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

A Great Exchange Indeed

Daily Devotion – March 7, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 5:21

See series: Devotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

Lowering Our Defenses

Daily Devotion – March 5, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 18:9-14

See series: Devotions

You may think it is important to make a good impression on other people. It may be difficult for you to admit to other people that you have done anything wrong. You may want them to see everything good that you’ve done instead. If you spend enough time justifying yourself, you may become confident of your own righteousness.

That would be a mistake when it comes to talking to God. God wants to you to admit your sins to him—your faults and mistakes. He is looking for you to ask him for mercy. He doesn’t want you to think that you deserve forgiveness. He wants to give that to you as a gift, something that you didn’t earn and don’t deserve.

Such a humble attitude means lowering your defenses. Because Jesus earned your forgiveness and promises to give it freely, you don’t have to defend your actions in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people. Remembering that we are just dust and ashes, it is best simply to say, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Prayer:
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:28-31

God’s Plan Revealed

Daily Devotion – March 3, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 9:28-31

See series: Devotions

How do you discover God’s plan for your life?

Moses lived 1,500 years before Jesus. Elijah lived 900 years before Jesus. They knew how their lives had turned out. They had gone to heaven at the end of their earthly lives. But they were still interested in how the life of Jesus would turn out. So, in a glimpse of the glory of heaven, they talked to him about it.

Three of Jesus’ disciples watched the amazing sight and listened to the conversation. As Jesus described the plan for him to die and then rise from the dead, those disciples had to wonder if that was the plan for their lives as well. Later, they would understand that Jesus was living and dying and rising again so they could join him in heaven.

How do you discover God’s plan for your life? You can ask Jesus about it in prayer. You will find the answers to your prayers in the Bible, where Jesus describes the purpose for his life and yours. When unexpected things happen in your life, you can be sure that God still wants you and others to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

That truth is glorious and amazing. No matter the details of your life, you have eternal life with Jesus in heaven to look forward to. Thanks be to God!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep me focused on your presence in my life until I join you in the glory of heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17,18,21

Overcome Evil with Good

Daily Devotion – March 1, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 12:17,18,21

See series: Devotions

A Christian friend shared this story from his life. He was driving across town and irritated another driver on the roadway. That driver accelerated past him, yelled some choice words, made an obscene gesture, and sped on by. Not long after, the Christian man saw that same car stopped on the shoulder with car trouble.

What would you have done if that sequence of events happened to you? Would you have laughed at the other driver’s misfortune? Would you have said a prayer or even stopped to help?

Throughout our lives, people will say and do evil things that cause us pain and hardship. Our sinful hearts will want to avenge these wrongs. Our sinful hearts will think that the best way to overcome evil is with evil. The Bible warns, “Do not be overcome by evil!”

The Bible also encourages, “But overcome evil with good!” This is only possible through a good God who alone can deliver us from evil and who has overcome the evil of our sins. This is only possible through a just God who assures that he will avenge and repay. This is only possible with a God of peace whose forgiveness allows us to live at peace with him and whose peace enables us, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone.

So, what did the Christian driver do? He stopped behind the other car. When the driver saw who had stopped, he feared that the man he had treated so poorly would now treat him poorly. But this Christian man hadn’t come to repay evil for evil. He came to offer help and assistance. He overcame evil with good. May our God equip us to do the same!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, deliver me from evil! Forgive the evil I have done to others. Forgive others the evil they have done to me. In the faith, with the goodness, and strength you provide, help me to overcome evil with good. 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.

[Jesus said] “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:32-36

A Higher Standard

Daily Devotion – February 27, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:32-36

See series: Devotions

“Remember who you are!” That’s what the high school principal told his son before he enrolled as a freshman. “Remember who you are!” That’s what the coach told her daughter before the first day of tennis tryouts. “Remember who you are!” That’s what the company owner told his son before his first day working on the factory floor.

What’s the point? Sometimes, a relationship means we are held to a higher standard. Our initial reaction may be to say, “That’s not fair.” Just because someone is related to someone else, there should’t be higher standards. But because there is, they don’t just represent themselves as individuals. They represent the family.

While relationships with people in high places may bring more pressure, they can also bring more privilege. The son of the principal is blessed to have an in-house tutor who can help with homework. The daughter of the tennis coach can receive tips outside of practice. The company owner’s son may be first in line to buy or inherit the business.

The same is true in God’s family. Children of God are held to a higher standard since the way we live in this world and treat our neighbors isn’t just about us. As Christians, it’s as if we walk through life wearing a uniform as people know we also represent Christ. And while we may say, “That’s not fair to have all that pressure,” stop and consider what a privilege this is. As Christians, we have the privilege of seeing God’s mercy up close and personal. As Christians, we are children of the Most High who await “a great reward” all because of what Jesus has done.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to see the privilege I have to represent 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.

[Jesus said] “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
Luke 6:29,30

Turn the Other Cheek

Daily Devotion – February 25, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 6:29,30

See series: Devotions

“She’s such a nice person until her Mama Bear comes out!” Someone can be the calmest, nicest person in the world, but if someone says something about their child, suddenly, they go into attack mode. We are protective of our children.

But it’s not just our children. We are also protective of our possessions. Watch two little children play. They can be perfectly content playing next to each other, but when one kid grabs the other’s toy, soon there will be revenge. And we never grow out of that. When someone attacks us personally or takes our property, our instinct is to retaliate.

So, no wonder it seems so strange to hear Jesus say, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.” Don’t I have to stand up for myself? Isn’t it wrong to slap someone on the cheek? Isn’t it wrong to steal? Yes, it is. But it’s not our law that the person is breaking. It’s God’s law. And if it’s his law, he will also be the one to carry out justice. “Vengeance is mine,’ says the Lord.” Turning the other cheek is a tremendous way of saying, “God, I trust you. I trust you to carry out justice.”

That’s what our Savior so tremendously demonstrated in his final hours. He knew he would suffer. Standing trial, he endured one strike to the head after another. But he never retaliated. He didn’t even open his mouth. Why? Because he knew that was part of God’s will to carry out justice for the sins of the world, including yours.

Prayer:
Lord, help me appreciate how you turned the other cheek for my sins. Now lead me to trust in you to carry out justice for those who sin against 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.

The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:42,43

All Tired Out

Daily Devotion – February 23, 2025

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:42,43

See series: Devotions

Many people try to stay young forever. Plastic surgery is prevalent in society. People try to “wash that gray” out of their hair and use medication to make their thinning hair grow.

Mankind even used to search for the Fountain of Youth. The explorer Ponce de Leon thought he’d found it in Florida. Modern man still hopes to find it in medical science.

But we all continue to grow older, and our bodies get more tired as the years progress. The apostle Paul tells us that our Fountain of Youth is in a different place.

When our Lord Jesus died and rose again, he didn’t only redeem our souls. He redeemed our bodies as well. Man fell, soul and body, into the destruction of sin. Jesus rescued us, soul and body.

And so, for the Christian, death leads finally to the rescue of the body from the weakness and weariness sin brought. When Christ returns and raises us from our graves, we will enjoy eternal health—both of body and soul. And how could it be otherwise? We will be forever in the presence of our God and Savior, the very Fountain of Life, health, and every good.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me strength to bear my present infirmity, and endow me, as you promised, with eternal vigor on the day when you return. 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.

That is why, for Christ’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 12:10

Eerything Happens for a Reason

Daily Devotion – February 21, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:10

See series: Devotions

How can something bad be good? Maybe you or a family member was recently diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps you lost your home in a recent hurricane or tornado. Or maybe your spouse was just laid off from work, and there is a lot less income to support the family. How can any of those things be good things?

This is perhaps where you might hear a friend sigh and say with resignation, “Everything happens for a reason.” This phrase is thrown around a lot, but it perhaps can be confusing to those who hear it. Naturally, the question is: “Well, what’s the reason?”

Rather than searching in vain to find a reason for what happened, perhaps it is better to focus on what God has done. God does have a habit of bringing good from bad. Do you need proof? Look no further than the cross. There, hanging from spikes driven through hands and feet is a man beaten and bloodied. He has been whipped, abused, and ridiculed. He has been falsely accused and executed for crimes he did not commit. That is the epitome of a bad situation.

And yet God brought so much good from it. He brought forgiveness and salvation to a world of sinners, including you. He brought eternal life to all who believe. He brought peace and joy. He brought new life to those who were lost. And he continues to bring us his loving care daily.

Whatever you are dealing with, look for God to use his strength and to bring good from it. Maybe that good will be a stronger faith for you or others. Maybe it will be a reconciled relationship. It could even be someone else coming to faith in Jesus. Whatever is making you feel weak is the perfect thing to make you strong in Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for bringing me so much good through Jesus. Enable me to delight in whatever comes my way today, knowing that you will give me strength. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Give All the Glory to God

Daily Devotion – February 19, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:9

See series: Devotions

If you watch enough sports, you are undoubtedly familiar with postgame interviews and press conferences where members of the media ask athletes to reflect on their performances. A surprising number of current athletes often start their remarks by saying something like: “First off, I want to give all glory to God. He blessed me with these abilities, and I am thankful for the opportunity to use them.” Several football players this past season spent quite a bit of airtime talking about how God has enabled them to do such amazing things on the field. Comments like those are a good reminder for the rest of us to acknowledge God as the giver of all good things.

If you were one of those athletes, would you be so quick to give the glory to God? It is tempting for us to take credit for anything positive. It can be easy to puff out our chests, raise our heads, and smile as people pile on the compliments. People noticing our accomplishments is a big boost to our egos and tempts us to boast about ourselves.

The apostle Paul invites us to view boasting from a different perspective. We don’t usually see weakness as something to boast about. Truthfully, our weaknesses are the things we try to hide. But today’s Bible verse encourages us to view our weaknesses as opportunities to look away from ourselves and shine the light on God—the one who has given us everything.

While the Lord has blessed us with abilities, he has done even more for us than that. He sent Jesus into this world to live and die for us. And rather than boast about his own life of perfection and his eternal power, Jesus went to the cross to die for you and me and to pay for all our sins. Through faith in Jesus, you and I have eternal life. This same Jesus will use his power to work through our weaknesses.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are my strength when I am weak. Help your strength to shine in me today. 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.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
2 Corinthians 12:7

The Thorns of Life

Daily Devotion – February 17, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:7

See series: Devotions

Thorns come in all varieties. We all have them. Thorns can be health-related: things like anxiety or physical handicap. Maybe it is a problem at work that we can’t seem to solve. It could be an acquaintance who relentlessly and mercilessly mocks us for our faith. Perhaps it is guilt from a past sin.

Whatever the form they take, thorns are a problem. They are unwanted and unwelcome in our lives. And they often come seemingly out of nowhere. It is so easy in this life to cruise along feeling safe and secure in who we are. But then thorns come along, and we are tempted to be offended or to get angry. We get upset that God would allow something bad to happen when life was going so well. We get angry that our plans are now interrupted by this unwelcome issue. We despair and wonder, “Why me?”

The apostle Paul took a different approach to thorns. He viewed his thorn as a good thing. In humility rather than pride, he realized he wasn’t perfect and should expect trouble like everyone else. He didn’t presume to be better than others and instead admitted that he couldn’t do this on his own. He needed help. So do we.

Thankfully, we have help. His name is Jesus, and he knew all about what it was to have a thorn in his side. In fact, we were that thorn. Our sin, rebellion, and unbelief plagued him and weighed him down. The burden of our sin was certainly something he didn’t deserve and did not have to carry. But rather than complain, despair, or feel sorry for himself, Jesus humbly took up the cross and died for us. He has set us free from sin and given us the gift of eternal life in heaven. This same Jesus will give you strength to endure the thorns of this life.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, my sin was a thorn in your side. Thank you for setting me free. Give me strength to bear with the thorns in my own life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” . . . Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:14,15,17

The Word Works

Daily Devotion – February 14, 2025

Devotion based on Romans 10:14,15,17

See series: Devotions

Jesus once told a story about a farmer. He walks into his field with his seed bag. He reaches into his bag of seed and starts to scatter it. The seed falls onto all kinds of different soil and surfaces. But the farmer just keeps throwing his seed. The farmer doesn’t do anything to manipulate the seed or the soil. He scatters the seed as he walks. When the seed falls on good soil and grows, it’s not because of the farmer but God who makes it grow and become fruitful.

Have you ever felt inadequate when it comes to telling people about Jesus? Not eloquent enough, not knowledgeable enough, not brave enough? God reminds us that we are not the ones who make the seeds grow. It is not our charisma or persuasiveness that creates faith. That’s God’s work. And God tells us that he works through people hearing the gospel message.

With a series of four questions, the apostle Paul explains the whole rationale of why it is so important to share the gospel. People cannot be saved unless they call on Jesus’ name as their Savior. They can’t believe in Jesus unless they have heard of him. And they can’t hear about Jesus unless someone tells them about Jesus. Faith in Jesus is created through hearing the gospel of Jesus, the good news of sins forgiven.

Ears are opened through preaching and sharing the gospel. Hearts are made alive by the Holy Spirit, creating faith through the Word. People must hear that Word. Like the farmer, we scatter the message of Jesus, and we trust God to work through it.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me boldness in sharing your Word, trusting that it is your power that makes the seed of faith grow. 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.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I 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.” 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, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:5-8

Here Am I. Send Me!

Daily Devotion – February 12, 2025

Devotion based on Isaiah 6:5-8

See series: Devotions

Isaiah was given an incredible glimpse into the throne room of God. He saw God surrounded by angels—perfect beings created to serve God. These angels had the power and purity to carry out God’s commands flawlessly. Wouldn’t it make sense for God to use these holy creatures to carry his message of forgiveness?

Contrast them with Isaiah. His guilt and sin were magnified in the presence of the Almighty God. He knew that because of his sin, he deserved to die.

Why would God choose someone like Isaiah instead of one of his perfect angels? God delights in using weak, ordinary people to carry out his extraordinary plans. By doing so, he reveals his power and grace, showing it is his work, not ours, that brings about his purposes.

Like Isaiah, we may feel unworthy or unqualified to be God’s messengers. We know our sins, our weaknesses, and our failures. It’s tempting to think, “Wouldn’t an angel do a better job?” But God, in his wisdom, has chosen us. God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.

Isaiah’s cleansing is a powerful reminder of what God does for each of us. The burning coal that touched Isaiah’s lips symbolizes the forgiveness and purification we receive through Jesus. Just as Isaiah was cleansed and made ready to serve, we, too, are forgiven, restored, and equipped to be God’s messengers.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for cleansing me of my sin. Help me show my thanks by sharing what you have done for 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.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:8-11

Pardoned and Purposed

Daily Devotion – February 10, 2025

Devotion based on Luke 5:8-11

See series: Devotions

Jesus called Peter to tell people about the forgiveness and eternal life he had come to win for them. It was an unlikely choice at best. Peter was not a biblical scholar. He didn’t have a prestigious job or a position of honor and influence. He was a fisherman. More than that, he was a sinner, which should have disqualified him from service to a perfect God.

Like Peter, Christians know their sins and failures, yet Jesus speaks the same comforting words: “Don’t be afraid.” He assures his followers that his sacrifice covers their sins and restores their relationship with God. This personal experience of forgiveness is what makes Christians uniquely qualified to share the good news about Jesus.

Peter experienced Jesus’ forgiveness repeatedly. As he shared the good news of that forgiveness with others, he could draw on that experience.

Years ago, I was contemplating LASIK eye surgery. I was reassured when my ophthalmologist told me she had undergone the same procedure. Knowing that she understood my concerns and had trusted the process herself gave me confidence to move forward. In the same way, Christians can share the gospel because they have experienced Jesus’ forgiveness firsthand.

If you feel unqualified to share the gospel, remember that you don’t share the good news because of your credentials but because of Christ’s work in your life. You’ve received his mercy and grace, and that personal connection allows you to speak with authenticity and compassion.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, because of your perfect life and sacrifice, I no longer need to be afraid. Make me a bold witness of the forgiveness you have won for 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.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17

An Instruction Manual

Daily Devotion – February 8, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 3:16,17

See series: Devotions

There is a direct correlation between how complex a piece of equipment is and how important the instruction manual is. You probably don’t need to look at the instruction manual for a straightforward calculator, but a new smartphone’s instruction manual may be helpful for figuring out some of its more complicated functions.

Life is complex and complicated. So, where’s the instruction manual for life? We do have one. It’s called the Bible.

You can go to any bookstore and find all kinds of self-help books, but these are instructions that are written by imperfect humans who struggle with the same life issues you do. Why not go to the source of life for instructions on how to live?

God, who created you, has given you his own Word—the Bible—to guide you in life. In that Word, he tells you that he loved you so much that he sent his Son into the world to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.

You have all the guidance you need for life in the Bible. No, you won’t find specific instructions for every decision you need to make. The Bible won’t tell you which job you should apply for or whether you should lease or buy your car. What you will find is one reminder after another of God’s awesome love for you and encouragement to live every moment of your life to his glory as the beloved child of God you are.

Treasure this God-given instruction manual and turn to it often. The author will never let you down.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me the Bible. Without it, I would not know of your love or my salvation. Through it, I know that I am loved and saved through Jesus. Help me to treasure and regard it as it truly is—your perfect 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.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14,15

The One Thing That Works

Daily Devotion – February 6, 2025

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 3:14,15

See series: Devotions

Are you a pragmatic person? Pragmatists want to find effective solutions to life’s problems. They deal with challenges based on what works, not on what they wish worked. And that sounds great because if there’s one thing we want, it’s things that work.

Does that attitude apply to religion? There are thousands of religions, and all claim to have an effective solution to one of life’s great problems: How do people get right with God?

On the surface, all these religions seem incomprehensibly diverse, but all of them—except one—boil down to essentially the same solution: You need to do enough good in life to stand before the holy God.

But does that work? Can you have confidence that you and God are good because you’ve done enough good? Not if you’re honest with yourself. Your conscience is a constant reminder that the solution of doing enough good doesn’t work because no one can ever be sure they have done enough.

But there is another plan, the one in today’s Bible reading. In fact, what works is the Bible. Those Holy Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (v. 15).

Other religions may be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re successful. Unlike them, Christianity isn’t about trying to be good enough. It’s about God making you wise for salvation. His Word gives you wisdom that leads to salvation because it tells you all about Jesus.

Jesus is God’s plan to save you. You can’t do enough good for God, so Jesus came and did enough good for you. You can’t pay for your sins, so Jesus went to the cross to pay for them. You can’t conquer death, so Jesus rose from the dead to conquer it for you. That’s a different solution! Not trusting in yourself but trusting in Jesus. That works!

Prayer:
Christ Jesus, through your powerful Word continue to make me wise for salvation through faith in you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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