Daily Devotion

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COME FORTH!
June 29, 2026
Bryant Wright, Founder

“When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” John 11:43

By the time Jesus stood outside Lazarus’ tomb, everyone believed the situation was beyond hope.

The funeral had already taken place. The stone covered the entrance. Lazarus had been dead four days. From a human standpoint, his body was decomposing. The stench would be sickening.

But Jesus specializes in hopeless situations.

Standing before the tomb, He called out with authority, “Lazarus, come out!” And immediately, the man who had been dead walked out alive.

What an incredible reminder of the power of Christ.

So often, we look at situations in our lives and quietly conclude that nothing will ever change. A broken relationship. A long struggle with sin. A burden we have carried for years. A prayer that seems unanswered.

But John 11 reminds us never to underestimate the power of God.

The same Jesus who called Lazarus from the grave still brings hope, healing, and new life today. Sometimes He changes our circumstances, and sometimes He changes us in the middle of those circumstances. But He is always at work for His glory and our good.

Most importantly, the raising of Lazarus points us to an even greater truth: Jesus Himself would soon conquer death through His own resurrection.

Because Christ rose from the grave, all who place their faith in Him have the hope of overcoming death as well. Death does not have the final word. Despair does not win. Jesus does.

No situation is ever beyond His power. Claim His supernatural power today.

DIG DEEPER
Read “A New Life Means A Changed Life” also by Bryant Wright

 

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WHAT DOES “ALWAYS” MEAN TO YOU?
June 30, 2026


Michael Kelley, Guest Contributor

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a surprising tool in its arsenal called the ‘Waffle House Index’ to determine the effect of a storm and the likely scale of assistance required for disaster recovery. The idea is that if you get to an area affected by a storm and Waffle House is closed, then it’s really bad. The index has three levels, based on the extent of operations and service at the restaurant following a storm:

• GREEN: Full Menu – The restaurant has power and damage is limited or no damage at all.
• YELLOW: Limited Menu – No power or only power from a generator, or food supplies may be low.
• RED: The Restaurant is Closed – Indicates severe damage or severe flooding.

The point is that even Waffle House can’t, with full integrity, use a word like “always.” In fact, the things in the world about which you can use fully inclusive terms like “always, all, or never” are very, very few.

And that’s what makes today’s passage in Philippians 4 all the more striking:

This passage leaves us no wiggle-room:

• Rejoice in the Lord always
• Let your gentleness be known to everyone
• Don’t worry about anything
• In everything pray

There are no “if’s” or “but’s” here; there is no allowance for special circumstances; it’s all-inclusive.

We might be mostly joyful; or mostly gentle; or mostly calm, but there are those special circumstances that push us over the edge. Or there are those special people that push our buttons. So what are we to do with a passage like this that doesn’t make allowances for those kinds of circumstances?

The first thing we ought to do is to recognize that what Paul is describing here is more than just individual actions; it is a posture of living, and those are different things. The word  posture  is defined like this: “position, condition, or state, as of affairs.”

In a physical sense, your posture is how you generally hold yourself. It’s not a static term, meaning that you are always sitting or standing, or bending. All of us do those things a thousand times a day. Your posture, though, is a general position. In fact, it’s your posture that influences the way you hold yourself in all those other movements. It determines just  how  you stand or sit or bend.

That’s true in a physical sense, but it’s also true in other ways. You have a mental posture. You have an emotional posture and a spiritual one, too. Often, though, we don’t even realize that we have a posture; we only react at the moment. But our posture preconditions the way we respond in each individual moment.

Now here is how it relates to us when it comes to believing the gospel – when we believe the gospel, it’s not just that our actions change; it’s that our posture changes. The thing behind those actions is radically altered.

The gospel changes our posture, both immediately as it comes to our standing before God and over time as God works in us to conform us to the image of Jesus. This is the journey we are on, friends. Not just to rejoice, not just to give thanks, not just to act gently, not just to pray – but to be those kinds of people.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 1
Remaining in Jesus
Bible in a Year :

• Job 20-21
• Acts 10:24-48

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
John 6:56

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Luke 22:14-23
“A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered.” These words, uttered by a character in C. S. Lewis’ book Out of the Silent Planet, depict the joy one has in reminiscing over cherished experiences in life. Though we rightly delight in the breathtaking scenery along the path of a hike or in sharing an important milestone with a loved one, what we feel might be merely the initial pleasure. Often, later reflection on such moments (and those like them) compound the joy of having experienced them.
Perhaps this is another reason Jesus instructs His disciples to regularly share in what we call the Lord’s Supper. As He shared the Passover meal with them the night before His death, He infused it with a new layer of meaning. When partaking of the unleavened bread and “fruit of the vine,” Jesus described them as representing His body and His blood (Luke 22:19-20). His disciples were to share this meal regularly, doing so “in remembrance of [Him]” (v. 19).
The Jewish people remember how God delivered them from Egypt through celebrating Passover (see Exodus 12:17). Those who trust in Jesus’ sacrifice retell God’s deliverance from the consequences of sin by partaking of the Lord’s Supper—a somber, yet joyful remembrance. By sharing in it regularly, we practice what it means to “remain” in fellowship with Jesus (see John 6:56) and savor the pleasure of our communion with Him.
By: Kirsten Holmberg



Reflect & Pray
How is remembering important in your worship of God? What might you remember about His work in your life today?
Please help me, dear Father, to remember Your good works!

 

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RESPECTING THE TRADITIONS OF OTHERS
July 01, 2026
Bryant Wright, Founder

“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.” 1 Corinthians 9:20

When the Apostle Paul was sent out from the church in Antioch, he met Timothy.

Timothy was an impressive young Christian man who would later play an important role in both Paul’s missionary journey and in leading the early church. With a Greek father and Jewish mother, Timothy was Jewish but uncircumcised.

The religious significance of circumcision in Judaism is a bit foreign to many today, especially when, as Christians, we know that it’s not our words, deeds, or even actions (following the Old Testament laws such as circumcision) that guarantee salvation, but only by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 2:8). So why would Paul care that Timothy was uncircumcised?

It was about cultural sensitivity.

Paul knew that when they inevitably shared the Gospel in Jewish territories, such as in synagogues surrounded by the religious elite, Timothy’s words would lose credibility if they discovered that he was uncircumcised. (How they would know, I have no idea).

It was about respecting the traditions and culture of the time to earn the right to be heard.

Missionaries serving in predominantly Muslim regions often adopt this same mindset by dressing more conservatively, or women sometimes choose to wear headscarves. Does this decision compromise their Christian faith? Absolutely not. They’re simply showing proper modesty relative to that culture to gain the right to be heard when they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Respecting another’s culture, beliefs, and traditions doesn’t mean that you always agree, but it does give your words more weight when it comes to topics such as faith. You might not live in a foreign culture, but you can still show respect and sensitivity at your workplace and in your community.

How are you building bridges to share the Gospel?

DIG DEEPER
Read “Should Christians be Tolerant of Other People’s Religion and Beliefs?” at GotQuestions.org

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 3
Walk by Faith
Bible in a Year :

• Job 25-27
• Acts 12

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:31

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Isaiah 40:25-31
The woman walked gingerly up each step to the church’s sanctuary for that night’s prayer service. As she paused because of her pain or breathlessness, a man passing by said, “One step at a time. That’s the only way you’re going to make it. Take it easy.” His words were meant to encourage the woman and may have given her the boost she needed to reach the top. They certainly encouraged my weary soul during my visit that evening.
In our faith journey, we may feel tempted to quit when the path seems too long or difficult. Yet in these moments, we can find solace in the words the prophet Isaiah spoke to comfort the Israelites. He told them God would eventually redeem them from their decades of captivity in Babylon, and He reminded them that God wasn’t like powerless idols (Isaiah 40:18-20). Almighty God, who created the heavens and earth, “will not grow tired or weary,” and He strengthens the weak (vv. 28-29). “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (v. 31).
Isaiah’s words encouraged the Israelites, and we can receive strength from the same “everlasting God” (vv. 28-29) they were trusting. Let’s walk by faith day by day and one step at a time. As we continue to hope in the one true God, He will help us walk, run, and soar for His glory.
By: Nancy Gavilanes



Reflect & Pray
Why is it sometimes hard to take things one step at a time? How can you rely on God’s strength each day?
Dear God, thank You for strengthening me step by step.

 

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ON THE WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE, JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU
July 05, 2026
Michael Kelley, Guest Contributor

“’I tell you, Peter,’ He said, ‘the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me.’” Luke 22:34

The words must have hung in the air for a moment, pointed and powerful.

The disciples had just been arguing, to the last man, about who was to be the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom, and with Peter no doubt in the middle of the fray, Jesus’ words cut to the heart.

For Peter, the suggestion at that moment was laughable:

“Lord,” he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”

Peter suffered from the same delusion that plagues us all from time to time – that we are above it all. That we are above such an outright and blatant example of sin. That we are above succumbing. That our faith, and our will, is strong.

But Jesus knows better.

Peter was oblivious to the fact that he was embarking on what was to be no doubt one of the worst, if not the worst, day of his life. How many times in the years after would he look back on Jesus’ words and wonder how he could have been so arrogant? How many times would he replay the moment by the fire when all his will gave way underneath the weight of a little girl’s questioning? How many times would he remember the bitter tears he wept as Jesus was led away to His death in the shadow of His friend’s blatant denial?

But how could he have known? In that moment, Peter felt strong. He felt confident. He was, in his own mind, invincible.

But Jesus knew better. He still knows better. He will always know better.

Every morning we wake up and, for the most part, are completely oblivious to what the day holds. Rarely do we think about the fact that in only minutes or hours, our world could change with a single word:

Cancer.
Downsize.
Bankrupt.
Unfaithful.
Betrayal.

These are the kinds of things that await. And we, like Peter, are gloriously confident in our own faith and will. In our minds, we are invincible to the lure of sin and the world’s brokenness. But we, like Peter, can take heart that while we don’t know what the day holds, Jesus does. And, amazingly, He’s been up praying for us long before we swing our legs out of bed:

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31).

Let that sink in for a moment. Feel the weight of the grace. On the worst day of his life, when Peter had no idea how far he was about to fall, Jesus had been praying for him.

When we woke up on a morning in October, my wife and I had no idea we would end the day sleeping in Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. We had no clue that our world was to be flip-flopped. We had no idea that the cancer inside our 2-year-old’s body was about to be discovered.

We didn’t know. We were blissfully ignorant. But thankfully, Jesus was not. He knew. And He was praying for us.

Take heart, Christian, not because you know what to expect from life today. You most certainly do not. But Jesus does.

And if today is indeed the worst day of your life, know that Jesus has been praying for you.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Does Jesus Pray for Us?” at GotQuestions.org

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 7
The Way Wisdom Works
Bible in a Year :

• Job 34-35
• Acts 15:1-21

They held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
1 Kings 3:28

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Kings 3:16-21, 24-28
As a child, I brought home a report card with all S’s, which stood for Satisfactory. My sister, who was five years older than me, had a mixture of A’s and B’s. I thought our report cards proved I was smarter because I had what I thought was the equivalent of all A’s. My older brother then proceeded to offer us a test. He went to my parents’ bookshelf and pulled out a book. He asked me to read a passage. I stumbled, only recognizing a few words. My sister read the passage flawlessly. My brother declared her the smartest.
Lesson learned. His test proved to be wise.
The people in Israel learned a lesson on wisdom from King Solomon. Two women had delivered babies. One baby died when his mother accidentally “lay on him” (1 Kings 3:19). This mother then tried to claim the living baby as her own. The women went to Solomon to ask who should keep the baby. When he heard the complaint, he ordered that the living baby be cut in two so both women could have a half of the child (v. 25).
The woman who was not the mother agreed to this order, but the true mother said, “Give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” (v. 26). When she spoke up to save the child, Solomon ruled that she was the mother and said to give her the baby (v. 27). Solomon’s God-given wisdom was on full display.
As God helps us, our actions can show others the true wisdom that comes from Him too (Proverbs 2:6).
By: Katara Patton



Reflect & Pray
What decisions do you need wisdom for today? How can you find wisdom?
All-wise God, please give me the wisdom I need to know which way to go.

 

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LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE PART 2: THE URGENCY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
July 07, 2026
Bryant Wright, Founder

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

The Great Commission isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a divine mandate given to every church by Jesus Himself.

We are called to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person, making disciples from all nations.

What is the Gospel?

It is the Good News that Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and then rose from the dead to give us victory over death.

In a world that is increasingly hostile to the message of Christ, the urgency of the Great Commission has never been greater. There are still billions of people who have never heard the name of Jesus, and time is running out before Jesus’ return.

As followers of Christ, we have been entrusted with the most powerful message in the world—the message of salvation and eternal life through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Let’s not hoard this message for ourselves but share it boldly and courageously as the Holy Spirit guides us.

The Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation for all who believe” (Romans 1:16).

Let’s take up the Great Commission challenge with passion and urgency, knowing that eternity hangs in the balance for those who have yet to hear the good news.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Live Sent: The Great Commission” by George Wright

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 8
The Holy Grail
Bible in a Year :

• Job 36-37
• Acts 15:22-41

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:28

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Matthew 26:20-30
For centuries, people have been fascinated by the Holy Grail—the cup Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. The legends surrounding King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table detail their obsession over the search for the cup. They believed it had magical powers. In film, Indiana Jones and his father, Henry, fulfilled Henry’s lifelong pursuit of the Grail.
While this makes for fascinating storytelling, the truth is much more straightforward. The cup itself has no special powers. The real power is found in what it represents. Matthew describes the scene in the upper room the night before Jesus went to the cross: “Then [Jesus] took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’ ” (26:27-28). The cup is a picture of the blood that Jesus would shed on our behalf.
John the Baptist introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Hebrews 9:22 tells us, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” And Paul wrote that Christ himself is “our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. How thankful we are for the shed blood of our Savior, the Lamb!
By: Bill Crowder



Reflect & Pray
What does it mean for you to celebrate Communion? How do you express your thanks for the sacrifice Jesus made for you?
Loving Father, left to myself I would be forever lost. Thank You for the provision of Your Son and His willingness to go to the cross in my place.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 9
Sharing Our Spiritual Gifts
Bible in a Year :

• Job 38-40
• Acts 16:1-21

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:6

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Romans 12:3-8
“You’re good at playing the guitar,” I said to a new friend at church. “Thanks,” he said. “That’s my ministry.” There was that word again. Ministry. I didn’t know what that was or how someone “got” a ministry. But my friend was simply using the musical ability he’d been given to serve others. When I later discovered that one of my gifts was exhortation, or encouragement, I was a bit disappointed. It felt too plain. But soon I realized that as the care leader of our small group, I delighted in writing encouraging notes or calling our members. I’d been using one of my spiritual gifts without even knowing it.
As believers in Jesus, we’re each given spiritual gifts to serve in the church (1 Corinthians 12:6). Sometimes we don’t know what they are, so we simply serve where there’s need. The Holy Spirit will do the rest (vv. 4-6, 8-11).
Just as our human body has many parts with different functions, in Christ, “we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:5-6). Teaching, encouraging, giving, and showing mercy are just some of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the passage from the book of Romans (vv. 6-8). Whatever spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit entrusts us with, let’s use them to serve others in the church—the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
By: Nancy Gavilanes



Reflect & Pray
What’s one of your spiritual gifts? How can you use it to bless others?
Dear God, please help me use my spiritual gifts to serve others.

 

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WHAT IS YOUR BRAND?
July 09, 2026
Jerry Maxfield, Guest Contributor

“…for I bear on my body the brand marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:17

What is your brand? Do you have a “swoosh” on your clothing? Do you have a tattoo on your arm? How about a piercing or a bright streak of color in your hair? What about a wedding ring on your finger…that is a form of a brand indicating your allegiance to a specific person. The rancher brands his cattle’s hides with a specific mark to ensure there is no mistake about who the owner is. Branding is a way of expressing identity. Branding marks a person in a unique and personal way so that others know who or whose that person is.

In this scripture, the apostle Paul was referring to the literal scars on his body from all the whippings and wounds he had suffered for the cause of Christ. You and I may not have the physical markings to testify of our love for Jesus, but there can be other indicators as to Who is our Lord. Think about it. What attributes do you exhibit in demonstrating that you are indeed a follower of Jesus Christ?

The Bible speaks of “turning the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-39) and forgiving one another, even to the tune of the figurative “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Maybe it is always offering a kind or encouraging word. How about displaying the countenance of joy and peace in the midst of trial and tribulation? Perhaps it is that bent toward service and ministry that expresses Christ’s love to others. Are you branded by the very character of Jesus in how you act and react?

There is no such thing as a “part-time” Christian. Just going to church on Sunday or being a reasonably moral person is not a permanent brand. Does that cross necklace around your neck really mean something, or is it just a piece of jewelry? The true follower of Christ is imbued by the Holy Spirit with the very character of Jesus. That person is HIS. Jesus is their LORD. That person is eternally sealed…and forgiven. He is not ashamed of his faith. He is branded by the sacrifice of his Savior.

Put your stake in the ground for the Lord. Bear in your lifestyle, your interactions with others, and in the way you deal with the good and the bad of life…the brand marks of Jesus.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Bearing Fruit – Our Turn” by Bryant Wright

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 10
God Watching Over Us
Bible in a Year :

• Job 41-42
• Acts 16:22-40

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
2 Kings 6:16

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Kings 6:9-17
The angels were there all along, but no one alive had seen them. They adorned the walls of the Old North Church in Boston, looking down from on high, but they’d been covered with layers of paint more than a century ago. Church records indicated a contract with a member of the congregation to paint them in 1730 when the church was undergoing construction. A recent restoration project that commenced in 2017 led to the discovery of the angels.
Scripture speaks of supernatural beings—real, not painted—that were present when others were not aware. On one occasion, the prophet Elisha was surrounded by the army of the king of Aram. When his servant saw the hostile forces, he cried out, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). “ ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them’ ” (v. 16). Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, and “he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v. 17).
Angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14), messengers of God sent to help us. We may or may not see them, but they’re there because God has more ways of watching over us than we can imagine. And that should cause us to praise Him, like the angels do.
By: James Banks



Reflect & Pray
How does it help you to know God watches over you? How can you thank Him for His goodness today?
Thank You for watching over me today, dear Father. Please help me to walk closely with You.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 11
Unchained by God
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 1-3
• Acts 17:1-15

Therefore, I endure everything . . . .
2 Timothy 2:10

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Timothy 2:1-13
Bulgarian lifeguard Yane Petkov won a world record for swimming with his hands and feet tied together. He swam 3,380 meters through the water but added something to intensify the challenge—he wrapped his body in a sack.
The patience and strength required to keep moving despite being so “tied up” amazes me. The apostle Paul also displayed rugged resistance to obstacles as he served God in the days of the early church. Despite facing fatigue, hunger, sleeplessness, and beatings, Paul continued to preach and write letters of encouragement and instruction to his fellow believers.
Paul penned his last letter to Timothy when he was isolated in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. Although shackles restricted his body, he noted that the good news could not be “chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). “Therefore,” Paul said, “I endure everything” to give others the chance to hear and accept the truth about Jesus Christ (v. 10).
God can help us endure any kind of difficulty that stands in the way of serving Him. Physical limitations such as illness, injuries, and disabilities require care and attention, but they can’t ultimately surpass God’s power, which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let’s give God the glory when He works through us to do things we cannot do on our own.
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt



Reflect & Pray
What’s your greatest area of struggle as you consider serving God? How does He want to help you cope with the frustration that comes from your limitations?
Dear God, I lay down my pride and ask for Your help to bring glory to Your name.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 11
Unchained by God
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 1-3
• Acts 17:1-15

Therefore, I endure everything . . . .
2 Timothy 2:10

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Timothy 2:1-13
Bulgarian lifeguard Yane Petkov won a world record for swimming with his hands and feet tied together. He swam 3,380 meters through the water but added something to intensify the challenge—he wrapped his body in a sack.
The patience and strength required to keep moving despite being so “tied up” amazes me. The apostle Paul also displayed rugged resistance to obstacles as he served God in the days of the early church. Despite facing fatigue, hunger, sleeplessness, and beatings, Paul continued to preach and write letters of encouragement and instruction to his fellow believers.
Paul penned his last letter to Timothy when he was isolated in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. Although shackles restricted his body, he noted that the good news could not be “chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). “Therefore,” Paul said, “I endure everything” to give others the chance to hear and accept the truth about Jesus Christ (v. 10).
God can help us endure any kind of difficulty that stands in the way of serving Him. Physical limitations such as illness, injuries, and disabilities require care and attention, but they can’t ultimately surpass God’s power, which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let’s give God the glory when He works through us to do things we cannot do on our own.
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt



Reflect & Pray
What’s your greatest area of struggle as you consider serving God? How does He want to help you cope with the frustration that comes from your limitations?
Dear God, I lay down my pride and ask for Your help to bring glory to Your name.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 14
God at Work
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 10-12
• Acts 19:1-20

Gideon replied, . . . “Give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.”
Judges 6:17

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Judges 6:36-40
Jay owned a Gideon Bible, yet his analytical mind didn’t permit him to accept its miracles. One thing haunted him, though: the genuine faith of his friend. So Jay offered a strange prayer. He told God, “If you want me to believe in You, then do something I can’t explain.”
One day, something drew Jay to look for his Bible. It was gone. How could that be? He never lost track of things.
He drove in the rain to his teaching job at the University of Zurich. Stepping out of his car, he spotted a Gideon Bible on the wet pavement. That’s strange, he thought. Picking it up, he noticed the Bible was totally dry despite the rain. Something he couldn’t explain!
Gideon Bibles are named for an Old Testament hero of Israel. When God chose Gideon to lead Israel into battle against a vast army, Gideon had huge doubts. He told God, “I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece . . . , then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand” (Judges 6:37). God answered Gideon’s challenge not once but twice (vv. 39-40).
Doubt-filled prayers aren’t a pattern for us to follow. They can, however, reveal God’s character. Gideon led a tiny army to a smashing victory (ch. 7). Jay put his faith in Jesus, recognizing that his prayer had been answered by a loving God who does things we can’t explain.
By: Tim Gustafson



Reflect & Pray
What experiences have you had that seem beyond explanation? How do they help you see God at work?
Thank You, dear Father, that You hear my honest prayers and meet me where I am.

 

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HAS YOUR FAITH DIMINISHED?
July 13, 2026
Bryant Wright, Founder

“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”’
Matthew 17:19-20

It was a miracle.

A boy, tormented by seizures, headed home completely healed – thanks to Jesus.

You’d expect nothing but joy and amazement among the disciples. Yet, there was a cloud of discouragement among the group. Before Jesus arrived, the disciples tried to heal the boy. They tried and failed.

When the disciples were first sent out, they experienced tremendous success – praying for and seeing people healed – just like Jesus. The Bible notes their amazement at the extraordinary power Christ had given them. But, in this case, they failed.

So, what happened? How was this situation any different?

Faith – or lack of faith – was the problem.

Over time, the disciples shifted from total trust in Christ – from a God-confidence to self-confidence. They began to use the name of Jesus like some magic wand. Because the name of Jesus had worked in the past, it should work now. They didn’t realize that, ever so subtly, they had begun to have confidence in their abilities rather than relying solely on Christ.

Don’t we do the same thing? Over time, what required incredible faith becomes almost routine. We’ve seen God constantly provide for our families, health, and careers, so when something goes wrong, we blame God. Where was He?

And faith suddenly disappears.

God’s power is not experienced in the present because of our faith in the past. God’s power in the present is experienced when we have faith in the present.

In this case, Jesus knew their hearts. The disciples had little faith.

Where are you on the faith journey? Have you slowly shifted from God-confidence to self-confidence?

Have problems in your life caused your faith in God to diminish?

Ask God to renew your faith. To change your perspective. Ask for the faith that trusts in Jesus even in the face of failure.

DIG DEEPER
Read “It’s All About Living Out Our Faith” also by Bryant Wright

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 15
Always Giving Thanks
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 13-15
• Acts 19:21-41

Be very careful, then, how you live . . . . always giving thanks to God.
Ephesians 5:15, 20

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ephesians 5:15-20
A fifty-ton, female humpback whale swam into a web of crab lines off the coast of California, trapping her in a tangled mess. Hundreds of feet of line and hundreds of pounds of traps wrapped around her body as she struggled to stay afloat. Four divers came to her rescue, swimming under her belly. For an hour, they cut rope—dangerous work since one flap of her tail could have killed them. After they freed her, rather than immediately escaping, she swam to and gently nudged each diver. “It felt to me like she was thanking us,” one rescuer said.
Whether or not whales are able to express gratitude, being thankful is truly an important part of being human. It’s vital for our life with God. Many of us thank Him for larger blessings (the birth of a child or healing from a disease). However, Paul tells us to offer gratitude for every gift we receive, for every bit of goodness we encounter. We’re to be “always giving thanks to God,” the apostle writes (Ephesians 5:20). Not sometimes. Not only for exceptional moments. Always. And to make sure he’s made his point, Paul adds a bit more. “[Make] the most of every opportunity” and give thanks “for everything,” he says (vv. 16, 20).
Genuine gratitude is more than an occasional word we offer; it’s the posture of our lives. Gratitude turns us to God over and over again, always giving thanks in celebration.
By: Winn Collier



Reflect & Pray
What gifts can you thank God for today? How can you move toward a posture of gratitude?
Dear God, please help me to live a life of gratitude to You.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 16
Who Do You Need?
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 16-17
• Acts 20:1-16

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”
1 Corinthians 12:21

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18, 21-27
A famous athlete sat tall in his seat as he prepared to fly to the championship bout he knew he’d win. A flight attendant walked by and said, “Sir, please fasten your seat belt.” The man smiled. “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” She replied without missing a beat, “Superman don’t need no airplane. Buckle up.” And he did.
Success can swell our heads. We don’t need a seatbelt or a flight attendant telling us what to do. We can take care of ourselves. If we bring this attitude to church, we’re like an eye that says to the hand, “I don’t need you!” or a head that says to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (1 Corinthians 12:21). The truth is, every part of the body is needed, and “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (v. 22).
We’re made in the image of the triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who thrive in an interdependent community of love. The God who exists in perfect relationship within Himself made us to be in relationship with others in life and in the church. We’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?” (v. 17). We’re not all the same but we’re all “indispensable” (v. 22). Who helps you at your local body of Christ? Tell them you notice, that you see them, and thank them for their service. And ask God to show you where you can serve other believers.
By: Mike Wittmer



Reflect & Pray
Why did God create us to need others? Who can you thank for their service to you?
Dear Jesus, please empower me to serve others from where You’ve placed me.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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July 20
Pass It On
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 26-28
• Acts 22

[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:4

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
After a fifty-five year wait, England’s soccer team finally made it to the European Football Championship Cup finals. Locked in a tie with Italy, the game was decided by a penalty shootout. England’s last chance fell to a young player named Bukayo Saka. But as Saka kicked the penalty shot, Italy’s goalkeeper deflected it. England fans wept; the Cup was lost.
Few will forget what happened next, though. England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, walked over to the devastated Saka and embraced him. Southgate knew how Saka felt. In 1996 it was he, as a young player, who had missed the penalty shot that cost England a place in the semifinals, and England’s then-manager Terry Venables had comforted him in the very same way.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul says, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Just as Southgate passed on to Saka what he’d received from Venables, Paul discovered that God’s comfort in his distress enabled him to comfort others in theirs, building their endurance (v. 6). Our “God of all comfort” (v. 3) can use our disappointment for good.
So let’s do the same, passing on God’s comfort to create an endless chain of encouragement.
By: Sheridan Voysey



Reflect & Pray
How has God comforted you in a time of loss or distress? How can you pass that comfort on to someone else today?
God of comfort, through each trial I face, please help me pass on Your comfort to others.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.


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July 21
Walking Like Jesus
Bible in a Year :

• Psalms 29-30
• Acts 23:1-15

Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people.
Amos 7:8

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Amos 7:1-9
Ben had bought pirated computer software for years, simply because it was cheaper. Even though it was illegal and broke copyright laws, he didn’t feel that it was morally wrong. After all, everyone did it, and why should he buy expensive original software? Who would check?
After hearing a talk on daily examples of living by God’s standards, however, Ben, a new believer growing in the faith, began to wonder, What does it mean to do the right thing?
Ben decided to replace all his software with original versions. It cost a lot more, but, as he explained to his friends, “God knows. And He calls us to do what’s right, right?”
In Amos 7, God reminded the Israelites that His standards were impartial and absolute and applied to all, including His favored nation. His laws and moral standards were like “a plumb line” (v. 8)—a weighted line used by builders to ensure structural integrity by showing if a wall wasn’t being built perfectly vertical.
While He may extend mercy, God can’t compromise His justice—which is why He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place as payment for our sin. The Bible shows us whether we’re walking in His way or not. By His grace, God helps those who believe in Jesus to live in a way that pleases Him and brings honor to Him—to do what’s right.
By: Leslie Koh



Reflect & Pray
What aspects of our lives can we apply God’s plumb line to? What would “living rightly” look like in your life?
Dear Father, You’ve called me to be holy like Your Son, Jesus. Please teach and help me to honor You in all things great and small.