Bible Study & Encouragement
Weekly Devotionals Led by Church Leaders
"Love Each Other Deeply"
April 15, 2024 • Kenny Koetter • Matthew 5:14, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 4:7–10
God has lavished love upon us. This love is not to be hidden within but rather reflected upon others. It is a light that illuminates the world, our homes, and the church. It distinguishes us as a chosen people. As we show this love, we grow in our faith, and we grow in number.
"A Prayer We Forget to Pray"
April 8, 2024 • Acts 26:18
How often do you intentionally pray for people who don't know Christ to come to faith in Him? In this week's devotional, Zach challenges us to constantly be mindful of how prayer is our most powerful tool when it comes to nonbelievers and reminds us to pray for them constantly.
"You Are Needed"
April 1, 2024 • 1 Corinthians 12:20–27
Many people go through life not fully understanding God's purpose for their lives. This is common, even among Christians. Take a moment and imagine what might happen if we sincerely prayed and asked God to lead us in discovering the purpose for which we have been created. Like a painting, every color is needed to make it beautiful. As with a building, all parts are needed to make it strong. If each of us carries out our purpose, God is glorified, and the church is strengthened.
"The Most Important Thing"
March 18, 2024 • Matthew 7:24–27
The most important things in life are the things we cannot see. The best example of this is the foundation of any structure. No one marvels at the majesty of a house or building's foundation. We marvel at what we can see. But nothing can be confidently built without an unseen strong foundation. It is the most important thing. Jesus gives us two materials to build our life: rock or sand. The choice is ours.
"God's Jealousy"
March 11, 2024 • Exodus 20:3–5, Romans 1:18–32
God describes Himself as jealous. What does this mean for us? In our world, jealousy is often based on fear, manipulation, and control. God's jealousy is righteous, holy, and full of love for us. He pleads with us to enjoy His creation but never worship it. God alone is worthy of our worship.
"Pass it Along"
March 4, 2024 • Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 13:20, 1 Peter 5:2–3, Deuteronomy 11:19
Mentoring others is a challenging but rewarding work God has given us. It passes along our life experiences, knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual advice. When we pour into others, we are living out a God-given mission. You have something to offer. Will you offer it?
"Control What You Can Control"
February 26, 2024 • John 15:19, 1 Peter 5:6–9, Isaiah 41:10–13
Like a relationship status on Facebook, sometimes life can be complicated. This can cause significant anxiety that resides deep within us. Anxiety is fueled mainly by a lack of control. What if we gave up that control? What if we left all of it in God's hands? With a handful of personal stories, Brandon Bowen speaks candidly about his anxiety and what God's word says about it.
"The Holy Spirit"
February 19, 2024 • Galatians 5:16–17, 1 Corinthians 2:10–12, Isaiah 55:8–9, John 7:37–39, Luke 11:9–10
The Holy Spirit is the one who translates God's will for our lives and, as a result, transforms us. If we take a closer look at our hearts, we will realize that we are mostly incapable of knowing what is best for us without supernatural help. As human beings, we tend to prioritize our happiness over seeking meaning, and this is a spiritual issue that we need to address. Thankfully, God has given us a Helper - The Holy Spirit, who can guide us in our journey towards spiritual growth and fulfillment. So, how do we connect with the Holy Spirit? The first step is to have a strong desire to establish this connection, and then we need to ask for it. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Waiting"
February 12, 2024 • Psalm 37:7–9
As humans, we are very often in a hurry. It can be difficult to keep our composure and persevere when things are not going at the speed we desire. Deep frustration can set in when things are not moving along like we think they should. During these times, we have a choice to make: Will we let our patience and faith in God grow? Or will we take matters into our own hands?
"Joy in the Journey"
January 8, 2024 • Romans 14:17, 1 Peter 1:8
The Bible tells us that joy will never come from seeking the enjoyment of things in this world. Joy is deeper. It is an abiding relationship with God. Building this relationship takes time. Our world likes to go fast. It is saturated with immediate gratification that fuels our impatience, so it is no shock when we struggle with the slow speed of healthy growth. But, if we stay committed, everything about our lives will change. True joy is discovering that God is enough.