"The American author and humorist Mark Twain wrote that "the two most important days of our lives are the day we are born and the day we learn why." I believe the answer to the second portion of Twain's proposal can be found in John 17:1-26. This is known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. He prays this amazing prayer just before His arrest, torture, and execution is about to begin. The prayer is divided into three segments. The first has Jesus praying to the Father, seeking to be glorified in the events that lie ahead, only that the Father may be ultimately glorified. The second part finds Jesus praying for His Disciples and the final segment is Jesus praying for all of us! Throughout, Jesus asks that we all may be one, through the message of the gospel, just as the Father and Jesus are one. Jesus says that eternal life is knowing the one and only true God and knowing Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent to us. Thus, to know why we were born is this: "To have eternal life in knowing the one and only true God and Jesus whom He sent." Indeed, all else flows from this statement of our faith, knowing God and His son Jesus. This brings forth the unity that Jesus prays for all of us. Our call, our purpose is simply to be one, in unity, with the Father and His son Jesus Christ. From this, the ebb and flow of our lives will follow."

"A priest, an evangelist, and a rabbit walked into a blood donation clinic. The nurse asks the rabbit, “What blood type are you?” The rabbit answers, “I think I’m probably a Type O.”

Funny joke, right? But it reminds me of a serious truth…every one of us needs the right blood type. Per Google.com, there are 8 common blood types…but did you know, there are over 30 other blood group systems with hundreds of rare antigens? While every one of us needs our own blood type to survive, there is only one that leads to salvation! Scripture says, " You were bought with a price…” Not good works, not wealth, and certainly not religious beliefs…only by the blood of Jesus Christ. His blood still cleanses the sinner, restores the broken, and gives hope to the lost. Our lives no longer belong to the world, but to our Savior who gave Himself for us. Don’t ever forget, you are bought by the blood!"

"Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” To be called by God is to be called to serve. Jesus, the King of kings, chose the path of humility—washing feet, meeting needs, and giving His life for others. Serving begins when we stop focusing on ourselves and start seeing the needs of others. As C.S. Lewis said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Jesus modeled that kind of humble service every day. If our Savior served, then our calling is clear. Serving isn’t always visible or celebrated. Often, it’s found in quiet moments—helping someone in need, offering encouragement, or simply showing up when it matters. But in God’s kingdom, no act of service is small. Every act done in love reflects the heart of Christ. You don’t need a title to serve—you just need a willing heart. Right where you are, God has given you opportunities to make a difference. Someday we will stand before Jesus, and the question won’t be how important we were, how recognized we were, or how comfortable we stayed. The question will be: Did we love people enough to serve them? The hands that serve are often unseen by the world, but never unnoticed by God. So don’t wait for a title, applause, or the perfect moment. Someone around you needs the love of Christ today—and God may have placed you there to be the answer."

"Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations”. [Matt.28:19] Jesus commands that His Church do as He did intentionally, as He walked along the way. During His three-year ministry Jesus invested His time and focus on the twelve. They were with Him 24/7 learning and experiencing the discipleship way. The key ingredient to His success was built on intimate relationships with the twelve. Jesus poured His life into their life. They experienced His compassion, His love for His Father, His kindness to the widows, His love for the children. They witnessed His mighty power to heal and raise the dead and calm a raging storm. Yet just as these experiences shaped their future ministries, the anchor of their learning came from the human personal contact with Jesus each day. John said it well, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life.” [I John1:1] Therefore, let’s “make disciples” the Jesus way, pouring time, service and His love into one another. As we build loving relationships we “baptize” and “teach all that He commanded.” Go therefore and make disciples” for Jesus!"

"Eternity, defined in the English language, is infinite or unending time. That sounds about right. Not long ago, I spent what felt like an eternity at the MVA. I eventually got what I needed and made it back home, but I assure you there had to be moments of pure eternal human understanding of waiting.

Even better, I’m sure most of us know someone from Generation Alpha who can restlessly spend multiple layered eternities stacked upon one another simply waiting for commercials to end or the “Skip Ad” button to appear so they can continue their doom-scrolling.

The truth is, we all experience different perceptions of eternity on a daily basis — usually not in a joyful way. While these everyday examples give us a bit of humor and perspective on our human understanding of time, there is a far greater reality of eternity that faces every person.

The verse that we as Christians know very well and even most in society have heard or seen written at least a few times over says it beautifully:

John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

That verse should fill us with pure joy when we consider the true meaning of eternity and what awaits us in eternal life.

Yet we must also consider the alternative clearly stated in God’s Word:

Matthew 25:41 — “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

God’s Word presents the choice with striking simplicity: Option 1 — eternal life, or Option 2 — eternal fire.

So today fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as we serve our Lord, let us find great joy in knowing that eternity — that infinite, unending time — will one day be spent in the glorious presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"

"The Faithfulness of God refers to His unwavering commitment to act in perfect alignment with His unchanging character; fulfilling every promise He makes. He never forgets, fails, or wavers. Key Scripture: Exodus 34:6 “…The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth…”

1. God’s Faithfulness is filled with His constant mercy and unfailing Love. Key Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” This is written in such a way as to call out faithfulness as being the summary or “bottom line” as it were of what it means for God to have unstoppable love and unending mercy.

2. God’s Faithfulness is rock-solid during difficulties. When you feel like life has pushed you over a cliff, and you’re dangling in mid-air by just a rope, God has you! God is the rock, you’re anchored into, the rope you’re holding on to, AND the harness you’re tied to. It is likely that no prophet suffered as much as Isaiah. Yet read this Key Scripture: Isaiah 51:6 “…the sky will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not wane.”

3. God’s Faithfulness remains despite human weaknesses. Ever been let down? REALLY let down? Have YOU been the person to REALLY let someone down? God does not fail, has not failed, will not fail. Key Scripture: In 2 Timothy 2:13 Paul tells Timothy, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Then, Paul goes on to exhort the younger Preacher, “remind them (us) of these things”

4. God’s Faithfulness is woven into the reliability of His Word, the Bible. One of the most important passages in the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 where Paul writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God (i.e. God-breathed) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Last of all, I’ll leave with this scripture. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

"Grace is greater than sin because God’s mercy is stronger than humanity’s failure. The Bible teaches that no matter how deep sin runs, God’s grace reaches further. In Romans 5:20, the Apostle Paul writes, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” This means that sin does not have the final word in the life of a believer. Through Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, restoration, and new life to anyone who turns to Him in faith. Good works do not earn grace; it is a gift freely given because of God’s love.

The greatest example of grace overcoming sin is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. According to Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” Humanity could never save itself from sin, but Jesus paid the price on the cross so that people could be reconciled to God. Even when people fall short, God remains faithful and ready to forgive. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This shows that God’s grace is not limited by human weakness; instead, it triumphs over sin and brings hope, freedom, and redemption."

"Has anyone ever said to you, “What, are you holier than thou?” Well, as baptized believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and depending upon who may have said this, your answer should be a resounding YES!

Some context first. As Christians, and contrary to what the world thinks, we are NOT called to be perfect, but we are called to be holy. Holy in the Greek is ἅγιος (hagios), which means to be set apart, set apart from the world or sanctified.

In 1 Peter 2:9-12 states…9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may [a]because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of [b]visitation (Jesus’ return).

When we become Christians at baptism, the unsaved person joins the ranks of the saved, the moment that in which he/she is set apart from the world as such, from their old way of life, and from “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).

As Jack Cottrell says, “It is a change of status or change of position in relation to God and in relation to the world. It transfers the sinner from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). Just as God in His ontological holiness is ever set apart from and distinct from the creation as such, so does the sinner in his/her conversion transcend the old (sinful and condemned) creation and become identified with the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:10)

Holiness or sanctification is an ongoing process in that the Christian should become more and more holy, or more separated from sin the longer his/her walk is with Jesus becomes. At this point, there’s no change in status or relationships, but we should continue to be transformed of our inward character and thought process including our outward behavior and conduct. 2 Peter 3:18, this is how we “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

No, God does not expect perfection from an imperfect being, but why should He? If we are covered by the perfect blood of the perfect Lamb, and because of His awesome love and awesome grace for us, I know every time He looks down upon me, I am so thankful that He doesn’t see the imperfect me, but He does see HIS PERFECT, HOLY SON!!! Not because of me or anything that I have done, but because of the grace of God Almighty I can say to the world, “Yes, I am holier than thou!” Thank You Jesus!!!"

"One of the greatest truths of the Christian life is that our identity is not found in our past, our failures, our achievements, or the opinions of others. It is found in Christ. When we respond to the gospel in faith and obedience, being united with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-4), we become children of God, forgiven, redeemed, and made new. Because of Jesus, we are no longer defined by who we were, but by who He says we are. We belong to Him.

The world will try to label us by our mistakes, our jobs, our accomplishments, or even our social media profiles. Thankfully, God doesn't check our follower count or posts before calling us His children. When life brings trials, temptation, or discouragement, remembering our identity in Christ gives us confidence and hope. We are chosen, loved, and called to live for God's glory. Rather than striving to earn God's acceptance, we live in response to the grace we have already received through Christ. Today, take a moment to thank God for who you are in Him and ask Him to help you live in a way that reflects your new identity. After all, if the Creator of the universe calls you His child, that's a title worth holding onto."

"Many of us have had “one of those days” when things just do not seem to go our way. When those trying times happen to Christians, you may be the type of person who fights the frustration by exclaiming, “I’m not going to let this steal my joy!” But how do we react when it’s more than just a bad day, when the news is so devasting that it takes our breath away?

Over the years, I’ve witnessed several strong Christians who have faced the uphill, or perhaps even insurmountable, battles in life and refused to give Satan any ground. Simply put, they were not going to let anything steal their joy, even in the face of death.

Most recently, I observed a sister in Christ face the death sentence of cancer while managing the heartbreaking reality that she would only have a few months to live. Instead of understandably collapsing in grief, she chose the strength of her joy in the Lord. From that point until the too short period of time leading to her death, she lived her life as joyfully as I’ve ever witnessed, savoring each day with deep gratitude and loving her family as selflessly as our humanity allows. In short, her inspirational example provided a profound example of our power of choice when confronting deep sorrow or uncertainty, and the matchless comfort of holding fast to our joy in the Lord.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4"

"When we think of kingdoms, we might think of geographical places on a map. Places like the United Kingdom. We might even think of places that only exist in fairy tales or stories. However, when we look at the idea of kingdom in the ancient world—the world of the Bible—a slightly different picture emerges.

When speaking of kingdoms, the primary focus was on the reign of the king. So, a kingdom is where the king reigns. This does not mean there is no geographic designation. It just means that the primary focus is not the geographic boundaries.

If we take this concept to the Kingdom of Heaven, a theme central to the story of the Bible, the Kingdom of Heaven would be “the area where God rules and reigns.” This theme was the central preaching point for the ministry of Jesus. It began with John the Baptist declaring, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand,” and continued through the preaching of Jesus and the disciples.

In what we refer to as the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught to his disciples, we see this clearly. We are told to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 5:10). Here God’s will being done is set in parallel with his Kingdom coming.

The gospel writers also frame Jesus’ crucifixion as the moment the Kingdom of God was inaugurated on earth. He also declares after his resurrection that the Father has given Him all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:17). But if we look around, it doesn’t feel like God is really reigning. Does it? It seems like chaos. That brings us to another key point in Biblical theology. The idea of the “already but not yet.” Jesus’ death and resurrection kickstarted the Kingdom of God, but there will come a day when it is fully realized in the new heavens and new earth. So, until that day, it is our duty to tell those around us that the kingdoms and chaos of this world have been conquered and that the kingdom of God has come and will come."

"A lighthouse stands on a rocky coast, guiding ships safely through storms. The keeper ensures that the light never goes out. Sailors who see the light find their way to safety, while those who ignore it risk disaster. A lighthouse does not shine to draw attention to itself; instead, it shines steadily so that sailors can navigate safely.

In the same way, Jesus came as the Light of the World-not merely to be admired, but to be followed. In John 8:12, Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Life often brings uncertainty, disappointment, and difficult choices. At times, the path ahead seems hidden by darkness. Yet Jesus promises that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness. His light reveals truth, gives direction, and offers hope when we cannot see the way clearly. Christ's light shines steadily, calling us to trust Him one step at a time. As we walk in His light, we are also called to reflect that light to others through our words, actions, and love. Jesus Christ IS the Light of the World."

"Lamentations 3:22–23 –“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Mercy is one of God’s greatest gifts. It is God choosing not to give us the punishment we deserve, but instead offering forgiveness, compassion, and a fresh start through Jesus Christ. Every morning we wake up is evidence that His mercy is still reaching for us. We all fall short. We all make mistakes. Yet God never grows tired of extending mercy to those who come to Him with a humble heart. As Charles Spurgeon said, “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water than deprive His mercy of its fullness.”

Jesus didn’t just teach mercy, He lived it. He forgave the sinner, welcomed the outcast, and prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross. If we have received that kind of mercy, we are called to show it to others. Mercy chooses forgiveness over bitterness, compassion over judgment, and grace over revenge. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.

The world often says people should get what they deserve, but the Gospel tells a different story. None of us could stand without God’s mercy. Today, remember the mercy God has shown you, and let that same mercy flow through your words, your actions, and your heart. A life marked by mercy points people to the Savior who first showed mercy to us."

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

One of the greatest promises of the gospel is that Jesus doesn’t simply make us a little better—He makes us new. The world often tells us that our past defines us. We are labeled by our failures, our mistakes, our regrets, and sometimes even by things that have been done to us. But when we come to Christ, God gives us a new identity.

Paul says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.”

That raises an important question: How do we come to be “in Christ”? Paul gives us a clear answer in Galatians 3:27: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Paul uses similar language in Romans 6:3–4: “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” Paul goes on to explain that in baptism we are buried with Christ and raised so that “we too might walk in newness of life.” Notice how beautifully these passages fit together.

Galatians 3 says we are baptized into Christ.

Romans 6 says we are baptized into His death. Acts 2 tells us what God promises as we repent and are baptized: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. When the people on Pentecost realized they had sinned against God, they were pierced to the heart and asked Peter and the apostles what they should do.

Peter answered in Acts 2:38: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…”

Peter then promises that they would “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This helps us understand the beautiful picture of Romans 6:3–4.

In baptism, we are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. We are baptized into Christ and into His death. The old life is buried with Christ. Our sins are forgiven. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And we rise from the water to “walk in newness of life.”

Baptism isn't merely getting wet. It isn't simply a public ceremony telling people about something that happened earlier. It is an act of obedient faith in which we surrender ourselves to Christ and trust in what God is doing. We are baptized into Christ. We are united with His death. Our sins are forgiven. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We rise to walk in newness of life. That is why becoming a Christian is so much more than turning over a new leaf.

You aren't simply starting over.

In Christ, you are made new.

The old life is buried.

The guilt of the past no longer has the final word.

Our sins no longer define us.

Our failures no longer determine our future.

Jesus does.

And becoming a new creation means more than receiving forgiveness. It means beginning an entirely new life with Christ.

We receive a new identity — we have been clothed with Christ.

We receive a new relationship — we now belong to Christ.

We receive a new beginning — our sins have been forgiven.

We receive a new presence — God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We receive a new direction — instead of living for ourselves, we live for Him.

We receive a new purpose — our lives become instruments God can use for His glory.

We receive a new hope — our past may explain where we have been, but it does not determine where Christ is taking us.

And becoming a new creation isn't merely something we celebrate on the day we come to Christ. It changes how we live every day afterward. We can wake up each morning remembering: I have been baptized into Christ. I have been clothed with Christ. My sins have been forgiven. My old life has been buried. God has given me the gift of His Holy Spirit. I have been raised to walk in newness of life. I belong to Jesus.

A Question to Consider: If Christ has given you a new life, what part of your old life do you need to leave buried? Don't keep digging up what Jesus has buried. Don't keep wearing an old identity when you have been clothed with Christ. Don't allow forgiven sins to continue defining a life that Christ has made new.

If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. The old things have passed away. New things have come"

Hebrews 5:7-9

“In the days of His flesh, He offered both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”

Christ did not need to suffer in order to conquer or correct any disobedience. In His deity, He understood obedience completely. As the incarnate Lord, He humbled Himself to learn. (Lk.2:52) “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

He learned obedience for the same reasons He bore temptation: to confirm His humanity and experience its suffering to the fullest. Christ’s obedience was also necessary so that He could fulfill all righteousness and prove to be the perfect sacrifice to take the place of sinners.

Therefore, “He became to all those who OBEY Him the source of eternal salvation. His cost was suffering, shame and the Cross. Our cost, our condition is to obey Him as Lord and Savior of our life. Jesus paid the price of our salvation we have the privilege of obeying His commands bearing the fruit of His righteousness."

In the most basic sense prayer is calling out to God for His favor (grace) in a particular situation. But the truth is prayer is much more. Christ was sent to earth to undo the ill effects of the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden.

One of the ill effects was a relational strain between God and mankind. Sin entering into the world caused a separation causing mankind to lose oneness with God. So God Himself came up with a plan to restore the relationship. Sin had to be delt with. God sent Jesus to pay the sin debt owed by us, and set us free to once again have a righteous relationship with God. Thru excepting and obeying the gospel and being born again we are right with God.

Now since we are right in Gods eyes, we have to stay that way. Reading His Word and prayer are the disciplines needed to stay in faith. Take a moment and meditate on the fact that our Creator desires a relationship with you. Our Lord and God wants you with Him in for eternity.

Use prayer not only for asking but for praising Him for all He has done and will continue to do. There is so much prayer in the pages of the Bible it almost seems like a book of prayer. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." — 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." — Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

Today’s world is louder than ever before. Every day, we are bombarded with notifications from social media platforms and news outlets that demand our attention. It seems like whenever we have a quiet moment, we quickly attempt to fill it with music, TV, or endless scrolling because silence can often feel uncomfortable. Paul paints a different picture of how our lives should look. He says that we should make it a priority to “lead a quiet life.” Paul isn't telling us to be unproductive or live a life of isolation. Rather, he is encouraging us to live with a quietness that comes from being content with how God is moving in our lives. In a culture that values staying busy and chasing our next claim to fame, that can sound bizarre. But Paul knew that some of God’s greatest work happens in the silence, where we can listen and give Him time to speak.

Our enemy understands the power of distraction better than anyone. He doesn't always have to pull us away from God through sinful acts. Sometimes, all he has to do is keep us busy. If he can fill our lives with constant noise, we won’t have time to give God the attention he deserves. Lamentations reminds us that “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Waiting quietly is not simply sitting in silence, rather, it is putting our trust in God and refusing to let our distractions control us. Jesus frequently withdrew to quiet places to pray and spend time with the Father. If Jesus made it a priority to spend quiet time with God, shouldn’t we do the same?

Leading a quiet life means intentionally creating space for God to speak. That means silencing our distractions in order to prioritize spending time in His Word and in prayer. Our worth is not found in the ways of this world, but in living a quiet life that is pleasing to God. Jim Caviezel puts it this way: “I’d rather be an unknown here and have my name up there.”

Make it a habit each day to set aside time to sit quietly with God. Put down your phone. Turn off the music. Step away from the distractions. Open His Word, pray, and let God speak."

"There is so much that could be said about being redeemed. Psalms 107 speaks to this (this is your friendly hint to read the Psalm and then return to this devotional).

We should always be giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness in so many ways (verse 1). His redemption of us is one such reason. We are encouraged to tell our story of how He has redeemed us (verse 2a); it will be different for each of us as we are each unique. Notice how verses 2b-5 list some ways we may have needed redeeming, certainly not an exhaustive list. Verses 6-7 tell the amazing key (turn to the Lord as your Savior and Satisfier)! And then verse 15 reminds about giving thanks to the Lord. 16-18 are more reasons for redemption and 19-20 go back to the amazing key. The Psalm continues this loose pattern over and over (repetition for emphasis), as we need to consider and thank God over and over again. It ends with “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.”

Jesus and the New Testament writers talk about redemption ad nauseam. God’s love for us (each individual and also the collective of humanity)—despite our betrayal of Him as our Maker—makes our redemption possible through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection. This redemption is offered by grace, but the New Testament also calls us to respond to the gospel in obedient faith. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, repent by turning from sin and toward God, confess Jesus as Lord, and are baptized into Christ, where we are united with Him in His death and resurrection and receive the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27).

Paul beautifully describes what God has accomplished for us in Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Read Ephesians 1:3–14 for the larger context, which shows that salvation is entirely rooted in God's gracious purpose and accomplished through Christ.

Another great example of God’s redemptive heart is told in a strong way in Hosea, especially chapter 3.

Never let go of how Jesus redeemed you. I recommend reminding yourself daily in your morning prayer time. He is our Great Redeemer!"

"The word “serve” is used very loosely today, and most people would say it involves helping out, pitching in, or just generally being useful. Worldly service is a task usually done for some sort of exchange: servers at restaurants bring us food in exchange for a good tip, your neighbor helps you carry something inside and expects you to do the same in the future, you take on extra work for your boss in the hope you’ll be rewarded with a promotion. Rarely do people serve someone with no expectation of a reward, and even more rarely do we serve someone we believe has no ability to ever repay us. Biblical service is the complete opposite.

Biblical service is not just chores or any single action. Biblical service is a matter of allegiance. Take Joshua 24:15, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. Consistently throughout the Bible, service is tied directly to ownership. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says that you cannot serve two masters, those being God and money. To serve Biblically, then, means to declare your allegiance to whoever - or whatever - is the lord of your life through your consistent, daily actions.

Jesus is the model of what it means to serve in John 13. Despite being the King of the Universe, Jesus assumes the servant’s position by washing the feet of the disciples. In the 1st Century, the disciples would have worn open toed shoes over dusty roads, meaning their feet were the dirtiest part of their bodies. Washing the feet was a job reserved for the lowest of society, usually slaves or servants. But Jesus, out of his love for them, us, and God the Father accepts this role and practices the kind of service we should emulate. He explicitly says “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)

Put simply, to serve as a Christian is not a task that can be completed. Service is a natural consequence of belonging to God. This belonging leads us to put others above ourself and desire to satisfy their needs with no expectation of anything in return, just as Jesus modeled for us in John 13.

We each have a gift that we should use to serve others (1 Peter 4:10), which we do out of love for both God and his amazing grace, and our love for one another (Galatians 5:13). This can’t be done half-heartedly, but must be done with all of our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12). We express our love for God and further His Kingdom by serving one another"

"Trophy is the word I want to reflect on today. In English, we usually think of a trophy as a prize or award for winning a contest, but the original Greek word tropaion carried a deeper meaning. It referred to a display of helmets, spears, and armor taken from a defeated enemy, marking the point where the battle turned and the enemy fled. Victorious soldiers would pile the captured weapons on posts as a visible symbol of triumph.

In the same way, we can celebrate the victories we have in Christ. Scripture gives us several reminders of this truth. In 1 Corinthians 15:57, Paul writes, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In 2 Corinthians 2:14, he also says, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10-11 adds, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

So let us stand firm, holding fast to the victory of salvation made possible by God’s loving grace. Each of us has a turning point when we awaken to the truth that our souls are in the hands of a great and powerful God. In response, we can hoist out trophies up as a reminder of our victory in Christ."

"In Colossians 3:14 the apostle Paul says to “put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Throughout the New Testament, beginning with Jesus (e.g., John 17:23), we are called to be unified in doctrine, purpose, and fellowship. Sadly, the Christian world has a seemingly limitless number of denominations, illustrating just how un-unified we have become.

However, in the early 1800s, a group of Christians in America started calling for all believers to come together under the name of Christ, using the Bible (rather than creeds) as their rule. One of their early slogans was, “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.” Barton W. Stone, and Alexander and Thomas Campbell were the earliest leaders of this movement which came to be known as the Restoration Movement. Calling men back to the Bible, they preached a simple plan of salvation consisting of faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and faithful living. They shunned denominational names, simply referring to themselves as “Christians” and their churches as Christian Churches or Churches of Christ.

Let’s unify under these same biblical principles today in the face of the continued division we see in churches, families, politics, etc. Another slogan used by the early leaders of the Restoration Movement captures this spirit and echoes what we saw in Colossians:

“In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; but in all things, love.”

"MERRIAM-WEBSTER Dictionary defines vengeance as : punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense.

It seems like it is almost human nature to want to get payback when someone does something to us. As we were children growing up when a sibling or playmate took one of our toys we would take one of theirs. Becoming teenagers and young adults it may take days, weeks or years to get retribution for having been treated wrongly by someone. How often do you see instant revenge (road

rage) while you're driving, almost daily. You may not be guilty of doing it but you probably have

thought about it.

Rom 12:19-21 (NASU) 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

GOD is telling us to love one another regardless of what they may have done to you, even if they are your enemy. GOD did not just tell us what to do, He showed us. He created us man and woman, gave us everything with one condition. Do not eat of the tree in the midst of the garden or you will die. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree in the middle of the garden they sinned. When they sinned they became enemies of GOD. GOD in his righteousness would have been justified to punish them by putting them to death. Instead in His mercy He loved us and created a way for us to

be redeemed through grace.

How do we receive His grace:

● Believe: Acts 16:31 defines belief as trusting completely in Jesus, accepting that He is the Son of God, and believing that His death and resurrection paid the penalty for your sins.

● Repent: Acts 2:38 explains repentance as a deliberate choice to turn away from a lifestyle of sin and turn your life, mind, and loyalty toward God.

● Confess: Romans 10:9 involves verbally and publicly acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior, aligning your identity openly with Him rather than hiding your faith.

● Be Baptized: Romans 6:4 shows water baptism as a physical act where you are immersed in water, symbolizing the death of your old life and your resurrection into a new spiritual life united with Christ."

Be sure to check back here and on our Facebook page each week as we continue this journey through the Bible from A–Z! Every devotional title corresponds with a different letter of the alphabet, creating a unique and engaging way to explore biblical truths and grow deeper in faith one letter at a time. From “A” to “Z,” each week brings a new topic, a new writer, and a new opportunity to be encouraged by God’s Word.