Today’s Community Scripture – 5/27/2025

“But you, Israel, are my servant. You’re Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham. I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. “Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won’t find them Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That’s right. Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’

Isaiah 41:8–13 (MSG)

Key Verse – There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

– Reflection:

On Friday, my wife and I watched as our oldest son at home receive his High School Diploma. There were so many emotions among the other parents as their kids’ names were called, which was great. Then came our son, and I didn’t scream and yell as I thought I would; I’m not sure why, but I didn’t. I watched him carefully to see how he would act while standing there, waiting to be called. He rubbed his hands together and started across that stage, and I knew he was off to the next phase. I know GOD has him because He gave everything to us to instill in him to honor GOD Himself. He is getting ready for the next task that has been placed before him. I know he will be good because of what the Holy Spirit will do for him. He reads these devotionals too and sometimes asks questions about them as well. So I know as he steps into the next chapter of his life, he will be just fine. We and GOD have his back, so he will be just fine.

– Where do we go from here?

Now, we move forward with faith. This moment signifies not just an ending, but a beginning—a launching point into the life God has always been preparing for him. As parents, we transition from guiding every step to watching with trust as he takes his own. We continue to pray, support, and believe in the foundation that has been laid. He will face challenges, yes, but he will also rise, because the same Spirit that stirred his curiosity in devotionals and shaped his character through our love will now lead him into his purpose. We advance with gratitude, hope, and the quiet confidence that he is not alone—he walks with God, and we walk with him in spirit, always.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, filled with awe at the journey You’ve led our son through. Thank You for the strength, wisdom, and grace You’ve poured into him—and into us as parents—as he reaches this significant milestone. Watching him walk across that stage was more than a ceremony; it was a testimony of Your faithfulness. Lord, as he steps into this next phase of life, we place him entirely in Your hands. Guide his steps, steady his heart, and fill him with courage and clarity. Let the seeds of faith planted in him grow deep roots. May the Holy Spirit continue to stir his heart, lead him in truth, and remind him that he is never alone. We ask for Your protection over his path, Your wisdom in his decisions, and Your peace in every challenge. Let him walk boldly, knowing that You go before him, and that we—his family—stand behind him with love and prayer. Thank You for the gift of watching him grow and for what’s to come. We trust You completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/26/2025

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

– Reflection:

When was the last time you did something “boldly”? I know the last thing I did that was considered bold was create this devotional site and share my thoughts about my faith and the relationship I have with God. Another bold thing I can share is being a dad and a husband. I have honored those little ones throughout their lives, helping them become adults and just being there for them. Being a husband and sharing my life with my wife, and becoming more one each and every day, allows us to share our lives together. Those are two of the best jobs I could have and want to keep. Just like the Holy Spirit empowered and inspired the early church with the conviction to walk in righteousness, honoring God with each and every step. It is tempting to be timid in our faith and bold in non-essentials. We easily see the boldness of sports fans, commentary on popular culture, and bold living through adventure and travel (which I love!). But what does it mean to speak and live boldly through our faith? Twice in this passage, and even more times in the surrounding text, we are told of the boldness in word and action by the apostles. I appreciate how scripture shows us the importance of word and deed together. It instructs us to hold the powerful accountable, to speak truth into the systems of the day, and to take action in caring for the oppressed and working toward justice.

– Where do we go from here?

How might your faith, your trust in our risen Lord, who preaches welcome to the outcast, good news to the poor, healing for the sick, and comfort for the broken-hearted, move you to boldness of speech and action? Whatever that answer is for you, may you be guided and sustained by the Holy Spirit. In our passage for today, we encounter Peter and John after they had been detained, questioned, threatened, and released by the religious leaders of the day. The hope of the religious leaders was that Peter and John would be silenced after threats and imprisonment. Instead, Peter and John were emboldened by the Holy Spirit, gathered with friends in prayer, and spoke out and acted even more boldly. The threats of the powerful are no match for the boldness of the Holy Spirit.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, our hearts break for all that is happening in the world around us, as well as for all that is taking place within us. Sometimes, we may be tempted to turn away, tune out, and live quietly to ourselves. Open our hearts so that we may receive the boldness of your Spirit to live and speak for our brothers and sisters in need, witnessing to the promise and hope of your coming kingdom. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/21/2025

During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—“Hellenists”—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, “It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

                            Acts 6:1–4 (MSG)

– Reflection:

In this passage, we observe a community growing rapidly, but with growth comes tension. The Greek-speaking believers felt that their widows were being overlooked—a real and painful experience of neglect and exclusion. Their hurt was valid, and it caused division. What’s striking is how the apostles responded. They didn’t dismiss the pain or ignore the complaint. Instead, they acknowledged the issue and acted with wisdom and humility. They didn’t try to do everything themselves or defend their actions—they empowered others, choosing trustworthy, Spirit-filled individuals to care for the community’s needs. This moment reminds us that even in sacred spaces, misunderstandings and hurt can occur. But it also provides a model for healing: listening, delegating wisely, and staying rooted in purpose. If you’re feeling betrayed or overlooked, this passage affirms that your pain matters. And it also offers hope—that through Spirit-led wisdom and community, healing and restoration are possible.

– Where do we go from here?

We move forward; slowly, prayerfully, and with intention. We bring our pain to God, trusting that He sees every wound and holds every tear. We choose to forgive, not because it’s easy, but because it frees our hearts to heal. We seek wisdom, surround ourselves with truth, and allow God to reshape our story with grace. From this place of brokenness, we don’t retreat—we rebuild. We walk ahead, not alone, but with the One who redeems all things and makes beauty from ashes. This is not the end of your story—it’s the beginning of something deeper, stronger, and more rooted in Him.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, heal what has been broken in us. Restore what has been lost. Guide us forward with clarity and courage. May we walk in the truth of Your love, knowing that You are near to the brokenhearted and faithful to redeem every wound. We trust You with our healing, our future, and our story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/20/2025

But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it. Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.” Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him. Not more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had happened, came in. Peter said, “Tell me, were you given this price for your field?” “Yes,” she said, “that price.” Peter responded, “What’s going on here that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the door, and you’re next.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead. When the young men returned they found her body. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband. By this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with.

                                  Acts 5:1–11 (MSG)

– Reflection:

          Ananias and Sapphira

Stepping back into Acts 5, at the beginning, the Apostles and others who received the Holy Spirit were giving away ownership of their possessions, making sure no one was in need while they did the work of Christ. There was a couple that gave a field to the Apostles, but what was not known was that some of the money was held back. God, being who He is, and the Holy Spirit being what it is, spoke to the Apostles, letting them know what happened. You see, God doesn’t care about our possessions; what matters is whether we are giving them completely to Him. Ananias was called before the Apostles and confronted about the deed he had done, and when the Apostles finished speaking to him, he fell dead. We all have told a few little lies, but don’t do it to God. Satan can whisper to us, and if we listen, he can lead us to do his work. This is what I think happened to Ananias and his wife. By the time the younger men returned from burying Ananias, they also had to bury Sapphira, as she helped commit the lie to God and thus had to be removed from the group too. This small passage shows me the protection God had over this group from the beginning, and still has over His followers today. The miracles performed back then are still happening today if we are paying attention. Sometimes we need to have a profound fear of our God to get moving and honor Him as we should.

– Where do we go from here?

This passage from Acts 5 is not just a historical account—it serves as a warning and a spiritual mirror. It challenges us to examine the authenticity of our hearts when we claim to give ourselves to God. Ananias and Sapphira’s story isn’t merely about money; it’s about motive and the condition of their hearts. They desired the appearance of generosity without the sacrifice. They sought the praise of men while withholding from God. What this reveals is that God values truth within us. He doesn’t need our possessions; He desires our hearts. When we pretend to surrender while secretly holding back, we’re not just lying to people; we’re lying to the Holy Spirit. This brings us to a deeper truth: the fear of the Lord is not terror but reverence. It’s the awe that reminds us God is holy, just, and intimately involved in the lives of His people. The early church thrived under this reverent fear, and miracles followed. That same power is available today, but it begins with hearts that are fully surrendered.

So the question is: Are we living with integrity before God? Are we giving Him our whole hearts, or just the parts we’re comfortable with?

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, You see the depths of our hearts. Teach us to walk in truth and integrity before You. Help us to surrender not just what we have, but who we are; fully and without reservation. Guard us from the whispers of the enemy, and fill us with the wisdom and courage to follow Your Spirit. Let awe rise in us, that we may honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.