Daily Devotion for March 21, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 1:1, 14, 17.

The Gospel of John is not very concerned about the historical sequence of events.   It is concerned about proving, especially to the Greek mind, that Jesus is the Christ. The Gospel of John is brilliantly laid out and catches the heart and mind of the gentiles, many of whom bought into the Greek philosophies of the day. The Greek philosophers invented the word Logos to describe an intermediary between God and humanity.  I am sure they were shocked when they read what John wrote when he states that the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. As they are reading, they still do not know who this Logos is until verse seventeen, grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. What an amazing revelation!  He spends the rest of the Gospel of John showing how Jesus the Logos is the Son of God and the savior of the world.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, help us to never lose our awe at the mystery of Your incarnation. Teach us to welcome Your presence in our lives each day, to walk in Your truth, and to extend Your grace to others. We honor You, Word made flesh, and we long for the day when we will see Your glory fully revealed. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 20, 2026

 

Devotion:

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Read Isaiah 53:3-5.

Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah and the suffering He would endure.  He suffered for us.  Isaiah 53:3-5 describes the Suffering Servant who took upon Himself the sins of humanity. He was despised and rejected, bearing our pain and suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God. This passage emphasizes that by His wounds, we are healed, highlighting the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice on our spiritual well-being.

When Adam sinned, the consequences of that sin affected all of humanity.  Each of us has inherited a sin nature.  Which is why Christ came.  This is the reason Christ endured death and burial.  To provide a sacrifice, not just for our forgiveness, but to renew the spiritual covenant between God and man, restoring us in relationship and purpose.  

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on Christ’s sacrifice for you. How does His sacrifice impact your relationship with Christ and with others?

Daily Devotion for March 19, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 20:31.

The gospel writer John was present at every major event in Jesus' ministry. He heard Jesus' teaching and saw his miracles. John was present at the Last Supper. He was also at the cross, where Jesus told him to take care of his mother, Mary. John saw the empty tomb on resurrection morning, and he was on the Mount of Olives when Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses" and then he ascended into heaven.

Telling people about Jesus became the passion of John's life. His purpose in writing was that people would read, hear, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they could have eternal life.  Jesus appeared to John when he was old and exiled on a lonely island.  Jesus gave him important messages for the churches and what was to come.

John's witness still gives hope, comfort, and instruction to people around the world today. May his passion for Jesus burn in us and never grow cold.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, make us faithful, like your servant John, lifting up Jesus' name until he returns again. Guide us each day by the Holy Spirit you sent to live in us, we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 18, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 1:19-23.

We live in a world in which we are always checking our identity. You need identification to travel on a plane, a passport to cross a border, and a driver’s license not only to drive but to prove your identity in a variety of situations. Even to check my email on a computer I need to not only provide a password, but often go through an additional identity check (which usually prompts an additional email that asks “Is this you?”). Our scripture for today makes clear that checking identification is not just a modern invention; we have been asking those questions of each other since the beginning of time.   Who are you? Where are you from? And perhaps most poignantly, Whose are you? Who do you belong to? 

John the Baptist was not exempt from these questions - his ministry was so sensational that he attracted not only followers but also lots of attention and curiosity. And lots and lots of questions, such as “Who are you? Elijah or one of the prophets?” John only deepens their curiosity by answering, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.” (John 19:23b) Those questions are still being asked today. How would you answer?

Personal Worship Option:

How do you respond to the questions that John was asked? Who are you and who do you claim Jesus to be in your life?

Daily Devotion for March 17, 2026

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Timothy 2:5.

In a world filled with noise, opinions, and countless paths claiming to lead to truth, this verse brings us back to beautiful simplicity: there is one God, and there is one mediator — Jesus Christ.

The word mediator means someone who stands in the middle to bring two parties together. Scripture tells us that Jesus stands between a holy God and a broken humanity — not as a barrier, but as a bridge. He does not merely negotiate peace; He is our peace.

We often try to mediate our own way back to God. We promise to do better. We attempt to clean ourselves up. We rely on good works, church attendance, or moral effort. But none of those things can span the gap sin created. Only Jesus can.

The verse emphasizes “the man Christ Jesus.” This reminds us that our mediator understands us. He knows weakness, temptation, sorrow, and suffering. He is not distant from our humanity; He entered it. Because He is fully God, He can represent God to us. Because He is fully man, He can represent us before God. No one else could stand in that place.

This truth is both humbling and comforting.

It humbles us because it reminds us that salvation is not earned — it is given.

It comforts us because our access to God does not depend on our performance, but on Christ’s finished work.

Today, rest in this assurance: you do not stand alone before God. Jesus stands for you. When you pray, you come through Him. When you fail, He intercedes. When you doubt, He remains faithful.

There is one God. One mediator. And that is more than enough.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, thank You for standing in the gap for me

Daily Devotion for March 16, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 1:14.

This is one of those verses that form the foundation for our beliefs and theology as Christians. We call this the “incarnation,” or God’s taking on flesh. The Greek word for “Word” is “Logos,” and it is from this Greek word that we get English words such as “logic,” the ability to think and reason.  It is as if the part of God that is thinking, logical, and analytical became one of us. The relationship of Father and Son tends to make us think of the Son as lesser or secondary to the Father, but rather both are equal parts of the Triune God. Another point regarding “Word” is that in the Hebrew culture, the spoken word had special meaning, almost taking on a life of its own, and this too plays into the meaning of the Son being the Word of the Father.

This verse tells us that Jesus came into the world, full of grace and truth. Grace, God’s love that we do not earn or merit or deserve, is the bedrock of our understanding of salvation. In Jesus, we have our source of truth, making it important for us to study his teachings and his actions if we are to earnestly and faithfully serve him as both our Savior and our Lord.  

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, there is mystery about your coming in the form of a human that we may never fully grasp. But we do understand that, in this incarnation, you have shown your love for us. Help me to accept that love and to share it with others. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 15, 2026

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Read John 9:6-17.

Jesus heals a man blind from birth. This amazing healing stirred up the people to the point that they called the Pharisees to come and investigate the situation.  The poor man is questioned time after time by the pharisees who did not believe him.  They keep questioning him, so he keeps on telling his story. At one point he had enough of the questioning and starts to teach them. As we read the story, we see his spiritual eyes are gradually opened. While the Pharisees say Jesus is not of God, he believed He was. He exasperated the pharisees to the point that they kicked him out of the synagogue. When Jesus hears this, he goes to the man and tells him who he is.  The former blind man has the perfect response, “I believe, Lord”. And he worshipped him.

 

The irony of this story is the Pharisees come to the story seeing and leave blind.  The former blind man comes to the story blind and leaves seeing both physically and spiritually.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world. You see us in our blindness, our doubts, our fears, and our sin. Thank You for transforming our darkness into sight, our despair into hope, and our brokenness into new life. We believe, and we worship You. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 14, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Hebrews 1:1-3.

God has revealed Himself in powerful and sometimes dramatic ways. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He whispered to Elijah in a still small voice. He gave Isaiah visions of His holiness and glory. These were sacred encounters.

Then came Jesus. Hebrews tells us that Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” That means Jesus is not simply delivering a message from God, He is the message. When Philip said, “Show us the Father,” Jesus replied, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9). If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. His mercy is God’s mercy. His holiness is God’s holiness. His love is God’s love. Jesus is more than a shadow or reflection of God. He is the very essence of God made visible to us.

Do you know Jesus as Savior? 

Personal Worship Option:

Precious Jesus, You are the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His being. I put my faith and trust in you for salvation. Come into my heart, change my life, and forgive me of all my sin. In Jesus holy name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 13, 2026

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Read 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

We discover who Jesus is through the Holy Spirit revealing to us the light of the gospel.  Verse 4 tells us that their minds are blinded, unable to see the light of glory of Christ, a glory beyond comparison, the glory of the one and only God.  When we become followers of Christ, the veil in our hearts is torn and our darkened hearts are filled with light. This light is the knowledge of the glory of God that we have heard about through God’s Word and that we begin to experience as believers through our worship and prayers.

Paul states, in verses 5,6, that the apostles are not proclaiming themselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord. They are servants for Him as they speak His Word, for God has made the truth clear to them. It is not about themselves, but all about Christ. He has shone in their hearts, giving them the light of the knowledge of glory of God through Christ. Why does Paul emphasize that they are simply servants of Christ? He knows God is the One ultimately transforming people. He is humble, recognizing their smallness and God’s greatness. Paul desires for God to receive all the glory. They are simply being obedient to God in response to His great mercy.

Personal Worship Option:

"Dear God, thank You for shining Your light in our hearts through Jesus. Help us to share that light with everyone we meet. Amen."

Daily Devotion for March 12, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 16:13.

Jesus asks, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?", moving moment beyond public opinion to challenge his disciples' personal conviction. This question demands a personal response regarding Jesus' identity as the Messiah, shifting faith from hearsay to a deeply rooted belief of him as Savior and King. Jesus asks what others say, but the true focus is what we(you) say. It is not enough to know the religious rhetoric or to admire Jesus as a prophet or good teacher; he demands a verdict on his divinity.

Just as Peter’s statement that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" was not just repeating someone else’s thought but his personal understanding of Jesus. It comes through a divine revelation. It requires our hearts to be opened by the God. This transformation is the rock upon which the Church is built. Knowing Jesus as the Son of the living God means he is the Lord of our lives, not just a historical figure. This question leads to the invitation to take up the cross, follow him, and align our lives with his kingdom rather than our own. If Jesus asked you today, "Who do you say I am?", what would your answer be? Is he just a part of your life, or is he the Savior and focus of your life?

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, thank you for sending me Jesus, as my Savior. Help me to live in that truth daily, following you, and not just talking about you. Amen

Daily Devotion for March 11, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 9:28.

So what does it mean to live an abundant life? I put that question in my internet browser and quickly had a few million answers! It is a question that has been argued over, debated and analyzed by every major religion and the majority of philosophers. And it strikes a chord with similar deep questions such as “Why are we here? What is the meaning of life?” And specifically for people of faith, “what has God called me to do with my life?” If you struggle with finding answers to some of these questions, maybe you’ll find it comforting to know that Christians throughout history have wrestled with these questions as well. Even Jesus and the early disciples struggled with these questions - and much of our New Testament deals with their attempts to explain what all this was about.   

But John 10:10 is one of the clearest explanations from Jesus, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (NRSV) We are still called to prayerfully discern what an abundant life looks like. But Jesus wants us to know that he’ll help us figure it out….

Personal Worship Option:

Lord. help me as I wrestle with some of these questions. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 10, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 9:28.

The man born blind had no theological training, no religious credentials, and no desire to stir controversy. All he had was an undeniable encounter with Jesus. He was healed—and that changed everything. When the religious leaders realized they could not refute his story, they resorted to ridicule and rejection.

This verse reminds us that obedience to Jesus will sometimes invite scorn instead of applause. The Pharisees weren’t angry because the man was wrong; they were angry because his testimony exposed their pride. Truth has a way of doing that. When God moves in someone’s life outside our expectations or control, it can unsettle those who are more committed to tradition than transformation.

Notice what the man does not do. He doesn’t back down. He doesn’t apologize for following Jesus. He doesn’t pretend the miracle didn’t happen. He simply stands in the truth of what Christ has done for him.

Following Jesus may cost us approval. It may label us as outsiders or “too devoted.” But discipleship has always required courage—the courage to trust Christ even when others mock, dismiss, or misunderstand.

Reflection:

Where might God be asking you to stand firm in your faith, even if it brings criticism? Are you willing to be known as “His disciple,” no matter the cost?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, give me the courage to stand in the truth of what You have done in my life. Help me value faithfulness over approval and obedience over comfort. May my life quietly but boldly point others to You. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 9, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Exodus 3:13-14.

When Moses asked for the name of the one who spoke to him from the burning bush, he was, whether innocently or intentionally, asking for a sharing of God’s power. The answer, “I am who I am” sounds a bit evasive to us. Another translation of the Hebrew used here is “I will be that I will be.”  Both of these translations show God as always existing, eternal, and never changing. If Moses needed a name, God told Moses he can say that I AM has sent him.     

God was the hope of the Children of Israel, enslaved and harshly treated for generations in Egypt. God was sending Moses to bring them out for freedom from bondage, and God would be with them on their journey to the Promised Land. Just as God was their hope, God is also our hope today; and God is with us on our journeys. As we continue in our sermon series, exploring the nature and identity of Jesus Christ, we recall that the Son reveals the nature of the Father. But it is good to start this week with God’s own declaration to Moses of who He is. Our hope is in the Great I Am!

Personal Worship Option:

Almighty God, as we study about you and seek to know you personally, it is good to remember that you are the Great I Am, who is and will always be. We are the objects of your creation, and we humbly bow before you. In the name of your Son, Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 8, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 16:13-18.

Jesus asked, Who do people say that the Son of man is? This is one of the most important questions you will ever answer. Our eternity rests on how we respond to this question. You can tell by their responses that many of the people in Jesus’ day were confused. Jesus was a mystery to them. He was not the kind of Messiah the Jews were expecting and certainly a mystery to the gentiles. As confused as the people were over who Jesus is in that day, there are many who are just as confused today.  Some do not know much about Jesus and others talk about Jesus in a way that is not faithful to the scriptures. 

 

When Jesus asked His disciples “who do you yourselves say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Peter got it right. Who others say Jesus is, is not as important as who you say He is. So, who do you say Jesus is?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of the living God. You are the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are our Savior and Redeemer. Open my heart to know you more deeply, to trust you more fully, and to follow you more faithfully. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 7, 2026

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Read Hebrews 13:8.

Life is full of change. The world is constantly changing. In Chattanooga if you do not like the weather wait a few days. Our seasons, weather, routines, health, relationship even our own hearts change. While the world and our life are constantly changing there is one constant, Jesus. Jesus never changes. He is the same today as he was yesterday, and you can trust Hin to be the same tomorrow. Because Jesus never changes, we can rest. We don’t have to fear the uncertainty of tomorrow. We can place our full trust in Him, knowing His character, His mercy, and His power remain steadfast. Jesus loved you yesterday. He loves you today. He will love you in all your tomorrows.  

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Keep us steady in Your love and give us confidence to follow You in every season. Amen.