2024

Jesus has done great things for you personally.

“For the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

Luke 1:49a

A Real Christmas Will Lift up the Lowly

How are you feeling? I meanā€¦ how are you really feeling?

A famous Christmas carol announces that, ā€œIt is the most wonderful time of the year.ā€ So you must be feeling on top of the world, right?. After all, youā€™ve certainly aced all your end of the semester tests. All your relationships are rock solid. Everyone only has kind things to say about you at school.

Or maybe not?

Christmas time has a way of magnifying problems going on in life. Itā€™s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, so why doesnā€™t it always feel that way?

Letā€™s move on to spiritual things. Howā€™s the battle going with that one sin you pray no one else finds out about? Howā€™d you do on that Bible reading plan that you started almost a year ago? Do you feel worthy of a holy God?

Maybe, just maybe, youā€™re feeling a little lowly right now. Thatā€™s a good thing, because a real Christmas will lift up the lowly.

Mary knew that she was not perfect. She acknowledged her lowly state. Yet she included the words from Luke 1 above in her famous song called the Magnificat, ā€œThe mighty one has done great things for me.ā€

Mary grasped the personal way God had shown her favor. He had chosen her to be the mother of the savior of the world.

The mighty one has done great things for me.

Slow down. Read those last two words again. Internalize them. Itā€™s easy to look at others and see how God does great things for them, but it can be hard to take those great things and apply them to ourselves.

Think about all the great things heā€™s done for you. He knew you before you were born. He decided he wanted you to be his child. He knit you together in your motherā€™s womb. He sent his Son to pay for your sins on the cross. Heā€™s given you the certainty of eternal life through the resurrection. Heā€™s washed you and adopted you in the waters of your baptism.

All of this for you!

You might be feeling lowly. Thatā€™s ok. Itā€™s for lowly people like you that the God of the universe lowered himself took on human flesh that he might lift you up and make you holy and an eternal victor.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, no matter how lowly I feel, help me to recognize all the mighty things you have done for me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – December 15, 2024

A repentant person is a joyful person, and a joyful person will always have fruits of repentance present in their life.

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Luke 3:8a

A Real Christmas Results in Great Joy

How would you define a ā€œjoyfulā€ person?

Is it someone who always has a smile on their face? Is it someone who is friendly to everyone they meet? Is it someone who shares a lot of joyful quotes on Instagram?

Smiles can mask a world of hurt on the inside. Friendliness isnā€™t always genuine. The person sharing those joyful quotes might be in their room alone feeling isolated.

So what is a joyful person?

Itā€™s important to differentiate between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion. It comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness is a condition. It comes from Christ assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, joyfulness is enduring.

Consider this: a joyful person is a repentant person.

At first read, these two things might seem to contradict each other. Isnā€™t repentance all about feeling sad? This is true in a way. Repentance is feeling sad over oneā€™s sin. However, it also involves trusting in Jesusā€™ forgiveness.

The person who is repentant knows their enduring condition of being forgiven through Jesusā€™ death on the cross. They know that heaven is their inheritance no matter how bad things get here on earth. That leads to joyfulness.

That joyfulness will inevitably lead to fruit. The person who is secure in their forgiveness in Christ wants to live a life giving back to him. They want to live a life full of love for God and others. They want to share the joy they know with others.

The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. The title for the third Sunday of Advent was ā€œGaudeteā€ which means ā€œto rejoice.ā€ It was a reminder of how closely joyfulness and repentance are to one another.

Let the joy Christ has worked in you by making you his child lead you to produce fruit in your life as you live for Jesus and your neighbor.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me a joyful person through your Spirit and produce fruits of repentance in me. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – December 8, 2024

The entire life of a Christian is one of repentance. Even this is something that God works in him through the Holy Spirit.

(John the Baptist) went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 3:3

A Real Christmas is Rooted in Repentance

Put up the decorations. Bake the cookies. Take the end of the semester tests. There is so much work to be done in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Have you bought your mom a present yet?

In the days leading up to the start of Jesusā€™ ministry, John the Baptist was preparing the way for him. He didnā€™t give people a list of tasks to do to be ready for Jesus to come. He said only one thing was needed to be ready.

Repent.

Repentance isnā€™t really a work we do. Itā€™s something God works in us. When his law exposes our sin, it cuts us to the heart and makes us realize our need for a savior.

Repentance really has two parts: 1. Sorrow over sin and a desire to turn from it. 2. Trusting fully in Jesus for his promised forgiveness of that sin.

Repentance is the thing we need to be ready for Jesusā€™ second coming as well.

The first ā€œthesisā€ in Martin Lutherā€™s 95 Theses says this: ā€œWhen our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ā€˜Repentā€™, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.ā€

Repentance is the heartbeat of a Christian. We still have a sinful nature, so sinning is inevitable. Our response to sinning should always be repentance and aiming to cut that sin out of our life.

What a relief that there is no work required of us to have a real Christmas. Jesus has done the work for you. Thatā€™s why you can repent and trust in the forgiveness he has promised you through his death on the cross.

When we realize this, we are able to celebrate a real Christmas free from worry and stress. There is no work left to do. Itā€™s all been done in Jesus.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for doing the work necessary for me to have eternal life. Grant that every day of my life would be marked by repentance. Help me to live a life thatā€™s pleasing to you in all things. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – December 1, 2024

In order to have a real Christmas, we have to understand why Jesus came and why he is coming back.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

A Real Christmas Requires Remembering Why Christ Came

National Lampoonā€™s Christmas Vacation (TV Version) is the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

If you havenā€™t seen it, Clark Griswold is your everyday middle-class American who wants nothing more than to give his family the perfect, old fashioned, Griswold family Christmas. He wanted his family to have a real Christmas. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Hilarity ensued. Watch the movie when it comes on TV in a few weeks.

What is a real Christmas anyways?

We are starting the season in the church year called Advent this week. Advent helps us prepare are hearts for Christmas when we celebrate Christā€™s first coming, but Advent is really about looking ahead to Christā€™s second coming.

In order to have a real Christmas, we have to understand why Christ came the first time and why he is coming again.

Jesus didnā€™t come at Christmas so that we can take a break from school every year. He didnā€™t come to teach us a lesson about gift giving. He didnā€™t come to show us how to live our lives.
He came at Christmas to live for us. He came to die for us.

Jesus lived a perfect life, and heā€™s given us all the credit. He allowed Roman soldiers to shed his blood on the cross, because that blood was considered sufficient payment to God for your sins and the sins of the whole world.

In other words, Jesus came at Christmas so that you might be holy and blameless.

Those words are really important. The fact that Jesus has made you holy means that he has set you apart and taken away your sin. The fact that you are blameless means that the devil canā€™t accuse you of any wrongdoing. Jesus has taken it all away. You are an heir of heaven.

Paul wanted the Christians he was writing to to remember that. He wants you to remember that too.

As you prepare your heart for Christmas, remember that Jesus came to make you holy and blameless. Remember that he is coming back one day to take you to be with him in heaven forever.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for making me holy and blameless in your sight. Help me to reflect your love to everyone I come into contact within this world. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – November 24, 2024

Jesus entrusts the world to you.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Itā€™s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back.”
Mark 13:32-25

You’re in Charge?

Think back to the first time you heard your parents say something like this: ā€œWeā€™ll be back later ā€“ youā€™re in charge of things! Be good!ā€ What tremendous words of freedom ā€“ an evening to yourself where you can make your own decisions! And at the same time, what tremendous words of responsibility! What if something unexpected happens and you arenā€™t sure what to do? What if something dangerous happens and you arenā€™t up to the challenge? Itā€™s exciting to be in chargeā€¦ as long as things go well!

What are we to make then of the fact that Jesus left us ā€œin chargeā€ of the world until he returns? Should that be exciting? Should it be scary? Are we up to the task? Can we carry out the mission Jesus has entrusted to us? If we look at our past track record of sins and mistakes, the prospect of being ā€œin chargeā€ of the mission of the church becomes quickly becomes intimidating.

But the good news is this: Jesus doesnā€™t ask you to change the world. Heā€™s already done that with his perfect life and innocent death in payment for sin. He simply asks you to testify to what he has done and eagerly await his return. And make no mistake, his return is coming! Whatā€™s more, you know what that day means for you: Jesus will gather his servants safely home for an eternity of joy and service in heaven! So be patient and take charge of the opportunity Jesus places before you. He is coming soon! Amen.

Prayer:
Jesus, you have already chosen the time and date of your return. Grant me the insight to see the opportunities to carry out your mission in my life and give me the strength and resolve to follow through. Forgive me when I fail and continue to renew me through your word. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – November 17, 2024

Jesus is the standard.

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in Godā€™s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:24-28

Free from Judgment

Donā€™t judge me by my clothing! Donā€™t judge me based on my family! Donā€™t judge me based on one bad decision, or by my grades, or the way I lookā€¦and the list goes on. No one likes to be judged and evaluated by someone on the outside, because itā€™s scary! We know our own flaws and imperfections, and we tend to spend a lot of time and energy trying to cover them up.

From that perspective, itā€™s an even more scary thing to imagine facing judgment before the almighty and all-knowing God, yet that is something that awaits every person who has ever and will ever live. The writer to the Hebrews points out that for a child of God this appointment before the judgement seat of Christ doesnā€™t need to be a scary thing, because we already know the verdict that will be rendered.

Even though Jesus already knows your flaws and imperfections, he chooses not to judge you by those. Instead, he chose to lay down his own life and suffer Godā€™s anger and judgment in your place! The writer to the Hebrews says that Jesus was sacrificed once for sin at the cross, and according to Godā€™s perfect judgment that one sacrifice was enough! Your sins, whether known or hidden, are all gone. That means you have salvation already now. Youā€™re a member of Godā€™s family, already now. Stop living in fear of judgment! And someday, when Jesus returns, it wonā€™t be to deal with your sin again, but to bring new life in heaven and eternal salvation to those who wait for him. What a day that will be! Amen.

Prayer:
Jesus my Savior, you suffered Godā€™s judgment in my place and took my punishment on your own back. When I feel guilt and shame over my sins, or when I fear being judged for my thoughts and actions, remind me of this truth. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – November 10, 2024

Jesus sees the sinfulness we try to hide and loved us anyways.Ā 

As he taught, Jesus said, ā€œWatch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widowsā€™ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.ā€

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ā€œTruly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everythingā€”all she had to live on.ā€
Mark 12:38-44

Real Life

Every time an election season rolls around, it serves as a good reminder of how many things in the world are fake. Photos taken and retaken and then photoshopped and airbrushed. Promises made and then restated, perhaps with good intentions, but all too often some are unlikely to be kept. Stories told and retold and embellished and modified. All this for the sake of building a candidate or political partyā€™s image!

The teachers of the law in Jesusā€™ day were also important and influential people in society, but Jesus points out that they too were ā€œfake.ā€ They were all about image and outward appearance, but underneath the show their hearts were filled with self-centered attitudes and self-serving motivations. Have you ever felt like that describes you too? Things look OK on the outside, maybe even pretty good a lot of the time, but itā€™s a good thing people donā€™t know whatā€™s underneath because theyā€™d see what a sham that outward appearance is! Most of us would probably do almost anything to make sure people donā€™t find out about the deepest secrets of our hearts.

Jesus knows all those secrets. But Jesus doesnā€™t respond like a sinful person. He doesnā€™t spread gossip in the rumor mill or look down his nose at you. Instead, he takes up your burden. He knows about your most shameful secrets, and he choose to love you anyway, so much so that he laid down his life for you! And now he invites you to spend your life with him. With Jesus, you can live secure in the knowledge your sins are forgiven and donā€™t need to bother you any longer. With Jesus, you can put aside your sinful habits and work and study and speak and play to his glory, every day of your life! Amen.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I have sinned more than I care to remember, and I have made so many efforts to hide my sins. Today I confess to you that I have failed in every way. Thank you for making me your child anyway. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws. Teach me to put aside my sinfulness and live my life for your glory. Amen


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – November 3, 2024

Death is not forever.

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wineā€”
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain, the [Lord Almighty] will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces; he will remove his peopleā€™s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

In that day they will say, ā€œSurely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.ā€

Isaiah 25:6-9

You Will Live Forever

The casket was open in front of the church. A woman lay insideā€¦ a wife, mother, friend, teacher. Her body was there, but she wasnā€™t there. She was wearing a pretty dress, her usual hairstyle, nice make upā€¦ but she was just an empty shell of the woman loved by her husband and children and friends. Death had changed everything.

Maybe youā€™ve experienced a similar scene at a funeral. If not, you will as the years pass. At some point it will also be your turn to be in a box in front of the church. The somber scene of a funeral displays the tragic reality of life: the wages of sin is death, and all have sinned, so all will die. Nothing can change that.

But listen to Isaiah forecast something different for the future. He talks about the shroud (the cloth draped over a casket at a funeral). He says the shroud covering the world is going to be destroyed! He says that the Lord is wiping away tears from the faces of his mourning people! The Lord is welcoming people into a feast! Where does this joyous change take place? On the ā€œmountain of the Lord.ā€ How does one get there? Jesus is the key. He climbed Mt. Calvaryā€™s cross to destroy the shroud!

This past week, churches around the world celebrated All Saints’ Day. Itā€™s a day to remember those whoā€™ve died. More than that though, itā€™s a day of celebration knowing where they are ā€“ the Mountain of the Lord!

Donā€™t be afraid of the shroud of death – thereā€™s life on the mountain of God! By Godā€™s grace, you will ascend the mountain of the Lord to live with all whoā€™ve gone there before you. Together you will live with God for eternity! What a joyous day that will be!

Prayer:
Lord God who holds the power over death, keep me close to your all the days of my life. When your time is right, bring me home to live with you and those who have gone before me forever. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – October 27, 2024

God is able to save his people.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ā€œKing Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majestyā€™s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.ā€
Daniel 3:16-18

Will You Fit in or Follow?

What are you going to wear today? How will you style your hair? Which extracurricular activities are you going to join? Which classes did you decide to take? These decisions in life, whether big or small, are probably decisions that are affected, at least in part, by what friends are doing. For many aspects of life, thatā€™s completely normal and just fine. Everyone likes to fit in with the group, and friends who share your interests and tastes are a blessing from God.

But as a child of God, there are also going to be situations in life where you wonā€™t be able to fit in with the group, no matter how desperately you want to. Your desire to live as a Christian will at times conflict with the sad realities of a sinful world populated by sinful people. The temptation will always be there to compromise your beliefs and values to fit in.

This is not a new struggle for children of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to fit in or follow God. Choosing God would cost them their lives! Many Lutheran churches this time of year are celebrating the Lutheran Reformation. Martin Luther faced the same choice: fit in with a corrupted church or choose the truth of Godā€™s Word.

Where can a child of God find the strength to stand out from the crowd in situations like these? Perspective comes from remembering who God is and what he has done for you. The almighty God is powerful enough to rescue you, even from death itself, should he choose to do so. Thatā€™s what he did for the three men in todayā€™s reading. But you know that even if God chooses not to do that on a particular occasion, he remains the God who adopts you into his family where youā€™re always welcome and always fit in no matter what. Why is that the case? Because your sins are always forgiven in Jesus. Your mistakes are always wiped away through his sacrifice. Your flaws and failings are forgotten forever. Especially when facing the choice to fit in or follow God, remember … you are a child of God. Hold onto that status, even when it means standing out and not fitting in!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me the strength to stand up when I need to, the courage to live my faith when so many do not, and the wisdom to connect your promises to my own life. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – October 20, 2024

The heart of a follower of Jesus when sharing the gospel is a heart that looks for nothing in return.

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Whatever it Costs

It can be hard to get fired up to share the gospel. As a follower of Jesus, we know we are supposed to share the gospel, but it can be hard to be motivated to share the gospel. That is because you donā€™t get anything in return. Getting a reward is a great motivator. Tell a teen that if they clean their room they can go to the movies with their friends. Chances are that room will get cleaned. Tell a teen to mow the lawn and they will get paid $100. That lawn will get mowed, edged and swept. Tell a teen that if they clean the toilets they will get a brand new car. Those toilets will sparkle. Tell a teen to do any of those chores because Mom or Dad says so, it is safe to say that teen will be less motivated. A person is highly motivated to spend time, effort, and energy if they know they will get something in return.

That is why it can be difficult to be motivated to share the gospel. It costs a lot and you gain nothing. Paul said he would do whatever it takes to win someone over to the gospel. If he had to be uncomfortable, he would. If he had to be weak, he would. If he had to be ridiculed, he would. If he had to pretend to like something he really didnā€™t like just to build a relationship, he would. If he had to spend his own money, he would. If he had to give up his Saturday, he would. He would do whatever cost him just so that he might possibly win someone over to Jesus. And what did he gain from all of that effort? Nothing. Actually, he received hardships more times than not.

So why was he so on fire to share the gospel? He didnā€™t need a reward because he already had everything. When you have Jesus, you have heaven. Imagine having a visa gift card that never ran out. When you went out to eat with your friends, wouldnā€™t it be easy to pay the bill for everyone. When you have everything, it is easy to pay whatever it costs and you want to share what you have with others. So if you are struggling to share Jesus with the people around you, take a moment and think about how awesome heaven is going to be. Then look at that person and think about what they are missing out on. You will be motivated to do whatever it costs here on earth to possibly get to share with that person the joy of having everything in heaven. Amen

Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for giving me everything. There are so many people who have nothing because they donā€™t have you. Give me the opportunity to share the gospel with them. When I get the opportunity, give me the motivation, courage, and words to say. Amen


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – October 13, 2024

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

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

You Have the Prize

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

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


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – October 6, 2024

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

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

How to Date the Follower Way

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

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

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

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

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


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – September 29, 2024

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

ā€œDonā€™t be afraid,ā€ the prophet answered. ā€œThose who are with us are more than those who are with them.ā€

And Elisha prayed, ā€œOpen his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.ā€ Then the Lord opened the servantā€™s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:16-17

Meet the Squad

Having a good squad makes a difference between having dread and confidence when facing an enemy. In the pregame lobby of a game of COD or Fortnite, if your squad is stacked, you are confident about what is about to happen. Sometimes, however, you are in that pregame lobby with a squad that is mediocre at best. You definitely donā€™t have the same confidence going into that game. Maybe you even have a little dread knowing that you are probably going to be destroyed by a squad of squeaky 9-year-olds.

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

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

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

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


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – September 22, 2024

What you gain on earth is temporal but what you gain in heaven is eternal.

ā€œAnyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.ā€ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ā€œWhoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.ā€

Mark 9:35-37

For Nothing

There were two men. The first man was a worldly man. He worked hard because he had goals he wanted to achieve. He got a good paying job. He bought a big house. He always had a nice car. He bought a boat. He ate in fine restaurants. He wanted to be seen as a generous person so every Christmas he gave to a charity. He was very political. Every year, he and his college buddies would travel to Las Vegas for their annual fantasy football draft. He won the fantasy football championship four times. He never married but had a few girlfriends. He invested well into the stock market. He retired early. He traveled the world. He died. He was not a follower of Jesus.

The second man was a follower of Jesus. He worked hard but his goals were different. He got a good paying job. He got married and committed his life to putting his wife first. They had four kids. He never could afford a fancy car but he had the car that he needed. He couldnā€™t afford to eat in fancy restaurants or go on fun trips instead paid for diapers and Christian education. He turned down the promotion so he could spend more time with his family. He was in charge of the Sunday school at his church. He gave generous offerings to the Lord. He would invite anyone and everyone he met to church. Once he retired, he mowed the grass at church and the yard of his neighbor who was an older widow. He too died.

The first man gained everything he ever wanted but took nothing with him when he died. It was all for nothing. The second man was a servant putting others before himself. He did it all for nothing, not looking to get anything in return. He did it out of love for his Savior whom he followed and out of love for others. In the end, he gained everything in heaven.

Which man are you?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, through your saving work on earth and the cross, you have made me your follower. Give me a heart that loves, not looking to get anything in return. Keep my eyes focused on heaven where you will give me everything. Amen


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – September 15, 2024

We have what we need to win the spiritual war against the devil.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devilā€™s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:10-13

You are at War

Getting ready for an average day is a lot different than getting ready for war. Instead of jeans and a t-shirt, you put on body armor. Before walking out the door, instead of grabbing your sunglasses, air pods, and Stanley cup, you grab your pistol, rifle, and grenades. Instead of slipping into your Birks and throwing on a trucker hat, you strap up your boots and put on a helmet. Getting ready on an average Tuesday is a lot different than getting ready for war because you arenā€™t worried about facing an enemy that is trying to destroy you.

But maybe you should be. Paul says we are at war against the devil who is fighting day and night to drag your soul with him into the pits of hell. On top of that, this enemy is smarter, stronger, and more determined than you.

Have no fear. You have an ally in this war, the Almighty God. He gives you what you need in order to withstand the attacks of the devil. First, donā€™t forget to take God with you into battle. Like a lighthouse standing on a rock in the middle of a raging sea, God tells you to stand in his mighty power. When you do, the devil cannot overpower you. Second, God tells you to put on his armor that no attack of the devil can penetrate. Remember who you are, a baptized child of God. God has washed your sins away and covered you with Jesus. Read the Bible. Being in Godā€™s Word every day is like being fully loaded with the best weapons.

You are at war. Everyday get ready for battle and you will win.

Prayer:
Almighty God, Be my strength and shield. Protect me from the attacks of the devil. Help me stand in you and put on your armor every day. Thank you for the victory I already have in Jesus. Amen


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – September 8, 2024

We are saved by the compassion and power of Jesus.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the manā€™s ears. Then he spit and touched the manā€™s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ā€œEphphatha!ā€ (which means ā€œBe opened!ā€). At this, the manā€™s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Mark 7:31-37

The Word Not Dependent On Ears

This is one of Jesusā€™ coolest miracles.

You probably know the passage, ā€œFaith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.ā€ (Romans 10:17) So, what do you do if you canā€™t hear words?

This man most likely had been unable to hear since birth which means his life had an emptiness that is hard for us to comprehend. We hear words. We think in words. We speak in words. If you canā€™t hear words, you canā€™t think in words, let alone speak. He had no way to organize his thoughts into words. His world was one of silent emptiness.

But the worst part of his situation was that he had no way of coming to know Jesus. News about Jesus had spread, but not to him. Reports would have come in about the Messiah who heals and saves, but he would have no idea. Jesus could preach a perfect sermon, but he would never hear it. And if he canā€™t hear the Gospel, he canā€™t be saved, right?

Oh, the compassion and power of Jesus! He knows exactly what this man needs and interacts with him individually. He touches his ears. He touches his tongue. He sighs up to heaven. And using his powerful Word that is not dependent on the ability of one to hear or understand, Jesus opens his ears, gives him the ability to immediately speak plainly, and gives him faith.

This is who Jesus is and this is how he deals with you. He knows exactly what you need and interacts with you individually. When you were dead in your sin, his Gospel created faith. For some of you, when you were unable to comprehend the words of Jesus because you were a baby, he opened your heart and gave you faith through the Word connected to the water in baptism. Yes, Jesus is powerful. Yes, he has compassion for you. Yes, he loves you. What grace that Jesus used his power to make you his follower.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, We thank you that you have opened our hearts by your Word. Give us the opportunity and the determination to bring those who do not know you to you. Thank you for the people in our lives who brought us to you. Amen


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transformed – teen devotion – September 1, 2024

Jesus wants his followers to care more about what is on the inside rather than what is seen on the outside.

ā€œWhat comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a personā€™s heart, that evil thoughts comeā€”sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.ā€

Mark 7:20-23

What’s on the Inside?

Two chicken tenders are placed in front of you. One is perfectly golden brown, covered in a crunchy flakey crust, and dusted precisely with flecks of seasoning. Not one crumb is out of place. You bite into it and the inside is made up of some kind of bland whitish meat. The other tender is not quite as pretty but inside of it is juicy delicious perfectly cooked chicken. Which tender is better?

Being the kind of follower Jesus wants us to be is like a good chicken tender. You can present your life as perfectly put together. You can wear your Sunday best when you go to church. Your hair can have just the right flow. You can be a part of the youth group. You can have parents that arenā€™t divorced. You can present yourself to look like the kind of Christian you find on Instagram. But, if your heart is full of lust and your eyes linger on things they shouldnā€™t. If you look down at someone who clearly doesnā€™t have it all together and gossip about that person. If you think your political party makes you better than that other person from the other party. If you are money hungry, a liar, or hateful, you may look the part but you arenā€™t the kind of follower Jesus wants.

Jesus wants followers who are good on the inside. He wants followers who wake up every day and humbly say, ā€œGod have mercy on me again today because I am a sinner.ā€ Jesus wants followers who look at others with love knowing that they need Jesus just as much as you do. Jesus wants followers who love him more than money, are honest, defend those who are weak or struggling, and find joy in lifting others up. He wants your heart.

So which tender are you?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus. Change my heart. Make me clean. Help me be the follower you want me to be. I know you will. Amen.


Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionĀ®, NIVĀ®. Copyright Ā©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.ā„¢ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.