Attitude – April 19, 2025

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. In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-5

Attitude

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Daily Devotion – April 19, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:3-5

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How has your attitude been lately? Have you gotten short-tempered with your children, spouse, or employees? Have you been disrespectful to your parents, teachers, or boss? Have you been a little self-righteous and unconcerned about the people around you? How has your attitude been toward the people you run into on a regular basis?

Now think about this: How is your attitude toward God? You may be happy with God when life seems to be going well, but it’s easy to blame God when things don’t go as planned. You may find yourself getting angry at God when there are difficult times in life—when you attend a funeral, miss a promotion, fail the exam, or have an illness. You may think that you know better than God, even though he is the Almighty and will judge all people one day.

We so desperately need Jesus. His attitude was always to glorify God and to love others. Jesus always displayed a humble attitude. He came to serve, not to be served. That is clearly seen when Jesus died on the cross to suffer the punishment for our sins so that we may live with him in heaven. Jesus even died to forgive you for the times when you had a bad attitude toward God and others!

Jesus’ forgiveness and love for you will change even a bad attitude into a life of love and service toward God and your fellow man.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to improve my attitude toward others that I may be more like you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Curse Is Ended – April 18, 2025

All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” . . . Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Galatians 3:10,13

The Curse Is Ended

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Daily Devotion – April 18, 2025

Devotion based on Galatians 3:10,13

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The plot of many fairy tales focuses on trying to end a curse, to break the spell cast by the story’s villain. In the end, you know that the hero will eventually appear, end the curse, and save the princess or even the entire land.

That plot is more true-to-life than we might like to admit. The Bible says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Who can claim to have done everything required by God’s Law? We can’t even rightly claim to have kept a single one of God’s laws.

God’s Law demands actions that always step up to help and never cause hurt. His Law demands words that only build up with truth and love and never tear down. His Law demands hearts and minds that are perfectly pure and never polluted with hatred, greed, envy, or lust. And anyone who doesn’t live up to everything written in God’s Law is under a curse. Because of our sins against God’s law, we deserve death. We earn an eternity of God’s wrath in hell. “Cursed” hardly seems to be a strong enough word.

But what happened on a dark Friday afternoon nearly two thousand years ago changed all of that. Christ redeemed us from that curse by becoming a curse for us. He accepted our guilt—all of it. And he received the curse that it deserved—all of it.

Jesus was hung on the cross not only to suffer man’s wrath but the wrath of God and to pay the price demanded for our souls. With his life, he redeemed us. He paid the price to set us free from sin and guilt, from death and hell. Nothing less could have ended sin’s curse. Jesus paid that price in full. The curse is ended forever! And that’s why we call this Friday “good.”

Prayer:
What wondrous love is this! You paid the awful price for my soul! Amen.

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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 to His Promises – April 17, 2025

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

Faithful to His Promises

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Daily Devotion – April 17, 2025

Devotion based on Hebrews 10:23

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Today, Christians celebrate Maundy Thursday or, as it is also called, Holy Thursday. The shadows of this night stretch back 3500 years. The descendants of Abraham had been forced into slavery in Egypt. But the Lord had promised that they would one day live in their own land where, through one special descendant, all nations on earth would be blessed.

The Lord kept that promise. Through a series of powerful miracles that you can read about in the Bible’s book of Exodus, the Lord rescued Abraham’s descendants from their slavery and brought them into that Promised Land.

Along the way, the Lord appeared to them with a covenant, a contract that said, “Obey me, and I will bless you.” But almost immediately, the people broke their side of the deal. And they continued to disobey and rebel against the Lord.

But the Lord gave a greater covenant to his people—a promise that didn’t depend on their obedience. A promise of forgiveness and deliverance from disobedience and death, just as he had delivered them from slavery and death in Egypt.

Every year, the people of God celebrated a special meal called the Passover. That meal remembered God’s rescue in Egypt. More importantly, it foreshadowed God’s future rescue, when he would make good on that promise of forgiveness and deliverance for all people.

Jesus came to fulfill that covenant promise. As he ate the Passover meal with his disciples, he was just hours away from giving his life to win a home in a heavenly Promised Land for all people. That night, he gave them a special meal to recall the covenant he came to fulfill. He fed them his own body and blood with bread and wine in a miraculous meal we call Holy Communion. It was their assurance, and it remains ours today, that God is faithful to his promises to unfaithful sinners like us.

No matter how unfaithful we have been to God, God’s faithful love gives us hope. Sure hope that, because God never breaks a promise, every one of our sins is forgiven through Jesus. Sure hope that one day, we will celebrate an even greater feast with Jesus in heaven.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me hold unswervingly to the hope that your faithful love gives to me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Obedient All the Way to Death – April 16, 2025

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8

Obedient All the Way to Death

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Daily Devotion – April 16, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:8

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People are willing to put up with a lot if they think it will be worth it in the end. Many athletes and high achievers in various fields will endure long hours of grueling training, decades of preparation, financial sacrifice, and the high demands of professors, coaches, and bosses along the way. But there is a limit to what people will do.

Recently, there’s been a trend in sports of athletes retiring earlier. Sometimes, it’s because athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger, so the effects of age more quickly leave them unable to compete. Other times, it’s because the toll competing takes on their body is not a price they are willing to pay for long.

Do we ever get that way in our walk with God? God’s law makes demands that we just aren’t willing to meet. Undivided devotion? No way. Love for our enemies? That’s a big ask. Complete trust when it seems like God has forgotten us? That’s a pretty hard road to stay on.

When Jesus entered the world on a mission to save, he knew the price that would be demanded of him. Not just long hours teaching and healing, days traveling on foot, or seemingly endless opposition along the way. Jesus knew that death would be required of him. A most shameful death by crucifixion on a Roman cross. Knowing what was coming, when his Father said, “Go!” Jesus went.

When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, how good it must have felt to hear the crowds shouting his praises. How easy it would have been to take a different path. Grab onto the glory and chase after the power and greatness. It was there for the taking.

But love for you and me led Jesus to surrender to his Father’s will and give himself over to death. For the times we have considered the cost of obedience too high, the price of following Jesus too great, Jesus willingly paid the price with his life. Because of his surrender, the end of the road for us is not death but life, not pain but paradise. We can surrender all to follow him, knowing that the end will be worth any price.

Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for giving up everything for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

Pursuing Justice – April 15, 2025

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.
Isaiah 42:3,4

Pursuing Justice

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Daily Devotion – April 15, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 42:3,4

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Some of the greatest heroes in history are those who have fought for justice. In American history, the emancipation of slaves, the fight for women’s suffrage, and the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement are all times when great men and women have made great sacrifices in pursuit of justice. Stirring speeches have encouraged those who listened not to give up the cause until there is justice for all.

The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah about the work that the Messiah, the Savior, would come to do. He said that he would bring justice. And he would not give up, falter, or be discouraged until it was finished.

But if we look at ourselves honestly in the mirror of God’s law, justice is a frightful thought. True justice not only pursues the end of unjust oppression, but it also pursues proper punishment for those who have done wrong. God’s justice says that the proper punishment for disobeying even one of his laws is death and unending suffering in hell. To let the lawbreaker off without a penalty would not be just and make God’s law meaningless.

Jesus came to bring justice, but not in the way we might expect. Jesus came to bring justice by surrendering himself to justice in our place. Because we could not go free without justice being carried out, Jesus assumed our guilt and surrendered to the just penalties we deserved. There was no plea bargain, no legal loopholes. He faced every charge and suffered every punishment.

One hymn writer put it this way: “Many hands were raised to wound him; none would intervene to save; but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that justice gave.” In love, Jesus willingly suffered horrible things at the hands of angry human enemies. Even more, in love, he willingly suffered the stroke of God’s justice, the punishment of hell for you and me.

Because he did, the punishment for our sins has been carried out. Now, we are justly counted as innocent in God’s eyes. And only the reward of eternal life remains.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for facing God’s justice for me so that I will always be free. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

If You Want It, Go Get It – April 14, 2025

Christ Jesus . . . being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing.
Philippians 2:5-7

If You Want It, Go Get It

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Daily Devotion – April 14, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 2:5-7

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If you want something, you have to go get it. That’s the kind of advice a parent, grandparent, coach, or mentor might have for a young person. Success doesn’t just come to you. Opportunities don’t just appear with no effort on your part. You have to get out there and make something happen and seize the opportunities when they come. You have to go get what’s yours.

In most cases, it’s probably good advice. But it doesn’t seem like advice that Jesus heard or accepted. He had it all. He had the power and glory. He was God. He could do anything he wanted to do. But he gave it all away.

“He made himself nothing,” the Bible says. He gave up comfort and ease. He set aside power and authority. He gave it all up to live as a human being, to live life as a lowly servant in this world. In utter humility, Jesus was counted among the worst criminals and sentenced to death. He was crushed under the weight of God’s anger over sin and disobedience.

Instead of selfishly seizing greatness, he surrendered to lowliness. Why? Because of the greatness of his love.

You see, there was something that Jesus wanted. He knew it wouldn’t happen on its own. He had to go out and get it. He seized the opportunity and sacrificed everything to get it. What was it? It was you. It was me.

Jesus surrendered to lowliness and suffering to seize you from the grip of death in which your sins held you. He gave up everything to give you life and riches that you could never earn or achieve for yourself. Riches that will outlast every achievement and reward this world can offer.

Jesus seized the opportunity to surrender what he had to give you what was his—a place in the family of God and an eternal home. That’s what this week that Christians call “Holy Week” is all about.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, no one loves me as much as you love me. Thank you for coming to earth and giving up everything to give me life with you in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Can’t Keep Quiet – April 13, 2025

The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:37-40

Can’t Keep Quiet

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Daily Devotion – April 13, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 19:37-40

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As spring warmth returns to the northern regions, choruses of birds greet the morning sun. They can’t keep quiet. Rather, they praise their Creator.

As Jesus came to Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds raised their voices, shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” They couldn’t keep quiet.

And we have an even greater reason not to keep quiet. Because we know that God is not only our Creator. We know that Jesus did more than perform miracles.

Praise him because you know why he came to Jerusalem. He came to die for sinners, to die for you and me.

Praise him because you believe in him, your King. You, like me, were once a slave to sin. But the King ransomed us to be his blood-bought people. His death on the cross redeemed you, so that by faith, you confess that he is your King. What’s more, one week after he entered Jerusalem, he proved himself our victorious King. He conquered death by rising from the dead. He broke sin’s chains and crushed Satan’s head. His resurrection makes our faith sure. So, praise your victorious King.

Praise him because he has taken our hearts that were once stone-dead in sin and made us spiritually alive. How powerless we were! But through his word in baptism and the Bible, he entered your heart and established his throne. Through his gospel, he reigns in you. Your faith holds on to this good news: You have peace with God in heaven above because Jesus reconciled you to him by his death on the cross.

Yes, now we, who were once like stones, can’t keep quiet. We cry out: “Glory to God in the highest, who gave up his Son to bring us peace. Glory to our Savior-King, who reigns forever and ever.”

Prayer:
I praise you, Jesus, for all you have done and continue to do as my King! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Forgetting What Is Behind – April 12, 2025

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

Forgetting What Is Behind

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Daily Devotion – April 12, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14

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After a long day, that glorious moment has finally arrived. However, as your weary head sinks deeper into its pillow your mind begins reviewing the events of the day, and you find that sleep is not going to come as quickly as you would like. Unfinished tasks, disappointing events, words that you regret speaking. There are all sorts of things that happened during the day that you wish you could go back and change, but you can’t.

One of the most frustrating things in life is also one of the most solid truths. We cannot go back and change anything that has happened in the past. There is no time machine that allows us to go back and avoid making the mistakes we have made.

How awesome our God is! He does undo the past. He has erased those mistakes, not by using a time machine, but with the blood of his Son, Jesus. Every hurtful word spoken, and selfish decision made, all the sinful acts we have ever committed—they have all been erased by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now we have been given a tremendous gift—a future. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, all our sin and guilt have been removed and by faith in Jesus we have been given eternal life in heaven. Instead of ending the day with a mind that is spinning, filled with the regrets of the past, we can rest in peace with our eyes focused on the wonderful future God has graciously given to us.

May the Holy Spirit graciously enable us to echo the apostle Paul’s words: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill my heart with a faith that focuses on the eternal prize that Jesus, my Savior, has won for me with his blood. With my eyes focused on heaven, help me to live my life here on earth as the forgiven child of God that I am. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

To Press On – April 11, 2025

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

To Press On

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Daily Devotion – April 11, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:14

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When word leaked out that Sylvester Stallone was working on yet another Rocky movie, many people groaned and rolled their eyes. After all, it had been thirty years since the original film and fifteen years had passed since the last installment, Rocky V, opened in theaters. Critics had panned Rocky V as nothing more than a thin, tired last gasp of a worn-out franchise.

Despite the guffaws, Stallone soldiered on. He believed Rocky Balboa still had something to say. He was right. The film, simply entitled Rocky Balboa, hit the big screen in 2006. And to everyone’s amazement, Rocky Balboa was good. Very good.

The climactic scene of the film is an emotional exchange between Rocky and his son, who, by now is a young adult. His son has just poured out his heart to Rocky, describing the difficulties and hardships he’s had to endure because of the ups and downs of his famous father. Rocky’s response is poignant and powerful. After describing to his son how brutal, unfair, and relentless life can be, he says, “[But] it ain’t about how hard you’re hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

The apostle Paul knew a thing or two about taking hits. Over the years of his ministry, he’d endured beatings with rods, imprisonment, stoning, angry mobs threatening his life, shipwrecks, hunger, thirst and lack of sleep. He’d endured the heartache and disappointment of people turning their backs on Jesus.

Nevertheless, Paul pressed on. But here’s the point: He pressed on not to make himself worthy of his heavenly prize. Rather, he pressed on because of what Jesus Christ had already done to secure the heavenly prize for him. Christ had already secured victory by living a life of perfect persistence in Paul’s place. He had already secured victory by going to the cross and washing away Paul’s many sinful stumbles and falls. Therefore, what drove Paul to persevere was God’s persistent love for him in Jesus.

And that is what drives us, too.

Prayer:
Lord, move me to press on, as you pressed on for me. Amen.

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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.

Deepest Wish and Need – April 10, 2025

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Philippians 3:8

Deepest Wish and Need

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Daily Devotion – April 10, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:8

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Christian writer Tim Keller once quoted an author by the name of Cynthia Heimel. In her circles, Heimel got to know a lot of celebrities before they became celebrities. Then she got to watch them after they made it big. As a result, she said the following: “I pity [celebrities]. No, I do. They were once perfectly pleasant human beings. But now, their wrath is awful. More than any of us, they wanted fame. They worked. They pushed. [But] the morning after each of them became famous, they wanted to take an overdose. Because that one giant thing they were striving for, that thing that was going to make everything okay, had happened. And nothing changed. They were still them. Cynthia Heimel then went on to say, “I think when God wishes to play a rotten practical joke on you, he grants your deepest wish.”

How about you? It’s easy, of course, to pick on celebrities who find out that being famous does not make everything okay. But you and I are just as vulnerable. Sure, we may not pick fame as our deepest wish. Our deepest wish may be something entirely different. Perhaps it’s popularity or respect from others in your line of work. Perhaps it’s success, financial security, authority, and influence. Perhaps it’s living life with a minimum of trouble.

The problem is that our deepest wish can often miss the mark of our deepest need. When that happens, we will experience the same fate as Cynthia Heimel’s celebrities. We will find that even when we get our deepest wish, nothing changes. We are still us.

That’s what the apostle Paul discovered. When he looked back on all the ways he had fulfilled his deepest wishes, respect, success in his field, success, and power, all this power he now regarded as harmful distractions in comparison to his deepest need.

Jesus Christ filled that need. He washed away Paul’s sins on Calvary’s cross. He connected Paul to God. He’s here to do the same for you and me.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my greatest need is you. Do what you must to keep me close. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Connection – April 9, 2025

The people I formed for myself.
Isaiah 43:21

Connection

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Daily Devotion – April 9, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:21

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In April 2020, a ten-part series entitled The Last Dance began to air on the sports network ESPN. It told the story of Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls, and their legendary place in NBA history. For many who love the game of basketball, the series reaffirmed their conviction that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.

But imagine, for a moment, the unimaginable. Imagine Michael Jordan going it alone, without a basketball team. Imagine him disconnecting from the league of teams known as the National Basketball Association. Imagine him disconnecting from the fan base that makes professional basketball possible. The very notion is absurd on its face.

In Isaiah chapter 43, the Lord says something that’s often easy to forget. He not only created us. He created us for himself. He did not simply manufacture us and plunk us into a universe of his own making. He created us for the express purpose of living life in profound connection with him.

This reality has huge ramifications. It means that my life has no independent value. It means that while I may drift away from God and convince myself it’s okay to dismiss him from my life, doing so empties me of the very purpose for which I exist. And while I may manage to deceive myself with a life of busyness, career, recreation, and pleasure, it means nothing. Nothing.

And yet, in your sinful madness and mine, you and I often try to give it a go. We fade away from God. We replace him with something or someone else. We disconnect from the very One for whom we exist.

But so precious is his connection with us that out of a love we cannot grasp, he did what he had to do to bring us back. He became one of us. He walked among us. On our behalf, he lived a life of perfect faithfulness to replace our lives of faithlessness. Then he took upon himself all our sins of abandonment and betrayal. He suffered and died for all of them in our place. He washed them all away.

All so that he, you, and I could be together again. Connected once more.

Prayer:
Lord, you made me for yourself. In Christ, I am yours once again. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Desert – April 8, 2025

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

Desert

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Daily Devotion – April 8, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:19

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You are driving on a remote stretch of highway in the Southwest United States. As you do, you pass through the Sonoran Desert. You’re playing your favorite tunes, your travel snacks are ready, and your minivan’s air conditioning is just right at 72 degrees. All is well.

Then, from your engine, there’s a rattle, a pop, and a bang. Your car slows to a stop. All you can do is pull off to the side. Your cell phone has no signal. You step out of your car and into an oven of 115 degrees. You look around and see—nothing, nothing but desert. And in that moment, a strange corkscrew sensation begins to wind its way up your spine.

These conditions are like the desert conditions God’s people faced in Isaiah chapter 43. As a result of their having drifted away from their Savior-God, they now found themselves surrounded by miseries of their own making—including an enemy nation that had dragged them from their homes and surrounded them in the desert.

Ever feel that way? Ever feel as though your sinful actions—or inactions—have dropped you into some terrible desert? If so, then you know the hopelessness and despair. You know the suffocating sense of futility and the raw fear there is no way home.

But there is a way. His name is Jesus. He has entered our desert and made his way to us. For him to do so came at great personal cost. As our substitute, he did all the things you and I have failed to do. In our place, he endured the suffocating heat and death of divine punishment for all our sins. And then he raised himself back to life.

And now, here he is. He has made his way to us. He brings the cool, refreshing water of forgiveness for us to drink. He brings shelter and shade from the terrible heat of God’s anger. Best of all, he brings the promise of eternal life with him in heaven.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I find myself in a desert of my own making. I look to you with a repentant heart. Refresh me in your promises. Embrace me in your forgiveness. Take me home. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Glory Days – April 7, 2025

Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:18,19

Glory Days

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Daily Devotion – April 7, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 43:18,19

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“Glory Days” is a classic rock song written by Bruce Springsteen. It tells the story of people who believe their happiest days—their glory days—are behind them. For example, there’s a man who was a standout in amateur baseball. Now his old baseball stories are all he talks about. There’s a woman who was one of the most popular girls in high school. Now, however, her marriage has ended, and she struggles to raise her kids as a single mom. The song goes on to say, “When she feels like crying, she starts laughing, thinking ’bout—Glory Days.”

Does this hit home for you? Perhaps you are in a stage of your life where your present difficulties convince you that your best days are behind. Marriage problems, heartaches in the family, financial stress, dissatisfaction at work, health concerns, wasted opportunities, personal setbacks, regret, anxiety, grief, loneliness—all of these can conspire to tell you that life has passed you by, that your significance has faded, that memories of happier days are all that remain.

Your Lord disagrees. True, in comparison to some past period of your life, your present may be oozing with setbacks, disappointments, difficulties, and pain. This is part of the human experience. This is part of living in a broken, sin-filled world.

But that’s why Jesus came into this sinful world of unfulfilled promise, bitter regret, and unforeseen disaster. On our behalf, he lived the life we should have lived but have failed to live. And in our place, he carried our every sinful failure to Calvary’s cross.

And three days after his death, he raised himself back to life. He did so not only to demonstrate that he is who he claims to be and has done what he’s promised to do. He also did so because he is not just the God of your past but the God of your present and future. He sees you and carries you. He is impacting other souls through you. Savor such a life. Because that’s a life that matters.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when my days grow difficult, remind me you are right here, with precious work for me to do. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Don’t Look Back – April 6, 2025

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

Don’t Look Back

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Daily Devotion – April 6, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12-14

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When you drive your car, you have a large windshield that lets you see straight ahead. You have a few small mirrors to see what’s behind you. They don’t take up much of your viewing space. That’s because you mostly need to see where you’re going, not where you’ve been.

Before Paul was a missionary for Jesus, he worked hard to stop the good news of Jesus from spreading. He didn’t mind at all if Christians died. But that had been a long time ago. He didn’t let his past wicked sins keep him from now looking forward to heaven with Jesus. Jesus had changed his heart. He repented of his sins. He enjoyed the forgiving love of his Savior.

The guilt and shame of past wrongs can stay with you for a long time. They can keep you from enjoying life. Worse, they can keep you from seeing that the joy of heaven is coming. Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead. He removed your guilt and shame by his death. His resurrection from the grave guarantees eternal life in heaven for you. That’s the prize Paul mentions. That’s the prize Jesus has won for you, too. Don’t look back. Repent. Enjoy Jesus’ forgiving love. See heaven as your eternal future.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, keep my eyes focused on Jesus, who removed the guilt and shame of my sins so that I can look forward to the prize of eternity with you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

The Only Thing of Importance – April 5, 2025

If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:10

The Only Thing of Importance

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Daily Devotion – April 5, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 8:10

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John Bacon was a sculptor. And he was a good one. Even during Bacon’s lifetime, Great Britain recognized him as a genius. Some of the most famous places in England eagerly commissioned him to work his magic. Today his astounding sculptures live on. They continue to awe and inspire, from Oxford to Bristol Cathedral to Westminster Abbey and beyond.

John Bacon died in 1799. His 58-year-old body found its final resting place at the Whitfield Tabernacle in London. It’s said that above his tomb are words that Bacon wrote for his epitaph before he died. Everyone walking past his grave will see these words: “What I was as an artist seemed of some importance to me while I lived; but what I was as a believer in Jesus Christ is the only thing of importance to me now.”

As you read or listen to this devotion, what’s important to you? Perhaps you’re a student trying to make it through the final quarter or working in an office and rushing to meet a deadline. Perhaps these words are reaching you at night after you’ve worked two jobs and put the kids to bed. Or you’re retired and battling poor health. No matter where you are in your life, there are matters that are urgent and pressing for the here and now.

But never let the urgent overshadow the important. What’s important is your relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s forgiveness of your every sin at Calvary’s cross is the only thing that will matter the moment your life on this earth comes to an end.

John Bacon worked hard to use his talents to the best of his ability. The Lord wants us to do the same. But as you do, keep in mind “The Only Thing of Importance.” It’s your bond of faith with the Son of God.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, there are so many pressing matters in my life. Give me focus. Empower me to rivet my eyes of faith on what is truly important. Move me to fix my eyes on you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

Grace in Place of Merits – April 4, 2025

[The younger son said to his father] “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” . . . The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:19,28-30

Grace in Place of Merits

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Daily Devotion – April 4, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 15:19,28-30

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By nature, we operate on the basic assumption that you get what you deserve. If you’ve worked hard, you reap a reward for your labor. You pay the price if you’ve been lazy, dishonest, or wasteful. This basic assumption moves many to approach God based on a merit system.

Both sons in this story were operating under that basic assumption. The younger son, who greedily demanded and then squandered his father’s wealth, thought he wasn’t worthy of returning home as a son. He approached his father with a plan to earn his way back by being a servant. The older son, who remained on his father’s estate and kept his nose to the grindstone, thought he was certainly more worthy than his younger brother. He became upset when his father welcomed his brother back as a son, based on grace in place of merit.

There is only one Son to whom that basic assumption applies. Based on the merits of the perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ, God welcomes us home as his dearly loved and fully forgiven children. We need not work our way back into God’s good graces. Jesus’ perfect work, his life, death, and resurrection, have already earned your spot in the Father’s house. It is by his grace, not by your works. You do not and cannot approach God based on merits. Instead, he approaches you with his grace. Like the father in the story ran out to welcome home his son, your Father in heaven runs to you and welcomes you with open arms and grace in place of condemnation. Welcome home!

Prayer:
Lord, by your grace, you receive me as your child. May I rest in that grace alone! Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Grace in Place of Greed – April 3, 2025

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. . . So he got up and went to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:11-13,20

Grace in Place of Greed

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Daily Devotion – April 3, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 15:11-13,20

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Jesus told a heart-wrenching story. You can read it in Luke 15:11-32. The younger son demanded his share of his father’s estate. Greed lured him away from his father’s home, where he had all he needed. His decision to take his inheritance and squander it eventually left him with nothing. A story like this makes our blood boil. Can you believe the audacity of the son that was so greedy and thankless!

Greed can easily lure our hearts away from the grace of our heavenly Father, which we’ve had at our disposal all along. We’ve felt the tug of a greedy heart that thinks our Father’s love and providence aren’t enough. We’ve given into the allure of material wealth as a replacement for the satisfaction that only our Savior’s love can give. The heartbreaking story of the younger son is our story, too.

Thank God, that’s not the end of the story. More extravagant than the lifestyle of the son who squandered everything is the lavish love of his father, who spared no expense in welcoming his son home. The son came to his senses and decided to return to his father’s house. His father was watching and waiting with open arms to welcome him home as a son.

God’s grace more than covers our sins of greed. Our longing hearts finally find what wealth cannot buy. We find our loving Father always ready to welcome us home with open arms. We find that the gift of our Savior’s forgiveness doesn’t depreciate or become depleted like all our earthly assets. We discover again that our Father’s love and his Son’s sacrifice are always enough.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, how great is the love you lavish on me, that you call me a son and welcome me home with open arms. Grant that I may always trust that your grace is enough. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Grace in Place of Condemnation – April 2, 2025

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1,2

Grace in Place of Condemnation

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Daily Devotion – April 2, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 8:1,2

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What’s it like to stand before a judge, waiting for his verdict? Maybe you know what it’s like, or maybe you’ve only seen it on the news. Whether we have stood in front of a judge in real life or not, all of us are accountable to God, who rightly judges every heart. If we’re honest, we know what God’s verdict should be—guilty as charged, sentenced to eternal condemnation.

But the grace of God in Jesus Christ overrules what should be. In God’s courtroom, we find grace in place of condemnation. Every day we can confess our sins and plead guilty, and God declares us not guilty through Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, God’s justice was served, and you were saved. Now, God personally declares “not guilty” all who have faith in Christ Jesus. Now, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

In Jesus and through faith in him, you need not imagine what it’s like to be declared “not guilty” by the judge of all humankind. It’s a very real verdict, and it impacts you right now. Too often, we dwell in the past. We let past sins and past guilt distract us from the present reality of God’s forgiveness. Once we lived under the law of sin and death, we were controlled by sin and condemned to death. But that was then. Now, things are different. Those who are in Christ have been set free by the grace of God.

Prayer:
Lord, keep me always in Christ so that I may live now and forever in your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Grace in Place of Anger – April 1, 2025

“I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:1,2

Grace in Place of Anger

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Daily Devotion – April 1, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 12:1,2

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When someone offends or hurts you with words or actions, what’s your most likely response? To show grace or fume with anger? For many of us, too often, we react with anger.

In our Bible reading for today, the author says that God was angry with him because of his sins. God’s anger is different from our anger. God’s anger is rightly directed toward anyone who repeatedly disobeys and disregards his perfect will. God would have had as many reasons to be angry with us as we have sins.

Thankfully, our Bible passage goes on to say, “Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away…” Once, God’s anger was directed toward us because of our sins, but that anger was redirected. Where did it go? It was redirected upon Jesus, the perfect Son of God. God’s anger against sin was redirected entirely upon the one who always did his Father’s will. All the reasons for God to be angry with us were redirected upon Jesus on the cross.

When God’s anger was redirected upon the cross of Christ, so was every reason we would ever have to be afraid of a Holy God. When grace takes the place of anger, we can see God not as an angry and just judge but as our gracious and loving Father. In our lives, we can show and speak grace in place of anger. We can speak and react differently than the unbelieving world does. By this, we can open a door for those who still fume with anger or tremble in fear of God’s anger. By showing grace in place of anger, we open the door to reveal Jesus, who has turned away God’s anger and comforts us with his grace.

Prayer:
Lord God, surely you have saved me; I will trust in you and not be afraid. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

No Replacements for Grace – March 31, 2025

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:1,2

No Replacements for Grace

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Daily Devotion – March 31, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 15:1,2

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When it comes to how we view sin and immorality in the world, there are two extremes. One is to celebrate and condone. The other is to judge and condemn hypocritically. The way of our world is often the first extreme: to deal with sin and those caught up in it by condoning and celebrating it as something good. Others with a more accurate moral compass, or those who don’t struggle with certain sins, can easily fall into the other extreme: hypocritically judging and condemning those who sin differently.

Jesus perfectly avoided both extremes and opted for grace in place of hypocritical condemnation and grace in place of condoning and celebrating. Grace is God’s undeserved love. Grace leads God to give the gift of forgiveness, not earned but freely given through Jesus. Jesus was often criticized for interacting and ministering to people who were publicly known as “sinners.” Those who fell into the extreme of hypocritically judging and condemning had replaced grace with works and outward displays of holiness. They wrongly viewed Jesus’ interactions as condoning sin because they didn’t understand grace. Jesus came not to condemn nor condone but to save and forgive. That’s grace!

Jesus was not shy in calling sin what it was. He was not stingy in offering grace and forgiveness to those who knew they needed it. This is good news for us! We have likely fallen into both extremes at times. We’ve opted for something else other than grace. We’ve approached God or others with something other than grace. But grace calls us back home to our Savior, who forgives our sins on both extremes and everyone in between. That’s grace!

There are no replacements for the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Instead, Jesus shows us grace in place of what we once deserved, in place of things that might distract us from the gift of his forgiveness.

Prayer:
Lord of grace, you are not ashamed to draw near to me and welcome me into your family. Preserve me from any extreme that undermines your grace and renew me daily by your forgiveness. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Out From Under the Crushing Weight – March 30, 2025

If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:10

Out From Under the Crushing Weight

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Daily Devotion – March 30, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 8:10

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From time to time, we hear of people doing extraordinary things, like the woman who managed to lift the end of a 3,600-pound car off her son when the jack slipped. In extreme emergencies, people have been known to reach back into a resource of hidden physical strength and mental resourcefulness they didn’t know they had. Can they do this all by themselves? Or is this a miraculous help from God?

The author of the book of Hebrews devotes his 11th chapter to Old Testament men and women who were heroes of faith. It was from God that they drew their strength. In one dimension of life, however, human strength cannot avail. It does not enable us to save others or ourselves from the power and punishment of sin. By the labors of our hands, we cannot fulfill God’s demands, earn salvation, or pull ourselves out of the dilemma of doing things we don’t want to do and not doing the good God demands.

What is more, the psalmist declares, “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them” (Psalm 49:7). The ransom demanded would be entirely too great. But what we can’t do, our Lord Jesus did for us. He gave his life as a ransom for the whole world of sinners so that all who believe in him as the Savior are freed from the burden of unpaid spiritual bills, from the fear of death, from the crushing weight of sin. Only God could have done for us what we could never have done for ourselves.

Prayer:
God of heaven and earth, please stand near me with your strength that makes me perfect in my weakness. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Live for the Glory of God – March 29, 2025

Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Live for the Glory of God

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Daily Devotion – March 29, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:31

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When evil strikes and kills, when people are terrorized and suffer unjustly, they are often united to bring the perpetrators to justice.

About 1,000 years before Jesus was born, a young man’s blood started to boil when he heard the challenge of Goliath that terrorized his nation (1 Samuel 17). Young David didn’t even consider his own comfort and safety but only thought of the cause. No one was going to slander the true God, defy his power, and get away with it. So, he went into combat with Goliath, knowing the battle was the Lord’s and the victory would be for God’s people. Gigantic Goliath fell dead at the hands of the small, courageous David.

Does your blood boil when God is defied and slandered? Realize that the glory of God has shown brightly in sending his Son to fight for us. It is not only others who have defied God’s glory. We have joined them with our own sinful attitudes and actions. But Jesus put aside his heavenly glory and died on the cross to keep us from being terrorized by God’s justice and sin’s power. When we truly comprehend that wonderful truth and come to appreciate all that Jesus did for us, we are inspired to take up our Christian cause of living for the glory of God in whatever we do—both in the small and big things of our lives.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to always live to your glory showing my great appreciation for all my Savior, Jesus, accomplished for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

Lord, Give Me Patience! – March 28, 2025

Then [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9

Lord, Give Me Patience!

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Daily Devotion – March 28, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9

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I struggle a little bit with being patient with other people. When I see things not being done as I would do them or when I give instructions to my kids, and they don’t do what I say, that frustrates me.

You might wrestle with this, too. We want to be patient. We know that we should be. But man! People can make that difficult, right?

Whenever I feel myself getting riled up and impatient with others, I try to remember how patient God has been with me. My goodness! How many times have I messed up? How many times have I pledged to God that I wouldn’t do that sin again, only to find myself reoffending? I try to be good. I try to honor God with my life, but there are episodes of my life where godly living would be hard to see.

Thank God, he sent us Jesus! Jesus lived the life that we never could—a perfect one—and he gave that life of perfection to pay for all the times we have frustrated God with our foolishness.

You might find yourself getting impatient with others like your parents, your spouse, your kids, or whomever! Remember the patience God has shown you and mirror that patience with them.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I have not always lived as I should. I am sorry for all the times I have gone my own way and done my own thing. Thank you for opening my eyes to see the forgiveness that Jesus has gifted me. Thank you for being patient with me. Help me as I seek to show that patience with others. Amen.

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

God Is Patient – March 27, 2025

Then he [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9

God Is Patient

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Daily Devotion – March 27, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9

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For years, I trimmed and clipped. I watered and fertilized. But despite all my best efforts, I couldn’t get our lemon tree to produce. My patience wore out. I gave up the fight. And I finally chopped it down and cut my losses.

If you have ever tried to grow your own food, you know some of those same frustrations. You spend your time, your efforts, and your money trying to get something to grow, but sometimes, it just doesn’t.

People can be like that stubborn fruit tree. They don’t change their ways. They don’t produce God-pleasing words and actions. That is because we have been infected with something so deadly. The Bible calls it sin. You see, God is holy, he’s perfect. And sinful beings can’t stand before God. We deserve to be chopped down and tossed into the burn pile of hell. But instead, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for sin that should have been ours upon himself. And through the blood of Jesus, our rottenness, guilt, and sin are covered.

God is the ultimate spiritual gardener, and his heart is filled with patience. He tenderly and lovingly prunes, waters, and cares for us, his children. That care comes through his Word—warning us to turn from our sin and telling us the news of our forgiveness.

Friend, God wants to see this change in you! Confess to God your sin and, with joy and confidence, know that in Christ you have forgiveness!

Prayer:
Dear God, I am sorry for my sin. I know that I deserve your full punishment for it. Thank you for sending me my Savior, Jesus, who has rescued me from death. Thank you for being patient with me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

Repent! – March 26, 2025

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

Repent!

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Daily Devotion – March 26, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5

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Charlie is in prison. He might be there for the rest of his life. He hurt people, and that’s how he ended up in a cell. He doesn’t like it in prison. However, he is glad that he got caught. It woke him up to see that he had a problem. Charlie has since acknowledged not just the sins that landed him in the penitentiary but all the sins in his heart that warranted him a sentence to hell for eternity. By the grace of God, he knows that Jesus has taken away all his sins, and because of Jesus, he will one day live free forever in heaven! He thanks God that he discovered this before it was too late.

Pain and punishment are, at times, blessings from God. They shake us to our senses. People had come to see Jesus because they were in pain. And when they did, Jesus told the people a vital truth that we all need to remember—we need to repent. We need to acknowledge our faults before God and confess the sin that deserves the full wrath of Almighty God. But then, with joy, we need to turn to the one who has paid the price of our sins. We need to turn to Jesus!

I pray that you don’t end up in prison like Charlie. However, if God allows pain to strike your life, perhaps God is using it to call you to repent. And when you do, he is there with open arms, full of mercy.

Prayer:
Dear God, I confess to you the sins I know and the sins I am unaware that I have done. I beg for your mercy, O Lord. Trusting in my Savior, Jesus, I rest in your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

What a Tragedy! – March 25, 2025

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

What a Tragedy!

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Daily Devotion – March 25, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5

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When my daughter was five, she asked, “Daddy, why do you watch the news? It’s always so sad.” I don’t even remember what tragedy was on the TV that night, but her observation rings true more often than we would like.

It seems that every time you tune in to find out what is happening in the world all you hear about are fires, floods, accidents, death, etc. Senseless tragedies.

This is not new. One day some people brought a recent tragedy to Jesus’ attention. A multitude of people had been killed during a church service. This was in addition to a construction accident that had taken the lives of eighteen in the neighboring town. Those left behind in this wake of destruction were struggling with the chill of death’s touch.

Why? Haven’t you ever found yourself asking that question? I’m sure you have. Honestly, we can’t always answer that question. But if you ever find yourself reeling from a tragedy, look to the cross of Jesus. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. You see a thirty-three-year-old man spiked to two pieces of timber. You see the death of an innocent person. You see a tragedy.

But remember why Jesus went to that cross and allowed himself to die. It was so that he could deliver a cure for this world that has been so sickened by sin. It was so that he could take the punishment that rightly should have been executed upon us because of our guilt. It was so that one day, he could take us away from this world of death and violence to a paradise of peace.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, be with those who are grieving and may the news of your victory bring them peace and comfort. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Go to Jesus With Your Troubles – March 24, 2025

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5

Go to Jesus With Your Troubles

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Daily Devotion – March 24, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 13:1-5

See series: Devotions

“The toilet is broken! We’re out of milk! I need help with my homework!” My wife and I hear our kids say things like this on a weekly basis. They know that when there is a problem or a need, they can turn to their parents, and we will help. We have a proven track record of doing so. For years they have come to Mom and Dad, and time after time, we have come through.

However, there are some things in life that are out of a parent’s hands. After all, I couldn’t resuscitate Finn, our kids’ pet fish, when he floated to the top of his bowl. I couldn’t blunt the pain of the comments from the bully at school. I couldn’t make the fever or tummy ache vanish with the snap of my fingers.

Pain had struck a community of people. A cruel politician had cut down some people in cold blood while they worshiped. People lost loved ones. They were beside themselves and couldn’t make sense of the pain. Thankfully, they did the best thing they could do—they took their troubles to Jesus!

There are some things beyond a parent’s control. But Jesus? There isn’t anything that is beyond him—not even death! The fact that Jesus rose victorious from the grave is the greatest proof of all that he has defeated our greatest trouble. So, when those troubles come, turn to the one who has the power. Turn to Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, although you already know what is troubling me, I bring to you the burdens of my heart. Give me the strength to stand firm through my days of darkness. Comfort me through your Word. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Is God in It? – March 23, 2025

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Is God in It?

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Daily Devotion – March 23, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:31

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My children often ask questions like, “Are there raisins in it?” or “Are there onions in it?”

How often do we ask, “Is God in it?” That sure sparked up a battle recently when an atheist didn’t want to have his child say the Pledge of Allegiance because “God” was in it. But even if we keep the words in the Pledge, we have to look at our country and ask, “Is God in it?” Are those just empty words or does God really reside here? What do you think when you look around you?

The Bible assures us that, whether we acknowledge him or not, he is everywhere at all times. And where his Word and people are present, he is present in a special way. He comes to bring us to repentance and to lead us to depend on his all-encompassing forgiveness won for us in Jesus. He is there in our lives to make us more like him. And God promises his believing children that even the seemingly difficult things will turn out right because God is in it to turn it into a blessing.

The question remains, however, in relationship to your thoughts, words, and actions. “Is God in it?” We don’t have to look back very far to see God was not the focus in what we listened to, looked at, bought, did, or said. Knowing what he has done for us and how essential our relationship is to him we want to look for him to be in everything we do—as eagerly as my children look for the chocolate chips in the cookies. Let him be the source and focus of all you do.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may everything I do bring you glory. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Press On – March 22, 2025

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

Press On

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Daily Devotion – March 22, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 3:14

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She was tired, sore, and feeling more than a little discouraged. The years of training had taken their toll on her body, and her latest visit with the doctor resulted in the strong encouragement to take some time off so her body could heal.

Now the voice in her head telling her to just give up and withdraw from the competition was getting stronger. “It’s not worth it. The pain, the struggle, it’s too much. Besides, you’re never going to win. None of your times have been good enough. You simply set your goal too high. Why waste all this time trying to win a prize that you’re never going to get anyway?”

Have you ever heard voices like that—not about the urge to give up training for a race, but the temptation to give up on being a Christian? “It’s not worth it. The lifestyle, the ridicule—it’s too much. Besides, you’re not good enough. Look at all the mistakes you’ve made.”

If these thoughts, or any like them, have entered your mind, please recognize them for what they are: lies straight from the devil. The truth is that the prize of heaven has already been won for you by Jesus. It’s not a prize that you need to win by leading a certain kind of life. Jesus led that perfect life for you. Then he gave up his life, shed his innocent blood, and died as the price demanded for your sins. His resurrection from the grave guarantees that the prize of eternal life in heaven is yours.

Don’t give up on following Jesus. Keep pressing on toward the goal of heaven. It’s hard. The rest of the world will continue to ridicule you, and the devil will continue to whisper lies in your ear. But that’s just what they are—lies. The truth is that the prize has already been won and given to you by your loving Savior, Jesus.

Rejoice in that unchangeable fact and make the apostle Paul’s words your own.”I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:
Jesus, my Savior, thank you for winning the eternal prize of heaven for me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on that prize and give me the strength to press on even when following you is a struggle. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Heading in the Only Right Direction – March 21, 2025

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

Heading in the Only Right Direction

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Daily Devotion – March 21, 2025

Devotion based on Philippians 4:1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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