Posts with the category “devotional”

Day 5 —You’re Here—So Let’s Be Here TogetherScripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”Think about a piano.One hand can make music.But when the hands, fingers, feet, pedals, timing, and mind all work together, something much greater happens.That’s the picture of the church.You matter.But you aren’t the whole body.I matter.But I’m not the whole body.We ...  Read More

Day 4 —Come to the Table, Not Just the Service Scripture: Luke 10:41–42“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed…”There is a difference between being in the room and being present.Martha was physically near Jesus.But Mary was intentionally sitting at His feet.Church attendance by itself doesn’t produce discipleship.You can sit in a chair every Sunday ...  Read More

Day 3 —Stop Looking for Someone to BlameScripture: Philippians 4:8“Whatever things are true… noble… just… pure… lovely… of good report… meditate on these things.”Sometimes we disconnect from church because something didn’t go the way we wanted.The music wasn’t right.The temperature wasn’t right.Someone distracted us.The message wasn’t what we expected.Someone didn’t talk to us.The service didn’t “...  Read More

Day 2 —Keep GrowingScripture: 2 Peter 3:18“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is becoming satisfied with where we are.We can know enough Scripture to answer questions.We can know enough church language to sound spiritual.We can have enough experience to think we’ve figured things out.But discipleship never ends...  Read More

Day 1 —We Need Each Other Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…”It is easy to think of church as something we attend.We go to church.We hear a message.We sing some songs.We go home.But Scripture gives us a much bigger picture.The church is not simply a place we go. The church is a people we belong to.There will be seasons when you need...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayThe week is almost done. Sunday is almost here. And somewhere between now and then, God wants to use you — exactly as you are.Today's Scripture: "The same Spirit who brought Aquilla and Priscilla, who spoke to Paul in the night, who used two tentmakers to raise up one of the greatest leaders in the early church — that Spirit lives in you.""Now to him who is able to do far more ...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DaySometimes God doesn't show up the way we expect. Sometimes He shows up driving a wrecker at 3 a.m.Today's Scripture: "He found a certain Jew named Aquilla... and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked." — Acts 18:2–3Reflection: In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Scott shared a story that stopped the room.It was early in his walk with Jesus. A nightmare sce...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayWe're at the midpoint of the week — a good place to pause and ask: how is Sunday's message actually changing how I live?Today's Scripture: "When Aquilla and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." — Acts 18:26Reflection: Apollos was gifted, passionate, and sincere — but he had an incomplete picture. So Aquilla and Pr...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayHave you ever been doing everything right — showing up, working hard, trying to follow God's lead — and the opposition came anyway?Today's Scripture: "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." — Acts 18:9–10Reflection: Paul was preaching. He w...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayWhat if the most important thing God is looking for in you isn't talent, a title, or a track record — but just your availability?Today's Scripture: "After these things, Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquilla... and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for by occupation they were tentmakers." — Acts...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayAs you head into the weekend, here's one thing worth carrying with you: the same Spirit who moved through Acts 16 lives in you right now.Today's Scripture: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." — Acts 16:31Reflection: We've walked through a lot this week. We've sat with closed doors and the discomfort of redirection. We've been hones...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DayWhat would it take for you to sing in the dark — not when things got better, but right in the middle of the worst of it?Today's Scripture: "But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayWe spend a lot of time waiting for a big, obvious open door. What if God's already opened one, and we just haven't noticed?Today's Scripture: "A certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul." — Acts 16:14Reflection: When Paul finally arrived in Mace...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayBe honest — when doors keep closing, doesn't part of you start to wonder if you missed God somewhere along the way?Today's Scripture: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had ...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayHave you ever been absolutely certain you were headed in the right direction — only to have every door slam shut in your face?Today's Scripture: "Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them."...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayThis week we've covered a lot of ground together. Opposition as confirmation. Getting back up. Practical steps forward. The testimony of those who went back. Today, we land on the why — the fuel that makes all of it possible.Today's Scripture: "...Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DayWhat would you do if you were asked to go back to the place that hurt you most?Today's Scripture: "And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayYesterday we sat with the image of Paul in the dirt. Today we look at what he did next — and what that means for us right now.Today's Scripture: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." — Galatians 2:20Ref...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayYou're still showing up. Still in the building. But somewhere along the way, something knocked the wind out of you — and you haven't quite gotten all the way back up.Today's Scripture: "...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city." — Acts 14:19–20Reflection: ...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayHave you ever been doing something you believed God called you to, only to hit a wall of resistance and wonder if you heard him wrong?Today's Scripture: "Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their mind...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayAs you close out this week and head into the weekend, here's the truth Acts 12 wants to leave ringing in your ears: nothing stops the kingdom of God.Today's Scripture: "But the word of God continued to spread and flourish." — Acts 12:24Reflection:This single verse is Luke's editorial comment on everything that just happened in Acts 12. James was killed. Peter was arrested. Hero...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DaySometimes God's answer to your prayer looks completely different than what you were picturing — and far better.Today's Scripture: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." — Psalm 37:5-6Reflection:There's a story woven through this past Sunday's sermon that ...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayYesterday we got honest about drifting expectations. Today, let's talk about what it looks like to get them back.Today's Scripture: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jes...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayHave you ever prayed for something so long that somewhere along the way, you stopped actually believing it would happen?Today's Scripture: "When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, 'Peter is at the door!' 'You are out of your mind,' they told her." — Acts 12:14-15Reflection:Here's one of the most honest, human mom...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayWhat if the most powerful thing happening in your city right now isn't in a boardroom, a courtroom, or a news headline — but in someone's living room?Today's Scripture: "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." — Acts 12:5Reflection:Acts 12 opens with a grim scene. James has been executed. Peter is in chains, surrounded by four squad...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayAs you head into the weekend, carry this with you: you are not going out empty. You've been to the table.Today's Scripture: "For I have received from the Lord what I also passed on to you." — 1 Corinthians 11:23a (NIV)Reflection: All week, we've been circling the same beautiful truth: we carry the Father's heart to others because the Father's heart has been extended to us first...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DayWhat if the most powerful thing you brought into a difficult situation wasn't your strength — but your honesty?Today's Scripture: "We are overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony." — Revelation 12:11Reflection: There's a story that stays with you.A woman volunteering at a camp for abused and neglected children found herself walking to chapel beside...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayWe've spent two days building toward this: we're called to carry the Father's heart, and we can only do it from a place of having received his love ourselves. So what does that actually look like in practice?Today's Scripture: "True spirituality that is pure and undefiled before our Father God is this: to make a difference in the lives of orphans and widows in their trou...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayHave you ever shown up somewhere to serve or love someone, only to realize — somewhere in the middle of it — that you were running on empty?Today's Scripture: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." — Luke 15:20 (NIV)Reflection: Yesterday we grounded ourse...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayWhat if the most important thing about your faith isn't what you believe, but what you do with it?Today's Scripture: "True spirituality that is pure and undefiled before our Father God is this: to make a difference in the lives of orphans and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world's values." — James 1:27 (TPT)Reflection: James doesn't leave us g...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayWe've traveled a long road this week. From the truth that God prepares people before we arrive, to the honest struggle of our own "no, Lord" moments, to practical steps of surrender, to a story that reminded us our prayers matter — today we carry it all forward.Today's Scripture: "Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in ev...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DaySometimes the most powerful evidence that God's Word is true isn't found in a commentary. It's found in a life. Today, let a real story do what theology alone sometimes can't — give you hope.Today's Scripture: "While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word." — Acts 10:44 (ESV)Reflection:The Holy Spirit fell while Peter was still s...  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayWe've spent two days with this story. Monday we saw that God prepares people before we arrive. Tuesday we sat with the uncomfortable truth that we all have a "sheet" — categories and walls that limit where we're willing to go. Today, we get practical.Today's Scripture: "Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." — Acts 10:20 (NKJV...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayYesterday we saw that God was already moving in Cornelius before Peter arrived. But here's the part of the story we don't talk about as much — before Peter could go, God had to deal with Peter first.Today's Scripture: "But Peter said, 'Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.' And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 'What God has cleansed you ...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayHave you ever felt the pressure of being responsible for someone else's faith — like everything depends on you saying exactly the right thing at exactly the right moment?Today's Scripture: "About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, 'Cornelius!' ... 'Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God...  Read More

Monday — Foundation DayHave you ever felt like everything you worked hard to build was suddenly falling apart — and wondered if God had lost the plot?Today's Scripture: "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word." — Acts 8:4 (ESV)Reflection: Acts 8 opens in chaos. Stephen has just been stoned to death. Saul is going house to house, dragging believers to prison. Families are grabbi...  Read More

Friday — Forward DayYou're about to walk into a weekend full of rooms — family dinners,grocery runs, neighborhood conversations, maybe a hard meeting or aquiet moment of doubt. What if you walked into every one of themdifferently?Today's Scripture: "And the word of God continued to increase, and thenumber of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem." — Acts 6:7Reflection:We've covered a lot o...  Read More

Thursday — Testimony DayWhat if the role you thought was too small turned out to be exactlywhere God wanted to show up through you?Today's Scripture: "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doinggreat wonders and signs among the people." — Acts 6:8"And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face waslike the face of an angel."— Acts 6:15Reflection:Stephen wasn't chosen to preach....  Read More

Wednesday — Application DayWhat if the assignment you've been waiting to feel ready for is theone God has already placed right in front of you?Today's Scripture: "Pick out from among you seven men of good repute,full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to thisduty." — Acts 6:3Reflection:On Monday we established the truth: God raises people, not justmomentum. Yesterday we faced t...  Read More

Tuesday — Challenge DayBe honest: how often do you quietly believe that if you just workedharder, stayed up later, or pushed through a little more — you couldhandle it all yourself?Today's Scripture: "It is not right that we should give up preachingthe word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out fromamong you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,whom we will ap...  Read More