WELS - Daily Devotions

What About Jesus
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  • CHRISTIANITY
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WELS delivers a daily podcast devotional message Monday through Friday each week.

  1. Where Are You? – February 24, 2026

    15H AGO

    Where Are You? – February 24, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260224dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 Where Are You? God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew they were hiding. He knew why they were afraid. So why ask the question? Because this wasn’t a question of location. It was a question of relationship. After sin entered the world, the first human instinct wasn’t confession—it was hiding. Shame does that. Guilt convinces us that if God really knew us, he wouldn’t want us. So, we hide behind excuses, distractions, or even religion. We stay busy. We avoid quiet moments. We tell ourselves we’ll deal with God later. But God doesn’t wait for sinners to come looking for him. He comes looking for them. “Where are you?” isn’t an angry shout. It’s a grieving invitation. God is saying, “Why are you hiding from the one who loves you?” Sin separates us from God, not because God stops loving us, but because fear replaces trust. That separation is something we can’t fix on our own. We can’t hide well enough, behave well enough, or promise to do better enough to restore what’s broken. That’s why God steps into our hiding place himself. In Jesus, God enters a world full of shame, fear, and brokenness. Jesus takes our guilt onto himself at the cross. He dies exposed, so we don’t have to hide anymore. He rises so that fear doesn’t get the final word. Christianity isn’t about working your way back to God. It’s about realizing God already came to you. If you’ve ever felt distant from God—because of regret, doubt, or failure—this question is for you: “Where are you?” Not to condemn you. But to bring you home. Prayer: God, I admit that I often hide from you when I’m afraid or ashamed. Thank you for seeking me instead of abandoning me. Thank you for Jesus, who removes my guilt and invites me back into your presence. Help me trust your grace and stop hiding. 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.

    3 min
  2. Did God Really Say? – February 23, 2026

    1D AGO

    Did God Really Say? – February 23, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260223dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Did God Really Say? The question sounds innocent enough. Almost helpful. “Did God really say…?” It doesn’t sound like rebellion. It sounds like curiosity. Like someone double-checking the fine print. That’s how temptation often works. Rather than kicking the door down. It knocks politely. The serpent doesn’t start by denying God. He starts by reframing God. He takes something God said clearly and bends it just enough to make God seem unreasonable. Restrictive. Suspicious. Suddenly, the problem isn’t disobedience—it’s whether God can be trusted at all. That question still works today. “Did God really say that… about sex? About money? About forgiveness?” “Would a loving God really care?” “Isn’t that a little outdated?” The doubt sounds modern and thoughtful. But underneath it is the same old lie: God might not be as good as he says he is. And if we’re honest, we’ve listened. We’ve assumed we know better. We’ve trusted our instincts more than God’s Word. And the result hasn’t been freedom. It’s been guilt, broken relationships, and a quiet sense that something isn’t right. That’s what sin does. It promises more and delivers less. What’s striking is what God does next. He doesn’t disappear. He doesn’t give up on humanity because they doubted him. Instead, he keeps speaking. He keeps acting. He keeps moving toward the people who just moved away from him. The entire Bible is God answering the serpent’s question. And the clearest answer is Jesus. Jesus shows us what God is really like. He doesn’t withhold good—he gives himself. He doesn’t manipulate—he sacrifices. At the cross, God proves once and for all that he is not holding out on us. He’s giving everything to rescue us. So, when you hear that question—Did God really say? —listen closely to God’s answer. The answer is, ‘Yes.’ He really does say, “You can trust me.” Prayer: Lord God, I confess how easily I doubt your Word and goodness. Forgive me for trusting myself more than you. Thank you for showing me your heart through Jesus. Help me trust what you say and rest in what you have done for me. 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.

    4 min
  3. Temptations – February 22, 2026

    2D AGO

    Temptations – February 22, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260222dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The tempter came to [Jesus] and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:2-4 Temptations We don’t know how many temptations the devil flung at Jesus in the wilderness. But both Matthew and Luke record three. First, we see the devil picking up exactly where he left off with Adam. Even the three temptations that are mentioned are echoes of the way the devil had once tempted Eve: “The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food” (Genesis 3:6). Now the devil pricks at Jesus’ need for food by tempting him to command “stones to become bread.” Perhaps Jesus’ hunger was the most obvious weak spot to begin with. But rather than listen to his stomach, Jesus listened to God’s Word. And although Jesus is truly God, he didn’t speak a new Word. He simply used what had already been written through Moses, “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Food isn’t the only important thing we need, nor should it be at top of the list. A person who starves but who has faith in Jesus will live forever. But a person with a full stomach and no faith will die in eternal torment. When we focus on God through his Word, God promises to bless us. Few of us know someone who is genuinely starving for food. Do you know people who are starving for the Word? Feed them! Prayer: Lord God, increase my spiritual appetite for your Word and satisfy my hunger with its promises and blessings. Help me see opportunities to share the bounty of your Word with others that many more may be fed and filled with the abundance of its truth. 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.

    3 min
  4. God invites Us to His Dinner Party – February 21, 2026

    3D AGO

    God invites Us to His Dinner Party – February 21, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260221dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11 God invites Us to His Dinner Party Imagine that you’ve been invited to a dinner party. The menu has things that you enjoy. Also, the time and the date work for you. But then you come to realize that you don’t know anyone else who’s been invited to the party, and you have absolutely nothing in common with the people who are going. Would you still be as excited to go? I’d guess most of us wouldn’t be as excited. After all, what really makes a party fun is being with people we know and enjoy. Can you imagine a dinner party with God? It’s hard to imagine! And at first glance, it’s probably a scary thought. After all, God is perfect, holy, and eternal; we’re sinners. What in the world do we have in common with God, or he with us? And yet God chooses to invite us to his dinner party. God chooses to socialize with us. We read in today’s Bible verses of how he allowed the leaders and elders of Israel to dine in his presence. What an experience! He did it in an even more wondrous measure when Jesus came to this world and lived our human life. He continues to do it today, promising that he’s with us always, to the very end of time. And he’s preparing a place for us at the eternal “banquet feast” in heaven. But why would God want ME at his party? I’m a sinner! Ah, true. But Jesus lived, died, and rose, thereby paying for your sins in full. And so, you’re a welcome guest through Jesus. What a wonderful party it will be! Prayer: Savior Jesus, thank you for inviting me to the party, the eternal party. Fill me with longing for the day you take me there. 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.

    3 min
  5. Faith Rooted in Fact – February 20, 2026

    4D AGO

    Faith Rooted in Fact – February 20, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260220dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 Faith Rooted in Fact People sometimes speak about Christianity as if it’s a comforting legend. It’s nice, meaningful, and inspiring, but not necessarily true. Like a story you tell children at bedtime. Or like something people invented long ago to explain life and ease fear. But Peter wouldn’t let anyone talk that way about Jesus. He says clearly: “We did not follow cleverly devised stories.” In other words, “This wasn’t a made-up tale. We weren’t passing along rumors or religious myths. We were there.” Peter and the disciples personally saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain. They heard the voice from heaven declare: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” That moment wasn’t imagination or metaphor. It happened in real time, in real history, before real eyewitnesses. And Peter was willing to stake everything on it. He didn’t benefit from telling that story. He wasn’t paid or celebrated. He was opposed, imprisoned, beaten, and eventually killed for proclaiming what he had seen and heard. That’s what makes the Christian faith so different from mere “belief systems.” Christianity doesn’t begin with people reaching up to God through feelings or philosophy. It begins with God stepping down into our world so that we could know him in truth. So, when guilt weighs on your heart, or suffering raises questions, or doubt whispers that it’s all too good to be true, remember this: your faith rests on something that happened. Not clever stories, but eyewitness truth. And the Jesus they saw is the same Jesus who still reigns in power and still calls you his own. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that my faith is grounded in truth, not imagination. Strengthen my heart with your Word and help me trust what you have done for me. 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.

    4 min
  6. Listen to Him – February 19, 2026

    5D AGO

    Listen to Him – February 19, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260219dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 Listen to Him Peter was talking. He was excited. He was making plans. He was telling Jesus what he thought should happen next. And then God interrupted him. Matthew says, “While he was still speaking…” Before Peter could finish, God the Father spoke from a bright cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love… Listen to him!” We need that interruption, too, because we’re good at talking. Good at planning. Good at deciding what we think God should do. But God doesn’t tell you to listen to yourself. He tells you to listen to Jesus. I met with someone recently who told me he hadn’t been to church in a long time. Then he added, “But it’s okay. I pray twice a day.” I told him I was glad he prays. That’s a good thing. But then I asked him a question he hadn’t considered: “When do you make time to listen to Jesus?” Because prayer is talking to God. But God’s Word is how God talks to you. Listen when life is going well. Listen when it isn’t. Listen when you’re calm. Listen when you’re anxious. Listen when you don’t know what to do because Jesus doesn’t just give advice. He gives promises. He says you are forgiven and that God is with you. He says death won’t win, and eternal life is yours. So, if you feel pulled in ten directions today, start here: Listen to him. Prayer: Father, quiet my heart and my mind. Help me listen to Jesus and trust his promises, especially when life is hard. 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.

    3 min
  7. Ashes and Hope – February 18, 2026

    6D AGO

    Ashes and Hope – February 18, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260218dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 17:6-7 Ashes and Hope Today, the season called Lent begins. Lent is the forty-day journey leading up to Easter. It’s a season when Christians slow down and focus on why Jesus came. We examine why he suffered, why he died, and why he rose again. Lent starts with a day called Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday reminds us of something we don’t like to think about. That we are dust. And to dust we will return. That sounds grim. And it is. But it’s also honest. Jesus’ three disciples had an honest moment, too. When they heard God’s voice on the mountain, they fell facedown, terrified. They couldn’t handle it. And then Matthew gives us one of the most comforting sentences in the Bible: “But Jesus came and touched them.” Jesus didn’t stay far away. He didn’t wait for them to get brave. He came close. And he said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” That’s what Lent is about. It’s not about you proving yourself to God. It’s about Jesus coming close to you. And then Jesus did something even bigger. He came down from the mountain because he had another hill to climb. A cross to carry. He went there for sinners. For weak people. For dust-people like us. Ash Wednesday reminds you that you will die. But Jesus reminds you he died and rose again for you. So, the ashes aren’t the end of your story. Jesus is. Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this Ash Wednesday, remind me that I am dust, but I am not forgotten. You came close, you carried my sin, and you defeated death. Give me hope in your unfailing 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.

    3 min
  8. Jesus Is with You – February 17, 2026

    FEB 17

    Jesus Is with You – February 17, 2026

    https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260217dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 Jesus Is with You Movie previews can be dangerous. You go to the theater for a film, but then the previews start. And one of them looks so good you find yourself thinking, “Wait… why am I here for this movie? I want that one!” That’s a little like what happened to Peter on the mountain. Jesus’ face shone like the sun. His clothes were bright as light. Moses and Elijah appeared. It was a glimpse of glory—a preview of heaven. So, Peter said, “It is good for us to be here.” He even offered to build shelters so they could stay. But Peter wanted the glory without the suffering. He wanted Jesus shining and without the cross. And honestly, don’t we? We love the part of faith that feels uplifting. Peace. Joy. Hope. Blessings. But when life gets heavy, when grief comes, when fear rises, when our prayers don’t seem answered, then we start longing for a quick escape. We want mountaintop moments. We want out of the valley. We want the preview to become the whole story. But Jesus didn’t stay on the mountain. He came down. Because the glory Peter saw could only be ours if Jesus first went to the cross. And he did for you. Here’s the comfort: when Jesus came down, he didn’t come down away from his disciples. He came down with them. Into the crowds. Into the mess. Into the hard days. Into the valley. So, if life feels low right now, don’t assume Jesus is far. The Savior who shines with glory is the same Savior who walks beside you in pain. He has not left you. He knows the valley. And he will bring you through it. The preview, heaven, is coming for all those who put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. And right now, Jesus walks with you in the middle of real life because he came down the mountain. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I want comfort without struggle, remind me that you came down the mountain and went to the cross for me. Give me strength to follow you, trusting your 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.

    4 min
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About

WELS delivers a daily podcast devotional message Monday through Friday each week.

Information

  • Creator
    What About Jesus
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. All Rights Reserved. www.wels.net
  • Show Website
    WELS - Daily Devotions

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