[Jesus said] “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Devotion based on Luke 6:27,28

“Good fences make good neighbors.” So the saying goes. But what happens when the neighbor yells at your son over the fence, “You’re the worst person I’ve ever met!” Or what about when you’re playing a yard game with friends, and she starts walking around her backyard, pounding pots and pans just to annoy you? Or what about when she slams the door in your face when you calmly walk over to her house to ask if you can talk?

Many of us have a neighbor, a co-worker, or a classmate who has wronged us in one way or another. Who is your person? Now listen to Jesus’ words in our Bible reading today: “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.” Really? Can Jesus be serious? In a world that is increasingly divided and promotes a take-care-of-yourself attitude, is Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” reasonable?

Not according to our reason. But his ways are above our ways. His reason is above our reason. And thank God it is because Jesus’ love for us is not “reasonable.” When his enemies pounded nails through his hands, he prayed, “Father, forgive them.” When cultural divides dictated, “Don’t associate with those ‘sinners,’ “Jesus went out of his way to show love to those he should have avoided. And when it comes to us, the Bible tells us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

And just like that, his command, “Love your enemies,” doesn’t seem so unreasonable. Motivated by his love for us, we too, can pray for those who hurt us, bless those who curse us, and do good to that person who hates us. Motivated by his love, we can love our enemies.

Prayer:

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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 body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:42,43

Many people try to stay young forever. Plastic surgery is prevalent in society. People try to “wash that gray” out of their hair and use medication to make their thinning hair grow.

Mankind even used to search for the Fountain of Youth. The explorer Ponce de Leon thought he’d found it in Florida. Modern man still hopes to find it in medical science.

But we all continue to grow older, and our bodies get more tired as the years progress. The apostle Paul tells us that our Fountain of Youth is in a different place.

When our Lord Jesus died and rose again, he didn’t only redeem our souls. He redeemed our bodies as well. Man fell, soul and body, into the destruction of sin. Jesus rescued us, soul and body.

And so, for the Christian, death leads finally to the rescue of the body from the weakness and weariness sin brought. When Christ returns and raises us from our graves, we will enjoy eternal health—both of body and soul. And how could it be otherwise? We will be forever in the presence of our God and Savior, the very Fountain of Life, health, and every good.

Prayer:

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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.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

Devotion based on Jeremiah 17:7

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such great confidence that concerns in life didn’t bother you? You didn’t let worries upset you. Nothing makes you afraid.

Maybe you consider yourself to be a “confident” person, but even the most confident person can have questions like:

Wondering about these things makes it difficult to be confident. It becomes worse when our consciences remind us that we are not “right” with God, and we fall under his judgment for our sins. Surely that doesn’t make us feel very confident!

But God has told us the answers to the big questions of life. He makes them known to us in the Bible. He points out the truth that we are sinners who do not deserve to be in heaven with him. But he has rescued us from this death sentence by sending his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins on the cross. Jesus paid the penalty of sin for us. Jesus rose from the dead to give us absolute confidence that by faith in him, we will live with God forever.

So now, what are the answers to life that we can be confident of? God does exist. And he loved us so much to send a Savior to die for our sins. We know a place in heaven is ours because of Jesus. The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Another Bible verse speaks about heaven, telling us, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).

Gloriously, our Savior lives to assure us that we live forever. We can be confident of this because it is the truth from God.

Prayer:

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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.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:10

How can something bad be good? Maybe you or a family member was recently diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps you lost your home in a recent hurricane or tornado. Or maybe your spouse was just laid off from work, and there is a lot less income to support the family. How can any of those things be good things?

This is perhaps where you might hear a friend sigh and say with resignation, “Everything happens for a reason.” This phrase is thrown around a lot, but it perhaps can be confusing to those who hear it. Naturally, the question is: “Well, what’s the reason?”

Rather than searching in vain to find a reason for what happened, perhaps it is better to focus on what God has done. God does have a habit of bringing good from bad. Do you need proof? Look no further than the cross. There, hanging from spikes driven through hands and feet is a man beaten and bloodied. He has been whipped, abused, and ridiculed. He has been falsely accused and executed for crimes he did not commit. That is the epitome of a bad situation.

And yet God brought so much good from it. He brought forgiveness and salvation to a world of sinners, including you. He brought eternal life to all who believe. He brought peace and joy. He brought new life to those who were lost. And he continues to bring us his loving care daily.

Whatever you are dealing with, look for God to use his strength and to bring good from it. Maybe that good will be a stronger faith for you or others. Maybe it will be a reconciled relationship. It could even be someone else coming to faith in Jesus. Whatever is making you feel weak is the perfect thing to make you strong in Jesus.

Prayer:

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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.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:10

Weakness in our world is not appreciated. In fact, weakness is often squashed wherever it is found. As a society, we seek to eliminate weakness. As a result, high school athletes are cut from the team. People of faith are ridiculed for their supposed lack of intelligence. Individuals with mental health issues are shunned. Students who seem defenseless are bullied by classmates. We see individuals suffering, and while we pity them, we are secretly thankful that we are not in their shoes. For these and so many other reasons, we try to hide our weaknesses and troubles.

So how is it then that the apostle Paul (or you and I) could delight in our own weaknesses? It is all a matter of how you look at it. Paul viewed his weaknesses and shortcomings as opportunities to highlight the power of Christ in his life. He also understood that challenges and trials were moments when he could tap into Christ’s power, knowing that Christ’s strength was far better than his own.

Jesus’ strength went to work for us long ago. Before he came into this world, Jesus saw us in our sinful human weakness. He knew that we did not match up to him. We were not on his level. But rather than ridicule, eliminate, or bully us, he was resolved to help us. Rather than feel sorry for us and pity us from afar, God used his power to save us. He sent Jesus into this sinful world to take up our sins. To live a perfect life for us and to die an innocent death in our place. Jesus then demonstrated his power and strength by rising from the dead.

Jesus now seeks to use his power in us. And what better way to display that amazing power, than to rely on his strength instead of our own? Rather than hide your weaknesses, rely on Christ, and his power will shine out in your life.

Prayer:

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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.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:9

If you watch enough sports, you are undoubtedly familiar with postgame interviews and press conferences where members of the media ask athletes to reflect on their performances. A surprising number of current athletes often start their remarks by saying something like: “First off, I want to give all glory to God. He blessed me with these abilities, and I am thankful for the opportunity to use them.” Several football players this past season spent quite a bit of airtime talking about how God has enabled them to do such amazing things on the field. Comments like those are a good reminder for the rest of us to acknowledge God as the giver of all good things.

If you were one of those athletes, would you be so quick to give the glory to God? It is tempting for us to take credit for anything positive. It can be easy to puff out our chests, raise our heads, and smile as people pile on the compliments. People noticing our accomplishments is a big boost to our egos and tempts us to boast about ourselves.

The apostle Paul invites us to view boasting from a different perspective. We don’t usually see weakness as something to boast about. Truthfully, our weaknesses are the things we try to hide. But today’s Bible verse encourages us to view our weaknesses as opportunities to look away from ourselves and shine the light on God—the one who has given us everything.

While the Lord has blessed us with abilities, he has done even more for us than that. He sent Jesus into this world to live and die for us. And rather than boast about his own life of perfection and his eternal power, Jesus went to the cross to die for you and me and to pay for all our sins. Through faith in Jesus, you and I have eternal life. This same Jesus will use his power to work through our weaknesses.

Prayer:

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:8,9

Does it ever seem like God isn’t listening to your prayers? Like he is ignoring you? You thought you might try this prayer thing your neighbor keeps talking about, but nothing seems to be happening.

That can be frustrating. God asks us to go to him with our troubles, and we ask him to take one of those troubles away, but nothing seems to happen. Why? It seems that you could be a more effective employee for the company if God would just take away that chronic pain that so often interrupts your work. It goes without saying that you could be a more loving parent and spouse if God would take away the mental health issues you are dealing with. We don’t understand when God doesn’t take these things away from us.

Have you considered looking at it from a different perspective? Maybe the thing you have been asking God to take away is actually serving as a tremendous blessing in your life. Perhaps that pain or ailment can point you toward God and encourage you to put all your trust in him. It might be that God is using this trial in your life to give you an opportunity to rely on him even more.

Jesus had such an opportunity on the night before he died. He knew the events of the next day would bring him severe pain and suffering. He prayed that if it was God’s will, the cup of suffering might be removed from him. God heard his prayers and said, “No.” It was God’s will to make Jesus suffer so that we would never have to suffer as payment for our sins. Jesus humbly accepted God’s will and relied on his Father to provide the strength to endure what he had to go through. And thank God he did! Because Jesus endured through his hardship, you and I are saved now and forever.

Prayer:

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 12:7

Thorns come in all varieties. We all have them. Thorns can be health-related: things like anxiety or physical handicap. Maybe it is a problem at work that we can’t seem to solve. It could be an acquaintance who relentlessly and mercilessly mocks us for our faith. Perhaps it is guilt from a past sin.

Whatever the form they take, thorns are a problem. They are unwanted and unwelcome in our lives. And they often come seemingly out of nowhere. It is so easy in this life to cruise along feeling safe and secure in who we are. But then thorns come along, and we are tempted to be offended or to get angry. We get upset that God would allow something bad to happen when life was going so well. We get angry that our plans are now interrupted by this unwelcome issue. We despair and wonder, “Why me?”

The apostle Paul took a different approach to thorns. He viewed his thorn as a good thing. In humility rather than pride, he realized he wasn’t perfect and should expect trouble like everyone else. He didn’t presume to be better than others and instead admitted that he couldn’t do this on his own. He needed help. So do we.

Thankfully, we have help. His name is Jesus, and he knew all about what it was to have a thorn in his side. In fact, we were that thorn. Our sin, rebellion, and unbelief plagued him and weighed him down. The burden of our sin was certainly something he didn’t deserve and did not have to carry. But rather than complain, despair, or feel sorry for himself, Jesus humbly took up the cross and died for us. He has set us free from sin and given us the gift of eternal life in heaven. This same Jesus will give you strength to endure the thorns of this life.

Prayer:

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. . . . But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Devotion based on Jeremiah 17:5,7

In the modern world that we live in, influenced by so much wisdom, supported by sophisticated technology, and pampered by a great amount of materialism, people can be deceived into thinking that they can live without God and his help.

However, those who put their trust in human power and turn away from God deprive themselves of the rich blessings that he intends for people to have. Without God, there is confusion about the true purpose and ultimate direction for life. In the end, having separated themselves from God, finally, God eternally separates himself from them. Cursed indeed!

However, for those people who place their confidence in the Lord, there are wonderful blessings. “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

God is speaking to everyday people who operate businesses and anxiously watch the bottom line, who go to work faithfully and collect their paychecks, who attend school regularly and try to make the grade. There isn’t a lot of difference outwardly between those who are blessed and those who are cursed. The real difference is in the heart.

The cursed trust mainly in their business acumen to succeed; the blessed recognize that it is the Lord who blesses with profits.

The cursed trust their paychecks to provide; the blessed give thanks to God for his provision.

The cursed endeavor with their wisdom to succeed in school and a competitive world; the blessed praise God for the gifts they have and use them to the best of their ability for the glory of God and the good of others.

It is often said, “You can do anything if you try hard enough.” The truth is that the ability to accomplish things is not ultimately dependent on human strength. To put our trust in the Lord opens our eyes to his countless blessings.

Prayer:

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. . . your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Devotion based on Isaiah 6:3,7,8

Relationships are rewarding. No relationship is more meaningful and important than the one we have with the Lord. Our present and eternal life depends on that relationship.

Yet how can we be certain that such a relationship exists? And if it exists, how can we be sure it will endure? We can’t help but recognize the vast gulf between our nature and his. He is absolute perfection, while our life reveals countless imperfections.

Before him, the heavenly angels shield their faces and feet with their wings. They cry out in reverent awe, “Holy, holy, holy.” The holy Lord demands and deserves such holiness from us.

Yet the Lord of matchless majesty is also the Lord of matchless mercy. He bridges the divide between his holiness and our sinfulness. The bridge he provides is Jesus. He takes our sins and bears them all upon the cross. Our guilt is completely taken away, and in its place, he freely gives us his grace. Before the holy God, we are holy, for Jesus’ holiness is ours.

In the freedom of God’s forgiveness, Isaiah confidently received God’s invitation to be his prophet. He boldly answered God’s call, “Here am I. Send me!” The Lord still sends out messengers to fearlessly confess his saving name with faith-driven courage. Our holy and gracious God draws even more people into a relationship with him as his saving word is proclaimed.

Prayer:

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

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.