Daily Devotionals
Daily readings and reflections to help you grow deeper in your faith.
Should I stay or should I go?
Our hearts naturally "drift" from the core of the gospel and our calling to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Just as we drift in the ocean, we drift from our intention, our purposes, and our mission to share Christ with others. The solution is deliberate recalibration—returning to the centrality of Christ and actively participating in God's ministry of reconciliation.
April 20
Day 1: The Gospel as First Importance
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Devotional: Paul reminds us that the gospel is "of first importance"—not one among many priorities, but THE priority. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This isn't good advice, or opinion. This is the good news to be shared with the world. When we drift from this central truth, we lose our moorings.
Today, reflect on when you first encountered this good news. What was your life like before Christ? How did the gospel transform you? Remembering our own rescue keeps us humble and compassionate toward others who are lost. The gospel doesn't just save us once; it continues to anchor us daily. Return to this first love. Let the finished work of Christ be your foundation, not your performance or anyone else's expectations.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Devotional: Paul reminds us that the gospel is "of first importance"—not one among many priorities, but THE priority. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This isn't good advice, or opinion. This is the good news to be shared with the world. When we drift from this central truth, we lose our moorings.
Today, reflect on when you first encountered this good news. What was your life like before Christ? How did the gospel transform you? Remembering our own rescue keeps us humble and compassionate toward others who are lost. The gospel doesn't just save us once; it continues to anchor us daily. Return to this first love. Let the finished work of Christ be your foundation, not your performance or anyone else's expectations.
April 21
Day 2: Controlled by Christ's Love
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Devotional: "The love of Christ compels us" (NIV). This isn't obligation or guilt—it's being moved forward by overwhelming love. When you first fall in love, you can't help but think about that person, make time for them, rearrange your schedule. Christ's love should have that same compelling effect. We no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose for us.
Examine your heart today: What truly compels you? Your schedule? Your comfort? Your reputation? Or the love of Christ? Jesus' love isn't passive; it propels us outward toward others. Ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle that compelling love in your heart. Let it move you from comfort to action, from self-focus to others-focus.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Devotional: "The love of Christ compels us" (NIV). This isn't obligation or guilt—it's being moved forward by overwhelming love. When you first fall in love, you can't help but think about that person, make time for them, rearrange your schedule. Christ's love should have that same compelling effect. We no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose for us.
Examine your heart today: What truly compels you? Your schedule? Your comfort? Your reputation? Or the love of Christ? Jesus' love isn't passive; it propels us outward toward others. Ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle that compelling love in your heart. Let it move you from comfort to action, from self-focus to others-focus.
April 22
Day 3: Seeing People as God Sees Them
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Devotional: Paul writes that, having encountered Jesus, we no longer regard people from a worldly point of view. Every person you encounter—the slow driver in your way, the annoying coworker, the person working behind the grocery counter—is an eternal being with an eternal destiny. This perspective transforms everything. Our transactional society trains us to see people as obstacles, conveniences, or tools. But God sees them as image-bearers worthy of His Son's death.
Today, deliberately choose to see people differently. Slow down. Make time. These are divine appointments, not interruptions. Ask God for eyes to see the lonely, the lost, the hurting around you. Learn to see people as God sees them—it's how he sees you.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Devotional: Paul writes that, having encountered Jesus, we no longer regard people from a worldly point of view. Every person you encounter—the slow driver in your way, the annoying coworker, the person working behind the grocery counter—is an eternal being with an eternal destiny. This perspective transforms everything. Our transactional society trains us to see people as obstacles, conveniences, or tools. But God sees them as image-bearers worthy of His Son's death.
Today, deliberately choose to see people differently. Slow down. Make time. These are divine appointments, not interruptions. Ask God for eyes to see the lonely, the lost, the hurting around you. Learn to see people as God sees them—it's how he sees you.
April 23
Day 4: The Ministry of Reconciliation
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Devotional: God doesn't need us to reconcile people to Himself—He's given us this privilege as a gift. We are ambassadors, carrying the message that God is not counting people's sins against them. Notice the order: reconciliation comes before sanctification. Jesus loved the woman caught in adultery before telling her to sin no more. We often reverse this, expecting people to clean up before encountering Christ. But the gospel says "come as you are." Our job isn't to sanctify the world; it's to love people toward Jesus. Every step someone takes toward Christ is a victory.
Today, consider: Are you known more for what you're against or what you're for? Are you trying to fix people before loving them? Let the message of reconciliation shape how you engage your community.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Devotional: God doesn't need us to reconcile people to Himself—He's given us this privilege as a gift. We are ambassadors, carrying the message that God is not counting people's sins against them. Notice the order: reconciliation comes before sanctification. Jesus loved the woman caught in adultery before telling her to sin no more. We often reverse this, expecting people to clean up before encountering Christ. But the gospel says "come as you are." Our job isn't to sanctify the world; it's to love people toward Jesus. Every step someone takes toward Christ is a victory.
Today, consider: Are you known more for what you're against or what you're for? Are you trying to fix people before loving them? Let the message of reconciliation shape how you engage your community.
April 24
Day 5: Choosing to Go
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: Dogs need to be told to stay; people need to be told to go. Our natural drift is toward comfort, entertainment, and self-focus. But Jesus commands us to go—into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. This requires intentionality.
Today, write down five names of people you encounter regularly who don't know Jesus. Commit to praying for them daily for the next year. Share these names with someone who will pray with you. This isn't about filling evangelistic quotas; it's about loving people consistently and looking for the opportunities God provides to share God's love with others. Consider: how would this change your life to pray for others consistently? How would it change our church?
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: Dogs need to be told to stay; people need to be told to go. Our natural drift is toward comfort, entertainment, and self-focus. But Jesus commands us to go—into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. This requires intentionality.
Today, write down five names of people you encounter regularly who don't know Jesus. Commit to praying for them daily for the next year. Share these names with someone who will pray with you. This isn't about filling evangelistic quotas; it's about loving people consistently and looking for the opportunities God provides to share God's love with others. Consider: how would this change your life to pray for others consistently? How would it change our church?