Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV) The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. Reflect How does the apostle Paul’s testimony encourage you? Have you ever been disappointed and disgusted with yourself? Has

Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Reflect Take some time to pray and reflect on your spiritual fitness. What are some disciplines you can focus on for training for godliness? When it comes to getting healthy, we all know the basics. We know that we

Read Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, wh

Read Psalm 6:6-9 (ESV) I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. Reflect Are you in a season that feels heavy or overwhelming? Who are you turning to for help? Sometimes there is a perception in t

Read Proverbs 18:2 (ESV) A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Reflect According to this proverb, is it wise to learn how to think or to tell everyone what you think? It has never been easier to share our opinions with the world. With social media and cell phones, I can quickly fire off my thoughts and opinions with a wide audience in a matter of seconds. I can spout off my opinion on things I know very little about. I can give my “hot

Read Matthew 11:28 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Reflect A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. In the ancient world, many cities built fortifications around their cities to protect them from invasion. The only way into the city

Read Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Reflect Can you think of a time when you’ve blown it by blowing up instead of keeping your cool? How might the situation have been improved if you had “restrained your words” at that moment? Have you ever heard the idiom “cooler heads prevail”? Merriam-Webster gives this explanation: “calmer or less angry people have a dominant influence.” Sometimes, du

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-4 (ESV) But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. Reflect How has God proven His faithfulness in your life? There is a reason the beloved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” praises God’s great faithfulness and not our own. Another one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” put it this way:

Read Hebrews 6:1-2 (ESV) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Reflect What are some practical steps you can take to grow in your faith when you feel stuck? Recently, I came across a study conducted by Arizona Christian University. In 2020, t

Read Psalm 25:8-13 (ESV) Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and hi

Read 1 Timothy 4:7-10 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Refl

Read Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Reflect How is the message of Jesus so different from any other religion? Somedays, my to-do list is absolutely exhausting. It feels like there is always something that I need to get done or someone who expects somet

Read Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Reflect According to today’s verses, what are some things that a Christian community should do? Some people claim that they don’t need to go to churc

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Reflect What do you most appreciate about the partner

Read Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Reflect What is the “tie that binds” the true Ch

Read John 4:23-24 (ESV) “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Reflect How is living in obedience to God’s Word an act of worship? Barna Group published research in 2017 called “Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians.” As part of that study, they polled practic

Read Acts 16:22-25 (ESV) The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Read Psalm 100:1-2, 4 (ESV) Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! ... Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Reflect According to this psalm, how should we worship the Lord? People have a lot of opinions about how worship should be done. Some prefer to crack open hymnals and reverently sing to the Lord with just the piano or even a

Read Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which

Read Matthew 15:8-9(ESV) “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Reflect Is it possible to act religious but not be a Christ-follower? Did you know that the word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hypokrites” which means “an actor”? In ancient Greece, it meant a literal stage actor who wore an actual mask. Now, it has a much more figurative meaning. We thi

Read Psalm 100:3, 5 (ESV) Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture…. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Reflect According to these verses, who is God and what is He like? Let's do a little thought experiment. Imagine that you made a little group of clay figures and had the power to bring them to life. You wanted them to love and

Read Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Reflect Have you ever wondered if you are praying about the right things? How can today’s verses serve as a guide to your personal prayers? Luke 11:1-4 says that

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Reflect What do you think it means to “pray without ceasing”? Many religions have set prayer times. Muslims pray 5 times a day—dawn, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. Jewish tradition holds that they should pray three times a day—morning, noon/afternoon, and night. In Psalm 55:17, David wrote that: “Evening and morn

Read Matthew 6:5-7 (ESV) “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Reflect Do you think this verse means that it is never ok to pray in public? Why or

Read 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. Reflect Why do you think God doesn’t answer all of our prayers with a “yes”? Why do you think He sometimes makes us wait a long time before granting our requests? In the 90s, Garth Brooks topped Billboard’s country charts with a s

Read Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Reflect Have you ever felt like God di

Read Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Reflect According to this verse, what is one benefit of prayer for believers in Jesus Christ? Have you ever wondered why prayer is such an important part of a Christian’s life? Why does God command us to pra

Read Psalm 119:130-133 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Reflect According to this psalm, what are some of the benefits of opening up our Bibles and reading Scripture? Have you ever followed your GPS

Read Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Reflect Do you love God’s Word? Is it something you think about often or something you read quickly and move on? Every January, Christians around the world commit to spending more time reading their Bibles. They know it’s God’s Word. They know it

Read Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Reflect How have you been transformed since you became a believer in Christ? If you had before and after pictures