Today Daily Devotional

“. . . the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” — Exodus 20:10 I am not very good at resting. I have noticed that I’m becoming more distracted by my phone and more captivated by the world online. I love to learn, and the internet provides endless opportunities to keep exploring information. I have to admit that for all of my good intentions, my life has gotten busier, not quieter. Busy seasons probably crop up in your life too, even if you are good at taking care of yourself. We live in a world that prizes busyness and ever-increasing productivity. Well, today is Sunday. This is a reminder that we are not designed to stay busy all the time. God declared long ago that we need a good rhythm of rest and work. Then, to honor the day of Jesus’ resurrection, Christians shifted the celebration of Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. What I like about celebrating Sabbath on the first day of the week is that it reminds us that we begin our week with rest. Whether or not you are able to rest today, I pray that you may find time in your weekly rhythm to stop, rest, and listen anew to God, taking time to worship the Lord and to rest. Give thanks and praise God for all the good things he has done in this world and in your life. Reflect, pray, and listen to his guiding Word in the Bible and in your heart. What might God be saying to you? Lord, thank you for the Sabbath. Thank you for giving us time to rest. Help us to rest well today, and to make sure we take time in our lives to rest in your presence. Amen.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. . . . — Isaiah 62:6 In this vision of hope we find a powerful call to action. In verse 6, God says: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day or night.” This is a powerful picture of intercessory prayer, in which people pray for others and for God’s work in their lives. In ancient times the purpose of watching on the walls of a city was to observe what was happening and to spot enemies or danger that might approach. We don’t have literal watchers on the walls in our culture today, but there are lots of people who do something similar. Weather forecasters tell us what weather is coming. Financial experts keep an eye on the markets. Others watch what’s going on in geopolitics. Here, in Isaiah, God says that he has put watchmen on the walls—people who discern what is going on in the spiritual realm and pray about it. They are like believers who pray with passion and deep conviction, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Is there a situation stirring your heart to prayer? How might the Spirit be calling you to pray for your neighbors, co-workers, or fellow students? God invites you to be a watcher on the wall. Strong prayer for others and for the coming of God’s kingdom is a key strategy in his mission. Thank you, God, for the power of intercessory prayer. As watchers on the wall, we pray for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!” — Matthew 15:28 In today’s story Jesus and his disciples were in an area where most of the people did not know or worship God. The disciples were not familiar with the customs and culture and likely would have felt uncomfortable there. Then they met a woman whose daughter was “demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus’ response to her sounds puzzling. Was he making a point to everyone listening? Was he testing her? He said that as a non-Jewish person, she was not the focus of his ministry. But she was determined to find help for her hurting daughter. She said, in effect, “Whatever crumbs of goodness you are willing to throw to us will be enough.” And Jesus celebrated the woman’s faith and healed her daughter “at that moment.” Amazing! Sometimes we think that witnessing is about bringing Jesus into our conversations and relationships. But here we are reminded that God is always ahead of us. The woman already had an emerging trust that Jesus was her one true hope. To be a witness is to discern and celebrate where God is already at work. Where do you see God moving ahead and stirring people’s faith, questions, and longings? Dear God, give us the eyes to see where you are already at work in the places we go today and in our neighborhood. Help us respond faithfully to the good work of your Spirit. Amen.

In all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. — 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 Paul thanked God for his Thessalonian friends, who, despite knowing they would suffer for their faith in Jesus, were sure of the security they would find in him. What a witness they were to the Savior! The Thessalonians were persecuted, but they remained steadfast in their faith—and that is not always easy. It can be difficult to remain faithful, especially when life presents unexpected challenges. When Paul sent Timothy to check on the Thessalonians, he was encouraged and filled with joy that their faith had remained strong. He said, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” Remaining firm in Christ is not always easy—but God tells us about the peace, comfort, and redemption he provides when we stay near to him despite our challenges. Life can bring grief, worry, fear, and a host of other difficult and uncomfortable emotions. It can be hard to accept circumstances that are unpredictable and far outside of our own control, especially when our hearts yearn to make things better. But when we draw near to God, he promises to give us his peace that surpasses all understanding. God’s presence strengthens our weary hearts through challenges, persecution, and unforeseen circumstances—and for that we praise him! Lord, plant our feet firmly in you. Help us to draw nearer to you in challenging times and to trust in you. Amen.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted. — 2 Timothy 3:12 As we explore what it means to be witnesses for Jesus, it is important to talk about the cost of witnessing. Did you know that in the Bible the Greek word for “witnesses” is martyres, which also gives us the word “martyr”? Since the beginning of the church, there has been strong opposition to the Christian faith. The New Testament includes many stories of the persecution of Christians. And persecution continues today. Christianity Today magazine reported that about 13 Christians worldwide are killed every day because of their faith. In addition, 12 Christian buildings or churches are attacked, and 12 Christians are unjustly arrested each day. More than 360 million Christians in the world live with some kind of persecution or oppression because of their faith. They all bear witness to their faith and trust in Jesus as their living hope and Savior. In 2 Timothy, Paul describes the ways he was persecuted, and he says that believers can expect persecution for living “a godly life in Christ.” But he offers hope too. Although he faced many persecutions, Paul said, “The Lord rescued me from all of them.” Paul also reassures us that “all Scripture is God-breathed” and that it trains and equips us to face all kinds of worldly obstacles as we live “through faith in Christ Jesus.” Lord, please protect all of your servants around the world today. Comfort them as they encounter persecution, and work through them to shine your light to people everywhere. Amen.

“. . . and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 Have you ever received a gift but were not quite sure what to do with it? I once received some freeze-dried army food. I didn’t need it right away, so it sat in my closet for a long time, waiting for the right moment to be used—which never came. One day I quietly got rid of that unopened gift. Jesus’ gift to us is not like that. He gives us the Holy Spirit, and he explains what this gift is for and where we will use it. “You will be my witnesses,” he said to his followers, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Those locations had specific meanings for Jesus’ first disciples. Jerusalem was the place they were in, and the Spirit would send them to be witnesses to the people in that local area. Judea was the region around Jerusalem, where the people were a lot like them. Samaria was a neighboring region that included people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The Holy Spirit would send them to those places and then also to “the ends of the earth,” to share the good news of Jesus with people who lived far away. Jesus offers the same gift of the Spirit to us. Who are the people living in our “Jerusalem,” “Judea,” and “Samaria,” and in all nations to the ends of the earth? How can we support God’s mission in each of those places? Jesus, thank you for pouring out the gift of your Spirit in our lives, inviting each one of us to join you in sharing the good news in our neighborhoods and around the world. Amen.

“See, I am doing a new thing!” — Isaiah 43:19 Recently my wife and I replaced our old kitchen stove with a new one. The first time I used it, I put a pan of milk on the range to make oatmeal and turned it on high. I turned around briefly to get some other ingredients—and the next thing I knew, milk was running everywhere, even between the glass panes of the oven door. Would our new stove be ruined? As we removed screws to get at the glass, we wondered, “How did this happen? Will it ever be fixed?” For many people, it seems the world is that way too. Problems in the world and in our lives can feel overwhelming. We find ourselves asking, “Will things ever be fixed”? In Isaiah 43, God speaks to his people as they struggle with feeling that way. They are in exile, and their country is in ruins. In despair, they are thinking it will never be fixed. But God declares, “See, I am doing a new thing! . . . Do you not perceive it?” We are reminded that God is at work doing something new, and he invites us to join him. Our stove eventually got fixed. And God’s plan for the world is far greater. He shows us that things will not just be restored—they will be even better than before! Do we have the eyes to see? Lord of all, thank you for the new things you are doing in our world. Please give us eyes to see what you are doing today, and help us to notice all that you are making new in our lives! In Jesus, Amen.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses. . . .” — Acts 1:8 I once served as a witness on a legal matter. The lawyers determined to make sure that my memories were clear and that the timeline of events was accurate. They also told me to share everything about the situation that I could; they would decide which details were important and which ones weren’t. It is significant that Jesus, before he ascended to heaven, commissioned his followers with these words: “You will be my witnesses. . . .” We serve as witnesses to Jesus, the Lord of the universe. I don’t know about you, but this feels like a daunting task, especially when Jesus says that our witness begins where we are and extends to the ends of the earth. Do I have what it takes to be that kind of witness? Thankfully, we do not do this alone. As Jesus commissions us, he promises the gift of his Holy Spirit. He also commissions us, his followers, as a community. This is our task, together. This month, let’s explore how to bear witness to Jesus. In my work with Resonate Global Mission, I see examples of faithful witness every day. The Spirit is alive and well around the world! I look forward to exploring and sharing with you what mission looks like in our lives today. Jesus, as we explore what it means to be your witnesses, we want to open our hearts to your call. Fill us with your Spirit and teach us how we can grow as witnesses for you. Amen.

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord . . . you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” — John 21:17 Recently I recalled the day my husband asked me to marry him. We were both students and had come from different backgrounds. We talked about questions like “What is love?” and “How do we know if we’re in love?” and “What would it look like if we decided to make this relationship permanent?” For me, coming from a long background of faith and solid examples of strong marriage made it easy for me to say that I loved him. For him, coming from a few years of faith and not so solid relationships made it harder to trust a longtime commitment. But we knew we had faith and a choice to try. And for over 44 years we have offered each other the best of ourselves. Jesus’ question to Peter was about deep commitment. And Peter was probably feeling a mix of emotions as he stood on the beach facing Jesus that day. Peter had denied Jesus three times (John 18:17, 25-27), and yet there in front of him was the one who had defeated death. And now Jesus was asking the hard question: “Do you love me?” Of course Peter loved him, but Jesus wasn’t asking for a simple relationship. He was asking Peter if he was ready, no matter what the cost, to bring the good news about him to people who hadn’t heard it. What is your answer to Jesus’ question? Lord, thank you for loving us. Help us today to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to share the good news about you everywhere. Amen.

Simon Peter . . . dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. — John 21:11 Years ago we lived on the edge of a lake in eastern Ontario. We often took our fishing poles out to see what might be swimming in the water. Some seasons were better than others, and we released many sunfish so that they could grow bigger. Some bass ended up in the frying pan, but we certainly were not experts. The fishermen in today’s story were experts. They didn’t know who was calling out to them from the shore, but they knew what it was like to try fishing on the other side of the boat. Yet on this day they were not sure what to expect; they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. These men had also had a rough time lately. They had been following Jesus, the Messiah, but they were confused with the outcome. Jesus had died and risen again, but Rome was still in control. What was the Messiah up to? Then, after throwing their nets on the other side and getting so many fish that they couldn’t haul the net in, something triggered in their minds: “It is the Lord!” (See Luke 5:1-11.) Eventually they dragged their overflowing net ashore, and it was not even torn. A reminder that God can do more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Today Jesus wants to remind us that he has called us to follow him too. What is Jesus up to in your life? In your neighborhood? Your community? Your area? Is he calling you to trust him again like you did when you first met him? Lord, thank you for your abundant love as you keep calling us to love you and others. Amen.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” — Luke 24:32 At a concert, the usher at the door looked so familiar to me. But I could not recall where or when I might have met him before. After a brief conversation with him, we recalled that years ago he had been our son’s grade-8 teacher. We enjoyed sharing a few memories of that time in our lives. I think the situation was slightly different as the two followers of Jesus walked along toward their home in Emmaus. They didn’t recognize that they were talking with Jesus, even though they had seen him recently. Did he not look the same? Jesus asked questions and taught them about the Scriptures, but it wasn’t till they sat and shared bread together that their eyes were opened to see him. What a wonderful feeling that must have been! Then, after Jesus “disappeared from their sight,” they joyfully made the long trip back to Jerusalem to share their story. They could not wait to share their experience. Their love for Jesus and the others was enough to propel them back to Jerusalem to share. With a text message from my cell phone, we eagerly shared with our son that we had talked with his grade-8 teacher at the concert that night. And it was fun to share that with him. Are we eager in a way like that to share with others about our times with Jesus? Lord, thank you for moments when you meet with us in a fresh new way. Open our eyes and hearts to your work in our everyday lives, realizing you are closer than we might think. Amen.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). — John 20:16 There are times in life when we have to do some things we don’t want to do. Tough things. There’s that phone call we have to make. Or that task ahead of us that looks bigger than we bargained for. Or maybe we have received news that shatters our thinking, and we can’t imagine how we can deal with the situation. I am sure that is how Mary felt. Her heart was heavy with the news of Jesus’ death. She knew that his body was placed in the tomb, and she and some others had wanted to make sure his body was prepared properly (Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-12). Imagine their surprise when the tomb was empty. How could this be? After sharing the news with Jesus’ disciples (John 20:1-2), Mary went back to the tomb and stood there. Her heart was heavy, and the tears for her Lord trickled down her face. Someone else was there too. A gardener? Perhaps he might know something. He said, “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Then he spoke her name. And she knew it was Jesus. Her whole outlook changed. What a glorious encounter! Whatever circumstances you are in and no matter what struggles you are facing, be assured that Jesus is with you (Matthew 28:20) and that he knows your name. When we are distracted by tough circumstances in our lives, thank you for interrupting us, Lord, to call our name. Thank you for being there and reminding us how much you love us. Amen.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” — John 18:4 Not long ago I received a call that a dear friend might have only hours—or a few days, at best—to live. I rearranged my day and left for the hospital. I should have asked for the room number ahead of time, but as I stood near the nurses’ station, someone asked me whom I was looking for. She kindly directed me to the room—and after I walked in, I soon realized I was saying good-bye. Jesus knew what would soon happen as he saw soldiers and officials coming for him. This was the plan ahead of him, and he faced it head-on. He even unnerved his pursuers by stepping forward and identifying himself. There was no fight from Jesus—just resolution that he was okay with accepting God’s plan for him and for the world. When God calls us and asks us to step into the plan he has designed for us, do we step away or step in? When everything feels safe, it’s not hard to step in. When the storyline involves suffering or pain, however, it’s easier to back up and hesitate. I admit that I have argued with God on occasion, telling him I didn’t have time for his plan. I preferred a different way. That didn’t change the plan, though, and when I took the posture of trusting over fighting, I appreciated the choice God took for me so that I could trust him then. Can you? Dear Jesus, as the soldiers approached, looking for you, you stepped forward and faced them. Will you help us today to have the courage to accept the plan that you have designed for us? Amen.

When [Jesus] came back, he again found them sleeping. . . . They did not know what to say to him. — Mark 14:40 You have had a full meal, and it has been a long day. In fact, the past several days have been really challenging—emotionally and physically. You are worn out and tired. Even in the cool night air, you can barely stay awake. You know you need to pay attention because Jesus has asked you to keep watch, but your eyelids are getting heavier by the moment. Soon your head bobs, and you are fast asleep. You didn’t plan it that way. Jesus nudges you awake and asks, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?” Startled, you hear him say, “Watch and pray. . . .” You nod in agreement, feeling horrible that you haven’t managed to stay awake. He steps away, and the heaviness settles in again. Your eyelids close. Later he wakes you again, and you don’t know what to say. Then a third time you are awakened—and now there is a crowd coming. Sleep vanishes. You look at the one who asked you to pray, and he is in the hands of his enemies! Though our lives today are much different from the disciples’, the need for staying alert and praying is not. Our world is in need of our attention, and the Lord is calling us to stand watch. It is encouraging to know that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us (Romans 8:34), but today he still needs us to do the same for his world and for all God’s children in it. Lord, help us to be alert, watching and praying for your sake. Guide us to live faithfully, that all your children may come to know you. Amen.

“The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” — Luke 22:26 Have you ever played “shotgun”? Usually it’s about getting “the best” passenger seat in the car—in the front seat by the driver. Our kids believed it was the middle seat in the back of the car. I can still hear the arguments and the mad dash for that seat. I am thankful that children’s car seats have taken away the mania of that game for my grandkids. Our desire to be in first place can get in the way of how we respond to a situation. Can you imagine being at the Last Supper with Jesus and having an argument break out about who is the greatest? Had the disciples learned nothing from Jesus about service in God’s kingdom? Jesus patiently tried again. He told his disciples that they were not like kings and other worldly leaders who lorded it over others; instead, his followers were citizens of heaven, where serving is more important than being served. He said, “I am among you as one who serves.” And he assured them they would be able to eat and drink at the table in God’s kingdom, but the time for that would come later. As you reflect on this story, what is your posture? Do you need to be seen, or are you willing to open doors so that others will be treated in a way that brings glory to God? Jesus, help us to remember that you set an example for us to follow. Guide us as we strive to follow you in attitude and posture. Thank you for your servant heart for us. Amen.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6 Homelessness is a problem throughout our world. So many people live rough and feel that they have no future. Many have lost their space to the greed of others, and this becomes a bigger story every day. Conversations and action plans are initiated, but solutions are hard to achieve. I wonder if Jesus’ disciples were beginning to feel displaced as he talked about leaving them. Jesus had talked about his betrayal and about dying and going away (John 12-13). That probably made them confused and upset, because they didn’t expected those things would happen to the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, who had come to be the Savior. But there was a lot they didn’t understand. What was going to happen next? Jesus offered comfort by moving the conversation in a different direction and focusing on living with him and the Father in heaven. This is something we should all pay attention to. With his question here, Jesus reminds his followers that there is a secure place for each of them in eternity with him. God’s house is big, and it has many rooms. This same promise is for us and for everyone we share Jesus’ story with. God has prepared a place for all of us who believe in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life! Jesus, thank you for your promise of sharing eternity with us and that you have a big house with room for all. Help us to walk faithfully with you into eternity. Amen.

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” — John 11:4 I know what it is like to lose a brother too young. He had cancer, and it seemed that surgery would help—but then a complication arose, and surgery did not go as planned. The day did not turn out as we expected. He was put on life support so that we could have some time with him. We gathered at the hospital with him and asked God to intervene. We prayed for healing and anything else that would change the outcome. It did not, and the doctor who brought things to a close that day was kind and compassionate. We too wondered, “What if Jesus had been there . . . ?” A few months later we learned that the doctor who was with us that day had come to faith because of the interaction with our family. Jesus had been at work there in ways we had not imagined, and the glory given to God through this was evident. We had been able to share a hope beyond the walls of the hospital, trusting that eternity in Christ would be ours together, no matter what happened. Martha believed with the same hope. Yet Jesus had another plan. With tears in his eyes, he asked where they had buried his friend Lazarus. When Lazarus came out of the tomb, I am sure that day wasn’t what the people there expected either. The glory given to God was real, and many came to faith in Jesus that day. Where will God be glorified in your story today? God, be glorified in our lives. Whatever we may be facing, we thank you for your compassion and love. Fill us with hope, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” — John 6:68 Have you ever had a morning when you crawled wearily out of bed, stubbed your toe, burnt your toast, and had all kinds of other things go wrong? A day like that makes you want to go straight back to bed. Or maybe the circumstances are harder, and someone is telling you to hang on when you want to let go. I wonder if Jesus’ disciples felt in a way like that when a lot of people turned away from Jesus after he shared some hard but true teachings. I wonder how many times the disciples weren’t quite sure what to do with Jesus. Was it embarrassing or confusing or overwhelming for them? Already fully committed to Jesus, they knew they couldn’t give up or let go. Jesus, who was clearly the Son of God, had met the longings of their hearts—and even on the worst days they had experienced, they knew that traveling with Jesus was enough. When he asked, “Are you going to leave too?” Peter replied with words that confirmed what the disciples were feeling: “There’s no one else to go to, and you are all we need.” On days when you feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, or walking away from your faith, where will you go? It is too much to walk away from the one who holds you close through his presence and his words. By his character he assures you that even on a bad day, he is there. Jesus, only you “have the words of eternal life.” Help me to search them out, understand them, and obey them, trusting in you as the Lord and Savior. Amen.

Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. — Matthew 8:13 I was asked to officiate at a funeral for a young man (age 37) who had died from a fentanyl overdose. He had been living on the street for years and was addicted to some pretty strong drugs. He also visited our church during the week and came for most of the worship services. When he wasn’t high, he could carry on great conversations, and I learned so much of his story. Regardless of his state of mind, he had a phrase that he often used, and I repeated it at his funeral. He would say, “I am always safe in the arms of Jesus.” Regardless of what was going on in his life, he had faith, knowing that Jesus offers grace. In our Bible reading today, a Roman centurion also had faith in Jesus. And even though Jesus offered to go to the man’s home, the centurion said that he knew Jesus could heal his servant by just saying the word—and that’s how the servant was healed. He knew that his servant was safe in the arms of Jesus, even from a distance. And Jesus praised the centurion for having more faith than anyone he had encountered in his ministry. We too can have faith enough to ask Jesus for all we need. He is willing to come and help, regardless of where we are and what we need. In fact, he promises that he is always with us (Matthew 28:20), so we can trust that we are always safe in his arms. Lord Jesus, help us to reach out in faith for your grace and help. Thank you that you listen and answer. Amen.

“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” — Mark 4:23 Someone gifted me a very large flashlight, and I thought, “What a perfect thing to put in our guest room, just in case.” My mom often comes to stay the night, and she uses that room. If she needs to get up in the dark, a big flashlight can be more helpful than a small nightlight. One day, when I was cleaning that room, I picked up the flashlight and turned on the switch. But no light came on. Checking further, I found there were no batteries in the flashlight. It really would not have helped my mom or another guest that way. I wonder if sometimes we are like that too. We want to be a light for the world, but our batteries are dead or missing, or we haven’t plugged in our lamp. In this parable Jesus points out that we don’t bring a lamp into a room in order to cover it up. The lamp is there to brighten the room and to show us things that we need to pay attention to. Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher in his day, once said, “The Bible is not the light of the world; it is the light of the church. But the world does not read the Bible; the world reads Christians! You are the light of the world.” Today, let your light shine. No more hiding. Be the lamp that illuminates Jesus to the world. Thank you, Jesus, that you ask us to be your light. Please help us to shine the truth of your love and grace to the world you have called us to brighten up. Amen.