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He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Psalm 146:6-9

A Life Provided by the Lord

Where does the bread on your table come from? Ask a child and they’ll tell you that Mom or Dad bought it at the grocery store, but how did it get there? Someone had to grow it. Someone had to take the crops to be turned into flour. Someone had to bake the bread. Someone had to haul that bread to the store. Someone had to put that bread on the shelves at the store. Parents had to earn money to buy that bread for their family. All kinds of people had a hand in providing you with bread, but where does food ultimately come from?

We could ask similar questions such as: Where does medical care come from? Where do the clothes on our backs, the roof over our heads, the beds where we sleep, the cars that we drive, the technology that we use, and so much more come from?

It’s tempting to think that it all comes from us. We earn the money. We provide for ourselves and our families. We get the care we need, the food we enjoy, the items we purchase out of need, or because we want them. Yet we are not the ultimate source of what we have.

No, the Psalmist points us to the Lord of grace. From him comes all creation, and he provides for our most basic needs. Yet the Lord does so much more. He knows what each of us needs. He knows what’s going on in our lives. He knows what troubles us, and he takes care of us. The Lord watches over us and delivers us not only from the troubles of this life, but for all eternity by saving us from sin and death. What else can we say than “Praise the Lord!”

Prayer:

O Lord of grace, I look to you and you sustain me. Shower your love upon me every day. Amen.

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Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
Psalm 146:3-5

A Life of Trust

Trust seems to be in short supply today. It’s easy to be skeptical or cynical rather than assume that you can trust others. Can you trust leaders when they fail to keep their promises? Can you trust institutions when they fail to provide the moral foundation or the expertise we expect? Can you trust businesses when they fail to provide the products or services that they promise to produce? Can you trust other people when they break a relationship or let you down?

What happens when trust is in short supply? Someone or something needs to fill that vacuum, so it’s not unusual for people to rally to a charismatic leader or a popular expert. It shouldn’t surprise us when institutions or groups that have lost our trust demand it back. Even on a personal level, if someone lets us down or breaks a once-strong relationship, we often look for someone to fill that void.

Yet the Psalmist tells us that we shouldn’t go looking for another human being or human institution to restore our missing trust. Even if those people prove to be trustworthy, they will eventually depart this life in death. He writes that, “On that very day their plans come to nothing.”

So, whom can we trust? The Psalmist responds, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.” There is only one person in all of history who deserves our complete trust and never causes us to lose trust—the God of Jacob, the Lord of free and faithful grace who is our Savior-God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. That Savior-God has kept every one of his promises, even to the point of giving up his life to pay for our lack of trust. That Savior-God is our help and hope not just now, but for all eternity. By faith, we trust in him.

Prayer:

Lord God, in a skeptical world, I am tempted to trust in others rather than you. Lift my eyes to the cross to see your unfailing love and trust in you alone. Amen.

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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

A Worry-Free Life

The word “free” is an impressively flexible word. We can use “free” to describe something that comes at no cost. We can use “free” to describe political rights, liberties, and freedoms. We can use “free” to describe a person who has a choice. We can use “free” to talk about something having a clear path, a person being on their own, or someone being outspoken. We also use “free” to describe certain foods that are without certain ingredients.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a worry-free life? We are often tempted to think that if we just make this much money or have that amount of money saved up, then we will be free to do whatever we want. Yet there never seems to be enough money for us to be free. We need more to reach that next threshold when we can finally be free. We keep chasing after more, so we never feel free.

Then God tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money…” In a sense, our God is calling us to have a greed-free life. How is that even possible in this greed-filled life? Thankfully, our God issues that command with a promise attached. He calls us back to an ancient promise he made through Moses, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

While this promise was first for the Israelites, Jesus reissued this promise to his New Testament believers— “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus could make that promise because he set us free from the guilt of greed. Because Jesus paid for our greed on the cross, we can be confident that he will provide us with his constant presence. We need not worry about getting more to finally be free. Jesus has already set us free.

Prayer:

O Lord, when I am tempted to devote my life to gaining more in the hope that I will finally be free, remind me that you have set me free for all eternity. Remind me that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen.

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Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

Quality of Life

It’s said that, around 40 years ago, a diplomat from the old Soviet Union was visiting the United States. Part of his tour of the country included a visit to a typical American grocery store. The moment he entered the store; the diplomat was astounded. He was looking at something he had never seen before. In that grocery store, he was feasting his eyes on food of such quality, quantity, and variety that he simply could not believe what he was seeing was a typical American grocery store. In fact, it’s said that he convinced himself that his American hosts had arranged to have all the food brought there just to impress him.

At that time, the typical American grocery store carried 9,000 items. Today, the typical American grocery store carries 39,000.

It’s an astounding thing, isn’t it? Over the past four decades, our food choices alone have more than quadrupled. But as marvelous as that is, experience has also taught us that having more and better things does not, in and of itself, guarantee a greater quality of life. Some would make the case that the one has very little to do with the other.

And that’s where the apostle Paul comes in. Do you want to see your quality of life make a significant jump? Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Imagine a life lived in the full forgiveness earned by Jesus Christ. Imagine a life basking in gratitude and joy for that forgiveness. Imagine a life focused on serving Jesus by serving others. And imagine a life that’s content and pleased with what the Lord provides, regardless of changing circumstances. In Paul’s mind, such a life is “great gain.” Such a life is robust and rich and sweet.

Does this mean we can’t go to a grocery store with 39,000 items? Of course not. Go there and enjoy that store. Enjoy it to the glory of God. Just remember where our quality of life really resides. Our quality of life is in Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to re-examine my quality of life. Remind me that a life that is truly robust and rich and sweet lies in you alone. Amen.

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But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:6-10

In Christ We Are Content

There is daily warfare going on inside every believer in Jesus. Our sinful nature wants to love the pleasures of life here on earth more than God and his eternal plan for us. Our sinful nature doesn’t count the blessings we have, but rather it grumbles about what we don’t have in comparison to other people.

Our new nature of faith, however, loves God and his will for our lives and leads us to be content with the necessities of life that God provides. It does not want the accumulation of money to get in the way of worshipping and praising God and moves us to hear and study God’s Word for the benefit of our faith and relationship with God.

This daily struggle inside of us, between the sinful, discontented nature and the new, fully contented nature, is very real. God warns us that craving money, and the things money can buy is detrimental to our spiritual life. Loving money and wanting to become rich can turn us away from God and cause us to lose the amazing riches of forgiveness and eternal life.

With God’s help, let’s daily strive to follow the lead of our new nature of faith. In this way, we give glory to God by showing the world that when we are rich in Christ, it really doesn’t matter how much money is in our bank accounts, the kind of car we drive, the size of our home, or the number of earthly possessions. In Christ, we are content!

Prayer:

Forgive me Lord, for not being completely thankful and content with the way that you have provided for me. Let my life on earth reflect how truly thankful I am for all you have given me. Amen.

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Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

Contentment Is a Gift from God

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus wrote, “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.” What would it take to make you content and happy with where you are in life? How much more would you need to gain than what you have right now? The apostle Paul wrote, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Does that seem like setting the bar too low? The problem is that wherever you draw the line today, our fallen human nature will likely find that to be too little tomorrow.

Six centuries before Epicurus, another wise man also reflected on the theme of contentment. After a long and prosperous reign, King Solomon recognized that he had been blessed by God with riches and fame and just about everything else this world has to offer. But what was the meaning of it all, if he was just going to die and leave it all behind anyway? Life is short, and health, wealth, and happy moments come and go. After reflection, Solomon observed, “when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). You see, contentment doesn’t come after gain. Scripture flips it around: contentment itself is the gain. Contentment itself is a gift from God.

One more man blessed with wisdom, Augustine of Hippo, wrote this prayer: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” If you feel constantly dissatisfied in life, it is unlikely that you are lacking some material thing. More likely, you are trying to fill a hole in your heart that can only be filled by your Creator. We were made by God to walk with him, to desire to be in his presence, and to find satisfaction in his love. But when we turned our hearts away from our Maker, he came in pursuit of us. His own Son, Jesus, was not content until he had made satisfaction for our sins and won for us a seat by his side in heaven.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me find joy and contentment in your loving presence. Amen.

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The LORD has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob, “I will never forget anything they have done.”
Amos 8:7

Ripe Fruit

We wondered what had produced the strong smell in our car. An air freshener gone awry? A discarded banana peel from our daughter’s lunch bag? A malfunctioning exhaust system?

It turned out that an errant pear had rolled under the seat on the passenger side. We didn’t realize what had happened until our son sought the source of the smell. He found the half-rotted pear, removed it, and did his best to eliminate the stench.

In the days of Amos the prophet, the Lord God of Israel compared his people to a basket of ripe fruit. (See Amos 8:1-3.) Their sinful excess and blatant idolatry smelled like rotten fruit to the Lord. He threatened his judgment. Assyria would soon sweep away the northern kingdom of Israel.

The Lord’s words should have disturbed every listener in Israel. He swore by himself, the Pride of Jacob, to never forget the evil they had done. His patience had run out. The end had come.

Most of the people who listened to Amos’ message did not take him seriously. They despised him as a foreigner from the southern kingdom of Judah who had come to meddle in the affairs of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Within a generation, God carried out his threat. The kingdom of Israel collapsed.

The same God speaks to the world today through his ancient prophet, whose words remain true for this generation. He speaks against the sinful excess and blatant idolatry in our lives. How can the Almighty forget the evil we have done?

Yet he makes a promise that repentant sinners love to hear. The God who says, “I will never forget anything they have done” has also declared, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Through Jesus Christ, he has kept this promise. Repent and believe the good news.

Prayer:

Righteous God, forgive me, renew me, bless me, and keep me steadfast in your gracious love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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[Jesus said] “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. . . In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:7,10

Rejoice with the Repentant!

I have met some amazing people in my life who have turned their lives around. I have friends who have battled addiction but eventually got clean and now go to church. I have friends who came to faith in Jesus Christ during a stint in prison. I have friends who, in their younger years, partied harder than most but have now left that sin behind and follow Jesus. I love these people. I am so proud of these friends of mine. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ!

But to be honest, not everyone in their lives is excited for them as I am or as you would be. They have siblings who lost out on the college money Mom and Dad had saved up because they had to put their brother through rehab. There were people in the bank who were terrorized the day that my friend tried to rob it. My friends’ promiscuity and partying left a lot of emotional wounds on those people with whom they broke ties.

It’s easy to celebrate with everyone who repents and says, ‘We’re all sinners, but Jesus forgives us all!’ But what about when that person who sinned inflicted pain on MY life? At times, that can be a tough thing for me to do.

But do you know who does forgive so freely? Jesus. And the sins of those people brought about more pain upon Jesus than anything those sins could have ever done to me or you. Yet, Jesus still forgives them. He rejoices whenever anyone repents. The angels of heaven celebrate with joy beyond measure! And so, we will as well. Rejoice with those who repent, those who turn to Christ for forgiveness, because Jesus has forgiven them just as he has forgiven you.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me and brought pain into my life. Help me to rejoice with those who repent just as you and the angels rejoice in heaven when they do. Amen.

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Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he 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. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Luke 15:3-7

Jesus Seeks Out the Lost Sheep

One time, I lost my son at Disney World. We had just come off a ride, cut through the gift shop at the end, but when we turned around and looked, he was gone. Thankfully, we found him in less than thirty minutes, but it felt like it was forever. My heart was racing. My palms were sweaty. My wife had trouble breathing. It was a gut-wrenching experience.

In the Bible story we’re looking at today, Jesus uses an illustration where he says that we are like the sheep of his flock and he is like our shepherd. If one of the flock wanders off, the shepherd doesn’t cut his losses and reason to himself, “At least I have the others. I’ll cut my losses!” No! Just like I did not say to my wife, “Oh well. We didn’t lose all the kids. Le’s just move on.” That would be ridiculous!

When Jesus sees us, his sheep, wandering off away from him, when he sees us lost in sin and blinded by the devil’s lies, he makes it his mission as our Good Shepherd to seek us out. And that’s what he has done! Maybe you have found yourself wandering away from Jesus lately. Maybe when you were growing up, your parents took you to church, but as you got older you took a little break. But guess what! You’re reading this right now! Jesus has never stopped looking for you, and he celebrates the fact that he found you again!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, forgive me for wandering away from you. Continue to lead and guide me through your Holy Word all the days of my life. Amen.

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Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.
Luke 15:1

Let’s Gather Around Jesus!

Sometimes people who don’t go to church have a misconception about those people who do: ‘They think they’re better than me.’ If I’m honest, there have been times when I have looked down upon other people because of the train wrecks they’ve made of their lives, and I think to myself, ‘Well, at least I didn’t do that.’ Shame on me for thinking like that. It’s wrong. It’s repulsive. It’s sinful.

But the more I have gotten to know other Christians and the more open they have been about their life stories; I’m met with this reality: Everyone is broken. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. Everyone has moments they wish they could take back because that action anchors their heart with guilt. EVERYONE. I am not an exception to this. And you aren’t either.

And that, my friend, is why we gather around Jesus, because Jesus is the solution to our shame! God wanted to be with his children, but sin separated us from him. So, God sent his Son to dive into this world of broken people and tell us what he was going to do about our sin—he died for it. He gave his life on the cross for us. He loves us and wants us to know that. And THAT is why we go to church—to gather around Jesus, to celebrate the forgiveness that God so freely gives to us.

Maybe you’ve had that misconception about people who go to church, but they’re just like you; they’re broken. However, they have found peace in Jesus and want you to have it too. So, take a chance! Stop into church and you’ll meet some wonderful people who will love you. But even better, you’ll meet your Savior who loves you infinitely more!

Prayer:

Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Bless me as I reach out to those who are hurting and aching because of their guilt. May they come to know the forgiveness that is theirs because of Jesus. Amen.

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Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-7

The Object of Faith

“You just gotta believe!”

When life gets hard, when no solution seems available, someone will inevitably offer up that tired phrase as encouragement. “You just gotta believe!”

Believe in what, exactly?

In governments? In myself? In money? Those things may seem capable of solving problems, but they really can’t.

Essentially, every small problem originates from one big problem for which none of us has a solution. Sin. Sin results in animosity, frustration, pain, tears, and death.

In whom, then, should I put my trust when things go wrong? The problem of sin is too big for me to solve.

Trust “Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Jesus did what we never could or would do for ourselves. Though we don’t deserve it, he provided us with the perfect solution to the problem of sin.

His perfect life and death is the “Way” God chose to pay for our sins. His powerful resurrection shows that he is our Savior. His forgiving love and peace are what we need to start over, as Paul did, and live our lives for him.

When life gets tough, when problems pile up higher than we can manage, when tears start flowing, and hope seems to fade, God calls us to believe in his Son—the solution to all of life’s problems, big and small.

Now, that is worth believing!

Prayer:

Eternal God, thank you for the grace and peace which are mine because you invited and brought me to believe in the solution to all my problems, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

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[Jesus said] “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? . . . Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
Luke 14:28-33

Count the Cost

Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. He didn’t promise an easy life or worldly success. Instead, he spoke honestly: “Count the cost.”

Following Jesus isn’t just about going to church, saying prayers, or being a good person. It’s about giving him your time, your priorities, your possessions, and even your relationships. Jesus isn’t looking for part-time followers. He wants all of you.

That might sound overwhelming. In fact, if you truly count the cost, you’ll realize you can’t afford it. Who of us has loved Jesus more than family or put him first at every turn? None of us has the perfect devotion he describes.

But here’s the beautiful twist: Jesus counted the cost of your salvation, and he paid it in full. He didn’t back down when he saw what it would take. He gave up his glory, his comfort, his very life on the cross to make you, his disciple.

Now, following him is not about earning his love but responding to it. We carry our crosses not to impress God, but because Jesus already carried his cross for us. We surrender everything not in fear, but in joyful trust that Christ is worth more than anything we give up.

So, count the cost but also count the gain. In Jesus, you lose nothing that lasts, and you gain everything that matters: forgiveness, peace, purpose, and life eternal.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave up everything to win me. I confess that I am tempted to hold back, to cling to comfort, or to follow at a safe distance. Forgive me. Help me count the cost and gladly give my life to you, because you gave your life for me. Amen.

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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. . . Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
Philemon 1:10-12,15,16

I Appeal to You

It’s not always easy to forgive, especially when someone has hurt you or broken your trust. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to a Christian named Philemon about a runaway slave named Onesimus, who may have stolen from him before fleeing. But something amazing happened. While on the run, Onesimus met Paul and, more importantly, met Christ. The once “useless” slave became a child of God.

Now Paul gently pleads with Philemon: “Receive him back, not as a slave, but as a brother.” This short letter is more than just a personal favor. It’s a powerful picture of the gospel.

We are all Onesimus. By nature, we run from God, seek our own gain, and are useless in his kingdom. But Jesus pursued us, not with threats, but with grace. He paid for our sins on the cross and bought us back, not as slaves, but as dearly loved children and heirs.

And now, God invites us to show that same grace to others.

In Christ, relationships are transformed. Former enemies become family. That doesn’t always happen easily or instantly, but through the gospel, hearts are changed. Forgiveness becomes possible. Reconciliation becomes real.

Paul reminds Philemon that maybe all of this—the loss, the pain, the time apart—had a greater purpose: “That you might have him back forever.”

What about you? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? In Jesus, you’ve been forgiven. And now, by his strength, you can forgive too.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, thank you for not giving up on me when I was far from you. Thank you for making me your child. Help me to forgive as I’ve been forgiven and to see others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

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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 his own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:25,26

Hate?

Did you ever have anyone dump a bucket of cold water over the shower curtain rod while you were in the middle of a nice warm shower?

In our Bible verse today, Jesus dumped some pretty cold words on the myriad of wide-eyed miracle marvellers who were following him. No, he was not telling them to hate their family members for no good reason. That would be contrary to his command to even love our enemies. But like a blast of cold water, Jesus wanted them to stop and seriously consider what it means to follow him.

From time to time, we need to have Jesus dump some ice-cold reality upon us so that we examine our priorities. Is Jesus really priority number one? Following Jesus means that our love for our families, and yes, even our own lives, cannot come before our love for Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the only one who could pay the price for our sins, earning God’s forgiveness and giving us eternal life. If we lose him, we lose everything.

So, out of love for us, Jesus encourages us not to let anyone or anything come between us and him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that from time to time, I do not love you as I ought. Forgive me and wash me clean. Help me to walk in your footsteps each day and truly reflect your love to my family, friends, and neighbors. 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] “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:13,14

Humbly Serve Everyone

When we look at our neighbors, the people God has brought into our lives, we are not to see rich or poor, black or white, young or old, strong or weak, popular or unpopular. We are to see souls for whom Jesus died, souls that demand our attention and our service. So, we will want to serve them unselfishly, because that’s how Jesus served us.

This is not always a glorious task. Sometimes your work will go unnoticed. That brings us back to the question, “Why do we do it?”

Jesus has the final answer to the question. He says, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Heaven is our ultimate reward. This doesn’t mean that our humility somehow earns us a spot in heaven. That’s already been won for us by Jesus. It does mean: Why worry about receiving the accolades and all the glory in this life? Thanks to the entry fee Jesus paid on the cross, you have a place at the heavenly banquet! You have Jesus’ promise that you will participate in the resurrection of the righteous.

And what a resurrection we look forward to! On that day, when we finally see God face to face, he will exalt us—he will usher us into his heavenly halls and seat us at his table. We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Knowing that this day is coming and that you have a place of honor at God’s table reserved for you, conduct yourselves among the people of this world with a humble attitude and with unselfish actions that will serve to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind—EVERYONE! —to enjoy God’s heavenly banquet. You—and they—will be blessed.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I ever thank you enough for the undeserved reward awaiting me in heaven? Bless me as I live to show my thanks to you by serving my neighbor in humility. 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.