Reading: Psalm 130

A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

 5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

 7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Devotional:
 "I will wait for You, I will wait for You, on Your word I will rely." Waiting isn't passive resignation; it's active trust. The psalmist cries from the depths yet anchors his soul in God's unfailing character. Sometimes our life mission includes seasons of waiting—waiting for doors to open, for relationships to heal, for clarity about next steps. In these waiting seasons, we're not idle. We're learning to rely completely on God's word rather than our circumstances. We're being refined and prepared for what's ahead. Your waiting is not wasted when you're waiting on the Lord. He's building endurance, deepening trust, and preparing you to be used powerfully when the season shifts.

Reading: Romans 8:12-17 

 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[a]

 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[b]

 Footnotes
[a] Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
[b] Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7

Devotional: 
"How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news." God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Your feet become beautiful not through perfection but through willingness to go where He sends. The scattered believers in Acts didn't wait for seminary degrees or special anointing—they simply shared what they'd experienced with Jesus.

Someone in your sphere of influence needs to hear the good news, and you're uniquely positioned to share it. Your workplace, neighborhood, or family gathering is your mission field. Being His beautiful feet starts with a willing heart that prays, "Lord, use me." It continues with faithful steps of obedience, trusting Him to provide the words and opportunities. 

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 Footnotes
[a] Romans 8:15 - The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
[b]Romans 8:15 -  Aramaic for father

Devotional: 
"I'm no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God." This declaration transforms how we approach our life mission. Fear paralyzes; sonship empowers. When we truly grasp our identity as God's children, we stop living from a place of obligation and start living from belonging. The early believers faced imprisonment and death, yet they boldly shared their faith because they knew whose they were.

What fears keep you from sharing your story? Fear of rejection? Fear of not knowing enough? God hasn't given you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind. Your identity as His beloved child gives you confidence to be His messenger, imperfect but willing. 

Reading: Acts 8:1-4 

And Saul approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
 
Philip in Samaria

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Devotional: 
The early church faced violent persecution that scattered believers from Jerusalem throughout Judea and Samaria. What appeared to be the church's destruction became God's strategy for expansion. The scattered believers didn't abandon their faith in fear; they preached the good news wherever they went. When life scatters our plans and disrupts our comfort, God is often repositioning us for greater kingdom impact. The believers weren't pastors or trained theologians—they were ordinary people with extraordinary testimonies.

 Consider how God might be using your current circumstances, even difficult ones, to position you where someone needs to hear about Jesus. Your story of faith matters wherever you land. 

Reading: Psalm 130 

A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.
 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
 5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.
 7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Romans 8:35-39 

 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]

 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes
[a] Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
[b] Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers


Devotional:
From the depths of despair, we cry out to God—and He hears. The psalmist understood what Stephen discovered: even in the darkest valley, God's presence sustains us. With the Lord, there is unfailing love and full redemption. No persecution, no trial, no opposition can separate us from the love of Christ. The church has faced 2,000 years of martyrdom, yet it continues to grow. Why? Because our hope isn't in favorable circumstances but in the unfailing character of God. When you wait for the Lord, you're not passively sitting idle—you're actively trusting that He is working, even when you cannot see it. Your soul will be satisfied not when problems disappear, but when you encounter the presence of God in the midst of them.

What depths are you experiencing today, and how can you actively place your hope in God's unfailing love?

Reading: Acts 7:51-60

51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

 The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Romans 8:12-17

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Devotional:
Stephen's face glowed with the presence of God even as stones were being hurled at him. How? He was full of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Yet how often do we resist the Holy Spirit, trying to do God's work without God? We cannot produce spiritual fruit through human effort. Heart change—genuine transformation—only comes as we surrender to the Spirit's leading. Stephen didn't defend himself because he was too busy being led by God. His mission wasn't self-preservation but God-glorification. When we're filled with the Spirit, we have wisdom beyond our own, courage beyond our nature, and peace beyond our circumstances.

Reading: John 15:18-21 

The World Hates the Disciples

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[b]
 17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[c]
 18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[d]

Devotional:
Jesus called us out of the world, not to isolate us, but to set us apart for His mission. When you feel like the world is against you, remember—it is. But not because you're doing something wrong; because you're doing something right. The world system that operates apart from God will always oppose those walking in step with the Spirit. This isn't cause for fear but for faith. You've been chosen, separated, and commissioned. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you belong to Christ. This separation isn't about superiority but about identity. You are His, marked by His love, filled with His Spirit, and sent with His message.

In what ways are you compromising your identity in Christ to gain approval from the world?

Reading: Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Being a Disciple

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Acts 6:8-15

Stephen Seized

8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Devotional:
Stephen understood something many of us struggle to grasp: following Jesus costs everything, yet it's worth it all. He didn't back down when falsely accused. He didn't compromise when facing death. He recognized his life mission was bigger than his comfort or safety. In America, we often want Christianity without sacrifice, discipleship without discomfort. But Jesus never promised an easy path—He promised His presence on a costly one. You cannot sit on the fence, holding onto both the world and Jesus. True discipleship requires us to get off the fence and walk fully toward Christ, leaving behind whatever competes for His rightful place in our hearts.

What is keeping you on the fence between wholehearted devotion to Jesus and holding onto the world?

Reading: 1 Samuel 17:45-47

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Devotional:
We often fight battles that were never ours to carry. David faced Goliath not with superior weapons, but with unwavering faith that the battle belonged to God. Today, you may feel war-torn and weary, carrying burdens that are crushing your spirit. The truth is, when we fight on our knees with hands lifted high, we acknowledge that victory comes from God alone. What battles are you trying to win in your own strength? Lay them down before the Lord today. He goes before you as an almighty fortress. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. Your role isn't to win every battle—it's to trust the One who already has.

What burden are you carrying today that you need to surrender to God's capable hands?

Reading: Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 2:10

"You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." God has strategically placed you exactly where you are—your neighborhood, workplace, and community—for a purpose. You are His answer to someone's prayer. The question isn't whether God has a mission for you, but whether you're willing to say yes. Like the early believers who couldn't stop talking about Jesus despite threats, we're called to be "a garden in Manhattan"—bringing life where it seems impossible. Your mission field isn't necessarily across the ocean; it's often right where you are. God has uniquely equipped you with experiences, gifts, and a story that can reach people others cannot.

Today, ask: Lord, what is my mission? How are You calling me to be light in my corner of the world?

Reading: Galatians 6:2-10; Hebrews 10:24-25

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation. The early church thrived because believers gathered daily, shared resources sacrificially, and genuinely cared for one another. When we try to serve God alone, we become overwhelmed and ineffective. But when we embrace biblical community—supporting, encouraging, and strengthening one another—we can accomplish far more than we ever could individually. Whether caring for church members or supporting foster families, we multiply our impact through partnership. The body of Christ functions best when every member contributes their unique gifts. Don't underestimate the power of bringing a meal, offering childcare, or simply showing up. Small acts of service, done consistently, transform lives.

Reading: James 1:27; Psalm 68:5-6

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." God's heart has always been for the vulnerable, the overlooked, and the abandoned. Throughout Scripture, He identifies Himself as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows." When we care for vulnerable children and struggling families, we reflect God's character to the world. This isn't merely social work—it's gospel work. Every act of compassion demonstrates the love of Christ who moved toward our brokenness, not away from it. The statistics are staggering, but God sees each child as precious and irreplaceable.

Today, ask God to open your eyes to the vulnerable around you. What is your "something" that you can do?

Reading: Acts 6:1-7

Even the early church faced internal conflicts and practical challenges. The apostles wisely recognized they couldn't do everything alone. They needed Spirit-filled leaders to help meet the community's needs while they focused on prayer and teaching. This passage reveals a profound truth: God equips different people for different roles within His body. Unity doesn't mean uniformity—it means each person discovering their unique calling and serving faithfully. The result? "The word of God spread, and the number of disciples increased rapidly." When we serve according to our gifts and support one another, God's mission advances powerfully.

Consider: What is God uniquely calling you to do? Are you trying to do everything, or are you focusing on your specific calling?

Reading: Acts 4:13-20

Peter and John faced an impossible choice: obey human authority or obey God. Their response was clear: "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Their boldness came not from their own strength, but from their encounter with the risen Christ. Like these early believers, we are called to share what we've experienced of God's goodness. Our mission isn't optional—it's the overflow of transformed lives. When we truly grasp what Jesus has done for us, silence becomes impossible.

Today, reflect on your own encounter with Christ. What has He done in your life that you cannot help but share? Ask God for boldness to speak about Him, regardless of opposition.

Reading: Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:19

Generous giving is fundamentally an act of trust. When you give to God first, you're declaring, "I believe You'll provide what I need with what remains." This isn't presumption—it's faith. God promises to care for His children better than He cares for birds and flowers. Yet trusting Him with our finances often reveals where our real security lies. Do we trust bank accounts or our Heavenly Father? The early church gave sacrificially and experienced God's faithful provision. When we put God first financially, we create opportunities to witness His supernatural provision.

If you've never trusted God's faithfulness in giving, start today. Determine an amount that requires faith—something that makes you depend on God—and give it joyfully.
Then watch how He provides.

Reading: Romans 12:1-2; James 1:22-25

The New Testament church wasn't following religious rules about giving—they were responding to the Holy Spirit's leading. There's no percentage mandate, no prescribed formula. Instead, we're called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, allowing God to transform how we think about everything, including our resources. This is harder than following rules because it requires constant listening, ongoing surrender, and moment-by-moment obedience. You can't put obedience on autopilot. It demands relationship with God, sensitivity to His voice, and willingness to trust Him with outcomes.

Today, practice listening prayer. Before making any decision—even small ones—pause and ask, "Lord, what do You want?" Learn to recognize His leading, then obey immediately, even when it doesn't make logical sense.

Reading: Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:1-6

The early church's unity wasn't manufactured through programs or personality—it was Spirit-generated. "All the believers were united in heart and mind" because they shared one Spirit, one Lord, one mission. This unity enabled extraordinary generosity and powerful witness. Today's church struggles when we focus on differences rather than our shared identity in Christ. Every congregation is uniquely formed by God, but we're all part of His one body. Unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means walking in step with the Holy Spirit together.

Reflect on your relationships within your church community. Are you contributing to unity or division? Choose today to emphasize what connects you with other believers rather than what separates you. Pray for genuine Spirit-led unity in your congregation.

Reading: Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Jesus watched people give at the temple and saw beyond the amounts to their hearts. The widow's two small coins outweighed the wealthy's abundance because she gave everything. God doesn't measure our giving by dollar amounts but by the love and trust behind our gifts. Ananias and Sapphira's tragedy wasn't about the percentage they gave but their deceitful hearts—pretending to give all while holding back. Giving isn't about obligation or appearing righteous; it's about cheerfully honoring God with what He's entrusted to us. Before your next act of generosity, pause and examine your motivation.

Are you giving to impress others or to worship God? Let your giving flow from genuine love and trust.

Reading: Acts 4:32-37

The early believers understood a radical truth: nothing they owned was truly theirs. This wasn't forced redistribution but Spirit-led generosity flowing from transformed hearts. When we grasp that everything—our homes, possessions, time, and talents—belongs to God, we hold things loosely. The question isn't "How much of my money should I give to God?" but rather "How much of God's money should I keep for myself?" Today, examine your relationship with possessions. Are you clinging to anything that prevents you from loving God wholeheartedly?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you're holding back, then practice viewing one possession today as God's, entrusted to you for His purposes.

Reading: Acts 4:18-20; John 16:33

"Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?" Peter's response to the religious authorities reveals a fundamental truth: following Jesus sometimes means civil disobedience when human laws contradict God's commands. The apostles couldn't stop telling what they'd seen and heard—the resurrection was too real, too transformative. Jesus warned His followers: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." We're called to be respectful of authorities, yet ultimately our allegiance belongs to Christ alone. The question each believer must answer: Am I committed to following Jesus no matter what? When the cost of obedience rises, will you pray for boldness or retreat to comfort?

What area of obedience to God feels costly right now? Ask Him for boldness to obey regardless of consequences.

Reading: Acts 4:32-35

"All the believers were united in heart and mind...they shared everything they had." The early church didn't view possessions as personal property but as resources for God's kingdom. This radical generosity flowed from hearts transformed by the gospel. When we truly grasp that everything we have belongs to God, sharing becomes natural. Notice the result: "God's great blessing was upon them all" and "the apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection." There's a connection between generous community and effective witness. When the world sees believers caring sacrificially for one another, it validates the message we proclaim. Our unity and generosity become visible proof that Jesus is alive and transforms lives.

What possession or resource is God calling you to share for the sake of His kingdom and others' needs?

Reading: Acts 4:23-31

When Peter and John were released from custody, they didn't retreat in fear—they returned to their community. The church's response reveals the power of united prayer. They didn't pray for safety or the removal of threats. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue the mission despite opposition. Notice what happened: "the meeting place shook" and "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." God's mission isn't accomplished by isolated individuals but through His church working together. The early believers recognized they were part of something bigger than themselves—God's kingdom plan. When we gather with other believers to worship, pray, and encourage one another, we position ourselves to experience God's power collectively.

How can you more fully engage with your church community to advance God's mission?

Reading: Matthew 5:11-12; James 1:2-4

"Count it all joy when you face trials." This seems counterintuitive, even impossible. Yet throughout Scripture and church history, we see a pattern: persecution refines faith and accelerates gospel growth. The early church didn't pray for comfort when threatened; they prayed for boldness. Trouble has a way of clarifying what matters most and driving us to complete dependence on God. In our weakness, we discover His strength. When things are easy, we rely on ourselves; when they're difficult, we turn to God—and that's when we see Him work miracles. The question isn't whether we'll face opposition, but how we'll respond when it comes. Will we retreat or request boldness?

What current difficulty might God be using to deepen your faith and dependence on Him?

Reading: Acts 4:1-13

Peter and John stood before the religious elite—uneducated fishermen facing scholars and leaders. Yet they spoke with astonishing boldness. The secret? They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Notice the council's observation: these were "ordinary men" who had "been with Jesus." Your qualifications don't determine your effectiveness in God's kingdom; your time with Jesus does. The same Spirit who empowered Peter lives in you. When you feel inadequate to share your faith or serve God's mission, remember:

God qualifies the unqualified. He doesn't need your credentials; He needs your willingness.

Spend time with Jesus today, and let His Spirit fill you with courage to speak His name.

Where do you feel unqualified to serve God? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and speak through you in that very area.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

The early church wasn't just a place where healing happened occasionally; it was a healing community. They prayed together, shared resources, confessed sins to one another, and actively participated in each other's restoration. Paul describes the church as a body where "if one part suffers, every part suffers with it."
God's design for healing includes community. You weren't meant to struggle alone or heal in isolation. The church is called to be a place where people find genuine connection, authentic love, and tangible support.

This week, take practical steps toward becoming part of a healing community. Join a prayer group. Share a need you've been hiding. Reach out to someone who's struggling. Offer to pray with someone face-to-face.

Let people into your brokenness, and step into theirs. When the church functions as God intended—unified, loving, and Spirit-led—it becomes a powerful sign to the world that Jesus is real and actively transforming lives.

Be the church that that helps people find healing and purpose in Jesus.