VERSE OF THE DAY:
I tell you the truth, those who listens to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
A GIFT WORTH RECEIVING
After Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for almost four decades, the religious Jews were angry with Him. This may seem strange, because healing is a good thing, but Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath-the day of rest. In the Old Testament, God gave believers a long list of rules to follow in order to stay right with Him, and these rules included honoring the Sabbath.
But in the New Testament, Jesus was sent to change our relationship with the Father. By sacrificing Himself on the cross, He gave us access to a relationship with God-so that long list of rules was no longer needed. Throughout Jesus' life, He shows people the nature of this new relationship. But because it didn't line up with what the religious establishment believed, they were angry at Him.
In John 5, Jesus justifies these changes through revealing His true authority. By calling God His Father, He shared that He was equal to God. This angered the religious Jews, but it gives us a deeper look into the relationship between the Father and Son.
Jesus tell us that the Father and Son are united in love. The Son does not 'work' for the Father-instead they work together, and the work Jesus does perfectly reflects the will of His Father.
This relationship reveals that Jesus has authority to give us eternal life with Him.
JOHN 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life.
When we hear God's Word and believe in Jesus, we have access to a relationship with Him that will last forever. Unlike the Jews in the Old Testament before this new covenant, we don't have to follow strict laws perfectly to gain salvation.
All we have to do is accept the gift Jesus has given us through His authority.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
When you share God's Word. you're giving others access to hope, redemption, and His life-changing power.
There are many ways to share your faith: Invite a stranger to church, text a verse to a friend, tell someone you meet about the Bible.
God, I am grateful for the good news of Jesus and my eternal relationship with You. Help me each day to share Your Word with those around me so they can experience Your love. Help me to live a life that honors You and inspires others to love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God, in all situations, at all times, you are good. Nothing compares to You, and there is no one like You. You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, simply because You are. Nothing can add to You, and nothing can take away from You. You are constantly powerful, kind, loving, just, merciful, and all-knowing. And I am humbled that I get to know You. Thank You! In Jesus' name, Amen.
MATTHEW 6:34
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's troubles is enough for today.
What is troubling you right now?
As you bring your requests to God, ask Him to show you the reason behind your worry.
Give Him permission to speak truth into your life.
1 CHRONICLES 29:13
O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!
How can you praise God's name today?
Commit your day to God and bring Him whatever worship comes to mind.
Take a moment to process what stood out to you, and feel free to stay in this space for as long as you need.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
1 SAMUEL 7-9
LUKE 9:18-36
SAMUEL LEADS ISRAEL TO VICTORY
“If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”
“Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered him. the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. Samuel continued as Israel’s judge for the rest of his life.
ISRAEL REQUESTS A KING
SAMUEL WARNS AGAINST A KINGDOM
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said.“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”
21So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said, 22and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.
SAUL MEETS SAMUEL
PETER'S DECLARATION ABOUT JESUS
8One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH
he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
THE TRANSFIGURATION
About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” 36When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
JAMES 1:22-25
LISTENING AND DOING
You must do what it says.
If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
INSIGHT
Our readiness to “do what [the word] says” (James 1:22) can be influenced by how well prepared we are to receive the truths of the Scriptures. Verse 19 encourages the right kind of reception: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” The posture described is one of readiness and welcome. The image that comes to mind is that of an eager, restrained, proactive learner. Believers in Jesus in ancient Thessalonica embodied that kind of deportment. Paul said, “We . . . thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Because Scripture is God-breathed (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17), we can respond to its truth with humility and ask God to help us to obey Him and honor Him with our lives.
By: Arthur Jackson
DOERS OF SCRIPTURES
On my desk is a memo board of reminders. Pinned on it is a list, “10 Habits for Great Health,” that I cut out of a nutrition magazine years ago. Recently, I was stunned that even though I see this list every day, I could only remember four items. The list was such a familiar part of my daily surroundings that I’d glance at it without really seeing it or following what it said.
James describes something similar in the attitude of many believers toward the Scriptures: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and . . . goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24). Many followers of Christ are aware of what the Bible says. However, we may “merely listen to the word” (v. 22), and the extent to which we submit to it ends there. In this way, we deceive ourselves about the power and authority of Scripture, failing to see it as providing the “perfect law that gives [us] freedom” (v. 25).
James tells us to be “doers of the word” (v. 22 nasb). A “doer” looks “intently into” Scripture and “[continues] in it” (v. 25), consistently doing “what it says” (v. 22). Obeying God should be not just something we do, but something that flows from who we are. By His strength, we can live out His Word in our world.
By: Karen Huang
REFLECT AND PRAY
Why do we need to be "doers of the word"? What scriptural teaching could you ask God's help for in obeying?
Dear God, thank You for the truth of the Scriptures. Please help me let obedience to You be who I am. in Jesus' name, Amen.
EVERYDAY EVANGELISM DAY 1
WHAT IS EVANGELISM?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:19 NIV
When you hear the word evangelism, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture street preachers or large revival gatherings. Perhaps the idea feels intimidating, leaving you unsure about what your part is in sharing faith. But evangelism isn’t just for pastors or trained professionals. At its heart, evangelism simply means sharing the good news of Jesus.
The word evangelism originates from the Greek euangelizo, meaning "to declare good news." And this news is extraordinary: Jesus has triumphed over sin and death, offering new life and eternal hope to all who believe. It’s an invitation to freedom, joy, and peace that only God can provide.
When Jesus commissioned us in Matthew 28 to “Go”, He wasn’t asking for perfect gospel presentations or public sermons. Evangelism is more often about small, everyday moments of connection and care within your circle of influence.
Over the next few days, we’ll explore eight practical ways to share your faith, from offering prayer to sharing your faith story or explaining the Gospel. Each approach relies on God’s power, not your perfection. Romans 12:1 calls us to offer our ordinary, daily lives to God, trusting Him to work through small acts of faith.
Imagine how different the world could be if we saw evangelism as a natural part of life—simple moments where love, authenticity, and the hope of Christ shine through.
Take a moment to reflect. What does evangelism mean to you? What fears or misconceptions have held you back? Ask God to help you see how He can use your unique personality and story to point others to Jesus. Evangelism isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being faithful and letting God do the rest.
What fears or misconceptions about evangelism have held you back, and how can this plan help you approach it with confidence?
Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus. Help me see evangelism not as a daunting task but as a natural part of living out my faith. Remove my fears and misconceptions, and give me a fresh vision of how You can use my unique story to bring others closer to You. Fill me with courage, love, and trust in Your power. In Jesus' name, Amen.
ROMANS 12:1
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
