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Devotional 9.25.26

September 25 – Remember the God Who Saves Psalm 40:1–3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.   Scripture Reading – Joshua 5:10-6:27 Psalm 40 begins with David remembering how God met him in a place of waiting and trouble: “I waited patiently for the LORD.” God lifted him from the pit, set his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song. Joshua 5–6 gives us another picture of God’s faithfulness. Israel celebrates Passover, remembering how God rescued them from Egypt, and then watches God give them victory at Jericho—not through their strength, but through obedient faith.   Communion gives us a similar opportunity to remember. As we take the bread and cup, we remember that our salvation rests not in what we have acco...
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Devotional 9.18.26

September 18 – A Refuge In God   Psalm 62:7–8 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.   Scripture Reading – Joshua 2:1-24   Psalm 62 reminds us that our hope and salvation are found in God alone. He is our rock, our refuge, and the One in whom we can safely trust. Joshua 2 gives us a picture of that refuge in action through Rahab. Surrounded by uncertainty and danger, Rahab chooses to place her trust in the God of Israel. She recognizes that the Lord is the true God and acts courageously because of what she believes about Him. Her story reminds us that trusting God does not mean that we will always know what is going to happen. It means we know  who holds us when we don't know what happens next . Like Rahab, we can respond to uncertainty with faith rather than fear. God invites us to pour out our hearts before Him because He is our refuge. Wh...
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Devotional 9.11.26

  September 11 – Take Up the Shield of Faith   Ephesians 6:16 –  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.   Scripture Reading – Joshua 1:1-18   Faith can be defined as having a strong belief, or confidence in someone or something, often held without physical proof or absolute evidence. Joshua was a man of great faith. Our scripture reading today is the beginning of his tenure as the leader of the Israelites and commander of the armies after the death of Moses. They are on the verge of receiving the promised land, but it’s not without cause for concern or uneasiness.   The land of Canaan flowed with milk and honey, but the inhabitants were strong. Yet when the spies who scouted the land were afraid, Caleb and Joshua stood firm in their faith. They trusted the promises of God that the land would be delivered to them (Numbers 13-14). In Joshua 1 God tells Joshua three times to be “st...
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Devotional 9.4.26

September 4 – Christ Our Righteousness   Romans 8:1–4  [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 4:10-23 One of the most freeing truths of the gospel:  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Our righteousness is not something we achieve through perfect obedience; it is a gift we receive through Christ. Philippians 4:10–23 gives us a picture of what that freedom looks like in everyday life. Paul had learned the secret of being content whether he ...
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Devotional 8:28.26

August 28 –  Remember What Is True Psalm 103:1–5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 4:1-9 Paul’s words in Philippians 4 call us to remember what is true when life feels unsettled. He tells the church to stand firm in the Lord, rejoice, pray instead of being consumed by anxiety, and intentionally set our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Psalm 103 begins with a similar command: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Both passages remind us that our hearts are prone to forget. We can become so focused on what is wrong, uncertain, or difficult that we lose sight of God’s goo...
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Devotional 8.21.26

August 21 –  The Shepherd Who Leads Us Home   Psalm 23:1-4 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 3:12-21   Psalm 23 reminds us that we are not walking through life alone. The Lord is our Shepherd: He provides, leads, restores, and stays with us even when the path leads through the darkest valley. Philippians 3 gives us a similar picture. Paul acknowledges that he has not arrived yet; he is still pressing forward, forgetting what lies behind and reaching toward what lies ahead. The Christian life is both a journey and a destination. We follow our Shepherd through difficult valleys while keeping our eyes fixed on the hope that awaits us....
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Devotional 8.7.26

  August 7 – The Word of Life   Psalm 33:4-5 –  For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:12-30   The apostle Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life  (Philippians 2:16). He is specifically referring to Jesus who is the Word. The Greek word for “word” is  logos , which means speech, message, or argument. In the case of Jesus being described as the Word, he is the ultimate divine message of hope. Jesus said he is  the way, and the truth, and the life  (John 14:6). So when Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life , he isn’t just referring to an inspirational speech or sermon. He’s referring to the redemptive message that Jesus is the expression of God himself in human form, the  good news of great joy that will be for all people  (Luke 2:10).   T...
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