WELS Military Devotions

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Aug 2026

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Military Devotions

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September 11, 20269 min

Military Devotion – Remember – September 11, 2026

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 were (and still are) on active duty and cannot forget where you were or what you were doing because you knew what this meant for you in your vocation as a war fighter. Some of you were in high school, and you will not forget because those events moved something in you to join the fight and defend our nation so that something like this would never happen again. For some of you who went over there, you wish you could forget some of the things that happened over there. There is a lot wrapped up in that word “remember.” Why would I want to remember? Part of us doesn’t want to remember because of how awful it was. We don’t want to remember because of people we lost to the war, people whose minds and bodies have been lost because of the war. And then we get to the deeper spiritual question, “God, do you remember where you were? What were you doing on that day?” And those who suffer may ask, “Lord, do you remember me in my grief and sorrow?” What are we to do when remembering is difficult on the heart and soul? The only thing that we can do is to remember who our God is, who never forgets and always remembers – ah, with one exception . “I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). The most important thing God forgets is your sin, for he has hidden it in his Son’s death on the cross. When God looks back at the cross, he remembers. God remembers the pain and trauma and grief and death for God suffered it all for you and me to redeem us from it. God remembers why it was necessary for him to suffer. For God remembers the garden where we brought destruction and trauma and war and death—all the consequences of sin — into the world. God remembers he made a promise right there in the garden and kept that promise by going to the cross and grave for the world. God remembers what happened three days later, because it was on that day he guaranteed, “I redeem all things. I make all things right. I remember that I came to save you.” Since our God is a God who does not forget, let us hold him to those things he remembers. “Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath” (Job 7:7). “Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old” (Psalm 25:6). “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope” (Psalm 119:49). God remembers you. He remembers when he put his name on you, on your baptism day, when he claimed you as his own child, and tied you so intimately to his Son’s death and resurrection. He doesn’t forget you. He will not forget the awful things that have happened to you, your friends, your family, our country, because you are his. He will remember to be your strength when you are weak, to be your peace when there is chaos, to be your joy when there is sadness, to be your life in death. So do not forget 9/11. But do not forget your God. Remember him. Remember his promises. Because he doesn’t forget them. And he doesn’t forget about you. Prayer: Father in heaven, remember your great mercy and love for your people. Remember what happened 25 years ago today and bring comfort and hope and healing to those who still suffer. Bring justice on those who harmed us. Curb the evil intentions of those who seek to bring harm on us again. Keep our police officers, firefighters and first responders diligent in their work. Keep watch over those who keep watch over us to keep us from the wolves. Defend us from enemies foreign and domestic so that we may live in peace. Do this, Father, for you are our loving Father, and we are your children, bought by the blood of your Son Jesus. In his name I pray it. Amen . Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

September 4, 20269 min

Military Devotion – The Most Powerful Words You Can Say – September 4, 2026

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 headlines. In that moment, what words would you need to hear? King David was commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the nation of Israel. He did the one thing a leader should not do. He had an affair with a married man’s wife. He impregnated her. Then he added to the crime. He murdered her husband through a strategic placement in combat operations to cover it up. And it eventually made national headlines. But before it did, a trusted friend to the king lovingly, but firmly, pointed out his guilt. Ultimately David’s sin was against his God. David believed the lie that his desires were of greater importance than God’s will for him to practice self-control and be above reproach. His friend wanted David to know this, that he had sinned against God and that David deserved to die. In that moment, what words would David need to hear? David wrote about his emotional and spiritual rollercoaster ride in Psalm 32. He described how troubled he was by what he had done. It affected him physically and mentally. It grieved his soul. Then he wrote, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” (Psalm 32:5). And what was the LORD’s response? “And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” David knew this through the words of his trusted friend Nathan. The most powerful words a friend could say. My friends, I know that you have good Christian friends who have made mistakes, some big and some small—at least in the eyes of the world. Have you called them to repent? I would encourage you to do so, because this is what Jesus would have us do. Out of love for their soul, give them that safe, confidential place to confess their sin to you. So that you, with a smile on your face, might say to them the most powerful words you can say to anyone, “My friend, your sin is forgiven. For Jesus has become your guilt. And you have become his righteousness. You will not die but live.” And then together recite the words of King David, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against him” (Psalm 32:1). Prayer: Dear Lord, you know every sin we try to hide and every guilt that troubles our hearts. Give us honest and repentant hearts that confess our sins to you without excuse or denial. Forgive us for the sake of Jesus, who became our guilt and gave us his righteousness. Give us courage to call our friends to repentance , not in judgment, but out of concern for their souls. Then let us speak the most powerful words we could ever say to our friends: “ In Jesus, your sins are forgiven !” S o that we might share in the joy of pardon proclaimed. Amen . Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

August 28, 20269 min

Military Devotion – Embrace the Suck – August 28, 2026

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. Whether you are new to the military community or you’re counting down the days and weeks to retirement, you know that there are circumstances beyond your control, ones that are unique to a life that is scripted by the Department of War. And when an event happens today that is beyond your control you have learned to say, “Embrace the suck,” and to do just that. I know that most of the time this is said tongue in cheek, but sometimes that event, those circumstances that are beyond your control, can be miserable, painful, they weigh on your heart and mind and soul. There are different ways you can respond. You can accept it and move on with resiliency. Easier said than done. . . Or. . . you can run away from it, ignore it, as if it didn’t happen, but you’ll eventually have to deal with it. Or. . . you can sit and wallow in your self-pity. Or. . . you can ask Jesus, “What did you do, when you had to embrace the suck?” Because Jesus, too, had to embrace the suck. Jesus addresses all of those times in life when we as Christians have to do things we don’t want to do, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). When Jesus tells you to deny yourself, he means that you learn to say, “Not my will, but yours be done.” God does have your best interests in mind. He promises it, “I will make all things work out for your benefit” (Romans 8:28). And so you have to trust him even when that thing you are going through seems to challenge his word. When Jesus tells you to take up your cross and follow me , it means that you must deny your own doubts and fears, and say, “No matter how great my pain, how horrible my suffering, my God remains my God and Savior because he has promised to be my God and Savior. I will embrace his promises even when they seem to contradict his promise of grace and help in every need.” Christ doesn’t just tell us to do these things without showing us that he did them for us. Christ embraced the suck, but more than that! He embraced the good and gracious will of his Father, even when it was difficult, even when it meant he suffered, even when it meant he endured the separation of hell and death and grave for us. He grasped the cross for you so that one day, you will set it down and rest forever. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you know the unique hardships that our war fighters and their dependents must endure. Teach them to embrace their crosses with joy, keeping your promises ever before their eyes, so that they may always know that you love them, that you will be their strength and their hope until life eternal . Use us to remind those who are deployed or separated from their loved ones of your promises. Preserve their faith in you until you bring them home again. In your name we pray it. Amen . Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

August 21, 20269 min

Military Devotion – Who is Jesus? – August 21, 2026

Watch the Devotion Based on Matthew 16:13-20 Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus? That was the topic of discussion I had with a young US Army Soldier. He had studied the world religions — Islam, Christianity, Hinduism — and concluded that Jesus was a good teacher, a moral example, but not Savior. “Who do people say I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. They shared the whisperings they heard as they mingled with the crowds and listened in the marketplaces, “One of the prophets from old, raised from the dead.” This was nothing new. Jesus dealt with false assumptions about his identity since he walked this earth. For some, Jesus is a cheerleader who will affirm whatever it is they want to do in life. For others, he is the “giver of bling,” a genie who will grant them whatever their heart desires. For some, he is a teacher, a moral guide to follow and somehow earn their way to heaven. And others will look at the pluralistic religious environment in which they live and determine, “He is one of many ways to heaven.” But if that’s all Jesus is, why follow him at all? This is the question you and I and everyone needs to answer, “Who is Jesus?” When the disciples answered as they had heard from crowds, he asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of living God” (Matthew 16:16). How did he come to that conclusion? He listened, he watched, he read the Old Testament promises and compared them with this man before him and concluded — and believed — “This is the Son of God, the Savior for the world, but more importantly, for me.” Yes, my friend, Jesus is more than just a good teacher, for his teachings give life, because they are living words, life-giving words. Jesus’ words give rescue from death. He is more than an example, for we could never perfectly follow it. But the life he lived, he lived for us, for you. Who is Jesus? He is the life, the truth, the way, the one upon whom the Church is built. His is the name which saves you. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). When you have those spiritual and religious conversations, please redirect the convo back to the question, “Who is Jesus?” And then listen. Be patient. Seek to understand. And then confess, “Can I share with you what I know to be true about Jesus? He is the eternal Son of God, who lived for me, died for me, and rose from the dead for me, to give me life eternal, and he has for you, too.” Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God, our promised Messiah, and our only Savior. Thank you for living the perfect life we could not live, dying for our sins, and rising again to give us eternal life. Strengthen the faith of Christian war fighters to confess you boldly and lovingly whenever opportunities arise. Give them patient hearts to listen, compassionate words to speak, and confidence that your life-giving gospel is the power that saves. Keep us all steadfast in the truth that you are our Lord, now and forever. Amen. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

August 14, 20269 min

Military Devotion – You Belong – August 14, 2026

Watch the Devotion Based on Ephesians 2:13-22 You Belong When have you felt like an outsider? Some of you have shared with me stories about the times you’ve been embedded with locals, in a country on the other side of the world. Or times when you’ve sat down with tribal leaders. Veterans have shared stories about their transition from active duty to the civilian side and while working and living among civilians, they look around and say, “These aren’t my people. I don’t feel like I belong.” As a civilian, I’ve often felt that way when giving an invocation at a military ceremony or leading a Bible study or worship service surrounded by people in uniform, I say to myself, “I do not belong here.” But the place I most often feel that way is in the presence of my almighty, holy God. Do you ever feel that way? Whether you are sitting in the pew at church or at home in prayer and devotion, it happens often that I do not feel that I belong there. As I reflect on his Word that I hear and read, his Word convicts my conscience. At times I have been lax in my vocations in the way I fail to love and serve others. I do not belong around them or my God. Then Jesus reminds me and you, “Yes, you do belong here. For you are a sinner in desperate need of forgiveness, but that does not exclude you from belonging to me and with me.” The one before whom we stand provides just that: belonging. He brings us in. Listen to his Word from the apostle Paul: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . . .Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:13,19-22) My friend, when you sit in church, or at your kitchen table, or lie in bed with folded hands, know this: you belong. Christ has given his blood, the guiltless to make the guilty innocent, the holy one to make the unclean blameless, the priceless one makes us mortals immortal. We who were outsiders, foreigners, aliens, strangers, he makes you and me his friends, his brother and sister, a son and daughter to his Father in heaven, now and forever. Yes, you belong because of Christ Jesus. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we confess that because of our sins we deserve to be strangers to you and unworthy to stand in your presence. Yet in your great mercy you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, whose holy life and precious blood have brought us near to you . Thank you for making us members of your family, citizens of your kingdom, and heirs of eternal life. When guilt or loneliness makes our nation’s war fighters and veterans feel like outsiders, remind them that they belong to you because of Christ alone. In his name we pray. Amen. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

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