Daily Devotion

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September 18
Of Megalodons and Leviathan
Bible in a Year :

• Proverbs 30-31
• 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
Job 41:11

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Job 41:1-5, 10-14
Years ago, a lumpy package arrived in my mailbox. I noticed my best friend’s return address on it and smiled. Joe sometimes sends me unexpected things. This package qualified: Inside was a dark brown shark’s tooth—five inches long.
Joe’s letter explained it was a fossilized tooth from a prehistoric shark, a megalodon, many times bigger than a great white shark. I tried to fathom how big a fish’s jaw would have to be to contain rows of such teeth. Scientists offer a speculative answer: nine by eleven feet. What a sight these creatures must have been!
Scripture doesn’t mention megalodons. But in the book of Job, God describes a sea beast called Leviathan. Job 41 details its impressive frame. “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form,” God tells Job (v. 12). “Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?” (v. 14).
The answer? Only Leviathan’s creator. And here, God reminds Job that as great as this beast might be, it’s nothing compared to its Creator: “Everything under heaven belongs to me” (v. 11).
That meg tooth sits on my desk, a visual token of our Creator’s majesty and creativity. And that unlikely reminder of God’s character comforts me when it feels like the world might eat me up and spit me out.
By: Adam Holz



Reflect & Pray
How do certain aspects of creation remind you of God’s powerful, creative nature? How does His work in creation encourage you?
Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your splendor and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming.

 

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WHAT TO DO WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH
September 18, 2025
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife and conflict abounds. Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”
Habakkuk 1:2-4

How could a loving God allow so much evil and suffering in the world?

There are many questions that have the potential to shake our faith. And for many, these questions alone are the reason some walk away from God altogether.

So, what do we do with these age-old questions?

Well, it might surprise you to know that the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, went through a season of wrestling with similar questions.

You see, Habakkuk was fed up with all the evil and corruption taking place among God’s own people.

Now, if anyone should have known better, it should have been God’s chosen people. This was the very nation that had witnessed first-hand, miracle after miracle as God brought them out of Egyptian captivity and eventually into the promised land.

Yet, here was Habakkuk, crying out in frustration at the fact that things had veered so far off course. Why would God allow all this immorality and sin? Wasn’t God paying attention? Why wasn’t He doing anything? Why wasn’t He answering him?

Can you relate?

In Habakkuk 1:5, God responds. “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

You see, God had been paying attention. In fact, God was about to set into motion events that would go down in history, as the most powerful nation of the day would ultimately conquer the nation of Judah.

Now, what I hope you’re seeing about Habakkuk is this:

He was a man of PRAYER. This meant that he prayed regularly and honestly.

He brought his doubts to God. Absolutely nothing was off limits when it came to talking with God – including his big questions about God’s goodness and mankind’s evil.

We, too, can learn from Habakkuk’s example of how to deal with these big, life-questions.

How?

By bringing them to God: questions, fears, doubts, frustrations… everything. Be honest. Because when we raise these doubts and questions TO God, we give God the opportunity to help us work through them, rather than allowing our doubts to push us away from God.

After all, faith is all about a relationship with Him.
How can we get answers if we don’t go to God first?

What questions do you need to bring to God?

DIG DEEPER
Read “3 Questions God is Still Asking” by Michael Kelley

 

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September 19
The Change Christ Brings
Bible in a Year :

• Ecclesiastes 1-3
• 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Whoever . . . confesses and renounces [their sins] finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Proverbs 28:13-14
When a patch of irritated skin formed near my left eye, I used makeup to cover it. Temporarily this kept my problem a secret. After a while, though, the swollen red spot didn’t clear up, and I knew it needed medical attention. On the morning of the doctor’s appointment, I was tempted to apply makeup as usual, but I didn’t. I wanted the doctor to see the problem clearly and treat it so it could heal.
Have you ever tried to hide a sin problem? Maybe you’re aware that some action or thought is controlling you, but you’ve avoided praying about it or mentioning it to friends and family. Maybe you think it’s no big deal because many other people are dealing with similar issues. But it’s impossible to thrive spiritually when sin is secretly fouling up our lives. As Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper.” Thankfully the verse continues, “but the one who confesses and renounces [sin] finds mercy” (v. 13).
It can be hard to adopt God’s view of our actions and admit that certain practices are wrong. However, His kindness eases the process of humbling ourselves. When we welcome the power of Christ’s Spirit into our struggle, we can reject the wrong that tempts us (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-24). As God guides us, change is possible, and our spiritual health is worth the effort!
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt



Reflect & Pray
As you consider confessing sin, why is God’s everlasting love encouraging? How might the enemy deceive you in your struggle with sin?
Dear God, please help me yield the areas of sin in my life to You.

 

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September 23
Saving Lives
Bible in a Year :

• Song of Songs 1-3
• Galatians 2

I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing.
Acts 20:19

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Acts 20:17-24
Adolfo Kaminsky knew how to remove indelible ink from paper. As a member of the anti-Nazi resistance in France, he altered identification cards to save hundreds from concentration camps. Once he was given three days to forge nine hundred birth and baptismal certificates and ration cards for three hundred Jewish children. He labored two straight days without sleep, telling himself, “In one hour I can make thirty blank documents. If I sleep for an hour thirty people will die.”
The apostle Paul felt a similar urgency. He reminded the church in Ephesus how he’d “served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing” (Acts 20:19). Paul said, “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you” (v. 20). This urgency compelled him to share with everyone the necessity of repentance and faith in Jesus (v. 21). Now he was sailing back to Jerusalem, eager to “finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus [had] given [him]—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (v. 24).
Paul couldn’t save people. Only God does that. But he could tell them God’s good news about Jesus, the only “name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Who is the Holy Spirit bringing to your mind today? You can share God’s good news with them.
By: Mike Wittmer



Reflect & Pray
Who do you know who needs to hear “the good news of God’s grace”? How might you share it with them?
Dear Jesus, please open my heart to those who need You and give me opportunities to tell them of Your love.
For further study, read The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel.

 

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September 24
Coincidences and God's Care
Bible in a Year :

• Song of Songs 4-5
• Galatians 3

Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine.
2 Kings 8:1

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Kings 8:1-6
Dante’s neighborhood in Manila was prone to flooding. On rainy days, the little boy reached school by crossing a makeshift wooden bridge put up by a neighbor. “Mr. Tomas helped the community get around,” Dante said. “He’d guide me on the bridge, shielding me from the rain.”
Years later, Dante joined a church north of Manila. Leo, his Bible study leader, mentored him. In a conversation about their childhoods, Dante discovered Leo was Mr. Tomas’ son! “There’s no such thing as coincidence,” Dante said. “God used the son of a man who’d blessed me to help me in my faith.”
A woman from the town of Shunem also experienced God’s providence. In faith, she’d followed the prophet Elisha’s advice, leaving home to avoid a famine (2 Kings 8:1-2). In doing so, she’d forfeited her claim to her house and land. Now, at the exact moment she was seeking help from the king about this matter, the king just happened to be talking with Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, about her.
Years earlier, Gehazi had seen the woman’s dead son raised to life. Now, Gehazi said, "This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life" (v. 5). The king then “assigned an official to her case” (v. 6) and returned her property.
We can trust in God and His care even when things may not go as we planned. Our sovereign God will help us.
By: Karen Huang



Reflect & Pray
How does the Shunammite woman’s story encourage you? What does it say about God’s care?
Loving Father, thank You for caring for me.

 

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September 25
God, Our Trustworthy Refuge
Bible in a Year :

• Song of Songs 6-8
• Galatians 4

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 118:6

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Psalm 118:5-14
One of my daughter’s most vivid childhood memories is the day her dad taught her to ride a bike without training wheels. At one point in their outing, my husband balanced his feet on the hubs of her rear wheel (while she kept hers on the pedals and they shared the handlebars) so they could coast down a small, gently sloping section together. She remembers her dad laughing with joy—a sharp contrast to her own fearful experience of the moment. The ride was so short that the entire episode happened too quickly for him to stop and empathize with her. As they reminisce about the incident today, my husband’s gentle response to her recollection is to reassure her that he knew everything would be okay.
Their story is an apt metaphor for the moments when we too experience fear in life. The “hills” might look big and scary from our vantage point, and the risk of being hurt can seem very real. Yet Scripture assures us that because “the Lord is with [us],” we don’t need to “be afraid” (Psalm 118:6). Though human help may fail us, He’s a trustworthy refuge when we feel overwhelmed by our struggles (vv. 8-9).
God is our “helper” (v. 7), which means we can trust Him to care for us during life’s most trying and fearful moments. Despite any falls, scars, and pain we might endure, His saving presence is our “strength” and “defense” (v. 14).
By: Kirsten Holmberg



Reflect & Pray
When have you been aware of God’s presence in the midst of difficulty? How has He helped you?
Thank You, Father, for being present in my life. Please help me to recognize Your nearness.

 

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September 26
Beauty Out of Tragedy
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 1-2
• Galatians 5

Through the obedience of the one man [Jesus Christ] the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Genesis 2:8-9; 3:1-6
Coniston Water in England’s beautiful Lake District is a favorite vacation spot for families in the UK. The waters are perfect for boating, swimming, and other water sports. That beautiful setting, however, was also the site of great tragedy. In 1967, Donald Campbell was piloting his hydroplane Bluebird K7, seeking to break the world water speed record. He reached a top speed of 328 mph (528 km/h) but didn’t live to celebrate the achievement as Bluebird crashed, killing Campbell.
Tragic moments can happen in beautiful places. In Genesis 2, the Creator “took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (v. 15). The garden was a masterpiece, yet when placed in this paradise, the man and woman disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into His creation (3:6-7). Today, we continue to see the destructive effects of their tragic choice.
But Jesus came to offer life to us—people who were dead in our sins. The apostle Paul, referring to that, wrote, “Just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Jesus Christ] the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Because of Jesus, the most beautiful home of all awaits us.
Out of beauty came tragedy. And by God’s grace, out of tragedy came eternal beauty.
By: Bill Crowder



Reflect & Pray
When have you seen God bring beauty out of tragedy? How did you respond to that event?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the eternal beauty You alone provide.
For further study, read A Season of Suffering: Meeting Jesus in Our Pain.

 

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September 29
Christ’s Resurrection Power
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 7-8
• Ephesians 2

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out.
John 11:43-44

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
John 11:38-44
Football fans were stunned when Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills collapsed on the field on live television after executing a seemingly routine tackle in January 2023. The twenty-four-year-old was in sudden cardiac arrest. His heart stopped beating but was restored by medical professionals while on the field. Amazingly, three months after dying and being resuscitated on the field, Hamlin was cleared to play football again.
Hamlin has stated that he’s grateful to God and the medical staff for saving his life. He plans to continue being an inspiration to others. In John chapter 11, Lazarus also had a remarkable recovery.
By the time Jesus had arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. His distraught sisters, Mary and Martha, witnessed Jesus’ power over death and that He is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). “Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face” (vv. 43-44).
We’re also examples of Christ’s resurrection power. We were once dead in our sins, but we’re now alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11). As believers, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of us (8:10-11). Be encouraged. While we’ll all die a physical death, that’s not the end of our story. We’re promised eternal life with Jesus.
By: Nancy Gavilanes



Reflect & Pray
How does the gift of eternal life give you hope? How does Jesus’ resurrection power encourage you?
Dear God, thank You for Your resurrection power.

 

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WHY DO PEOPLE LIE?
September 30, 2025
Bryant Wright, Founder

“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” Proverbs 12:22

Lying is a pervasive problem.

It seems that today’s “me-first” mindset places very little value on honesty and personal integrity. Truth is sacrificed on the altar of self-advancement.

The two main reasons we lie are usually rooted in either fear or pride.

Fear is the first reason. We are afraid of the consequences if we tell the truth. Yielding to fear shows a lack of trust in God to take care of the situation. If we yield to God and do it His way, He will usually give us favor with those that we fear.

The other reason is pride. We are prideful and concerned about what others will think of us (desiring their approval instead of God’s.)

At the time, you may think that lying will make life easier, but one lie almost always requires another and another and another. You have to remember everything you said to keep from confusing your lies.

When you start with the truth, you don’t have to remember all the specific details. The truth makes life a lot less complicated.

Take a look at your life. Where do you fall on the spectrum of honest living?

There’s only one way to break the bondage of a lie, and that’s with truth.

Seek to live with integrity and honesty and you’ll find new freedom for living.

How?

The truth is found in Jesus Christ. Find Him, and find the truth, the power, and the strength to become a person of integrity.

DIG DEEPER
Read “What does the Bible say about lying?” at GotQuestions.org

 

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October 2
Remaining Teachable in God
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 14-16
• Ephesians 5:1-16

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still.
Proverbs 9:9

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Proverbs 9:1-6, 13-18
After Kat learned she was pregnant, she dropped out of high school to care for her daughter. Fifteen years later, Kat was a working mother of three who dreamed of becoming a licensed beautician. With humility and tenacity, she became a student again in a free GED support program. It was humbling to go back to school after so long. “This program changed my life!” Kat said. “My teacher was amazing and offered so much encouragement.”
Remaining teachable may be one of the most difficult things we can do. The Bible speaks of having a teachable heart that’s open to God’s wisdom. The poetry of Proverbs paints a picture of two women calling out to passersby—Wisdom and Folly (Proverbs 9:1-6; 13-18). Those who listen to Wisdom receive correction with grace. They “add to their learning” and become even wiser (v. 9). They habitually “walk in the way of insight” (v. 6) and seat themselves at Wisdom’s table for instruction. Their obedience leads to a full life (v. 11). In contrast, those who listen to Folly hate being corrected or criticized. They insult anyone who tries to instruct them (vv. 7-8). Humility comes from fearing God—acknowledging that He’s “the Holy One” and we are not (v. 10). It’s not easy to stay teachable, but it also brings freedom to admit we don’t know it all and we still need help. Wisdom calls to us. How will we respond?
By: Karen Pimpo



Reflect & Pray
What’s your default reaction to criticism? How could a humble response lead to growth and victory?
Receiving instruction doesn’t always come naturally to me, wise Father, but I trust Your ways.

 

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October 3
Representing Jesus
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 17-19
• Ephesians 5:17-33

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
2 Corinthians 5:20

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 14-20
On the first day of a camp where Alan teaches teens entrepreneurial skills, a student said, “You’re a Christian, aren’t you? I can tell.” Before Alan said he was a Christian or wore his favorite socks and ties decorated with Christian symbols, the teen said he saw Jesus through Alan’s words, actions, and attitude. They discussed how they could better represent Jesus wherever they go.
Saying we’re Christian and wearing clothes with Christian messages are good things. However, the Bible teaches that the way we live and love as we share the gospel is the true identifier of those who follow Jesus. The apostle Paul and the other believers in Corinth were compelled, or driven, to please God by living with an eternal perspective while sharing Him with others (2 Corinthians 5:9-14).
When we’re committed to living for Christ instead of for ourselves, the Holy Spirit changes our perspective, character, priorities, and ways of interacting with others (vv. 15-17). Our new life in Jesus is intended to represent Him while we point others to Him, “as though God were making his appeal through us” (v. 20).
Empowered by the Spirit, we’re given the joy and responsibility of representing Christ wherever we go.
By: Xochitl Dixon



Reflect & Pray
How have others pointed you to Jesus by the way they lived? How has God’s transforming work in your life helped you become a better ambassador for Christ?
Life-transforming Jesus, please change me by Your Spirit so that I can better represent You wherever You send me.

 

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ARROGANCE AND PRIDE ARE ONE AND THE SAME
October 02, 2025
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder

“…Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Proverbs 16:18-19

Arrogance is the complete opposite of humility.

Humility means to have a modest view of one’s own importance.

But when someone has an over-inflated opinion of himself or herself, they often act in an overbearing way, that’s called arrogance, which is always an unattractive quality.

Did you know that for every 100 successful people, there is maybe one who can deal with great success and keep his/her head on straight? The temptation to give into prideful arrogance is huge.

Arrogance and pride are one and the same! So how can people blessed with success not be overcome with pride?

• Gratitude: Remember all good things come from God: this includes your talents, abilities, and opportunities.
• Humility: There’s really no such thing as a self-made man. Every successful person had some help along the way. It’s important to remember the journey.
• Self-Awareness: The people with the biggest pride problems often don’t recognize that they have a problem. It’s an inability to self-reflect and identify their areas of growth or weakness; this attitude can stunt personal growth.
• Pursue Christ-likeness: We are most like the Devil when we are filled with arrogant pride. We are most like Jesus when we are fulfilling God’s will for God’s glory.

If you are struggling with arrogant pride, ask God for forgiveness. Ask Him to help you leave pride behind and learn to walk in gratitude, and humility, and to become more self-aware as you pursue a life walking with Christ.

It might not happen overnight and it most certainly won’t always be an easy road, but you’ll be a better person for it. And when the world around you starts to take notice, you’ll have a great platform to point toward your relationship with Jesus.

There’s no time like the present to begin.

DIG DEEPER
Read “The Danger of Spiritual Pride” by Jonathan Munson

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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October 5
Sympathy Pain
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 23-25
• Philippians 1

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 12:21-26
When I injured my ring finger, I expected months of pain before regaining its full function. As I practiced the prescribed exercises, the finger next to it began to throb, so I consulted my doctor. “Sympathy pain,” he said. A branching between the nerves of the ring and pinky fingers causes dependence on one another. If one finger hurts, the other aches in sympathy.
The apostle Paul uses the human body to illustrate the uniqueness and unity of God’s people. In 1 Corinthians 12:21-26, he reinforces how valuable each individual member is to the healthy functioning of the whole. Then he turns his attention to the unity achieved when we connect with each other: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (v. 26). His description of the church’s interconnectedness is echoed in these verses, as we ought to “mourn with those who mourn,” and “carry each other’s burdens” (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2).
Today, as I extend my hand to greet someone or grab a spoon to prepare a meal for guests, I notice the strain in both my ring finger and my pinky. The various parts of our physical bodies work together to express pain and to strengthen each other toward health. I thank God that He reveals our need for connection to each other in His spiritual body, the church, through sympathy pain.
By: Elisa Morgan



Reflect & Pray
How is God inviting you to suffer with another in order to strengthen you both? How have others suffered with you?
Dear God, please help me be open to Your invitation to suffer with my brothers and sisters that we might all be strengthened.
Discover how to best help people through their pain.

 

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October 6
Making Room for Others
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 26-27
• Philippians 2

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Philippians 2:1-11
At electric vehicle charging stations across the United States, some drivers overstay their time at “fast-chargers,” which are designed to help drivers quickly charge their cars and get back on the road. To resolve this unkind behavior, one of the largest charging networks has implemented strict time limits at some of its busiest stations. When a vehicle’s battery charge reaches eighty-five percent, the driver must make room for the next car in need of a charge.
The apostle Paul encouraged believers in Jesus to humbly “value others above [themselves]” (Philippians 2:3). He addressed an issue that was grating the Philippian church—self-centeredness. The people desired recognition and distinction, not from pure motives but from “selfish ambition” (v. 3). Paul urged the believers to have the mind of Christ and to look “to the interests of the others” (v. 4). This didn’t mean that they should forget their own needs in an unhealthy way, but that they would care for others’ needs as those who “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (v. 5). The apostle encouraged the Philippians to empty themselves of pride and to humbly make room for others. The ultimate motivation for making room? Love.
As we seek to imitate Christ’s example each day (vv. 6-11), He can help us make room for others by viewing them with His loving eyes.
By: Marvin Williams



Reflect & Pray
How can you place others’ needs above your own? What does it mean to see others through God’s eyes?
Dear God, please help me empty myself and make room for others.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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October 7
What God Will Do
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 28-29
• Philippians 3

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
John 16:31-33
During the Blitz on London on December 29, 1940, a bomb destroyed a warehouse near St. Paul’s Cathedral. When Biddy Chambers received the news that all 40,000 copies of Oswald Chambers’ books stored there were lost—which she had compiled and edited but not insured—she set down her teacup and remarked to her daughter, “Well, God has used the books for His glory, but now that is over. We’ll wait and see what God will do now.”
Perhaps Biddy was remembering what her late husband, Oswald, had written at the start of the First World War. He noted how Jesus had spoken to His disciples about “the inevitability of peril” so that when horrible things happened, they would “not be scared” because He was with them.
Jesus told His friends, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He wanted them to remain strong in their faith in His Father so they could withstand the trials and challenges they would endure.
Biddy’s quiet confidence in God carried her through, and eventually the books were reprinted and became classics for generations. We too can find encouragement and hope in Jesus’ promises that He has overcome the world. We know that He won’t leave us (14:18) and will give us peace (v. 27), no matter what we face.
By: Amy Boucher Pye



Reflect & Pray
How do you respond to Biddy’s reaction when she heard the devastating news of the books burning? How could you follow her example of trusting God?
Loving Jesus, please help me to “overcome the world” in my daily life as I share Your love with others.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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October 8
Jesus’ Work
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 30-31
• Philippians 4

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16
In 1997, Iowa State University named its football stadium after the school’s first black athlete: Jack Trice. Tragically, Trice had never even played in Ames, Iowa—he died from internal injuries sustained during a play in his second college game, played in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 6, 1923.
Trice wrote a note to himself the night before the game, bearing witness to his determination:
“The honor of my race, family, and self are at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will! My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about on the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part.” Trice profoundly understood that what he did flowed from the honor and dignity of who he was, infusing his character with courage.
The apostle Paul says something similar in his letter to the Ephesians, challenging believers to let who they were in Christ influence every decision: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Paul challenges us to embrace a way of living shaped by Jesus’ work for us, in us, and through us, which yields humility, gentleness, patience, unity, love, and peace (vv. 2-3) as we use our God-given gifts to serve one another (vv. 15-16).
By: Adam Holz



Reflect & Pray
What’s the connection between our beliefs and actions? What gifts has God given you to serve others?
Dear Father, thank You for inviting me into a life filled with meaning and significance. Please help me to love and serve others with the gifts You’ve given.

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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October 9
A Cautionary Tale
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 32-33
• Colossians 1

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners.
Ecclesiastes 5:13

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ecclesiastes 5:13-20
In the classic film Citizen Kane, Charles Foster Kane amasses wealth and power by building a newspaper empire. In a story reminiscent of Ecclesiastes 2:4-11, Kane spares himself no pleasure, building a castle with grand gardens full of artistic treasures.
Like other tycoons, what Kane really wants is adulation. He bankrolls his own political career and, when it fails, he blames the defeat on voter “fraud” to save face. He builds his wife an opera house and forces her into an ill-suited singing career to make him look good. Here too Kane’s story echoes Ecclesiastes, where wealth is found to harm those who chase and hoard it (5:10-15), leaving them eating “in darkness, with great frustration” (5:17). By the end of his life, Charlie Kane lives in that castle alone, isolated and angry.
Citizen Kane ends with the revelation that Charlie’s pursuits have been driven to fill a void in his heart—the parental love he lost as a child. I can imagine the author of Ecclesiastes agreeing. Our Father God has “set eternity in the human heart” (3:11), and life can only be enjoyed with Him (2:25). Charlie Kane’s cautionary tale speaks to us all: Don’t seek spiritual fulfilment through wealth and power, but through the one who pours His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
By: Sheridan Voysey



Reflect & Pray
How do you see yourself imitating Charlie Kane? What spiritual need does God need to meet in you today?
Loving God, please forgive my attempts to feel important through buying things or seeking praise. My spiritual need can only be met by You!

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.


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October 10
Prayer of the Desperate
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 34-36
• Colossians 2

You have taken from me friend and neighbor—darkness is my closest friend.
Psalm 88:18

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Psalm 88:1, 6-18
Charles had sunk into depression. Despite having a loving family, he felt all alone. “The overwhelming pressure of supporting them was continuing to build,” he said, “and I felt like taking my own life.” Surprisingly—or perhaps not—Charles Morris also led a Christian ministry.
A wise friend told him that when faced with depression, “We should soak in the Psalms.” Charles got through his deep despondency by reading relatable Bible passages, accepting prudent medical care, and pouring his heart out to God.
The Psalms are often brutally honest. Heman the Ezrahite wrote one of the most bitter. Hope is found only in the opening lines: “Lord, you are the God who saves me” (88:1). Heman seems to accuse God: “You have put me in the lowest pit” (v. 6). “You have overwhelmed me” (v. 7). And he had questions: “Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?” (v. 14). Most psalms end with a message of hope. Not this one. Heman concludes, “Darkness is my closest friend” (v. 18). This is the prayer of a truly desperate man. Yet Heman directed all his pain to God.
When we read psalms such as this one, we realize we’re not alone. Others have experienced desperate feelings and have dared to put voice to them. God could take such honesty from Heman. He can take it from you too. He’s there, and He’s listening.
By: Tim Gustafson



Reflect & Pray
What part of Psalm 88 do you most relate to? What will you ask God today?
Heavenly Father, sometimes I hurt too much even to pray. Thank You that You’re big enough to take all my pain and honesty.
Learn how to take wisdom from the book of Psalms.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.


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October 13
Gratitude to God
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 41-42
• 1 Thessalonians 1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Chronicles 16:8-14, 19-24
Canada and the island of Saint Lucia celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday in October. Liberia sets aside a day for giving thanks at the beginning of November, while the United States and Australia mark the annual holiday at the end of the month. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Rwanda, and the Philippines, have unofficial days to foster gratitude.
There’s something powerful about a nation collectively expressing gratitude. It’s a picture we see when King David assembled the nation of Israel to give thanks to God for His presence, protection, and promises. The celebration marked the return of the “ark of God” (1 Chronicles 16:1). The people rejoiced that the ark, a symbol of God’s presence with them, was in Jerusalem. As David led Israel in praise, he reminded them of God’s protection as the nation conquered the land of Canaan (vv. 18-22) and celebrated His faithfulness to fulfill His promises (v. 15).
If you celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, consider making it a gratitude gathering and reflecting together on the ways you’ve experienced God’s presence, protection, and promises over the past year. Whether or not you live in a country that officially celebrates Thanksgiving, each of us can take time to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (v. 34).
By: Lisa M. Samra



Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s presence, protection, or promises? How can you express gratitude?
Dear God, please cultivate within me a spirit of gratitude as I remember all You’ve done.

 

[boldstardex]

Love God. Love Others.


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October 14
It Takes Two
Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 43-44
• 1 Thessalonians 2

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
Ecclesiastes 4:9nlt

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10
Climbing Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls is an exhilarating experience. Water cascades over the smooth rocks of the falls on its way to the Caribbean. It’s a challenge as climbers battle the water’s flow to make their way to the top. For a teenager named JW, it’s a near impossibility. He’s sight-impaired, with only a pinhole view of the world.
But JW was determined to climb, and his friend Josiah was willing to team up with him. Josiah was JW’s eyes—telling him which slippery rocks to avoid and where to put his hands and feet. And JW was Josiah’s heart—showing him what courage looks like.
So much of life is like that daunting climb: We shouldn’t walk alone. King Solomon points us to that truth. “Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 nlt). Both Josiah and JW were attempting something special—and they could do it only in tandem. The passage continues: “If either [person] falls down, one can help the other up” (v. 10). But neither fell and neither failed. Together, they reached their goals.
God’s design for people, presented clearly by Solomon and demonstrated vividly by these two teenagers, is that we work together. The tasks God calls us to do are best done with others—each using what skills and emotions God has given to bring an outcome that points to Him.
By: Dave Branon



Reflect & Pray
Why is it important to serve with others? How does it feel when you team up to point people to God?
Dear God, please help me team up with You and others to accomplish Your mission on earth.