Podcasts about Zondervan

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260227dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 Who Will Win? Right in the middle of the wreckage, God speaks a promise. Adam and Eve have disobeyed. Trust is broken. Shame has entered the world. Everything good now feels fragile. And before the humans say a word—before they apologize, explain, or promise to do better—God talks to the serpent, “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” It’s a strange moment. God isn’t giving instructions. He’s declaring an outcome. This isn’t advice. It’s a verdict. Evil will not win. That promise matters because, if we're honest, it often feels like evil is winning. Sin feels strong. Guilt lingers. Death feels permanent. We see brokenness in the world and in ourselves, and we wonder if it's too deep to fix. We wonder if what's broken can really be made right. God's promise answers that question. Yes. And not because people improve, but because God intervenes. From the very beginning, God makes it clear that rescue will come from outside us. An offspring. A deliverer. Someone who will step into the fight we’re losing and win it for us. That promise runs like a thread through the entire Bible and leads directly to Jesus. When Jesus is nailed to the cross, it looks like the serpent has won. Jesus suffers. Jesus bleeds. Jesus dies. It looks final. But the cross is not defeat—it’s the decisive blow. Sin is paid for. God’s justice is satisfied. Satan’s accusation is silenced. And Jesus’ resurrection confirms it. The serpent struck Jesus’ heel, but Jesus crushed the serpent’s head. Death did its worst and still lost. That victory changes everything. It means your sin, real as it is, is not stronger than God’s grace. Your past, heavy as it may feel, does not define your future. Fear and guilt do not get the last word. Jesus does. Paradise was lost in a garden, but it was promised on a cross and procured at an empty tomb. God keeps his promises—even when everything seems broken. God’s answer is always bigger than our questions. Prayer: Lord God, thank you for keeping your promise to defeat sin, death, and the devil. When I feel overwhelmed by guilt or fear, remind me of Christ’s victory. Give me faith to trust in what Jesus has done for me and peace to live in the hope he has won. 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/20260226dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13 What Is This You Have Done? This question forces us to slow down and face reality. Sin isn’t just a mistake. It has consequences. It breaks trust. It damages relationships. It ripples outward in ways we don’t expect. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. We're not very different. We blame circumstances, upbringing, stress, or other people—anything to avoid the weight of responsibility. But excuses don’t heal what’s broken. God’s question isn’t meant to crush. It’s meant to confront. Because healing can’t happen without honesty. The Bible doesn’t minimize sin. But it also doesn’t leave us stuck in it. God names the problem so he can address it. And before humans ever ask for forgiveness, God promises a solution. That's the heart of the Christian message: God takes sin seriously—and he takes sinners seriously too. Instead of demanding that we fix ourselves, God steps in to do what we can’t. Jesus takes the consequences of sin on himself. The cross is where God’s justice and love meet. We don’t answer this question by pointing fingers. We answer it by looking to Jesus and saying, “Lord, have mercy.” And God does. Prayer: Lord, I admit that my sin has caused real damage. I confess that I often try to excuse myself instead of turning to you. Thank you for loving me enough to confront me—and for forgiving me through Jesus. Help me live in the freedom of 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/20260226dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:13 What Is This You Have Done? This question forces us to slow down and face reality. Sin isn’t just a mistake. It has consequences. It breaks trust. It damages relationships. It ripples outward in ways we don’t expect. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. We're not very different. We blame circumstances, upbringing, stress, or other people—anything to avoid the weight of responsibility. But excuses don’t heal what’s broken. God’s question isn’t meant to crush. It’s meant to confront. Because healing can’t happen without honesty. The Bible doesn’t minimize sin. But it also doesn’t leave us stuck in it. God names the problem so he can address it. And before humans ever ask for forgiveness, God promises a solution. That's the heart of the Christian message: God takes sin seriously—and he takes sinners seriously too. Instead of demanding that we fix ourselves, God steps in to do what we can’t. Jesus takes the consequences of sin on himself. The cross is where God’s justice and love meet. We don’t answer this question by pointing fingers. We answer it by looking to Jesus and saying, “Lord, have mercy.” And God does. Prayer: Lord, I admit that my sin has caused real damage. I confess that I often try to excuse myself instead of turning to you. Thank you for loving me enough to confront me—and for forgiving me through Jesus. Help me live in the freedom of 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/20260225dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:11 Who Told You That? Before sin, Adam and Eve had nothing to hide. After sin, they were suddenly aware of their flaws. Shame entered the picture, and with it came a new voice telling them, you are not enough. God’s question exposes something important: shame doesn’t come from God. God didn’t tell them they were worthless, broken, or beyond hope. Sin did that. The lies did that. Those same voices are still loud today. You’re not good enough. You’ve failed too badly. If people really knew you, they wouldn’t accept you. God couldn’t love someone like you. God asks, “Who told you that?” The world defines us by success, appearance, and performance. Our own hearts replay regrets and failures. But God defines us differently. He sees sinners worth saving. He sees broken people worth dying for. The truth is, we are more flawed than we want to admit—but more loved than we ever imagined. Jesus didn’t come for people who had it all together. He came for people weighed down by shame. On the cross, Jesus took not just our sins, but our disgrace. He was mocked, rejected, and exposed so that we could be covered with forgiveness. When God looks at those who trust in Jesus, he doesn’t see shame. He sees his beloved children. So when the voices rise—when shame tries to tell you who you are—listen instead to the God who asks, “Who told you that?” Then hear what he tells you instead: You are forgiven. You are loved. You are mine. Prayer: Father, I confess that I listen to voices of shame instead of your truth. Forgive me for believing lies about myself and about you. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and gives me a new identity. Help me believe what you say about 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.

Jesus Shares in the Divine Nature MESSAGE SUMMARY: In this powerful exploration of Jesus' identity, we delve into the profound High Priestly Prayer found in John 17. This prayer reveals Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet, but as one who shares in the divine nature with God the Father. We're challenged to consider: Who is Jesus to us personally? The prayer showcases Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, calling Him 'Father' over 160 times in the Gospels. This intimacy extends to us as believers, inviting us into the very fellowship of the Trinity. As we contemplate this, we're reminded that our unity as Christians is rooted in our union with God Himself. The prayer also reveals Jesus' eternal existence and His role in creation, emphasizing His divinity. This understanding transforms how we view the cross - not as a tragedy, but as our salvation. Let's reflect on how this deeper knowledge of Jesus' nature can impact our daily walk with Him and our relationships with others.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I press on toward His goal for me (Philippians 3:12f). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14) SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): James 1:21-25; John 17 (entire chapter); John 10:30; John 10:27-33; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:19; 2 Peter 1:4 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 5 – The Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260225dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:11 Who Told You That? Before sin, Adam and Eve had nothing to hide. After sin, they were suddenly aware of their flaws. Shame entered the picture, and with it came a new voice telling them, you are not enough. God’s question exposes something important: shame doesn’t come from God. God didn’t tell them they were worthless, broken, or beyond hope. Sin did that. The lies did that. Those same voices are still loud today. You’re not good enough. You’ve failed too badly. If people really knew you, they wouldn’t accept you. God couldn’t love someone like you. God asks, “Who told you that?” The world defines us by success, appearance, and performance. Our own hearts replay regrets and failures. But God defines us differently. He sees sinners worth saving. He sees broken people worth dying for. The truth is, we are more flawed than we want to admit—but more loved than we ever imagined. Jesus didn’t come for people who had it all together. He came for people weighed down by shame. On the cross, Jesus took not just our sins, but our disgrace. He was mocked, rejected, and exposed so that we could be covered with forgiveness. When God looks at those who trust in Jesus, he doesn’t see shame. He sees his beloved children. So when the voices rise—when shame tries to tell you who you are—listen instead to the God who asks, “Who told you that?” Then hear what he tells you instead: You are forgiven. You are loved. You are mine. Prayer: Father, I confess that I listen to voices of shame instead of your truth. Forgive me for believing lies about myself and about you. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and gives me a new identity. Help me believe what you say about 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/20260225dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:11 Who Told You That? Before sin, Adam and Eve had nothing to hide. After sin, they were suddenly aware of their flaws. Shame entered the picture, and with it came a new voice telling them, you are not enough. God’s question exposes something important: shame doesn’t come from God. God didn’t tell them they were worthless, broken, or beyond hope. Sin did that. The lies did that. Those same voices are still loud today. You’re not good enough. You’ve failed too badly. If people really knew you, they wouldn’t accept you. God couldn’t love someone like you. God asks, “Who told you that?” The world defines us by success, appearance, and performance. Our own hearts replay regrets and failures. But God defines us differently. He sees sinners worth saving. He sees broken people worth dying for. The truth is, we are more flawed than we want to admit—but more loved than we ever imagined. Jesus didn’t come for people who had it all together. He came for people weighed down by shame. On the cross, Jesus took not just our sins, but our disgrace. He was mocked, rejected, and exposed so that we could be covered with forgiveness. When God looks at those who trust in Jesus, he doesn’t see shame. He sees his beloved children. So when the voices rise—when shame tries to tell you who you are—listen instead to the God who asks, “Who told you that?” Then hear what he tells you instead: You are forgiven. You are loved. You are mine. Prayer: Father, I confess that I listen to voices of shame instead of your truth. Forgive me for believing lies about myself and about you. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and gives me a new identity. Help me believe what you say about 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/family-devotions/20260225fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 5:12-19 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17 Righteousness Is Unfair In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Is it fair to get in trouble for something someone else did? Most kids would say, “No way!” If your sibling breaks something, you shouldn't have to pay for it. If a stranger does something wrong, it wouldn't make sense for you to get punished instead. That's how many people think about sin too. They think: “Big sins should get big punishments.” “Small sins shouldn't matter as much.” “Surely lying isn't as bad as hurting someone.” But God looks at sin differently. The Bible teaches that even one sin breaks God's rules. Everyone has sinned—by thinking, saying, or doing things God tells us not to do. Even before we make our own choices, we are born with sin in our hearts. That sin has been passed down all the way from Adam and Eve. Because of Adam's sin, sin and death entered the world. That means everyone is guilty before God. That part might not feel good—but it is fair. But here's the surprising part. What's NOT fair is what God does next. Instead of giving us the punishment we deserve, God gives us a gift. He sends Jesus. Jesus never sinned—not even once. But on the cross, Jesus took all our sins and the punishment for them. God treated Jesus as guilty so he could treat us as forgiven. That's not fair. That's grace. Jesus gives us something amazing: his righteousness. That means God looks at you and sees Jesus' goodness instead of your sin. You didn't earn it. You don't deserve it. It's a free gift. Praise God for his unfair mercy! Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of righteousness that I did not earn, instead of punishment that I did earn. Thank you for Jesus, who took my sins and gave me new life. Help me share your love and mercy with others, just like you shared it with me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you think it's fair to pay for someone else's mistakes? Why or why not? How did Jesus pay for our mistakes? What did he do for us? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why does God say everyone has sinned—even if their sins seem different? What does it mean when God says we are “not guilty” because of Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you think of a time when someone forgave you or showed you mercy when you didn't deserve it? What is one way you can show God's undeserved love to someone else this week? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. 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/20260224dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 Where Are You? God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew they were hiding. He knew why they were afraid. So why ask the question? Because this wasn’t a question of location. It was a question of relationship. After sin entered the world, the first human instinct wasn’t confession—it was hiding. Shame does that. Guilt convinces us that if God really knew us, he wouldn’t want us. So, we hide behind excuses, distractions, or even religion. We stay busy. We avoid quiet moments. We tell ourselves we’ll deal with God later. But God doesn’t wait for sinners to come looking for him. He comes looking for them. “Where are you?” isn’t an angry shout. It’s a grieving invitation. God is saying, “Why are you hiding from the one who loves you?” Sin separates us from God, not because God stops loving us, but because fear replaces trust. That separation is something we can’t fix on our own. We can’t hide well enough, behave well enough, or promise to do better enough to restore what’s broken. That’s why God steps into our hiding place himself. In Jesus, God enters a world full of shame, fear, and brokenness. Jesus takes our guilt onto himself at the cross. He dies exposed, so we don’t have to hide anymore. He rises so that fear doesn’t get the final word. Christianity isn’t about working your way back to God. It’s about realizing God already came to you. If you’ve ever felt distant from God—because of regret, doubt, or failure—this question is for you: “Where are you?” Not to condemn you. But to bring you home. Prayer: God, I admit that I often hide from you when I’m afraid or ashamed. Thank you for seeking me instead of abandoning me. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and invites me back into your presence. Help me trust your grace and stop hiding. 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.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing. Jesus said, I AM the Main Thing! MESSAGE SUMMARY: Today, we delve into the profound mystery of the Holy Spirit and its vital role in our Christian walk. We're reminded that it's not just about having the Holy Spirit, but allowing the Spirit to have us - to lead and guide our lives. The message emphasizes three key sins against the Holy Spirit: grieving, quenching, and blaspheming. When we choose bitterness over love, or hold onto unforgiveness, we grieve the Spirit. Every time we sin, we quench the Spirit's flow in our lives. Yet, there's hope in confession, which reopens the floodgates of the Spirit's presence. This teaching challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we truly yielding to the Spirit's guidance? Are we living holy lives that honor God? It's a call to deeper surrender and a reminder of our constant need for the Spirit's empowering presence in our faith journey.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 5:19; John 14:19; John 8:51; John 11:25; Exodus 3:14; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 3:20 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 5 – The Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260224dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 Where Are You? God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew they were hiding. He knew why they were afraid. So why ask the question? Because this wasn’t a question of location. It was a question of relationship. After sin entered the world, the first human instinct wasn’t confession—it was hiding. Shame does that. Guilt convinces us that if God really knew us, he wouldn’t want us. So, we hide behind excuses, distractions, or even religion. We stay busy. We avoid quiet moments. We tell ourselves we’ll deal with God later. But God doesn’t wait for sinners to come looking for him. He comes looking for them. “Where are you?” isn’t an angry shout. It’s a grieving invitation. God is saying, “Why are you hiding from the one who loves you?” Sin separates us from God, not because God stops loving us, but because fear replaces trust. That separation is something we can’t fix on our own. We can’t hide well enough, behave well enough, or promise to do better enough to restore what’s broken. That’s why God steps into our hiding place himself. In Jesus, God enters a world full of shame, fear, and brokenness. Jesus takes our guilt onto himself at the cross. He dies exposed, so we don’t have to hide anymore. He rises so that fear doesn’t get the final word. Christianity isn’t about working your way back to God. It’s about realizing God already came to you. If you’ve ever felt distant from God—because of regret, doubt, or failure—this question is for you: “Where are you?” Not to condemn you. But to bring you home. Prayer: God, I admit that I often hide from you when I’m afraid or ashamed. Thank you for seeking me instead of abandoning me. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and invites me back into your presence. Help me trust your grace and stop hiding. 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/20260224dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 Where Are You? God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew they were hiding. He knew why they were afraid. So why ask the question? Because this wasn’t a question of location. It was a question of relationship. After sin entered the world, the first human instinct wasn’t confession—it was hiding. Shame does that. Guilt convinces us that if God really knew us, he wouldn’t want us. So, we hide behind excuses, distractions, or even religion. We stay busy. We avoid quiet moments. We tell ourselves we’ll deal with God later. But God doesn’t wait for sinners to come looking for him. He comes looking for them. “Where are you?” isn’t an angry shout. It’s a grieving invitation. God is saying, “Why are you hiding from the one who loves you?” Sin separates us from God, not because God stops loving us, but because fear replaces trust. That separation is something we can’t fix on our own. We can’t hide well enough, behave well enough, or promise to do better enough to restore what’s broken. That’s why God steps into our hiding place himself. In Jesus, God enters a world full of shame, fear, and brokenness. Jesus takes our guilt onto himself at the cross. He dies exposed, so we don’t have to hide anymore. He rises so that fear doesn’t get the final word. Christianity isn’t about working your way back to God. It’s about realizing God already came to you. If you’ve ever felt distant from God—because of regret, doubt, or failure—this question is for you: “Where are you?” Not to condemn you. But to bring you home. Prayer: God, I admit that I often hide from you when I’m afraid or ashamed. Thank you for seeking me instead of abandoning me. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and invites me back into your presence. Help me trust your grace and stop hiding. 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/20260223dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Did God Really Say? The question sounds innocent enough. Almost helpful. “Did God really say…?” It doesn’t sound like rebellion. It sounds like curiosity. Like someone double-checking the fine print. That’s how temptation often works. Rather than kicking the door down. It knocks politely. The serpent doesn’t start by denying God. He starts by reframing God. He takes something God said clearly and bends it just enough to make God seem unreasonable. Restrictive. Suspicious. Suddenly, the problem isn’t disobedience—it’s whether God can be trusted at all. That question still works today. “Did God really say that… about sex? About money? About forgiveness?” “Would a loving God really care?” “Isn’t that a little outdated?” The doubt sounds modern and thoughtful. But underneath it is the same old lie: God might not be as good as he says he is. And if we're honest, we’ve listened. We’ve assumed we know better. We’ve trusted our instincts more than God’s Word. And the result hasn’t been freedom. It’s been guilt, broken relationships, and a quiet sense that something isn’t right. That’s what sin does. It promises more and delivers less. What’s striking is what God does next. He doesn’t disappear. He doesn’t give up on humanity because they doubted him. Instead, he keeps speaking. He keeps acting. He keeps moving toward the people who just moved away from him. The entire Bible is God answering the serpent’s question. And the clearest answer is Jesus. Jesus shows us what God is really like. He doesn’t withhold good—he gives himself. He doesn’t manipulate—he sacrifices. At the cross, God proves once and for all that he is not holding out on us. He's giving everything to rescue us. So, when you hear that question—Did God really say? —listen closely to God’s answer. The answer is, ‘Yes.’ He really does say, “You can trust me.” Prayer: Lord God, I confess how easily I doubt your Word and goodness. Forgive me for trusting myself more than you. Thank you for showing me your heart through Jesus. Help me trust what you say and rest in what you have done for 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.

Status, Power, Influence, Like Refuse Paul Threw It All Out MESSAGE SUMMARY: What are we truly aiming for in life? This powerful message challenges us to examine our ultimate goals and purpose. Drawing from Philippians 3:7-15, we're invited to reflect on the Apostle Paul's radical transformation - from chasing earthly accolades to pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul's journey reminds us that success without Christ isn't true success at all. The message encourages us to shift our focus from temporary achievements to lasting transformation, emphasizing that our identity should be rooted in our relationship with Jesus, not in our accomplishments or status. As we contemplate our own lives, we're urged to consider: are we striving for Christ-centered righteousness or merely following religious rules? This introspection can lead us to a deeper, more purposeful faith journey.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Philippians 3:7-15 (main passage); Philippians 3:4-6; Acts 9 (Paul's conversion); Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260223dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Did God Really Say? The question sounds innocent enough. Almost helpful. “Did God really say…?” It doesn’t sound like rebellion. It sounds like curiosity. Like someone double-checking the fine print. That’s how temptation often works. Rather than kicking the door down. It knocks politely. The serpent doesn’t start by denying God. He starts by reframing God. He takes something God said clearly and bends it just enough to make God seem unreasonable. Restrictive. Suspicious. Suddenly, the problem isn’t disobedience—it’s whether God can be trusted at all. That question still works today. “Did God really say that… about sex? About money? About forgiveness?” “Would a loving God really care?” “Isn’t that a little outdated?” The doubt sounds modern and thoughtful. But underneath it is the same old lie: God might not be as good as he says he is. And if we're honest, we’ve listened. We’ve assumed we know better. We’ve trusted our instincts more than God’s Word. And the result hasn’t been freedom. It’s been guilt, broken relationships, and a quiet sense that something isn’t right. That’s what sin does. It promises more and delivers less. What’s striking is what God does next. He doesn’t disappear. He doesn’t give up on humanity because they doubted him. Instead, he keeps speaking. He keeps acting. He keeps moving toward the people who just moved away from him. The entire Bible is God answering the serpent’s question. And the clearest answer is Jesus. Jesus shows us what God is really like. He doesn’t withhold good—he gives himself. He doesn’t manipulate—he sacrifices. At the cross, God proves once and for all that he is not holding out on us. He's giving everything to rescue us. So, when you hear that question—Did God really say? —listen closely to God’s answer. The answer is, ‘Yes.’ He really does say, “You can trust me.” Prayer: Lord God, I confess how easily I doubt your Word and goodness. Forgive me for trusting myself more than you. Thank you for showing me your heart through Jesus. Help me trust what you say and rest in what you have done for 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/20260223dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Did God Really Say? The question sounds innocent enough. Almost helpful. “Did God really say…?” It doesn’t sound like rebellion. It sounds like curiosity. Like someone double-checking the fine print. That’s how temptation often works. Rather than kicking the door down. It knocks politely. The serpent doesn’t start by denying God. He starts by reframing God. He takes something God said clearly and bends it just enough to make God seem unreasonable. Restrictive. Suspicious. Suddenly, the problem isn’t disobedience—it’s whether God can be trusted at all. That question still works today. “Did God really say that… about sex? About money? About forgiveness?” “Would a loving God really care?” “Isn’t that a little outdated?” The doubt sounds modern and thoughtful. But underneath it is the same old lie: God might not be as good as he says he is. And if we're honest, we’ve listened. We’ve assumed we know better. We’ve trusted our instincts more than God’s Word. And the result hasn’t been freedom. It’s been guilt, broken relationships, and a quiet sense that something isn’t right. That’s what sin does. It promises more and delivers less. What’s striking is what God does next. He doesn’t disappear. He doesn’t give up on humanity because they doubted him. Instead, he keeps speaking. He keeps acting. He keeps moving toward the people who just moved away from him. The entire Bible is God answering the serpent’s question. And the clearest answer is Jesus. Jesus shows us what God is really like. He doesn’t withhold good—he gives himself. He doesn’t manipulate—he sacrifices. At the cross, God proves once and for all that he is not holding out on us. He's giving everything to rescue us. So, when you hear that question—Did God really say? —listen closely to God’s answer. The answer is, ‘Yes.’ He really does say, “You can trust me.” Prayer: Lord God, I confess how easily I doubt your Word and goodness. Forgive me for trusting myself more than you. Thank you for showing me your heart through Jesus. Help me trust what you say and rest in what you have done for 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.

Special thanks to Undeceptions Season 16 major sponsor Zondervan Academic. In pop culture, we often enjoy watching - or reading - vice and virtue play out, with the former often far more exciting than the latter.But what about real life? Do we still find vice “sizzling” (as one writer described it), and virtue stale?At the heart of this lies a much deeper question: What good is there in pursuing the good?CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko is our North American representative, a contact point for church pastors who are interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions.  Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love. Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out Undeceptions sponsors: Zondervan AcademicAnglican AidSelah Travel 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260222dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The tempter came to [Jesus] and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:2-4 Temptations We don’t know how many temptations the devil flung at Jesus in the wilderness. But both Matthew and Luke record three. First, we see the devil picking up exactly where he left off with Adam. Even the three temptations that are mentioned are echoes of the way the devil had once tempted Eve: “The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food” (Genesis 3:6). Now the devil pricks at Jesus’ need for food by tempting him to command “stones to become bread.” Perhaps Jesus’ hunger was the most obvious weak spot to begin with. But rather than listen to his stomach, Jesus listened to God’s Word. And although Jesus is truly God, he didn’t speak a new Word. He simply used what had already been written through Moses, “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Food isn’t the only important thing we need, nor should it be at top of the list. A person who starves but who has faith in Jesus will live forever. But a person with a full stomach and no faith will die in eternal torment. When we focus on God through his Word, God promises to bless us. Few of us know someone who is genuinely starving for food. Do you know people who are starving for the Word? Feed them! Prayer: Lord God, increase my spiritual appetite for your Word and satisfy my hunger with its promises and blessings. Help me see opportunities to share the bounty of your Word with others that many more may be fed and filled with the abundance of its 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.

At Jesus' Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Veil” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Think about the magnitude of your direct and personal access to God that your prayers give you, through Jesus, if you will only pray. Before Jesus, ordinary people did not have direct access to God, through the Throne Room of God, with a direct personal relationship with God. In Old Testament times, people would come to the priests; and the priest would offer up a sacrifice on behalf of the people. The priests, and not the people, were communing directly with God. On Good Friday and at Jesus death on the cross, the “Temple Veil” was torn from top to bottom (i.e. “Temple Vail” was a large, very thick, and very heavy barrier that divided that portion of the Temple accessible by those wishing to sacrifice for prayer and the “Holy of Holies” where the only the High Priest could meet with God and pray on behalf of the people of God.). At Jesus Resurrection, no longer was an intermediary (e.g., a Priest) required for direct prayer with God by the people in Christ (i.e. Jesus Followers).  Because Jesus created a New Covenant relationship with His followers, now your prayers are in direct communion with God, the Creator of the Universe. Everyone, who is in Christ, may have access to the Throne Room of God in the name of Jesus. What a privilege this direct access to God is for those who are in Christ. The author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 4:16, tells Jesus Followers that, because of the Gospel, you have direct access to God's “throne of Grace” for your needs: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:1-13; John 15:9-10; Revelation 4:1-2; Psalms 69c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 5 – The Holy Spirit” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260222dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The tempter came to [Jesus] and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:2-4 Temptations We don’t know how many temptations the devil flung at Jesus in the wilderness. But both Matthew and Luke record three. First, we see the devil picking up exactly where he left off with Adam. Even the three temptations that are mentioned are echoes of the way the devil had once tempted Eve: “The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food” (Genesis 3:6). Now the devil pricks at Jesus’ need for food by tempting him to command “stones to become bread.” Perhaps Jesus’ hunger was the most obvious weak spot to begin with. But rather than listen to his stomach, Jesus listened to God’s Word. And although Jesus is truly God, he didn’t speak a new Word. He simply used what had already been written through Moses, “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Food isn’t the only important thing we need, nor should it be at top of the list. A person who starves but who has faith in Jesus will live forever. But a person with a full stomach and no faith will die in eternal torment. When we focus on God through his Word, God promises to bless us. Few of us know someone who is genuinely starving for food. Do you know people who are starving for the Word? Feed them! Prayer: Lord God, increase my spiritual appetite for your Word and satisfy my hunger with its promises and blessings. Help me see opportunities to share the bounty of your Word with others that many more may be fed and filled with the abundance of its 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.

Essentials Part 5 – The Holy Spirit MESSAGE SUMMARY: In this powerful message, we're reminded of the essential role of the Holy Spirit in our Christian faith. The Holy Spirit isn't just a concept, but a divine person - equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ. We learn that the Spirit was active in Jesus' life, from His conception to His resurrection, and continues to work in believers today. The message challenges us to consider: does the Holy Spirit have us? Are we allowing Him to lead our lives? By understanding the Spirit's work in convicting us of sin, regenerating our hearts, and producing spiritual fruit, we're encouraged to yield ourselves more fully to His guidance. This teaching invites us to reflect on how we might be grieving or quenching the Spirit in our lives, urging us to confess our sins and live in alignment with God's will. As we contemplate these truths, we're called to a deeper, more Spirit-filled walk with God.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Genesis 1:2 (alluded to); Psalm 139:7-10; Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Hebrews 9:14 (mentioned but not quoted); John 4:24 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “At Jesus' Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Veil” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260222dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The tempter came to [Jesus] and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:2-4 Temptations We don’t know how many temptations the devil flung at Jesus in the wilderness. But both Matthew and Luke record three. First, we see the devil picking up exactly where he left off with Adam. Even the three temptations that are mentioned are echoes of the way the devil had once tempted Eve: “The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food” (Genesis 3:6). Now the devil pricks at Jesus’ need for food by tempting him to command “stones to become bread.” Perhaps Jesus’ hunger was the most obvious weak spot to begin with. But rather than listen to his stomach, Jesus listened to God’s Word. And although Jesus is truly God, he didn’t speak a new Word. He simply used what had already been written through Moses, “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Food isn’t the only important thing we need, nor should it be at top of the list. A person who starves but who has faith in Jesus will live forever. But a person with a full stomach and no faith will die in eternal torment. When we focus on God through his Word, God promises to bless us. Few of us know someone who is genuinely starving for food. Do you know people who are starving for the Word? Feed them! Prayer: Lord God, increase my spiritual appetite for your Word and satisfy my hunger with its promises and blessings. Help me see opportunities to share the bounty of your Word with others that many more may be fed and filled with the abundance of its 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/20260221dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11 God invites Us to His Dinner Party Imagine that you’ve been invited to a dinner party. The menu has things that you enjoy. Also, the time and the date work for you. But then you come to realize that you don't know anyone else who’s been invited to the party, and you have absolutely nothing in common with the people who are going. Would you still be as excited to go? I’d guess most of us wouldn’t be as excited. After all, what really makes a party fun is being with people we know and enjoy. Can you imagine a dinner party with God? It’s hard to imagine! And at first glance, it’s probably a scary thought. After all, God is perfect, holy, and eternal; we’re sinners. What in the world do we have in common with God, or he with us? And yet God chooses to invite us to his dinner party. God chooses to socialize with us. We read in today’s Bible verses of how he allowed the leaders and elders of Israel to dine in his presence. What an experience! He did it in an even more wondrous measure when Jesus came to this world and lived our human life. He continues to do it today, promising that he’s with us always, to the very end of time. And he’s preparing a place for us at the eternal “banquet feast” in heaven. But why would God want ME at his party? I’m a sinner! Ah, true. But Jesus lived, died, and rose, thereby paying for your sins in full. And so, you’re a welcome guest through Jesus. What a wonderful party it will be! Prayer: Savior Jesus, thank you for inviting me to the party, the eternal party. Fill me with longing for the day you take me there. 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.

Do You Believe that “He {God} gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”? MESSAGE SUMMARY:  You have got to believe; but until you get your thinking right, your life will not change – you have got to believe! It is hard for some people, today, to believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus celebrated on Christmas day. Ok, just start where you are in what you believe. Can you believe that you are a sinner? Can you believe that you are not perfect? Can you believe that you have violated God's laws? Despite this life background, can you believe that God loves you just as you now are? Can you believe that God sent His Only Son, Jesus, to save all that believe in Him so that you would not perish but have eternal life? Maybe this is where you start in believing in the miraculous birth of Jesus; you need to start where you are. Jesus' life was defined by His death on the cross and by His resurrection, thereby, living up to the translation of His name, Jesus – “Salvation”. The Apostle John succinctly summarized the purpose of Jesus birth in John3:16-17: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will seek God's perspective on my situation. For I know that in all things God works together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. From Romans 8:28 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Luke 1:27-38; Luke 2:1-22; John 20:27-29; Psalms 69b:13-24. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260221dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11 God invites Us to His Dinner Party Imagine that you’ve been invited to a dinner party. The menu has things that you enjoy. Also, the time and the date work for you. But then you come to realize that you don't know anyone else who’s been invited to the party, and you have absolutely nothing in common with the people who are going. Would you still be as excited to go? I’d guess most of us wouldn’t be as excited. After all, what really makes a party fun is being with people we know and enjoy. Can you imagine a dinner party with God? It’s hard to imagine! And at first glance, it’s probably a scary thought. After all, God is perfect, holy, and eternal; we’re sinners. What in the world do we have in common with God, or he with us? And yet God chooses to invite us to his dinner party. God chooses to socialize with us. We read in today’s Bible verses of how he allowed the leaders and elders of Israel to dine in his presence. What an experience! He did it in an even more wondrous measure when Jesus came to this world and lived our human life. He continues to do it today, promising that he’s with us always, to the very end of time. And he’s preparing a place for us at the eternal “banquet feast” in heaven. But why would God want ME at his party? I’m a sinner! Ah, true. But Jesus lived, died, and rose, thereby paying for your sins in full. And so, you’re a welcome guest through Jesus. What a wonderful party it will be! Prayer: Savior Jesus, thank you for inviting me to the party, the eternal party. Fill me with longing for the day you take me there. 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/20260221dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11 God invites Us to His Dinner Party Imagine that you’ve been invited to a dinner party. The menu has things that you enjoy. Also, the time and the date work for you. But then you come to realize that you don't know anyone else who’s been invited to the party, and you have absolutely nothing in common with the people who are going. Would you still be as excited to go? I’d guess most of us wouldn’t be as excited. After all, what really makes a party fun is being with people we know and enjoy. Can you imagine a dinner party with God? It’s hard to imagine! And at first glance, it’s probably a scary thought. After all, God is perfect, holy, and eternal; we’re sinners. What in the world do we have in common with God, or he with us? And yet God chooses to invite us to his dinner party. God chooses to socialize with us. We read in today’s Bible verses of how he allowed the leaders and elders of Israel to dine in his presence. What an experience! He did it in an even more wondrous measure when Jesus came to this world and lived our human life. He continues to do it today, promising that he’s with us always, to the very end of time. And he’s preparing a place for us at the eternal “banquet feast” in heaven. But why would God want ME at his party? I’m a sinner! Ah, true. But Jesus lived, died, and rose, thereby paying for your sins in full. And so, you’re a welcome guest through Jesus. What a wonderful party it will be! Prayer: Savior Jesus, thank you for inviting me to the party, the eternal party. Fill me with longing for the day you take me there. 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/20260220dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 Faith Rooted in Fact People sometimes speak about Christianity as if it’s a comforting legend. It’s nice, meaningful, and inspiring, but not necessarily true. Like a story you tell children at bedtime. Or like something people invented long ago to explain life and ease fear. But Peter wouldn’t let anyone talk that way about Jesus. He says clearly: “We did not follow cleverly devised stories.” In other words, “This wasn't a made-up tale. We weren’t passing along rumors or religious myths. We were there.” Peter and the disciples personally saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain. They heard the voice from heaven declare: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” That moment wasn't imagination or metaphor. It happened in real time, in real history, before real eyewitnesses. And Peter was willing to stake everything on it. He didn’t benefit from telling that story. He wasn’t paid or celebrated. He was opposed, imprisoned, beaten, and eventually killed for proclaiming what he had seen and heard. That’s what makes the Christian faith so different from mere “belief systems.” Christianity doesn’t begin with people reaching up to God through feelings or philosophy. It begins with God stepping down into our world so that we could know him in truth. So, when guilt weighs on your heart, or suffering raises questions, or doubt whispers that it’s all too good to be true, remember this: your faith rests on something that happened. Not clever stories, but eyewitness truth. And the Jesus they saw is the same Jesus who still reigns in power and still calls you his own. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that my faith is grounded in truth, not imagination. Strengthen my heart with your Word and help me trust what you have done for 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.

Not Righteous Professing Christians Are "Whitewashed Tombstones" - Pretty on the Outside but Dead on the Inside MESSAGE SUMMARY: A righteousness, that comes from your being in communion with the Holy Spirit, is not like a professing Christian who is really just a "whitewashed tombstone" -- pretty on the outside but dead on the inside. Rather, followers of Jesus are called to live righteous lives, as we are instructed by the Psalmist in Psalms 37:39: “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.". Also, Paul tells us in Romans 1:17: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'”. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells us, as His followers, that: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.". In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us, as His followers, that we are different and blessed; and these blessings flow from your living a righteous life in Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to create in you a clean and pure heart.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I acknowledge that I prefer to ignore and deny my pain and loss. I struggle with seeing how resurrection life can come out of death. Grant me the courage to pay attention to what you are doing, and to wait on you — even when everything in me wants to run away. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 114). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Inconsistencies. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Faithfulness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 5:1-48; Romans 1:17; Romans 2:13; Psalms 70a:1-12. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260220dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 Faith Rooted in Fact People sometimes speak about Christianity as if it’s a comforting legend. It’s nice, meaningful, and inspiring, but not necessarily true. Like a story you tell children at bedtime. Or like something people invented long ago to explain life and ease fear. But Peter wouldn’t let anyone talk that way about Jesus. He says clearly: “We did not follow cleverly devised stories.” In other words, “This wasn't a made-up tale. We weren’t passing along rumors or religious myths. We were there.” Peter and the disciples personally saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain. They heard the voice from heaven declare: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” That moment wasn’t imagination or metaphor. It happened in real time, in real history, before real eyewitnesses. And Peter was willing to stake everything on it. He didn’t benefit from telling that story. He wasn’t paid or celebrated. He was opposed, imprisoned, beaten, and eventually killed for proclaiming what he had seen and heard. That’s what makes the Christian faith so different from mere “belief systems.” Christianity doesn’t begin with people reaching up to God through feelings or philosophy. It begins with God stepping down into our world so that we could know him in truth. So, when guilt weighs on your heart, or suffering raises questions, or doubt whispers that it’s all too good to be true, remember this: your faith rests on something that happened. Not clever stories, but eyewitness truth. And the Jesus they saw is the same Jesus who still reigns in power and still calls you his own. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that my faith is grounded in truth, not imagination. Strengthen my heart with your Word and help me trust what you have done for 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.

Watch the Devotion Based on Genesis 3:15; Matthew 4:1–11 The Champion Who Fought for You At the time of this recording one of our US Navy carrier strike groups has positioned itself in the Middle East. The purpose of this mission is to strengthen alliances, deter aggression from our near peer competitors and provide rapid response in the region. In a situation like this, you don't send just anyone into a fight. You send people who are trained, tested, and capable of winning—and you give them the equipment to win. Because the outcome affects everyone else. When the mission is critical, you need champions. Right after the fall into sin, God promised a champion. In Genesis 3:15, the LORD spoke to the serpent and said that the offspring of the woman would crush his head. That was a battlefield promise. Evil would not have the final word. A champion was coming. Fast forward to the wilderness on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Jesus, newly baptized, is led into combat—not against flesh and blood, but against the devil himself. Forty days, no food, complete weakness. This is not a fair fight by human standards. And that's the point. Where Adam fell in a perfect garden, Jesus stands firm in a barren wasteland. Where Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus holds the line. The devil attacks the way he always does—by twisting God's Word, questioning God's care, and offering shortcuts to glory without suffering or the cross. And Jesus doesn't argue. He doesn't negotiate. He answers every assault with, “It is written.” Jesus fights with the Word of God. This isn't just an example for you to follow. This is a victory Jesus wins for you. Jesus goes into this fight as your substitute. He resists temptation in your place. He defeats the devil on your behalf. The serpent strikes, but Christ stands. The head is crushed, just as God promised. The champion has won. That matters for you. Because you still face temptation. A war fighter on deployment reached out to me asking for prayers to fight against the sins of lust and coveting, and laziness with the Word of God. You will still feel weakness. You may lose battles. But your salvation does not rest on your performance. It rests on Christ's victory. In your baptism, his win becomes yours. His obedience covers your failure. His triumph silences the accuser. The devil can still harass, but he cannot condemn. His head is crushed. So, when the fight is fierce, when the pressure is heavy, remember this: the battle that decided your eternity is already over. Your champion stands victorious, and he stands for you. Prayer: Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil's temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan's lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. 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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260220dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 Faith Rooted in Fact People sometimes speak about Christianity as if it’s a comforting legend. It’s nice, meaningful, and inspiring, but not necessarily true. Like a story you tell children at bedtime. Or like something people invented long ago to explain life and ease fear. But Peter wouldn’t let anyone talk that way about Jesus. He says clearly: “We did not follow cleverly devised stories.” In other words, “This wasn't a made-up tale. We weren’t passing along rumors or religious myths. We were there.” Peter and the disciples personally saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain. They heard the voice from heaven declare: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” That moment wasn’t imagination or metaphor. It happened in real time, in real history, before real eyewitnesses. And Peter was willing to stake everything on it. He didn’t benefit from telling that story. He wasn’t paid or celebrated. He was opposed, imprisoned, beaten, and eventually killed for proclaiming what he had seen and heard. That’s what makes the Christian faith so different from mere “belief systems.” Christianity doesn’t begin with people reaching up to God through feelings or philosophy. It begins with God stepping down into our world so that we could know him in truth. So, when guilt weighs on your heart, or suffering raises questions, or doubt whispers that it’s all too good to be true, remember this: your faith rests on something that happened. Not clever stories, but eyewitness truth. And the Jesus they saw is the same Jesus who still reigns in power and still calls you his own. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that my faith is grounded in truth, not imagination. Strengthen my heart with your Word and help me trust what you have done for 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/20260219dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 Listen to Him Peter was talking. He was excited. He was making plans. He was telling Jesus what he thought should happen next. And then God interrupted him. Matthew says, “While he was still speaking…” Before Peter could finish, God the Father spoke from a bright cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love… Listen to him!” We need that interruption, too, because we’re good at talking. Good at planning. Good at deciding what we think God should do. But God doesn’t tell you to listen to yourself. He tells you to listen to Jesus. I met with someone recently who told me he hadn't been to church in a long time. Then he added, “But it’s okay. I pray twice a day.” I told him I was glad he prays. That’s a good thing. But then I asked him a question he hadn’t considered: “When do you make time to listen to Jesus?” Because prayer is talking to God. But God’s Word is how God talks to you. Listen when life is going well. Listen when it isn’t. Listen when you’re calm. Listen when you’re anxious. Listen when you don’t know what to do because Jesus doesn’t just give advice. He gives promises. He says you are forgiven and that God is with you. He says death won’t win, and eternal life is yours. So, if you feel pulled in ten directions today, start here: Listen to him. Prayer: Father, quiet my heart and my mind. Help me listen to Jesus and trust his promises, especially when life is hard. 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.

God Is Your Heavenly Father; and You Can Speak to Him, in Prayer, as if He Were Your Earthly Father MESSAGE SUMMARY: God is your Heavenly Father and the Creator of the Universe; however, you can talk to Him as your father, and remember that He loves you. Imagine climbing up into His lap and imagine Him wrapping His arms around you – He is God your loving father. As God tells you in 2 Samuel 7:14-15: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.". You need to start talking to God as the best dad there could ever be. Talk to Him about your life; your concerns; and your needs. You need to ask God for His counsel, and you need to ask Him questions regarding His will for your life.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Inadequacy. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Abundance. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:7-15; Colossians 1:2-3;2 Corinthians 6:18; Psalms 69a:1-12. WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260219dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 Listen to Him Peter was talking. He was excited. He was making plans. He was telling Jesus what he thought should happen next. And then God interrupted him. Matthew says, “While he was still speaking…” Before Peter could finish, God the Father spoke from a bright cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love… Listen to him!” We need that interruption, too, because we’re good at talking. Good at planning. Good at deciding what we think God should do. But God doesn’t tell you to listen to yourself. He tells you to listen to Jesus. I met with someone recently who told me he hadn't been to church in a long time. Then he added, “But it’s okay. I pray twice a day.” I told him I was glad he prays. That’s a good thing. But then I asked him a question he hadn’t considered: “When do you make time to listen to Jesus?” Because prayer is talking to God. But God’s Word is how God talks to you. Listen when life is going well. Listen when it isn’t. Listen when you’re calm. Listen when you’re anxious. Listen when you don’t know what to do because Jesus doesn’t just give advice. He gives promises. He says you are forgiven and that God is with you. He says death won’t win, and eternal life is yours. So, if you feel pulled in ten directions today, start here: Listen to him. Prayer: Father, quiet my heart and my mind. Help me listen to Jesus and trust his promises, especially when life is hard. 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/20260219dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 Listen to Him Peter was talking. He was excited. He was making plans. He was telling Jesus what he thought should happen next. And then God interrupted him. Matthew says, “While he was still speaking…” Before Peter could finish, God the Father spoke from a bright cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love… Listen to him!” We need that interruption, too, because we’re good at talking. Good at planning. Good at deciding what we think God should do. But God doesn’t tell you to listen to yourself. He tells you to listen to Jesus. I met with someone recently who told me he hadn't been to church in a long time. Then he added, “But it’s okay. I pray twice a day.” I told him I was glad he prays. That’s a good thing. But then I asked him a question he hadn’t considered: “When do you make time to listen to Jesus?” Because prayer is talking to God. But God’s Word is how God talks to you. Listen when life is going well. Listen when it isn’t. Listen when you’re calm. Listen when you’re anxious. Listen when you don’t know what to do because Jesus doesn’t just give advice. He gives promises. He says you are forgiven and that God is with you. He says death won’t win, and eternal life is yours. So, if you feel pulled in ten directions today, start here: Listen to him. Prayer: Father, quiet my heart and my mind. Help me listen to Jesus and trust his promises, especially when life is hard. 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/20260218dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 17:6-7 Ashes and Hope Today, the season called Lent begins. Lent is the forty-day journey leading up to Easter. It’s a season when Christians slow down and focus on why Jesus came. We examine why he suffered, why he died, and why he rose again. Lent starts with a day called Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday reminds us of something we don’t like to think about. That we are dust. And to dust we will return. That sounds grim. And it is. But it’s also honest. Jesus’ three disciples had an honest moment, too. When they heard God’s voice on the mountain, they fell facedown, terrified. They couldn’t handle it. And then Matthew gives us one of the most comforting sentences in the Bible: “But Jesus came and touched them.” Jesus didn't stay far away. He didn't wait for them to get brave. He came close. And he said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” That’s what Lent is about. It’s not about you proving yourself to God. It’s about Jesus coming close to you. And then Jesus did something even bigger. He came down from the mountain because he had another hill to climb. A cross to carry. He went there for sinners. For weak people. For dust-people like us. Ash Wednesday reminds you that you will die. But Jesus reminds you he died and rose again for you. So, the ashes aren’t the end of your story. Jesus is. Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this Ash Wednesday, remind me that I am dust, but I am not forgotten. You came close, you carried my sin, and you defeated death. Give me hope in your unfailing promises. 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 Messenger of the {New} Covenant {Jesus} Is Coming – Is He Coming to Purify You or to Judge You? MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people, in God's Judgment articulated in Malachi 3:5, are the people of God. These people are not the unbelievers; these are the people that say they are following God. Malachi 3:5, articulates those transgressions, including the absence of a “fear of the lord”, in which God: “will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.” To this end, Paul reminds us again in Romans 2:4-5 of a pathway to or away from God's Judgment: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Additionally, in Proverbs 1:7 we find that the “fear of the Lord” provides us with “wisdom”. On the other hand and in the absence of our “fear of the Lord”, Proverbs 1:7 tells us that we are “foolish”: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”. The messenger of the Covenant is coming – He is coming to either purify you or to judge you.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I want to know Him better (Philippians 3:10). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Exodus 19:5-6; Romans 11:25-32; Mark 14:22-25; Psalms 67b:13-24. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260218dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 17:6-7 Ashes and Hope Today, the season called Lent begins. Lent is the forty-day journey leading up to Easter. It’s a season when Christians slow down and focus on why Jesus came. We examine why he suffered, why he died, and why he rose again. Lent starts with a day called Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday reminds us of something we don’t like to think about. That we are dust. And to dust we will return. That sounds grim. And it is. But it’s also honest. Jesus’ three disciples had an honest moment, too. When they heard God’s voice on the mountain, they fell facedown, terrified. They couldn’t handle it. And then Matthew gives us one of the most comforting sentences in the Bible: “But Jesus came and touched them.” Jesus didn't stay far away. He didn't wait for them to get brave. He came close. And he said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” That’s what Lent is about. It’s not about you proving yourself to God. It’s about Jesus coming close to you. And then Jesus did something even bigger. He came down from the mountain because he had another hill to climb. A cross to carry. He went there for sinners. For weak people. For dust-people like us. Ash Wednesday reminds you that you will die. But Jesus reminds you he died and rose again for you. So, the ashes aren’t the end of your story. Jesus is. Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this Ash Wednesday, remind me that I am dust, but I am not forgotten. You came close, you carried my sin, and you defeated death. Give me hope in your unfailing promises. 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/20260217dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 Jesus Is with You Movie previews can be dangerous. You go to the theater for a film, but then the previews start. And one of them looks so good you find yourself thinking, “Wait… why am I here for this movie? I want that one!” That’s a little like what happened to Peter on the mountain. Jesus’ face shone like the sun. His clothes were bright as light. Moses and Elijah appeared. It was a glimpse of glory—a preview of heaven. So, Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” He even offered to build shelters so they could stay. But Peter wanted the glory without the suffering. He wanted Jesus shining and without the cross. And honestly, don't we? We love the part of faith that feels uplifting. Peace. Joy. Hope. Blessings. But when life gets heavy, when grief comes, when fear rises, when our prayers don't seem answered, then we start longing for a quick escape. We want mountaintop moments. We want out of the valley. We want the preview to become the whole story. But Jesus didn’t stay on the mountain. He came down. Because the glory Peter saw could only be ours if Jesus first went to the cross. And he did for you. Here’s the comfort: when Jesus came down, he didn’t come down away from his disciples. He came down with them. Into the crowds. Into the mess. Into the hard days. Into the valley. So, if life feels low right now, don’t assume Jesus is far. The Savior who shines with glory is the same Savior who walks beside you in pain. He has not left you. He knows the valley. And he will bring you through it. The preview, heaven, is coming for all those who put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. And right now, Jesus walks with you in the middle of real life because he came down the mountain. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I want comfort without struggle, remind me that you came down the mountain and went to the cross for me. Give me strength to follow you, trusting your 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.

No Matter How Deep Your Hole, that You have Dug for Yourself, You Can Call on God the Creator of the Universe for Help MESSAGE SUMMARY: Prayer is your conduit for communion with God. Through prayer, you are in God's Presence; and you can invite His help in your life's situations. The best way to learn how to have this communion with God is to just do it and use your normal conversational words; however, the words of Scripture are powerful and work strongly. Just pray with your heart in conversation with God. Jonah, in Jonah 2:1-2, models for us that no matter how deep our situational hole, which we have dug for ourselves, we can call on God the Creator of the Universe for help: “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, ‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.'".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Anxiety. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Peace. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 14:13; Jonah 1:1-2; Jonah 2:2-10; Psalms 68c:25-35. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260217dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 Jesus Is with You Movie previews can be dangerous. You go to the theater for a film, but then the previews start. And one of them looks so good you find yourself thinking, “Wait… why am I here for this movie? I want that one!” That’s a little like what happened to Peter on the mountain. Jesus’ face shone like the sun. His clothes were bright as light. Moses and Elijah appeared. It was a glimpse of glory—a preview of heaven. So, Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” He even offered to build shelters so they could stay. But Peter wanted the glory without the suffering. He wanted Jesus shining and without the cross. And honestly, don't we? We love the part of faith that feels uplifting. Peace. Joy. Hope. Blessings. But when life gets heavy, when grief comes, when fear rises, when our prayers don't seem answered, then we start longing for a quick escape. We want mountaintop moments. We want out of the valley. We want the preview to become the whole story. But Jesus didn’t stay on the mountain. He came down. Because the glory Peter saw could only be ours if Jesus first went to the cross. And he did for you. Here’s the comfort: when Jesus came down, he didn’t come down away from his disciples. He came down with them. Into the crowds. Into the mess. Into the hard days. Into the valley. So, if life feels low right now, don’t assume Jesus is far. The Savior who shines with glory is the same Savior who walks beside you in pain. He has not left you. He knows the valley. And he will bring you through it. The preview, heaven, is coming for all those who put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. And right now, Jesus walks with you in the middle of real life because he came down the mountain. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I want comfort without struggle, remind me that you came down the mountain and went to the cross for me. Give me strength to follow you, trusting your 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.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260216dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2 Who Is Jesus? People have lots of opinions about Jesus. Some say he was just a good teacher. Some say he was just a prophet. Some say he was just a symbol of love and justice. Some say he was just a legend. But what Jesus reveals and tells us about himself doesn’t leave any room for “just.” The apostle Matthew tells us that Jesus was “transfigured.” That means he changed right in front of his disciples. For a moment, his glory showed through. He shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. And God the Father spoke from a cloud: “This is my Son.” That means Jesus isn’t simply an inspirational leader. He is God’s Son. And that changes everything. Maybe you need that reminder today. It’s easy for doubts to creep in. Life gets messy. Suffering makes you wonder if God is really there. And sometimes Jesus can feel far away. That’s why this moment matters. God didn’t just want the disciples to hope Jesus was the Savior. He wanted to show them so they would know with certainty. Since Jesus is God’s Son, his words carry authority. His promises carry weight. His death is not a tragedy; it’s a rescue. His resurrection isn’t a myth; it's the doorway to eternal life. And that is why Jesus matters for you right now. Because Jesus is God’s Son, your life is not an accident. Your sins are not too big for forgiveness. Your pain is not ignored. And your future is not hopeless. You don’t have to wonder if God loves you. God sent his Son for you. The Transfiguration shines a spotlight on who Jesus really is. And when you see him clearly, you can finally see your life clearly too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me see you for who you truly are, God’s Son and my Savior. Give me confidence in your promises today. 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.

Are You a Part of What God Is Doing in Our Country Today? Do You Seek God's Presence in Your Life? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Can you tell what God is up to in the World, in our time, in our church, and in America? Are you a part of what God is doing in the world today, or are you just reacting to what God is doing, thereby, creating conflict and division? Psalms 105 reminds you of God's power in the world if you do seek His presence in your life: “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.". On the other hand, Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, warns you of the implications for not including the presence of Jesus in your worldly considerations: “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”. While the Lord is leading, and directing, it seems that we are wrapped up in our agenda and our way of doing things; therefore, we miss God's presence; and we miss the Holy Spirit in our lives.      TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Loneliness. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Presence. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:10; Psalms 112:1-6; Psalms 119b:13-24. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260216dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2 Who Is Jesus? People have lots of opinions about Jesus. Some say he was just a good teacher. Some say he was just a prophet. Some say he was just a symbol of love and justice. Some say he was just a legend. But what Jesus reveals and tells us about himself doesn’t leave any room for “just.” The apostle Matthew tells us that Jesus was “transfigured.” That means he changed right in front of his disciples. For a moment, his glory showed through. He shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. And God the Father spoke from a cloud: “This is my Son.” That means Jesus isn’t simply an inspirational leader. He is God’s Son. And that changes everything. Maybe you need that reminder today. It’s easy for doubts to creep in. Life gets messy. Suffering makes you wonder if God is really there. And sometimes Jesus can feel far away. That’s why this moment matters. God didn’t just want the disciples to hope Jesus was the Savior. He wanted to show them so they would know with certainty. Since Jesus is God’s Son, his words carry authority. His promises carry weight. His death is not a tragedy; it’s a rescue. His resurrection isn’t a myth; it's the doorway to eternal life. And that is why Jesus matters for you right now. Because Jesus is God’s Son, your life is not an accident. Your sins are not too big for forgiveness. Your pain is not ignored. And your future is not hopeless. You don’t have to wonder if God loves you. God sent his Son for you. The Transfiguration shines a spotlight on who Jesus really is. And when you see him clearly, you can finally see your life clearly too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me see you for who you truly are, God’s Son and my Savior. Give me confidence in your promises today. 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/20260215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 Jesus Alone is Your Savior It was late summer, a little more than half a year until Jesus’ crucifixion. We don’t know exactly what mountain this was, but since Jesus and his disciples had just been near Caesarea Philippi on the slopes of Mount Hermon, it is likely that this was the Mountain of the Transfiguration. Jesus took three of his disciples up the mountain with him. These three were his inner circle of friends who were privileged to witness an amazing scene—Jesus was transfigured before them. The appearance of his face and clothing changed. For a brief time, those three disciples saw the unveiled divine glory of Jesus, the bright glory that is his from eternity as the Son of God. In a few short months, these same disciples would witness the deepest point of Jesus’ humiliation on earth—his bitter suffering and death on a cross. The vision of Jesus’ divine glory on that mountain helped prepare the disciples for what they would see their friend go through at the hands of his enemies. The transfiguration of Jesus assured them that he is the Son of God whom God the Father appointed and sent to earth to be the world’s Savior from sin. With that firm conviction, Peter later preached, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus alone is the world’s Savior—your Savior! Prayer: Jesus, glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration as the eternal Son of God, you went on to deeply humble yourself as my Savior on Calvary's mountain and die to take away the punishment for my sins. Lead me to always honor you as my Lord God and love you as my only 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.

When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?  MESSAGE SUMMARY: The stories of the New Testament tell us that Jesus was no ordinary man. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-5, points out that Jesus, the Word, was the Creator of the Universe: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.". John tells us that Jesus had authority over nature, over creation, and over life itself, and he tells us that Jesus was the life-giver that came to earth for us. In John 20:26-29, Jesus asked the Apostle Thomas a fundamental question that Jesus asks you today– “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me?'”: “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”. When Jesus has asked you: “Whom do you say that I am?”, and how did you answer? Did you tell Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”? Have you, in your life, become a Jesus Follower? If not, why not?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Psalms 67:1-7. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 4 – One God, Not Three” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260215dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 Jesus Alone is Your Savior It was late summer, a little more than half a year until Jesus’ crucifixion. We don’t know exactly what mountain this was, but since Jesus and his disciples had just been near Caesarea Philippi on the slopes of Mount Hermon, it is likely that this was the Mountain of the Transfiguration. Jesus took three of his disciples up the mountain with him. These three were his inner circle of friends who were privileged to witness an amazing scene—Jesus was transfigured before them. The appearance of his face and clothing changed. For a brief time, those three disciples saw the unveiled divine glory of Jesus, the bright glory that is his from eternity as the Son of God. In a few short months, these same disciples would witness the deepest point of Jesus’ humiliation on earth—his bitter suffering and death on a cross. The vision of Jesus’ divine glory on that mountain helped prepare the disciples for what they would see their friend go through at the hands of his enemies. The transfiguration of Jesus assured them that he is the Son of God whom God the Father appointed and sent to earth to be the world’s Savior from sin. With that firm conviction, Peter later preached, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus alone is the world’s Savior—your Savior! Prayer: Jesus, glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration as the eternal Son of God, you went on to deeply humble yourself as my Savior on Calvary's mountain and die to take away the punishment for my sins. Lead me to always honor you as my Lord God and love you as my only 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/20260214dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Our Enviable Worth The apostle Peter says some remarkable things in our Bible reading for today. He calls followers of Jesus “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” Spend a few seconds thinking about yourself as these things. You are chosen, handpicked by God himself. You are royal, a one-time pauper before God adopted you into the royal family of the King of kings. You are holy, a person set aside by God’s grace and for God’s use. You belong to God because he purchased you with the blood of his Son. You are a person of enviable worth because of the grace of God. However, notice that God didn’t create us as precious people just to transfer us from earth to heaven someday. God has made us priests, not to serve ourselves but to serve others. Our job description as redeemed children of God is to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The Holy Spirit has called you out of the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness and eternal life. Now you have the privilege of praising the God who gave you this enviable worth. Praise him loudly and clearly to the world. Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for choosing me to be yours. Help me to praise you in all that I do and say this day. 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.

Malachi 4 Tells Us God Takes Care of His Own and that Those Who Wait Upon Him and “fear my {God's} name” Will Not Be Disappointed MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Isaiah, in Isaiah 64:3,8, says that God is the awesome God who created everything: “When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence . . . But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”. In Isaiah 65:11-13, Isaiah expresses God's disappointment in being snubbed by His chosen people, the Jews. However, Isaiah expresses how pleased God is with being welcomed by the Gentiles {my servants}: “'But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.' Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame.'". Malachi tells us, in Malachi 4:1-3, that God will punish evildoers while sparing those who fear His name: “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.". God takes care of His own, and those who fear the Lord and who wait upon the Lord will not be disappointed.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to be still and to wait patiently for you in silence. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 125). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel.  I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 64:3-10; Deuteronomy 28:58; Nehemiah 4:1-11; Malachi 4:1-6; Psalms 66b:11-20 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 3 – Incomplete Finished Work” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260213dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion [Jesus said] “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 Do You Measure Up? “You must be this tall to go on this ride.” Those were terrible and frustrating words for a young boy to read, especially if his friends and/or cousins were tall enough to get on the roller coaster. It generally did not matter how tall I was. I can remember one summer being just an inch shy of the line, and the ride operator would not make an exception. I would have to wait until I measured up. Getting into heaven is like that. In fact, it is even worse. Jesus himself said that to enter heaven, we would have to be more righteous than the Pharisees of his day. To help understand his point, realize that the Pharisees had added hundreds of their own commands to be obeyed on top of the commands that God gave, and they shunned anyone who couldn't measure up to their rules. It is disheartening, then, to hear Jesus say that not even those self-righteous Pharisees could measure up. Truthfully, no one can. God demands perfection as the entrance requirement for heaven, and nobody can measure up to that. Jesus doesn’t say this because he wants to keep you out of heaven. Rather, he wants you to realize that there is only one way to gain entrance into heaven, and it isn’t through our own efforts. He wants us to see that the only way to heaven is through him. Jesus is the only one who measured up to God’s standard of perfection. He lived a perfect life in our place and achieved righteousness on our behalf. He died in our place on the cross to earn salvation for us. Through faith in Jesus, the standard has been met. He now gives us the ticket to heaven. We don’t need to worry about whether we measure up, because he measured up for us. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for meeting the standard of perfection for me. Grant me confidence that heaven is open to me because of all you did for 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.