WELS Daily Devotions

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This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9

His Salvation, Not Mine

I used to play golf. I wasn’t in a league or anything, but I played frequently enough over the course of the summer to feel like I could call myself a golfer. Truthfully, I wasn’t any good, but I liked to try. Even though my ball ended up more often in the woods than on the fair...

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[H]e will swallow up death forever.
Isaiah 25:8

A Tough Pill to Swallow

As a parish pastor, I have visited many people over the years. It has been a blessing to minister to people in their homes, hospital rooms, and assisted living facilities. Often on such visits, we end up sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying good conversation. Often, as we gather around the table, I will notice that an individual has several containers of prescription medication. I have seen...

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[Jesus said] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”
Matthew 5:8

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

Thick walls of water rushing over the falls and shattering into mists on the rocks below. A spectacular sunset streaking red and orange beams across the darkening blue sky. My wife walking down the aisle at our wedding. Lotus blossoms so thick they lay a purple and green carpet across the pond.

These are just some of the beau...

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“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Daniel 6:22-23

Trust in God

To what degree will...

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Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Romans 3:27-28

No Boasting Allowed

We live in a world that continually encourages boasting. From polished resumes to carefully curated social media feeds, we are conditioned to present our best selves, tally our achievements, and prove our worth. Tragically...

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God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26

No Sweeping Allowed

When you are expecting company and short on time, it’s temp...

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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 3:22-24

In the Same Boat

Human nature loves hierarchy. We naturally take comfort in measuring ourselves against the people around us. We might admit that we aren’t perfect, but we quietly reassure ourselves that at least we aren’t as bad as “those...

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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.
Romans 3:21-22

Given, Not Gained

We are wired to earn our keep. From the classroom to the workplace, the world operates with a simple, unbreakable rule: you get what you earn. And our fallen flesh assumes God’s kingdom must work the same way. We lo...

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Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Romans 3:19-20

We’ve Had a Problem

On April 13, 1970, an oxygen tank exploded aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft. Drifting into the dark vacu...

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[Jesus said] I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16

Being Sheep Among Wolves

Sheep among wolves are vulnerable, and they must depend on the protection of the shepherd. The Lord says, “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:12). We live each day trusting that Jesus, our ever-present and almighty God will safely lead...

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When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Matthew 8:14-17

J...

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[Jesus said] “Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Matthew 22:19-21

Whose Image Is on You?

Some questions have no safe answer. Who did you vote for? Do you like my cooking? How does this dress make me look?

Jesus...

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Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. . . “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?”
Matthew 22:15,16,18

Nobody’s Mascot

The whole family is together for the holidays. The food is hot. The kids are laughing. The conversation is flowing, until Uncle Dan mentions the recent...

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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. . . . For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
Romans 13:1,4

God Is Still in Charge

Government can be frustrating. Ever-changing tax forms. Long lines at government offices. And sometimes, real injustice. Someone wrongs you, and the courts say it isn’t worth their time. It’s easy to lose hope.<...

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To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds…The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Daniel 1:17,19-20

The Way...