Daily Devotion for April 30, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Ephesians 2:1-9.

Let’s not dance around it: Paul doesn’t pull punches here. “You were dead.” Not sick. Not struggling. Not making poor choices. Dead. That’s the diagnosis for life without Christ. Spiritually unresponsive. Without pulse or purpose, just drifting in patterns shaped by the world, the flesh, and forces we often can’t even name.

But then comes the greatest interruption in human history: “But God…”

These two words change everything. God, rich in mercy—not rationing it like a miser, but pouring it out—does something astonishing. He makes us alive with Christ. Not just better people. Not just reformed sinners. Alive. Raised from the grave of our own self-destruction and seated with Christ in heavenly realms.

And how did it happen? By grace. Not merit. Not hustle. Not religious effort. Grace.

This passage strips us of the illusion that we can earn our way to God. We don’t contribute to our salvation any more than Lazarus contributed to his resurrection. The beauty and scandal of grace is that it’s not fair—it’s far better than fair. It’s unearned, undeserved, and freely given.

How often do we fall back into the mindset that we have to perform for God’s love? That we have to earn our place? The gospel says: Stop striving. Start living. Grace is not a ladder to climb, but a gift to receive.

Let this truth reframe your self-worth. You're not defined by your worst moment, nor by your proudest achievement. You are defined by God's mercy and love, by the grace that brought you from death to life. Don’t just reflect on being saved—walk like someone who’s truly alive. Let your life be a thank-you note to the One who gave you new life.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray this prayer or one of your choosing: God of mercy, thank You for the grace that woke me up from spiritual death. Remind me that I am not who I was—because You intervened. Help me to live each day as one who’s been resurrected by love. Let grace not only save me, but transform me, for Your glory. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 29, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Romans 3:23-24.

The Starting Point of Grace

A good relationship with God doesn’t begin with how much we pray, how often we attend church, or how many good deeds we do. It begins with something far more honest acknowledging who we truly are. Romans 3:23 pulls back the curtain on every human heart: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That includes each of us. We aren’t measured against one another, but against the glory of God, and we all fall short.

This isn’t meant to shame us; it’s meant to ground us. We cannot know the beauty of grace until we understand our need for it. Grace isn’t for the perfect—it’s for the broken, the flawed, the guilty. And that’s what makes Romans 3:24 so powerful: “And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He met us in our sin and offered relationship through Jesus Christ. He gave us a way back to Himself that isn’t earned but given—freely.

So if you’re striving today, trying to be “good enough” for God, stop and take a breath. You already weren’t—but Jesus already is. And because of Him, you are freely loved, fully known, and deeply welcomed.

Reflection:

Are you trying to earn a relationship with God, or are you resting in the grace He’s already given? Start fresh today by simply acknowledging your need and receiving the gift that Jesus freely offers.

Personal Worship Option:

God, I confess that I have fallen short. But I thank You that Your grace is greater than my sin. Help me to stop striving and start trusting in what Jesus has already done. Teach me to live from the relationship You freely offer, not to earn it. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 28, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:10, 19.

I rose this morning and made our bed, still half asleep. I brushed my teeth and stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. As I did that, it suddenly occurred to me that I love a lot of people. Faces and names came to mind as I ground the beans, poured in the water, and spooned in the fresh-ground coffee. I smiled as I realized that (at least most of) those people love me. Then, it was as if God said to me, “I love you more!” There was no voice or flashes of light, no music or visions. But I stood there feeling personally and individually loved by God, realizing that I do not deserve that and do not have to.

Later in the morning, my online devotional preparation assignment popped into my inbox. Can you imagine what a God moment this was for me…to read this passage that says we love because God first loved us? One of the most important things about being created in God’s image is having the ability to love others. John tells us that we love because we are loved first by God.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on this for a moment: God loves you. God knows you even better than you know yourself, and God loves you for who you really are! Let that sink in, give thanks to God, and then look for ways today to pass that love along to others.

Daily Devotion for April 27, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-20.

I mentioned this passage last Sunday as being one of my favorites in the whole Bible. It includes Easter language: “those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” and anyone in Christ “is a new creation”!  

It also has the verse that is on the license plate of my car (2COR518): “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” The next verse goes on to say that God was not only reconciling us to himself, but the whole world!  It is so inspiring to try to fathom what God did at Easter! And then to think that God has invited us to be part of the continuing mission to tell the whole world about it! God has entrusted you and me and everybody else with the message and ministry of reconciliation. In our own part of the world, we get to be agents through whom God seeks to break down all barriers which separate people from God and each other. Wow! What a great message!  What a great ministry! What a great mission!

Personal Worship Option:

Pray this prayer or one in your own words: God who so loves the world, thank you for your love and your desire to draw all people into your love. Help us be more and more open to your guiding and empowering presence, as we seek to continue your mission. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 26, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Psalm 46.

I was recently reading this Psalm in the Common English Bible translation.  In the study notes that go with it, there was this: “In the ancient view of the world, the mountains held the dry land in place and held up the sky. The worst possible event would be for the mountains to crumble or shake. But the Psalmist affirms that even if the worst were to happen, God can still be trusted, and so there is no reason to be afraid.” Movies over the years have created all kinds of scary scenes about the earth being invaded or the landscape falling apart for various reasons.  What would be your “worst-case scenario” of what might happen? 

 

The good news is that we can still know of God’s abiding presence and power to see us through anything that happens. Moreover, through the resurrection of Jesus, we have been assured of going to be with God when our time here on earth is finished, no matter how that happens.  

So live life to the fullest. Know that the future is in God’s hands. You do not have to be afraid. Praise God! 

Personal Worship Option:

The Easter Season is a good time to be reminded of this chorus from a song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither:

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone;

because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives.

Daily Devotion for April 25, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Matthew 5:35-36.

“Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Easier said than done yet Jesus is asking Jairus to look beyond the seen and to embrace the unknown. Jesus is imploring, “Don’t limit your possibilities to the visible. Don’t listen only for the audible. Don’t be controlled by logic. Believe there is more to life than meets the eye!”

To be able to do this, one must know what they believe. Take a pen and paper and get alone. Go where you can think. Write down what you believe. Not what you think or hope or speculate, but what you believe. Put on paper those bedrock convictions that are worth building a life on, that are worth giving a life for.

Now look at your list. Analyze it. What do you think? Is your foundation solid enough to stand on? If not, what needs to change?

Don’t throw that list away. Put your list someplace where you’ll always have it. In your wallet, your purse . . . somewhere convenient.

The next time you’re intimidated by Mr. Know-It-All or by Miss Have-It-All, the next time your self-image limps out the door, pull out your list. Take a long look at it. Have any of your “undeniables” been threatened? Has your foundation been attacked?

Usually not. If you know what you believe (really know it), if you know what’s important and what’s trivial, then you won’t be easily derailed. (excerpts from Max Lucado, God is With You Everyday.)

Personal Worship Option:

Review your list. Identify the fear that stands in your way of trust/belief. Jesus says to you - “Don’t be afraid, just trust.”

Daily Devotion for April 24, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Romans 15:13.

Everyone needs joy and everyone needs hope. This scripture verse is Paul praying for the Christian people of Rome. It is a powerful statement about what God can do in the heart and mind of every Christian. Paul asks God to fill these believers with all joy and peace in believing as they trust in Him. God is the only source of lasting hope we have for our lives. Paul is not asking God to just give us joy and peace in their hearts. He is asking that as these believers trust in God, their faith will bring joy and peace to their hearts. In other words, help them to keep believing so that they can experience joy and peace.

Paul asks that these Romans have this joy and peace in believing so that they may abound with hope with the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul is asking God to give them more than just human hopefulness. He is asking for Holy Spirit-powered hopefulness. This is a great prayer to ask God for others or for ourselves. What more could we wish for than to be filled with joy and peace and abounding in hope? This verse is often used in churches today as a closing benediction.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, thank you for love, hope, peace, and joy. Help us to live into that trust that enables us to live with the holy spirit directing us. Your love for us is so incredible. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 23, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Romans 8:31-39.

Life often throws challenges our way—doubts, struggles, fears, and losses. In these moments, it can feel like the world is against us, like we are alone in our battles. But Paul reminds us in this powerful passage that no opposition, no hardship, no suffering, and no external force can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul asks a rhetorical question: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This isn't to say that we won’t face difficulties, but rather that no challenge is greater than God’s love and power.  God, who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us, has already proven the depth of His commitment to us. If He has given us Christ, will He not also provide what we need to endure?

Paul then walks us through a series of threats—tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. These were real struggles for early Christians, and they remain real for many believers today. Yet, even in suffering, Paul declares that we are “more than conquerors” through Christ. Our victory is not in avoiding hardship, but in knowing that hardship cannot undo the love God has for us.

Finally, Paul offers one of the most reassuring declarations in all of Scripture:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

No force in existence—spiritual or physical, past or future—can cut us off from the love of God. That means that even when we fail, when we doubt, when we struggle, God's love remains constant and unbreakable. No matter what comes your way today, stand firm in this truth: You are deeply loved, and nothing can take that away.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray this prayer or one of your choosing: Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance of Your unshakable love. When I feel weak, remind me that You are for me. When I face challenges, remind me that nothing can separate me from You. Help me to live each day in the confidence of Your love, and to share that love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 22, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Ephesians 1:15-23.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15–23

*“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)

Reflection:

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church is both powerful and deeply pastoral. He begins by acknowledging their faith in Jesus and love for the saints—two signs of a living, vibrant faith. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He keeps asking—continually interceding that they would grow even deeper in their relationship with God.

At the heart of Paul’s prayer is a longing for believers to know God better. Not just intellectually, but personally, spiritually, and experientially. This kind of knowing comes through the Holy Spirit—who gives wisdom and revelation. Paul prays for their inner eyes—the “eyes of their hearts”—to be enlightened, so they can fully grasp three powerful truths:

1. The hope to which God has called them. This hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a firm assurance rooted in God’s eternal purposes and promises.

2. The riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people. We are God’s inheritance—His treasured possession. That speaks to our immense value in His eyes.

3. His incomparably great power for us who believe. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand is at work in us.

Application:

Are you living with spiritual eyes wide open? It’s easy to forget who we are and what we have in Christ. Paul’s prayer reminds us to continually seek a deeper relationship with God—asking for wisdom, insight, and a greater awareness of His power and presence in our lives.

Personal Worship Option:

“Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Help me know You better. Let me live in the hope of Your calling, walk in the richness of Your inheritance, and stand firm in Your mighty power.”

Daily Devotion for April 21, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Philippians 4:4-7.

Throughout this week, our devotional passages will center around the joy and inspiration that are ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul is telling his first audience in Philippi and us today that we are to rejoice always in Christ. There is so much about knowing and following Jesus Christ that should fill us with joy. It bothers me that the world so often thinks of Christians as harsh, unhappy, judgmental people who go through life denying ourselves of any pleasures or secretly indulging in sinful lives behind a facade of holiness. That is not at all the image of Jesus we see in the New Testament! 

People should see us, filled with joy even as we face trials and struggles in life. In fact, people should wonder what we are “on” and decide they want some of that for themselves! Paul tells us to live in the joy of Christ, offering our requests to God and receiving the peace of God that is beyond understanding. This is not making lemonade out of lemons…this is letting the joy of the Good News of Christ live in and through us.   

Personal Worship Option:

Try something today or tomorrow – give thanks to God through Christ for the love God showers upon you and let a big smile warm your face. Keep that smile going throughout the day. Let others see the joy of Christ in you, even if the day tries to take it away.

Daily Devotion for April 20, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 20:11-18.

It’s Easter! Hallelujah! Praise God!  

In our services in the sanctuary and The Commons today, we will look at the first things Jesus said after his resurrection, according to the various Gospel writers.  Here in “The Gospel According to John,” Jesus has questions of care and concern for Mary, then he speaks her name. What an amazing, joyous moment that must have been for her! It was hard to believe, but there he was right in front of her!  

She then gets to go and tell this wonderful news to his disciples. Her statement “I have seen the Lord” is the basic message all who follow him are invited to share with as many people as they can. In whatever way you have “seen” or “experienced” the presence of Christ, he sends you to tell others and let them know he is alive.

  

Come join us this morning as we celebrate the joyous news of Easter! Then go live each day like you believe it! Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Praise God!  

Personal Worship Option:

Join us at 7:00 for the Easter Sunrise Service. Then come back at either 9:30 or 11:15 as we celebrate our risen Savior and Lord together! And bring a carload with you!

Daily Devotion for April 19, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 19:38-42.

It is interesting to read of the two men who took care of Jesus’ body after his death on the cross. We’re told that Joseph of Arimathea was a “secret” disciple of Jesus. He believed in Jesus. He connected with what Jesus taught and did.  He followed Jesus, but from a distance. Apparently, so did Nicodemus. He is not listed as a disciple, but we met him back in chapter three when he came to Jesus with questions. He obviously continued to be intrigued enough about Jesus that he was willing to reveal his affinity for him publicly at this point.  

I wonder how many people there are among us today who are like Joseph and Nicodemus. They believe in Jesus and what he is all about, but for various reasons, they follow at a distance. It is important for us (individually and as the Church) to continue to provide the spaces and opportunities for people like that to stay connected, no matter the distance they keep.  

So, keep sharing the good news of God’s love and grace. Keep living the life of service and sacrifice. Keep setting an example of what it looks like to be the people of Jesus Christ. Keep staying connected to non-Christians and nominal Christians. You never know when that person following at a distance will be ready to take that next step on their journey to our Lord.  

Personal Worship Option:

Pray this prayer or one in your own words: Oh God, you are always waiting to receive us. You are constantly inviting us into a closer relationship. Help us stay connected and available to those who are following at a distance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 18, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 19:13-18, 25-30.

Religious leaders claim a secular king, Jesus cares for his mother while on the cross and states that he has finished his mission. The religious leaders hoped to crucify Jesus, and in their “means to the end,” pledged allegiance to Caesar. But Jesus knew that his trial was part of God’s plan and faced it with humility and self-control.

 

Of course this was confusing to Pilate. What do you do with a man who claims to be God, yet hates religion? What do you do with a man who knows the place and time of his death, yet goes there anyway?  

What do you do with a man who, in the midst of his pain and agony, still extended concern and care for his mother?  

His mission was fulfilled. In his cry, “it is finished”, we hear the triumphant recognition that he has now fully accomplished God’s will and paid for our sins in full.

So, will you accept him and journey with Him in this life or reject Him?  The choice is yours.

Personal Worship Option:

On this Friday - remember the cost Jesus paid to restore our relationship with God. Acknowledge His pain and sacrifice and then praise Him with a grateful heart.

Daily Devotion for April 17, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 18:28-36.

This passage of scripture tells about the trial of Jesus before Pilate. The religious leaders handed Jesus over to Pilate, seeking His death.  It was interesting that they refused to enter Pilate’s palace to avoid ceremonial uncleanliness.  This scene between Jesus and Pilate was all about the power struggle between them. Pilate thought he was putting Jesus on ­trial, but really Jesus was more interested in challenging Pilate than defending himself.

Jesus had an entirely different view of power than Pilate had. Pilate was focused on maintaining his position of authority over the Jews. Pilate chose the politically smart thing and handed Jesus over to be crucified in order to keep his power.

Kingdom power is about giving of ourselves for the sake of others. Real power is in the ability to give of ourselves so that another may find life. Jesus knew his death would be painful and difficult, but he followed through with a display of power that has never been seen before.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to display kingdom power in my service to others rather than accumulating power for myself. Amen

Daily Devotion for April 16, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 18:15-18, 25-27.

Peter, the bold disciple, the one who declared, "Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" (Matthew 26:35), finds himself in the cold shadows of denial. Three times, fear overtakes him. Three times, he distances himself from Jesus. Then, the rooster crows.  

How did it come to this? Hours earlier, Peter had drawn his sword to defend Jesus. Yet here, in the high priest’s courtyard, he is afraid of a servant girl’s question. It wasn’t the might of Roman soldiers that broke his confidence—it was the slow erosion of courage in the face of uncertainty, disappointment, and fear.  

We may judge Peter, but we have all been in his place. How often do we deny Jesus—not necessarily in words, but in our actions, our silences, and our compromises? When we choose comfort over conviction, self-preservation over truth, and distance over discipleship, we, too, stand by that fire, warming ourselves while denying the One who calls us to follow.  

Yet, the rooster’s cry is not just a moment of shame—it is a moment of awakening. Luke’s Gospel tells us that at that very moment, "The Lord turned and looked at Peter" (Luke 22:61). Imagine the heartbreak in Peter’s soul as Jesus' eyes met his. And yet, that look was not condemnation, but love. It was a call to repentance, a reminder that Peter’s failure was not final. 

 

Days later, the resurrected Christ would restore Peter, asking him three times, "Do you love Me?" (John 21:15-17). For every denial, Jesus offers restoration.  

Holy Week invites us to reflect:  

• When have we chosen safety over faithfulness?  

• When have we denied Christ in our words, actions, or choices?  

• Where do we need to hear the rooster crow and wake up to the reality of our need for grace?  

The good news is that failure is never the end of our story with Jesus. The rooster’s cry is an alarm of mercy, calling us back to Him.  

Personal Worship Option:

Pray this prayer or another one of your own: Lord, I confess that I have denied You in ways both small and great. I have chosen comfort over conviction, silence over witness, and self-preservation over faithfulness. But Your grace is greater than my failures. Thank You for calling me back. Open my eyes to my own denials, and give me the courage to stand for You, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 15, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 18:1-14.

Peter’s action seems courageous. He is ready to fight for Jesus, to defend Him against the authorities. His instincts are to take matters into his own hands. Yet, Jesus corrects him, showing that the true battle is not fought with weapons but through obedience to God’s will.

Like Peter, we often react with impulsive zeal, thinking we must defend God’s plan in our own strength. But Jesus’ response reminds us that true faith means surrendering to God’s will, even when it leads us through hardship.

This passage invites us to lay down our own swords—our need for control, our impulsive reactions, our fears—and trust in God’s will. Jesus’ way is one of love, humility, and obedience.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, forgive me for the times I try to take control instead of trusting You. Help me to lay down my sword and surrender to Your perfect plan. Give me faith to follow You, even when the path is uncertain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 14, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 13:1-17.

Many years ago at Christ Church, our janitor got another job and left us without anyone to clean our buildings. Our offerings were not quite as large as our expenditures, and we were not sure what to do about hiring a janitor. Two of the charter members of our church, Bill and Nita Gifford, stepped up and said not to worry, that they were retired, and that they would take care of the janitorial work for the rest of the year. Nita was in a Disciple Bible Study class I was leading, and we were going around the table one evening, sharing about when we felt closest to God. Some spoke of being at the beach or in the mountains. Some talked about being in our worship services. When it was Nita’s turn, she smiled and said, “This is going to sound strange, but I feel really close to God when I am here and cleaning the toilets.” 

Nita was right, as that did sound a bit strange! But she was doing exactly what Jesus instructed us to do after having washed the apostles’ dirty feet…to serve others in ways that humble us, in ways that are “beneath” us. I will never forget her witness of humble service to us.

  

Personal Worship Option:

Think about something that needs to be done that seems too menial or mundane or unpleasant for you to do. Would it help others if you did it yourself? Why not take it on? If you do, think as you do it about Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. You will be blessed.

Daily Devotion for April 13, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 13:12-17.

What a powerful, experiential lesson Jesus taught his disciples in this scene right before this reading. Washing the feet of guests was a menial task done by house servants. Jesus, their Rabbi and leader, had taken on that role and washed the feet of each of them. Then he followed it up with teaching to drive home the point even deeper: to be part of his way, they should follow his example and be willing to serve each other. Not only that, I imagine he was looking into the future, when they would be leading their own groups of followers. He was showing them what it looks like to lead a group in his name.   

Toward the end of this same chapter, we read that he gave them a new commandment, “to love one another,” and said that was how they would be identified as belonging to him. A major characteristic of that love is this emphasis on servant leadership. May it be that those of us who still seek to lead and guide others to him are willing to live by this example he set, not only on that night, but with his whole life.  

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Servant God, thank you for the divine example you gave us in Jesus. Give us the wisdom and courage to follow what he taught us with both his words and actions. In his name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 12, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Matthew 22:15-22.

The first thing I notice in this passage is that fellow Jewish leaders were trying to “trap Jesus in his words.” It reminds me that even today, among Christians who disagree with each other, too many of us seem to be focused on trying to catch somebody in something they said so we can show them how wrong they are. I invite you to search your own heart and mind on that issue and ask the Spirit to guide you in how to better relate to those with whom you disagree.

Jesus is brilliant in his answer. As he continuously taught us, he focuses on the theology (beliefs) behind the question. On that coin was an image of Caesar. But on (or in) every person is the image of God. So give each person to God in prayer. See each and every person as one who God created and one whom God loves. See that person in the same way that Jesus saw every person. Jesus was willing to give himself in sacrificial love for every person. He saw the image of God in them. May we also see with that same eyesight and know that they belong to God.  

Personal Worship Option:

Every so often, I sing this prayer I learned growing up in church. It was written by Clara Scott. I’ve mentioned it here several times before and invite you to sing it again:

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou has for me; place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere; open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!