So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
Daniel 6:16

Our True King

Daily Devotion – October 31, 2023

Devotion based on Daniel 6:16

See series: Devotions

The king knew he had made a mistake. He had allowed his ego and pride to get the best of him. And he had walked right into a trap. Daniel’s enemies had convinced him to pass a decree that said, “Pray only to the king for thirty days or face the lions.” And now his best government official, Daniel, would be thrown into the lions’ den.

The king tried to figure out a way to rescue Daniel. He worked till sunset, looking for a loophole. But the law was ironclad. Daniel had prayed to the true God as he always did, not to a human king. Daniel would now have to face the consequences of the king’s vanity.

The king had done everything he could to stop this except for one thing. The king didn’t offer to go in Daniel’s place and be his substitute.

Thankfully, our King, Jesus, was willing to be our substitute. Though he did no wrong, he offered to go to death in our place. Jesus did this so that all who trust in him would not be separated from God but live with him for eternity. What a wonderful King we have!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are my true King. Thank you for doing everything to save me. Help me to give you the worship and praise you deserve. Amen.

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

Daily Devotion – October 29, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 3:21-24

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 27, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 22:21

See series: Devotions

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.

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?

Daily Devotion – October 25, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:4,5

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 23, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:1

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 21, 2023

Devotion based on Romans 13:4

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 19, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18,19

See series: Devotions

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

[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

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 7, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:23-27

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 5, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 2:5-7

See series: Devotions

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.

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

Daily Devotion – October 3, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 21:31,32

See series: Devotions

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.