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

All Are Welcome with Jesus

What were you like in high school? Were you in the marching band as part of the halftime show, or were you the one scoring touchdowns underneath the Friday night lights? Did you sing in the chorus or act on stage? Did you ace every test and quiz or just get by? Were you one of the “cool” kids or were you a “nerd”?

I have taught high school kids. I have three teenagers myself. And, as much as they can’t fathom it, Dad was a high school kid once upon a time, too! I get it. High school can be hard. Sometimes, two best friends will end their friendship because one starts dating the other’s ex. Sometimes, that one queen bee can lead, and others will follow, not wanting to make waves because they don’t want to be ousted from the group. I’ve seen it. You have too. You were there in high school.

But with Jesus, all are welcome. Yes, he wants 4.0 brainiacs, but he also wants the kids who got detention every week. Yes, he wants the pretty prom queen, but he also wants the girl who didn’t get asked to the dance. Yes, he wants the family who faithfully shows up for church every Sunday, but he also wants the ones who don’t. My point is that ALL are welcome with Jesus, and all includes YOU! Jesus doesn’t discriminate. Jesus doesn’t exclude. Jesus doesn’t care about your looks, your humor, your athletic ability, or your I.Q. He loved YOU so much that he was willing to give up his life to get you right with God, and that love wasn’t conditional on anything about you. He simply gives it to you and welcomes you into not just a friend group but into the family of God.

No matter who you are, you’re welcome with Jesus!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins and welcoming me into your family. Help me to reach out to those around me who feel like they don’t have anyone and let me welcome them as you have welcomed 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.

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Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.”
Luke 15:3-6

Every Soul Is a Treasure

What would you do if you lost your keys? Would you try to remember the last time you used them? Would you retrace your day’s steps, looking everywhere? Would you rifle through the stack of papers on your desk? Rummage through all the drawers in your dresser? Check all your pants’ pockets? Hunt under the bed? Poke down into the cushions—hunting in between the stale pretzels, paperclips, and pennies for your keys?

And why would you go to such trouble to find your car keys? Simple. They have value to you. Without your car keys, you won’t be going to work today. No shuttling of the kids to after-school activities. No quick drive to buy groceries for tonight’s supper. So, when you do finally find your car keys, how do you feel? There’s a mixture of relief and joy—that which was lost has been found!

Shortly after God created his perfect world and his perfect people, he lost you. Not that he forgot where he placed you or forgot your name. He lost you because you loused up your relationship with him through your breaking of his commands. And from then on, you were indeed lost to him—estranged from him in time and separated from him for all eternity in hell.

But God sent his Son, Jesus, to “find” you. Jesus lived a perfect life for you, always keeping all of God’s commands in your stead. And because God values you so highly, he punished his perfect Son on Calvary’s cross for your sins so that you might not be lost to him any longer. Now he calls you to fully place your trust in Jesus, so that you might forever enjoy your fully restored relationship to him. So, dear fellow “lost” sinner, put your trust in Jesus as your only Savior from sin and hell. For God “finds” you only in him.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for caring enough to find a lost soul like 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.

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[Jesus said] “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 14:34,35

Stay Salty

Have you ever bitten into a bland meal and thought, “This needs salt”? A little salt makes all the difference. But what if the salt has lost its saltiness, its very essence? That’s Jesus’ point in today’s Bible reading.

Earlier in Luke chapter 14, Jesus spoke about the cost of discipleship. Following him means denying ourselves, carrying our crosses, and surrendering all. And then he said, “Salt is good… but what if it loses its saltiness?” He was describing what happens when disciples lose their distinctiveness. When Christians blend into the world—chasing the same priorities, hiding the gospel, forgetting grace—we become like flavorless salt. In other words, useless.

That’s a sobering warning. It’s easy to go through the motions of religion while our hearts grow cold, our witness dulls, and our faith drifts from Christ to comfort. But Jesus isn’t trying to shame us. He’s calling us back. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” He wants us to repent, to remember who we are.

Because in him, we are salty again. Jesus, the perfect disciple, never lost his saltiness. He gave his life for us. By his forgiveness, he makes us new and useful again. Through his Word and sacraments, he preserves our faith and reignites our witness.

So, stay connected to Christ. Soak in his grace. Let his love season your words, your choices, your days. You are his salt in a bland world.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave everything to save me. Forgive the times I have lost my zeal and blended into the world. Restore me with your grace and use me to reflect your love. 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.

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Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25-27

Carrying the Cross

Jesus had a way of thinning crowds. Just when his popularity surged, he would turn and speak hard truths. Today’s words are among the hardest. Hate your family? Hate your life? Carry your cross? What is Jesus saying?

He’s not calling us to despise our loved ones. The Bible clearly teaches us to love, honor, and serve those closest to us. But compared to our love and loyalty to Christ, even our strongest earthly attachments must take second place. Jesus demands first place, not out of arrogance, but because only he can give what we need most: forgiveness, salvation, and life that never ends.

That means discipleship won’t always be comfortable. Sometimes, following Jesus causes tension in our families. Sometimes, it brings loss, rejection, or suffering. That’s what Jesus means by “carrying your cross.” It’s not about daily annoyances; it’s about faithful endurance, even when faith costs us dearly.

These words test us. We like to follow Jesus when it’s easy, when it fits our schedule and goals. But are we willing to follow him when it’s hard? When obedience means sacrifice? When his path leads to a cross? If we’re honest, the answer is often no. We cling to comfort, relationships, and reputation more than we cling to Christ.

And that’s why we need him all the more.

Jesus walked this path perfectly for us. He loved his Father above all and bore the ultimate cross. He gave up his life so that we would be forgiven for all the times we haven’t. He makes us his disciples not by our strength, but by his grace.

Now, empowered by that grace, we follow because Jesus is worth everything.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for loving anything more than you. Strengthen me to carry my cross and follow you, knowing you carried the cross to save 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.

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This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20

The Lord is Your Life

Life is full of choices. Some are small: what to eat, what to wear. Others are huge: where to live, whom to marry, what to believe. In Deuteronomy chapter 30, Moses speaks to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He lays before them the biggest choice of all: life or death.

But this isn’t just about ancient Israel. It’s all about us as well.

At first, it sounds like a moral checklist: love the Lord, listen to his voice, hold fast to him. But if you look closer, you’ll see this isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about trusting the One who already claimed you as his own. Moses doesn’t say, “Choose life and maybe God will be good to you.” He says, “The Lord is your life.”

That’s the key. We don’t choose life by our effort. We receive life by faith. We choose life by trusting in the Savior who chose us first.

Jesus chose the cross so that we could be forgiven. He chose suffering so that we could be blessed. He chose death so that we could live. When God calls us to “choose life,” he’s not telling us to save ourselves. He’s inviting us to trust Jesus, who already has.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for choosing me in Christ. Help me daily to live by trusting you, listening to your Word, and holding fast to the Savior who gave his life 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.

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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1,2

You Have an Advocate

A criminal defense attorney said that the most frequent question he is asked is: “Why do you defend people you know are guilty?” Normally, he responds that he doesn’t consider himself to be a successful attorney only if his client never sees the inside of a prison. He admitted that most of his clients are guilty of something. However, he went on to say, “not every person charged with a crime is treated fairly.” Under the law, even criminals have rights; they have rights that are sometimes violated or ignored. The attorney said that his goal is to make sure every person is treated fairly under the law. That way, he can be successful whether his client is found to be innocent or guilty.

The Bible describes Jesus as an advocate; someone who, like a lawyer, comes to the defense of someone. And the Bible says that those whom Jesus chooses to defend are those who sin.

But he not only defends us, knowing we are guilty of sin. He also did something even the very best criminal defense attorney wouldn’t. He volunteered to take our punishment. Not by sitting in a prison. But by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins on a cross.

And the reason he did that is to give you rights. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you have the God-given right to walk through life knowing you are forgiven. You have the right to be released from the heavy burden of guilt you’ve been carrying. You have the right to know that God loves you, no matter how you have sinned. You have the right to know that you will always have an advocate who will come to your defense and will always win.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my advocate. Help me to live today in the judgment of freedom and forgiveness you won for me with your sacrifice on the cross. 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.

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Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.”
Luke 14:12

What Humility Looks Like

“Walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). So wrote God’s Old Testament prophet, Micah. What does humility look like in your life? Walking humbly does not mean letting people walk all over you. But it does mean that the wants and needs of your neighbor are going to come before your own.

When Jesus says, “Do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors,” is he saying we should never have our friends or family over for dinner? Of course not. Jesus is speaking to the attitude behind our service. He is saying that humble service does not expect repayment from those you serve.

We are not to invite others into our company to impress them or win power struggles. We are to serve others in their weaknesses. Followers of Jesus are to view their homes and churches not like they are country clubs. But rather, we are to view them as hospitals where people can receive care for their hurting spirit within them.

We’re not inviting people into our company expecting to get something in return. We’re inviting them in because there’s a spiritual war going on out there, and we’re all getting attacked and injured. We all need to be healed by hearing again the good news that “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

An unselfish attitude will naturally lead to unselfish actions.

Again, what does this look like? Where there is hunger, we bring food. Where there is loneliness, we bring love. Where there is doubt and despair, we bring hope and assurance. Where there is conflict, we bring forgiveness and peace. Where there is sickness, we rush to Jesus in prayer.

When you see the needs of others in plain sight, you can humbly serve them. Helping another human being as Jesus served and helped you is the most rewarding experience life has to offer.

Prayer:

Jesus, empower me to act justly; to love mercy; and to walk humbly with you 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.

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When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.”
Luke 14:7-9

Know Your Place at the Table

Imagine that you are at a wedding reception. It’s time for the dinner to be served, and one of the guests sits down at the head table right next to the groom. That would be an embarrassing moment because everybody knows that spot is reserved for the “Best Man.” It would be arrogant of that guest to think he deserves to sit next to the groom more than the other guests.

This is the arrogant attitude Jesus noticed among the people who had been invited to a banquet. And this is the attitude that lurks under the surface of our own hearts, too. We want to be more important and more honored than those around us.

But what an insult to God, the Lord of all, when we act like we’re lords over the people God created. What are we but dust and ashes without God? And yet sinful pride believes that God ought to feel lucky to have us at his banquet.

How can we stamp ugly pride out of our lives? Going along with Jesus’ example of a banquet, the answer could be worded this way: Know your place at the table! You are not the king of the castle. You are the King’s guest.

Humility comes from recognizing that everything we are is a gift from God. If we have a place at God’s table, it’s only ours by grace.

You do have a place at God’s table! Jesus, the Groom, has personally invited you to sit next to him in a seat of honor! The Bible says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of [Christ] the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for raising me up to enjoy a seat at your heavenly table. 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.

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When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.”
Luke 14:7,8

A Different Perspective

What would Jesus do? The dinner guests carefully watched his every move. But they were not the only ones doing the watching. Jesus also observed their actions. What he saw offered him an opportunity to teach a different perspective.

The guests were literally falling over themselves to have the best seat at the dinner. Pride was their motivation, as was the desire to be recognized as being just a little better than everyone else. Jesus offered a different perspective, and it is one to which we need to pay attention.

Being humble, truly humble, is difficult. As someone who craves attention, being overlooked is hard to accept. Still, Jesus’ lesson strikes home. Pride and self-promotion cannot stand up in front of God, who is judge over all. You may try to offer all the good you have done and may claim to be better than other people. You may even demand that God has to accept you for who you are. Unfortunately, God looks at this from a different perspective. He says, “Be perfect” (Matthew 5:48). He adds, “All have sinned and fall short of his glory” (Romans 3:23).

In humility, we realize we cannot stand before God nor take pride in anything we have done. This is why Jesus’ perspective is so important. He teaches us to look past our works and look to him. He provides us with the perfection we cannot attain. He offers the forgiveness needed. He gives the ability to stand before his Father and judge as completely acceptable.

Yes, it is a different perspective, yet it is one through which we receive life and lasting glory in heaven.

Prayer:

Dearest Jesus, you alone are my pride and glory. Give me the faith I need to depend on your work for my rescue, my ability to stand before your Father, and my certainty of heaven. Amen!

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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

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

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“‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you…’”
Luke 13:26,27

Familiarity

The scene is this: The Good News of what Jesus has done has gone out into the world. The Lord, through his people, has patiently proclaimed his message of full forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Christ alone. He proclaimed his message with persistence. He has proclaimed the message to all. But now the time is up. The end of the world has arrived. Every last moment for repentance is gone. The door to heaven is closed.

Outside the door, however, are people who have convinced themselves that there must be some misunderstanding. Why is the door closed? Why can’t they get in?

With the strength of desperation, they knock on the door; pound on it. As they do, they call out. They plead, “Sir, open the door for us.” But the reply comes back that simply says, “I don’t know you or where you come from.”

He doesn’t know them. Impossible, they think. After all, they’re familiar with him. They’ve heard about Jesus all their lives. They’ve bumped into Jesus and his words lots of times. He was part of their background, part of their culture. And so, they lawyer up and make their case that they are familiar with him. “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets,” they say. But once again comes back the chilling, now final, reply: “I don’t know you.”

Their fatal mistake is now clear. Throughout their lives, they’ve presumed that familiarity with Jesus was the same as trust in Jesus. They presumed wrong.

Satan wants me to make the same mistake. He tempts me to presume that familiarity with Jesus, warm nostalgia for church and church culture—that it’s all good enough. But if I presume this, I will one day find myself standing outside of a closed door.

But Jesus knows the devil’s schemes too. That’s why our Savior is pursuing you and me right now, strengthening our bond with him through his Word and sacrament. All this so that it’s not familiarity, but trust: Trust in Jesus alone as our Savior from sin.

Prayer:

Lord, I am not just familiar with you. I trust you. Increase my faith. 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.

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You have come to God, the Judge of all.
Hebrews 12:23

Judge of All

Throughout his life, it was easy for Francis Newport to put off the existence of God and the reality of God’s judgment. After all, he enjoyed wealth, he enjoyed creature comforts, he enjoyed success, he enjoyed political power and influence, he enjoyed prominence in his community. God? Some final judgment? Such things just seemed too fantastic, too far beyond his grasp or concern.

The day finally arrived, however, when it was clear that Newport’s life was coming to an end. As it did, God as Judge no longer seemed fantastic. It is said that, in his closing hours, this avowed atheist spoke the following words in fear: “You need not tell me there is no God. For I know there is one, and that I am in his presence.”

In my 21st-century lifestyle, I can surround myself with conveniences, I can make my life comfortable, I can fill my time with hobbies and YouTube and weekend plans and scrolling on my phone. As I do, it is very easy for my old, sinful nature to concoct an artificial world—a world that does not include the reality of God, the reality of God as the judge of all.

Such an artificial world, however, is fragile. And temporary. For when my years of pretending are done, when my years of denial, dismissiveness, unseriousness are all gone—there I will stand. And there God will be. God. The Judge of All. My judge too.

And that is why the Lord, in his Word, calls out to me. To you. To all of us. When he calls, there is urgency in his voice. “Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near.” “Listen, listen to me…hear me, so that your soul may live.” “Now is the time of God’s favor. Now is the day of salvation.”

It’s the reason God sent his Son. It’s the reason Jesus lived a perfect life as our substitute. It’s the reason Jesus suffered and died for our sins in our place. It’s the reason he lives. All so that, through faith in him, our day of judgment will be our first day of eternal life.

Prayer:

Lord, my last day is coming. Move me to find refuge in you alone. 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.

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“Those who consecrate and purify themselves . . . they will meet their end together,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 66:17

Sincerely Wrong

In December of 1903, Samuel Langley knew he was about to make history. He knew he was about to demonstrate the world’s first flying machine. For the past five years, he had overseen a dedicated team of experts and technicians. They had sought out the best materials. They had developed a powerful engine. They had perfected a proper launching system. Such efforts had not been cheap. Langley had spent $70,000 at a time when the average income in America was $300 per year.

Finally, everything was ready. The big moment was near Washington, DC. The press stood nearby. The pilot climbed aboard. The engine roared to life. The launching system launched. And Samuel Langley’s flying machine immediately sank to the bottom of the Potomac River.

His confidence in his flying machine and trust in his team had been sincere. His certainty that his invention would be the world’s first flying machine had been sincere. In the end, however, Samuel Langley was sincerely wrong.

In Isaiah chapter 66, the Lord spoke of individuals who sincerely believed they could purify themselves before God. They were certain the answer lay within them. They were confident that if they developed their own way to God and were sincere in what they were doing, they would have God’s favor in their back pocket. But in all this, they were sincerely wrong.

When it comes to my relationship with God, I can be sincere about all kinds of things. I can be sincere in presuming that God will accept me if I try my best, and that God will accept me because I think I’ve done more good than bad. I can sincerely presume that God will accept me because I think I’m a pretty decent person. And I would be sincerely wrong.

It’s not about the sincerity of my faith. It’s about the object of my faith. Jesus alone lived a perfect life in my place. Jesus alone suffered and died on my behalf. In Jesus alone, you and I can sincerely rest.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I look to you for rescue. Not to myself. Not to others. To you alone. 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.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Run the Race

A very important matter for marathon runners is wearing the right gear. Wise runners make sure that no part of their gear will impede progress. Clothes are made to glide smoothly as they run, and shoes are double knotted to ensure that the runners won’t stumble along the way.

As we run through life, there are plenty of things that entangle us—our sinful desire for independence, insistence on having things done our way, selfish pride, and incessant gathering of earthly possessions. Our sinful nature, the pressures of an increasingly godless world, the crafty evil one—they all lead us astray. They entangle us and trip us up on our race. And for not running our race the way that God demands, we deserve to be disqualified from the race of life and to suffer eternal punishment in hell.

But we have one who has run the race in our place. Jesus ran the race of life perfectly. The times that sin entangles and trips us up, Jesus picks us up and sets us back on our feet.

As we run the race that our Savior maps out for us, we fix our eyes on him. He motivates us to run the race, and he runs alongside us as well. He enables us to throw off those entangling sins and to run the race marked out. We will run in his strength and path, as long as he wants us to run, until our race is done, and we inherit eternal rest at our Savior’s side in glory.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, be with me as I run through this life. Keep me on your path and forgive me for the times I run down the wrong paths. Continue to guide and sustain me and give me the endurance I need to run for you and serve you with my life. 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.

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Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? . . . [Our human fathers] disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Hebrews 12:7,10

Trained by Love

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but life is hard. You get sick. You take a financial hit. You lose someone you love. Any number of awful things can happen at any given moment. When hardship strikes, it’s natural to ask, “Why would a loving God let this happen to me?” Hebrews 12 gives a clear answer: because he does love you.

God doesn’t want you to see hardship as punishment for sin. That punishment has already been poured out on Jesus. The hardships you face are not wrath—they’re his love in action. It’s not payback. It’s training.

Just as earthly fathers discipline their children, so does our heavenly Father. But his discipline goes deeper. Earthly discipline shapes behavior. God’s discipline shapes hearts. His goal isn’t to harm but to grow your faith, refocus your priorities, and lead you to share in his holiness.

That training might stretch you in ways you never expected. To teach trust, God might allow illness to linger. To wean your heart from worldly wealth, he might loosen your grip on financial security. To build patience, he may delay answers to your prayer. Each hardship is a reminder: You belong to God. If he didn’t discipline you, you wouldn’t be his child.

Still, discipline hurts. But it’s the pain that builds spiritual strength—like an athlete straining in training for the joy of victory.

Through hardship, God is shaping you for the final goal: the peace, righteousness, and glory of eternal life. He sent his Son for that very purpose. Jesus suffered and triumphed for you. So fix your eyes on him. Don’t view hardship as punishment but as the loving discipline of your Father—who trains you for life with him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me trust that you are training me for my good and give me strength to endure hardship. 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.

Listen to Devotion

[Jesus said] “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Luke 12:52,53

Jesus is Worth the Loss

“Religion just causes division.” You’ve probably heard someone say that—maybe even experienced it for yourself. Faith in Christ is supposed to bring peace, isn’t it? So why does it sometimes divide families, sever friendships, and stir up such intense resistance?

Jesus doesn’t avoid that tension; he embraces it. He says plainly: “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other.” This is not just any division—the kind that cuts straight through families: father against son, mother against daughter. The gospel can bring peace, but it can also tear people apart.

This is painful to hear and even more painful to experience. Jesus is telling you that following him will sometimes cost you the relationships that are closest to your heart. Not because you want division but because the gospel demands a response. Some will cling to Christ in faith. Others will reject him. And the closer they are to you, the more deeply it hurts.

But Jesus speaks these hard truths not to push you away—but to pull you closer. Because he knows something even deeper than your earthly bonds: his love for you is stronger than family ties. Strong enough to endure the agony of being forsaken by his own Father on the cross. Jesus allowed that perfect relationship to be broken so yours with God would be restored.

Yes, the gospel causes division. But it also gives you real peace with your Father in heaven. And if you must lose something to hold on to Jesus, even something as dear as a family relationship, know that what you gain in him is infinitely more: forgiveness, life, and a place in God’s family.

Prayer:

Son of God, give me faith that holds fast to you, no matter the loss. 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.