WELS Daily Devotions

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260517dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 Insult It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are, and holds it up for contempt. That hurts. When Christians are insulted because of their beliefs, they should not be surprised. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, you can usually ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. However, there are times when it becomes overwhelming. There are moments when the insults truly hurt. When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus. So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says that they serve as a reminder that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments, give me peace of mind and heart. 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/20260516dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2 Our Good Shepherd Sheep can be easily spooked. A sudden noise can send them into a frenzy. These gentle creatures are not built to handle a lot of stress because they do not have a strong defense mechanism. Sheep are vulnerable and depend on their shepherd for protection. Like sheep, you and I don’t always feel like we’re built to handle some of the problems we’re facing. We can feel stressed and overtaxed. And the truth is that we are just as defenseless. Much of the stress in our lives is due to problems beyond our control. We may work hard, but cutbacks can still take away our job. We may eat right, but medical tests can still deliver troubling news. Thanks be to God that we are not on our own. We have a shepherd who protects us. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). He is a Shepherd who did not remain dead but picked his life up again. This good and living Shepherd provides protection for his sheep. Jesus’ sheep were very nervous and fearful on that first Easter. His disciples met in secret behind locked doors. Then Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). Jesus could offer the disciples peace because he was alive again. He paid the price for their sin by his death on the cross on Good Friday. The living Jesus restored their joy of salvation with his peace of sins forgiven. Jesus offers his peace to you and me as well. We may feel defenseless with the problems we are going through. But we are never alone. Our protector and Good Shepherd is always with us. Leading us to the green pastures of his Word, he fills us with comfort and confidence through his promises. As he satisfies us with the life-giving water of his Word, he strengthens our faith in him and gives us the peace that only he, our Good Shepherd, can give us. Prayer: Jesus, my Good Shepherd, lead me to a deeper understanding and a greater trust in your words. 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/20260515dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 The Past Is Paid For It seems like an all-too-common occurrence when someone in the public eye comes under fire for past indiscretions. Whether it is athletes, politicians, or entertainers, we have seen examples of someone falling from grace. Once past sins are brought into the light, very few people in our society will have mercy. Social media will vilify the person. Public opinion will turn against them quickly. They might be blackballed by Hollywood or shunned by their political party. It is likely they will never recover or return to their previous position. Deep down, we are all afraid that our past sins will come back to bite us in the end. Maybe it was something done in secret that nobody knows about. Perhaps it was a sin committed in the heat of the moment, you know that at some point it is going to come to light, and you are going to have to answer for it. It is likely that whatever happened will eventually be known by others; it is just a matter of time. The fear of waiting for that other shoe to drop is real. We fear losing our jobs, reputation, or relationships. Perhaps more than that, we fear being punished by God for all eternity. That would be our fate, except that someone already answered to God on our behalf. In giving himself to die on the cross, Jesus already took both the blame and the punishment for our sins. He has paid for our sins and removed them from us. Yes, the day is coming when many will have to answer for what they have done. But through faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear that day. The Judge on that day will be the same one who died and rose from the dead to save us. Thanks be to God that through faith in Jesus, we will not be made to answer for our sins! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for answering for my sins and removing them from me. Lead me to not fear the day of your return. 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/20260510dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 Hope’s Testimony Remember cramming (studying) for an exam? Trying to somehow embed your resistant memory with all those details written in the textbook or recorded in your class notes? You knew that if you didn’t have a grasp on most of the material, you’d bring home the news of a less-than-desirable test score, or perhaps even a failing grade. Peter isn’t talking about a test when he says, “Always be prepared to give an answer.” He’s talking about an opportunity! A God-given one! The Lord is bringing into your presence or opening a door to someone who doesn’t know what is yours—hope! When your unbelieving neighbor sees you living your life for Christ—”letting your light shine”—he or she is puzzled. “What accounts for this obvious joy?” “Where does this generosity of patience and love come from?” “Why are you so filled with hope?” Ah! Opportunity! This passage addresses the subject of witnessing! Of evangelizing! Of sharing the Good News that has delivered a sure and certain hope to you, but is meant for everyone! And the apostle says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Are you prepared to do so? You may be more prepared than you think! You know what Jesus has done for you. You know why he died on the cross. You know the meaning of his resurrection. You know that eternal life is already yours. You know that he is coming back to judge the living and the dead. You know that those who die in Christ are blessed. And that means you also know that those who die without Jesus have no hope. “We believe,” Paul wrote the Corinthian Christians. “And therefore speak.” Christian hope needs to find expression. The questions raised by our unbelieving friends need answering. The love of Christ compels us to share our hope with them. They must hear the gospel! Prayer: Lord, open my lips to share my hope in you. 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/20260505dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Know this: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 One Name That Saves Some people say that all spiritual paths lead to the same place. The idea sounds appealing, kind, and welcoming. It sounds peaceful. But is it true? When Simon Peter spoke to the religious council in Jerusalem, he refused to soften his message. He did not hold back. He declared that salvation—rescue from sin, death, and judgment—comes through one name: Jesus Christ. Peter did not offer Jesus as one option among many teachers. He did not portray Jesus as a guide who points the way toward truth or salvation. He proclaimed that no other name saves. Jesus is not an option. He is the only Savior. People sometimes resist hearing that only one name saves. It challenges our pride. We want to be able to prove ourselves, to showcase our effort, and proclaim, “See! I did it myself.” But if rescue rested on us, one question would always haunt us: Have I done enough? As our substitute, Jesus did enough. He lived the life we fail to live. He suffered our curse. He died our death. And he rose from the grave to prove that he has finished the work to save us. In Jesus, your doubt, fear, and worry—are silenced! And not just for you. Jesus solves the problem of sin for the whole world. Which means salvation does not depend on our performance. It rests in Christ. So, forgiveness is not something we earn. Life is not something we must win. Salvation is not something we secure for ourselves. It is a gift God gives to all who trust in Jesus Christ. Guaranteed. Certain. Secure. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the Savior the world needs. Strengthen my faith in you and help me share your saving name with others. 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/20260504dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.” Psalm 118:17-18 I Will Live Sometimes life’s thread snaps. We trust it to hold until suddenly there is too much tension. A doctor provides a diagnosis. An early morning phone call startles you awake. A perfectly normal drive to work turns into a crash that lands you in the hospital. In an instant, everything changes. In moments like this, we remember what we prefer to ignore: We are not in control of our lives. We plan, we manage, we secure. But in the blink of an eye, our limitations are exposed. That is why the psalmist’s words stand out. In the middle of hardship, the psalmist declares, “I will not die but live.” How could he say that? It’s not arrogance. It’s faith. He knew who held his life. Even when the Lord disciplined him, the Lord did not abandon him. The Lord guided, guarded, and preserved him. Those words gain their fullest meaning in Jesus. On Easter morning, Jesus rose from the dead. Death attacked him with everything it had, but it could not hold him. Because Jesus lives, death no longer has the final word. That means this confession becomes our own. Death is not our end. We don’t fade into nothingness when we die. Because Jesus defeated death, whoever trusts in him will live even after dying. One day, Jesus will sound the alarm, and those who fell asleep in him will wake to live with him forever. With fresh eyes, we will see God and live with him forever. What joy and comfort that promise gives! No matter what tension today brings, your story does not end with death. The Lord holds your life in his hands. So even in hardship, we confess: I will not die but live! Prayer: Living Savior, you opened the door to eternal life. Fill me with confidence in your promises and help me proclaim what you have done. 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/20260501dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 With Jesus My Shepherd, I Am Home By the time David was finally crowned king of Israel at the age of 30, he had spent nearly half of his life on the run from the jealous King Saul, who saw him as a rival to be eliminated. At one point, David pleaded with the king to give up this pointless manhunt, saying, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?” (1 Samuel 26:18). Although the king relented that day, it would still be some time before David could settle down in one place. How exhausting it must have been to be constantly hounded that way for so many years! You likely do not have a mortal enemy like young David did. But maybe you have felt chased in a more metaphorical way—constantly pursued by memories of past mistakes, of words or actions that make you blush or inwardly moan just to think of them years later. Hounded by a guilty conscience, we may even begin to doubt whether God will forgive us. David had that experience too, after making some terribly sinful choices later in life. He wrote in Psalm 51: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” In the closing verse of what is probably David’s most famous psalm, he writes of a very different kind of chase: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me [literally, pursue me] all the days of my life.” David had learned that no matter how great our sin, the Lord’s love for us is even greater. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, pursues his wandering sheep and gently restores us to himself. During our life on earth, the Lord invites us to find shelter in his house of worship; and when we depart from this earth one day, he will welcome us into his heavenly home, where “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd…. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17). Prayer: (CW, 552:6) And so through all the length of days Your goodness fails me never; Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise Within your house forever! 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/20260430dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 With Jesus My Shepherd, I Am Honored The story arc of Psalm 23 moves fast enough to make your head spin. It begins with David identifying with a lowly sheep, content to recline in the presence of the Lord, his loving Shepherd, knowing that plenty of green grass and clean water are available. Then Shepherd and sheep are up and walking, and the paths seem right—until suddenly all is dark and scary. Fortunately, David is aware that the Shepherd is with him in that shadowy valley, fending off unknown and unseen assailants on every hand. One verse later, the darkness is lifted, revealing the enemies before him, but the tables have turned in an unexpected way. The lowly sheep from the pasture is now the guest of honor at the Lord’s own Table. Those who meant harm to him can do nothing but watch in humiliation and defeat, as he receives every sign of hospitality and honor. Perhaps this sequence of events reflects the way King David looked back on his own life. He went from a young man tending his father’s sheep to a giant-slayer to being hunted by the king as a traitor to being anointed and crowned king himself. How could a young shepherd ever imagine receiving such honor? In gratitude for all these blessings and more, David prayed, “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samual 7:18). He knew better than anyone that it was only by God’s grace that he was blessed in this way. Jesus Christ—both David’s descendant and his Lord—is the Shepherd King who displays lavish hospitality on us, the sheep of his flock. He took our shame and lowliness upon himself, dying in our place, so that he might share his glory with us. When Satan points out our sin, Jesus stuns him into silence, graciously inviting us to his Table where our Lord’s own body and blood assure us of forgiveness. Jesus, our Shepherd, welcomes us as honored guests, anointing us with joy and the Holy Spirit. Prayer: (CW, 552:5) You spread a table in my sight, A banquet here bestowing; Your oil of welcome, my delight; My cup is overflowing. 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/20260420dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” Luke 24:18-21 God’s Promises and Our Perception In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find that one of his petri dishes had been contaminated with mold. It looked like a failure and ruined work. But when Fleming looked closer, he noticed something remarkable. Around the mold, the bacteria had died. What looked spoiled was actually powerful. That mold, penicillin, would go on to save hundreds of thousands of lives during World War II and millions more in the years that followed. Three days after Jesus’ death, two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem. With their faces downcast and their hearts full of disappointment. They said, “We had hoped…” They had hoped for redemption, freedom, and restoration for Israel. But Jesus had been crucified. To them, the cross looked like failure, like God’s plan had been ruined. But the cross wasn’t failure; it was success. There, Jesus satisfied God’s wrath. There, he paid for every sin. And three days later, Jesus proved it with an empty tomb. We know the feeling of having hope disappointed. We hoped the diagnosis would be different. We hoped the relationship would heal. He hoped the door would open. Sometimes God’s work in our lives looks like a ruined plan. But the cross teaches us it is better to trust God’s promises than our perceptions. What looked like defeat became salvation. What looked like death became life. In Jesus, your greatest problem has already been cured. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when plans don’t match my expectations, help me trust your promises. Remind me that your cross is never failure, but always my cure. 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/20260419dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.. . . Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:32,36 Christ Lives to Reign King Cyrus of Persia, King David of Judah, Caesar Augustus of Rome—these are three of the countless people who have ruled nations and empires over the centuries. Some kings and kingdoms lasted for generations, while others were short-lived. As different as they were from each other, they all had one thing in common—they did not last. How uncertain life would be if all we had to lean on were these passing kings and kingdoms. Our immortal souls need something more. How eagerly, then, we listen to the words of the apostle Peter. He tells us of a far greater King. This King is the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter tells us of a far greater kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom will last for eternity. It didn’t always seem this way, though. Jesus’ enemies plotted for years to kill Jesus. Finally, they carried out their plans and crucified him. He didn’t seem like a king whose kingdom would last for eternity. But then came Easter. Jesus’ disciples ran to an empty grave. He had risen. He was still King, and his kingdom was still intact. Today, let Peter’s words give you strength. Be assured of this: your King lives to reign. He is the Lord of your heart. He is your eternal source of forgiveness and hope. Prayer: Lord Jesus, by your resurrection from the dead you proved that you are my Savior and Lord. May your sure promises of forgiveness and life not only lead me to trust in you but also to live for you. 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/20260418dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 Living Hope A person struggles with a dangerous sin. He has given in before. It’s such a struggle that some days he is ready to give in for good. But he hangs on, remembering the battle Jesus fought to set him free. He continues to fight, relying on God’s power that raised Jesus to life. And where there is life, there is hope. This new life is ours through the good news of the crucified and risen Jesus. Through this message, the Holy Spirit connects us to the accomplished work of our Savior. Jesus’ death becomes our death. Jesus’ life becomes our life—a living hope. Living hope is not skeptical. It does not get discouraged when life’s circumstances change. Living hope holds onto God’s indestructible inheritance. If you die or the world ends, it’s still yours. It can’t be spoiled by sin or sinful people. It won’t lose value over time. God is keeping it safe for you in heaven. By faith in Jesus, that inheritance is your salvation—eternal freedom from sin, death, and the devil’s power. So, rejoice! Jesus lives! And where there is life, there is hope. Prayer: Dearest Jesus, I praise you for the life, hope, and inheritance I have in you. And so, I consider it a joy if I must suffer for your name. 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/20260417dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31 Written For Your Faith The apostle John closes his book with a purpose: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The resurrection appearances were not random miracles. They were signs. Proof. Testimony. Carefully preserved and proclaimed so that future generations—like us—might have certainty. Christian faith is not blind optimism. It rests on recorded, eyewitness history. The apostles saw Jesus. They touched him. They ate with him. And then they wrote. Why? So “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Notice the present tense: have life. Not only future glory, but also present peace and access to God. Jesus lives, and therefore you live. His victory becomes your victory. His declaration of sins forgiven becomes your declaration of peace with God. His promise to be with you always becomes your source of calm and courage. His selfless love for you becomes your motivation to selflessly love your neighbor. This is why we treasure the Bible. It is not merely a collection of inspiring thoughts. It is Spirit-breathed testimony to the living Jesus. Through it, Jesus still comes into locked rooms and hearts. Through it, he still shows his wounds. Through it, he still declares, “Peace be with you.” When doubts arise, return to what is written. When fear closes in, return to what is written. When guilt accuses, return to what is written. The resurrection of Jesus on Easter is not only an annual celebration. It is daily proof that your sins are forgiven and your future is secure. He lives to give you proof and peace. He lives—and in him, you have life. Prayer: Living Lord Jesus, anchor my faith in your written Word. Through it, grant me unshakable proof and enduring peace. 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/20260416dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29 The Wounded Lord Draws Near A week after Jesus appeared to his disciples on Easter evening, he appears again. The doors are locked. This time, Thomas is present. Jesus speaks directly to him. “Put your finger here; see my hands… Stop doubting and believe.” What mercy! Jesus repeats Thomas’s own words back to him—not to mock, but to invite. The Lord had heard his doubt. And now he answers it with the proof of his wounds from the cross. Even in resurrection glory, Jesus keeps the marks of crucifixion as proof of his undeserved love. Thomas responds with the clearest confession in John’s Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas declares who Jesus is—God himself—and who Jesus is to him—his Lord. His doubt is transformed into worship. Jesus then speaks to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is not second-class faith. It is faith grounded in the testimony of the apostles. The eyewitnesses saw so that we may trust their proclamation. We do not touch his wounds physically. However, we encounter the same crucified and risen Jesus in his Word and in the Lord’s Supper. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus provides individual sinners with the ongoing assurance that his body and blood have been given and shed for them. He lives. And his living presence continues to comfort wounded consciences. Your wounds, too, are known to him. By his death and resurrection, he transformed your guilt into peace, your temporary pain into enduring hope, and your momentary sorrows into joy that will last forever. Thomas received what he asked for and more. He received a living Savior. So do you. Prayer: My Lord and my God, thank you for meeting my doubts with mercy. Keep my faith anchored in your wounded yet victorious body. 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/20260415dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24–25 When Doubt Demands Proof Thomas was not there. We are not told why. But in his absence, he missed out on the peace the risen Jesus brought to his disciples with his appearance. When the others told him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas refused to believe without tangible proof. “Unless I see… unless I touch… I will not believe.” We often judge Thomas rather harshly. Yet his demand is deeply human. Disappointment makes us guarded. Grief makes us cautious. We hesitate to trust again. Thomas was not asking for some mystical feeling; he wanted reality. But notice this: even in his doubt, Thomas remained among the disciples. He did not abandon the fellowship entirely. And that matters. There will be seasons when you struggle. You may wrestle with suffering, prayers that seem unanswered, or intellectual questions. Doubt does not shock Jesus. He knows the wounds that cause it. Yet the answer to doubt is not isolation. When doubt or grief casts a long shadow over your soul, the worst thing you can do is to go off alone with your gloomy thoughts. The best thing you can do is to go where believers in Jesus gather around the promises of God and encourage one another with those promises. Go and be where Jesus meets with us— “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Go and be where his sweet “Peace be with you,” is spoken, where praying with others and for others and singing praise to God with many voices can lift you up and outside of yourself. The answer to doubt is not isolation. Thomas stayed close enough to hear again. And Jesus did not scold him from a distance. He came near. He lives not to shame doubters, but to give them proof and peace. The risen Jesus is patient with you, too. Even when your grip weakens, his hold remains firm. Prayer: Lord, when I struggle with doubt, keep me near your Word and your people. Strengthen my faith with the certainty of your resurrection. 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/20260414dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:21–23 Sent with the Spirit’s Power Twice, Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” Then he added, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The peace Jesus gives is not stagnant. It inspires people who have found peace to now offer it to others in Jesus’ name. Notice what empowered Jesus’ disciples: “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” The same Lord who breathed life into Adam now breathes new life into fearful disciples. Resurrection life becomes missionary life. And what is the core of their mission? Forgiveness. “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This is astonishing authority. Christians do not invent forgiveness; they deliver what Jesus purchased. The peace Jesus spoke in that locked room now travels through the mouths of believers into the ears of sinners. When a believer in Jesus declares, “I forgive you in Jesus’ name,” it is not wishful thinking. It is the living Jesus applying the forgiveness he purchased and won. Receive from the risen Jesus the power of forgiveness. Receive from the risen Jesus the power to forgive. You are sent to bring peace to people in this world—not necessarily across oceans, but across rooms, across tables, across ordinary conversations. You carry the message that death has been defeated and sins are forgiven. “Peace be with you!” Prayer: Jesus, breathe your Spirit into me. Fill me with your peace and send me to share the forgiveness you have 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/20260413dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20 Behind Locked Doors The doors were locked. The disciples were scared. The next knock on the door might be Roman soldiers sent by Jesus’ enemies to finish the job and make sure every last disciple of Jesus was silenced for good. But then—without knocking—Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you.” This peace knows everything is the way it should be. Hiding behind locked doors was not going to manufacture calm and peace in the disciples. So, Jesus came to them. The living, breathing, crucified-and-risen Jesus stood in the middle of their anxiety and declared peace—everything is as it should be. I’m alive. You’re forgiven. Peace be with you. Not only did he declare peace to them, but he also gave them the proof they needed. He showed them his hands and side. The proof of his love remained visible. His wounds had not vanished. The proof of his presence was no longer in doubt. You may feel isolated in your doubts, guilt, or fear of the future. Yet the risen Jesus does not wait for you to manufacture peace on your own. Through his Word, he stands among his people today. And he still says, “Peace be with you.” When we are afraid, Jesus doesn’t say, “Calm yourselves.” He says, “Look at me. See the wounds that won your freedom.” The same body that hung on the cross now stands alive. The penalty of sin was paid. Death was undone. Peace with God has been won. The peace Jesus gives is not based on our feelings, but on Jesus’ promised presence, power, and love for us. Jesus proved his love for us when he died on the cross for us. He proved his power when he conquered death. Jesus lives, so our souls trust that Jesus makes everything the way it should be. “Peace be with you!” Prayer: Jesus, fix my eyes on your wounds, that I may have peace in the certainty of your victory. 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/20260412dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. John 20:19-20 Then Jesus Stepped Into the Room How secure are you? Is your job safe, or is there a lay-off coming? How about your health? Or what if you had a serious car accident, or your home caught on fire, or what if …? These are important questions, but in reality, almost laughingly insignificant in comparison to, “What is my relationship to God?” Or to put it a different way, “When I die, where will I go—to heaven or hell?” Now these questions simply have to be answered, or there will be a nagging sense of worry, emptiness, and insecurity. The problem is, as we look into our heart and mind, we’re not helped. Have we been perfectly patient with those around us, shown perfect love to them, always been an example of Christ-like love? Or do we see in ourselves a rash of impatience, unkindness, selfishness? Ouch, more insecurity. Jesus’ disciples understood insecurity. There they were, locked in the room, with no idea what was going to happen next, with no idea where their life was going to go. And then? Then Jesus stepped into the room. And what did he do? He showed them his hands and side. There, on his nail-pierced hands, was proof that the disciples were forgiven, that Jesus had fully paid for all their sins, and that they stood at one with God. It wasn’t, “Don’t worry, be happy, the sun will come out tomorrow.” No, it was far deeper. It was, “See here—in my hands and side—the proof that I love you! The proof that your sins are forgiven and you’re on the way to heaven!” Jesus’ hands and side say the same thing to you and me: “You are forgiven. You are loved. You are on the way to heaven!” Prayer: Jesus, my risen Savior, often I’m nervous and afraid. Forgive me. Focus my attention on your nail-scarred, risen hands, that I might see clearly that my sins are forgiven, and that I’m at peace with you. 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/20260411dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him.” John 20:1-2 We Know Where Our Savior Is! Panic, confusion, and emptiness filled Mary Magdalene. Already her heart was heavy with grief as she prepared for one last act of love for the one she had followed as the promised Messiah. She would help anoint his body for burial and then leave the tomb without hope and without help. But now this was too much to bear. Not only was her friend dead, but his body was also missing. First, panic set in. “What could have happened?” Mary must have thought. Then confusion followed. “How could just a few days change my life so much? Just days ago, I thought I had found the Messiah. How I loved listening to him! His words freed me from my burdens. I really thought Jesus was the one. But now he’s gone. What am I to do?” And now her life felt empty. No Jesus. No hope. No help. And that’s how our lives would also be, if Jesus had never been found, or if his dead body would have been discovered in the tomb or elsewhere. Without a risen Savior, we could have no hope, no help, no forgiveness, no life. Then we would have every reason to panic. Then confusion and emptiness would be our lot in life, and we would be pitiable and hopeless indeed. Thankfully, the apostle Paul assures us in the book of 1 Corinthians, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Thank the Lord, we know where our risen Savior is! He’s not in the grave, for he is alive, and we have the certain hope that we live eternally. Now our life remains full, today and forever! Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I rejoice in the reality of your resurrection and the hope and help it provides. 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/20260410dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 The Lord Provides a Savior It seemed like the end. Jonah had run from the Lord. He boarded a ship going in the opposite direction. When the storm came and the truth was revealed, he was thrown into the sea. The water closed over him. There was no escape. No strength left. No hope of saving himself. But the Lord provided. God appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah. What looked like judgment became rescue. What seemed like certain death became the means of preserving his life. Jonah could not save himself, but the Lord saved him. This account points us to someone greater than Jonah, that is, Jesus Christ. Jesus would not spend portions of three days in a fish, but in the grave. He would sink into death itself, not because he ran from God, but because we have. He took our place. He carried our sin. He faced the punishment we deserved. When Jesus died on the cross and was laid in the tomb, it seemed like hope was lost. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. What looked like defeat was victory. What looked like judgment became salvation. This means your salvation does not depend on your ability to rescue yourself. Like Jonah, you cannot escape sin or overcome death by your own strength. But the Lord has provided. He provided his Son. Jesus entered death and came out alive. His resurrection proves that sin is forgiven. His victory means death is defeated. When you feel overwhelmed by guilt, remember that Jesus has already paid for it. When you feel helpless against death, remember that Jesus has already conquered it. When you feel lost, remember that the Lord has already provided your rescue. Your salvation rests not in what you have done, but in what Jesus has done for you. The Lord provided a fish for Jonah. The Lord provided a Savior for you. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for entering death to rescue me from sin and judgment. Strengthen my faith in your victory and help me trust in your saving 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/20260409dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:18 Mary Saw the Lord Grief had brought her to the tomb. Mary Magdalene stood outside weeping. The one who had changed her life was gone. Jesus Christ, who had freed her from darkness and given her hope, had been crucified. Now, even his body seemed to be missing. It felt like one more loss, one more sorrow, one more reason to despair. Then Jesus spoke her name. “Mary.” In that moment, everything changed. The one she thought was dead was alive. The one she thought was lost was standing right in front of her. Death had not won. The grave had not kept him. Jesus lived. Her sorrow turned to joy. Her despair turned to hope. And she went to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” This is the heart of the Christian faith. Not a philosophy. Not wishful thinking. A living Savior. Mary was not sharing a rumor. She was announcing a reality. Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he promised. His sacrifice for sin had been accepted. His victory over death was complete. This means everything for you. It means your sins are forgiven. Jesus did not remain in the grave because his work was finished. The payment was complete. God accepted his sacrifice in full. It means death is not the end. Because Jesus lives, those who trust in him will live also. The grave is no longer a place of defeat, but a doorway to eternal life. It means Jesus knows you personally. Just as he called Mary by name, he knows you. He sees your struggles, fears, and sorrows. And he comes to you through his Word with comfort and peace. Mary’s message is still the message the world needs to hear: “I have seen the Lord.” In the words of the Bible, you see him too. You see his love, his victory, and his promises. And because he lives, you have forgiveness, hope, and life, now and forever. Prayer: Risen Lord, thank you for revealing yourself as the living Savior. Strengthen my faith through your Word and remind me that you know me and love me. Help me live each day in the joy and confidence of your resurrection. 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/20260408dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:13-14 Jesus Serves a Meal It was a simple meal. Jesus’ disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing. They were tired. Perhaps they were still uncertain about the future. They had seen the risen Jesus Christ, but what now? What would become of them? Had their failures disqualified them? Had Peter’s denial changed everything? Then Jesus met them on the shore. He didn’t come with demands. He didn’t come with a list of corrections. He came with food. He took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. The risen Lord of life served his disciples. What a beautiful reminder of who Jesus is. This is the same Savior who had washed their feet. The same Savior who had given his life on the cross. The same Savior who rose from the dead in victory. And now, he still came to serve. His resurrection had not changed his heart. He was still their gracious, giving Savior. This is comforting, because we are not so different from those disciples. We also grow tired. We also face uncertainty. We also carry the burden of our sins and failures. We wonder if we have done too much wrong, failed too often, or wandered too far. Yet Jesus still comes to his people. He comes through his Word with his promises. He serves a meal, the Lord’s Supper, for the forgiveness of our sins. He comes with promises that calm our fears. He comes with his grace, not because we deserve it, but because he loves us. The disciples did not need to earn that meal. Jesus freely gave it. In the same way, you do not earn his love. He freely gives it. Your risen Savior lives. He knows your needs. He knows your weaknesses. And he still serves you with his grace. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for serving me with your grace and forgiveness. When I am uncertain, remind me that you are alive and caring for me. Strengthen my faith and help me trust your constant 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/20260407dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you” Luke 24:36 Peace Be With You The doors were locked. The disciples had every reason to be afraid. Jesus Christ, their teacher and friend, had been crucified. Reports of his resurrection were circulating, but it all seemed too good to be true. And if the authorities had executed Jesus, what might they do to his followers? Fear filled the room. Fear of the future. Fear of suffering. Fear of death. Into that fear, Jesus came and stood among them. He didn’t knock. He didn’t wait for permission. He simply appeared. And the first words he spoke were not words of correction or disappointment. He didn’t say, “Why did you doubt?” or “Why did you run away?” He said, “Peace be with you.” This was more than a greeting. It was a declaration. Just days earlier, these disciples had failed him. They had argued about who was greatest. They had fled when he was arrested. Peter had denied even knowing him. Their fear and weakness were fresh failures. Yet Jesus came with peace. This is the peace he won for them. His death on the cross had paid for every sin. His resurrection proved that forgiveness was complete. This is also the peace he brings to you. You know your failures. You know the times fear overcame faith, when worry replaced trust, when sin spoke louder than God’s promises. Your conscience reminds you of what you’ve done wrong. And yet Jesus still arrives. Through his Word, he stands among his people and says, “Peace be with you.” Your sins are forgiven. Your guilt is removed. Your relationship with God is restored. This peace does not depend on your strength. It depends on his finished work. Jesus lives. The cross counts. Forgiveness is real. Whatever fears trouble your heart today, your risen Savior stands with you. He is not distant. He is not absent. He is alive. And he still speaks the words you need most. “Peace be with you.” Prayer: Risen Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing your peace to fearful hearts. Remind me that my sins are forgiven and that you are always with me. Strengthen my faith and calm my fears with your 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.