APRIL 22, 2026, WEDNESDAY
Entry: 10:01am, Fairview QC
VERSE OF THE DAY:
JOHN 3:17
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save it.
FORGIVEN AND FREE
John 3:17 comes right after one of the most famous verses in the Bible, and it continues to clarify the manner in which Jesus brings us eternal life. The great gift of God through Jesus comes to all who believe in Jesus as the way to salvation.
John tells us that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world because of its sin, but rather to save the world through His life, death and resurrection.
It can be easy to feel condemned or guilty because we don't often see ourselves as worthy of God's love. But this verse tells us something important-regardless of who you are or what you've done, you are loved by God.
God is not trying to fill you with guilt or make your life difficult. He wants the best for you nad desires a relationship with you. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to the earth to give us grace and life that we did not deserve.
While it is true that Jesus exposes the darkness of this world (John 3:19), anyone who believes in Jesus and follows Him will experience salvation, and all that God has to offer.
If we choose to follow the ways of this world rather than Jesus, then our actions and thoughts will lead us to condemnation and death. But is we follow Jesus and believe in His Word, then we will experience eternal life in relationship with God.
Spend some time thanking God for the amazing gift of eternal life that He has given to you for free. Continue to walk in light of Jesus knowing that you are no longer condemned, but forgiven and free.
God, Thank You for having mercy on us. Thank You for choosing to save us through the gift of Your Son-even though we did nothing to deserve it. Every good gift that we have is because of You. So today, remind me of Your free gift of salvation, and give me the boldness to tell others about Your amazing love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
BE ENCOURAGED
Best news ever? Jesus didn't come to condemn us, but to save us. Take a moment to thank Him for the amazing gift of salvation.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
Who else needs to hear that Jesus came for them, died for them, and rose again to save them. Pray for opportunities to share this good news!
HEBREWS 1:3
The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Spend some time meditating on this verse. How does it shape your view of Jesus?
Give God whatever glory and adoration comes to mind.
JOHN 14:13
You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
What do you need to be honest with God about today?
Take a deep breath, and then talk to Him about what's on your mind.
Father God, in every situation, help me to trust in You with my whole heart. Please show me what Your will is, and help me to live it out. Even when situations and circumstances don't make sense, I want to do what You've called me to do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
2 SAMUEL 14-15
LUKE 17:1-9
ABSALOM RETURNS TO JERUSALEM
ABSALOM'S CONSPIRACY
DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM
TEMPTATIONS TO SIN
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
INCREASE OUR FAITH
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
UNWORTHY SERVANTS
0So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
PSALM 72:12-14
GIVE THE KING YOUR JUSTICE
12For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
INSIGHT
Psalm 72 is one of only two psalms attributed to King Solomon (see also Psalm 127). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says of Psalm 72, “This psalm is a royal psalm wherein petition is made for the prosperity of the Lord’s anointed. The psalm is messianic in the sense that Jesus is the ‘Christ’ (‘anointed one’) who shares in all the promises made to David and to his descendants (see 2 Samuel 7).” Seen as a messianic psalm, it anticipates the time when Jesus will return as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15; see Revelation 19:16) and bring an end to all injustice and suffering. In fact, this psalm was the inspiration for the classic hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” by Isaac Watts, which celebrates the future worldwide reign of Christ. Today, as we wait for His return, we can join Him and help those who are suffering.
By: Bill Crowder
JOINING GOD TO HELP
As the Taliban swiftly overran the Afghanistan government in 2021, and tens of thousands were trapped with no way to escape, many were isolated and desperate. Ordinary citizens jumped to action, including one young man who launched an Instagram campaign, raising $7 million to pay for chartered evacuation flights. “We’ve shed the political divisions in this situation,” he told a news outlet, “and really come together from all walks of life to rally together and save these people.” They chose to jump into the fray.
It’s not just Afghanistan. From skyscrapers to villages around the world, so many people are alone—enduring crushing sorrows. It’s stunning, however, to see God’s attention turned toward these places of suffering and hopelessness. Somehow, ultimately, in His own way and time, He will “deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help” (72:12). And remarkably, one way God’s help arrives is through us. Psalm 72 refers to both King Solomon’s work and God’s work—and it’s not always easy to disentangle which is which. God is the rescuer, but He calls us to move with Him.
When we encounter injustice or suffering, we can join Him, moving right into the middle of the ruin. We can follow God and go into the places where no one else is there to help.
By: Winn Collier
REFLECT AND PRAY
What situation have you encountered where it seems like there’s no one else to help? How can you join God in that place?
Dear God, thank You for promising to help us—and for calling us to join You in helping others. in Jesus' name, Amen.
LESS NOISE, MORE GOD
SLOWING DOWN TO LIVE WISELY
In my life, I’ve noticed a clear pattern: the faster my speed of life is, the more of a mess I make things. Hurry clouds judgment. Pressure shortens patience. When everything feels urgent, wisdom often gets left behind.
Jesus never rushed, yet He was never late. His sober-mindedness allowed Him to respond rather than react. Proverbs tells us that wisdom values restraint, while impulsiveness leads to regret. A sober mind slows down long enough to listen, pray, and choose carefully.
Our culture celebrates speed, quick decisions, instant reactions, nonstop productivity. But God often works in stillness. Slowing down isn’t laziness; it’s discernment. It’s choosing thoughtful obedience over hurried action.
When life accelerates, clarity diminishes. When we slow our pace, we give God room to direct us. A sober mind resists being driven by urgency and instead is anchored in trust.
Reflection:
Where might God be inviting you to slow down so you can respond with wisdom instead of hurry?
PROVERBS 14:29
29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
PROVERBS 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
MATTHEW 7:24
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock
LUKE 14:28
28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
MATTHEW 5:37
37Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
