Podcasts about daily devotion

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20261001dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:9 A Name Above All Others A podcast I listen to regularly takes the time every week to read a Medal of Honor citation. The Medal of Honor is given for acts of valor, acts so heroic that the recipient often lost his life for his actions on the battlefield to save his fellow soldiers. I appreciate taking the time to hear those names and what they did. It allows me to reflect and give thanks to God for the many who have sacrificed so much for my peace and prosperity. In our Bible verse today, we are reminded of a name that cannot and will not be forgotten, a “name that is above every name,” the name Jesus. This name literally means, “God saves.” Jesus saved you and me not just with one act of valor. No, it was a lifetime! He did what we couldn’t even imagine. He lived his life perfectly. He never allowed his heart to lust. He never took something that didn’t belong to him. He never threw a punch in a burst of anger or even uttered a word out of hate. He never told a lie to hide imperfection. He didn't have any. He never whispered gossip about another to make himself feel more important. Not once. He was and is perfect. But then he did something even more amazing: he let himself be killed on a cross so that his perfect life would be gifted to you and to me. He died so that when God looked at us, God wouldn't see our guilt and shame. No, he would only see the perfection of Jesus. Talk about an act of valor! What a name! What a Savior! What a gift we have been given! May we cherish Jesus every single day! May we never forget that because of his sacrifice we have been saved from an eternity of pain. And with each day God gives us, may we honor him in the way we live. Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself for me and are now exalted above all. Keep me humble in service and confident in your victory. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Blythe Fike.

In this Daily Devotion for October 1, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 83:7-9, where a growing coalition of enemies, even the great empire of Assyria, lines up against God's people. Rather than panicking, the writer looks backward, remembering battles God had already won, and asks Him to act again the same way.This devotion applies that same pattern to prayer today. When new threats grow bigger than expected, look backward first. Remember what God has already done through Jesus, defeating sin and death once for all. That victory already happened and belongs to you completely. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, secured permanently, not dependent on the size of whatever coalition rises against you. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper that same finished victory is placed into your hands again, His true body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins.No coalition, however large it grows, can ever undo what Jesus has already accomplished. Nothing and no one can take it back from you.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

Philippians 2:1–2 (NLT) – “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love?... Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with one another, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”   In this episode of Daily Devotions, Pastor David Sumrall addresses a question often asked out of love: "What can we do to make our pastors happy?" Turning to Philippians chapter 2, he shares the Apostle Paul's answer, explaining that nothing brings a spiritual leader greater joy than seeing God's people live in unity and love without strife or division.   Pastor Sumrall explains that just as parents delight in seeing their children bond happily together around a table, pastors are filled with joy when church members work together in harmony for God's kingdom. By putting away selfishness, humbling ourselves, and taking a genuine interest in others, we cultivate a healthy church family that honors God and brings true joy to leadership. ---- Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260930dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 I Yield When my kids were little, I loved roughhousing. ‘Daddy! Daddy! Let’s wrestle!’ they would squeal and giggle. I would body slam, clothesline, piledrive, you name it, and they would tackle and tug with all the might and strength a toddler could muster. Usually, once I tuckered them out, they would pin me down and declare themselves the kings and queens of the ring. I miss those days. Just for the record, and you’ll have to take my word for it, I could’ve beaten them any time, every time. I outweighed them by two hundred pounds. If it were a real fight, they wouldn't have had a chance. But I yielded. I let them win. I let myself be overpowered. When I read our Bible passage today, I think back to those times when I would roughhouse and wrestle with my kids. Jesus didn’t need to submit himself to torture and execution. Jesus didn’t need to let himself be swallowed up by death. But Jesus allowed himself to die so that you and I would be saved from eternal death. He allowed himself to “lose” so that you and I could shout with joy that victory over the grave is ours! He yielded. That’s the best news you’ll hear all day! In your relationships, reflect the attitude of Jesus. Because Jesus has served you by saving you, serve others. And when they ask why, you can tell them what Jesus has done for you and for them. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are true God, yet you made yourself nothing and went to the cross for me. Forgive me for my stubborn pride. Fill my heart so that I may have the same mindset you displayed—willing to serve, willing to put others first, willing to follow you in humble love. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Mary Peach.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260930dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 I Yield When my kids were little, I loved roughhousing. ‘Daddy! Daddy! Let’s wrestle!’ they would squeal and giggle. I would body slam, clothesline, piledrive, you name it, and they would tackle and tug with all the might and strength a toddler could muster. Usually, once I tuckered them out, they would pin me down and declare themselves the kings and queens of the ring. I miss those days. Just for the record, and you’ll have to take my word for it, I could’ve beaten them any time, every time. I outweighed them by two hundred pounds. If it were a real fight, they wouldn't have had a chance. But I yielded. I let them win. I let myself be overpowered. When I read our Bible passage today, I think back to those times when I would roughhouse and wrestle with my kids. Jesus didn’t need to submit himself to torture and execution. Jesus didn’t need to let himself be swallowed up by death. But Jesus allowed himself to die so that you and I would be saved from eternal death. He allowed himself to “lose” so that you and I could shout with joy that victory over the grave is ours! He yielded. That’s the best news you’ll hear all day! In your relationships, reflect the attitude of Jesus. Because Jesus has served you by saving you, serve others. And when they ask why, you can tell them what Jesus has done for you and for them. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are true God, yet you made yourself nothing and went to the cross for me. Forgive me for my stubborn pride. Fill my heart so that I may have the same mindset you displayed—willing to serve, willing to put others first, willing to follow you in humble love. 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 30, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 83:4-6, where enemy nations join together with one shared goal, to wipe out Israel completely and erase its name forever. That ancient plan failed. Israel is still here today.This devotion applies that same pattern to opposition against Jesus and His Church today, coming from many directions at once, organized and committed, yet no more successful than the enemies of old. Jesus has already secured His name and His Church at the cross, and no plan raised against Him has ever succeeded or ever will. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, secured permanently through His finished work. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper He continues to build and strengthen His Church, giving His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.Do not be afraid when pressure comes from every side at once. The name that matters most cannot be erased. Jesus is still building His Church today, brick by brick, and nothing can tear it down.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

The Daily Devotion - Trust in God's Promises | 1 October 2026Welcome to The Daily Devotion from Refinery Life Australia. In today's episode, Reverend Gary Hoban reflects on “Trust in God's Promises” through Joshua 13:1 NKJV. God's work is ongoing, and His promises endure beyond our limitations. Age or circumstance cannot hinder His plan. This is an invitation to slow down, hear the Word, consider what the Holy Spirit is highlighting and respond with practical obedience. TODAY'S CHALLENGE: Identify one situation where fear or uncertainty is competing with faith. Write down what God has said in His Word, pray over it, and choose one action today that demonstrates trust in Him. The episode concludes in prayer so you can carry the truth of Scripture into the rest of your day. Refinery Life Australia — equipping believers, strengthening the Church and contending for nations.Until next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery.When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.orgFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain 

Philippians 1:3–4 (NLT) – “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make all my requests for all of you with joy...”   In this episode of Daily Devotions, Pastor David Sumrall shares insights into how true spiritual leaders pray for their people, drawing from the Apostle Paul's heartfelt prayers in Philippians chapter 1. He notes that for faithful pastors, praying for the congregation is never a burdensome duty, but a genuine source of joy and gratitude.   Pastor Sumrall explains that effective pastoral prayer focuses on helping believers grow in love, knowledge, and spiritual discernment so they can understand what truly matters. By prioritizing prayer and the ministry of the Word, pastors help guide their church family toward living pure, blameless, and holy lives as they await the return of Christ. ---- Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260929dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 How Can I Help? ‘What do I get out of it?’ ‘What’s in it for me?’ ‘When do I get mine?’ Do you ever find yourself thinking that way? Of course you do! Everyone does. Since we were little, we have been wired to look out for me, myself, and I. I think one of the first words my children ever spoke was ‘mine.’ People are selfish. It is in our nature. But is that how God would have us live? No. The author of today’s Bible reading tells us that God has a different way, a better way for us to interact with others. He tells us to humbly put others above ourselves. Put others first? Yes! Imagine what your relationships would look like if you did that every day. Imagine what that would look like if husbands and wives put each other’s needs and desires before their own. Imagine what that would look like if parents and children always looked to serve one another. What a happy home that would be! But think if everyone did that outside of the home as well. How blessed our communities and country would be! What would make someone want to do that? The author explains that the answer is simple: Jesus. Jesus’ life was about putting you and me above himself. His mission in life was to save us, and he did that by always putting us first in his heart, to the extent that he shed blood and gave up his life for you and me. Follow Jesus’ lead, rather than asking, “What’s in it for me?” ask, “How can I help?” Remembering how Jesus served you, is there someone you could serve today? Is there someone you could put before yourself? Give it a try! Be that blessing to them! Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself to save me. Forgive my selfish ambition and vain conceit. Create in me the same humble mind that is in you, so that I value others above myself and look to their interests in love. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Rocio Hermes.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260929dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 How Can I Help? ‘What do I get out of it?’ ‘What’s in it for me?’ ‘When do I get mine?’ Do you ever find yourself thinking that way? Of course you do! Everyone does. Since we were little, we have been wired to look out for me, myself, and I. I think one of the first words my children ever spoke was ‘mine.’ People are selfish. It is in our nature. But is that how God would have us live? No. The author of today’s Bible reading tells us that God has a different way, a better way for us to interact with others. He tells us to humbly put others above ourselves. Put others first? Yes! Imagine what your relationships would look like if you did that every day. Imagine what that would look like if husbands and wives put each other’s needs and desires before their own. Imagine what that would look like if parents and children always looked to serve one another. What a happy home that would be! But think if everyone did that outside of the home as well. How blessed our communities and country would be! What would make someone want to do that? The author explains that the answer is simple: Jesus. Jesus’ life was about putting you and me above himself. His mission in life was to save us, and he did that by always putting us first in his heart, to the extent that he shed blood and gave up his life for you and me. Follow Jesus’ lead, rather than asking, “What’s in it for me?” ask, “How can I help?” Remembering how Jesus served you, is there someone you could serve today? Is there someone you could put before yourself? Give it a try! Be that blessing to them! Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself to save me. Forgive my selfish ambition and vain conceit. Create in me the same humble mind that is in you, so that I value others above myself and look to their interests in love. 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 29, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 83:1-3, an urgent cry against organized hostility rising up against God's own people, treated as an attack against God Himself, because His people belong to Him so closely that what touches them touches Him too.This devotion carries that closeness forward to you today. Whatever opposition you face because you belong to Christ, you are not facing it alone or unnoticed. That belonging was secured completely through Jesus, who bore the full weight of every attack sin could raise against you. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, given to us as His treasured ones through His finished work. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper He assures us again that we belong to Him, giving His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.Whatever opposition surrounds you, remember whose treasured one you are. God remains fully aware of every plan raised against you, even when His answer takes longer than you would like. He is watching over you closely, in Christ.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260929dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 How Can I Help? ‘What do I get out of it?’ ‘What’s in it for me?’ ‘When do I get mine?’ Do you ever find yourself thinking that way? Of course you do! Everyone does. Since we were little, we have been wired to look out for me, myself, and I. I think one of the first words my children ever spoke was ‘mine.’ People are selfish. It is in our nature. But is that how God would have us live? No. The author of today’s Bible reading tells us that God has a different way, a better way for us to interact with others. He tells us to humbly put others above ourselves. Put others first? Yes! Imagine what your relationships would look like if you did that every day. Imagine what that would look like if husbands and wives put each other’s needs and desires before their own. Imagine what that would look like if parents and children always looked to serve one another. What a happy home that would be! But think if everyone did that outside of the home as well. How blessed our communities and country would be! What would make someone want to do that? The author explains that the answer is simple: Jesus. Jesus’ life was about putting you and me above himself. His mission in life was to save us, and he did that by always putting us first in his heart, to the extent that he shed blood and gave up his life for you and me. Follow Jesus’ lead, rather than asking, “What’s in it for me?” ask, “How can I help?” Remembering how Jesus served you, is there someone you could serve today? Is there someone you could put before yourself? Give it a try! Be that blessing to them! Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself to save me. Forgive my selfish ambition and vain conceit. Create in me the same humble mind that is in you, so that I value others above myself and look to their interests in love. 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.

The Daily Devotion — God's Wonders Await | 30 September 2026Welcome to The Daily Devotion from Refinery Life Australia. Today's devotion: God's Wonders Await.Faith looks forward with expectation because God is not limited by what we can see. We prepare our hearts through obedience and trust, believing He is still able to work beyond our expectations.Reflection: What step of faith and obedience can you take today while trusting God with what you cannot yet see?Lord, prepare my heart for what You desire to do. Keep me faithful in the present, obedient in the next step and expectant without presumption. Let my life display Your goodness. In Jesus' name, Amen.Refinery Life Australia Limited — Equipping believers. Strengthening the Church. Contending for nations.Until next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery.When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.orgFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain 

Isaiah 50:10–11 (NLT) – “If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live by your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires...”   In this episode of Daily Devotions, Pastor David Sumrall examines an essential conversation from Isaiah chapter 50 about the choices we make in how we live. He contrasts relying on God's Word as our guiding light with trying to generate our own light and warm ourselves by our own fires through self-reliance and human wisdom.   Pastor Sumrall explains that depending on our own understanding and acting as our own provider ultimately leads to torment and destruction. Drawing from the example of Abraham, who started as just one man before God blessed him into a great nation, he reminds us that all true growth, protection, and lasting prosperity come from honoring, fearing, and obeying the Lord. ---- Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260928dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 A Unity Only Jesus Can Bring There is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This quip is traditionally linked to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The United States had banded together under the common cause of liberty and if we were going to be an independent nation, we were going to have to stick together. If the people couldn’t unite, the newly formed nation would crumble, and all her leaders would be tried for treason and hanged. Unity. Don’t you crave it? Don’t you want unity in your country, with your neighbor, with your family? Isn’t it great when there is unity in our relationships? Of course! Unity brings harmony and peace. But unity doesn't always come easy. Politics divide a nation. Petty squabbles irritate the neighbor next door. Families hold onto grudges over unkind things done and said at Thanksgiving ten years ago. Even amongst Christians there are fights and feuds. But the author of today’s Bible reading makes an appeal to you. He says that, as a Christian, you know the sacrifice that Jesus has made for you. You know that selfless act of your Savior, Jesus, who gave up his life and died so that all your wrongdoings and faults would be forgiven. Friend, remember that sacrifice of Jesus! It is his sacrifice that puts everything in perspective. When I remember the lengths to which Jesus went to save me, that causes me to look at everyone else in my life on my side. We all deserve death because of our failures. But we all have been forgiven because of Christ. And that forgiveness causes me to love and forgive and be united with everyone. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have united us to yourself and to one another. Fill us with your Spirit so that our lives reflect the oneness you have already given us. Make our joy complete as we live in the same love and mind that is ours in 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.

Today's devotion is written by Cathy Webb.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260928dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 A Unity Only Jesus Can Bring There is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This quip is traditionally linked to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The United States had banded together under the common cause of liberty and if we were going to be an independent nation, we were going to have to stick together. If the people couldn’t unite, the newly formed nation would crumble, and all her leaders would be tried for treason and hanged. Unity. Don’t you crave it? Don’t you want unity in your country, with your neighbor, with your family? Isn’t it great when there is unity in our relationships? Of course! Unity brings harmony and peace. But unity doesn't always come easy. Politics divide a nation. Petty squabbles irritate the neighbor next door. Families hold onto grudges over unkind things done and said at Thanksgiving ten years ago. Even amongst Christians there are fights and feuds. But the author of today’s Bible reading makes an appeal to you. He says that, as a Christian, you know the sacrifice that Jesus has made for you. You know that selfless act of your Savior, Jesus, who gave up his life and died so that all your wrongdoings and faults would be forgiven. Friend, remember that sacrifice of Jesus! It is his sacrifice that puts everything in perspective. When I remember the lengths to which Jesus went to save me, that causes me to look at everyone else in my life on my side. We all deserve death because of our failures. But we all have been forgiven because of Christ. And that forgiveness causes me to love and forgive and be united with everyone. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have united us to yourself and to one another. Fill us with your Spirit so that our lives reflect the oneness you have already given us. Make our joy complete as we live in the same love and mind that is ours in 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 28, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 82:7-8, where every human ruler, however exalted, still dies like any prince. No title changes that outcome. Only God possesses authority that never falls and never needs replacing.This devotion follows that plea, arise, O God, judge the earth, to Jesus, who was judged unjustly by human courts yet rose again to become the true and lasting Judge over all nations, having already borne the judgment sinners actually deserved in their place. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, secured completely through His finished work. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper that same settled judgment comes to us again, His true body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins.When earthly authority disappoints you, as it eventually will, remember where lasting judgment actually rests. Every human prince falls. Christ alone reigns forever, and His judgment over you has already been settled completely in your favor through His cross.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260928dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 A Unity Only Jesus Can Bring There is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This quip is traditionally linked to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The United States had banded together under the common cause of liberty and if we were going to be an independent nation, we were going to have to stick together. If the people couldn’t unite, the newly formed nation would crumble, and all her leaders would be tried for treason and hanged. Unity. Don’t you crave it? Don’t you want unity in your country, with your neighbor, with your family? Isn’t it great when there is unity in our relationships? Of course! Unity brings harmony and peace. But unity doesn't always come easy. Politics divide a nation. Petty squabbles irritate the neighbor next door. Families hold onto grudges over unkind things done and said at Thanksgiving ten years ago. Even amongst Christians there are fights and feuds. But the author of today’s Bible reading makes an appeal to you. He says that, as a Christian, you know the sacrifice that Jesus has made for you. You know that selfless act of your Savior, Jesus, who gave up his life and died so that all your wrongdoings and faults would be forgiven. Friend, remember that sacrifice of Jesus! It is his sacrifice that puts everything in perspective. When I remember the lengths to which Jesus went to save me, that causes me to look at everyone else in my life on my side. We all deserve death because of our failures. But we all have been forgiven because of Christ. And that forgiveness causes me to love and forgive and be united with everyone. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have united us to yourself and to one another. Fill us with your Spirit so that our lives reflect the oneness you have already given us. Make our joy complete as we live in the same love and mind that is ours in 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/20260927dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 Nothing More Needs To Be Said Imagine it’s about thirty years after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Imagine you are a career military man, recently retired from the Roman army. Like many other retired soldiers, you decide to live in a town called Philippi. You like it there because so many of your neighbors are just like you—people who know what military life is all about. Then it happens: The apostle Paul comes to your town with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. You become a follower of Jesus. You help form a Christian congregation. You begin sharing the message of Christ with others. But then life gets difficult. Because of your Christian faith, some of your old friends want nothing to do with you. Some in your church family are even facing open hostility because of what they believe. You have moments when you wonder how much the Lord Jesus really loves you. Then, a Godsend—a letter from Paul! As you read it, there is one sentence that hits you hard. Paul is describing what Jesus was willing to do for you. He says, “He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Nothing more needs to be said. You see, as a soldier, you know what death on a cross is. The sight of gasping, writhing victims, the sound of their sobs, the smell, the flies—all have seared themselves into your memory long ago. And the Son of God willingly did that for you. Does Jesus love you? There he was on the cross. There he bore your sins in your place. Nothing more needs to be said. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you went to the cross in my place to take my every sin away. You love me. For that I love you. And I thank 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/20260927dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 Nothing More Needs To Be Said Imagine it’s about thirty years after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Imagine you are a career military man, recently retired from the Roman army. Like many other retired soldiers, you decide to live in a town called Philippi. You like it there because so many of your neighbors are just like you—people who know what military life is all about. Then it happens: The apostle Paul comes to your town with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. You become a follower of Jesus. You help form a Christian congregation. You begin sharing the message of Christ with others. But then life gets difficult. Because of your Christian faith, some of your old friends want nothing to do with you. Some in your church family are even facing open hostility because of what they believe. You have moments when you wonder how much the Lord Jesus really loves you. Then, a Godsend—a letter from Paul! As you read it, there is one sentence that hits you hard. Paul is describing what Jesus was willing to do for you. He says, “He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Nothing more needs to be said. You see, as a soldier, you know what death on a cross is. The sight of gasping, writhing victims, the sound of their sobs, the smell, the flies—all have seared themselves into your memory long ago. And the Son of God willingly did that for you. Does Jesus love you? There he was on the cross. There he bore your sins in your place. Nothing more needs to be said. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you went to the cross in my place to take my every sin away. You love me. For that I love you. And I thank 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 27, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 82:4-6, where God calls judges to rescue the weak and needy, then names them gods, sons of the Most High, not divine themselves but carrying real, borrowed authority given for the good of others rather than their own glory.This devotion applies that same pattern to every vocation today, family, work, and daily calling, authority given to protect and serve, never to rule for self. God still governs His Church directly through His Word and Sacraments, and there, in Christ, we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, given freely rather than earned through our own faithfulness in any calling. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper He continues to care personally for the weak and needy, giving His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.Take your own calling seriously today. You are not a god in yourself, but you carry real authority within your vocation, meant for protecting and serving those God has placed under your care.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260927dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 Nothing More Needs To Be Said Imagine it’s about thirty years after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Imagine you are a career military man, recently retired from the Roman army. Like many other retired soldiers, you decide to live in a town called Philippi. You like it there because so many of your neighbors are just like you—people who know what military life is all about. Then it happens: The apostle Paul comes to your town with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. You become a follower of Jesus. You help form a Christian congregation. You begin sharing the message of Christ with others. But then life gets difficult. Because of your Christian faith, some of your old friends want nothing to do with you. Some in your church family are even facing open hostility because of what they believe. You have moments when you wonder how much the Lord Jesus really loves you. Then, a Godsend—a letter from Paul! As you read it, there is one sentence that hits you hard. Paul is describing what Jesus was willing to do for you. He says, “He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Nothing more needs to be said. You see, as a soldier, you know what death on a cross is. The sight of gasping, writhing victims, the sound of their sobs, the smell, the flies—all have seared themselves into your memory long ago. And the Son of God willingly did that for you. Does Jesus love you? There he was on the cross. There he bore your sins in your place. Nothing more needs to be said. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you went to the cross in my place to take my every sin away. You love me. For that I love you. And I thank 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/20260926dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jonah wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” “I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.” But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:8-11 The Creator and Preserver Jonah was very angry because God turned from his threat to punish the people of Nineveh. God worked to bring Jonah to repentance. He caused a vine to spring up overnight, and the next day its large leaves gave Jonah relief from the intense heat of the sun. But the cold heart of Jonah was not melted by the mercy that God showed him. The next night, God provided a worm that killed the vine. When the sun blazed the next day, Jonah was left without shade. He was so distressed about the loss of the vine that he told God, “I am angry enough to die.” God used that vine to teach Jonah an important lesson. Jonah merely had self-interest in the vine. His only concern for the vine was the protection and comfort it brought him. God wanted Jonah to think about the vine from the viewpoint of the one who caused it to grow and cared for it—a perspective quite different than Jonah’s attitude. The grower and the gardener demonstrate a deep concern for the well-being of the vine. Then the Lord applied the lesson. He is the creator and preserver of all people, including those people in Nineveh. And there were many of them, many people whom God loved and wanted to save from destruction. God is deeply interested in every person—no one is excluded from his love. His greatest desire is for people to live with him. That's why he came into this world and was born a true human being. His complete focus was on our welfare, not on his own. He came to save us from death and give us eternal life. Prayer: Lord, teach me the extent of your great love. Give me courage to open my mouth to tell others about your salvation. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Lani Bogart.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260926dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jonah wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” “I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.” But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:8-11 The Creator and Preserver Jonah was very angry because God turned from his threat to punish the people of Nineveh. God worked to bring Jonah to repentance. He caused a vine to spring up overnight, and the next day its large leaves gave Jonah relief from the intense heat of the sun. But the cold heart of Jonah was not melted by the mercy that God showed him. The next night, God provided a worm that killed the vine. When the sun blazed the next day, Jonah was left without shade. He was so distressed about the loss of the vine that he told God, “I am angry enough to die.” God used that vine to teach Jonah an important lesson. Jonah merely had self-interest in the vine. His only concern for the vine was the protection and comfort it brought him. God wanted Jonah to think about the vine from the viewpoint of the one who caused it to grow and cared for it—a perspective quite different than Jonah’s attitude. The grower and the gardener demonstrate a deep concern for the well-being of the vine. Then the Lord applied the lesson. He is the creator and preserver of all people, including those people in Nineveh. And there were many of them, many people whom God loved and wanted to save from destruction. God is deeply interested in every person—no one is excluded from his love. His greatest desire is for people to live with him. That's why he came into this world and was born a true human being. His complete focus was on our welfare, not on his own. He came to save us from death and give us eternal life. Prayer: Lord, teach me the extent of your great love. Give me courage to open my mouth to tell others about your salvation. 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 26, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 82:1-3, a courtroom scene where God holds human judges accountable for their injustice, calling them instead to give justice to the weak, the fatherless, the afflicted, and the destitute, people with no leverage of their own.This devotion follows that standard to Jesus, who sought out the weak, the outcast, and the afflicted personally, and who continues that work through His Church and every act of mercy shown to someone with no other advocate. He did not wait for us to become worthy before caring for us. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, given to the weak and destitute rather than earned by the powerful. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper He feeds even the least and the lowest, giving His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.Consider where you have influence today, however small. Whether raising children or serving your neighbor, you are called to reflect this same justice, the justice God has already shown you perfectly in Christ.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260926dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jonah wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” “I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.” But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:8-11 The Creator and Preserver Jonah was very angry because God turned from his threat to punish the people of Nineveh. God worked to bring Jonah to repentance. He caused a vine to spring up overnight, and the next day its large leaves gave Jonah relief from the intense heat of the sun. But the cold heart of Jonah was not melted by the mercy that God showed him. The next night, God provided a worm that killed the vine. When the sun blazed the next day, Jonah was left without shade. He was so distressed about the loss of the vine that he told God, “I am angry enough to die.” God used that vine to teach Jonah an important lesson. Jonah merely had self-interest in the vine. His only concern for the vine was the protection and comfort it brought him. God wanted Jonah to think about the vine from the viewpoint of the one who caused it to grow and cared for it—a perspective quite different than Jonah’s attitude. The grower and the gardener demonstrate a deep concern for the well-being of the vine. Then the Lord applied the lesson. He is the creator and preserver of all people, including those people in Nineveh. And there were many of them, many people whom God loved and wanted to save from destruction. God is deeply interested in every person—no one is excluded from his love. His greatest desire is for people to live with him. That's why he came into this world and was born a true human being. His complete focus was on our welfare, not on his own. He came to save us from death and give us eternal life. Prayer: Lord, teach me the extent of your great love. Give me courage to open my mouth to tell others about your salvation. 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/20260925dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16 The Standard of Mercy When you have a job to perform or an assignment to complete, you want to know what is expected. What does it take to get a good grade? How can you earn your paycheck? Judged competitions, whether in athletics, the arts, or entries at the county fair, have standards that judges use to determine the final score for each competitor. We want to know God’s standards for our lives, too. God’s laws and commandments make demands and set expectations. Because we want God’s acceptance, we naturally look to those standards. We may assume that the better we follow God’s commandments, the more he will love and bless us, and the more confidence we can have that we will go to heaven. But God’s law demands perfection, and none of us can achieve that. If the outcome depends on our performance, we will never get to heaven. But our status before God does not depend on who we are or what we do. It depends on his mercy. Mercy is when God doesn’t treat us the way our sins and failures deserve. God’s mercy, flowing from his incomprehensible and unconditional love for all people, led him to fulfill the requirements of his law for us when he sent Jesus. Our standing before God, our eligibility for heaven’s rewards, isn’t based on our performance. It is based entirely on the compassionate heart of God, the unconditional love of God, the astounding mercy of God. In love and mercy, he met standards for us and gives us his rewards as a gift. What a relief! My failures don’t disqualify me. I don't have to worry whether my performance is better than enough other people to make the cut. God forgives my failures and credits me with Jesus’ performance in my place. My position and prize are secure. Now I can obey him in joyful thanksgiving, confident in his love. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me not based on what I do, but on your mercy alone. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Megan Hjelmstad.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260925dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16 The Standard of Mercy When you have a job to perform or an assignment to complete, you want to know what is expected. What does it take to get a good grade? How can you earn your paycheck? Judged competitions, whether in athletics, the arts, or entries at the county fair, have standards that judges use to determine the final score for each competitor. We want to know God’s standards for our lives, too. God’s laws and commandments make demands and set expectations. Because we want God’s acceptance, we naturally look to those standards. We may assume that the better we follow God’s commandments, the more he will love and bless us, and the more confidence we can have that we will go to heaven. But God’s law demands perfection, and none of us can achieve that. If the outcome depends on our performance, we will never get to heaven. But our status before God does not depend on who we are or what we do. It depends on his mercy. Mercy is when God doesn’t treat us the way our sins and failures deserve. God’s mercy, flowing from his incomprehensible and unconditional love for all people, led him to fulfill the requirements of his law for us when he sent Jesus. Our standing before God, our eligibility for heaven’s rewards, isn’t based on our performance. It is based entirely on the compassionate heart of God, the unconditional love of God, the astounding mercy of God. In love and mercy, he met standards for us and gives us his rewards as a gift. What a relief! My failures don’t disqualify me. I don't have to worry whether my performance is better than enough other people to make the cut. God forgives my failures and credits me with Jesus’ performance in my place. My position and prize are secure. Now I can obey him in joyful thanksgiving, confident in his love. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me not based on what I do, but on your mercy alone. 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 25, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 81:16, God's promise of the finest wheat and honey from the rock, abundance that could only come from Him, never manufactured through human labor or planning. Israel missed it for one simple reason. They turned away from receiving it.This devotion carries that abundance forward to Jesus, who called Himself the bread of life, offering nourishment that satisfies far beyond wheat or honey. At His Table, you receive Him truly, His own body and blood, the finest food any sinner could be given, offered freely and completely. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, ready and waiting regardless of your own past stubbornness. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper that same abundance is placed into your hands, given for the forgiveness of sins.Do not measure your life by scarcity today. Come instead to the abundance already prepared in Christ. He still satisfies completely. He always has.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260925dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16 The Standard of Mercy When you have a job to perform or an assignment to complete, you want to know what is expected. What does it take to get a good grade? How can you earn your paycheck? Judged competitions, whether in athletics, the arts, or entries at the county fair, have standards that judges use to determine the final score for each competitor. We want to know God’s standards for our lives, too. God’s laws and commandments make demands and set expectations. Because we want God’s acceptance, we naturally look to those standards. We may assume that the better we follow God’s commandments, the more he will love and bless us, and the more confidence we can have that we will go to heaven. But God’s law demands perfection, and none of us can achieve that. If the outcome depends on our performance, we will never get to heaven. But our status before God does not depend on who we are or what we do. It depends on his mercy. Mercy is when God doesn’t treat us the way our sins and failures deserve. God’s mercy, flowing from his incomprehensible and unconditional love for all people, led him to fulfill the requirements of his law for us when he sent Jesus. Our standing before God, our eligibility for heaven’s rewards, isn’t based on our performance. It is based entirely on the compassionate heart of God, the unconditional love of God, the astounding mercy of God. In love and mercy, he met standards for us and gives us his rewards as a gift. What a relief! My failures don’t disqualify me. I don't have to worry whether my performance is better than enough other people to make the cut. God forgives my failures and credits me with Jesus’ performance in my place. My position and prize are secure. Now I can obey him in joyful thanksgiving, confident in his love. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me not based on what I do, but on your mercy alone. 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/20260924dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” Jonah 4:11 An Unanswered Question A good plot reveals a problem that needs a solution. Then, the rest of the story resolves that problem. Maybe you’ve watched a movie that doesn’t work that way. The final credits roll, and the plot seems unresolved. The problem remains, or the answer doesn’t seem complete. The question in todays’ Bible reading is from the last verse in the book of Jonah. God is speaking to his messenger Jonah. Jonah has complained that God is unfair for not destroying the wicked city of Nineveh. And he’s complained that God is unfair for letting a worm kill a vine that shaded Jonah’s head. For selfish reasons, Jonah cares about the vine, but he doesn’t care about a whole city of people in danger of being destroyed by God. God asks him this searching question, “Shouldn’t I be concerned about this great city filled with people who need my love?” We don’t hear Jonah’s answer. How would we answer? We might say, “Of course, God should be concerned about these people.” But are we? Do our lives ever reveal that we are more concerned about our own comfort than about telling people about Jesus? Do we let the differences that separate us from others keep us from sharing with them the news of the Savior who is for all? Do we let our lives get so filled up with our own busyness that we don’t have time to make sure our children are hearing God’s Word? God’s question for Jonah confronts us too. Let’s rejoice that God was concerned not only for the great city of Nineveh but for a world of sinners in every century and millennium in need of his mercy. His concern wouldn’t let him sit idly by. It caused him to send his Son, Jesus, to seek and save the lost, suffering and dying for sinners—for you, for me, for all. Because he did, we don’t have to fear death and hell. What amazing grace! May God’s love move us to act in loving concern for a world of people like us who need his amazing grace, too. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my selfishness with your amazing grace. Give me a heart like yours that wants all to be saved. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Olivia Jackson.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260924dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” Jonah 4:11 An Unanswered Question A good plot reveals a problem that needs a solution. Then, the rest of the story resolves that problem. Maybe you’ve watched a movie that doesn’t work that way. The final credits roll, and the plot seems unresolved. The problem remains, or the answer doesn’t seem complete. The question in todays’ Bible reading is from the last verse in the book of Jonah. God is speaking to his messenger Jonah. Jonah has complained that God is unfair for not destroying the wicked city of Nineveh. And he’s complained that God is unfair for letting a worm kill a vine that shaded Jonah’s head. For selfish reasons, Jonah cares about the vine, but he doesn’t care about a whole city of people in danger of being destroyed by God. God asks him this searching question, “Shouldn’t I be concerned about this great city filled with people who need my love?” We don’t hear Jonah’s answer. How would we answer? We might say, “Of course, God should be concerned about these people.” But are we? Do our lives ever reveal that we are more concerned about our own comfort than about telling people about Jesus? Do we let the differences that separate us from others keep us from sharing with them the news of the Savior who is for all? Do we let our lives get so filled up with our own busyness that we don’t have time to make sure our children are hearing God’s Word? God’s question for Jonah confronts us too. Let’s rejoice that God was concerned not only for the great city of Nineveh but for a world of sinners in every century and millennium in need of his mercy. His concern wouldn’t let him sit idly by. It caused him to send his Son, Jesus, to seek and save the lost, suffering and dying for sinners—for you, for me, for all. Because he did, we don’t have to fear death and hell. What amazing grace! May God’s love move us to act in loving concern for a world of people like us who need his amazing grace, too. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my selfishness with your amazing grace. Give me a heart like yours that wants all to be saved. 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.

In this Daily Devotion for September 24, 2026, Pastor David Balla walks through Psalm 81:13-15, a lament from God Himself, wishing His people would simply listen and receive what He was already offering freely. It was never a bargain requiring obedience first, but a gift refused only by stubbornness that chose something lesser instead.This devotion applies that same pattern to how people resist the good news today. God is not reluctantly offering salvation, waiting to see whether anyone will earn it first. In Christ, the gift is already fully prepared, already fully paid for, already fully offered. There we find true grace, forgiveness, and salvation, ready and available to anyone willing to receive it. Through His redemption we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Lord's Supper that same freely given gift is placed into our hands again, His true body and blood, for the forgiveness of sins.Hear this lament today as an invitation, not a complaint aimed at someone else. Whatever ways you have walked instead of His, God's wish over you remains the same. Everything you need is already His to give.Subscribe for weekly sermons and Daily Devotions.If this devotion has blessed you, consider supporting this ministry: https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphYou can also give directly at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphHashtags (5)#DailyDevotion #Lutheran #LCMS #BibleStudy #Christianity

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260923dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11 Amazing Grace for All Every day we get to choose how we will spend our time, our money, and our energy. Good time and money management often means deciding what matters most and putting those things first. When God asks, “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…?” it may seem like he is saying that, because Nineveh is a big city, it is worthy of my time and attention. But what if you don’t live in a big city? Or even if you do, how do you know if God is concerned about you? How do you know if God loves you? Listen to the rest of God’s question: “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” You see, God is concerned for the lowest of the low, with no qualities that make them worth saving and no ability to help themselves. And that’s exactly whom God loves. God is concerned about the young and old, rich and poor, the strong and the disabled, people of every culture and language. That’s good news, because it means he is concerned about you, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel. His concern for you led him to make you his top priority. He gave everything for you, including his only Son, so that, no matter who you are, you can know that you are loved, forgiven, and cherished. You can live confidently in that love and be sure that nothing will take his amazing grace away from you. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me, no matter how small I feel. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Mary Beth Giltner.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260923dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:11 Amazing Grace for All Every day we get to choose how we will spend our time, our money, and our energy. Good time and money management often means deciding what matters most and putting those things first. When God asks, “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…?” it may seem like he is saying that, because Nineveh is a big city, it is worthy of my time and attention. But what if you don’t live in a big city? Or even if you do, how do you know if God is concerned about you? How do you know if God loves you? Listen to the rest of God’s question: “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” You see, God is concerned for the lowest of the low, with no qualities that make them worth saving and no ability to help themselves. And that’s exactly whom God loves. God is concerned about the young and old, rich and poor, the strong and the disabled, people of every culture and language. That’s good news, because it means he is concerned about you, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel. His concern for you led him to make you his top priority. He gave everything for you, including his only Son, so that, no matter who you are, you can know that you are loved, forgiven, and cherished. You can live confidently in that love and be sure that nothing will take his amazing grace away from you. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me, no matter how small I feel. 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.

Send us Fan Mail→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enables Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new, we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/Support the show

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260922dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jonah] prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:2-3 Too Much Grace Jonah was a messenger God sent to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, cruelty, and immorality. Jonah’s message was, “God is going to destroy Nineveh because of your wickedness.” Jonah was from Israel, a nation that witnessed that wickedness firsthand. You would think he would be eager to go and tell them that God was going to destroy them. But instead, he ran the other way. After Jonah fled, was swallowed by a fish, and was spit out on the shore, he finally went where God told him to. And when he preached, something amazing happened. The people were sorry for what they did and prayed for God’s mercy. When he saw this, God decided not to destroy them. Instead, he had mercy on them. And Jonah’s reaction? “It’s not fair. I knew you weren’t going to punish them. That’s just the kind of gracious, compassionate God you are. You show too much grace.” Do we ever think like that? Wickedness spreads like an unstoppable virus. It infects our schools, our communities, even our families. We experience hatred and hurt from other people. And hatred grows in our hearts against them. We don’t want to forgive, and we don’t think God should either. But if God’s grace had limits, if there are things God won't or can’t forgive, will he forgive me for holding a grudge or harboring hatred in my heart? Will his grace reach the selfish corners of my heart that only God can see? Praise God that his grace is for all! It is never too much. It is just what we need. Because of God's grace, we are forgiven. That’s great news to hear and to share! Prayer: God, thank you for loving and forgiving me in your amazing 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.

Today's devotion is written by Leila Joy Castillo.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260922dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jonah] prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:2-3 Too Much Grace Jonah was a messenger God sent to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, cruelty, and immorality. Jonah’s message was, “God is going to destroy Nineveh because of your wickedness.” Jonah was from Israel, a nation that witnessed that wickedness firsthand. You would think he would be eager to go and tell them that God was going to destroy them. But instead, he ran the other way. After Jonah fled, was swallowed by a fish, and was spit out on the shore, he finally went where God told him to. And when he preached, something amazing happened. The people were sorry for what they did and prayed for God’s mercy. When he saw this, God decided not to destroy them. Instead, he had mercy on them. And Jonah’s reaction? “It’s not fair. I knew you weren’t going to punish them. That’s just the kind of gracious, compassionate God you are. You show too much grace.” Do we ever think like that? Wickedness spreads like an unstoppable virus. It infects our schools, our communities, even our families. We experience hatred and hurt from other people. And hatred grows in our hearts against them. We don’t want to forgive, and we don’t think God should either. But if God’s grace had limits, if there are things God won't or can’t forgive, will he forgive me for holding a grudge or harboring hatred in my heart? Will his grace reach the selfish corners of my heart that only God can see? Praise God that his grace is for all! It is never too much. It is just what we need. Because of God's grace, we are forgiven. That’s great news to hear and to share! Prayer: God, thank you for loving and forgiving me in your amazing 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/20260921dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. Psalm 115:2-4 He Does Whatever Pleases Him “Where is your God?” Those who deny God’s existence may taunt Christians with that question. “If what you call sin is bad, why doesn’t God do something about it? If your God is real, why doesn’t he help you when you are hurting or in trouble?” Maybe we struggle with the same questions. The writer of our Bible reading today asks an important question: “Why do the nations say, ‘Where is your God?'” Isn’t it because we think too highly of ourselves? We think we know better than God about how things should be. And so, we criticize God for failing to act or for acting in ways that don’t seem right. How foolish and arrogant! Our God is not absent or powerless. He is not unjust or uncaring. He’s in heaven, far above everything else we might put our trust in. He wasn’t made by human hands or invented by human imagination. And he does whatever pleases him. He doesn’t need to answer to us. The good news is that what pleases God is to have a relationship with the people he created. When that relationship is broken by our selfish disobedience, what pleases him is to restore that relationship by sending his Son to suffer in our place. What pleases him is to demonstrate amazing grace by showing mercy to every sinner for the sake of his Son. If God were limited in any way, if God operated according to what we think is right, we could only fear him. But instead, he is pleased to love, forgive, and restore. And nothing can stand in his way. Prayer: Gracious God, in all of life’s circumstances, I know that you will do what pleases you and bless me by your amazing grace. Help me to trust your loving care. 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.

Today's devotion is written by Debra Herbeck.