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.

Daily Devotion for January 18, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 14:11-24.

This story is typically called the Prodigal Son. A prodigal is one who spends money wastefully. When we call it the prodigal son it takes attention away from the father and the brother who are important to the story. I always looked at the story from the standpoint of the runaway son. Once I had children, I started looking at the story from the standpoint of the father. Our life experiences often causes us to focus on different parts of a story because we identify with them.

The prodigal son leaves home and plunders his inheritance. When a famine comes, the runaway son finds himself destitute, feeding pigs and longing for their food. He decides to return home. He is ready to ask for forgiveness and to live as a servant in his father’s house. When the son returns home the father sees him, is filled with compassion, and runs to him. The father never stopped looking down the road, longing for his son’s return. He gives his son a robe, ring, sandals and a feast. He treats him like a son and not a servant. The father in this story symbolizes the unrestrained grace of God and God’s eagerness to forgive and embrace those who have run from Him. I think the story is more about the father’s compassion than the son's failure.

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who watches the road and waits for us to come home. When we wander far from your ways, you never give up on us. Teach us to love like the father in this story and celebrate everyone who finds their way back to you. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 17, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Joel 2:12-13.

Joel is a poetic and prophetic metaphor full of amazing imagery about the destruction of Judah and how God is going to restore them. In Joel we discover a loving merciful God who pursues a stubborn people who refuse to obey Him. The people of Israel were in a crisis. They needed an encouraging word. Joel tells them to repent. It was probably not what they wanted to hear but it is what they needed to hear. Repentance is not just about outward appearances but an inner transformation.

Joel’s message reveals a God who is not eager to punish but eager to forgive. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in steadfast love. He welcomes every humble return with mercy and restoration. God is still crying out, “Even now, return to Me.” The arms of Jesus are open. Come with a sincere heart ready to receive His grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, thank You for loving us even when we stray. Teach us to return to You with sincerity. Renew our faith and remind us that Your mercy is greater than our mistakes. Help us to live in the joy of Your forgiveness. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion for January 16, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Psalm 103:8-12.

Why should we praise God? This passage gives us several reasons. God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, doesn’t accuse, sees us as he has created us. Most importantly He has forgiven us and separated us from our sins as far as the east is from the west. That is indeed a gift. East and west can never meet. This symbolic picture of God’s forgiveness is complete. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives. We tend to dredge up the past, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must model his forgiveness in our dealings with one another as well.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you pondering the past mistakes and bad decisions. Hand those to God and he will forgive. Already experienced God’s forgiveness - stop looking for where east meets west because it doesn't.