Devotion - November 7, 2011

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.”

Matthew 25:31-34

Divine Separation

Bob never lacked for self-confidence. He considered his life and his accomplishments, and was completely satisfied. There were no unattained goals. There were no unfulfilled plans. There was also no hesitation on Bob’s part to let people know what he had done.

One day his friend, Richard, asked Bob a question.

Prayer: 

O gracious Savior, I thank you for cleansing me from my sin and preparing me to stand ready on the day of your return. Help me live every day with this confidence and to your glory. Amen!


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Devotion - November 7, 2011
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Devotion - November 4, 2011

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” … So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23

When Opportunity Comes … It’s Too Late to Prepare!

John Wooden was one of the greatest college basketball coaches in history as he led the UCLA Bruins to 10 National Championships in 12 years.

Prayer: 

Lord, life brings many challenges. Lead me to follow the example of Daniel to prepare for these challenges with a constant and consistent pattern of connection to you and worship of you. Empower me by your Spirit to always be prepared for the opportunities to trust you! AMEN.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - November 4, 2011
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Devotion - November 3, 2011

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Hope's Steadfastness

We live in a time of rapid change. Just in the realm of technology we are swept into a fast flowing stream of change. If you purchased a new cell phone only a few months ago, there are now smarter and slicker models available. The changes that occur so quickly and prevalently around us can be unsettling! They can make us feel uncomfortable.

Prayer: 

Amidst all the changes that surround my life, I trust in your changeless love for me, Lord Jesus. Comfort me with your permanent presence and sustain me with your unfailing promises. Praise and glory to you, O Savior! Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - November 3, 2011
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Devotion - November 2, 2011

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Galatians 5:1

FREE

John was a slave on a slave ship in the mid-1700’s. The conditions in the hold were horrible: the bodies chained close together, the stench, the cries of misery and fear. The conditions of John’s slavery, however, were very different. John’s chains were not trapping his body in the bottom of a boat. John’s chains were trapping his soul.

Prayer: 

Amazing grace – how sweet the sound – that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - November 2, 2011
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Devotion - November 9, 2011

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

We Don’t Belong to the Night

In 2002, a camera crew went to a major city and followed several individuals at their jobs for a week. The distinction was that all of these individuals worked at night. The result was a documentary entitled, “By Night.” Its purpose was to demonstrate how the nighttime world of a major city is very different from its daytime counterpart.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, you are the Light. When it feels as though it’s nighttime in my life, refresh me with the wonderful truth that you are here, that all is well. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Devotion - November 1, 2011

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Colossians 1:3-6a

Hope's Value

There was a song in an old movie that spoke of an ant with high hopes.

Prayer: 

Dear Savior, cause my faith and love to spring up from hope in the glorious good news of all that you have done for me on earth and have prepared for me in heaven. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - November 1, 2011
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Devotion - October 31, 2011

“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Matthew 10:17-20

I don’t know what to say!

If you’re like me, you have probably had that awkward moment when you didn’t know exactly what to say. It could have been when your friend shared some really bad news. It could have come when someone dropped an odd comment on religion, a comment that you knew was contrary to the clear teaching of the Bible… but how do you react?

Prayer: 

(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 293):
God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way; in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure throughout all generations. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - October 31, 2011
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Devotion - October 28, 2011

Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 30:30-32

Look Closely, Repent and Live

God’s chosen people had been taken into captivity in a foreign country. They were complaining that God wasn’t fair. Their fathers and mothers and grandpas and grandmas had sinned so terribly. No way should they be suffering for the wicked things their ancestors had done. That was the complaint of the Jewish exiles living in far away Babylon.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, help me repent. Help me recognize with deep sorrow my own sinfulness and the hell I deserve. Help me heed your invitation and look to you in faith for full and free forgiveness. Moved by your love, help me to live for you now, and to look forward to living with you forever. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - October 28, 2011
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Devotion - October 27, 2011

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Hope's Source

The old song was right in lyrically telling us, "You gotta have hope!" Who can live without hope? If there's no hope of a better tomorrow, why go there? If there's no hope beyond the end of our days, then life has but one purpose and that's to please oneself—a hopeless task for anyone who has ever tried. But where do we find hope?

Prayer: 

Lord, lead me daily to the source of hope—your living and enduring Word. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - October 27, 2011
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Devotion - October 26, 2011

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

Philippians 2:9


It’s not what you know. It’s who you know. Why does the restaurant manager hire one teenager while another does not even get an interview? The manager knew the family of the teen she hired. She knew nothing about the family of the other teen.
 
It pays to have friends in high places.

Prayer: 

King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, lift our eyes to clearly see your exaltation, to praise your perfect work on our behalf, and to exalt you with a life that pleases you in every way. Amen.


Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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

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

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - October 26, 2011
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