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As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:1

The Power of the Gospel

Paul appealed to the believers of Thessalonica to pray. His concern was “that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” The apostle knew the difficulties involved in proclaiming the good news about Jesus. Just before Paul went to Thessalonica, he was jailed at Philippi for preaching God’s word. Before that, he was stoned at Lystra. Just after leaving Thessalonica, he debated with some philosophers at Athens, and they scoffed at his message and rejected it.

Nevertheless, Paul’s enthusiasm for sharing the saving message of the gospel never faded. He sought to spread the word of life wherever and whenever he could. He recognized the urgency of telling people about Jesus and how the Savior rescued them from sin and hell. He asked, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14).

It is vitally important for people to hear about Jesus so that the Holy Spirit can work in their hearts. Therefore, include in your prayers the plea that God will cause the good news of salvation through Jesus to spread rapidly so that many people may hear the message of free forgiveness and eternal life. And pray that the word of God be honored by those who hear it—that through the power of the gospel, the Holy Spirit turn people from damning unbelief to saving faith in Jesus.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, use the message of salvation to call many more people out of the darkness of unbelief to the marvelous light of faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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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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The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’”
Leviticus 19:1-2

Be Holy

Have you ever achieved perfection? Making the perfect sales pitch. Baking the perfect pie. Earning the perfect grade. When you reach that goal, you get excited. You rejoice. You let others know that perfection has been achieved. But how long did it take you to achieve that perfection? How many mistakes did you make on the way?

The Lord tells his people to be holy. In other words, be perfect. But he doesn’t say work your way to perfection. He says you are to be holy, right now, at this very moment, and then to keep being holy.

Of course, you aren’t perfect. You make mistakes. You do things that are wrong. And as soon as you make one mistake or sin even in the most insignificant way, you are no longer perfect. You are unable to be holy even though God demands that you be holy.

So, the Lord sent Jesus. Jesus was holy. He didn’t make any mistakes. He never sinned. He never did anything contrary to what God commands. Jesus lived a perfect life in his thoughts, his words, and in everything he did.

Now Jesus gives that perfection to you. Even though you are not holy, Jesus makes you holy by giving you his perfect obedience to God’s laws and washing away your sins with his innocent blood. Through Jesus, you are able to be what you cannot achieve on your own. You are holy.

Prayer:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I confess that by nature I am not holy as you desire. Cleanse me of my sins with the blood of Jesus. Lead me to always thank and praise you for the holiness that you have given me through Jesus. Keep me faithful to him. Amen.

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But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

More Than Enough

Today’s Bible passage provides the opportunity for you to give thanks for one of God’s greatest blessings. He chose you to be saved! He rescued you from the curse of sin and the power of death. Salvation did not come about by your choice; it is completely the result of God’s gracious choice. Your salvation is not a matter of chance; it is certain and true. For even before the creation of the world, in love God chose you to be his own.

The Holy Spirit used the message of Jesus to turn you from unbelief to faith in Jesus as your Savior. And with that same gospel message, the Holy Spirit still preserves you in faith. Because of Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death in your place, you stand before God as one of his holy people and are privileged to be an heir of eternal life.

Believe what God has revealed to you in his Word. That’s the only true defense against the assaults to your faith. Keep going back to the Word of God because that’s where you meet Jesus. That’s where God tells you about his plans for you. He shows you his Son, Jesus, and how he saved you from hell. He uplifts you with his certain word that you will share in the glory of heaven—all because of Jesus. Indeed, this is more than enough reason to give thanks to God!

Prayer:

Dear God, I give you thanks for planning and carrying out my salvation through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for bringing me to faith in Jesus and leading me to trust him as my Savior from sin and death. Encourage me with your sure promise that the glory of heaven awaits me. Amen.

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[Jesus said] “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:25,32-33

Why Worry?

Aren’t five-year-olds silly? Sometimes they get upset over such insignificant things. They cry because they can’t find their teddy bear or because their favorite television show is over. As adults, we can only shake our heads at these silly little creatures who allow themselves to become miserable over such minor problems.

It makes one wonder how our heavenly Father’s head must shake when he watches over us. We worry about this. We worry about that. Such silliness.

Jesus commands us not to worry. He is very serious about it because he knows that our heavenly Father does more than shake his head at our worrying. He shakes his fist. Worrying angers God because when we worry we are telling our Father that we don’t trust him to take care of us.

Thank God that Jesus did more than command us not to worry. He endured his Father’s anger at our sinful worrying. He took the punishment that should have been ours, so we don’t have to worry about God being angry at us. We don’t have to worry about ANYTHING.

Your Father loves you. He wants what is best for you. He knows what is best for you. Instead of worrying about things that you need for life, look to your Father in heaven, who promises to provide for you. The longer you linger in his Word, the more you will say to yourself, “What was I worried about? How silly!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the many times I fail to trust in your love and provision. Give me eyes that look to you for help in every need. Give me ears to hear the promises found in your Word. Give me a heart to trust that you are all I need and that I need never worry. Amen.

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It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2

High Fidelity

In the recording industry, years ago, “hi-fi” stood for high fidelity. Much enjoyment is derived from listening to music that is faithfully and accurately reproduced. “High fidelity” is also the mark of the children of God in their performance to God. In this respect, they are imitators of their heavenly Father, who faithfully keeps all of his promises. As “hi-fi” servants of God, we carry out and fulfill the Word of God in our lives, that Word that we hold in our hearts and confess with our mouths. We are stewards and caretakers of all that God has entrusted to us.

What an amazing thing it is to be found trustworthy in the high privilege that is ours to follow Jesus and his Word. What sweet music it is to God—and to our fellow human beings—when with high fidelity we reproduce the Word of God in our lives!

In commending high-fidelity performance and encouraging us to continue, our Lord is not asking anything of us that he was unwilling to render. The writer of the book of Hebrews declares about Jesus, “He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house” (Hebrews 3:2). Jesus was faithful to the will of God, to the point of death, even death on the cross. All this was for us that he might redeem us from sin and enable us to give all the sweet sounds of heavenly music in all of life.

Prayer:

Gracious Father, I ask for your Holy Spirit working through your Word to produce his fruit in my heart, including the ability to record in “hi-fi” all the days of my life. Amen.

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Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15-16

God’s Abundant Grace

The other day I had a talk with a friend who admitted that she sometimes gets so down on herself when she knows that she has sinned. I think I can relate; perhaps you can, too. What can we do about that? We can go to Jesus for forgiveness. We can leave those sins at the foot of his cross.

It can be difficult to leave our sins at the cross sometimes. We know that Jesus has taken them away, but then why do we still feel guilty about them? Well, this is just another way that the devil tries to get a foothold on us. This is the way he gets us to doubt what God says when he tells us he loves us. The devil has a way of saying to us “Are you sure that God forgave that sin? Do you really feel sorry for it? Do you think he’s going to forgive you over and over again?” How frustrating and heartbreaking these thoughts can be!

You can find help and comfort in these words written by the apostle Paul: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” Paul knew that not even his sins were too big for Jesus to take away. We can also be assured that our sins aren’t too many for Jesus to forgive. Jesus does forgive all our sins. His grace is abundant. No matter how sinful we are, even if we are the worst of sinners, our Lord pours out his grace on us and cancels the guilt of each and every sin we commit. So never doubt your forgiveness because God’s abundant grace is for you, too.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, forgive me for ever doubting your saving power. Through the good news of your word, remind me of your power and love whenever I sin. Help me cling to your abundant grace and fill me with the lasting peace of your forgiveness. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 9:9

An Unexpected Invitation

People often draw conclusions about others based on the people they associate with. And so, there may be people you don’t want to be seen with, so people don’t think less of you.

Are you ever the one someone stays away from? That can really hurt, especially if the person avoiding you is someone people look up to, or someone from whom you crave acceptance and love.

Jesus approached a man named Matthew one day. He was someone people usually avoided. Not just because he was a tax collector, and people didn’t want to pay taxes. But because tax collectors worked for the Roman Empire, which oppressed Israel. And tax collectors could demand more taxes than were required and keep the difference for themselves.

Jesus approached Matthew that day. “Follow me,” he said. Jesus wasn’t showing him how to get to a location across town. Jesus was calling him to be his disciple, to join his traveling school of theology, to spend time with him, and be seen with him.

Jesus went out of his way and risked his reputation for someone whose chosen career path had rightly branded him a sinner to be avoided. Moved by the unconditional love in Jesus’ invitation, Matthew got up and followed him. And he never looked back.

In Jesus, Matthew didn’t find acceptance of sinful ways. Instead, he found forgiveness for every fault and failure. He found pardon for his past and the promise of belonging in the family of God. He found love without condition and mercy for the messiest of lives.

No matter what you have done, no matter what others think of you, Jesus says to you, “Follow me. Know that God loves you and forgives you. Hold onto my mercy. I want you to be with me forever.” Follow him, and don’t look back!

Prayer:

Jesus, in love you found me. I want to follow you. Amen.

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On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:12-13

I Need a Doctor

By God’s grace, I’ve been healthy for most of my life. There have been times in my life when I didn’t have a primary care doctor, and I didn’t really need one. There were no aches or pains, no signs of any problems.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve recognized the need to at least visit my doctor for my yearly physical. They draw blood to check my glucose and cholesterol. They check my weight, my blood pressure, and a few other things. They sometimes order tests that are recommended just because of my age. Often, those visits and those tests don’t reveal a need for any further care. So, do I really need a doctor? Of course, those checkups would be needed if any problems were to show up without symptoms that caught my attention. Without those checkups, I wouldn’t be aware of the care that the doctor sometimes prescribes.

Jesus says that the same is true of our spiritual life. When he was criticized for hanging around the sinners that most people looked down on, for spending time with those who were spiritually sick, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

A doctor who isn’t honest about a risk or problem isn’t the doctor you want. The same is true spiritually. We need Jesus to come to us with his law and show us just how sick with sin we are. Our thoughts, words, and actions are infected with pride and lovelessness leading to certain death. We need to know that. But when he reveals the diagnosis, Jesus assures us that he provides the perfect and only antidote for our terminal sickness.

In mercy, Jesus took the infection of our sin into himself to purify not only our blood but our whole being. He healed our wounded hearts by being wounded for us. He suffered the death that our sins brought about, so that the prognosis is reversed. Through Jesus, we will live forever.

Prayer:

Jesus, show me my deadly sinfulness and lead me to trust the life-saving antidote of your forgiving love. Amen.

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The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:14

Overflowing Grace

Do you ever find yourself running on empty? Your energy is gone. Your enthusiasm is nowhere to be found. Hope seems elusive. You don’t know how you will get through the day or week.

What about your spiritual tank? Doubts and questions poke holes in your faith, and it begins to leak out. Guilt and shame pile on, leaving you feeling worn out and worthless. Maybe it’s not a constant feeling, but there’s that one incident. Death or illness struck your family without warning. You heard something that left you with real unanswered questions about your faith. You made a huge mistake, and someone was really hurt. You feel empty, confused, and worthless.

When the apostle Paul wrote the words for our devotion today, he knew that, by his own strength, he could accomplish nothing. His past was checkered. His present was far from perfect. His tank was empty.

But into his emptiness God poured grace. God’s unconditional love and mercy overflowed in Paul’s life. It overflowed when he met Jesus. Face-to-face with Jesus, he knew that he deserved to die for the way he had treated Christians, to suffer for the suffering he had caused.

But Paul said, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly.” God’s love overflowed to forgive him. As many sins as he had, God had more grace. Because of God’s overflowing love, Paul was forgiven.

With that forgiving grace, the Lord also poured out two more gifts – faith and love. Faith to believe that he was forgiven, and love that came from God and overflowed into the lives of those around him.

And all of this was “in Christ Jesus.” In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God shows his overflowing grace for sinners. In his Word is the power to work faith in our hearts. In his love is the power and motivation to love others.

When you are feeling empty, God wants to fill you up. Look at Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. There, his grace overflows to you and every undeserving sinner. There, he fills you up with the faith and love you need to live in him and for him every day.

Prayer:

Lord, when I’m feeling empty, fill me up with your grace. Amen.

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But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:11-12

Who Am I?

Graduation ceremonies have recently concluded on many college and high school campuses in the United States. Many graduates heard speeches that sounded something like this: “You’ve accomplished great things. You can do anything you set your mind to! Now go out there and chase your dreams. Nothing can stop you now!”

With a diploma in hand and pride in their hearts, many may believe it. But for most, the day will come when they realize that they can’t do everything. They just don’t have the skills, strength, or qualifications.

Unlike those graduates, Moses hadn’t been planning for this day. He’d been minding his own business as a shepherd after fleeing from Egypt forty years earlier. But God wanted to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, where they were slaves. And he wanted Moses to lead them out.

Moses felt utterly unqualified. “Who am I?” he asked God. He rightly recognized that he didn’t really have the qualifications needed for such important work.

God has given us great work to do. He has called us to serve him wherever we are. We serve him by loving our neighbor, caring for our family, listening to a friend, and providing for our community through our honest labor every day. Through such tasks, God is working to show his love to the world.

Who am I, that I should do such noble work? To that, God gives the same answer he gave to Moses, “I will be with you.” He came to be with us when he sent his Son to rescue us from our own pride and excuses by entering enemy territory to die for us. He promises that he is with us when we hear his Word and respond in prayer. He promises never to leave our side, as he protects us from harm and blesses the work of our hands for his purposes.

No, we are not worthy to do God’s work. But by his blood, Jesus makes us worthy, and with his presence, he accomplishes great things through us.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for accomplishing your loving work through me. Take away my fears and excuses and make me willing to serve you by serving my neighbor. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15-16

Mercy for the Worst

Growing up with my siblings, I always wanted to be the best, to play sports better than they did, to ride my bike faster, to win at board games, and to get the best grades. It took some of the fun out of it when they weren’t interested in competing and didn’t care if I won.

As much as I might have liked competition, I don’t remember ever competing to be the worst. Who would want to claim that title? Even when I was little, and my parents would say, “Last one in bed is the rotten egg!” no one wanted to be last!

In today’s verses, Paul, the author, calls himself the worst of sinners. This is not a badge of honor any of us wants to wear. Our normal tendency is to minimize our own sins and magnify the sins of others. I did or said that, but I had a good reason for it. I’m not perfect, but at least I didn’t do that.

Why did Paul call himself the worst of sinners? As he looked back on his life, he saw a life riddled with rebellion against God. Even though he thought he was doing the right thing at the time, he had persecuted Christians before God called him to faith in Jesus. Even after he became a Christian, he continued to sin against God every day. There was no excuse. No hiding. He deserved God’s punishment.

But he didn’t need to hide because he knew that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. None of us can save ourselves. Paul saw the mercy that God showed him as evidence of God’s mercy for all. He saw his own salvation as proof that Jesus can and will forgive anyone. That includes you and me. So, we can honestly and without fear admit, “I’m the worst of sinners, but Jesus came to save me.”

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for coming into the world to save sinners—even me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
Matthew 9:12

I Need Jesus

Do I need Jesus? There are three possible answers. The first one is, “No!” If I look at myself and think I’m pretty good, it would be easy to conclude, “I don’t need Jesus.” I have myself—my good intentions, my good works, and my better-than-everyone-else attitude. Why would I need Jesus when I have myself?

The second answer is not as self-centered. I may conclude, “I need Jesus, but only in emergencies.” I believe I am in perfect control of my life. I have everything in order and running smoothly. Still, I recognize that there are times when a situation is beyond my control. Then, I need Jesus. I need him to undo the mess I have made. I need him to help me get everything back into control. It is good to know Jesus is there when I really need him.

The third answer is the most honest. Do I need Jesus? “Absolutely!” Through the diagnosis of God’s perfect Word, I recognize I am sick. My disobedience has robbed me of my strength. My selfishness has destroyed my well-being. My indifference to the Lord and his will has made me terminally ill. I need Jesus.

In answer to my need, Jesus is there. He is there as a doctor to heal my sin-sick soul with his assurance of forgiveness. He is there to restore my strength with his never-failing power. He is there to renew my love with his own unselfish sacrifice. Jesus is there to make me whole.

I need to be honest with myself. I need Jesus. I need him to be my comfort and strength. I need him to be my Savior from sin. I need him to be my Great Physician.

Prayer:

O dearest Jesus, I need your help daily. Come with your healing and help. Come with your rescue and relief. Come and never leave. Amen!

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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Matthew 28:16-18

Jesus’ Plan

Jesus came to this earth to fulfill the will of his heavenly Father. He carried out all that was necessary to save sinful, fallen mankind. When his work of redemption was complete, he returned to his glorious heavenly home. As Jesus left this earth, he wanted the good news of salvation to be spread throughout the whole world. Jesus’ greatest desire is for people to hear about all that he accomplished for them, and by hearing the gospel, come to faith in him as their Savior from sin and death.

Jesus did not plan to stay on earth and spread the gospel. He did not plan to send angels from heaven to do the work of evangelism. He planned to direct his believers to tell the good news of salvation. He wanted his followers to pass down the precious truth of eternal life from generation to generation until he returned to take all his believers to heaven with him.

Jesus can carry out his plan because he has all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus is King of all creation. Jesus is the supreme commander of his army of believers and directs the conquest of his gospel in every nation of the earth. With that authority, he commissions his followers to be his missionaries. There’s no question as to what Jesus wants us to do. There is no option. He enlists us in his service to proclaim the truth of salvation to everyone. Backed by the ultimate authority of the Son of God, we shall work faithfully and confidently to fulfill our mission to proclaim the name of Jesus who lived, died, and rose, because it is absolutely true that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Prayer:

Jesus, your name proclaims you to be the Savior of all people. Give me the strength to live to the honor of your name and help me share the glorious message of salvation with others. Amen.

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[Jesus said] And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

Everything Includes the Trinity

Jesus’ words about what is to be taught are both simple and sweeping. “Everything.” Not some things. Not just the easy or familiar teachings. Everything he has commanded. That includes truths that comfort, truths that challenge, and even truths that stretch our understanding.

Among those truths is the doctrine of the Trinity.

It’s not something we would have figured out on our own. One God, yet three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It can feel mysterious, even difficult to explain. And yet Jesus includes this in the “everything” his disciples are to teach. Just before this, he commanded baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is not optional theology. It is at the heart of who God is and how he saves.

And that matters more than we might think.

If God were not triune, the gospel would fall apart. The Father sends the Son. The Son lives, dies, and rises for sinners. The Holy Spirit brings that saving work to us through faith. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, yet each carries out a distinct role in our salvation.

And then comes the promise: “Surely I am with you always.” The one who commands also stays. Jesus does not send his disciples out alone to figure things out or to carry the weight by themselves. He is present every step of the way.

That changes how we hear the word “everything.” It’s not a demand we must meet on our own. It’s a gift we receive from a Savior who is still with us, still teaching, still guiding. Through his Word, he continues to unfold the truth. Through his Spirit, he helps us believe it.

So even when some teachings feel deep or mysterious, we don’t turn away. We listen. We learn. We trust. Because the one who gave us “everything” has also given us himself, and he will be with us to the very end.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I treasure everything you have taught me about yourself. Amen.

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