Lesson on Faithfulness – October 30, 2023

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel 6:10

Lesson on Faithfulness

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Daily Devotion – October 30, 2023

Devotion based on Daniel 6:10

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The king of Persia issued a decree: “Pray only to the king for thirty days or face the lions.” The prophet Daniel’s day job was to serve as a high ranking official in the Persian government. And he was great at this job. So good that the king wanted to promote him to second in command. But Daniel had jealous enemies who wanted to get rid of him. So, they convinced the king to pass the decree.

Daniel’s enemies knew Daniel well. And if there was anything they could count on Daniel doing, it was praying to God and worshipping him. His enemies would use that faithfulness against Daniel. They set their trap and waited. Daniel learned about the decree. He knew the stakes and understood the consequences. And just as he had always done before, Daniel got down on his knees and prayed.

The content of the prayer was similar to the prayers Daniel regularly spoke to God, a prayer giving thanks. It wasn’t a prayer of panic for what might happen to him. It wasn’t a grumbled complaint about how unfair the whole situation was. Daniel prayed his thanks to God even though he knew he would be thrown to the lions for it.

Followers of the true God still sometimes pay a price for their faithfulness. In some parts of the world, Christians pay with their lives, property, or freedom. But for many other Christians, the persecutions are more subtle.

The Christian who prioritizes worship like Daniel might get passed over for promotion. The Christian who refuses to join the gossip might lose friends. The Christian—who follows the moral law of God—might be marginalized by society.

Like Daniel, faithful Christians trust that their God is always faithful to them. Christians know that in the face of persecution, God will not forsake them or leave them.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, like Daniel, I kneel before you as the King of kings. Through Jesus, you have brought me grace and salvation. Keep me faithful to you always. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Fellowship – October 29, 2023

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24

Fellowship

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Daily Devotion – October 29, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 3:21-24

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God wants to have fellowship with us. He wants us to live with him and experience his love and blessings. Finally, he wants to bring us to his heavenly glory. He has one requirement—we must be righteous. We must have the “rightness” that makes us acceptable to God. Setting the standard, God declares, “Be perfect.” We are to be and do everything according to what meets his approval. And what meets the approval of the holy God is nothing less than perfection.

Try as we may to reach that level of rightness by striving to do what God commands and avoiding what he forbids in his law—we are faced with the fact that it is impossible. The truth is that all of us “fall short” of the perfection that God requires. On our own, we are helpless and headed for an eternal separation from God and all of his blessings.

Oh, how we need saving! God knew that, and in mercy, he acted. He came into our world and freed us from the tangled mess of our sin by suffering for us the punishment we deserved. And he gave us his own perfection so that God now counts us as perfectly right. We meet God’s approval because Jesus has covered us with his righteousness. What we could never produce on our own, God has freely given to us.

Jesus did exactly what we needed him to do: he saved us. Trusting in Jesus, we have life with God and will enjoy fellowship with him forever!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 376)
Jesus, your blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress;
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in that great day—who can a word against me say?
Fully through you absolved I am from sin and fear, from guilt and shame. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Saving Love – October 28, 2023

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40

Saving Love

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Daily Devotion – October 28, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 22:34-40

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The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had developed a system of 613 laws. They identified this number of laws in the first five books of the Bible and divided the list into two categories: those commands in which God told the people to do something (248 laws) and those that prohibited the people from doing something (365 laws). They also stipulated which commands were binding and nonbinding. Then they spent a lot of their time debating whether their divisions and rankings were accurate.

In order to test Jesus (they really wanted to humiliate him), they got one of their smartest men to ask Jesus to weigh in on the debate of determining the greatest of God’s commandments. It was easy for Jesus to answer. God’s will is for people to love him and for people to love others. All of God’s commands are fulfilled by love.

This kind of love is not something we formulate on our own, though. The love God commands us to express toward him and others flows out of the relationship that we have with God through faith in Jesus. When we come to know the love of God that moved him to send Jesus to rescue us from eternal death, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love God for all that he has done for us and motivates us to express our love for God by loving others.

How can you demonstrate your love for God today? How can you demonstrate love for the people around you today? God give you the wisdom and willingness to do both!

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the knowledge of God’s saving love through Jesus, my Savior. Help me to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind, and love others as myself. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Not Two But One – October 27, 2023

Then [Jesus] said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Matthew 22:21

Not Two But One

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Daily Devotion – October 27, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 22:21

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The Christian lives in two kingdoms. The Christian lives as a citizen of God’s kingdom of power under governing authorities established by God to provide peace and order for his earthly life. The Christian lives as a citizen of God’s kingdom of grace under God’s gracious rule as a child of God through faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Because we, as Christians, live in these two kingdoms, it would be easy to think that we live in separate spheres—the sacred and the secular. We might say, “I’m a citizen living in this place under these governing authorities. That is what I do Monday through Saturday. There is nothing sacred about being a citizen of this kingdom. I am also a child of God under God’s gracious care and rule. I enjoy his forgiveness and love, but that’s really what I do on Sundays. That’s my spiritual life, my soul. That really doesn’t impact my life in the world.”

Yet Jesus would tell us otherwise. After all, he lived as a citizen of the world and of heaven at the same time. He submitted to the governing authorities. He paid taxes. He showed them respect and honor, yet he also lived in submission to his heavenly Father’s will to save our souls.

We, too, are citizens of this world, but at the same time, citizens of heaven. These are not separate identities—one Christian and one citizen. As believers made new in Christ, we bring the kingdom of heaven with us into our lives as citizens of communities and countries. We serve God, but at the same time, we also serve our neighbor. We model for the people around us how this can be. As citizens of both of God’s kingdoms, we can be a blessing to our neighbors, our communities, and our country. May God help us to live as his citizens now and for eternity!

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, as I live out my life as a citizen of this world, help me to see myself first and foremost as a citizen of heaven. Through me in these holy callings, bless my community and country with your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Jesus Cuts Through the Confusion – October 26, 2023

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Matthew 22:18-21

Jesus Cuts Through the Confusion

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Daily Devotion – October 26, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 22:18-21

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One spring day in Jerusalem, an unlikely group of people came to Jesus. They weren’t there to seek his wisdom or hear God’s Word. Instead, they were there to trap Jesus. This wasn’t the first time, but what was unusual was who made up this particular group—heavily religious Pharisees alongside heavily political Herodians. While they typically opposed each other, they were united in how much they despised Jesus. They asked Jesus about paying taxes to the hated Romans, who ruled the region. They wanted to trap Jesus in his words to either get him in trouble with the authorities or the crowds who hung on his every word.

How would Jesus answer? He had them bring him the coin used to pay that tax—a coin that bore the face of the Roman emperor on one side and a religious title claiming Caesar’s divine status on the other. Jesus called out his enemies for their trap and then told them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

What was Jesus saying? The political realm under the authority of rulers and government has its own role and purpose, which is limited to earthly life. The divine realm of God has its own role and purpose, which extends over every soul from this life to eternity. Even though the Caesar embossed on the coin claimed divine status, his authority came from and was limited by God, who rules over church and state. In saying these things, Jesus cut through the political confusion. He recognized the authority of government but also God’s supremacy over all things.

That clear answer cuts through our own confusion. We live as citizens with feet in both kingdoms under government authority and God’s divine supremacy. We give what we owe to both, trusting in our Savior, who gave himself for us and our salvation.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, cut through the confusion of our politically charged world and fix my eyes on you, my light and salvation. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God Wants Me to Do What? – October 25, 2023

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Romans 13:4,5

God Wants Me to Do What?

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Daily Devotion – October 25, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:4,5

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The word “submit” is not an easy word. To some, the word “submit” might even be considered insulting. “Submit” has a variety of meanings, from handing in an assignment or completing a form to surrendering to an enemy or giving in to an opponent. In some contexts, the word “submit” can make one think of giving in to an oppressor or surrendering to slavery.

Yet the apostle Paul calls us to “submit” to the governing authorities. Why? What does Paul mean here? Our responsibility to the government is to willingly admit that since God has established this authority over us, we will willingly obey that authority with honor and respect.

But that’s not so easy. Earthly government is far from perfect, made worse by the fact that it’s populated by sinners like us. Still, that doesn’t give us the right to say to God, “I refuse to show respect and honor for what you’ve put into place for my good!”

While we live under imperfect governing authorities, we look to Jesus, who perfectly lived as a citizen of church and state in our place. We look to Jesus, who faced injustice at the hands of the governing authorities he had established, even as he continued to respect and honor them. We look to Jesus, who faced God’s punishment for our sins, so God would declare us not guilty and set us free from submitting to sin’s slavery. With our eyes on Jesus, we can then respect and honor those whom God has placed in authority over us.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, grant me wisdom, patience, and peace as I live out my life as your child in a sinful world. Move me to respect and honor those you have placed over me in authority. Enable our leaders to serve in a respectful and honorable way. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Who Is in Charge? – October 24, 2023

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Who Is in Charge?

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Daily Devotion – October 24, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:1

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“Who’s in charge here?” No one likes uncertainty. Whether in a familiar or unfamiliar setting, we like to know who is in charge, who is running things, who has the authority. With someone in charge, things can run rather smoothly as planned. Without someone in charge, depending on the scale of the situation, disorder, chaos, or even anarchy can result.

Our God is a God of order, not disorder. He wanted peace and order in the world he had created, so God established government. Our God did not want life in our world to devolve into anarchy. God established government to maintain order in society for us to live with one another in peace while curbing criminal behavior with the threat of punishment and force. This is for our good, and God blesses us when the government carries out this task.

Yet there is a limit to the authority that our God has given to the government. Rules and laws protect our bodily life and property, but the government’s authority is limited to earthly matters. The government does not have power over our eternal destiny. Only our gracious God holds that authority.

We would be wise to remember this when we are tempted to look to government for something more than earthly matters. Candidates and political parties make all kinds of promises, so we are tempted to think that if only this leader or that political party were in charge, life would be the way we want it. We dare not forget that our God, who created the universe and government, is the One who gives authority to those who serve in government. They have no authority apart from him. This is especially good for us to remember when we recall that forms of government are man-made and sinful human beings serve in government. So when you look out at the political landscape, remember to look to the One who is truly in charge for your good.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, you give authority to earthly rulers and government. You can also take it away. Grant wisdom and humility to our leaders and all who serve in government. Through their work as your servants, bless our land with peace and prosperity. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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We Live In Two Kingdoms – October 23, 2023

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

We Live In Two Kingdoms

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Daily Devotion – October 23, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:1

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Where do you live? Where are you a citizen? It’s important to know your citizenship. There is a certain pride in being a citizen of your country. There are often benefits to being a citizen, but did you know that a person can also be a “dual citizen,” having citizenship in two different countries at the same time?

That’s a good picture of the spiritual reality for Christians. They are “dual citizens” of God’s kingdom of grace and his kingdom of power. They live in two kingdoms, both overseen by our gracious God.

On the one hand, all who believe in Jesus as their Savior live in God’s kingdom of grace. God uses the liberating grace of the good news of Jesus to release us from sin and its condemnation. We get to enjoy all of the blessings that come with being citizens of this kingdom—forgiveness, joy, peace, and eternal life through Christ our Savior. Yet we also have responsibilities. God sends us out into the world to share his saving gospel with others and to serve others in Christlike love.

Yet we are also citizens of God’s kingdom of power. God’s kingdom of power focuses on how we behave and live with the people in our communities and countries. We live under governments that seek to establish order through laws while punishing those who disobey those laws. As citizens of that kingdom, we enjoy the blessings that God provides through government.

In a sense, God has made us dual citizens—citizens of God’s kingdom of grace and his kingdom of power. With God’s help, we live with feet firmly planted in both, living as recipients of God’s freeing grace while serving him and our neighbor in our homes, congregations, communities, and countries.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, in your wisdom, you have made me a citizen of your kingdoms of grace and power. In all things wherever I live, help me to live in service to you and my neighbor, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Established by God – October 22, 2023

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Established by God

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Daily Devotion – October 22, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:1

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God established governing authorities because human beings are not perfect. Sin doesn’t just affect our relationship with God; it affects our relationship with each other. Sinful humanity needs an institution to keep the peace, and God established the governing authorities to make the sin-infested world a safer place to live.

This is why the government does so much that is good. You experience that good whenever you drive on a highway or enjoy police protection. It’s a great blessing to worship and speak your faith without government interference. When God’s servants in government do their job, God’s servants in his kingdom can do theirs.

But sin always corrupts, and the governing authorities are no exception. The government often ignores God, who established it, and oppresses people rather than serves them. Jesus experienced affliction under government authority. He was unjustly arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified—all at the government’s command.

Why did Jesus endure it? Because he loves you. He perfectly submitted to the governing authorities and demonstrated that he was in complete control. Government gone wrong sent Jesus to the cross, and that is exactly where he wanted to go. Even bad government is part of God’s plan to save sinners because it sent Jesus to Calvary to complete his work of salvation for us.

Governing authorities are not perfect, but they are a gift from God. Government is a gift for this life from the Savior, who will still be King of kings and Lord of lords when all earthly governments have passed away.

Prayer:
Gracious Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of government. Bless and guide all who make, administer, enforce, and judge our laws, so that I may live in peace until I enter your eternal kingdom. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God’s Servant To Do Us Good – October 21, 2023

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servant, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4

God’s Servant To Do Us Good

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Daily Devotion – October 21, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:4

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The U.S. pledge of allegiance reads, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God…” Some might think that the phrase “one nation under God” is a uniquely American characteristic. But the same phrase could be said of Canada, France, Peru, Zambia, and every other country in the world. All nations, all governments, and all authorities are under God. No authority exists except that which God has established (Romans 13:1).

Our verse today reminds us why God established the governing authorities. Governing authorities are God’s servants to do us good. Ponder the comfort in that phrase “God’s servants to do us good.” All kings and kingdoms serve the eternal King. God remains in firm control “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21). He rules over everything for the good of his church (Ephesians 1:22). Jesus bought the church with his blood, made her holy through the waters of baptism, and rules to gather and bring her safely to his heavenly kingdom.

Ponder the good God provides through his servants. In addition to caring for our souls and eternity, our God also cares for our bodies and lives. He seeks to provide care, order, and protection for life in a sinful and evil world. He has servants who serve these good purposes by punishing wrong-doing and promoting and doing good.

Will we see failures, weaknesses, and evil in God’s servants who are to do us good? Yes, just as we see these things in our own hearts and lives. This is why we ponder God’s perfect servant most of all. God sent his own perfect Son into this world who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). God’s perfect servant Jesus gives us peace as we live in this temporary kingdom and look forward to his eternal kingdom.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the good you provide me through your governing servants and through your perfect servant, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Eager Anticipation – October 20, 2023

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

Eager Anticipation

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Daily Devotion – October 20, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21

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I’ll never forget it. My sister had traveled some distance to surprise my dad on his 60th birthday. When he came into the kitchen for breakfast, she was there. “Surprise!”

But my dad’s response made a deep impression on me. While he was certainly happy to see her, he didn’t give my sister the reaction she wanted. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Of course! “But,” he explained, “I missed out on the fun of looking forward to your visit.” Eagerly anticipating something good is part of the joy we experience. He had missed out on it!

Who doesn’t remember—or still experience—the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas? Even though a young couples’ wedding might still be weeks or months away, planning and dreaming about how the day will go is a big part of the fun and excitement. Our lives wouldn’t be as fulfilling if everything just happened, and we could never again eagerly anticipate anything. Waiting can be difficult, but if we have the right perspective on life, waiting patiently for good things will extend and enhance our joy when the big day finally arrives.

Plenty of people have wondered why Jesus is taking so long to come back to take his people to be with him in heaven forever. Many have even used his “tardiness” as a reason to scoff at our Christian hope. However, instead of questioning his timing, the apostle Paul encourages us to eagerly await Jesus’ return. For, on that day, he will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body, and we will live with him forever.

As much as we will rejoice that day, it’s a blessing to live in eager anticipation today!

Prayer:
Jesus, help me live each day in eager anticipation of your glorious return. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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It’s All Backward – October 19, 2023

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

It’s All Backward

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Daily Devotion – October 19, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18,19

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Winners are winners, and losers are losers. It’s really that simple. If the game is over, and you’ve scored fewer points than your opponent—you lose. For it to be the other way around would just be backward!

But this backward perspective on life is what the apostle Paul proposes in our Bible reading today. Paul recognized that when Jesus died on the cross, it looked like he had lost. But the exact opposite was true—it was on that cross Jesus paid the price for our sins and saved us from the punishment we deserved. Far from losing, Jesus won the victory on the cross.

Sadly, Paul knew that many people reject Jesus precisely because Jesus’ death on the cross looked like a loss. This is why Paul wrote that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.” After all, they think we want to be winners, not losers. And to their way of thinking, the cross equals defeat.

But, as Paul explains, those who don’t see and understand the power of the cross will end up falling short when time runs out. “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.” In other words, in their pursuit of every worldly thing that equals success and victory, in their eyes, won’t be able to save them on the last day. “Their mind is set on earthly things,” Paul wrote. But when Jesus comes again to judge the living and dead, earthly things will have absolutely zero value.

Only Jesus and his cross can save us now and forever. Yes, to this world, it’s all backward. But in the eyes of faith, the cross proclaims one simple message: victory.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see victory in your cross. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Role Model – October 18, 2023

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

A Role Model

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Daily Devotion – October 18, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:17

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In the 1990s, basketball superstar Charles Barkley made a commercial for Nike that caused a stir. After a monstrous dunk, he turned to the camera and declared, “I am not a role model.”

His point was that people shouldn’t look up to someone because he can dunk a basketball. He didn’t want kids modeling their lives after entertainers’. He argued that people who serve others in quiet and unassuming ways are the best role models.

The apostle Paul was no entertainer and didn’t get paid the big bucks. He even refused payment for his apostolic work; he did it for free. He got up every day and did what Jesus had called him to do without fame, fortune, or fanfare.

Was his work easy? Hardly. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul provided a laundry list of things he had endured. He concluded by explaining, “I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Co 11:27,28). His life had been far from luxurious.

But what had Paul’s suffering given him? Resilience. Strength. Stamina. Confidence. Those character traits were built on Jesus’ perfect promises and forged in the hot fires of challenging life situations.

And now, Paul could boldly declare, “I am a role model.” He urged the Philippians, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

But Paul wasn’t really pointing to himself with those words. He was pointing to Jesus, the source of his strength. Paul later explained, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Php 4:13).

Simply put, Paul is the best kind of role model because he kept his eyes on Jesus. We are well served now and forever in following his lead.

Prayer:
Jesus, empower me to fix my eyes on you and your salvation, just like Paul. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Finish Line – October 17, 2023

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 3:13,14

The Finish Line

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Daily Devotion – October 17, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:13,14

See series: Devotions

When something becomes too hard, we often give up. For example, if the hill we’re climbing on our bike becomes too steep, we may not have the necessary strength to overcome the gravity pulling us back down. This old man hops off and walks it to the top.

What’s true of our physical nature is also true of our spiritual nature. When we find ourselves on some “spiritual hill” facing resistance, we can be tempted to go in the opposite direction to avoid the pain and inconvenience of resistance. Our “spiritual gravity”—also known as our sinful nature—pulls us to whatever is easiest for us, the path of least resistance.

So, how do we overcome the temptation to give up when the spiritual going gets tough? We rely on our Lord Jesus. He is the One who has already won the victory for us by his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. He who won heaven for us will give us the strength to fight against those things that might sidetrack us on our journey there.

Well, how do athletes overcome the adversity they face? Training, preparation, focus.

This is what the apostle Paul did. He wrote, “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.”

Jesus has already won the race for us. Eternal salvation is certain in him. He’s standing at the finish line, waiting to welcome us home.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me focus on the perfect salvation you’ve won for me and give me strength to overcome my daily adversity. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Press On – October 16, 2023

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.
Philippians 3:12

Press On

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Daily Devotion – October 16, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:12

See series: Devotions

When was the last time you just wanted to give up and throw in the towel? Have you felt that way already two or three times today?

It’s easy to feel this way sometimes. Everyone gets to the point where they’re tempted to give up and call it a day.

Even Jesus felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as he faced the overwhelmingly burdensome task of winning perfect forgiveness and eternal salvation for all sinners. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, quoted the future Savior’s thoughts when he wrote, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.”

But Jesus didn’t give up. He pressed on. And what compelled him to show the necessary resilience and to press on? His heavenly Father’s promises. Jesus remembered, “Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God” (Isaiah 49:4). Was it hard? You bet. But his Father’s reward gave him the strength to press on.

The apostle Paul was convinced of this reality, too–even in the midst of his own pain and imprisonment. In pondering the eternal reward guaranteed to him by Jesus, he wrote, “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.”

We can press on, too, no matter how hard it gets, because nothing we face in this world is worth comparing to the glorious and eternal reward that will be revealed to us at the end of life’s race in this dying world (Romans 8:18).

Jesus knows how hard it is, but his faithful promises give us the strength to press on.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me remember that you know my pain so well. And remind me daily that I am more than a conqueror through you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Feast – October 15, 2023

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Isaiah 25:6-8

The Feast

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Daily Devotion – October 15, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 25:6-8

See series: Devotions

Celebrations and food go hand in hand. Weddings have receptions, birthdays have cake, and the holidays always have their own unique treats.

Why is that? Why does feasting always seem to accompany celebration and joy? Because it’s a blessing that God has intended. He gives us food to help us celebrate.

In the beginning, the Lord gave Adam and Eve a home in Eden that was full of food for them to feast on. They were free to eat from any tree in the garden—except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But they broke God’s command, and their rebellion trapped them and all their descendants in a shroud.

What is this shroud that enfolds all peoples, this sheet that covers all nations? It is death. Because of sin, life ends in death for all individuals, peoples, and nations.

So, thank God that he destroyed the shroud when he sent his Son into our death-covered world! By his death on the cross, Jesus took away every sin that separates us from God, and by his resurrection, he swallowed up death forever. The shroud of death is lifted. Jesus lives, and in him, you live too.

Now God has prepared the feast for you, a banquet of life eternal. The celebrations of this world last only a moment, but the heavenly feast will never end. This is a feast of rich meats and the finest of wines—a feast like no other. This is a never-ending celebration where death has been swallowed up forever, and all tears have been wiped away. Rejoice and be glad in God’s salvation!

Prayer:
Lord Almighty, thank you for swallowing up death forever and for preparing the heavenly feast for me. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Our Lowly Bodies – October 14, 2023

The Lord Jesus Christ . . . will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21

Our Lowly Bodies

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Daily Devotion – October 14, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20,21

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A handful of you will live your lives free from serious illness or injury. And when you die, you will die quietly in your sleep. For many people, however, it’s simply a matter of time before they experience the hard truth that our bodies are frail, weak, and lowly vessels.

All it takes is one nasty bacterium, one malignant cell, one stubborn virus. All it takes is a second of inattention behind the wheel or a moment of distraction at the worksite, and before you know what’s happening, you find yourself lying in a hospital bed with barely enough strength to sit up. It’s then that you understand how vulnerable your body really is. And if you manage to avoid all this, there is always the slow-motion collision your body has with old age.

No matter how fit we are, how strong, athletic, or vigorous we are—the bodies we have are still lowly bodies. They are lowly and weak because of sin.

When the Son of God entered our time and space, he took on a human body; he became a human being. In that body, he lived a sinless life on our behalf. Then he allowed sinners to nail his body to a cross. On that cross, Jesus’ body carried the sins of the whole world and paid for them in full. And three days later, Jesus rose from death, his body glorified.

What does this mean for us? God’s Word says that “the Lord Jesus Christ…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Remember this when you look in the mirror and see your frailty. Remember this when you’re lying on a hospital bed. Remember this when you feel too weak to leave your home. Remember this when the body of a beloved Christian wears out and dies.

In this fallen world, our bodies are lowly bodies. But for the Christian, the world to come will be different. God’s Word says so.

Prayer:
Sustain me, Lord, as I grapple with my lowly body in this fallen world. Thank you for your promise to transform my lowly body to be like yours. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God Wants Us to Grow – October 13, 2023

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes . . . The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the vines he delighted in.
Isaiah 5:1,2,7

God Wants Us to Grow

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Daily Devotion – October 13, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 5:1,2,7

See series: Devotions

God isn’t kind to us because we were first kind to him. He’s kind to us because being kind to us is what God delights in. The prophet Isaiah compared God’s kindness to what it takes to build a vineyard—digging the land, removing all the stones, planting the vines, building a watchtower and a winepress. All of that takes a lot of work. And it took an extra amount of work in Palestine (where Isaiah lived at the time).

The Palestinians have a legend that goes like this: When God created the world, an angel flew over it, carrying a bag of stones under each arm. As he flew over Palestine, one bag broke so that half of all the stones in the world were in Palestine.

The point of that short story is to say that there are a lot of stones in the dirt of Palestine. And if you have ever been given the task of removing stones from a field or a backyard, then you certainly know that this isn’t a delightful task. But it’s the kind of task that God delights in if it takes care of you.

Your life is a labor of love for God. He is glad to invest whatever amount of time it takes to strengthen you spiritually so you produce a bumper crop of spiritual fruit. He even gave his son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for your sins so you could be in a right relationship with him and spend your life serving him. What are ways you can do that today?

Prayer:
Lord God, help me to guide my life according to your Word and ground my faith on all that was accomplished for me by Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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It Makes No Sense – October 12, 2023

Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’”
Matthew 21:37,38

It Makes No Sense

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Daily Devotion – October 12, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:37,38

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Jesus’ story about a landowner who planted a vineyard and rented it to some farmers took a surprising turn. The renters had refused to pay their rent. So, the owner sent his son to collect. He assumed they would respect the son enough to pay what they owed. Instead, they killed him.

It seems far-fetched, doesn’t it? Yet, whenever you and I refuse to listen to God’s son, Jesus, it is just as strange. Why would we refuse to listen to the son of the God who created us and provides for us? It makes no sense.

Even more remarkable is that God continues to love and forgive us for the times we don’t listen to his son. In fact, it is because of what his son, Jesus, did that he forgives us. Instead of punishing us for our sins, God sent his son to be punished in our place on the cross so that we could be forgiven. It seems far-fetched, doesn’t it? It makes no sense.

But we can be thankful God did what he did. We can be thankful his son was willing to do what he did. And we can spend our lives listening to God’s son and using our lives to thank him. It’s the only thing that makes sense!

Prayer:
Dear God, help me live my life in thanksgiving for what you did to save me from my sins. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Thank God for His Grace – October 11, 2023

Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
Matthew 21:37-41

Thank God for His Grace

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Daily Devotion – October 11, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:37-41

See series: Devotions

Jesus told a story about a man who rented his vineyard to some farmers. When he sent servants to collect the rent, the renters beat them. After sending a series of servants, the man sent his son. Sadly, the renters killed him.

Jesus told the story to warn the religious leaders of his day not to do the same as those renters. God had sent his son to them, and they were planning to kill him. So, Jesus told this story to warn them against what they were about to do. They knew the answer to Jesus’ question at the end of his story. “What will [the landowner] do to the tenants” who killed his son? They should obviously be punished for such a horrible act.

Even as he was looking ahead to being killed by these men, Jesus reached out to them in love to warn them. And even more remarkably, Jesus would go to his death to pay the price for his enemies’ sins, even their sins against him.

His death paid for our sins, too. For when Jesus was killed on the cross and rejected by so many, we were forgiven for everything. Every sin was washed away. Every stain on our hearts was cleansed, and we were welcomed into God’s eternal family.

This is grace. We receive it by faith. May we never take it for granted.

Prayer:
Lord, you are generous with your grace; forgiving me of every sin through the sacrifice willingly offered by Jesus. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God’s Investment – October 10, 2023

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.”
Matthew 21:33

God’s Investment

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Daily Devotion – October 10, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:33

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Notice all that the landowner did before the renters came in. He invested sweat equity in planting the vineyard. He took the time to build a wall around it. He dug the winepress—all by himself—before the days of heavy-duty farm equipment and machinery. He built the watchtower. He did all those things to produce a vineyard.

Just as the landowner in Jesus’ story made investments in his vineyard, God has made investments in our lives.

He pieced together 37.2 trillion cells and organized them into what you see when you look in the mirror each morning—cells that work together in such a way that the average person can get out of bed and not have to tell their brain to think, their heart to beat, their lungs to inflate, or their blood to flow in order for all those things to happen.

Additionally, he commands his angels to guard us. He actively watches over our lives, making sure all things work together for our good.

Most importantly, he invested the perfect life of his Son, Jesus, to redeem us from sin, death, and the devil.

Our God loves us. He cares for our lives and has invested so much in us already. He will never stop investing in us!

Prayer:
Lord, you are generous in what you invest in my life. Lead me to live a life of generous gratitude to you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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God Is Patient with Us – October 9, 2023

[Jesus said] “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
Matthew 21:33-41

God Is Patient with Us

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Daily Devotion – October 9, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:33-41

See series: Devotions

What do you find more surprising in this story—the horrible actions of the tenants or the landlord’s decision to keep sending his servants, thinking that perhaps they’ll act differently?

Whatever you think of his decision, it’s clear that this landowner was incredibly patient. And that’s what Jesus is teaching us about God. Our God is incredibly patient with people who disobey and distrust him.

Like the owner of the vineyard in Jesus’ story, God sends person after person to call us to follow him. He even sent his son, Jesus—to give us a Savior to whom we can turn in our sin, repent, and find complete forgiveness. What a patient God we have!

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, help me to never take your patience for granted, but rather quickly turn to you in repentance when I see my sin and find comfort in the forgiveness already won for me by Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Harvest – October 8, 2023

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?” . . . The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.
Isaiah 5:1-4,7

The Harvest

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Daily Devotion – October 8, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 5:1-4,7

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It was back-breaking work to plant and care for a vineyard—the plowing, the clearing of stones, the planting. You had to wait two years to see any fruit. Yet, this farmer did everything possible to make his vineyard fruitful. But when he went to find good fruit, all he found was rot.

God told this story to describe the people of Israel. He had given them everything they could possibly need to succeed: a homeland, a guide to live by, a place to worship, leaders to help them, prophets to lead them. Nothing more could have been done. Yet, when the harvest came, God found no fruit. His people had rejected him.

Friends, this isn’t a picture of Israel alone. This is a picture of every single person on earth. Even though God has done everything for us, by nature, we hated God. We were God’s enemies. We produced only rotten fruit.

But God was determined not to give up on us. He sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to live in our place, to produce the good fruit that God desired. And Jesus not only lived for us, but also died for us to take away all of our sin and establish peace between us and God again. This good news creates a desire in us to do what God desires to produce the good fruit he’s looking for. Because of Jesus, we can once again be the garden of God’s delight!

Prayer:
Lord, have mercy on me for the times when I take your care for granted. Let me never receive that love in vain, but help me to produce the good fruit that you desire and deserve. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Teaching the Truth – October 7, 2023

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Matthew 21:23-27

Teaching the Truth

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Daily Devotion – October 7, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:23-27

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Our Bible verses today record some of Jesus’ activity in Jerusalem a few days before he was crucified. He entered the temple courts and taught the people. He wanted everyone to know why he had come. His impending arrest, trial, and crucifixion was looming. But, in love for the people, he continued teaching the truth that all sinners need to learn, that he was their Savior who had come to sacrifice his life for their sin and rescue them from eternal death.

Not everyone believed him. The religious leaders challenged Jesus because they did not accept him as the Son of God. He lovingly warned them that without him they could not be saved from their sins.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem on that day to teach the people, he still enters our lives to teach us through his Word. The most important truth that Jesus wants us to learn and live by is that he is our Savior, who died for us to give us eternal life with God. He cleansed us from sin by his blood and overcame death by his resurrection.

Jesus teaches the truth of God’s love. You can count on him for forgiveness. You can rely on him for every need. You can place your hope in him for a life filled with God’s eternal blessings. He teaches you what’s really important. Are you listening?

Prayer:
Teach me, Jesus, that I may know you better as my Savior and follow you more closely as my Lord. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Humility Comes Before Glory – October 6, 2023

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:8-11

Humility Comes Before Glory

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Daily Devotion – October 6, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 2:8-11

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In the life of Jesus, humility came before glory. This is especially evident when we see what happened before and after he died. A few days before his death, he voluntarily rode into Jerusalem knowing full well what would happen to him there.

He did not stop Judas from betraying him, his disciples from abandoning him, and his enemies from putting him on trial. “He was obedient to death” (2:8). So he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He did it all for the disciples who abandoned him, the soldiers who beat him, and sinners like you and me.

And because he humbled himself in that way, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (2:9). If you exalt something, it means you lift it up. God lifted Jesus way up. First, God lifted Jesus up from the dead. Forty days later, he exalted Jesus to his right hand when Christ ascended into heaven.

The message is clear: Jesus Christ is Lord. And on the Last Day everyone will confess that truth. That glory will come for Jesus, but humility came first.

Our lives will be the same. Being a Christian doesn’t stop heartache, sickness, or sadness. It doesn’t give you lots of money. You might not be any healthier or richer than someone else, who couldn’t care less about Jesus. But not even the Son of God himself had an easy life when he became a man. In the life of the Christian, humility also comes before glory.

But there is glory for the Christian! The glory is heaven, eternal perfection, and your own resurrection. For now, Jesus has you right where he wants you—in the nail-scared palm of his hand.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let the promised glory you won for me sustain me through difficult times. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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The Mindset of Christ Jesus – October 5, 2023

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Philippians 2:5-7

The Mindset of Christ Jesus

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Daily Devotion – October 5, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 2:5-7

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Today’s Bible passage gives you a peak into the mind of Jesus and empowers you to live like he did by telling you who he is and exactly how he lived.

Jesus is in very nature, God. But even though he is God, he did not use his divinity for his own advantage. Jesus had infinite power, but he used that power in miracles that helped others and not himself. He blessed children, washed feet, served meals, taught thousands, and became a servant of all.

That is the mindset God wants us to have—one that is very different from how we normally operate. Humility does not come naturally. We don’t want to humble ourselves. Our sinful nature will always try to convince us we deserve to be served.

That’s why it’s so important to see the mindset of Christ Jesus. If anyone deserved to be served, it was the Son of God. Jesus, however, did not get what he deserved. He got what we deserved because of our sin. He was the suffering Servant who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).

By our standards, he was not treated fairly, but by God’s standards, he was. Climb into Jesus’ mind and see his life and death the way he sees it. The plan was always that the One who had no sin would die for the sins of the many. Jesus knew that his life and death in service to us would give him what he really wanted: you, with him, forever, in heaven.

That is your Savior—the Son of God by whose death you have life. By his grace, you are now set free to serve others as he has already served you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me a mindset like you and grant me joy in service to others. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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United With Christ – October 4, 2023

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

United With Christ

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Daily Devotion – October 4, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 2:1-4

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Wouldn’t it be great to live a life filled with the virtues in today’s Bible passage? Then you could effortlessly display patience with your coworkers, selflessness in your marriage, and compassion in your parenting. It would make all those sorts of interpersonal relationships better if you had this kind of mindset.

This attitude, however, is hard to come by. The temptation toward selfish ambition and vain conceit is constant. Human nature is selfish by default. We are all born with the sinful tendency to serve ourselves rather than others and to view our way as the only right way. That, coupled with a culture that encourages you to focus exclusively on yourself, makes the virtues in this passage seem unattainable.

So the question of the day is this: Can you really live a life filled with those virtues, or is that wishful thinking? The answer is yes when you are united to Christ. When you become a Christian, Jesus changes you from dead in sin to alive in faith. Because Jesus lived for you, died for you, and rose from the dead for you, God sees you as a child he loves—a child with the amazing ability to love like Jesus loves you.

God does not see you as some hopeless, lost cause of a sinner. You are forgiven, and that totally changes the way you look at others. You don’t have to be selfish, angry, or lose control anymore. Be united with Christ.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, unite me to Christ and give me humility so that I value others above myself. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Repent and Believe – October 3, 2023

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
Matthew 21:31,32

Repent and Believe

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Daily Devotion – October 3, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:31,32

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It was a shocking thing to say. Jesus was talking to some religious leaders and told them that tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of heaven ahead of them. At that time, prostitutes and tax collectors were considered the worst of sinners.

So, how could Jesus say this? Because those sinners believed what John the Baptist preached. He had told them to repent and trust in Jesus. That was the best thing they ever heard. So, the tax collectors and the prostitutes repented, but the religious leaders to whom Jesus was speaking did not. They didn’t understand that they needed to repent just as much as everyone else.

And this is where we need to watch ourselves. It is easy to think we are better than other people–that they need to repent more than we do. But repentance is recognizing that no matter how good you may look outwardly, you’re no better than anyone else, and your only hope is in Christ alone. That’s why tax collectors and prostitutes were getting in ahead of the religious leaders. Not because they were better than them but because they turned from their sin and trusted their Savior.

It was a shocking thing for Jesus to say. But he said it out of love. He wanted to warn the religious leaders so that they would recognize their sin, repent, and trust in their Savior.

And do you know what? He is doing the same thing for you now in this devotion. Repent and believe the good news!

Prayer:
Lord, show me my sins and forgive me for them. Help me to trust in your perfect life and innocent death and give me your righteousness. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Which Son Are You? – October 2, 2023

[Jesus said] “There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
Matthew 21:28-31

Which Son Are You?

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Daily Devotion – October 2, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:28-31

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Jesus told this story to confront his listeners with the ugly truth that they were not as obedient to God as they thought they were. A father asked his sons to work in the vineyard. The first son said no but later changed his mind and went to work. The second son said yes but then never went to work.

Which of them did what his father wanted? The obvious answer is the first son because he eventually did what his father asked. The other son gave the right answer but did not do what he promised.

So, which son are you? Jesus’ story forces you to examine yourself. Do you ever say no to what God tells you to do? Have you ever been quick to say yes to God’s commands, only to continue in your sins as usual?

Jesus wants you to admit that you are like both sons. Neither of them really did what their father wanted them to do. Ideally, both sons would say and do the right thing right away.

That kind of son isn’t in the story. He is telling the story. Jesus is the eternal Son of God who became one of us. This Son always said yes to his Father and always did his will. He lived perfectly as the substitute for all the other sons and daughters. He gave his perfect life on the cross for them as a gift. He did all the work in his Father’s vineyard, and you received all the credit.

Whenever you are confronted with the ugly truth that you are not as obedient to God as you think you are and see the disobedience of both sons in your life, thank God for his perfect Son, Jesus, who takes away all your sin.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for being obedient in my place and punished for my sins. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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It’s Not Fair – October 1, 2023

The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?” As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.”
Ezekiel 18:1-4

It’s Not Fair

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Daily Devotion – October 1, 2023

Devotion based on Ezekiel 18:1-4

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My children used to complain, “Dad, it’s not fair!” My response was, “You’re right. But then, God never promised that life would be fair.”

In our Bible reading for today, God’s children were complaining things weren’t fair. The gist of their complaint was that their ancestors had done sinful things, and now they were having to bear the consequences. It wasn’t fair. Rather than take responsibility for their own sinful actions and spiritual failures; they blamed their parents, grandparents, and ancestors.

How easy it is in life to slip into similar thinking. “My parents were terrible.” “My spouse totally mistreated me.” “I don’t deserve the treatment I’m getting; I’m better than that.” Then we are tempted to finish those sentences with, “It’s not fair, and it’s not my fault.”

God’s answer is succinct: “Every living soul belongs to me.” Our responsibility isn’t to make excuses about our circumstances in life. Rather, we are to serve God to the best of our ability in the situation into which we have been placed.

God made you exactly who he wanted you to be for your eternal good and the eternal good of others. God guides you through life’s good times and its unfairness so that you learn to rely on him more and more. Sometimes life is not easy or much fun. But through it all, God has claimed you as his own, bought at the price of Jesus’ own blood.

God never promised that life would be fair. Instead, he promised that he would keep on loving us and forgiving us through Jesus. That’s fair enough for me!

Prayer:
God, strengthen me to deal with life’s unfairness. Focus my attention on your love, always reminding me that you have graciously made me to be your own. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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