Daily Devotion for February 3, 2026

Devotion:

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Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.

In 1 Corinthians 3:5–9, the apostle Paul addresses a church divided by loyalty to personalities. Some claimed Paul, others Apollos, forgetting the greater truth: “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” Paul gently redirects their focus from human leaders to the God who works through them.

This passage reminds us that every role in God’s kingdom matters, but no role replaces God. One plants a seed of faith through a kind word or faithful teaching. Another waters that seed through encouragement, prayer, or continued instruction. Yet transformation—true spiritual growth—comes only from God. This truth frees us from pride when things go well and from discouragement when we don’t see immediate results.

Paul also emphasizes unity. “He who plants and he who waters are one.” In God’s economy, there is no competition—only cooperation. The church flourishes when believers understand they are co-laborers, not rivals. Each person contributes differently, but all serve the same Lord and share the same purpose.

Finally, Paul offers a powerful identity statement: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” What a humbling and hopeful truth. God invites us into His work, entrusting us with meaningful labor, while reminding us that the results rest securely in His hands.

Today, wherever God has placed you—planting, watering, serving quietly, or leading boldly—be faithful. Do your part with humility and trust. God is at work, and He will bring the growth in His perfect time.  

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to serve faithfully without seeking credit or recognition. Teach me to trust You with the results and to rejoice in the work of others. May my life bring glory to You, the One who gives the growth. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 2, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 12:48b.

Part of learning to see the implication of Scripture for our lives is to place ourselves in the passage. There have been times in my life when I would have read this passage and thought surely it was speaking to someone else. Surely, this was intended for people who are wealthy or who have lots and lots of spiritual gifts, so I was “off the hook.” Now, however, I realize that Jesus was speaking directly to me as he stated this. What about you?

This passage tells us that we have been given material blessings and spiritual gifts so that we can bless others. The NIV has Jesus using the words “asked” and even “demanded” to express what he expects of us. This passage reminds us that we are mere stewards of our material possessions, given to us by God and, in reality, still possessed by God. It is good to reflect sometimes upon just how blessed we are, but the very next step is to ask ourselves what we are supposed to do and be as a result of having such blessings. There is a message here for the whole church, but each of us must hear Jesus speaking these words to us as individuals and as Jesus’ followers.  

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: Thank you, Almighty God, for giving me so much in this life. I know that my being blessed places responsibilities on me to help others and to do more. Help me to not disappoint my Lord but to do what he expects and empowers me to do. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 1, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 13:24-30.

A landowner had a large piece of property that was big enough for him to have people till the land, prepare it for seeds, plant the seeds and harvest the wheat. In time it became evident that someone planted tares or weeds in his field. Jesus explains this parable when He tells the disciples the Field represents the World. The landowner is Jesus, the good seeds are the children of the kingdom, and the weeds are the children of the evil one.

The workers asked him if they should gather up the tares/weeds. But the landowner replied, If you tear out the weeds you will end up getting some of the wheat as well. Let them grow together and we will sort everything when we harvest the wheat.  We need to understand that the rooting out and sorting out is the work of angels and not the work of the church. Jesus warned us about trying to get rid of the weeds. By doing so we might get rid of some of the wheat as well. J Ellsworth Kalas once wrote, What looks today like a weed may in truth be nothing other than an immature blade of wheat.

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of the harvest. You see both the good and the evil that grow in this world. Teach us to trust Your timing and Your justice when we are tempted to judge too quickly or pull up what we do not understand. Give us grace to live faithfully among the weeds, by showing love and truth. In Jesus name. Amen

Daily Devotion for January 31, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Revelation 20:11-15.

John’s vision of the great white throne is both sobering and awe-inspiring. He describes a moment when heaven and earth flee from the presence of God’s glory, and every person who has ever been born stands before Him. The books are opened, and all are judged according to what they have done. Another book is opened called the Book of Life. The Book of Life contains the names of those who belong to Jesus. Our names are not written there because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done for us on the cross.

For believers, this passage is not meant to create fear but to inspire gratitude and faithfulness. It reminds us that eternity is real, and God’s justice is perfect. Every wrong will be made right, and every tear wiped away. Until that day, we live with hearts surrendered to Jesus knowing our names are written in His book of grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Righteous Judge and Merciful Savior, thank You for the assurance that my name is written in the Book of Life. Help me live each day mindful of eternity and when I stand before You one day, may I hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 30, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 25:31-33.

When Jesus returns, he will separate the sheep from the goats. That is His job, not ours. Jesus used sheep and goats to picture the division between believers and unbelievers. The sheep and goats often grazed together but were separated when it came time to shear the sheep.  

God is the one to make that determination. He will separate his obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers. The real evidence of our belief is the way we act.  To treat all people, we encounter as if they were Jesus, is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us. “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do for me.”

Personal Worship Option:

Look for ways to demonstrate grace to each person you encounter today.

Daily Devotion for January 29, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 24:29-31.

This scripture describes a vivid image of the second coming of Christ. This passage is part of Jesus’ proclaiming, where He describes the events that will take place at the end of times. After a period of great tribulation, signs will appear such as the sun will be darkened, the moon will no longer give its light, and stars will fall from the sky. These announced images were not only terrifying but also familiar to Jesus’ Jewish audience, echoing Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Joel. In these verses, Jesus reassures His followers that, despite the impending chaos, His return will be a moment of glory and fulfillment, marked by the gathering of the elect from the four corners of the earth.

For modern readers, these passages remind us of the ultimate hope in Christ’s victorious return, even in the face of worldly trials. This passage encourages believers to remain vigilant, faithful, and prepared for the day when Christ will gather His people to Himself. It invites us to reflect on our own spiritual readiness and the hope we have in God’s ultimate plan for humanity.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, Help me live each day as if you are coming back to us. Let my faith grow and my love show to all that I meet along the way. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 28, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 5:25-29.

One of the roads that I frequently travel is Highway 58 between Chattanooga and Decatur. On that road are a couple of 70 plus year old roadside crosses that ask if “I’m ready” or if “I’m prepared” to meet Jesus, because “He is coming soon.”  I appreciate both the history and urgency behind those crosses. It’s a good reminder for us to be aware of how we spend our time. Jesus was pretty clear that no one knew the time of his return, and that his followers were not to waste time on speculating about when or where this would happen (although that hasn’t stopped 2000 years of speculation ever since). But he was equally clear that we were to be actively living out our faith while awaiting his return. “In the meantime,” we are to be serving others (Matthew 25) and sharing the good news (Matthew 28).  It is also clear in today’s scripture reading in John that we will be held accountable for how we spent our time for the kingdom of God. Will we be prepared?  Are we ready?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, I want to be ready. Help me to lovingly serve you in my daily life. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 27, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Galatians 6:6-9.

Life often feels like a long season of sowing with little visible reward. We invest time, energy, prayer, and resources into people and responsibilities, yet the results can seem slow or uncertain. In Galatians 6, Paul reminds us of a spiritual principle as steady as the laws of nature: we reap what we sow.

Sowing to please the Spirit means choosing faithfulness over convenience, generosity over selfishness, and obedience over comfort. These choices are not always easy, and they are rarely applauded. But God sees every seed planted in love and obedience. Nothing given for His purposes is ever wasted.

Paul’s encouragement comes with a gentle warning and a hopeful promise. Weariness can tempt us to quit, to pull back, or to believe our efforts no longer matter. Yet God’s timing is perfect. The harvest comes “at the proper time,” not according to our schedule, but according to His wisdom.

When exhaustion sets in, remember that perseverance itself is an act of faith. Continuing to do good when you feel unseen or unappreciated is a declaration that you trust God more than immediate results. Stay faithful. Keep sowing. In due season, God will bring a harvest that far outweighs the struggle.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, strengthen me when I feel tired and discouraged. Help me to sow faithfully into Your kingdom and trust You for the harvest in Your perfect time. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 26, 2026

Devotion:

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Read 2 Peter 3:8-9.

This passage recognizes that sometimes we become impatient with God. I am reminded of the person who prayed, “God, please give me patience, and give it to me right now!” We tend to be people who seek instant gratification. We like to order fast food and have it ready immediately, and we are prone to pay extra for express shipping on our online purchases. It is as if time has sped up for us, and we like living in the fast lane. Today’s passage lets us know that our concept of time is not the same as God’s time, and it assures us that God is patient with us.

I love to hear the words that God does not want anyone to perish but for “everyone to come to repentance.” We studied a book in a Wednesday night class a few years ago that taught that, in the end, everyone goes to heaven. The author wrote eloquently about how that is God’s desire, and what God wants always happens. Unfortunately, the author minimized the power of free will and our ability to accept or reject God’s saving love. Just know that God wants all of us to accept the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving God, help me to be patient. When you do not answer me immediately with the response I have asked for, help me to see your answer that may be quite different. And when it does not come right away, help me to continue to pray and to listen. Amen!

Daily Devotion for January 25, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Mark 4:13-20.

The analogy of the Parable of the Sower teaches us how we need to respond to God’s Word. The Sower is someone who shares the Word of God. The Seed is the Word of God, and the soil is us. Jesus shares with us four types of responses people have when hearing God’s Word and encourages us to be like the good soil. When we receive it, believe it and apply it to our lives we produce fruit and grow in our faith. The fruit of The Spirit (Love. Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness and Self-Control) in Galatians is a good example of the kind of growth God wants to work in us.

Are we producing fruit? Are we growing in Love? Are we growing Joy? Are we growing in Patience? Are we growing in Gentleness? Are we growing in Self-Control? Do we have the kind of heart and life God can mold according to His will?

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sowing Your Word in our hearts. We confess that at times our hearts have been like hard soil closed off, distracted, or overwhelmed by worries. Forgive us for the ways we have let Your truth fall on rocky or thorny ground. Cultivate in us good soil so your Word will bear lasting fruit in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 24, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Galatians 5:22-23.

The Fruit of The Spirit is more than attributes God wants us to have. It is also a glimpse into the very nature and character of God. When we receive Christ as Savior, God the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. Since God is in us, the very nature and character of God is in us. God wants to fill us with His Spirit, so Godly attributes fill our heart and life. God wants us to walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit and grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. Each fruit shows the character of Christ. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can love others with the love of God that fills our hearts. The joy we have is not our joy but the joy of the Lord. The peace we enjoy is not our peace but the peace of God that passes understanding. We can’t manufacture this fruit by willpower alone. The Fruit of the Spirit grows in us as we stay connected to Jesus. The Holy Spirit plants the seed of love, joy, peace, and all the fruit in our hearts, but we must nurture them through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving God, help me to stay rooted in You. Cultivate Your fruit in my life so others may see Jesus in me. Teach me to walk in love, live with joy, and bring peace wherever I go. In Jesus holy name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 23, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Acts 15:4-11 .

Paul was preaching the word, and the Gentiles were hearing and believing. They were not sure how to handle that, so they had a meeting. The Jerusalem Council decided that only God’s grace and individual faith in Jesus were necessary for salvation.  

It can be tempting to add rules or guidelines that may have been helpful for our faith journey, but the key is to remember that each person’s path of faith begins the same. Faith in Jesus. Everything else should be viewed through the eyes of grace.  For instance, how do you react to Christians whose worship style is different from your own? Remember God’s gift of eternal life is free and for everybody, whatever the color, race, or worship preference.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on your faith journey. Where did it start? What does it look like today? Thank God for his gift of salvation. Share your journey with someone today.

Daily Devotion for January 22, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Hosea 10:12.

This verse says it is always time to seek the Lord. The duties, distractions, and demands of everyday life make it so vital to seek the Lord! Without heartfelt seeking we are hollow people with empty hearts and struggling lives. Life renewal comes only when we seek the Lord.

The Bible tells numerous stories of people in the Bible who experienced hard times because they tried to live life in their own strength. Although the circumstances and places are foreign to us, we know that as long as we trust our own judgment, try to go it alone, or follow the way of least resistance, we will not succeed in being the person God wants us to be.

We were created to live in community with God.  How do we do this?  We need to be diligent in reading God’s word and praying that God will guide us in our life. God wants us to seek Him and He is there for us. God is found by all who truly seek him. And when we find the Lord, we discover that he himself has been seeking us.

Personal Worship Option:

God, let me feel your presence, your power, and your pardon. I want to walk and talk with you, and I want to hear you in my life so I can reap your harvest. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 21, 2026

 Devotion:

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Read Romans 10:13-17.

In this set of scriptures, Paul lays out an active case for faith. Paul operated in an active tense in both his theology and daily life. Although Paul firmly believed that God’s grace and acceptance were free (they weren’t something that we could earn by our own efforts), he also felt that Christians were called to actively share their faith. In verse 13, Paul declares "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” and in the next verse (14b) asks,” ...how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?”  It is true that the good news can be transmitted and received in many different ways (print media, social media, television and radio, etc.) but since the time of Jesus the most effective evangelism has been one person sharing to another. God still uses ordinary people to share this extraordinary message. God needs us to help tell the old, old story.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to share my story where I can. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 20, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Isaiah 55:10-11.

Rain and snow often fall quietly. We may not notice their immediate effect, yet beneath the surface they are doing essential work—softening the soil, nourishing seeds, and preparing the ground for growth. God uses this familiar picture to describe the power of His Word. When He speaks, something always happens, even when we cannot see it right away.

God’s Word is never wasted. Every promise, command, and truth carries divine purpose. Sometimes it brings immediate change; other times it works slowly, shaping hearts over time. A verse read today may take root and bear fruit months or even years later. What matters is not our ability to measure the results, but God’s faithfulness to accomplish His will.

This truth is especially comforting when we feel discouraged. We may pray Scripture over loved ones, teach God’s Word faithfully, or cling to His promises in hard seasons without seeing instant results. Isaiah reminds us that the outcome does not depend on our strength or eloquence. God Himself guarantees the effectiveness of His Word.

Today, trust the quiet power of God’s promises. Let His Word fall like rain on your heart. Even when growth feels slow or unseen, be confident that God is at work. His Word will accomplish exactly what He intends—always, without fail. 

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me trust the power of Your Word, even when I cannot see immediate results. Let it shape my heart, strengthen my faith, and produce fruit in Your perfect time. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 19, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Colossians 1:9-12.

Like so many of the churches to which Paul wrote letters, the church at Colossae was very young. Paul had not gone directly to Colossae to start the church but had ministered for some time in Ephesus, about 100 miles away. Epaphras, a protege of Paul’s, had started the church in Colossae and was serving as their pastor when Paul wrote this letter to them. Epaphras had described to Paul the great faith in Christ held by the Colossians, and Paul had been praying for them.

What did he hope for the Christians in Colossae? Paul desired that they increase in knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. By growing in these ways, they will please Christ and will bear fruit in their good works. This will indeed help them to have patience and great endurance, qualities we think of in more mature Christians. As I read this passage today, I hear it as being written to all Christian in all churches, and perhaps more importantly to those of us in Christ Church. We are to learn and study the Scriptures if we are to live our lives of faith in Jesus Christ. 

Personal Worship Option:

Please pray with me: Gracious God, I would like to know your written Word more deeply and fully. Increase my desire to read and study the Bible, to join studies with others, and to let the Word lead me into a deeper relationship with you. Amen.