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Reading: Acts 9:10-19 

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
 
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Devotional:
Imagine Ananias's fear when God asked him to minister to his greatest enemy. Yet he obeyed, greeting Saul as "brother" before any evidence of change appeared. Faith often requires us to act before we feel comfortable. God may be calling you to show love to someone who opposes you, to forgive someone who hurt you, or to serve someone you'd rather avoid. Ananias trusted God's word over his own fear. His obedience became the bridge for Saul's healing and filling with the Holy Spirit. Who is God asking you to reach out to today? Trust precedes comfort, and obedience opens doors for miracles.

Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Devotional:
Paul later called himself the worst of sinners, yet God showed him mercy. This wasn't just for Paul's sake, but as an example that no one is beyond God's reach. Who in your life seems too far gone? Too opposed to God? Too toxic to pray for? God's mission is bigger than our categories of "us" and "them." Jesus didn't wait for Saul to come seeking; He pursued His enemy with blinding light and transforming love. Today, make a list of people you've written off as unreachable. Begin praying for their salvation, trusting that the same God who saved Saul can reach anyone.

Reading: Acts 9:1-9

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Devotional: 
Saul was so devoted to what he thought was right that he couldn't see the truth. Sometimes our religious zeal, our certainty about how things should be, can actually blind us to what God is doing. Like Saul, we can follow rules perfectly while missing God's heart entirely. God had to physically blind Saul to help him see spiritually. What areas of your life might you be so certain about that you've stopped listening for God's voice? Ask God today to reveal where you might be following the letter of the law but missing His Spirit. True sight begins when we acknowledge we might be blind.

Reading: Acts 8:40 

40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Reading: Philippians 1:6 

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Devotional:
Philip's story didn't end with one divine appointment. After baptizing the Ethiopian, he continued preaching town by town until reaching Caesarea. One obedient step led to another, creating a journey of faithfulness.
God's work in your life is ongoing. Yesterday's obedience prepares you for today's assignment. The Ethiopian went home rejoicing, carrying the gospel to Africa. Philip continued northward, impacting countless lives. Both moved forward changed by their encounter.
Your spiritual journey isn't about one dramatic moment—it's about consistent, Spirit-led faithfulness. God is writing a story through your life, one chapter at a time. You may not see the full impact of your obedience, but God is working. That conversation you had, that act of kindness, that moment you shared Jesus—God is multiplying your faithfulness in ways you'll never fully know this side of heaven. Trust that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion. Keep walking, keep obeying, keep sharing Jesus wherever He leads.

Reading: Acts 8:36-40 

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] [a] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
 
Footnotes
[a] Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Devotional: 
"Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" The Ethiopian's enthusiasm is contagious. He didn't want to wait—he wanted to publicly identify with Jesus immediately. Philip didn't create barriers or require lengthy preparation. When faith was present, baptism followed.
There's beautiful simplicity in this moment. No committee meetings, no elaborate ceremonies—just water, faith, and obedience. The Ethiopian emerged from the water a changed man, and Philip was instantly transported to his next assignment.
What is God asking you to do immediately? Perhaps it's not baptism, but another step of obedience you've been postponing. Maybe it's reconciling a relationship, starting a spiritual discipline, or stepping into service. We often overcomplicate obedience, creating barriers God never intended. The Ethiopian's joy came through immediate response. Don't wait for perfect circumstances. When God speaks, act. Your obedience today positions you for God's next assignment tomorrow.

Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-16 

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Reading: Acts 8:30-35 

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?

    For his life was taken from the earth.”[a]
 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Footnotes
[a] Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8 (see Septuagint)

Devotional: 
Philip heard the Ethiopian reading Isaiah and seized the moment. He didn't hesitate or make excuses about not being prepared. Starting with Scripture, Philip shared the good news about Jesus.
Being ready to share Jesus doesn't mean having all the answers or perfect theology. It means knowing Jesus personally and being willing to tell others about Him. Philip simply explained how Isaiah's prophecy pointed to Jesus—His death, resurrection, and offer of salvation.
Who in your life is reading, searching, or asking questions about spiritual things? God may be positioning you to be their Philip. You don't need seminary training; you need availability. Pray for sensitivity to recognize these moments. Study Scripture so you can point others to Jesus. Practice sharing your own story of how Jesus changed your life. The Holy Spirit will give you words when you need them. Stay ready, stay available, and watch how God uses ordinary conversations for eternal purposes.

Reading: Acts 8:26-29 

Philip and the Ethiopian
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”


Devotional: 
God sent an angel to redirect Philip from a thriving ministry in Samaria to a desert road. This wasn't convenient or logical—it was obedience. Philip didn't demand explanations; he simply went. The Holy Spirit then gave specific instructions: "Go to that chariot."
God's interruptions often feel inconvenient. We're comfortable, productive, seeing results—then God says "move." These divine redirections require us to trust that God sees what we cannot. He's already preparing encounters, conversations, and opportunities we know nothing about.
What "desert road" is God calling you toward? Is there a relationship, a conversation, or an act of obedience you've been avoiding? God doesn't always reveal the full picture upfront. He asks for the next step of faith. When you sense His leading—through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances—respond like Philip. Run toward obedience, trusting God's working ahead of you.

Reading: Acts 8:1-8 

8 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. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Devotional:
When persecution scattered the early believers, they didn't retreat into fear or silence. Instead, they became seeds planted everywhere, sharing Jesus wherever they went. Philip exemplifies this courageous faith—moving from comfort into uncertainty, yet remaining faithful to his mission.
Today, consider what "scattering" looks like in your life. Perhaps God is calling you out of your comfort zone into new relationships, neighborhoods, or opportunities. Like those early believers, you carry the good news with you wherever you go. Don't wait for perfect conditions to share Jesus. Your current circumstances, however challenging, are fertile ground for God's kingdom. Will you choose to speak up about Jesus today, or will you remain silent? Ask God for courage to be a seed scattered for His glory.

Reading: Psalm 51:1-17 

Psalm 51[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.
 3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.
 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

 Footnotes
[a]Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.
[b]Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are

Reading: Acts 8:18-24 

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
 24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Devotional: 
Simon wanted God's power for personal gain, revealing a heart not right with God. Peter's response was direct: "Repent." Repentance isn't just feeling sorry—it's turning around and walking the other way. It's recognizing our sin, confessing it honestly, and choosing transformation. David's prayer in Psalm 51 is the heart cry of genuine repentance: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." We all have Simon moments—times when our motives are selfish, when we want God's blessings without surrendering to His lordship. But God's grace meets us in repentance. He doesn't just forgive; He renews. What area of your life needs a turnaround today? Bring it honestly before God, ask for His cleansing, and trust that He makes all things new.

Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Devotional: 
The Jews and Samaritans despised each other for generations. Prejudice ran deep. Yet God sent Peter and John—leaders of the Jerusalem church—to validate the Samaritan believers by laying hands on them. The message was clear: "These are My children too." God was demolishing walls of division. The Holy Spirit doesn't discriminate based on ethnicity, social status, or past mistakes. Where we see barriers, God sees opportunities for reconciliation. Who have you been taught to avoid or look down upon? What prejudices need to be confronted in your heart? God may be calling you to reach the very people you've been conditioned to ignore. True revival happens when we recognize that everyone—regardless of background—is equally loved and equally invited into God's family.

Reading: Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Occult Practices

9 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

The Prophet

14 The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so.

Reading: Acts 8:9-13 

Simon the Sorcerer

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Devotional: 
Simon the Sorcerer was famous, respected, even feared—but his power was counterfeit. It impressed people but led them away from God and toward himself. Authentic spiritual power always points to Jesus, never to the vessel. We live in a world full of spiritual counterfeits—things that look appealing but leave us empty, like wax fruit that disappoints when bitten. The test is simple: Does it lead you closer to God or further away? Does it glorify Jesus or elevate self? When we don't know God's Word, we become vulnerable to deception. Commit to becoming a person of the Book. Let Scripture be your filter for discerning truth from counterfeit. Real power isn't about control or personal gain—it's about humble service that magnifies Christ alone.

Reading: Acts 8:1-8 

8 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. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Devotional:
The early believers faced violent persecution, yet they didn't retreat into silence—they scattered like seeds, carrying the gospel wherever they went. What the enemy intended for destruction, God transformed into multiplication. The church didn't end in Jerusalem; it exploded across regions. When life scatters your plans, remember: God is repositioning you for greater kingdom impact. Your displacement may be His divine placement. The believers weren't pastors or theologians—they were ordinary people with extraordinary stories of meeting Jesus. You have that same story. Your current season, however difficult, may be preparing you to reach people only you can reach. Don't waste your wilderness; let God use your scattering to spread His light.

Reading: John 4:1-42 

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
 
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
 
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
 
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
 
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
 
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
 
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

 The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Many Samaritans Believe

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
 
 Footnotes
1. John 4:9 Or do not use dishes Samaritans have used

Devotional: 
The Samaritan woman at the well had a complicated past and a questionable reputation, yet she became the first evangelist to her entire town. Her qualification? A genuine encounter with Jesus. She simply said, "He told me everything about myself, and He loves me." That's the power of testimony—not theological perfection, but authentic transformation. You don't need seminary training to share what Jesus has done in your life. Your story—with all its mess and miracle—is uniquely yours to tell. Someone needs to hear how Jesus met you in your brokenness and made you whole. This week, identify one person you feel comfortable with and practice sharing your story. Don't underestimate the power of simply saying, "This is what Jesus did for me."

Reading: Revelation 12:10-11

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.

Devotional: 
"I am a living, breathing, walking testimony." You overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Your story matters because it points to God's faithfulness, power, and love. The early church multiplied not through clever arguments but through transformed lives sharing their encounters with Jesus. What has God done in your life? How has He met you in your darkest moments? Where have you seen His provision, healing, or deliverance? These aren't just personal memories—they're testimonies that can spark faith in others. Your willingness to share authentically about God's work in your life gives others permission to believe He'll do the same for them.

Be His beautiful feet by sharing your beautiful story.

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.