WELS Military Devotions

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Based on Matthew 3:13-17

Baptismal Identity

In November 2024, a young high school graduate shipped off to boot camp, full of promise, and excited to serve in our nation’s military. This was his dream. In mid-December, just a few weeks ago, a family member emailed me saying, “My grandson is being medically discharged. You can remove him from your mailing list.” My heart broke. I said a quick prayer, texted the young man and asked him, “I heard what happened. This must be hard for you. How can I pray for you...

Duration: 00:09:52

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Based on Isaiah 63:7-9

Remember the Many Good Things the LORD Has Done for You

Now that we have firmly stepped into a new year I want to ask, how was 2025? There are plenty of after action reviews out there to remind us. Nearly every news organization publishes a “year in review”. Like a military storyboard, many showcase the top pictures of the year or the trending memes from 2025. Even your phone will create a collage of your most memorable moments and people to help you recall this past year.

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Duration: 00:09:52

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Based on John 1:1-14

The Hidden Glory of God

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

The Word—Jesus is the Word. In eternity God spoke, and the world came into being. God spoke and there was light. When the darkness of sin invaded the light, God spoke again and made promises to scatter the darkness. The Word, God from eternity, begotten of the Father, so interconnected with the Father, would take on human flesh. He would be present, not omnipresent as he was before...

Duration: 00:09:52

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Based on Isaiah 7:10-14

It Will Not Happen

“It will not happen. There’s no probable way they can win the battle.”

These words could have been spoken during the Revolutionary War. When you read the history of the armed forces under General Washington’s command—the untrained militiamen, the undisciplined Continental Army, the circumstances leading up to that bleak winter at Valley Forge—it wasn’t going to happen. Their situation was desperate. Until a foreigner, a stranger named Baron von Steuben, brought training, discipline, improved hygiene, and increased...

Duration: 00:09:52

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Based on Isaiah 35:3-4

Do Not Be Afraid

I’m certain you’ve heard it at least once the past couple of weeks and will continue to hear it until December 25th if not until January 1st—that old-time classic, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

But I know that’s not always true. The holiday season can lend itself to more tension in the family. Tighter budgets as families plan for Christmas gifting and Christmas travel create financial strain. There can be stress from family gatheri...

Duration: 00:09:52

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Based on Romans 15:13

Hope in December

When you step off the boat and walk up the ramp and step into the memorial, you look down 184 feet to the other side and see a wall through a small opening. As you walk the length of the memorial and step into that room, you stop and see that the wall holds the names of 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed aboard the USS Arizona during the attack of December 7, 1941. There are no artificial lights, but the artwork on the sides of the...

Duration: 00:09:52