Current Mood: thankful

ODB: God’s Property

Aug 15, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 15, 2025

You are a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:31

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word property? Your mind may go to a piece of real estate. But you might also consider “a quality or trait belonging to an individual or thing”; for instance, the property of a certain type of wood provides insight about it. What is the wood’s texture? How prone is it to shrinkage? Is it water-resistant? In other words, what are the qualities of the wood you can depend on?

My wife and I attend a church with a traditional feel—corporate prayers, kneeling, Scripture reading, Communion. One of the prayers we pray each Sunday holds this phrase: “But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.” Not God’s real estate but a quality or trait belonging to God—to have mercy not just once in a while but always.

Nehemiah 9 gives us a picture of the Israelites gathered together, fasting, wrapped in sackcloth and covered in ashes (v. 1), confessing their sins and the sins of their ancestors (vv. 2, 16). They praised God for His patience in Israel’s history: “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them” (v. 19). God could have put an end to them or abandoned them, but He never did. Why? That’s not God’s property, for He is “a gracious and merciful God” (v. 31).

In our prayers of confession, let’s include praise for that dependable property of God—His mercy.

— John Blase

What properties of God can you think of? How will You praise Him for those?

Thank you, Father, that Your property-Your character-is always to have mercy.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 14 August 2025

ODB: God Provides

Aug 14, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 14, 2025

READ: 1 Kings 17:7-16

There was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 1 Kings 17:15

My dear friend Sally wanted to give a birthday party for one of her friends. She knew her friend had been experiencing a tough time, and Sally desired to help lift her spirits. However, Sally was unemployed and didn’t have extra money to purchase food for a nice party. So she looked in her refrigerator and cabinets to see what was available. She then created a nice spread consisting of many items she’d previously purchased and had in her home.

When Sally shared with me the creative menu she had come up with, I thought about the story of Elijah and the widow (1 Kings 17:7-16). The widow didn’t have much. In fact, she told the prophet Elijah that she was going to prepare her final scraps of food for herself and her son “and [then] die” of starvation (v. 12). And she only had a small amount of flour and olive oil, just enough for their final meal.

But Elijah ensured the woman that her “jar of flour . . . and the jug of oil [would] not run dry” until God sent rain again (v. 14). By trusting in what God revealed through Elijah—even though she didn’t think she had enough—the woman found that God provided what she needed even though her kitchen was barren.

Just like my friend, the widow found what she needed. Following their examples, let’s live generously and rest in God’s provision for us.

— Katara Patton

What’s causing you to resist sharing with others today? How can you give generously even when it seems like you’re lacking resources?

Heavenly Father, please help me to share with others as I trust You to provide what I need.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 13 August 2025

ODB: Recognizing Jesus

Aug 13, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 13, 2025

READ: Luke 24:13-16, 25-35

Their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24:31

When Carlotta was young, she thought her mother had a remarkable gift for recognizing other people. But it was Carlotta who was remarkable. She had a rare condition called prosopagnosia. She couldn’t recognize or remember faces.

Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection, two disciples walking from Jerusalem seemed as if they had such a condition when they encountered someone they should have recognized. The two were talking about the exciting news of the past few days (Luke 24:14), but the third person seemed unaware of the events. They gave Him a quick summary, only to be surprised as this unknown person (Jesus) “explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v. 27). Then Christ broke bread with them (v. 30)—something He’d done many times before. At that moment, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (v. 31). They hurried back to Jerusalem to tell others (vv. 33-35).

Those disciples didn’t recognize Jesus when they were with Him, and they hadn’t recognized Him in the Old Testament—something they read often and thought they knew well. They needed Jesus to reveal Himself to them because they couldn’t see on their own.

We need that help too. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to see Jesus on the pages of the Bible and in our lives.

— Matt Lucas

When have you failed to recognize God’s presence in your life? Why do you think this happens?

Dear Father, thank You for revealing Jesus to me so that I may follow Him.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: contemplative

YMI -- ODB: 12 August 2025

ODB: Distance ’Til Empty

Aug 12, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 12, 2025

READ: Exodus 20:1, 8-17

The seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. Exodus 20:10

My tired minivan has a digital readout with initials DTE: Distance ’Til Empty. It gives me a precise mileage countdown. Most newer cars these days have this feature. It’s a handy one: Knowing exactly how far I can go before I need to fill the gas tank is important data to avoid being stranded!

Did you know the Ten Commandments offer something of an ancient analog to the DTE feature? It’s called Sabbath. In Exodus 20, God tells us that after six days, we’re out of metaphorical gas: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work” (vv. 8-10).

We might be tempted to ignore this commandment. After all, the prohibitions against lying, stealing, murder, adultery, coveting, and idolatry (vv. 1-17) seem pretty obvious. But resting for a day each week? Is it really that important?

We might think we can “cheat” here. But the gift the Sabbath offers is an invitation to rest. To cease laboring. To remember that God provides for us, not our own constant labor.

Distance ’til empty? Six days. And on the seventh, God graciously invites us to rest, recharge, and to relinquish the notion that it’s all up to us.

— Adam Holz

When do you find it easy or hard to rest from your work? What are some things you need to do to enable you to rest?

Dear Father, it’s so tempting to believe it’s all up to me. Thank You for the Sabbath, Your invitation to cease from my work and to trust Your provision.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 11 August 2025

ODB: Daring Selection

Aug 11, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 11, 2025

READ: Acts 4:1-2, 5-13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John . . . , they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

As Franco Zeffirelli prepared to film his critically acclaimed version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, he made a daring decision. He chose two unknowns to play the lead characters and insisted they be close to the age of the characters as Shakespeare had penned them. Zeffirelli ultimately selected seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting as Romeo and sixteen-year-old Olivia Hussey as Juliet.

Some might think that Jesus took a similar risk with the selection of His disciples, who later took His message of forgiveness to the world. That’s when the religious leaders arrested and questioned some of them. Then Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished.”

Any assumed risk was more than overwhelmed by the real story behind these simple fishermen: “They took note that these men had been with Jesus” (4:13). The seemingly unqualified disciples had not only been with Christ, but they also had His promise to be with them always (Matthew 28:20). We share that promise as well (Hebrews 13:5) and can be assured that, in His presence and with His grace, no task set before us will be too great for Him.

— Bill Crowder

When you have felt overwhelmed, how have you typically responded to the pressure? How might you invite Jesus to help you during those challenging times?

Dear Jesus, please forgive me for the times I try to forge ahead in my own strength and wisdom. I want to rely on You in all of life’s moments.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 10 August 2025

ODB: Unfounded Fears

Aug 10, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 10, 2025

READ: 1 Kings 11:34-39; 12:31-32

I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 1 Kings 11:38

“I love you. I’ll never leave you.” Julia saved her husband’s text message so she could read it whenever she was afraid. A troubled childhood had left her with a fear of loved ones abandoning her. She’d often ask for reassurance from her husband, and she would wait anxiously for him to come home from work.

Prayer and counseling helped Julia respond to her fear in healthier ways. “I’d look at my fear in the light of my husband’s loving promises to me,” she says. “I’d think, His promises are true! and behave accordingly.”

King Jeroboam also had unfounded fears. Because of Solomon’s apostasy, God had already promised Jeroboam, “I will take the kingdom from [David’s] son’s hands and give you ten tribes” (1 Kings 11:35). God assured him that if he obeyed Him, He would “give Israel to [him]” (v. 38).

Yet Jeroboam was afraid. “If these people . . . offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem,” he thought, “they will . . . return to King Rehoboam” (12:27). His fear drove him to set up nearby sites of idol worship to prevent his subjects from turning to Solomon’s son (vv. 26-33). As a result, Jeroboam faced God’s judgment (14:7-16). If only he’d trusted God’s promises!

We don’t have to deal with unfounded fears on our own. God has given us the safety of His promises in Scripture. Let’s allow His loving truths to illuminate our mind and steps.

— Karen Huang

What unfounded fears do you have? What does Scripture say about them?

Dear God, please teach me how to respond to my fears and help me obey You.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 9 August 2025

ODB: Aristotle at the Table

Aug 9, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 9, 2025

READ: Matthew 26:26-29

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

Aristotle said that no one can be friends with a god. Why? Because friendship requires equality, and what god would step down from their heavenly status to become equal with lowly human beings?

I wonder what Aristotle would’ve done if he’d been present at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-35). For there, Jesus—the Creator of all, who left His heavenly status to become a lowly human being (Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:16)—told His disciples He no longer called them servants but friends (John 15:15).

Aristotle would’ve been surprised too at who sat at that table. There was Matthew, the Roman-friendly tax collector; and then Simon, the Roman-denouncing Zealot (Matthew 10:3-4); along with James and John, the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) sitting with quiet Philip. I imagine Aristotle watching quizzically as Jesus described some bread and wine as His “body” and “blood,” broken and poured out for the “forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). What god would die for mere mortals, even those who’d soon abandon Him (v. 56)?

That’s one reason Communion is so profound. Through Jesus, God became friends with humans and enabled friendships between those with political and temperamental differences. As we eat and drink at the Lord’s Table, we celebrate the one who rewrote friendship’s rules, human and divine.

— Sheridan Voysey

How else does Jesus rewrite the rules of friendship? How can His example help you reach across relational differences today?

Dear Jesus, thank You for making me a friend of God and others.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 8 August 2025

ODB: Caring for the Oppressed

Aug 8, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 8, 2025

READ: Jeremiah 22:1-5

Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Jeremiah 22:3

Josephine Butler, a prominent minister’s wife, found herself campaigning for the rights of women accused (often unjustly) of being “ladies of the night,” those seen in society as the “least desirables.” Spurred on by her deep faith in God, she fought for years against the British Contagious Diseases Acts of the 1860s, which subjected women to cruel and invasive “medical” exams.

In 1883, during the parliamentary debate over a bill to repeal the Acts, she joined women in Westminster to pray. She was moved by the sight of the “most ragged and miserable women from the slums” alongside “ladies of high rank,” all weeping and asking God for protection of the vulnerable. To their joy, the bill passed.

Josephine’s call to act justly echoes the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who delivered God’s message to evil kings. Jeremiah said, “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.” And “do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow” (Jeremiah 22:3). God wanted to shield those who couldn’t defend themselves against the powerful.

God can spur us to action too, helping us to discern inequalities and to speak and take measures against them. He who hates abuse empowers us to uphold justice and defend the weak.

— Amy Boucher Pye

How does following God affect how you treat the weak and vulnerable? How might God use you to defend someone who's oppressed?

Gracious God, You love and care for the weak and the powerful. Please help me to share Your love and grace. For further study, read Walk with Me: Traveling with Jesus and Others on Life’s Road.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: contemplative

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 7 August 2025

Difficult

Luke 12:22-33a, 34 – And [Jesus] said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. … For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

It can be really hard to do what Jesus says here, at least at first. We are so conditioned to worry about the future. And why? Because we think we can control and make it come out right—if only we worry enough. But that’s not true, is it?

Jesus urges us to focus on the one thing that really matters—God’s kingdom, God’s wishes. Do that, He says, and God will handle the other stuff for us. We can trust Him.

But this can’t be realistic, can it? Actually, it can, as you find out when you lose all the personal plans you were holding on to, and have nothing left to do but ask God what He wants from you! And you take your first tiny steps in obedience. And you see Him keep His promises, and finally (after maybe 20 years or so!) you start to relax. And it gets to be an adventure. What in the world will God do next?

Why try this? Because the One we love most of all is inviting us to this lifestyle—Jesus Himself, who came down from heaven to give us the real, satisfying life that lasts forever. You know that He gave us this gift at the cost of His own life—when He suffered and died on the cross, and then, three days later, rose from the dead. Now all of us who trust in Him have real life, life that cannot be taken away from us, whatever disaster may strike us. We can take the risk of trusting Him with that life, because He has shown us how much He loves us—and He will never drop us or decide He’s tired of us.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me learn to trust You, with the everyday worries as well as with the big things like eternal life. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Current Mood: determined

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Church of Hope: 6 August 2025

Never Get Tired of Doing What’s Right!

Amber Dismute, Care Coordinator, Hope WDM
Galatians 6

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:9-10).

Paul wrote this as encouragement to fellow believers, but if you take a moment to truly reflect on these words, they speak to every single person on this planet. No matter your background, title, or status, there’s something sacred in pressing on and continuing to sow goodness even when no one sees, and even when your body and spirit are tired.

What stage of life are you in right now? More importantly, what has God called you to in this season?

Maybe you’re a mom who’s been up since 2:00 am, changing diapers, making bottles, rocking your baby back to sleep while your body aches for rest. God sees you.

Maybe you’re a young adult, fresh out of college, unsure whether the world will welcome your dreams or shut the door in your face. God is with you.

Maybe you’re a husband working long, tiring hours just to keep the lights on and food on the table. God strengthens you.

Maybe you’re caring for aging parents. Maybe you’re single and wondering if anyone truly understands your loneliness. Maybe you’re battling an illness in secret. Whoever you are—God knows, God sees, and God rewards the ones who do not give up.

This Scripture reminds us of three truths:

Weary doesn’t mean weak. It’s OK to feel tired, but don’t let that tiredness convince you to quit.

There is a harvest coming. Every small act of kindness, every prayer, every “yes” in obedience adds up. You may not see the fruit yet, but it’s growing.

We are called to community. “Do good to all people,” Paul writes, “especially to those in the family of believers.” We were never meant to walk this life alone.

Current Mood: thoughtful

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 5 August 2025

Trusting God

Genesis 15:1-6 – After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

It seems weird to me, that God would care that much about whether somebody trusts Him. I mean, He’s not asking for some great deed of daring—God’s not asking Abraham to jump over a cliff, or take on a lion barehanded. No, He’s only saying, “Trust Me. I will give you a family.” How hard is that?

And yet, we all know the answer—it’s very hard. Because when it comes to something that we care about deeply, we really want to have control over that thing in our own hands. Think of the people who quote, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” That’s the true human attitude, ever since the Garden of Eden, where the devil managed to trick us with the line, “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Apparently trusting God to manage the universe wasn’t good enough. And look at the results in our world today!

But this man Abraham trusts God—and God is delighted. God “counts it to him as righteousness.” Abraham is called the friend of God, and for no other reason than because he trusted Him. You really have to ask yourself how rare it is for people to trust God, if God is so overjoyed when one of us finally does!

Jesus shows the same attitude. When Jesus offers to come to a man’s house to heal his servant, the man says, “You don’t need to come, just say the word and my servant will be healed”—and Jesus is delighted. “I tell you,” He says, “not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And of course the servant is healed.

Trust matters to God. In fact, it’s deeply tied up with how He saves us from sin and evil. Jesus did all the work—He became a human being, taught and healed and took care of people, suffered betrayal and torture and even death on a cross—and rose from the dead, three days later, as many witnesses can testify. And then He says to us, “Trust Me.” Trust Me, and you will be saved. Trust Me, and your sins are forgiven, and you will be children of God in heaven. Trust Me, and you will live forever.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, with such a Savior as You, how can I not trust You? Let Your Holy Spirit build a strong faith in my heart and life. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Current Mood: hopeful

YMI -- ODB: 4 August 2025

ODB: Forever Faithful

Aug 4, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 4, 2025

READ: Isaiah 40:6-11

The word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8

The deadliest forest fire disaster in US history was the Peshtigo Fire in Northeast Wisconsin. It occurred on the same night as the better-known Chicago Fire (October 8, 1871) but claimed several hundred more lives. Peshtigo, a fast-growing city of wooden buildings and part of the lumber industry, was consumed within an hour by the inferno fanned by gusting winds.

Besides scorched china and a brick kiln, among the few items the fire left behind was a small, open Bible. Flames had singed its cover and extreme heat had petrified its pages, yet it remained intact. It can be viewed in a museum in the city today.

The little Bible’s preservation calls to mind an assurance God gave His people in another trying time: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Though “firestorms” of invasion and exile threatened, God affirmed that He would be faithful to His promises and would never forsake those who turned to Him—come what may.

The Bible in Peshtigo, still partially legible, was opened to Psalms 106 and 107. Both psalms contain these words in their first verses: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Even in the greatest trials of our lives, His words and love never falter. And we will thank Him forever because of it.

— James Banks

What's your favorite promise from God? What can you do to keep His promises in mind today?

Loving God, I praise You for Your faithfulness! Please help me to trust in You even in difficult seasons.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

YMI -- ODB: 3 August 2025

ODB: Peace in the Release

Aug 3, 2025/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

August 3, 2025

READ: Philippians 4:4-11

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Kayla’s brow furrowed as she shoved yet another slip of paper into an overstuffed box labeled “Give It to God” on all four sides. Sighing deeply, she sifted through the written prayers she had previously placed in the box. “I read them out loud almost every day,” she said to her friend. “How can I be sure God hears me?” Chantel handed Kayla her Bible. “By trusting that God keeps His word,” she said, “and letting go every time you write or read a prayer you’ve released into His hands.”

The apostle Paul urged believers in Jesus to “rejoice in the Lord” and gave good reason to do so by affirming, “The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4-5). He encouraged God’s people to trade anxious thoughts for faith-filled prayers, to believe He receives every request, and to praise Him while resting in the unfathomable peace of His never-ending presence (vv. 6-7).

The Prince of Peace—Jesus—guards our emotional and mental well-being when we turn our thoughts toward qualities that point to Him, things that are “true,” “right,” “pure,” and “praiseworthy” (v. 8).

The peace of God protects us when we trust that the God of peace is with us. Liberated from the burden of clinging to concerns, we can experience peace in the release of every prayer into God’s trustworthy hands.

— Xochitl Dixon

Current Mood: thankful

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Church of Hope: 2 August 2025

Babysitters & Heirs

Amanda Neppl, Pastor & Discipleship Team Leader, Hope WDM
Galatians 3

When I was around 12 and 13 years old, I did some babysitting, and as a parent, I’ve also hired my share of babysitters. The problem with being a 13-year-old babysitter is that you have no real authority, and everybody knows it. All you can do is appeal to their 5-year-old sense of decency, and if that doesn’t work, threaten to tell their parents and hope that fear will accomplish what decency couldn’t.

Enter the law of Moses. It is a little different, though, because the law is about letting you know what the standard for decency is, and the punishment of God was supposed to instill enough fear in the Israelites to keep them in line. Did you see what God did to Pharaoh?!

Paul makes his case for why the law was given and what it means to the people of Galatia. And what does this mean for us, seemingly worlds away from the time and circumstances in which Paul wrote this? We need look no further than the Ten Commandments to know how far we miss the mark God established for us. Yet, despite our complete inability to do the right thing, even out of fear or common decency, God gave us Jesus. And because of Jesus, we are united with God for eternity. Nothing else that can be said about us is as relevant as the fact that we are heirs of the promises God made to Abraham, to Moses, to King David, and through all the prophets—the promise of salvation is ours through Jesus.

The law points us to how much we need the real deal, God’s son, to meet us where we are and reunite us with our heavenly Father.