WELS: Today's Devotion - The God of Second Chances – January 24, 2018

View this email in your browser The God of Second Chances – January 24, 2018 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. … When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:1-5,10 The God of Second Chances Daily Devotion – January 24, 2018 Devotion based on Jonah 3:1-5,10 See series: Devotions Jonah believed that God is gracious and compassionate. He rejoiced in the second chance God had given him. But not even a three-night stay in the belly of a fish fully convinced Jonah that Nineveh deserved a second chance. Nevertheless, Jonah went. He shared God's message. The Ninevites repented. And God gave them a second chance. Christians believe God has given the world a second chance. Jesus died for our sins and rose again. For the sake of Jesus, God forgives us all completely and unconditionally. How can we rate someone else as unworthy of God's compassion? That's what Jonah did. Christians believe they are not worthy of a second chance. All have sinned. And all sin is a crime against our Creator that is deserving of death. How can we say that our sin is less offensive to God than someone else's? That's what Jonah did. Christians believe that God is gracious. Even though we do not deserve it, God sent us One who is greater than Jonah. Jesus not only preached against sin, he paid for our sin with his blood. He sank to the depths of hell and spent three days in the belly of the earth. But death could not stomach Jesus because Jesus had no sin of his own. In Christ, God has relented and promised not to bring on us the destruction we deserve. Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22). Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you. But I believe that Jesus is my second chance. Help me to forgive as you have forgiven me. Amen. Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Print Friendly Share Tweet Devotions | Subscription Help   Copyright © 2018 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or subscribed to one of our newsletters. Unsubscribe  - CHANGE EMAIL SETTINGS Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI 53188 Add us to your address book Note: Recipients of this forwarded e-mail will be able to access your subscription preferences.

WELS: Today's Devotion - Unforeseen Witnessing – January 23, 2018

View this email in your browser Unforeseen Witnessing – January 23, 2018 After [Paul and Silas] had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:23-25 Unforeseen Witnessing Daily Devotion – January 23, 2018 Devotion based on Acts 16:23-25 See series: Devotions Witnessing can be pretty straightforward. In the court room, witnesses simply are asked to tell what they have seen and heard. Witnessing one's faith in Jesus, however, can be met by hostility. Anger, sarcasm, or worse can come from a family member, a college professor, or a co-worker. Missionaries Paul and Silas were in Philippi. For several days their efforts were disrupted by a demon-possessed, fortune-telling, slave girl. Her fortune-telling was a great moneymaker for her owners. Each day she identified Paul and Silas, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved" (Acts 16:17). Although what she said was true, that they did proclaim salvation through faith in Jesus, who would believe her? In Jesus' name, Paul cast out the demon. Immediately the owners saw their source of income vanish. False charges led to a severe flogging for Paul and Silas, and a night in the stocks in the inner cell of the jail. Into the night, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God, "and the other prisoners were listening to them." In their misery, Paul and Silas did not turn against God, but turned to God in prayer and song. It was an unplanned witness of humble trust in the wisdom and love of God. An earthquake that jarred open all the cell doors; every prisoner remaining in place; a jailer stopped from falling on his own sword… all led to that jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Unexpected! Unforeseen! Amazing! Don't expect earthquakes, but your trust in Jesus as your Savior guides you in the way to deal with earthly life that can lead to precious, unforeseen witnessing opportunities. Our children praying aloud with us at the restaurant, or our family members comforting one another in the Intensive Care waiting room can result in witnessing. Witnessing is never "force-feeding," but unforeseen witnessing opportunities will arise as we "let our light shine." Prayer: Lord, help me be ready to witness when those unforeseen opportunities arise. Amen. Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Print Friendly Share Tweet Devotions | Subscription Help   Copyright © 2018 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or subscribed to one of our newsletters. Unsubscribe  - CHANGE EMAIL SETTINGS Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI 53188 Add us to your address book Note: Recipients of this forwarded e-mail will be able to access your subscription preferences.

WELS: Today's Devotion - Come, Follow Me – January 22, 2018

View this email in your browser Come, Follow Me – January 22, 2018 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:14-20 Come, Follow Me Daily Devotion – January 22, 2018 Devotion based on Mark 1:14-20 See series: Devotions Jesus is a king who has a kingdom and he calls us to follow him as our leader. Now we are usually suspicious of people who claim to be great leaders, especially political leaders like kings. We wonder if they are gathering a following so they might use their power over us. We wonder if they want to use us and control us to get something from us. So, in general, we are cautious about following those who claim to be great leaders. But that is not what happened in Galilee 2000 years ago. Jesus came proclaiming that he was a king, and he had a kingdom, and that all people should follow him. The amazing thing was men like Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John did. They left everything to follow Jesus. They were so willing to follow Jesus because Jesus was a different kind of king who had a different kind of kingdom. Instead of taking from people, he gave great blessings to people. Instead of gathering a following to control, he gathered a following to set them free. He didn't rule to take the lives of others. He came to give up his life to rescue people from sin and death. That is why the first disciples were willing to give up everything and follow Jesus. Now what about you? Are you willing to follow this King? Jesus' kingdom is one of freedom and forgiveness. It is a kingdom of good news—the good news of eternal salvation. Repent and follow Jesus your King! Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my King. I repent of all my sins before you. I ask you to wash them all away. And now teach me to follow you in all my ways that I might bring glory to your name! Amen. Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Print Friendly Share Tweet Devotions | Subscription Help   Copyright © 2018 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or subscribed to one of our newsletters. Unsubscribe  - CHANGE EMAIL SETTINGS Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI 53188 Add us to your address book Note: Recipients of this forwarded e-mail will be able to access your subscription preferences.