[Jesus said] Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13
Keep Watch
Jesus told stories called parables to teach important spiritual truths. At the beginning of Matthew chapter 25, he told a story about ten bridesmaids waiting for the start of the wedding banquet. The five wise ones brought extra oil for their lamps. They were thinking ahead. The five foolish, unprepared ones did not. They were living for the moment and were unprepared for the future, so their lamps burnt out. Five were ready when the banquet started, and the other five were not, so they missed out on the wedding celebration. The moral of the story is simple: “keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
In the Bible, heaven is pictured as a wedding banquet—the best party you’ve ever been to! A party you don’t want to miss! Why do some miss out? The one who is ready and waiting to meet Jesus at this life’s end, or when he returns, is simply the one who believes in him and his complete work of salvation.
Sadly, the faith of some may grow dim and burn out. It’s easy to live for the moment and put off the reality of the future. Instead, Jesus teaches us to think ahead. Be ready now and be ready when he returns or calls us out of this world. But how are we ready? Where can we find oil for our lamps? When we feel like we’re running on fumes, where do we find gas for our tanks?
The Lord provides all we need to grant faith and to keep it burning bright. To keep watch for Jesus means to keep watching Jesus. Fix your faith and attention on him every day, trusting that he alone is your hope and salvation. Watch out for things that steal your heart away from him. Hear his words recorded in the Bible. There you find his promises of forgiveness and unconditional love. This supplies all we need. It refreshes us. It renews us. It keeps us ready and eagerly waiting to meet our Savior face to face and spend an eternity with him at the best party ever!
Prayer:
Lord, give me wisdom and patience that looks forward to the awesome day you return or call me home to heaven. Amen
Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city. Isaiah 52:1
Rise and Shine!
Wake-up calls aren’t always pleasant, but they are necessary. The sound of the early morning alarm can be a shock to your system when you’re sleeping peacefully. However, it’s even more unpleasant when you miss the alarm and realize you’re late. You missed your flight, or you’re late for work.
God gives plenty of wake-up calls in the Bible. They may not sound pleasant, but they are necessary. God seeks to wake us up from indifference or ignorance concerning the problem of sin. We can’t just sleep it off and think it will go away. Missing these wake-up calls would be eternally devastating. We must be woken up to our greatest need that only God can meet.
Other times, waking up can bring relief. When you wake from a nightmare, you are relieved. When a child is troubled in the middle of the night and afraid of the dark, what a relief when morning comes and they see the sun. Once we shake off the sleep and see the bright new day, we face that day with excitement.
This is the goal of God’s wake-up calls. He seeks to wake us up not only so we can see the reality of sin, but ultimately so we can see his forgiveness and the new life he gives. Today’s Bible verse from Isaiah is not the thunderous voice of an angry God. It’s the voice of the compassionate Father calling his children to wake up to a bright new day. He has come to set people free and rescue them from the bondage of sin and death. He has come to give new and eternal life.
The Lord awakens souls from spiritual slumber by his powerful word so they can rise and shine. He scatters the darkness and sets sinners free from guilt. He clothes his children in the clean garments of his Son’s perfection. He covers them with his gracious and compassionate love through his Son, Jesus Christ, so they can face this day and this life with the greatest confidence. Rise and shine each day to the voice and promises of the compassionate Father!
Prayer:
Lord, as I hear your Word, keep me awake and alert to your compassion so that I may rise and shine for you. Amen.
Let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
A Cure For Your Sleepiness
Have you ever heard about a condition called sleep apnea? If you or a family member has this condition, you already know all about it. Here’s a quick description for the rest of us: A major symptom of sleep apnea is chronic sleepiness. You tend to feel sluggish and fatigued all the time, even when you’ve had plenty of sleep. And if you happen to sit down to watch a movie, attend a meeting, or even drive a car, chances are good that you will begin to doze off.
The cause of sleep apnea is that body is not taking in enough oxygen while you sleep. The solution is more oxygen. Doctors prescribe a device that helps you take in more air during your sleeping hours. The results are dramatic. When sufferers of sleep apnea finally get the help they need, it’s not uncommon for them to say, “Only now do I realize how terribly sleepy I had been.”
Christian, here’s a question: Are you suffering from spiritual sleep apnea? Have you gotten so sleepy in your walk with your Lord that your soul has trouble staying alert? Has your spirit gotten so sluggish that you end up drifting towards things that aren’t truly important?
The solution is the kind of oxygen that only Jesus Christ can bring. In repentance, when we breathe deeply of his gospel, his forgiveness purchased at the cross, then our sleepiness will end. Our drowsiness will stop. And our eyes of faith, clear and bright, will once again see the things that are truly important in our lives.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me spiritual life through your Son. Forgive my spiritual drowsiness. By your gospel fill me with your Spirit. Make my eyes of faith clear and bright. Amen.
Martin Luther College – November 2026 update Parents bring their children every year to Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., to pursue gospel ministry. These future ministers of the gospel are answers to the prayers of […]
»
Women serve in world missions In the same way that women actively served in the work of the early Christian church, WELS is using women’s gifts to share the gospel with other women in situations […]
Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors dissolves corporation “Closing down [an] organization isn’t failure; it is just a symptom of the laws of organizations. Organizations have a life span.” Retired Pastor Mark Jeske passed along that observation in […]
Paul’s Goal: To Bring Christ’s Name Where It Was Not Known
14 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are also full of goodness, filled with complete knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 But I have written a letter to you (rather boldly at times) as a reminder to you, because of the grace God has given me 16 to be a public minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I am to do the priestly work of proclaiming the gospel of God so that the Gentiles would be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I have a reason to boast in Christ Jesus about my service to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak about anything except those things Christ accomplished through me that resulted in the Gentiles’ obedience. Christ accomplished them by word and deed, 19 along with the power of signs and wonders done by the power of God’s [1] Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 20 And so I consider it an honor to proclaim the gospel where Christ’s name is not known, so that I may not build on another man’s foundation. 21 Instead, as it is written:
Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand. [2]
Paul Hopes to Come to Rome on His Way to Spain
22 This is also the reason I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have a place to work in these regions, and I have longed for many years to come to you. 24 So when I go to Spain, I hope to visit you on my way. After I have enjoyed being with you for a while, I hope that you will help me on my journey there.
25 Right now I am going to Jerusalem bringing assistance [3] to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Indeed, they were pleased to do this and, to be sure, they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then the Gentiles owe it to them to serve them with material things.
28 So, after I complete this project by delivering this fruit safely to them, I will set out for Spain and visit you on the way. 29 And I know that when I come to you, I will arrive with the full blessing of Christ. [4]
30 Now I urge you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to struggle with me in prayers to God on my behalf. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from those in Judea who are disobedient and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you in joy and be refreshed in your company.
33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
Romans 15:19 Some witnesses read the Holy.
Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15
Romans 15:25 Or ministering to the saints
Romans 15:29 Some witnesses to the text read the full blessing of the gospel of Christ.
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who are insulting you fell on me.” [1]
4 Indeed, whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we would have hope. 5 And may God, the source of patient endurance and encouragement, grant that you agree with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind, in one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 For this reason, accept one another as Christ also accepted you to the glory of God. 8 For I am saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs. 9 He also did this so that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
For this reason I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name. [2]
10 And again it says:
Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people. [3]
11 And again:
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples give him praise. [4]
12 And again Isaiah says: There will be a Root of Jesse, and he is the one who will rise up to rule the Gentiles; on him the Gentiles will place their hope. [5]
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with complete joy and peace as you continue to believe, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Strong and Weak Christians Both Belong to the Lord
1 Accept a person who is weak in faith, and do not pass judgment on things that are just a difference of opinion. 2 One person believes it is right to eat anything. Another person who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything should not look down on the person who does not do so, and the one who does not eat everything should not judge the person who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? It is up to his master to decide whether that servant stands or falls. And he will stand, because God [1] is able to make him stand.
5 One person values one day above another. Another person values every day the same. Let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The person who honors a certain day does this for the Lord, and the person who eats does this for the Lord, because he gives thanks to God. And the person who does not eat does this for the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 In fact, not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself. 8 Indeed, if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this reason he died, rose, [2] and lived, to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Do Not Cause a Weak Christian to Stumble in Faith
10 But you, why do you pass judgment on your brother? And you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s [3] judgment seat. 11 Indeed, it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge God. [4]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, resolve never to put an obstacle or a snare in the path of your brother. 14 I know, and I am convinced in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in and of itself, but it becomes unclean for the one who considers it to be unclean. 15 For example, if your brother is offended because of the food you eat, you are no longer walking in line with love. Do not destroy that person for whom Christ died by the food you eat! 16 So do not give others a reason to speak evil about what you consider good.
17 For the kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Certainly a person who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and has the approval of people. 19 Consequently, let us pursue those things that lead to peace and building up one another.
20 Do not tear down God’s work for the sake of food. Everything is pure, but it is wrong for a person to eat if it causes anyone to stumble. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything if it causes your brother to stumble.
22 Keep the conviction that you have in these matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because it does not proceed from faith. [5] Everything that does not proceed from faith [6] is sin.
Footnotes
Romans 14:4 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord.
Romans 14:9 Some witnesses to the text omit rose.
Romans 14:10 Some witnesses to the text read Christ’s.
1 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God. 2 Therefore the one who rebels against the authority is opposing God’s institution, and those who oppose will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Would you like to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him, 4 because he is God’s servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because he does not carry the sword without reason. He is God’s servant, a punisher to bring wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, because the authorities are God’s ministers, who are employed to do this very thing. 7 Pay what you owe to all of them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.
Love One Another
8 Do not owe anyone anything except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, [1] do not covet [2] (and if there is any other commandment)—are summed up in this statement: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [3]10 Love does no harm to a neighbor, so love is the fulfillment of the law.
The End of the World Is Approaching
11 And do this since you understand the present time. It is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost over, and the day is drawing near. So let us put away the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us walk decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual sin and wild living, not in strife and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not give any thought to satisfying the desires of your sinful flesh.
Footnotes
Romans 13:9 Some witnesses to the text add do not give false testimony.
1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, [1] by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your appropriate worship. 2 Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Humbly Use the Gifts God Gave You
3 So by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think in a way that results in sound judgment, as God distributed a measure of faith to each of you. 4 For we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function. 5 In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us. If the gift is prophecy, do it in complete agreement with the faith. [2]7 If it is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. 8 If it is encouraging, then encourage. If it is contributing, be generous. If it is leadership, be diligent. If it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.
Guidelines for Christian Living
9 Do not just pretend to love others. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love. Think of others as deserving more honor than yourselves. 11 Do not be lagging behind in zeal, but be fervent in spirit, as you continue to serve the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope. Endure trials patiently. Persist in prayer. 13 Share with the saints who are in need. Be quick to welcome strangers as guests.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; weep with those who are weeping. 16 Have the same respect for one another. Do not be arrogant, but associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves.
17 Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” [3] says the Lord. 20 But:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. [4]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes
Romans 12:1 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
.JPG)
937-849-9374
peaceofoursavior@gmail.com
In the last two installments in the ongoing video series, “Examining WELS at 175,” Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Congregational Services, details more information presented in the 2025 statistical report, […]
Parents bring their children every year to Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., to pursue gospel ministry. These future ministers of the gospel are answers to the prayers of […]
In the same way that women actively served in the work of the early Christian church, WELS is using women’s gifts to share the gospel with other women in situations […]
“The 2025 Statistical Summary & Analysis showed us one of WELS’ largest mission fields is sitting right in our classrooms,” says Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Congregational Services. “Our mission […]
“Closing down [an] organization isn’t failure; it is just a symptom of the laws of organizations. Organizations have a life span.” Retired Pastor Mark Jeske passed along that observation in […]