Daily Devotion for April 30, 2026

Devotion:

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Read James 1:13.

While God may test our faith to produce growth, He never entices us to evil. Temptation is a personal issue, and we must take on responsibility.  When trials become overwhelming, we are tempted to blame God thinking that He has let us down. James corrects this by saying "no one says when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'". God is holy and cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt any of us. Temptation is inside us being controlled by our own evil desires or lust. It is the lure of our own bad cravings that pulls us toward sin.

Temptations are like fishing lures to a hungry fish. The desires of our human nature prompt us to do what we want, which often means rebelling against our God’s guidance. Both trials and temptations can erode our trust in the Lord and undermine our witness. But God triumphs over the impact of trials and gives us victory over temptations. We praise our God for giving us resistance in times of temptation. God can satisfy all our needs through his great provision.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, lead me according to your will today. Help me trust you with all my being and find strength to resist temptations. I want to glorify you in all my ways. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 29, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Acts 10:34.

When I was growing up, I loved to visit my grandparents who lived in western North Carolina. I loved to hear their stories, eat dinner with them (my grandaddy could cook a mean breakfast and my grandmother made wonderful desserts), and spend time at their house and on the family farm. We were so close that a few of my cousins would comment in disgust that I was “the favorite grandchild.”  I of course have reminded my cousins of that remark ever since.  But the reality was that my grandparents loved all ten of us grandkids in different ways. They didn’t have a favorite. We are prone as humans to constantly be ranking who is “the favorite.”  The disciples argued about status, and the early church constantly was divided about who was in and who was out, and who was on top. Peter struggled with this as well.  But Peter also spent enough time with Jesus to realize the radical nature of God’s love. Peter came to believe by Jesus’ lived example, that “truly God shows no partiality.”  How would our lives be different if we believed as Peter believed?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to love and to value others as Jesus did and does. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 28, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Hebrews 6:18.

There are few things in life that feel completely certain. Circumstances change, people fail us, and even our own emotions can shift from one moment to the next. Yet this verse anchors us in something unshakable: God cannot lie. His character is perfectly true, and every promise He has spoken is utterly reliable.

Because of that truth, we are invited to “take hold of the hope set before us.” This isn’t a passive hope or wishful thinking—it’s something we cling to with intention. Like someone running for shelter in a storm, we flee to God’s promises and hold on tightly, knowing they will not give way.

What is this hope? It is the assurance that God keeps His word—about forgiveness, about new life, about His presence, and about eternity with Him. When doubts creep in or life feels uncertain, this verse reminds us that our hope is not built on circumstances, but on the unchanging nature of God Himself.

Today, whatever you are facing, take hold of that hope again. Let it steady your heart and strengthen your spirit. You are not holding onto something fragile—you are anchored in the truth of a God who never lies.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, thank You that Your Word is always true and Your promises never fail. Help me to hold firmly to the hope You have given me. When I feel uncertain, remind me that You are unchanging and faithful. Strengthen my heart today with the confidence that You will do all You have promised. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 27, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 19:18.

This young man was apparently living his life in obedience to the commandments.  There is no indication that he was asking this question in order to trick Jesus, but instead it appears that he sincerely wanted to know how to receive eternal life. Interestingly, he asked what “good” thing he must do in order to get that. Jesus corrected him, saying that God alone is good. When Jesus reminded the young man that he must obey the moral laws, he responded that he had kept them and now wondered what else he lacked. Jesus saw that his shortcoming was in putting too much stock in his wealth, with which he sadly could not bring himself to part.

In our daily devotions this week, we are looking at things God cannot do, and today, we are reminded that God cannot steal. Stealing is taking something we desire from its rightful owner. Everything already belongs to God, so it is not possible for God to steal.  

Personal Worship Option:

Does this lesson remind you that, since everything belongs to God, we are merely stewards and caretakers of what God has given to us? Remembering this helps me to hold onto my possessions and my money a bit less tightly and to be more generous with them.

Daily Devotion for April 26, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 5:1-9.

Near the Sheep gate in Jerusalem was a pool called Bethesda. When we think of a pool today, we think in terms of recreation. That is not what this pool was used for. They used the water from the Pool of Bethesda for their livelihood. One purpose for the pool could have been to give water to the sheep who were scheduled to be sacrificed.

The word Bethesda means House of Mercy or House of Grace. At this pool lay people who were blind, lame, and paralyzed. Day after day they waited for an angel to come and stir the water so the first one in would be healed.  Among them was a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus did not ask, “How long have you been here?” or “Why haven’t you tried harder?” He simply asked, “Do you want to be made well?” We can hear the weakness and disappointment in his voice when he says: “I have no one to help me…”  We all have places in our lives where we feel stuck. We have wounds we can’t heal, hurts we can’t forget, burdens we feel we must carry alone. But Jesus steps into those places and turns them into our own Bethesda, our own House of Mercy. 

Personal Worship Option:

God of mercy and grace, thank You for being my House of Mercy and my source of grace. You see the places where I feel weak, discouraged, or stuck. Speak Your word over my life today. Lift me, heal me, and renew me by Your power. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 25, 2026

Devotion:

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Read James 5:14-15.

James gives us a beautiful picture of how God cares for His people through the ministry of the church. The suffering believer does not have to struggle alone. He says, “Call.” Call for support. Call for prayer. Call for the community of faith to come alongside you in your time of difficulty.

It is not a sign of weakness to ask for prayer. It is an act of faith. When we reach out to others, we acknowledge our dependence on God and our need for the body of Christ. James tells us to pray over the sick person anointing them with oil. The oil is a sign of God’s presence with us. When we pray, “The prayer of faith will save the sick.” This does not mean that God always heals in the way we expect, but it boldly declares that prayer matters. God hears. God moves. God raises us up whether through physical healing, renewed strength, or restored peace.

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus, our healer, when I am weak, teach me to reach out for prayer. Remind me that You work powerfully through the faith and support of Your people. Pour out Your healing on those who are sick today. Restore bodies, renew spirits, and strengthen hearts. Help us trust that Your presence is near and that Your power is at work. In Jesus' holy name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 24, 2026

Devotion:

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Read John 10:10.

One way the thief tries to steal and destroy is by leading us astray, so we have a misplaced faith.  We need to focus on Jesus, the one who gives us life. In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly rich and full; it is eternal, yet it begins immediately. The avenue to experience this abundant life is obedience. Obey God’s commands.  

Obedience leads to goodness, not just for you but for your children, children’s children, great-grandchildren, and the children of a thousand generations in the future. God promises to show “love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6) As we obey God’s commands, we open the door for abundant life.  

Personal Worship Option:

Thank God for His goodness. Meditate on His guidance and gifts He provides. Open your heart to hear His voice today.