Mark 9:24 ESV [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.9.24.esv Wrestling with Unbelief Have you ever believed that God could do something, but wrestled with doubt at the same time? In Mark 9, we discover a story of a desperate father seeking healing for his son. The boy had been possessed by an evil spirit, causing him great suffering. The father, filled with both faith and doubt, approached Jesus to heal his son. In the midst of his plea, he cried out, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). The reminder is a powerful one: it's okay to acknowledge our doubts and bring them before the Lord. It doesn't mean we have no faith. The father's declaration, "I do believe," reveals his faith in Jesus' power to heal. He also recognizes the presence of doubt within him. He humbly asks Jesus to strengthen his faith and help him overcome his unbelief. In this simple yet profound statement, the father shows a willingness to surrender his doubts to the One who can provide the answers and the assurance he seeks. Like the father in this story, you too may experience moments of doubt and uncertainty. You may question God's plans, struggle to understand His ways, or feel overwhelmed by the challenges you face. In those moments, remember that your doubts do not disqualify you from God's love and grace. Instead, they provide an opportunity for you to draw closer to Him, seeking His guidance and strength. Ultimately, Jesus commanded the evil spirits to leave the man’s son (Mark 9:25-26). The son received healing and even in his wrestling, the father’s prayer was answered. If you find yourself facing a difficult situation and you believe God can act but are also wrestling with doubt, remember that you are not alone. Bring your uncertainties to Jesus, just as the father did. Cry out, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Trust that He will meet you in your doubts, providing the reassurance and guidance you seek.
2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV [7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.9.7.esv The Urgency of Giving Have you ever waited to do something you knew was the right thing to do? When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, the church in Corinth needed correction. In the ninth chapter, Paul focused on a promise the Corinthians had made a year before to help struggling Christians in Jerusalem. Not only had the Corinthians made this promise—to collect an offering and send it to Jerusalem—but they were so eager in their pledge, they had inspired other churches to follow their lead. However, the Corinthians were taking a long time to follow through on their promise, and in the meantime, their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem were suffering. Not only that, their eagerness to give had waned, and they were no longer setting the generous example they had before. So Paul wrote: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV When we are reluctant to give, we miss out on the chance to bless others. Disobedience can harden our hearts toward others. We can hold on to what we have because we think we know best. Instead, when you give with urgency, Paul says, “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). He will bless you “so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Now, that may not always mean God will enrich you financially. But it does mean that God will always provide you with the means to be generous—with your time, energy, and money. And because God does not wait to provide for us, we shouldn’t wait to provide for others. Today, look for opportunities to show your generosity and share the good gifts God has given you—and when you see one, don’t wait to act! Instead, give with a cheerful spirit.
Galatians 5:16 ESV [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.5.16.esv A Worthy Guide Is it possible to live a life that honors God? Is it achievable to train our minds and bodies to do what we know is right—instead of feeling powerless against temptation? Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia is a guide for such questions: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Galatians 5:16 Without surrendering and submitting to God’s lead, our sinful nature is at war with what God has for us. Left to ourselves, we crave what the world desires. And the more we give into our unique shades of temptation, the more we crave (like craving sweets for the sugar, or craving pornography for the dopamine rush). But with the help of the Holy Spirit, who softens and molds and reshapes our hearts, we can learn to crave what God’s deemed best. To put it simply, the secret to living a godly life is the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit just so happens to be God—one of the three persons of the Trinity: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. Jesus has already done the hard and beautiful work of salvation—by living, dying, and rising again for the sake of His children—but now He wants to continue His mighty work in us and through us. If it sounds impossible, it is impossible—if you’re fighting by yourself. But, as Jesus told His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV) The psalmist also brought another valuable perspective, writing, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalms 119:9 NIV) When we cling to His Word, which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live a life that honors Him.
Proverbs 16:9 ESV [9] The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.16.9.esv God Guides Our Life Have you ever had something unexpected happen? Maybe it was a surprise that brought you joy, or maybe it was a tragedy that affected your life. All of us experience moments in life that we don’t anticipate. Even though unexpected things will happen, we still plan and dream for how our lives will go. We may have plans for our future education or plans for specific relationships in our lives. But we can never really plan for the unexpected since we do not know the future. We don’t even know what might happen in the next few minutes. We learn in Scripture that God is all-knowing, which means He knows everything that will happen everywhere in the world. He has complete knowledge of every event and action that happens. More than that, He is also sovereign, which means He has control over everything that happens in the world. That means that even though we make plans in our own life, God is ultimately the one who directs our steps. He has the power to change the direction of our lives, as well as guide us into what’s best for us. Take some time to think about the dreams and plans that you have for your life. Have you ever submitted those plans to God in prayer? This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make plans for your life, but rather that your plans result from trusting God and seeking Him in prayer. Take a moment to ask God to direct your steps. Ask Him to reveal any desires or plans that are not from Him. Submit your plans to God so that you’ll be open to follow Him wherever He leads you. Thank Him for His goodness and grace in guiding you in your life.
Psalm 119:105 ESV [105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.119.105.esv An Illuminating Light Imagine trekking through the woods on a pitch-black night with only a lantern or flashlight to guide you. How would you stay on the trail? How would you know where to go? How would you keep from getting lost? The author of Psalm 119 shares some insight: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV The word of God refers to the written or spoken message of God, the Bible, as well as the message of God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, often called the Word. God is real. He created you on purpose, and He designed this world with you in mind. So, how can you know who He is, what He’s like, and what He desires from and for you? You can know God, better understand who He’s created you to be, and navigate this increasingly dark world by the light of His Word. The word of God is like a light in your hand, illuminating truths about the story of God, the character of God, and the ways of God. It helps us understand His creation and answer difficult questions or make hard choices. The guidance found in God’s Word is perfect. His story is true. His instructions are trustworthy. His promises will stand. His commands are like beams of light pointing us back to Himself. Now, notice what this verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t say that God’s word is a spotlight exposing to everyone every single thing about your past, present, or future. No, God’s Word is a lamp for your feet and a light on your path. And as you walk with Him, step by step, He will lead you to life.
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV [13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. https://bible.com/bible/59/col.1.13-14.esv The Kingdom of Light When we talk about the gospel of Jesus, we most often talk about Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. As Christians, these are the truths that we believe in that grant us salvation, and are an important part of the New Testament message. But there is more that happens behind the scenes of Jesus’ death. Paul unpacks some of those things in the letter he writes to the Colossian church. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered the evil supernatural powers that oppose God. Jesus proved Himself victorious over death and darkness—they cannot defeat Him or overthrow His Kingdom. This is why Paul says that we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness. Before we were part of God’s family, we were held captive in darkness by our own way that opposed God. In fact, later in the same chapter of Colossians, Paul says: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." Colossians 1:21 NIV However, since Jesus conquered death and was victorious over the kingdom of darkness, we too are rescued and freed from our old ways as well. We are forgiven in Christ and given a new life in God’s kingdom–this is what Paul calls "redemption." Death has no dominion over us, if we accept the life Jesus freely offers to us. We are now called a new creation in Jesus, and the Spirit of God dwells within us, guiding us toward what God planned for us. Take a moment to consider the greatness and goodness of Jesus. Thank Him for all that He has done for you, specifically for making a way to have a relationship with Him, free from your old ways. He is victorious!
Acts 2:38 ESV [38] And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.38.esv A Better Way Have you ever gone the wrong way? Once you realized that you were headed in the opposite direction of where you wanted to end up, did you keep going—or did you turn around? We’ve all been lost at one time or another. We’ve all done things we regret. We’ve all messed up. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NIV “Sin” (the Greek word hamartia) means to miss the mark, to be mistaken, or to wander from the path of righteousness. “Repent” (the Greek word metanoeō) means to change one’s mind, change direction, or think and act differently. To summarize our situation: God made the world, we messed it up, and Jesus has come to make things right again. This is our story. But the great news is, even when we’ve made choices that haven’t honored God in the past, it’s not too late to turn around. But you (“each of you,” as Peter said) must decide if you want to abandon the path that eventually leads to empty pleasure and unnecessary pain, and turn back to God—allowing grace to wash over you, and by accepting the gift that’s already yours. And that awesome gift—the Holy Spirit—will help you, lead you, and comfort you … in a way that only He can. And though you can’t take credit for purchasing the gift or giving the gift, the gift isn’t truly yours until you reach out and take it. Your family cannot do it for you. Your friends cannot do it for you. Your church cannot do it for you. “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:3 NLT As you process today’s verse, in what way can you turn from your selfish desires and run back to God? Ask Him to give you the strength, discernment, and endurance to keep following Him … wherever He leads. He is the better way.
Matthew 28:19 ESV [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.19.esv The Mission of the Church After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he spent 40 days on earth ministering to people and preparing His disciples for life without Him. Jesus planned on leaving earth and ascending to heaven, but before doing so, He gave His disciples a mission found in Matthew 28:19-20. We often call this mission The Great Commission. The Great Commission begins with getting up and going to places where people need to hear about the good news of Jesus. This doesn’t mean you have to leave your country—there are people in your own neighborhood and workplace that need to hear the hope of Jesus. The ultimate goal of the Great Commission is to make followers of Jesus. So as we go about sharing the good news of Jesus with people, we're to show people how Jesus has changed our lives, and invite them to discover Jesus for themselves. Jesus also instructs us to baptize new believers. Baptism is a symbol of someone’s incorporation into the family of God. It is their public display of their new faith in Jesus. Baptism is such an important part of the Christian life that Jesus made sure to include it in our mission. It can be easy to think that making disciples and baptizing believers is the responsibility of our church pastors and ministry leaders. While those things certainly are part of every church’s mission, Jesus intended for every believer to be making disciples. So take a moment to think about someone in your own life who helped you grow spiritually. Ask God to bring to mind someone you can help and disciple. Then, allow God to give you the courage to share the hope of Jesus with those around you.
Proverbs 11:24 CSB [24] One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. https://bible.com/bible/1713/pro.11.24.csb What Does It Mean to Be Generous? The word “generous” is often defined as: - Open in giving or sharing - Willing to give help or support - Unselfish Generous living is not a concept limited to the wealthy, the gifted, or the lucky. Generosity is a lifestyle that stems from a desire to worship God in every area of life. The principle of generosity is laced all throughout Scripture, and we have the best model and mentor when it comes to seeing it in action—God. He sent His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our mistakes so that way we could spend eternity with Him. That is generosity in action. Psalm 24:1 says that “the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” Everything we have belongs to God and is given to us by Him. He is the owner, and we are His managers. And the people who manage well are often entrusted with more to manage. It doesn’t matter how much we have—it matters what we do with what we’re given. We will live generously when we view everything we have as a gift from God. And when we do that, our mindsets switch from “This is mine?” to “How can I share?” So right now, think about how you view the things God has given you. Do you see them as gifts from God to be shared, or as accomplishments and possessions you’ve earned? What is one thing you can start doing today to become more generous?
Romans 10:14 CSB [14] How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? https://bible.com/bible/1713/rom.10.14.csb The Messengers of Good News Pause for a moment and reflect on your role as a bearer of the good news. Are you actively sharing the love of Christ with those around you? Are you seeking to be a living testimony of His grace? You might read Paul’s call to "preach" in Romans 10:14 and think this call is reserved for a pastor, priest, or teacher. But our homes, workplaces, and communities can serve as pulpits of influence when we live surrendered to Him. In these seemingly ordinary spaces, we can share the love of Christ through a listening ear that brings peace to a troubled mind, a helping hand that lifts burdens, or a word of encouragement that rekindles hope. As a follower of Christ, you are qualified to share this hope and encourage others! What God desires is obedience and willingness to be a vessel of His Word. In the simplicity of everyday interactions, we become vessels of His love and messengers of the gospel. As believers, we have an integral role in sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit equips you. God chooses and empowers you. And the seeds you sow, even the tiniest ones, have the power to take root and spread the message of salvation.
1 John 4:11 CSB [11] Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. https://bible.com/bible/1713/1jn.4.11.csb Giving What You’ve Been Given Some people are hard to love. Most of us have relationships in our lives that are difficult or painful to engage in. But Scripture encourages us to make every opportunity possible to love those around us. Christians should be the most loving people on the planet. Of all the people on earth, we have been given the ultimate gift from God. We have not only received salvation and eternal life, but we’ve received the gift of God Himself. God the Father gave us the breath that we breathe. Jesus brought us to Himself so that we might be saved by His power. The Spirit of God lives within us and empowers us for every good deed. All of these things have been freely given to us with no strings attached. Having received this amazing love and mercy from God, we ought to love others in the same way. When we love others in the same manner that God has loved us, we exhibit the greatest evidence that we are children of God. Jesus said, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 NIV Similar to how we can prove counterfeit money by how it looks and feels, we can determine the quality of our own faith by how well we love others. If we fail to love those around us, we also fail to show them the love of God. We should not deny others what we’ve been freely given. Loving others doesn’t mean we need to willingly be mistreated, or agree with someone else’s lifestyle or worldview. It does mean that we need to use every opportunity to love them the way God loves them. So when you have an opportunity to give someone a second chance, do so in love. Or when you have the chance to help someone in need, do so cheerfully. Are there people in your life that you can be more loving toward? Take some time today to reflect first on the love of God that you have received through Christ. Make a list of all of the ways God has been good to you. Next, consider the people in your life who you can love better. Write down a list of some simple steps you can take to show the love of God to people.
1 Peter 5:7 CSB [7] casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. https://bible.com/bible/1713/1pe.5.7.csb How to Combat Pride “I’m fine.” “I’ve got this.” “It’s my problem—not yours.” We all want to be known, but sometimes it feels easier to hide behind masks of self-sufficiency. We might tell ourselves that we don’t want to burden others with our problems, but what we’re really saying is that we believe we can (and should) handle everything alone. This may feel self-protective, but it’s a form of pride that isolates and weakens us. Pride is simply having a view of ourselves and our abilities that doesn’t align with reality. It’s one of the most effective methods the devil uses to isolate us because it makes us believe we’re better off alone. So how do we combat it? The apostle Peter advises us to “clothe” ourselves in humility (1 Peter 5:5). We do this by caring for others, watching over others, and accepting the authority and wisdom that others offer us (1 Peter 5:1-4). This requires mutual vulnerability, trust, and authenticity. Treating others with humility teaches us how to respond to Jesus. Jesus knows what we need, and God wants us to cast our anxieties onto Him—but giving Him our concerns, hurts, hardships, and heartbreaks is an act of vulnerable surrender. We cannot do this unless we first acknowledge our need for Him. When Peter says to “cast our cares” on God, he’s telling his readers to come openly and honestly to God so that at the proper time, He can deliver them. God opposes anyone who thinks they don’t need Him, but He shows endless grace and love to those who seek Him (1 Peter 5:5). So take a few moments right now, and reflect on your current concerns. What do you need to bring to God? Visualize handing Him all of your worries, and envision receiving His peace in return.
Colossians 4:2 CSB [2] Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. https://bible.com/bible/1713/col.4.2.csb A Life of Prayer Take a moment to think about the habit of prayer in your life. Is prayer a regular part of your life, or is it something you don’t really pay attention to? As Paul is closing out his letter to the church in Colossae, one of the things he reminds them of is the importance of prayer. For Paul, prayer is more than just asking God for what he needs. Prayer is the way Paul’s energy and ministry is sustained. Prayer is a source of God’s power for Paul. He asks the Colossians not only to engage in prayer, but to be devoted to it. Paul understood that if the mission of God was to be effective through them, they needed to be devoted to talking to God about every aspect of life. This means they not only needed to spend time in prayer for a few minutes in the morning, but they needed to make prayer a part of their entire day. Paul tells the church to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful. These are two aspects of prayer that we can engage in as well. The first is being watchful or discerning of what’s happening in your life. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us discern what God is doing in and around us, to make us aware of His work. Second, we can use our time in prayer to worship God through thanksgiving and gratitude. Prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian life. Spend some time not only praying to God, but thinking through how you can make prayer a central part of your spiritual life.
Amos 5:24 CSB [24] But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream. https://bible.com/bible/1713/amo.5.24.csb Reordering Our Priorities The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change? Why? Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God. While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that drew God's ire. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer. Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help. Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write that faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:26). In short, faith is both believing in the Lord and doing the things He has told us to do. Take some time to think about your own life: how much time do you prioritize on your own spirituality versus serving others? What ways can you begin to take steps toward serving in your church, your neighborhood, or your school in order to help those in need. All of these are ways that our faith becomes complete in Christ as we follow after Him.
James 3:13 CSB [13] Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. https://bible.com/bible/1713/jas.3.13.csb What Living Well Looks Like If you’re a good athlete, it shows every time you compete. If you’re a fantastic cook, the truth comes out in the kitchen. If you have a brilliant mind, you can’t help but solve problems. If you have a stunning voice, such talent can’t stay hidden. We might present ourselves a certain way, but who we are will eventually come out. This is why James encourages Christians to prove who they are through the way they live. To prove something simply means to show that it’s true. Do you say that you trust God? Prove it by starting your day with a genuine confidence in Him. Do you say that you love your neighbor? Show it by going out of your way to notice, serve, and honor the people around you. Do you call yourself a follower of Jesus? Prove it by living your life in a way that reflects His heart. This doesn’t mean you’ll be perfect, but it does mean that even when you mess up, you will still try to make things right. And not because you must work for God’s favor or earn His love, but because your actions reveal what is happening inside of you. As Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “… What you say flows from what is in your heart.” So, how can we live an honorable life? By doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. Not worldly wisdom, but godly wisdom. When we stick close to God, who invented wisdom, He transforms us from the inside out. So if you claim to be wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by the way you live. And when questions arise—go to the One who has answers. Even on the most overwhelming of days, trust that God is by your side. Today, ask yourself: “Do my thoughts match what people see on the outside?” Then, ask God: “Show me how to do what You’ve called me to do, and be who You’ve called me to be.”
