WELS Military Devotions

Watch the Devotion Based on Matthew 10:16-23 When Faith Makes You Stand Out    Dan worked for the government. Dan was a believer in the one true God. Dan enjoyed the free exercise of his faith in the one true God under this government. One day the government decided to change its policy about the free exercise of one’s religious beliefs. What did Dan do? He went home and prayed, giving thanks to G...

Watch the Devotion Based on Romans 13:1-7 Living in T wo K ingdoms   A couple of weeks ago I was running through the canyon near our home here in San Diego and out of nowhere an aircraft came screaming over the treetops. I looked up and saw the recognizable bright blue paint and the words “US NAVY” underneath. It was the Blue Angels, rehearsing for the two-day airshow at Miramar Marine Corps Air B...

Watch the Devotion Based on Romans 1:16,17 Honored to Wear It   I’m going to apologize in advance. If I see you in a restaurant or at the store or out in our community or at an airport and you’re wearing your uniform, I will probably stop and talk to you.  Not because it’s my job, but because I care very deeply for those who serve in our nation’s military. And your uniform says s...

Watch the Devotion Based on Philippians 3:12-21 You Know How This Will End How will this end? What will this look like? How do I know we will be ok?  A lingering war in Iran, uncertainty with China, and all of the other “unofficial” places we’re involved militarily. . . and then here in the States, families are concerned about affordability and thinking ahead to the mid-terms next month. How will...

Watch the Devotion Based on Ezekiel 18:30-32 About Face There he was, a grown man sitting in my office, and he was sobbing. He was a veteran of our nation’s military and was successful with his career. He was now serving as a civilian and was doing well there, too, but that day, he sat in my office sobbing. He said, “Pastor Horn, I am embarrassed. I’m ashamed to even be sitting here talking...

Watch the Devotion Based on Romans 9 :19; Jonah 4:11 The Merciful God   I don’t know about you but every time I read the story of Jonah in the Bible, I am amazed. It’s not so much that part where the giant fish swallows Jonah to preserve his life. . . And I apologize, if you’re totally lost right now. Go and read the book of Jonah before you continue reading this devotion. It’s o...

Watch the Devotion Remember     It’s at this time of year where we hear that word “remember” or the words “don’t forget,” and they immediately tie our minds and hearts to the awful events that happened 25 years ago. Those of us who are old enough remember exactly where we were and what we were doing and how we reacted when we first heard the awful news.    There’s some of you who...

Watch the Devotion Based on Psalm 32 The Most Powerful Words You Can Say    “The one thing you do not want to do as the captain of a Navy ship is to run into another ship.” This struck me as I sat in the captain’s chair and listened to the docent on the USS Midway museum here in San Diego. That one mistake will cost you command of that ship. Somone else will take your place. It will make national...

Watch the Devotion Based on Matthew 16:21-26 Embrace the Suck   They’ve cut off all your hair and the only personal possessions you have are your Bible and a notebook? Embrace the suck. Deployment has been extended again? Embrace the suck. PCS orders have been delayed? Embrace the suck. Oh, our household goods won’t arrive on time and when they do some of them will be broken? Embrace the suck.   ...

Watch the Devotion Based on Isaiah 55:10-11 Sown and Planted    When I visited the Republic of Korea last month, I met with Jim Brandt and his wife Kathy. They live in Thailand and are part of the Asia-Oceania Team. Part of their responsibilities are to plant house churches. Jim mentors and coaches over 700 groups who gather around Word and Sacrament in the Asia-Oceania region. That’s incredible!...

Watch the Devotion Based on Psalm 33:12   The Nation When my wife and I traveled to the Republic of Korea last month we toured the DMZ. On that tour we had the privilege of meeting a man who had served in the North Korean Army for 10 years. He eventually escaped and defected, making his way to South Korea. He explained the deplorable living conditions and the oppressive nature of the North Korean...

Watch the Devotion Based on Matthew 10:32-33 Forgiven Fathers Since this Sunday is Father’s   Day,   I’d like to   say happy Father’s Day to the men who   have the privilege of serving the vocations   of   both   father and war fighter. Happy Father’s   Day also to   those   men   who serve as the supportive spouse to their wives who serve in our nation’s military.    And since it’s Father’s   Day...

Watch the Devotion Based on Numbers 27:15-23 Relieved of Duty, Not Relieved of Grace “Because of your   insubordination   I am relieving you of command.”    Those   are words that   no one   wants to hear,   and yet these are the   very   words   the Lord spoke to his servant leader Moses.   Moses   had led the nation of Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness for 40 years and was   about to l...

Watch the Devotion Based on 1 Timothy 1:15-16 No Sin Too Great for Grace There are some interesting characters in the Bible. There is a man who   killed another   man in a fit of anger. Later   he   made excuses and tried to wiggle his way out of God’s call to   lead his nation of Israel. You might know him as Moses. Another man   absolutely   ravaged   Christ’s church,   torturing   and murdering...