Upside-Down Savior - Pastor Nathan Nass

When Jesus looks at you and asks, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”, may the Holy Spirit give you the faith to say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68). Believing in Jesus is worth it. Think of all that Jesus has done for us: How could we leave the One who has loved us since before the creation of the world? How could we turn away from the One who b...

What is Confirmation Day? Our church is preparing to celebrate Confirmation Day this Sunday. What is it? The practice of confirmation is one way that our church encourages this Bible verse: “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:10).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the im...

What is Ascension Day? There are some festivals in the Christian Church that don’t make it onto most people’s calendars. One of those is Ascension Day. This year, Ascension Day is today, May 29th. The Bible gives us this encouragement: “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2).I hope...

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to “ preach the gospel ” (Mark 16:15). What’s the gospel? “ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned ” (Mark 16:16). The gospel is the good news that God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son–Jesus–into the world to die on the cross for our sins and rise from the dead for our...

What is a sacrament? You’ve probably heard Christians use that word. Do you know what a sacrament is? As we study the Bible, we in the Lutheran Church teach that a sacrament meets these three criteria: 1) Instituted by Jesus himself; 2) Uses an earthly element combined with God’s Word; 3) Offers the forgiveness of sins. I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the sacraments and ho...

Do I have a guardian angel? It’s very popular to think that each person has one specific angel assigned to them. Is that true? Do I have a guardian angel? The Bible actually offers you something better. Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). I hope you can listen to t...

Does God speak to me through dreams? We all have dreams. Sometimes we wonder if those dreams are going to come true. Should we trust in what our dreams tell us? The Bible says, “No!” Jeremiah writes, “Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my speak it faithfully” (Jeremiah 23:28).I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about the hope and certainly tha...

I hope you are looking for truth. I hope you are longing to have a foundation for your life that you can count on no matter what. I can’t tell you if that internet meme or story is fake or AI or the real thing. However, here’s the truth for you: “ Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ” (1 Timothy 1:15). That’s the truth about sin! “ In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a...

When you’re sad, it seems like your sadness will last forever. When you’re in pain, it feels like your pain will never go away. When your relationships are filled with conflict, it feels like there is no hope. Is that true? No! Jesus says, “ You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy ” (John 16:20). Jesus wants you to know that sorrow has an end date. No pain lasts forever. Just like Jesus c...

You can’t know Jesus for who he is until you know you for who you are. Who are you and I? According to the Bible, we’re sheep. Weak. Wandering. Helpless. “ We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way ” (Isaiah 53:6). But once you realize you’re a sheep, you can see Jesus for who he really is: Our Good Shepherd! “ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his...

Do I need to be re-baptized? That’s a common question when people switch churches or come back to church after a time away. Do I need to be re-baptized? It all depends on whose name you were baptized into. Jesus commanded, “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ” (Matthew 28:19). I hope you can listen to this...

Is baptism our work for God or God’s work for us? Many churches say that baptism is when you decide to fully commit your life to Christ. Baptism is our work, right? No! The Bible presents a totally different picture. Jesus says, “ Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit ” (John 3:5). I hope you can listen to this short devotion about...

Does baptism save? That’s a big question. You are probably aware that sadly there are very different teachings about baptism in Christian churches. It often comes down to this: Does baptism save? Thankfully, the Bible gives us a very clear answer: “ This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves...

There is a peace that transcends all understanding. In other words, there is a peace that prevails no matter what else is happening in life. Do you know where to find it? In Jesus! Jesus died for your sins. They are already forgiven, whether other people forgive you or not. Jesus rose to give you eternal life. It’s yours, whether your body heals or not. Your loving Father has perfectly planned out...

Life is filled with dark days. Where can you turn? To Jesus! When death grabs you or people you love, Jesus’ empty tomb cries out: “ He has risen! ” When the devil casts a shadow over your life, the angel cries out: “ Don’t be alarmed. He has risen! ” When the guilt of your sin weighs down your heart, Jesus’ cross cries out: “ He has risen! ” You are forgiven. You are loved. There will be dark day...

Christians cling to the cross of Christ. There’s an old song that says, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” Have you heard that? Do you say that? “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.” God’s grace is so big that it extends to everyone. Jesus’ cross is so powerful that it extends to everyone. Salvation is God’s gift by grace through faith in Jesus. That is...

Jesus loved us to the end. How? First, Jesus made himself the lowest of the low. He washed his disciples’ feet. Would you be willing to do that? Jesus served when no one else was willing to serve. Jesus served the proud. Jesus served the sinful. Jesus served his betrayer. He loved them all to the end. As he washed their feet, he wanted them to see that he had come to wash their souls. So Jesus did...

How is Good Friday “good”? It seems wrong to call the day that Jesus died a brutal death “good.” Yet, that brutal death on a cross was how Jesus saved you and me. “ He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed ” (Isaiah 53:5). I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about Good F...

What is Maundy Thursday? Of the special days during Holy Week, Maundy Thursday is the least known, maybe because of its strange name. It all comes down to these words from Jesus on Maundy Thursday evening, “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another ” (John 13:34). I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about Maundy Thursday, and I pr...

To much of the world, Holy Week is just another week. But to Christians, it’s the most special time of year. Why? Because this week, more than any other, we meditate on what Jesus has done for us. “ The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God ” (1 Corinthians 1:18). I hope you can listen to this short video devotion about...

All of us are searching for joy in our lives. Sometimes, we find it, but it never seems to last. Where can we find real joy? In Jesus! When you believe that Jesus loves you so much that he died for you, what does that give you? Joy! When you believe that Jesus  paid for every one of your sins on the cross, what does that give you? Joy! When you believe that Jesus gives eternal life in heaven to al...

Just before Jesus died on the cross, he said, “It is finished” (John 19:29). Do you realize what that means? Through his death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled every promise of God and won our salvation. You don’t have to try to make deals with God. You can stop trying to earn God’s love. Because of Jesus, it’s free. It’s yours! Forgiveness. Salvation. Eternal life. Peace with God. It’s yours. Right...

There is a question that gets to the heart of what Christianity is all about: “Is Jesus God?” Do you know the answer? Yes! Here is one of Jesus’ claims to be God himself: “ Before Abraham was born, I am! ” (John 8:58). Those two little words make all the difference in the world: “ I am! ” Who is the One who forgives? Jesus says, “ I am! ” Who is the One who saves? “ I am! ” Who is the One who prov...

What must I do to be saved? I hope you’ve thought about that question. Every one of us is going to die someday. What comes next? How can we be saved? Thankfully, the Bible gives a very clear answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).I hope you can listen to this short devotion about salvation as God’s gift through Jesus our Savior. Jesus loves you!

What’s the authority for Christians? Is it the Pope? Church tradition? The pastor? My own thoughts and opinions? No, it’s none of those things. We people are as weak as grass. Instead, the Bible says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).I hope you can listen to this short devotion about the authority that comes from the Word of God. God b...