WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

06/12/2026

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9).

Jesus saw more than Matthew’s old job or past mistakes. Jesus saw someone he loved. Jesus forgave Matthew and gave him a new life. Matthew became one of Jesus’ disciples and even wrote one of the books of the Bible!

Did you know that Jesus does the same for you? That might sound silly, you’re not a tax collector. But you aren’t always perfect either. We can be selfish, rude, grumpy, lazy, or mean. Maybe there are times when people remember us for bad choices we made. But Jesus doesn’t only see your mistakes. Jesus says to you too, "Follow me."

Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me to follow you and making me your new creation. Give me the strength to live according to this new life you’ve given me. Amen.

Have you ever been stuck with a nickname or remembered for something embarrassing?...

06/12/2026

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9).

Jesus went out of his way and risked his reputation for someone whose chosen career path had rightly branded him a sinner to be avoided. Moved by the unconditional love in Jesus’ invitation, Matthew got up and followed him. And he never looked back.

In Jesus, Matthew didn’t find acceptance of sinful ways. Instead, he found forgiveness for every fault and failure.

No matter what you have done, no matter what others think of you, Jesus says to you, “Follow me. Know that God loves you and forgives you. Hold onto my mercy. I want you to be with me forever.” Follow him, and don’t look back!

Prayer: Jesus, in love you found me. I want to follow you. Amen.

People often draw conclusions...

06/11/2026

"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners' " (Matthew 9:12-13).

We need Jesus to come to us with his law and show us just how sick with sin we are. Our thoughts, words, and actions are infected with pride and lovelessness leading to certain death. We need to know that. But when he reveals the diagnosis, Jesus assures us that he provides the perfect and only antidote for our terminal sickness.

In mercy, Jesus took the infection of our sin into himself to purify not only our blood but our whole being. He healed our wounded hearts by being wounded for us. He suffered the death that our sins brought about, so that the prognosis is reversed. Through Jesus, we will live forever.

Prayer: Jesus, show me my deadly sinfulness and lead me to trust the life-saving antidote of your forgiving love. Amen.

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."...

06/10/2026

"Some days, time in God’s Word will feel monotonous. Other days, you will feel powerfully moved and perfectly filled. The Holy Spirit’s work remains the same. Trust that God allows for inconsistency and imperfection in our own lives so we are compelled to depend on him to sustain, nourish, and strengthen us." -Moira Schulz

Read the full Forward in Christ magazine article: https://forwardinchrist.net/my-devotional-life/

There is still time to register for WELS Women's Ministry's "Sacred Rhythms: Building a Life of Daily Devotion" webinar tomorrow at 7 p.m. Central.

Register: https://wels.net/event/sacred-rhythms-building-a-life-of-daily-devotion-webinar/

Three WELS members share how they incorporate personal time with their Savior into their daily lives. Meaningful conversations Reflecting on 16 years of fatherhood, one of my most cherished activities has been family devotions with my wife and four children. Nothing this world can offer is as fulf

06/10/2026

𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞

The WELS online store is having a 50% off sale for all of our promo items going on now. The sale price is already reflected on the site. Check it out now while supplies are in stock!

Shop the sale ➡️ https://wels.link/3RQG46v

06/10/2026

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst" (1 Timothy 1:15).

All people sin—even you and me. We are all the “worst of sinners.” Any sin, no matter how big or small it feels, separates us from God. Any sin, no matter how many or how few people it affects, condemns us to hell. Any sin is the worst of sins, and that makes all of us the worst of sinners.

That’s the bad news—but here comes the good news! Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That means Jesus came for people who mess up. Jesus came for people who sin. Jesus came for Paul. Jesus came for you too!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me even when I’m at my worst. Thank you for forgiving all my wrong choices. Help me remember every day that I am your forgiven child. Help me share this trustworthy saying with someone who needs it as much as I do. Amen.

Have you ever done something wrong and wished you could go back and change it?...

06/10/2026

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:14).

In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God shows his overflowing grace for sinners. In his Word is the power to work faith in our hearts. In his love is the power and motivation to love others.

When you are feeling empty, God wants to fill you up. Look at Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. There, his grace overflows to you and every undeserving sinner. There, he fills you up with the faith and love you need to live in him and for him every day.

Prayer: Lord, when I’m feeling empty, fill me up with your grace. Amen.

Do you ever find yourself running on empty?...

06/10/2026

Kevin Westra, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hortonville, Wis., has been elected to serve as president of the Northern Wisconsin District.

Joel Zank, who served as Northern Wisconsin District president since 2014, retired but has now accepted a part-time retirement call.

06/09/2026

Jonathan Schroeder, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg, Ga., has been elected to serve as president of the South Atlantic District. Previously, Schroeder was the first vice president of the South Atlantic District.

Charles Westra, who was first elected to serve as South Atlantic District president in 2016, chose not to stand for election this year.