Devotions and Readings

Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 4

Through My Bible - 11 hours 48 min ago

Leviticus 12-13:46 (New International Version)

Leviticus 12 Purification After Childbirth 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Say to the Israelites: 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. 3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. <h3>Leviticus 12-13:46 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>Leviticus 12</h4> <h5>Purification After Childbirth</h5> <sup id="en-NIV-3046">1</sup> The LORD said to Moses, <sup id="en-NIV-3047">2</sup> "Say to the Israelites: 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. <sup id="en-NIV-3048">3</sup> On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. <sup id="en-NIV-3049">4</sup></div> Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 4 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - February 3, 2012

Daily Devotions - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 01:01

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

Deuteronomy 18:15-18

Listen to the Prophet

We live in an age of hyper-communication. Many of us spend a good portion of our time with our cell phones, text messages and email. We’ve become masters of communicating in short sound bytes and have forgotten how to listen to any one thing for too long. On the internet we read 50 words here, 50 words there, and then click on another link and read 50 words somewhere else. Even the evening news has reduced its stories to shorter segments, because the producers know that many of us have an “attention deficit disorder” of the ears.

Moses was a prophet called by God to speak his Word to the Israelites. When he ascended Mount Sinai to receive God’s Law, there was thunder and lightning, the sound of a loud trumpet blast and the Lord himself came down in fire. The whole mountain shook violently and the people trembled in fear. After hearing the Ten Commandments and seeing God’s awesome display of power, the people said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die” (Exodus 20:19). The Law brings fear.

The Lord allowed Moses to peer into the future and see another prophet. This prophet would be like Moses in some ways, but very different in others. Jesus Christ was born among his people. He came speaking the very word of God – the words that God himself put in his mouth. While Jesus proclaimed and applied the Law spoken by Moses, he came primarily to speak good news of forgiveness and salvation. The Law given on Sinai condemns all those who violate it. The good news spoken by Jesus brings freedom, peace and everlasting life.

In the midst of the noise of everyday life, make sure to take the time to listen to the prophet Moses foretold – your Savior, Jesus. Only his voice assures you that all your sins have been forgiven. Only his voice calms your troubled heart and points you to your home in heaven.

Prayer:

Dearest Jesus, help me tune out the distractions of everyday life and truly listen to you. I thank you for bringing good news of great joy for all people. Help me to rejoice in you and speak your name wherever I have the opportunity. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - February 3, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 3

Through My Bible - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 11 (New International Version)

Leviticus 11 Clean and Unclean Food 1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "Say to the Israelites: 'Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: 3 You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.

<h3>Leviticus 11 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>Leviticus 11</h4> <h5>Clean and Unclean Food</h5> <sup id="en-NIV-2999">1</sup> The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, <sup id="en-NIV-3000">2</sup> "Say to the Israelites: 'Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: <sup id="en-NIV-3001">3</sup> You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. <p> <sup id="en-NIV-3002">4</sup> " 'There are some that only chew the cud or only have a split hoof, but you must not eat them.</p> </div>

Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 3 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - February 2, 2012

Daily Devotions - Thu, 02/02/2012 - 01:01

“My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.”

Ezekiel 33:31

Worship that God calls GOOD

Surely it is GOOD to gather with others in church to hear the Word of God through our pastors whom God has called to serve us. It is also GOOD when we speak and sing the praises of God in his house of worship.

Listening to the Word and praising God is GOOD, but it can become displeasing to him. God told his prophet Ezekiel the reason: The hearers do not put God's Word into practice. Many think their worship is GOOD even when they just do it out of habit. They consider the mere act of worship a service to God. However, even when expressed with eloquence, our worship is meaningless before God when faith and sincerity are lacking in our hearts.

God calls worship GOOD when we hear his Word, believe it, and put it into practice. Prompted by the love of Jesus for us, our acts of worship are glad expressions of thanks to him. Our willful obedience to God’s Word flows out of faithful hearts filled with the joy of his salvation. That’s the kind of worship that God calls GOOD.

Prayer:

Gracious God, lead me to love your Word and gladly hear and learn it. Help me to put your Word into practice with a heart filled with faith in Jesus. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - February 2, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 2

Through My Bible - Thu, 02/02/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 9-10 (New International Version)

Leviticus 9 The Priests Begin Their Ministry 1 On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. 2 He said to Aaron, "Take a bull calf for your sin offering and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the LORD. 3 Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 2 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - February 1, 2012

Daily Devotions - Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:01

There is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

1 Corinthians 8:6

TWO WAYS TO LIVE

In front of the RCA Building in New York City there stands a massive statue. It’s the statue of a man straining to carry the entire world on his shoulders. Put yourself in front of that statue for a moment. Look at it. Think about it. If you wish, you can live your life that way. You can focus on yourself. You can look to yourself for answers. You can take all the problems of your life and work them out on your own. You can carry your world on your shoulders.

But now, cross the street. Go into the church that stands directly across from the man carrying the world. Walk up to the altar. Go behind the altar. There you will see another statue. This statue is of Jesus as a young boy. Look closely. In his hand he’s holding something, and he’s holding it without any effort or worry or strain. In his hand rests the entire world.

There are two ways to live. You can carry the world, or Jesus can carry you. You can carry the weight of your cares, or Jesus can carry you. You can carry the guilt of your past, or you can recognize that Jesus has already come to carry it on your behalf.

In our sinful weakness, we often behave like the man straining to carry the world. When that happens, come to repentance. Look to Jesus. See him carrying the world. See him carrying you. Rest in his forgiveness. Rest in his promises. It’s the only way to live.

Prayer:

Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for all the times I have tried to carry the world. Empower me by your Spirit to see that you have come to carry me. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - February 1, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 1

Through My Bible - Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 8 (New International Version)

Leviticus 8 The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, 3 and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting." <h3>Leviticus 8 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>Leviticus 8</h4> <h5>The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons</h5> <sup id="en-NIV-2919">1</sup> The LORD said to Moses, <sup id="en-NIV-2920">2</sup> "Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, <sup id="en-NIV-2921">3</sup> and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting." <sup id="en-NIV-2922">4</sup></div> Through my Bible Yr 1 - Feb 1 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 31, 2012

Daily Devotions - Tue, 01/31/2012 - 01:01

We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

It has been said that we begin dying the moment we are born. These bodies of ours are not what they would have been had sin not entered the world and along with it death.

Knowing this, we understand the importance of time. Once spent, it cannot be recovered. There isn't a time machine that will permit us to rewind our lives and live them over. The past is just that—it's passed!

For that matter, we don't have possession of the future either. Will I be here tomorrow? Perhaps not! "My times are in your hands," the psalmist sang (Psalm 31:15). The voice of God's servant Job proclaimed, "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed" (Job 14:5).

Over the course of our God-given time, we experience what the apostle Paul writes: “outwardly we are wasting away.” Hair grays and thins. Skin wrinkles. Muscles lose strength. Eyesight dims. Hearing fades. Memory loses track of little details—and sometimes big ones. Though outwardly we may look and feel like the wrecks of time, the time that God gives us is precious because “inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

We often pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." The nourishment that our bodies cannot do without, God graciously and regularly provides for us. In his love, God also gives us spiritual nourishment that inwardly renews us day by day. He feeds our souls with the precious truths of his Word. He comforts us with his forgiveness through Jesus to renew his peace in our hearts. He assures us of his unfailing love to renew our joy even as face the failings of our physical life. He promises to give us life that is perfect and eternal to renew our hope of heaven.

When you notice the signs of aging in your body, don’t lose heart. Through the Word of God which points you to Jesus your Savior, inwardly you are being renewed day by day!

Prayer:

(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 471):

Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright,
Illumined with the light of grace that issues from your holy face.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, that gladly I obey your Word.
Oh, let your will be my desire and with new life my soul inspire.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 31, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Bible reading for January 31, 2012

Through My Bible - Tue, 01/31/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 6:8-7:38 (New International Version)

The Burnt Offering 8 The LORD said to Moses: 9 "Give Aaron and his sons this command: 'These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar. 10 Through my Bible for January 31, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 30, 2012

Daily Devotions - Mon, 01/30/2012 - 01:01

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Mark 1:21-28

Amazed

What grabs the headlines? It’s what people say and do. The unbelievable play or record-breaking game grabs the headlines in a sports-crazed nation. The jolting, dramatic comments or all-embracing ideologies get top-billing as a governmental election draws near.

Jesus grabbed people’s attention with what he said and what he did. When Jesus taught, people were amazed. Jesus taught with such authority and even backed up his words with miracles!

Have you ever had trouble feeling the same way about what Jesus teaches? Is it difficult being amazed at what Jesus teaches because it doesn’t line up with what you believe? Perhaps it’s been in an area of living—where God calls what you’ve been doing wrong. You start with your own ideas, and you look to have Jesus echo them. If God’s Word says something different, you then turn Jesus off. You are not amazed; you’re upset.

It shouldn’t be that surprising that our hearts react like that sometimes, or what we say or do is offensive to God. You and I are sinners. We have sinful hearts that produce thoughts and lives filled with sin. Our sinful hearts do not like correction.

Thankfully, Jesus’ taught with authority. His original audience heard him and recognized that his teaching was different. What he said was completely, entirely the very Word of God. Jesus backed up his teaching with miracles. The miracles showed people Jesus was their eternal, all-powerful God. As the sinless Son of God, Jesus taught with authority.

Thankfully, Jesus still teaches with authority. When he calls something a sin, you can be sure it is a sin. When he promises forgiveness, you can be confident that you have forgiveness. When Jesus tells you that God loves the world, you know with certainty that God loves YOU.

It’s interesting to read the headlines, catch up on your favorite team or follow the latest political developments. It is essential for you to listen to Jesus. He teaches with authority because he is the Son of God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your powerful teaching. Forgive me for the times I’ve ignored it or failed to keep it. Give me the time and resolve to regularly read, learn, believe and do what you teach. Use your Word to strengthen my faith. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 30, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Bible reading for January 30, 2012

Through My Bible - Mon, 01/30/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 4-6:7 (New International Version)

Leviticus 4 The Sin Offering 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Say to the Israelites: 'When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands-

3 " 'If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. 4 Through my Bible for January 30, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Bible reading for January 29, 2012

Through My Bible - Sun, 01/29/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 2-3 (New International Version)

Leviticus 2 The Grain Offering 1 " 'When someone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it 2 and take it to Aaron's sons the priests. Through my Bible for January 29, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Bible reading for January 28, 2012

Through My Bible - Sat, 01/28/2012 - 01:00

Leviticus 1 (New International Version)

Leviticus 1 The Burnt Offering 1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.

<h3>Leviticus 1 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>Leviticus 1</h4> <h5>The Burnt Offering</h5> <sup id="en-NIV-2747">1</sup> The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, <sup id="en-NIV-2748">2</sup> "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. <p> <sup id="en-NIV-2749">3</sup></p> </div>

Through my Bible for January 28, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 27, 2012

Daily Devotions - Fri, 01/27/2012 - 01:01

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16-18

Jesus saw Simon and Andrew as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. They were fishing, and he said to them, “Come, follow me.” It seems like a simple request. But then the question comes to mind, “Why?” What was it about these men that made Jesus choose them over all the other people along the Sea of Galilee? Jesus could have chosen the rich, or the highly educated, or the influential, or the officials of his day. But he didn’t. He found common fishermen and chose them to follow him, so that they could be trained for three years to become fishers of men instead of fishers of fish. But it wasn’t anything about those two fishermen that caused Jesus to choose them. It was simply God’s grace that was poured out on Simon and Andrew.

You could ask the same question about yourself: What does God see in you that would lead him to call you to follow him? If you are honest with yourself, you have to admit there is no reason that he would have to call you. You are not good enough, smart enough, perfect enough, or deserving enough to make Jesus call you. But in his grace Jesus chose you to be his disciple. He removed the obstacles separating you from God when he paid for your sins. Now he calls you to follow him just as he called Simon and Andrew so many years ago.

What a great privilege and gift from your Savior! He has chosen you to follow him.

Prayer:

Dearest Jesus, I give thanks that you have called me to be your disciple. Give me the strength to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 27, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Bible reading for January 27, 2012

Through My Bible - Fri, 01/27/2012 - 01:00

2 Timothy 4 (New International Version)

2 Timothy 4

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourageâ€”with great patience and careful instruction. <h3>2 Timothy 4 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>2 Timothy 4</h4> <p> <sup id="en-NIV-29856">1</sup>In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: <sup id="en-NIV-29857">2</sup>Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourageâwith great patience and careful instruction. <sup id="en-NIV-29858">3</sup></p> </div>

Through my Bible for January 27, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 26, 2012

Daily Devotions - Thu, 01/26/2012 - 01:01

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice.

Psalm 18:6

The Listener

There was a machine repairman who had an unusual knack for correctly diagnosing where the trouble was in faulty factory equipment. And he could fix it quickly. His co-workers noticed that he normally left the lunchroom 10 minutes early. One day someone followed him to see what he did before the others started working again. The repairman didn't touch a wrench or a screwdriver. Instead, while everyone else was gone and there was no sound of conversation, he stood in the middle of the large room, closed his eyes, and listened to the machinery. His ear caught every subtle sound, every click, every change in pitch or vibration. He could identify the first signs of a problem before it became apparent to the others. It's as if he knew each machine personally.

That’s how God knows us. God knows us personally and intimately. He monitors our thoughts and feelings all the time. And when we need help, he is listening. Today’s Bible verse assures us that when we cry out to him, the Lord hears us. Why does the Almighty God want to hear us? Because he loves us and he wants to help us. He’s proved his love through Jesus—the incarnate love of God to rescue us from sin’s destruction.

God hears us when we call on him. He hears the shouts and the groans of our hearts. He knows when we are "broken" or "out of tune." And when we call on him, he knows exactly what we need.

Facing a problem today? Cry out to the Lord. Through Jesus, you can be sure he will hear you!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for always listening to the groans and troubles of my heart and life. Thank you for always being there to answer with your solution to all my problems— Jesus my Savior. In his name I pray. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 26, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Bible reading for January 26, 2012

Through My Bible - Thu, 01/26/2012 - 01:00

2 Timothy 3 (New International Version)

2 Timothy 3 Godlessness in the Last Days 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, <h3>2 Timothy 3 (New International Version)</h3> <div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> </p> <h4>2 Timothy 3</h4> <h5>Godlessness in the Last Days</h5> <sup id="en-NIV-29839">1</sup>But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. <sup id="en-NIV-29840">2</sup>People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, <sup id="en-NIV-29841">3</sup>without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, <sup id="en-NIV-29842">4</sup></div> Through my Bible for January 26, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 25, 2012

Daily Devotions - Wed, 01/25/2012 - 01:01

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Devoted to the Lord

“Those who have wives should live as if they had none.” I haven’t ever heard a husband use this verse to justify neglect, self-indulgence or carousing, but I suppose it could happen—if the words were taken out of context: “Look, I can do what I want when I want. You don’t really matter. I’m supposed to live like I’m not married!” Neglect, self-indulgence, carousing—certainly that isn’t the apostle Paul’s point here. So what is the point?

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is talking about being devoted to the Lord: Don’t get too caught up in the things of this world or affairs of this life; they aren’t going to last. Keep things in balance. Keep things in perspective. Number one is the Christian’s relationship with the Lord; this has lasting, eternal implications.

The things of this life, often good in and of themselves, can distract a person from devotion to the Lord—sorrows, joys, material things, marriage. None of them should transcend our devotion to our Lord. Sadly, sometimes I let that happen. I let tough times take my attention off the Lord. I rejoice in good times without him. I’m tempted to rely too much on earthly things. And then there’s my marriage…

Thank God. Jesus interacted with women perfectly. Jesus mourned perfectly. Jesus rejoiced perfectly. Jesus interacted with the things of this world perfectly. Never once did he sin. Jesus lived the perfect life that you and I can’t. He is the perfect Savior we need!

That moves me to honor him in all that I do, remembering that when devotion to the Lord remains the number one priority in my life, my relationship with sorrow, joy, things, and my marriage will not suffer. When I live a life of thanksgiving to my Savior God, the various aspects of this life will be enhanced. That includes times of sorrow and times of joy. It includes how I regard the things of this world and how I interact with my spouse.

Sorrow, joy, material things, marriage—they will all be richer when they are done with Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, may I never become too attached to the things of this world. Help me when I do! Bless me as I encounter every situation in life with you. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 25, 2012 --Daily Devotion

Bible reading for January 25, 2012

Through My Bible - Wed, 01/25/2012 - 01:00

2 Timothy 2 (New International Version)

2 Timothy 2

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4

Through my Bible for January 25, 2012 --Through My Bible In Three Years

Devotion - January 24, 2012

Daily Devotions - Tue, 01/24/2012 - 01:01

The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live.” And he said, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh, my lord,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

2 Kings 6:1-7

You’ve probably heard it said: "Don't sweat the small stuff!" Of course, the point is that we shouldn’t let ourselves be troubled and overrun by the little things of life. The incident that occurred in today’s Bible reading points us in that direction.

The tree-cutting was going well when one of the workers broke his borrowed ax, and the iron head flew into the Jordan River. "Where did it fall?" the prophet Elisha asked. When the man showed him the place, Elisha threw a stick in the water and "made the iron float." "Lift it out," he said. So the man "reached out his hand and took it."

That miracle worked by the power of God illustrates an important truth: God cares about us and the things that affect our lives, such as lost axheads, lost coins, lost keys, lost files, lost cell phones – the little things that cause us to fret and worry. He does not always restore what was lost – for his own good reasons – but he understands our loss and seeks to comfort us in our distress.

Recall a time when your child or grandchild was distressed over some small loss and your heart was touched by their distress. The broken or mislaid thing had little significance for you, but it wasn't trifling to them. It mattered to you because it mattered to them, and your child or grandchild matter to you.

So it is with our heavenly Father. Our small worries and troubles matter to him because we mean everything to him. Just look at the cross and you will see how much we matter to God. We can cast all our cares, anxieties, worries, small stuff on him because he cares about us.

Don't sweat the small stuff – trust that your heavenly Father will always take care of you.

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, for caring about my cares because you care about me. All the small stuff in my life that I like to sweat, I leave in your hands. In my Savior's name. Amen.

Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com

WhatAboutJesus.com has a new look. Check it out! www.WhatAboutJesus.com

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

Devotion - January 24, 2012 --Daily Devotion

This page features devotional content from WELS.net. The content is delivered to our website via RSS technology. The feeds are updated daily, so check back often.

Recent content from each of the four available feeds are listed below in this sidebar.