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https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260901dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed . . . the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19,22 Creation Can’t Wait Have you ever noticed how often the world reminds us that something isn’t right? Wildfires scorch forests. Tornadoes uproot trees. Droughts wither crops. Pretty soon, depending on where you live, the beauty of creation will fade with the changing seasons. Sometimes we speak of nature as though it is simply running its course. But the Bible tells us that creation is groaning. It wasn’t always this way. When God completed his work of creation, he declared that everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no death. No decay. No storms. No disease. The world reflected the perfection of its Creator. Then Adam and Eve sinned. When humanity fell, the curse reached far beyond Adam and Eve. God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17). Thorns and thistles appeared. Death entered. Since then, every hurricane, every broken body, every dying tree, and every cemetery has proclaimed the same truth: sin has affected everything. Yet, there is hope. Creation is waiting for the day when Christ returns to reveal his children. The created world knows, in a way beyond our understanding, that its own freedom is tied to ours. When Jesus raises the dead and makes all things new, creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. That means the groaning of creation is not the groan of despair but of eager expectation. Just as a mother experiences labor pains in anticipation of celebrating a new life, so does this world. Therefore, we can look at natural disasters differently. We are not left without hope. Every time we see creation suffer, we are pointed to the One who is coming to restore it. When he does, the curse will be lifted, and we will enjoy a new creation forever. Therefore, with creation, we can’t wait. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I see the brokenness of this world, remind me that you have already conquered sin, death, and the curse. Give me confidence to endure the groaning of this present age as I wait for the glory you have promised. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260831dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 No Comparison A diagnosis. An unexpected funeral. The loss of a job. A difficult marriage. Chronic pain. Loneliness. Anxiety. The daily struggle against temptation. The list can go far beyond the 400-word limit for this devotion. The Bible never denies suffering. Nor does it pretend or promise that Christians have an easier life. In fact, sometimes Christians have a more difficult life because they are Christians. That’s what the Bible call the cross—suffering for the sake of our faith. But when you place our crosses alongside the crown that Christ has prepared, there is no comparison. Imagine placing a pebble beside a mountain or a single candle beside the noon-day sun. The pebble is real. The candle gives real light. But beside something infinitely greater, they fade from view. So, too, the glory Christ won for us by his death and resurrection is so overwhelming that today’s suffering cannot be compared to tomorrow’s joy. That doesn’t mean our pain doesn’t matter. It mattered enough that Jesus entered it himself. He carried the greatest cross ever borne—the weight of the world’s sin, the Father’s judgment, and death itself. At Calvary, our Savior wore a crown of thorns so that one day we would wear the crown of life. Because Christ carried the cross first, your crosses are never signs that God has abandoned you. They are reminders that you are following the Savior who walked this road before you. More than that, they assure you that suffering is never the final chapter of your story. The day is coming when tears will be wiped away, and sin will trouble you no more. Your body will be raised in glory, and you will stand forever in the presence of the One who redeemed you. Until then, fix your eyes not on the weight of today’s cross but on the certainty of tomorrow’s crown. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when the crosses of this life seem too heavy to bear, lift my eyes to the glory you have prepared for me. Remind me that you carried the greatest cross so that I might receive the crown of life. Strengthen my faith to endure with hope until the day I see you face to face. In your holy name I pray. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260830dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19 Ten Minutes Sometime, give yourself ten minutes. Give yourself ten minutes for a profound teaching moment. Go to a place where you can let your eyes rest on a portion of God’s creation. If you’re near a shoreline, go to the water’s edge. If you’re near a trail that winds through a grove of trees, take a walk. If you’re driving past a scenic overlook, stop the car and put it in park. If you’re away from city lights and the night sky is clear, lie down on your back. For ten uninterrupted minutes, let God’s creation fill your field of vision. Watch it. Observe it. Study it. As you do, call to mind that God’s Word wants you to notice something about this portion of God’s creation. He wants you to notice that his creation is waiting. The oceans are waiting. The lakes, rivers, and streams are waiting. The trees are waiting. The mountains and valleys are waiting. The planets, stars, and galaxies are waiting. They are all waiting, the Bible says, in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. They are all waiting for that moment when the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3) will come back one more time. They are all waiting for the last day when all believers in Jesus will be identified. They are all waiting for that moment when the King of kings will come to roll up this broken place like an old carpet. They are all waiting for the moment when the Lord of lords will come to sweep away the presence and effects of sin once and for all. And when your ten minutes are up, realize that the creation before you now has ten fewer minutes to wait. For the One who entered this creation on our behalf, the One who lived a sinless life in our place, the One who died to wash us clean, the One who rose from death—this very Jesus has promised to return. And he always keeps his promises. Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I enjoy the beauty of your creation, let your Word show me that even your creation reminds me that you are in command, and that you will return. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260829dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:21-25 Following Jesus We put value on everything. How much we value someone, or something affects the decisions we make. If we value a certain piece of meat enough to pay thirteen dollars a pound for it, we buy it. If we value our pet enough to pay a thousand dollars for the surgery needed, we tell the vet to schedule the surgery. Jesus values you more than anyone has ever valued anything. He wants to spend his eternity with you. He knew that the only way he could do this was to go to the cross and spill his blood as payment for your sins. As Jesus said, he would have to “suffer many things.” But, for Jesus it was a simple equation. Lose his life or lose you. He chose to lose his life. And now, because of what Jesus did, all his followers will live eternally with him. Those who do not follow him will suffer separation from him forever. So, what are you willing to suffer in order to follow him? It is a simple equation. Lose him and you lose everything. Follow him at all costs. Carry whatever burden you must. Put up with whatever ridicule you must. Pass by whatever temporary pleasure you must. Follow him. Because when Jesus leads you to the glory of heaven you will exclaim, “It was worth it!” Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you valued me enough to suffer so much to save me. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260828dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 16:19 An Open Door Have you ever been locked out? Perhaps you forgot your keys or found yourself standing outside a door you could not open. Jesus used the image of keys to describe one of the greatest gifts he gives: the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Keys open doors. The “keys of the kingdom” open the door to God’s forgiveness through the message of Jesus Christ. That may sound surprising. Many people assume Christianity is mostly about rules. The Bible certainly teaches right and wrong, but its central message is not, “Here are the rules.” Its central message is, “Here is your Savior.” Jesus came to unlock the prison of guilt, shame, and death. He offers forgiveness freely because he has already paid for our sins on the cross. No one is beyond his mercy. No mistake is too great. No past is too broken. Wherever the good news of Jesus is proclaimed, the door to God's grace is opened. What an incredible privilege it is to use these keys. The greatest gift we can offer another person is not advice, entertainment, or even friendship, important as those are. The greatest gift is Jesus Christ himself. The good news about Jesus Christ is “the power of God for salvation” because God himself works through his Word. The world offers countless temporary solutions. Jesus offers everlasting forgiveness. The world promises self-improvement. Jesus gives a new creation. The world speaks about success. Jesus speaks peace to guilty consciences. Someone you know needs that peace today. Perhaps God is inviting you to be the one who opens the conversation, extends the invitation, or shares the promise of forgiveness in Christ. The keys are meant to be used. Open the door with joy. “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:13). Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for opening the door to God's forgiveness. Help me trust in the gift you freely offer and lead me to know the joy of belonging to you. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260827dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Hope that Defeats Fear Jesus promised, “The gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Jesus never promised his church an easy path. Christians experience persecution, temptation, suffering, and spiritual warfare. Satan constantly seeks to discourage believers and undermine the gospel. Yet Jesus assures us that hell itself cannot overcome his church. Notice that the gates belong to hell. Gates are defensive. Jesus Christ is advancing his kingdom as his gospel reaches hearts throughout the world. Satan cannot imprison those whom Jesus has redeemed and set free. That promise extends personally to every believer. There are days when guilt weighs heavily on us. We remember sins we wish we could erase. The devil whispers that God could never forgive someone like us. But Jesus has already answered those accusations. Through his death and resurrection, he has defeated sin, death, and Satan. The enemy may accuse, but he cannot condemn those who belong to Jesus Christ. This confidence enables Christians to live courageously. We need not fear the future because our Savior reigns. We need not fear death because Jesus has conquered the grave. We need not fear Satan because Jesus has already won the victory. Perhaps you’ve spent much of your life trying to avoid thinking about death or eternity. Jesus invites you to face those questions honestly—not with fear, but with hope. He came precisely because death is our greatest enemy. By dying and rising again, he has opened the way to eternal life for all who trust in him. The Christian message is not that good people earn heaven. It is that Jesus has opened heaven through his death and resurrection. That is a hope worth exploring. As the Bible says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) Whenever fear threatens your heart, return to Christ’s promise. The battle belongs to him, and he has already secured the outcome. Prayer: Jesus, my Savior, when fear and temptation surround me, remind me that you have defeated every enemy. Keep me confident in your promises and steadfast until eternal victory is fully revealed. 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.

It's Wednesday, August 26th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Somalian Muslims attack mother of 8 for trusting Christ Muslim extremists in Somalia, Africa attacked a mother of eight for converting from Islam to Christianity. Sophia Ibrahim came to Christ in April 2022. Several Muslim men beat her unconscious after they found her attending a Bible study this month. She was discharged from the hospital last week.  Ibrahim told Morning Star News, “I will continue serving [God] and making others know Him because of the everlasting life and the joy of knowing Christ.”   Somalia is ranked second on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most dangerous countries worldwide to be a Christian.  In Philippians 3:8, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Bible app expands footprint into Latin America The Bible app YouVersion is expanding its presence in Latin America. YouVersion leaders met in Mexico City last week to partner with churches and ministries. Among Latin American countries, Mexico and Colombia have some of the highest levels of Bible app usage. YouVersion CEO Bobby Gruenewald told Christian Daily International, “It took us 17 years to reach the first 1 billion devices. We believe the next billion will come in the next five years. There is a hunger for the Word of God at a global level.”   2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” Update on Trump's border wall The Trump administration is continuing to build the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The New American reported, “According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as of mid-August 2026, about 365 miles of primary border wall, 58 miles of replacement border wall, and 423 miles of secondary border wall either are now under construction or have been completed since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January 2025.” The Trump administration is seeking to build or finish 1,200 new miles of wall, as well as hundreds more miles of vehicle barriers and replacement wall. Funding for the continued border project mostly comes from Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in 2025. President Trump rejected trans ideology and affirmed parental rights President Donald Trump addressed education at the White House on Monday as many students return to school this week.  The president specifically called out transgender ideology in schools. Listen. TRUMP: “Every public school in America is now on notice that if they tell a child that they are trapped in the wrong body, they are committing child abuse. … “Under the Trump administration, we're systematically ending every single one of these radical Left betrayals, and we're putting the parents back in charge. They're the ones that love our children. They're the ones that should be in charge.” (applause) Alliance Defending Freedom advances religious liberty in 250 bills Alliance Defending Freedom is helping to advance religious liberty through over 250 state and federal bills this year. These measures support core God-given freedoms. Dozens have already become law. The organization said it provided “legal analysis, bill review, and guidance on laws that curb radical gender ideology, end institutional censorship, and help secure parental rights.” 570th anniversary of Gutenberg Bible And finally, this week in history is commemorated as the anniversary of the Gutenberg Bible. It is named after Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor and printer. The earliest date appearing on a copy of the completed Gutenberg Bible is August 24, 1456 – 570 years ago. This Bible represented the first work printed in Europe with moveable type. The new printing press would become invaluable for the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. It allowed teachers like Martin Luther to easily spread their writings on the Bible. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, August 26th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260826dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion (Jesus said) “I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18 A Church Built by Jesus Many people have mixed feelings about the Christian Church. Some have wonderful memories. Others have painful ones. Some think churches are full of hypocrites. Others wonder whether organized religion is even necessary. Jesus knew his followers would not be perfect. Peter himself would later deny knowing Jesus three times. Yet Jesus still said, “I will build my church.” Notice that he did not say, “People will build my church.” The Church belongs to Jesus. Christians are not gathered because they are better than everyone else. They are gathered because they know they need forgiveness. A hospital is filled with sick people, not because sickness is good, but because healing is needed. The Church is much the same. It is a place where people hear God’s promises, receive his forgiveness, and grow in faith together. Sometimes Christians and Christian churches become discouraged. We may wonder whether our efforts matter. Jesus reminds us that the Church’s foundation is not human wisdom, popularity, or impressive programs. The Church stands on the confession that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Wherever Jesus Christ is faithfully preached, there his church is found. Buildings may crumble. Congregations may struggle. Cultures change. Yet Jesus Christ continues to build his church through his gospel. The foundation of your own faith is equally secure. Your confidence is not in your consistency or strength, but in Jesus Christ’s unchanging promise. He remains faithful even when his people struggle. So, if you have stayed away because Christians have disappointed you, remember this: Christianity is not built upon perfect people. It is built upon a perfect Savior. Jesus gave his life for imperfect people. He welcomes doubters, failures, and sinners. When you visit a faithful Christian congregation, you should not expect to find flawless people. Instead, you should expect to hear about a flawless Savior who loves broken people enough to die for them. That is the Church Jesus Christ continues building today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me look beyond the imperfections of people and see you. Lead me to a church where your Word is faithfully taught and where I may grow in knowing you. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260825dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus replied . . . “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16:17 Faith Is a Gift Many people think becoming a Christian is simply a matter of deciding to believe. Jesus tells a different story. After Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus said this understanding did not come from Peter’s own intelligence or effort. God had revealed it to him. That is encouraging news. Jesus does not tell you to manufacture faith by trying harder. Instead, Christianity teaches that God comes to us. He speaks to us through his Word. He reveals his Son. He creates faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, where there was none before. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). Think about every important relationship in your life. You only know another person because they chose to reveal themselves to you. The same is true of God. We cannot climb our way up to him. He must come down to us. And in Jesus, he has done just that. That is why Christians gather around the Bible. We believe it is God's own message, revealing his love through Jesus Christ. The wonderful news is that God is not hiding from you. He wants you to know him. He wants you to know that your sins are forgiven because of Jesus. He wants you to know that death is not the end. He wants you to know that you are invited into his family—not because you have earned it, but because he loves you. As you face today’s challenges, remember that your hope rests not in the strength of your faith, but in the object of your faith—Jesus Christ himself. He is the Rock of your salvation, the One who never changes, and the Savior who keeps all his promises (see Psalm 18:1-2). So, keep reading the Bible, asking your questions honestly, and being filled with the Word of God at a faithful Christian church. God has a history of meeting people through his Word. Prayer: Heavenly Father, reveal your Son to me. Help me understand the message of the Bible and lead me to trust in Jesus as my Savior. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260824dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15 The Most Important Question If someone asked you, “Who is Jesus?” how would you answer? Many people would say he was a great teacher. Others would call him a prophet, a revolutionary, or an inspiring example of love. Even those who do not consider themselves Christians often admire him. When Jesus walked the earth, people had many different opinions about him, just as they do today. But his question to his disciples was personal. He asked, “Who do you say I am?” The apostle Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This confession is at the heart of Christianity. Christians believe Jesus is much more than a remarkable man. We believe he is God who became human to rescue us. Why? Because every one of us has something we cannot fix on our own. We all carry guilt. We all have regrets. We all fail to love others—even ourselves—the way we know we should. The Bible calls this sin. Rather than leaving us separated from God, Jesus entered our world. He lived the perfect life we have not lived. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. Three days later, he rose from the dead, proving that sin and death no longer have the final word. Jesus did not come merely to teach people how to live. He came to save them. Perhaps you’ve never considered Jesus in that way before. Or perhaps you’ve dismissed Christianity because of disappointing experiences with Christians or Christian churches. If so, don't begin with Christians but with Christ himself. Read one of the Gospels. Ask honest questions. Consider his claims. The Christian faith ultimately rests on one person: Jesus Christ. And the question he asked Peter is still the question he lovingly asks every one of us today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to know you. Open my heart to understand who you are and what you have done for me. Lead me into your truth. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260823dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 Who Is Jesus? More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other individual in history. One website estimates the number in the tens of thousands. As one might imagine, these books contain just about every opinion imaginable. Some view Jesus as God in human flesh. Others view him as a great human teacher. And some even claim that Jesus never existed at all. What about you? What do you believe about Jesus? That was the question Jesus asked his closest followers one day. There were all kinds of rumors floating around about this amazing Rabbi named Jesus. Although there were differences of opinion, everyone agreed that there was nothing ordinary about him. In fact, Jesus' words and miracles were so amazing that many people thought he must be one of the prophets of old who had come back to life. Peter, one of the men who knew Jesus best, understood why Jesus was so amazing. Jesus was none other than God himself, who came to earth in human flesh. Jesus was the One God had been promising since Adam and Eve had first rebelled against him. Jesus was the One who would repair the relationship between God and his rebellious children. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He still is. Jesus is not simply a great human teacher. He is not just an interesting historical figure. He is not one religious leader among many. And he most certainly exists. He is your God. He is your Savior. He is your hope for a life beyond this one and your hope for a life of meaning and purpose here and now. Finally, it doesn’t really matter what a website says about Jesus. What matters is what you say about Jesus. Who do you say he is? Say he is your Lord and life and love—because he is. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to me as my God and my Savior from sin. May this belief be reflected in everything I do and say. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260822dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:23-28 Persevere A Canaanite woman came to Jesus with her humble plea to help her daughter who was tormented by a demon. But Jesus did not answer a word. It wasn’t that she just asked Jesus once; she continued to beg and plead for mercy. Yet Jesus acted as though he didn’t hear her. When the Savior pretended not to hear the woman’s plea, Jesus was not rebuffing her or being rude to her. There was no unwillingness to help her, but through his silence he sought to test and strengthen her faith. Jesus wanted her to persevere in her plea by the strength supplied from God through the promise of his Word. Jesus will use life’s circumstances for the great benefit of humbling us and teaching us to steadfastly cling to the promises of God’s Word. A persevering faith is for our good so that when our Savior comes back, we will not have disowned him in unbelief. But, by the power of God, we will have remained faithful to Jesus so that through him, we will enter eternal life. We praise our Savior that though there are times we always don’t understand the way he treats us, we know that he has our best interests in mind. So, in all circumstances we thank Jesus for helping us persevere and grow in our saving faith. Prayer: Jesus, the most important thing for me is to have faith in you as my Savior. Through testing and trials leads me to cling to the precious promises of your Word so that my faith will be sustained until the end when you will take me to glory of heaven. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260821dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Matthew 15:21-22 Don’t Think You Are Not Welcome This woman had every reason to stay away from Jesus. She was a Canaanite. Jesus was a Jew. For centuries, there had been a separation between Jews and Gentiles. The Canaanites were not part of Israel. They were not heirs of the Old Testament covenant in the same way the Jewish people were. Yet she came anyway. Desperation certainly played a role. Her daughter was suffering terribly. But there was something more. This woman believed that Jesus could help. She even addressed him as “Lord, Son of David,” recognizing him as the promised Messiah. Somehow, she had come to trust that this Jewish teacher was more than a teacher. He was the Savior. What happened next might seem discouraging at first. Jesus initially remained silent. Then he spoke of being sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet the woman did not give up. She continued to plead for mercy. She trusted that Jesus’ compassion was greater than the barriers that seemed to stand between them. And she was right. By the end of the account, Jesus praised her faith and granted her request. Her daughter was healed, and the outsider was welcomed. What a beautiful picture of God’s grace toward us. By nature, we too were outsiders. Sin separated us from God. We had no claim upon his favor and no right to stand in his presence. Yet he came to save the world. Through his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, he opened the door of salvation to all people. Like the Canaanite woman, we approach Jesus empty-handed. We come seeking mercy, not deserving rewards. We come confessing our need, not our worthiness. And like that woman, we discover that Jesus welcomes us. So come to him boldly. The mercy you seek is found in him, and his welcome is greater than you ever expected. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for welcoming me into your family through your saving grace. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260820dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:22 The Spirit Connects Us People are more connected than ever before. With a few taps on a screen, we can communicate with family members across the country or follow the lives of people around the world. Yet many people still feel isolated and alone. Technology can connect devices, but it cannot create the deep spiritual connection that human hearts need. God provides something far better. In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul describes believers as living stones in a great spiritual building. Christ is the cornerstone. The apostles and prophets provide the foundation through their inspired Scriptures. Then Paul says something remarkable: “You too are being built together.” Notice that Paul does not say believers are being built separately. He says they are being built together. Christians are not isolated pieces scattered across a field. We are joined into one structure, one holy temple, one dwelling place for God. Who makes that happen? The answer is found in the final words of the verse: “by his Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the divine connector. He connects us to Christ through the gospel. Through the Word and baptism, he creates faith in our hearts and unites us to our Savior. But he also connects us to one another. Every believer shares the same Lord, the same faith, the same forgiveness, and the same eternal hope because the same Holy Spirit has brought us all into God’s family. That truth is especially comforting when we feel alone. Sometimes we may feel disconnected from others. We may even feel forgotten or overlooked. Yet the Spirit reminds us that we belong. We are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We are living stones in God’s holy temple, joined together by his gracious work. The Spirit who called you to faith has connected you forever to Christ and to his people. That connection is stronger than any earthly bond because it is God’s own work. Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing me to faith in Jesus and connecting me to your family of believers. Strengthen my unity with fellow Christians and bless our lives together. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260819dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20 A Solid Foundation When a building begins to crack or lean, the problem is often hidden below the surface. The foundation is weak. No matter how beautiful the structure may appear, it cannot stand if the foundation is unstable. Paul uses that picture to describe Christ’s Church. Believers are part of God’s spiritual building, and that building rests on a sure foundation: “the apostles and prophets.” At first glance, we might think Paul is saying that the Church is built on certain people. In one sense, that is true. God used the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament to proclaim his saving truth. But the Church is not built on the men themselves. It is built on the message they delivered. The prophets wrote the Scriptures that pointed ahead to the coming Savior. The apostles wrote the Scriptures that proclaimed the Savior who had come. Together, their inspired writings form the Bible. When Paul speaks of the foundation of the apostles and prophets, he is directing us to the Word of God that they were inspired to record. This is wonderfully comforting. The foundation of our faith is not human opinion. It is not popular culture, personal feelings, or the latest religious trend. It is the unchanging Word of God. Paul adds that “Christ Jesus himself” is the chief cornerstone. In ancient construction, the cornerstone determined the alignment of the entire building. Everything was measured from it. Likewise, the entire Bible points to Christ. The prophets foretold him. The apostles proclaimed him. The Scriptures find their center and fulfillment in him. That means whenever you open your Bible, you are standing on solid ground. There God speaks truth that does not shift with the times. There God reveals the Savior who lived, died, and rose again for you. There God strengthens the faith he himself has created. When doubts arise and the world feels uncertain, return to the foundation. Listen to the prophets and apostles in the pages of Scripture. There you will find Christ, the cornerstone who never fails. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the sure foundation of your holy Word. Strengthen my faith through the gospel that points me always to you. 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.

When things don't look the way you expected them to, disappointment, doubt, and discouragement move in fast. And if you carry a father wound, that pain has a way of attaching itself to God, because He is your Father. In this episode, we cover five verses you can keep going back to when the prayer stays unanswered, the door stays closed, and the vision God gave you looks nowhere close to coming to pass. This is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about having scripture ready to answer your feelings and the lies of the enemy, so you stop drifting into self-reliance and start trusting the character of God again. Timestamps 00:00 Why disappointment in business so often becomes a rift with God 01:30 The father wound connection, and why unanswered prayer triggers it 02:19 Self-reliance vs God-reliance, and why it is such a slippery slope 03:15 Verse 1: Proverbs 3:5-6 05:30 Verse 2: Isaiah 41:10 06:30 Verse 3: Hebrews 13:5 08:00 How the enemy shows up at the most vulnerable moment 10:30 Quick recap of the first three verses 11:15 Verse 4: Romans 15:4 12:30 Paul wrote from prison. What if the prison was the assignment? 13:57 Joseph's vision, and the twenty years between the dream and the fulfillment 15:30 Verse 5: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 17:00 Why "I believe in Jesus but not every word of the Bible" leaves you without a GPS 20:15 Bonus verse: Philippians 4:6-7 and how to access the peace that surpasses understanding 21:01 Take-home applications for all five verses 23:11 Mia's commitment for every episode of this podcast Key Scriptures (NKJV) Proverbs 3:5-6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Isaiah 41:10 — "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Hebrews 13:5 — "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Romans 15:4 — "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Bonus, Philippians 4:6-7 — "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Key Points Disappointment is not the real danger. What we do with it is. Unmet expectations quietly push us back into self-reliance, and self-reliance is us deciding we are in control of something we were never in control of. Feelings are real, but they are not authority. When your experience says "God has abandoned me" and scripture says "I will never leave you nor forsake you," one of those is the truth and one of those is a feeling. The enemy waits for the vulnerable moment. He does not usually show up when everything is going well. He shows up in the trial, and he twists the very promise God gave you. Closed doors are not proof of abandonment. When you know God's character, a closed door reads as redirection instead of rejection. Paul wrote much of the New Testament from a prison cell. Joseph waited about twenty years between the vision and the fulfillment. Neither of those journeys looked like the promise while they were living it. Take-Home Applications Proverbs 3:5-6. The next time you face a hard decision or an uncertain season in your business, stop before you strategize. Pray first and ask, "God, what are You showing me here?" Then ask what scripture says about it, instead of what your understanding says about it. Isaiah 41:10. When you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, stop trying to manufacture strength. You do not have to muster up what is required for what is in front of you. Go to Him and ask Him to strengthen you, then move forward leaning on His strength. Hebrews 13:5. When feelings of abandonment show up, do two things. Go to the verse first and say it out loud. Then make a list of the times God has already come through for you, even when it did not look the way you expected. Keep that list somewhere you can find it fast. Romans 15:4. Set aside dedicated study time in the stories of the leaders and builders in scripture. Start with Joseph's rise out of adversity and Nehemiah's leadership rebuilding the wall. Look specifically at the setbacks and what God did through them, not just the outcome. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Treat scripture as the actual foundation of your business strategy, not the inspirational layer on top of it. Before your next big business decision, ask what biblical principle should be informing this choice, and ground the decision there instead of in your feelings. Philippians 4:6-7. When anxiety rises, take the request to Him with thanksgiving first. Speak the verses from this episode back to God as truth about who He is, then make your ask. That is how you access the peace that guards your heart and mind

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260818dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:19 It’s Getting Personal Most people know what it feels like to be an outsider. Perhaps you have walked into a room where everyone else seemed to know each other. Perhaps you have moved to a new community, started a new job, or attended an unfamiliar gathering. Being a stranger can be lonely. Paul says that this was our spiritual condition apart from Christ. We were “foreigners and strangers.” Because of sin, we were separated from God. We did not belong in his kingdom. We could not claim a place in his family. The holy God seemed far away, and we had no right to draw near. But then Jesus changed everything. Through his perfect life and sacrificial death, Jesus removed the barrier that stood between God and us. He took away our guilt and reconciled us to the Father. Now Paul can announce the astonishing result: “You are no longer foreigners and strangers.” Notice that God does not merely grant us a visitor’s pass. He does not allow us to stand at a respectful distance from his holiness. He brings us near. Very near. Paul first says that we are “fellow citizens with God’s people.” We belong to God’s kingdom. We have a place, a name, and an inheritance. But Paul goes even further. We are “members of his household.” God could have saved us and kept us at arm’s length. Instead, he welcomes us into his home. Think about what a household means. Family members share daily life together. They enjoy the father’s protection, provision, and love. They have access to him. They know his voice. They belong. When life makes you feel alone or forgotten, remember where you belong. Through Jesus, you are not standing outside God’s house hoping to be noticed. The door has been opened, and you have been welcomed in. You are a member of God’s own household. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me near through Jesus Christ. Help me live each day in the comfort of your personal love and presence. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260817dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:8 More Than Expected Have you ever thought of God as a gatherer? Isaiah 56 paints a surprising picture. The Lord is not content merely to bring back the exiles of Israel. He promises, “I will gather still others.” The gathering will be bigger than anyone expected. For centuries, God’s people might have assumed that the blessings of salvation belonged only to a certain nation and a certain family line. Yet God had larger plans. He intended to gather people from every tribe, language, nation, and people. He would gather outsiders, foreigners, and those who seemed far away from his promises. Through the coming Savior, God’s kingdom would expand far beyond the borders of ancient Israel. That promise includes us. Most of us are not descendants of ancient Israel. We were not standing at Mount Sinai when the covenant was given. Yet here we are, gathered among God’s people. We hear his Word. We receive his promises. We call upon Jesus as our Savior. How did that happen? Not because we found God. Not because we were wiser, better, or more spiritual than others. The Lord gathered us. Like lost sheep, we had wandered away. By nature, we were separated from God and hostile to him. Yet the Good Shepherd came looking for us. Through the gospel message, the Holy Spirit created faith in our hearts. Through baptism, God claimed us as his own. Through his Word, he continues to gather and keep us in the one true faith. What makes this gathering so remarkable is that it is completely unexpected. If anyone had predicted our spiritual future before God called us, they would have been wrong. Left to ourselves, we would never have chosen Christ. Yet God chose us. He sought us. He gathered us. So, when you wonder whether you belong among God’s people, remember who did the gathering. The Sovereign Lord himself brought you near through Jesus. The God who gathered Israel has gathered you, too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for seeking me when I was lost and gathering me into your family of believers. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260816dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 When Weak Is Good “That’s so weak!” If you’ve had that shouted your way, you know it usually isn’t a compliment. Weakness is normally not a trait that gets much praise. God doesn’t give spiritual weakness any praise, either. Being weak to do what God wants leads to falling into sin. Does your spiritual weakness show itself by hating or lusting? Stealing or hurting others? Gossiping or cursing? That is sin. And God hates that kind of weakness. In today’s Bible reading, the apostle Paul talked about a different kind of weakness, a physical weakness that God allowed to come into Paul’s life. We are not told exactly what it was, just that it was severe enough that Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away. God’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When Paul suffered from this physical weakness, in whom did he need to put his trust and hope? Who was his strength? Not himself! No, God was Paul’s strength and hope. God's power carried Paul through thick and thin. At no time was this more evident than when he suffered from this weakness. Then God’s grace and strength were all the more apparent, and that's what Paul and others needed to see—God’s grace and strength. When God allows hardship or troubles or “weakness” into your life, remember that when you are weak, he is strong. Trust and rest in his strength and grace. Prayer: Lord God, you work all things according to your love and wisdom. Spare me from hardship and heartache. And, when you allow them into my life, use them to draw me closer to you and increase my trust in your power and grace. 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.

August 16th, 2026 Pastor Chad McDonald The health of your marriage affects the health of your relationship with Christ (1 Peter 3:7). What you do in your house affects what you do in God’s house. There are few areas more important to the heart of God than the health of the marriages among His people. God ordained marriage. It is central to our gospel mission. In fact, according to Paul in Ephesians 5, your marriage should be a mini-parable of the gospel and the love relationship that exists between Christ and the church. In Psalm 127 we find that healthy marriages lead to a healthy and secure nation. As God continues to bring charges against the nation in Malachi, He continues with leadership and more specifically, with husbands and fathers. Apparently, Jewish men and even priests had divorced their Jewish wives and married the daughters of a foreign god. In this way they were doubly-charged. They had committed both idolatry and adultery in the eyes of God, and God brings them into the burning light of His presence. He makes them feel the weight of His charges against them because He loved them too much to leave them in this condition. I hope and pray you will join us as we walk through Malachi 2:10-16 this weekend. I encourage you to read ahead and prepare your heart for worship. We might not deal with the same specific issue, but the principles are the same. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” — 1 Timothy 3:16

August 16th, 2026 Pastor Chad McDonald The health of your marriage affects the health of your relationship with Christ (1 Peter 3:7). What you do in your house affects what you do in God’s house. There are few areas more important to the heart of God than the health of the marriages among His people. God ordained marriage. It is central to our gospel mission. In fact, according to Paul in Ephesians 5, your marriage should be a mini-parable of the gospel and the love relationship that exists between Christ and the church. In Psalm 127 we find that healthy marriages lead to a healthy and secure nation. As God continues to bring charges against the nation in Malachi, He continues with leadership and more specifically, with husbands and fathers. Apparently, Jewish men and even priests had divorced their Jewish wives and married the daughters of a foreign god. In this way they were doubly-charged. They had committed both idolatry and adultery in the eyes of God, and God brings them into the burning light of His presence. He makes them feel the weight of His charges against them because He loved them too much to leave them in this condition. I hope and pray you will join us as we walk through Malachi 2:10-16 this weekend. I encourage you to read ahead and prepare your heart for worship. We might not deal with the same specific issue, but the principles are the same. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” — 1 Timothy 3:16

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260815dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35 Separation Separation can be scary. Separation from loved ones, even for a short while, can fill our hearts with the unease of loneliness. The thought of being separated from money can cause great stress. Finally, even death can cause fear of being separated from what we know, understand, and cherish. And whether we realize it or not, separation from God is the scariest separation of all. Separation from God in this life is a life filled with worry and concern, because there is no comfort of knowing that there is God, the creator of the universe, who daily cares for us. Separation from God in this life also means that people must deal with every twinge of conscience all by themselves, for they cannot trust in the promise of guilt removed through Jesus. Separation from God in this life precedes a divine verdict of guilty and an eternal life of anguish. Could anything be worse? With this in mind, one can see why the rhetorical question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” would be such a comfort. The great message of the Bible is that because of Christ, mankind no longer needs to be separated from God. Because of Jesus' life and death, we are forgiven and need not worry about our guilt but can trust that it has been removed. In this blessing of a clear conscience, we know that we are not separated from God in this life and the next. What a blessing this is. Prayer: Lord, as troubles come and go in my life, remind me that you never leave my side. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260814dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 I Am Convinced Has your mind ever been changed? You saw a commercial for a new invention, and you doubted it’d really work as advertised. But then, you learned firsthand, and now you are convinced. It really does work as advertised. The man who wrote in today’s Bible verse, “I am convinced…” was once more than a doubter and a skeptic. His name was Paul, and he was convinced that Jesus wasn't really the Savior of the world. Paul was convinced that he was right with God because of his own works. He was so convinced that he worked diligently to persecute Christians. But something happened. Not only was his mind changed, but also his heart. Jesus rose from the dead and later appeared to Paul convincing him that Jesus was truly Lord. Paul was confident that he was forgiven through Christ alone. This same good news of forgiveness through Jesus is powerful enough to change our hearts too. A Christian doesn’t have to go through life a skeptic or without certainty, but can say, “I am convinced!” When the doubts multiply and all the worst-case scenarios run through your mind, remember God’s promises. God is for us; Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for us. This is clear evidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not even death can separate us from the love of God that is ours through Jesus. His love is greater than the sum of all our sins, problems, and doubts. Since God spared no expenses to save us from sin and death even when we were separated from him, he’s not going to let us go now. He’s not going to let anything in all creation separate us from him again. Prayer: Lord, strengthen me by your promises and let me grow in the conviction that your love will keep me close to you. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260813dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33 Without a Doubt! There are very few things you can say without a doubt. When making plans, you can’t say they will happen without a doubt. When someone asks you a difficult question, can you always answer confidently, without a doubt? Thankfully, we can answer life’s most crucial question without a doubt, and not because we’re so smart, but because God is so great! Life’s most crucial question is, “Am I right with God?” or “Will God let me into heaven?” Some people struggle to answer those questions without a doubt. Those doubts come from the reality of sin. God is holy and perfect; we are not. Just one sin is enough to bar us from heaven, and we've committed more than one. More than we can count. It would be presumptuous to believe we can simply walk through heaven’s gates, except that God assures us of this without doubt or hesitation. God is for us! He’s on our side. He says that our sins are forgiven. This removes any and every shred of doubt. Who can bring any charges against us that will stick? Our own doubts and guilty conscience might try to tell us we aren’t forgiven or worthy, but they don’t call the shots! God does. He has justified us. That means he declares, with absolute authority, that we are not guilty because he’s forgiven all our sins. And if any doubt should remain, here’s proof: God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. This is how the guilty are declared innocent and the accused become acquitted, without a doubt. God spared no expense to make things right between you and him. God left heaven and carried a cross to make heaven your home. It’s yours through Christ, without a doubt. Prayer: Lord, spare me from doubt and temptations to justify myself and let my confidence rest on Christ alone who has already justified me. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260813dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33 Without a Doubt! There are very few things you can say without a doubt. When making plans, you can’t say they will happen without a doubt. When someone asks you a difficult question, can you always answer confidently, without a doubt? Thankfully, we can answer life’s most crucial question without a doubt, and not because we’re so smart, but because God is so great! Life’s most crucial question is, “Am I right with God?” or “Will God let me into heaven?” Some people struggle to answer those questions without a doubt. Those doubts come from the reality of sin. God is holy and perfect; we are not. Just one sin is enough to bar us from heaven, and we've committed more than one. More than we can count. It would be presumptuous to believe we can simply walk through heaven’s gates, except that God assures us of this without doubt or hesitation. God is for us! He’s on our side. He says that our sins are forgiven. This removes any and every shred of doubt. Who can bring any charges against us that will stick? Our own doubts and guilty conscience might try to tell us we aren’t forgiven or worthy, but they don’t call the shots! God does. He has justified us. That means he declares, with absolute authority, that we are not guilty because he’s forgiven all our sins. And if any doubt should remain, here’s proof: God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. This is how the guilty are declared innocent and the accused become acquitted, without a doubt. God spared no expense to make things right between you and him. God left heaven and carried a cross to make heaven your home. It’s yours through Christ, without a doubt. Prayer: Lord, spare me from doubt and temptations to justify myself and let my confidence rest on Christ alone who has already justified me. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260812dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 It’s All Good! “It’s all good!” someone might say. We might tell ourselves, “It’s all good,” even when it’s not. Even when it doesn’t seem good, we try to remain optimistic, look at the brighter side, and have faith that it will all work out. The Christian faith is not merely faith that all things will work out. It’s faith in the God and Savior who works out all things for eternal good. This Bible verse is not a promise that only good and pleasant things will happen to you if you just love God enough. It’s a reminder that those who love God and are loved by God will experience all sorts of things that don’t seem good and pleasant. When something challenging or tragic comes into your life, you might be tempted to wonder, “Does God have something against me? Is that why bad things are happening?” You may doubt that God is really on your side. But here is his assurance: He's not working against you; he’s working for you and for your good! Jesus shows us how true this promise is. No one in the world would naturally see someone nailed to a cross and think, “That’s good.” Yet, in that way, God was at work to accomplish the greatest good—the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with him. That’s good! When things happen in life that the world does not see as good, we have God’s promise that even this he will work out for good. It could be good personally for you because the thing that initially causes pain or sorrow could be God’s way of shaping you, strengthening you, or sparing you from greater physical or spiritual danger. It could bring good into the lives of others around you. If you’ve been through something, you are better equipped to encourage someone else who’s going through it too. It really is all good when we find ourselves in the loving arms of the God who works in all things for our eternal good! Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me faith that knows that in all things you are at work for your good and eternal purposes. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260812dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 It’s All Good! “It’s all good!” someone might say. We might tell ourselves, “It’s all good,” even when it’s not. Even when it doesn’t seem good, we try to remain optimistic, look at the brighter side, and have faith that it will all work out. The Christian faith is not merely faith that all things will work out. It’s faith in the God and Savior who works out all things for eternal good. This Bible verse is not a promise that only good and pleasant things will happen to you if you just love God enough. It’s a reminder that those who love God and are loved by God will experience all sorts of things that don’t seem good and pleasant. When something challenging or tragic comes into your life, you might be tempted to wonder, “Does God have something against me? Is that why bad things are happening?” You may doubt that God is really on your side. But here is his assurance: He's not working against you; he’s working for you and for your good! Jesus shows us how true this promise is. No one in the world would naturally see someone nailed to a cross and think, “That’s good.” Yet, in that way, God was at work to accomplish the greatest good—the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with him. That’s good! When things happen in life that the world does not see as good, we have God’s promise that even this he will work out for good. It could be good personally for you because the thing that initially causes pain or sorrow could be God’s way of shaping you, strengthening you, or sparing you from greater physical or spiritual danger. It could bring good into the lives of others around you. If you’ve been through something, you are better equipped to encourage someone else who’s going through it too. It really is all good when we find ourselves in the loving arms of the God who works in all things for our eternal good! Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me faith that knows that in all things you are at work for your good and eternal purposes. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260811dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-33 Why Do You Doubt? Have you ever been worried about something and doubted that it would be ok? But then you get through it, and you wonder “why did I doubt?” The answer is simple: because you didn’t know the outcome. You didn’t have hindsight to know it would all work out. Jesus asked Peter that simple question after he rescued him from the stormy waters. Why do you doubt? The answer was simple: because Peter took his eyes off Jesus. When you take your eyes of faith off Jesus and you look to your own abilities or only see the storms of life instead of the power and promise of Jesus, doubts surge. It can seem like we can’t keep our heads above water. It can seem like we are drowning. If we stop looking to Jesus as the answer to life’s biggest problem, which is sin, we truly are in over our heads with no way to bail out. But Jesus came to the rescue. He saved us from drowning in our sins and doubts, and he preserves our lives so that neither doubt nor death overtakes us. After Jesus rescued Peter, he got in the boat with Peter. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone to be tossed around by chance. He remains with us to bring a steady calm to a turbulent life. He keeps us afloat with his love and promise. There’s no need to doubt. Even when you can’t see him physically, Jesus strolls across the storms of life. Jesus gives us the foresight to know that in all things, he is with us, keeping us afloat by his grace. He gives us the faith that triumphs over doubt and the foresight to know that one day we will be with him in heaven. Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my doubts, calm my fears, and uplift me by your grace. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260811dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-33 Why Do You Doubt? Have you ever been worried about something and doubted that it would be ok? But then you get through it, and you wonder “why did I doubt?” The answer is simple: because you didn’t know the outcome. You didn’t have hindsight to know it would all work out. Jesus asked Peter that simple question after he rescued him from the stormy waters. Why do you doubt? The answer was simple: because Peter took his eyes off Jesus. When you take your eyes of faith off Jesus and you look to your own abilities or only see the storms of life instead of the power and promise of Jesus, doubts surge. It can seem like we can’t keep our heads above water. It can seem like we are drowning. If we stop looking to Jesus as the answer to life’s biggest problem, which is sin, we truly are in over our heads with no way to bail out. But Jesus came to the rescue. He saved us from drowning in our sins and doubts, and he preserves our lives so that neither doubt nor death overtakes us. After Jesus rescued Peter, he got in the boat with Peter. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone to be tossed around by chance. He remains with us to bring a steady calm to a turbulent life. He keeps us afloat with his love and promise. There’s no need to doubt. Even when you can’t see him physically, Jesus strolls across the storms of life. Jesus gives us the foresight to know that in all things, he is with us, keeping us afloat by his grace. He gives us the faith that triumphs over doubt and the foresight to know that one day we will be with him in heaven. Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my doubts, calm my fears, and uplift me by your grace. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260810dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 He Hushes Our Doubt A mother hushes her troubled child with a gentle whisper, “Hush, it’s alright.” She holds her child close in a quiet and calm embrace. No matter what your age, sometimes that’s all you need: a gentle whisper to hush your racing mind. Amid the rushing noise of this world, you need a gentle voice to tell you, “It’s alright.” That’s what Elijah needed. He was on the run from an evil king and queen who wanted to kill him. He was all alone. He doubted that everything would be okay. He thought he was the last faithful prophet in Israel and that he’d soon be dead. In that moment, the Lord speaks. Not in an earth-shattering tone, a quaking voice, or a fiery sermon, but with a gentle whisper, he hushes Elijah’s doubt. We haven’t been in the exact same place as Elijah, but we’ve been at low points where doubts were racing through our minds. Maybe you’ve felt all alone, and you doubted that anyone knew or cared. Maybe you’ve been crying out loud or screaming on the inside. In moments like that, a loving and living God hushes your doubts with a gentle whisper and says, “It’s alright.” Those are never empty words, because God has made all things right through his Son, Jesus Christ. He has rescued us from sin and death so that not even death can separate us from God. When you are gripped with doubt or fear, hear the gentle words of Jesus and know it’s alright. Prayer: Lord, with the gentle whisper of your words, quiet my doubts and fear. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260810dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 He Hushes Our Doubt A mother hushes her troubled child with a gentle whisper, “Hush, it’s alright.” She holds her child close in a quiet and calm embrace. No matter what your age, sometimes that’s all you need: a gentle whisper to hush your racing mind. Amid the rushing noise of this world, you need a gentle voice to tell you, “It’s alright.” That’s what Elijah needed. He was on the run from an evil king and queen who wanted to kill him. He was all alone. He doubted that everything would be okay. He thought he was the last faithful prophet in Israel and that he’d soon be dead. In that moment, the Lord speaks. Not in an earth-shattering tone, a quaking voice, or a fiery sermon, but with a gentle whisper, he hushes Elijah’s doubt. We haven’t been in the exact same place as Elijah, but we’ve been at low points where doubts were racing through our minds. Maybe you’ve felt all alone, and you doubted that anyone knew or cared. Maybe you’ve been crying out loud or screaming on the inside. In moments like that, a loving and living God hushes your doubts with a gentle whisper and says, “It’s alright.” Those are never empty words, because God has made all things right through his Son, Jesus Christ. He has rescued us from sin and death so that not even death can separate us from God. When you are gripped with doubt or fear, hear the gentle words of Jesus and know it’s alright. Prayer: Lord, with the gentle whisper of your words, quiet my doubts and fear. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260809dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Matthew 14:24-27 Don’t Doubt God’s Word The Sea of Galilee is seven hundred feet below sea level. It’s the lowest freshwater lake on the planet. When winds whip through the surrounding mountains and into that watery Galilean crater, storms come quickly and out of nowhere. That is where the disciples are—on a boat, in a windstorm, at night. Jesus is not with them. In fact, Jesus was the one who told them to cross the sea. It shows that being a disciple is not easy. You can’t assume that life will be exactly how you want it. Life is full of unexpected storms. What do you do when they arise? The temptation is to doubt God’s Word. We hear God’s promises, but we are tempted to wonder if he is reliable. If he were, why would life be so difficult right now? But don’t doubt God’s Word. Think about the disciples in that boat on the wind-whipped sea. What are they looking at? They’re looking at Jesus. It’s a surreal scene. Jesus goes out to them, walking on the rough water. No wonder they think they’re seeing a ghost. Then he speaks a word of promise: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” There is strength for faith. It’s not a ghost. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God! When we fear or worry, Jesus promises, “It is I who forgives. It is I who saves. Look at me. Focus not on the illness, not on the pain, not on the economy, not on yourself. Find strength for your faith in my promises.” God has laid a firm foundation for your faith in his excellent Word. Believe it. God’s promises are always powerful. They brought peace to the disciples, and they bring faith to your heart and hope for your future. Prayer: Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. 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.

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. That You May Believe, Part 29  John 14:15-31   John 14:15-31 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”    The comfort of His provision.     John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.     John 14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”     John 14:22-23 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.     John 14:24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.     Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.    1 John 2:5-6 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.    John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.    2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.    James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.     The comfort of His presence.     John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.     John 14:19-20 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.    2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.    Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.     Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.     Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.     The comfort of His truth.     John 14:25-26 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.     2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.    2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.    The comfort of His peace.     John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.     Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.    Philippians 4:6-8 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.     The comfort of His plan.     John 14:28-29 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.     John 14:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,     John 14:31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”    Romans 8:28-29a And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son    Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post John: That You May Believe appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260809dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Matthew 14:24-27 Don’t Doubt God’s Word The Sea of Galilee is seven hundred feet below sea level. It’s the lowest freshwater lake on the planet. When winds whip through the surrounding mountains and into that watery Galilean crater, storms come quickly and out of nowhere. That is where the disciples are—on a boat, in a windstorm, at night. Jesus is not with them. In fact, Jesus was the one who told them to cross the sea. It shows that being a disciple is not easy. You can’t assume that life will be exactly how you want it. Life is full of unexpected storms. What do you do when they arise? The temptation is to doubt God’s Word. We hear God’s promises, but we are tempted to wonder if he is reliable. If he were, why would life be so difficult right now? But don’t doubt God’s Word. Think about the disciples in that boat on the wind-whipped sea. What are they looking at? They’re looking at Jesus. It’s a surreal scene. Jesus goes out to them, walking on the rough water. No wonder they think they’re seeing a ghost. Then he speaks a word of promise: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” There is strength for faith. It’s not a ghost. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God! When we fear or worry, Jesus promises, “It is I who forgives. It is I who saves. Look at me. Focus not on the illness, not on the pain, not on the economy, not on yourself. Find strength for your faith in my promises.” God has laid a firm foundation for your faith in his excellent Word. Believe it. God’s promises are always powerful. They brought peace to the disciples, and they bring faith to your heart and hope for your future. Prayer: Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260808dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6 It’s All Under Control Did you know that your soul’s salvation is not a “chancy” thing? Being born when and where you were is not “lucky” or “unlucky.” Our parents may have said that we were an “accident” or a “surprise,” but to God, we were neither. God so determined your birth. God is in control. His will WILL be done. From eternity, God our Father chose us to be his children through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son. This has real comfort for us. Perhaps our money doesn’t go as far as it once did. Around us, we see society drowning in its own immorality. There are troubles everywhere. All this sorrow tells us that this world will never be heaven, but we can rejoice in spite of it all. God still has total control, and we know that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven. There’s nothing “chancy” about our salvation. It’s all under the control of our loving, gracious, forgiving, and patient Father in heaven. Prayer: I rejoice, heavenly Father, that you chose me to be a member of your eternal family through faith in Jesus my Savior. Preserve my faith through the power of your Word and accomplish for me everything that your loving will has determined. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260808dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6 It’s All Under Control Did you know that your soul’s salvation is not a “chancy” thing? Being born when and where you were is not “lucky” or “unlucky.” Our parents may have said that we were an “accident” or a “surprise,” but to God, we were neither. God so determined your birth. God is in control. His will WILL be done. From eternity, God our Father chose us to be his children through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son. This has real comfort for us. Perhaps our money doesn’t go as far as it once did. Around us, we see society drowning in its own immorality. There are troubles everywhere. All this sorrow tells us that this world will never be heaven, but we can rejoice in spite of it all. God still has total control, and we know that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven. There’s nothing “chancy” about our salvation. It’s all under the control of our loving, gracious, forgiving, and patient Father in heaven. Prayer: I rejoice, heavenly Father, that you chose me to be a member of your eternal family through faith in Jesus my Savior. Preserve my faith through the power of your Word and accomplish for me everything that your loving will has determined. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260807dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8 Grace by the Basketful Perhaps you have known someone like my grandmother. No guest ever left her table hungry. She did not measure food by the serving; she filled the table until it groaned, and when the meal was over, she loaded you down with leftovers to take home. For her, feeding people was not a duty to calculate. It was a joy to share. The apostle Paul says that is how God deals with us. He writes that God “lavished” the riches of his grace on us. God does not ration his undeserved love for sinners or count it out in careful portions. He is no miser. He gives by the basketful. Consider what he has given. Paul calls it “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” To redeem something means to buy it back, to set it free by paying a price. That is what we needed. Our sins had made us prisoners, guilty before God and unable to purchase our own release. No amount of good behavior could cover what we owed. So, God paid the price himself. The cost was not silver or gold, but the holy, precious blood of his own Son. On the cross, Jesus gave everything to set you free, and now every sin you have ever committed stands forgiven. God did not forgive you reluctantly, the way we sometimes pardon others while quietly keeping score. He forgave you gladly, fully, lavishly, because that is who he is. This is what Christians trust in most of all. God’s greatest provision is not found on our tables or in our bank accounts, but at the cross. And if God has already lavished such riches on you there, you can be certain his grace will never run short. Prayer: Gracious Father, you lavished the riches of your grace on me through the blood of your Son. Let me live each day in the joy and freedom of your full forgiveness. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260807dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8 Grace by the Basketful Perhaps you have known someone like my grandmother. No guest ever left her table hungry. She did not measure food by the serving; she filled the table until it groaned, and when the meal was over, she loaded you down with leftovers to take home. For her, feeding people was not a duty to calculate. It was a joy to share. The apostle Paul says that is how God deals with us. He writes that God “lavished” the riches of his grace on us. God does not ration his undeserved love for sinners or count it out in careful portions. He is no miser. He gives by the basketful. Consider what he has given. Paul calls it “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” To redeem something means to buy it back, to set it free by paying a price. That is what we needed. Our sins had made us prisoners, guilty before God and unable to purchase our own release. No amount of good behavior could cover what we owed. So, God paid the price himself. The cost was not silver or gold, but the holy, precious blood of his own Son. On the cross, Jesus gave everything to set you free, and now every sin you have ever committed stands forgiven. God did not forgive you reluctantly, the way we sometimes pardon others while quietly keeping score. He forgave you gladly, fully, lavishly, because that is who he is. This is what Christians trust in most of all. God’s greatest provision is not found on our tables or in our bank accounts, but at the cross. And if God has already lavished such riches on you there, you can be certain his grace will never run short. Prayer: Gracious Father, you lavished the riches of your grace on me through the blood of your Son. Let me live each day in the joy and freedom of your full forgiveness. 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.

[Psalm 1:1-3] Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. [2] But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. [3] They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. God promises _____________ & _____________ for those who delight in His teachings. [Hebrews 4.12] For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Only God's Word will give you the tools to ___________ sin. [Psalm 119:61] Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your law. READ God's Word Daily The Bible is the _____________ way that God speaks to us. [2 Timothy 3.16-17] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. MEDITATE on God's Word Meditation is not _____________ your mind, it is _____________ it with God's Word. [Joshua 1:7-8] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. [8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Meditation is the process of moving God's Word from your _____________ to your _____________. APPLY God's Word into your life. [Matthew 7.24, 26] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. It's not what you _____________ but what you _____________ that makes you a Christ-Follower.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260806dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessings That Never Run Out The Bible tells us that Jesus once fed a crowd of more than five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. He multiplied that little lunch until everyone ate and was satisfied. It was a marvelous gift. But consider this: the next morning, every one of those people woke up hungry again. That is the nature of earthly blessings. Food fills us for a few hours. Paychecks are spent. Health, as we all eventually learn, fades. Even the happiest earthly gifts—family, friendships, home—are ours for a lifetime at most. We thank God for all of them, but none of them lasts forever. That is what makes the apostle Paul’s words so remarkable. He praises God for blessing us “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Notice what he says. Not some blessings, but every blessing. Not stored far away, but already given to us. And these gifts are not kept in a pantry or a bank account, where moths destroy and markets crash. They are kept in the heavenly realms, beyond the reach of anything that could take them away. What blessings are these? Through faith in Jesus, you have the forgiveness of all your sins. You have peace with God. You are adopted as his dear child. The Holy Spirit lives in you and there is an inheritance in heaven with your name on it. Nothing on earth—not inflation, not illness, not even death itself—can drain that account. Christ earned every bit of it for you, and God has signed it all over to you in your baptism. So enjoy your daily bread with thanksgiving; it is a gift from your Father’s hand, new every morning. But your greatest treasures are not on the table or in the bank. They are in Christ—forgiveness, peace, and life that never ends. The child of God is rich beyond counting, today and eternally. Prayer: Praise to you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in your Son. Keep my heart treasuring what can never be taken away. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260805dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:19-21 Grace Before an Empty Table Imagine a family of five gathered around the table for dinner. The problem is, there is hardly anything on it—one slice of bread, a bit of fish, nowhere near enough for everyone. Now imagine the father folding his hands and praying, “Thank you, Lord, for this abundant feast.” Wouldn’t that strike you as strange? We give thanks for what we have received, not for what is missing. Yet that is very nearly what Jesus did. Before more than five thousand hungry people, he took five small loaves and two fish—a meal for maybe a couple of people—looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He gave thanks before anyone had eaten. He gave thanks before there was enough to go around. Then he began to break the bread, and it did not run out. Everyone ate until they were satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers remained. How could Jesus give thanks over such a small supply? Because he was not measuring the food. He was trusting his heavenly Father, whose love and generosity have no limit. Our prayers often run in the opposite direction. We wait to see the provision before offering thanksgiving. When the account balance is low, or the diagnosis is uncertain, gratitude may be the last thing on our minds—as if God’s goodness depended on what we can see on the table in front of us. Look instead at what God has already graciously given. He did not spare his own Son but gave him up to die for your sins and rise again. If God has already given you his greatest treasure, will he fail to give you your daily bread? Jesus’ thanksgiving was not wishful thinking but confidence in his Father’s promises. Through Jesus, that same confidence belongs to you. Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to thank you before I see your answer, trusting that you will provide all that I need. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260804dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. Matthew 14:15-17 Bring Him Your “Not Enough” Have you ever sat down with your monthly budget and found that the numbers refuse to cooperate? No matter how many times you add them up, there is more month than money. It’s a helpless feeling to be staring at a problem too large for the available resources. Jesus’ disciples knew that feeling. Thousands of hungry people had followed Jesus to a remote place, and evening was coming. The disciples did the math and proposed the only sensible solution: send everyone away to fend for themselves. Instead, Jesus gave them an impossible assignment: “You give them something to eat.” All they could find among the crowd were five small loaves of bread and two fish. The numbers didn’t add up. But Jesus never intended for his disciples to solve this problem out of their own pockets. He was inviting them to bring their “not enough” to him. When they did, he took that little lunch, gave thanks, and multiplied it until everyone ate their fill—with twelve baskets left over. You and I often do the same math the disciples did. We look at our resources—our money, our time, our strength, our goodness—and conclude they will never be enough. They won’t be. That is especially true of our standing before God. We owe him a debt of perfect obedience that we could never begin to pay. That is why Jesus came. He did not send us away to fend for ourselves. In his compassion, he supplied what we could not—his perfect life and his innocent death—to pay for our sins completely. The Savior who satisfied a hungry crowd with bread has satisfied God’s justice for you. So, bring him your little. Bring him your “not enough.” His supply never runs out. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when my resources run out, teach me to trust your compassion and power to provide everything I need for my body and soul. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260803dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 His Love Endures Forever Many, if not most, psalms in the Bible were designed to be sung or spoken antiphonally—that is, the first half of each verse is sung by a leader or choir followed by the congregation responding with the second half. If you open your Bible to Psalm 136, you’ll notice that the second half of each of the 26 verses is exactly the same: “His love endures forever.” The entire psalm encourages us to give thanks to the Lord, the one true God, who powerfully created all things and who mercifully provides for his people. And with every mention of the Lord’s many mighty acts, the people interject the refrain: “His love endures forever.” And it’s not just in this psalm. The first time this phrase is found in the Bible is in 1 Chronicles 16, when King David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The people sang and praised God with a psalm that included these same words. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” A generation later, in 2 Chronicles 5, when King Solomon completed construction of the temple, a great number of musicians played while the choir sang praise to the Lord: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Someone might ask, “Why the repetition?” But consider why it is that we repeat anything. Usually, because it’s important or because we keep forgetting it—or in this case, both. The Hebrew word translated as love here calls to mind God’s loyalty and grace in dealing with us. Despite our frequent ingratitude and lack of love for God, he is unwaveringly devoted to his love for us, simply because of who he is. In everything he does—starting with the creation of the world, all the way through human history, right down to the way he watches over and provides for us today—God does it out of his commitment to love us. His promise of grace finds its fulfillment in his own Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save us from certain death by taking our punishment upon himself. It is truly a love that endures forever! Prayer: Lord God, you have been good to me in so many ways. Let me never forget your grace but always give you thanks, for your love endures forever. 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260802dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, [Jesus] gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:19-21 With Jesus There is Always More With Jesus, there is always more. More than five thousand people were fed with just five loaves and two fish. And there was more food left over than they had at the beginning. This miracle is a big deal. Other than Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, it’s the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. The repetition means Jesus really wants us to know about it. Why? Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). In other words, Christians are to trust God to provide. And what Jesus teaches, he demonstrates by feeding the five thousand. He takes care of us and provides everything we need. This is a simple lesson to learn, but it is difficult to believe. Your sinful nature wants you to think that you take care of yourself. The devil does not want you to trust God. He wants you to trust yourself and say, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me” (Deuteronomy 8:17). But is that true? Who gives you time to work? Who gives you the strength to work? Who gives you the skills to work? “Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Jesus doesn’t work miracles to flaunt his power. He works miracles to show that he is God Almighty in human flesh. Jesus gives health and wealth because that is what Jesus does—he gives. He provides his life, death, and resurrection for your salvation. If he can do that, he can do something as simple as provide daily bread. Because with Jesus, there is always more. Jesus’ compassion for you knows no bounds. No need is too impossible for Christ to meet. No sin is too big for Jesus to forgive. You can trust him with anything and everything! Prayer: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever. 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.

All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.

Without reading the Old Testament, we cannot see the full plan God has for His people. Don't just read half of the story. Read the beginning. Discover what God has said and what He is doing in the lives of those who will trust Him. Main Points:1.  The practice of neglecting to read the Old Testament is not unusual. With the exception of the books of Psalms and Proverbs, many Christians do not read much of the Old Testament.2. We must come to realize that we cannot fully understand the New Testament without the Old Testament. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. 3. When we read the stories of the men and women of Old who trusted God, who believed in His promise, and who were faithful in times of difficulty, it teaches us perseverance. When we see the faithfulness of people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, and Daniel, we are encouraged that we too can remain faithful to God.Today's Scripture Verses:2 Timothy 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”Matthew 5:17-18 - “Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”Romans 15:4 - “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.

All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.

All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.

All Scripture was written for our admonition and learning (1 Cor. 10:11 and Rom. 15:4). Join Andrew Wommack as he explores the life of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Learn lessons from David's life that you can apply directly to your own.