WELS Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s Devotions

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Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:1 & 6

I have heard these words from my 2-year-old before: “To infiddy—and yon!!!” Let me translate that for you. It’s how my child says Buzz Lightyear’s famous motto, “To infinity—and beyond!” Those words made me drop whatever else I was doing and run toward the child. He was always poised to jump off of the table, the bookshelf, the top bunk, or whichever piece of furniture he was standing on. Thankfully he never sustained any great injury.

This scenario led to many conversations about rules and authority. I’m sure you can imagine how those conversations with a 2-year-old would go. After reminding him about the rule not to jump off the furniture, I’d have to answer the follow-up “why, why, whys.” I explained, “Because you could get hurt. Because I love you. Because I’m your mom. Because God put me in charge of you. Because God’s in charge of everything. Because I said so!”

Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” God created all things and rules over all things. He delegates his authority to many different representatives on earth including parents, teachers, bosses, and governing authorities. Why does he do this? For the same reason we set boundaries and rules for children: because God wants to bless us with safety, peace, and order. As parents or teachers, instilling in children a proper respect for us will lead them also to respect bosses and governing authorities.

When we Christians rightly view our government as God’s representatives whom God puts in place to carry out God’s will, our consciences lead us to honor the government. We honor the government when we pay taxes, speak respectfully, and obey laws. (Though, of course, if government requires things against God’s will, Christians will “obey God rather than man,” as Acts 5:29 command.)

We do these things not just for fear of punishment, but because we trust in God who put the system in place. He is the one who created us and loved us so much that even when we were poor, wretched sinners, he sent his own Son to die for us. If he loves us that much, of course he set government up for our good.

Dear Jesus, thank you for blessing me through the authorities you put in place on earth. I trust your authority. Please help me to show the proper respect for those you put over me and to teach your little ones to do the same. Amen.

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On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:6-9

Do you ever run into one of your students outside of school? Perhaps it’s at the grocery store or at a park. You may say “hello” and wait the quick second it takes the child to recognize you out of the context of the classroom. Then the child connects your face with the art projects, the songs, and the games he remembers. If he is the outgoing sort, he exclaims, “This is my teacher!”

You’ve done many things for this child and his classmates. You’ve prepared lessons and Bible stories. You’ve bandaged knees and kissed boo boos. You’ve helped to resolve arguments, forgiving when they’ve done something wrong. You’ve comforted them when they’re sad. And now they are excited to tell their mom or grandpa or friend, “This is my teacher!”

In Isaiah 25:9, we see believers saying “This is my God!” They recognize him as their God, and what do they say? “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” We are part of that group of believers. We know that we’re sinners who should be on our way to hell, but we trust in Jesus who paid our way to heaven because he shed his own blood for us.

The verses leading up to this declaration tell about many things that our God does for us. He prepares a feast of rich food for us; this symbolizes great spiritual blessings. God destroys the shroud that enfolds all peoples because he swallows up death forever! He wipes away the tears from all faces. He removes his people’s disgrace from all the earth. Wow! Let’s say it again! “Surely this is our God; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Your students may get a kick out of seeing you at McDonald’s and exclaiming, “This is my teacher!” But we are so much more privileged to be able to proclaim, “This is our God!” So, as you spend your work day with the students and communicate with their parents and go about your other daily business with family and friends, may the many things your God has done for you be at the forefront of your mind and, therefore, also at the tip of your tongue. May you say with all believers, “Surely, this is our God!”

Dear Savior, thank you for preparing a banquet for me, for swallowing up death, for wiping my tears, and for removing my disgrace. Surely, you are my God! Please give me the strength to proclaim that to others every day. Amen.

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Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power, that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies, so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:12-14, 18-21

Do you ever have moments when your mind is filled with thoughts of heaven? It may be when you’ve just woken up from 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Your body is refreshed, your mind is mentally clear, and you are saying a prayer of thanks to God for a bright new day. In that moment you think how wonderful it will be to be with Jesus in heaven and have a perfect version of this peaceful feeling. It may be when you are experiencing the intense earthly beauty of a sunset over the ocean or a mountain framed by a bright blue sky. Or perhaps it’s when you are sitting in a church pew, drinking in the very words of God that your weary soul needs to hear and longing for the day when you are in heaven where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

It’s good to think about heaven! Heaven is the goal! It’s the prize that Christ won for us through his death and resurrection! In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul is talking about how our lives as Christians are lived. We believe that Christ saved us from our sins and we press on toward the goal of heaven.

In verse 18, Paul’s thoughts turn from heaven to hell. Through tears, he tells of the many unbelievers who live their lives as enemies of the cross of Christ: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Maybe you’ve shed tears for the lost as well—a family member, a neighbor, or even a student or their parent.

Hell is real, and it’s terrible. It’s a place of punishment that we all deserve because we sin against God every day. But God has made heaven our home, and it’s wonderful! Jesus made sure that we won’t get what our sins deserve. He lived a perfect life here on earth and sacrificed himself in our place so that we can live in heaven with him. So, “we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

As you enter your classroom today and when you are home, at your church, or out in the many places that life takes you, think about heaven (and hell). Be careful not to let the things of this world take up the room in your heart that is meant for Jesus! Remember to what great lengths Jesus went to win heaven for you. Reflect his love and share his word so that as many as possible can share in the joy of heaven!

Dear Jesus, thank you for heaven! Though I don’t deserve it, you saved me from hell and won heaven for me. Through your power that is in me, help me to live my life reflecting your love to others and pressing on toward heaven.

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Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:1-5

“Sorry, sorry, sorry! Please don’t tell mom!”

These less-than-comforting words were often delivered by my sister and I to our youngest sister after one of our “great ideas” went terribly wrong. Growing up in a family with three girls, self-preservation was learned at a young age. The older pair of us was filled with grand ideas that led to the youngest sister taking on the role of “guinea pig.” It often did not end well for her.

Depending on the severity of the situation, we also weren’t above buying her silence. We would promise her our most prized possessions. Staying out of trouble was well worth whatever she wanted from us. I’m sure we felt some level of remorse when her temper flared or the tears came, but the true objective was always the same: don’t let her tell mom. While we were more than willing to push the limits with our sister, we were not willing to pay the consequences when we had gone too far.

Human nature is like that. We do the wrong thing, fear the consequences and do whatever is necessary to stay out of trouble. Like little children avoiding the punishment from an angry mom, we attempt to make up for the wrong we have done to others in ways that never truly touch our hearts. The outward “I’m sorry” tends not to mean much.

Real repentance is different. The Apostle Paul reminds us to look to Christ as our example in Philippians 2:1-11. Jesus is the King of heaven, yet he willingly came to earth as a human baby, weak and placed in a manger. Jesus took on flesh and the form of a servant, humbling himself to our lowly place. And he never once complained. Ultimately, Jesus allowed his enemies to nail him to a cross to pay for sins which he never committed. He did this for us! He did this out of his great love—for us!

Following Jesus’s example when we have done wrong isn’t easy. Our ego gets in the way and self-preservation takes center stage. Feeling true sorrow over our sins is painful and uncomfortable. Being honest with ourselves, with others, and with God, goes against our sinful nature. Only Jesus gives us the strength to humble ourselves to true repentance, to put away our selfish ambition, and to confess our sins openly and without excuse.

But Jesus also gives us the confidence to know what happens when we confess our sins. We do not look to Christ only as our example, but especially as our Savior. Because of his death and exultation, we know we will be forgiven! This confidence then moves us to live as humble servants who serve God and those around us.

Dear Jesus, help us to follow your example of putting others first, especially those we have wronged. Lead us to put away our need for self-preservation and feel true sorrow over our sins against others deep in our hearts. We have the assurance that we can do all things through you. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

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When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah 3:10-4:4

I have a confession to make: I am a true crime junkie. I love a good story about a terrible criminal who gets caught by law enforcement, is found guilty by a jury of his peers, and ultimately pays the price for his crime. Justice is served, and the bad guy gets punished. It’s so satisfying by worldly standards. It’s fair.

Now imagine that a criminal is on trial for a crime and that all the evidence lines up nice and neatly. There is no reasonable doubt as to who did it and why. The case seems open-and-shut to all those witnessing the trial. Then the judge does something unprecedented. He stands and announces to those present, “This criminal has admitted his guilt and said he is sorry. He is forgiven and free to go.” This scenario is laughable in our society. Our justice system cannot and will not work this way. That would not be fair! No one should get to just walk away after breaking the law. Chaos would ensue and the public would simply not stand for it.

In Jonah chapter 4:1-11, the prophet Jonah has just left Nineveh. He had confronted the people about their sin, as God commanded him. Jonah had told them of the of the consequences God had in store for them. The people of Nineveh responded by repenting; they turned from their sin and fasted to show their sorrow over their sin. The looked to God for mercy.

In his great love and compassion, God “relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened,” as we read in chapter 3:10. What an ideal outcome to Jonah’s mission for the Lord!

But Jonah disagreed. In Chapter 4:1, we read, “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong and he became angry.” Jonah was looking for justice to be rained down on the sinful people of Nineveh. Even though he knew that God is gracious and compassionate, Jonah went outside the city, sat down, and waited to witness God’s wrath. To Jonah, that would be only fair for such a sinful city.

God is not fair by our human standards. What an incredible blessing that is! If God were fair, there would be no Savior, no forgiveness, and no hope of heaven. If God were fair, hell would be our only future. It’s what each of us deserves because we are unable to meet the standard of perfection that is required by our almighty Creator.

Dear God, Your love for us is so much bigger than we could ever ask or imagine. Help us always to remain thankful for your grace. Help us to forgive others when they sin against us in the same way that you forgive us. Grant us the ability to teach our students to forgive and forget in the spirit of your grace so that they, too, can live your example. In your name we pray. Amen

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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:29-5:2

One of the most remarkable things I have come to appreciate about four-year-olds is their ability to remember details. Not a day goes by that one of my little ones doesn’t amaze me with a sentence beginning with, “Remember when…?” Memory is not my superpower. I share that fact openly and often. But little children have amazing memories.

Many times, that is incredibly helpful to a forgetful teacher like me! I know that if I say I’m going to do something, at least a handful of my preschool kiddos will hold me to it, and without fail! Unfortunately, this also holds true when another child has done them wrong. Their memories are long when someone has sinned against them, even if we have worked through the situation and come to an agreeable solution. Apologies have been made, and forgiveness has been given. Still, they remember that thing that was done and they bring it back up, even if it is without malice. Our little ones can be quick to forgive, but forgetting is a different story.

In Ephesians 4:32, God commands us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This is one of the most beautiful reminders of the work of salvation done for us by our Savior. We cannot help but continue to sin against one another this side of heaven. No matter how hard we try, we will continue to do wrong. That is a hard truth to swallow. Like little children, we remember those ugly things done to us by our fellow sinners and we bring them back up. Forgiveness can be hard to give, yet our God tells us we must.

In God’s ever-loving way, he reminds us that he has forgiven us through Christ Jesus. He is perfect and expects perfection from each of us, but instead of condemning us, he freely provides undeserved forgiveness for each and every one of our sins. He did this when he condemned his own Son to suffer and die in our place. Jesus took the punishment of death and hell that was meant for us. This forgiveness has been given freely and undeservedly—two words which make no sense in our sinful world but mean everything to Christians.

Because we have been forgiven in Christ, we, too, can forgive with kindness, compassion and love. God doesn’t promise that it will be easy. So, he gives us these beautiful words. They are not just an example for us. They build us up with his love and power so that we can forgive from our hearts out of love for God.

God, we know we are filled with sin and that it makes true forgiveness hard to give. Forgive us for our weakness. Fill our hearts with the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus. Help us to forgive freely and with compassion when wrong has been done to us. Help us to daily set the same example for our little ones through our words and actions. Amen.

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If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

Matthew 18:15-16, 20

“I’m telling!” If I had a nickel for every time I heard these words in my classroom or during childcare, my offerings would surely fund a new building project! Tattling is an instinct in even the youngest of children and helping them learn when “telling” is right or wrong is both a joy and a burden to parents and teachers alike. At times, the appropriate response is to intervene or assist in conflict resolution. As children mature, I find myself responding with a simple, “Did you talk to your friend about that first?” When true tattling is at its peak, I tend to respond with a simple, “Thank you for telling me,” or “I’m sorry that happened.” Both of these serve as my polite way of communicating that I just don’t need to know. Then the conversation moves to how to let go of the thing that happened in the past and move forward. This is not always easy, for children or adults alike.

In Matthew 18, Jesus uses a child to teach his disciples and us how to deal with one another when we see others sin. In verse 15, he tells us, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” It is tough to go directly to another person and—in love—to point out sin. But it is something that our Lord himself commands. Jesus reminds us that when Christian brothers and sisters sin, he wants us to address it. Following this command in a world full of sin is difficult, to say the least. When a friend or family member has done wrong, our sinful nature would rather “tattle” to others than go to that friend or family member directly.

How blessed we are to have the words of our Savior in Scripture to guide us in these difficult situations! The Savior gave his life for us on the cross; so, he gives us free forgiveness for when we do not follow his commands. That same Savior understands our burdens; so, he gives us direction and guidance on how to address sin. That same Savior also gives us the power and right to forgive others’ sins. When we have “won over” a brother or sister in Christ, we have the privilege of proclaiming, “God forgives you, and by his authority I do, too.”

As dear children of God, may we strive to take each other’s words and actions in the kindest possible way. When sin enters the picture, may we approach one another in love. May we teach our children at an early age to go to one another in those moments as well, out of love for Jesus and one another. And when we win others over, may we be quick to proclaim forgiveness to them.

Dear Jesus,

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I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

A wrestler doesn’t show up for a competition and claim his trophy without first putting his body through rigorous training. He goes through total body strength training. He builds his cardiovascular endurance through intense conditioning. He focuses on flexibility and mobility to prevent injury. He follows a strict diet which provides fuel for his workouts and competitions. A wrestler’s training is not meant to be fun. It is meant to challenge, to test, and to prepare him for the ultimate prize that he seeks, whether it be a medal, trophy or money. A wrestler goes through much physical and mental suffering while training for a big match. But any serious wrestler will tell you that all the training and conditioning that he goes through doesn’t compare to winning a match and receiving the prize he was striving for.

The Apostle Paul speaks of suffering in Romans 8:18 when he writes, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Paul certainly went through his share of suffering. Paul went through physical suffering when he was persecuted for preaching the gospel. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned. He went through environmental dangers, traveling through deserts and wildernesses. He was often hungry and sleep-deprived. He was bit by a venomous snake once. He also struggled with emotional pain. He had concern for the churches he was trying to plant and encourage. He often faced rejection of the message that he brought.

In the midst of all these sufferings, Paul never lost sight of the hope that he was preaching. He knew that whatever happened to him in this world, it was not worth comparing to what he would experience in the next life. He looked forward to the eternal glory of heaven. However, Paul knew that his eternal reward wasn’t due to the suffering he went through.

In the same way, these verses are meant to be encouragement to endure your suffering with faith. What are you enduring right now in your life? Is there illness? Family issues? Challenges at work? Whatever you are going through, these trials do not compare to the glory you will experience for eternity in heaven.

Meanwhile, God does not leave us to our own devices. Isaiah 41:10 encourages, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Trust that God will bring you through your present sufferings and hold you in his hand until his glory is finally revealed in heaven.

Dear heavenly Father, when we face trials and suffering in this life, help us to trust in your promise of heaven. Keep our eyes fixed on you until at last we see you in all your glory. Amen.

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If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

The other night my son said to me, “Mom, I just don’t know what to believe anymore. This guy on YouTube said he has proof that Jesus is still in the grave. And another one says that Jesus wasn’t really God, but just did tricks for people. So, whom do I believe?”

While the the Internet can be a useful tool, there is a lot of content that can cause Christians to doubt what they have been taught about the Bible, and especially about their Savior Jesus.

The first thing I told him is that we need to get into God’s Word and see what he really says. 1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” False prophets say, “I think this is what God says.” A prophet from God says, “This is what God’s Word says.”

So, what does God’s Word say about Jesus? The Bible gives title to Jesus that are also God’s titles. Isaiah gives Jesus the names “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father”. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then later in verse 14, John says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” That’s Jesus! He is the Word who was there since before the beginning of time and then who became a man to dwell among us. Colossians 2:9 also clearly states “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

Had Jesus not been truly God, then he would not have been able to live a perfect life here on earth. Because Jesus is truly God, his death paid the price for sin. Because he is truly God, he was raised from the dead. Not even his enemies could find the body that Easter Sunday. And now, Jesus lives and rules eternally.

The world wants us to see Jesus merely as a “good man.” The world wants us to see Jesus as someone to look up to and who is only an example of how to live. The world wants us to dismiss the Bible teaching that Jesus is God and, therefore, dismiss the truth that he lived a perfect life, died a perfect death, and has been raised to life again so that we also will be raised to eternal life.

Continue to test every spirit to see that they are truly from God. Pray that God would give you the discernment to know a false teaching from the truth.

Dear Jesus, almighty God, as true man and God, you suffered for us, you died for us, and now you live again for us. Give us the discernment to search your Word and to test every spirit to see if they truly are from God. Amen.

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Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22

“If you don’t have a cat at home, you can’t be my friend.”

How silly these statements sound! How foolish it is to choose your friends based on something they do or do not own. How selfish to only include someone based on what they do for you. These statements are obviously self-centered, and any faith-fostering teacher or parent would correct their child. Parents can support their child’s spiritual and emotional growth by teaching the child to consider the needs and feelings of someone in order to be a good friend, rather than to get something in return.

“I won’t include “so and so” in my Bible study because she’s living with her boyfriend.”

Do these statements sound just as silly? They should. The church is not made up of perfect people. The church is filled with sinners. Unfortunately, we fall into the trap of self-righteously looking down on certain people. Jesus did not avoid sinners. Instead, he sought them out, preached love to them, and told them to turn from their sin.

When we make the decision to keep someone from hearing God’s Word, we are deciding that that person is not worthy of God’s love. Who are we to tell God whom he should or shouldn’t love? Who are we to decide who deserves to go to heaven or hell? Rather, we are to welcome sinners into God’s house, urge repentance, preach God’s forgiveness, and encourage godly living.

Is there a time when you decided not to offer a chance to hear God’s Word to someone whom you thought didn’t deserve it? Perhaps your have a friend whom you haven’t invited to church because their lifestyle goes against God’s Word. Maybe you look down on another member of your church because they parent a bit differently than you do.

Remind yourself why you go to church – because you are a sinner and need Jesus’ forgiveness. If only sinless people could go to church, the building would sit empty. For “here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

When we sit next to fellow sinners in church, we have the joy and confidence to know that we all “are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Dear Jesus, forgive me when I look down on those whose sin seems greater than mine. Give me the attitude that I am the worst of sinners and need your forgiveness. Help me to share that forgiveness with those who need to hear it most. Amen.