Category: Devotional

“Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.” – Proverbs 18:24 (MSG).

Close spiritual friends are rare — especially friends who will hold us accountable when we need it most, build us up when we’re down, and celebrate with us when we’ve enjoyed success. Unfortunately, some people don’t have that kind of friend. In modern culture, we often have acquaintances and social media “friends” instead of genuine, long-standing friendships. When things go poorly for us or when we have nothing to offer others, our acquaintances may abandon us in times of trouble or fade away if our problems persist. True friends do exist. Their commitment and dedication can even run deeper than our physical family.

Good friends are one of God’s greatest gifts. Not one of us is meant to go through life alone and without help. God longs to use you as His hands and feet to those He has placed in your midst. He longs to make you a friend as He is a friend to us, to bless others, and extend the reach of His kingdom.

We all crave connection, and true friendship is a precious gift that enriches our lives. It’s a bond built on trust, loyalty, and mutual support —a bond that can withstand life’s storms. Like a well-tended garden, friendships require care and nurturing to flourish.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 tells of the powerful friendship of David and Jonathan:“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.”

Jonathan was an incredible example of God’s heart for friendship. Jonathan was the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. Behind Saul’s pursuit of killing David was his desire to make Jonathan king. But instead of seeking earthly success, Jonathan humbled himself before David and served him, thereby serving his heavenly Father as well. Jonathan chose friendship over worldly power. As a result, David became Israel’s greatest king and ushered in the lineage of Christ.

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” God longs to transform you into a friend who loves others unconditionally. It’s in the hard times that we need our friends the most. Yet in the hard times, many friends abandon us for relationships that require less of them. The heart of God is to stick with us through trials, sin, and bad decisions. He never leaves us or forsakes us, and He longs to make us like Him. He longs to make us friends who will love us through every season of life. He longs to empower us to love, serve, honor, and bless those He has intentionally given us.

God is calling you to love your friends “at all times.” He is calling you to a lifestyle of service and grace. What friend of yours needs your help right now? Who can you choose to serve over yourself? What friend is God calling you to love with the love He has shown you today?

Discussion questions:

1. Reflect on the friendships that have had a lasting impact on your life. What qualities have you valued in these relationships? Have they provided support, encouragement, or laughter during difficult times?. 
2. Think about the diverse range of friendships you have – close friends, casual acquaintances, and those who provide mentorship or guidance. What does each type of friendship offer you, and how can you nurture these relationships?
3. The Bible emphasizes the importance of friendship, highlighting the love and support we can find in godly friendships. Consider how your friendships can reflect God’s love and encourage one another’s spiritual growth.
   

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ – Exodus 3:11.

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” No one likes feeling unprepared. Something is reassuring about having your t’s crossed and your i’s dotted. Being prepared significantly boosts confidence and leads to a sense of control.

There will be times when we will have to wing it, but preparation is generally more effective for reaching goals and achieving optimal results. And that certainly includes our spiritual journey. We want to be prepared for the things God has called us to do, but we also don’t want to miss opportunities or postpone things God wants us to do because we don’t feel fully prepared. Moses was in such a struggle. He had run away from Egypt and was tending sheep when he encountered God in a burning bush.  He was minding his own business, taking care of sheep near the mountain of God, when the Lord spoke to him from a burning bush.

God had a task for Moses, but Moses initially felt unworthy and reluctant to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He questioned his abilities and raised several objections to God’s call. He felt inadequate for the task of confronting Pharaoh and leading his people (Exodus 3:9-12). Moses questioned his own suitability for the task, claiming he was not a good public speaker and doubted whether the Israelites would listen to him. On the surface, Moses’ concerns seemed justified. It probably seemed like it would take a miracle to get the Israelites out of slavery. However, Moses’ life was a miracle in that he was cast adrift on the Nile and found by Pharaoh’s daughter as a baby, and he lived as part of the royal household of Egypt for 40 years.  While Moses forgot about that aspect of his life, God had not. God was preparing him for this task.

While we may never be rescued from the Nile or encounter a burning bush, God is preparing us for our spiritual journey. If you think about it long enough, you will probably see His fingerprints in your life. Like Moses, you may feel overwhelmed and ill-prepared for the direction God is directing you. The answer God gave to Moses is the same answer He gives to you: “… I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). That’s all you need. A relationship with God provides the necessary strength and resources to navigate life’s challenges.

We need to recognize the importance of trusting in God’s guidance and preparation for the journey ahead. It encourages us to practice God’s presence each day, visualize His hand in our lives, and trust Him to lead the way. It also reminds us that God is always one step ahead, providing strength and guidance even in difficult times.

Discussion Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unprepared or overwhelmed by a significant life change. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply those lessons to the journey ahead? 
2. How can you better rely on God’s strength and guidance, rather than solely on your abilities or strategies?
   

“Jesus communicated parables to the secular people around him and he used stories that were very relevant to their lives, and He was taking heaven’s truth and packaging it in an earthly context.” – Stephen Kendrick

Who doesn’t love a good story? But the parables of Jesus are even better than that. They sneak up on us, catching us off guard and toppling our easy assumptions. One mark of many of Jesus’ parables is that they have a twist that would have been unexpected to His hearers, and disturbed their assumptions about the way things are. It is precisely these strange twists that make the parables more than pleasant, moral stories tossed to create new awareness about the implications of Jesus and His kingdom.

Jesus was very plain about why He used parables: to reveal the truth to those who wanted to understand it. Matthew 13:10-13 says, “His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.”The Parables of Jesus intentionally weave profound truths about God, His kingdom, and His people alongside the everyday, practical truths present in the story.

Imagine you have an appointment with Jesus, but you have no idea when He will come to pick you up. It’s the only chance you’ll get, and all He says is, “Be ready.” You don’t know if He’s coming tonight, next week, in five years, or five decades. All you know is that if He shows up and you’re not prepared, that’s it — you’ve lost your opportunity forever. That’s the point of the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, which is found in Matthew 25. In this story, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a commonplace situation that His audience would have been familiar with. Five bridesmaids are wise, and five are foolish. It is dark when they leave for the procession, and the wise bridesmaids bring their lamps and some oil for the lamps, but the foolish ones bring no oil. The wise cannot share their oil with the foolish ones without risking their place in the procession, so the foolish bridesmaids are forced to find some oil and hope to join the procession late. But it’s too late. The foolish bridesmaids missed their chance, and that is the lesson — we, too, must be ready when Jesus returns.

The parable of the ten bridesmaids teaches us the importance of spiritual preparedness, particularly in the face of unexpected events such as death or the Second Coming of Christ. It highlights the need to be vigilant and ready, both outwardly (in our actions) and inwardly (in our relationship with God). The parable underscores the urgency of preparing now, as it will be too late to do so when the time comes.

Discussion Questions:

1. When studying a parable, ask yourself these questions: What specific need or issue is being addressed by Jesus? What one truth does the parable reveal to a believer?
2. What does the parable of the ten bridesmaids teach us about being ready for Jesus’ return? 

“If we keep looking only at where our feet are going, we may walk off the cliff. We may miss a great opportunity. But if we can look up and look ahead, look forward, there’s a greater chance that we will live more productive lives.” – Buzz Aldrin.

What is a productive life?  A detailed answer would be that a productive life is about effectively and efficiently using your time and energy to achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life. It’s not just about working hard, but also about working intelligently and finding a balance between work, rest, and other essential aspects of life. Ultimately, a productive life is about making progress towards what matters most to you. But is it the same for Christians?

Experts will tell you that being busy does not always mean we are being productive. Productivity is about accomplishing our important tasks effectively and efficiently. So, productivity starts with recognizing what is important. Philippians 3:7-9 says, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”  Paul recognized that the most important thing was to follow Christ and become more like Him.

Secondly, we need to focus on what is important.“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). Knowing what is most important does us no good if we do not focus on it. Jesus explained that seeking the kingdom and the righteousness of God must be our highest priority. Thirdly, we need to prioritize our time on what is truly important. “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:16). To decide how to spend our time, we can ask the question: What is God asking me to do?

This is not to say that we cannot spend time with hobbies, recreation, or entertainment. It means we must plan our time based on what is most important because these things will not happen by accident. We need to be intentional about ensuring our activities reflect the right priorities.

Being a productive Christian is not about doing a lot of just anything; it is about doing the right things properly. We need to recognize what is essential and devote the attention, time, and energy necessary to please the Lord.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be productive in the eyes of God? Is productivity solely about output, or does it also involve character, service, and spiritual growth? 
2. What are some common biblical examples of productive individuals, and what principles can we learn from their lives? 

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to become consumed by worldly pursuits and distractions, leaving little room for spiritual growth and intimacy with our Creator. However, as followers of Christ, there is nothing more vital than cultivating a hunger and thirst for a deeper knowledge of God. This pursuit transforms our entire outlook on life, shaping our values, priorities, and relationships.

Scripture repeatedly urges us to seek after God with all our hearts and minds. In Jeremiah 29:13, we read, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” This verse reminds us that knowing God is not merely a passive experience but an active pursuit—a journey of seeking, discovering, and growing in intimacy with Him.

How well do you know God? For most Christians, we go through life with a sense that we know God. After all, we’ve read God’s Word, we’ve walked with Him, and we’ve had experiences with Him. But do we know God? What happens when the bottom falls out? What happens when everything you’ve known God to be in your life is turned upside down, and you are left dazed and pondering the very essence of your relationship with Him and who He is?

One of the most significant challenges we face today is a lack of understanding about who God is. You may know about God, but do you truly understand what He says about Himself—and what He wants from you?

It is essential to distinguish between knowledge about God and knowledge of God. Knowledge about God is strictly theoretical. We can learn all sorts of theological truths about God: His nature, His attributes, the Trinity, without truly knowing God. True knowledge of God goes beyond cataloguing facts to a personal relationship. Knowledge of God comes from walking through life with Him, thinking of Him, talking to Him, and worshipping Him. Knowledge of God goes beyond merely understanding the truth about Him; it applies that truth personally. Knowledge of God comes from listening to Him speak through His word, from learning what He loves and what He hates. As Christians, our desire should be to move from merely knowing about God to understanding God.

Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” We need to thirst for knowledge about God and, from that knowledge, center our lives around Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a “dry spell” or season of difficulty in your relationship with God? How have you navigated that time? 
2. How do you experience God’s presence in your life? Are there specific ways you find Him most clearly?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2.

When people run marathons, they often talk about hitting the wall. Everything can seemingly be going OK, and then your legs simultaneously feel like they are made of jelly. Every step is an absolute triumph of will, and you start to seriously doubt that the race even has a finish line. It usually happens to runners around the 18-22-mile mark, when their bodies simply run out of energy.

We are all running our crazy races in life. “Hitting the wall,” encountering our limits, is inevitable. Whether it comes in the form of a health or financial crisis, unmet expectations, the death of a loved one, or something else, hitting the wall spiritually can be both humbling and distressing. In that place, we see who we are and are not. We realize that we are not God and that we have limits. In fact, in our life with God, the inevitable end of our human strength brings us into something better: the infinite strength of God.

We all know there is no way to grow other than to encounter limits. In exercise, when we “hit the wall,” we can either pull back or press forward to develop new muscles or skills. The same is true in our spiritual life. The moment we encounter our human limits is simultaneously the moment we begin to lean on and stretch our growth and development.

Meeting our human limitations is a potential encounter with God’s joyful presence and shaping grace. When we reach the end of ourselves, we also have an opportunity to see ourselves become more like Christ as the Holy Spirit enters into our weak places to shape us, both individually and as His community, for the glory of God.

As we find ourselves running slogging through a long, seemingly impossible race, we realize that Jesus has already won the race—for all of us—through the cross.

Whatever our wall is, it’s in those moments that we have a critical decision to make. We can cave into discouragement and all the negative thoughts and quit. Or, we can look to the Lord, who knows the solutions and how to bring down even the most rigid walls. His grace is more than sufficient for us, even that His power is made perfect, as St. Paul wrote, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).   

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “hit the wall” mean in your own life?
2. How do you cope with discouragement or “hitting the wall?”
3. How can we maintain faith and trust in God when experiencing difficult times or “hitting the wall”?”

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” – Warren Wierbse.

Is there something in your life that needs to change? You may be saying, “I can change.” The world offers us many ways to change and things we can do to change, but they are all based on our ability to enact change through logic, reason, etc. It usually doesn’t work all that well. You need God’s power to affect lasting change because only God can make the changes you can’t make yourself.

The apostle Paul felt that way nearly 2,000 years ago. He says this in the Bible: “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does” (Romans 7:24-25 MSG).

Lasting change requires intentionality, focus, and effort. You have to change what you think, and then you’ll change what you speak. When you change how you think and how you speak, it will change how you behave. And then the change in behavior will change the direction and course of your life. Our thoughts, words, and actions create who we are.

If you want your reality to be different from what it currently is, you need to start with what is happening in your thought life. Renewing your mind doesn’t happen just by casually reading the Bible or certain scriptures, but consuming them to the point that they become a part of you. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Change is inevitable. It’s unavoidable. It brings about the unexpected things we didn’t plan for. It pushes us out of our comfort zone. It forces us to adjust to circumstances we may or may not have been ready for. However, no matter how ready or reluctant we are to make or embrace change, one thing is for certain God is with you every step of the way.

The closer you get to God, the more your faith in Him increases. The more your faith in Him increases, the more your trust in all He has mapped out for you should increase. The more you trust God, the easier it will be to embrace the changes He orchestrates for your life.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you typically respond to change? Does it excite you? Does it stress you out? Do you experience a combination of both excitement and stress?
2. Read James 1:22–25. Has Scripture ever revealed something about you that you needed to change? If so, what did you do? 

Summary: A healthy spiritual life is characterized by a deep connection with God, a sense of purpose and meaning, and a positive impact on others. Signs of spiritual health include a thankful heart, a willingness to repent and seek forgiveness, a love for God’s Word, and a desire to live in light of eternity. Strong relationships with other believers, encouragement, and forgiveness also mark a healthy spiritual life. 

If you asked a group of people what it means to be healthy, you would get a number of ideas or perceptions. Most of the answers would relate to physical health. Healthy bodies are undoubtedly important, but there’s another level of health, our spiritual health.   

As followers of Christ, we’re called and empowered to be spiritually healthy.  What does that mean? The short answer is to experience a healthy, growing, vibrant walk with Christ that begins with a sincere longing for the Lord’s presence. In 1 Peter 2:2-3, Peter describes a spiritually healthy person as someone with a healthy appetite: “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” Not an appetite for baked goods, but for the Lord’s presence in their lives.  We have “had a taste” of the difference He has made and is making for us.  We are convinced that what He is doing is good, and we long to know Him in a deeper way.   

The spiritually healthy not only hear the word but hold onto it. They are grateful to know that this is what they are choosing to feed their minds and their hearts. Those who successfully grow spiritually healthy are those who eagerly hear God’s word, hold onto what they’ve heard, and apply it to their lives. A spiritually healthy follower of Jesus values prayer and invests in their walk with God.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Colossians 1:9-10).

When the Apostle Paul heard of the Colossians’ faith, He was overjoyed. He made it his practice, along with those with him, to remember the Colossians in his prayers every day. He prayed that their young faith would grow mature. He prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding.   

As we pray and develop a new Christ-centered way of thinking, what begins to take place in our lives? When we start to see life differently, we start to live differently. In describing his prayers for them and going into detail about what he was praying God would do in their lives, Paul taught the Colossian church to value prayer and invest in their walk with Christ.

Every Christian would agree that a man’s spiritual health is proportional to his love for God. ~ C.S. Lewis.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you currently measure your spiritual health?
2. What are some signs that you are thriving spiritually? (e.g., Joy, peace, hope, increased compassion, desire to serve others).
3. What are some areas where you feel your spiritual health is lacking or needs improvement? 

Summary: Spirituality is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. It guides believers on a journey of faith and strengthens their relationship with God. Christian spirituality, in general terms, is a way of living out one’s faith, striving to become more like Christ and following His teachings. It’s a journey of deepening one’s relationship with God through the Holy Spirit and involves personal and communal practices.

If you ask 10 people what it means to be spiritual, you would probably get 10 different answers because the term means something different to everyone. Spirituality is something that’s talked about a lot but is often misunderstood. When we hear the phrase spirituality, we think it is reserved for people, for unique individuals, typically in the ministry, in other words, for the spiritual elite.   

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected, especially from our spiritual roots. Amid the chaos and demands of daily life, our relationship with God can often feel neglected, leading to a yearning for deeper spiritual connection. However, nurturing this bond is not just a religious duty, but a pathway to true peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees defined their spiritual stature by their disciplines. They believed they were superior because of their spiritual habits, such as fasting. But when Jesus tells His followers the traits He is looking for, He does not mention disciplines such as prayer or fasting. He is looking for transformed lives and views spiritual disciplines as exercises that help us grow nearer to God.

Christian spirituality can be defined as an ever-changing, evolving, maturing openness to God’s work through your life in all ways. It is easy to say spirituality is all about the institution, the rules, the culture and the academic study of God.

Christian spirituality is our internal pulse that pursues God in all places. It is heightened in quiet, awakened by music, motivated by new ideas, uplifted by seeing God at work, and constantly seeking God’s presence. The bottom line is that Christian spirituality is a lifetime journey leading to a deeper understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, and loving ever closer to the heart of God: to know God more fully.

Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity is not just about emotions or feeling close to God. Yes, we experience emotions, and sometimes we feel close to God and sense His presence. However, Christianity is not grounded in these subjective feelings but in the Word of God and Jesus Christ. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV) This verse boldly states: if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. If we don’t sense the presence of God, we might need to start hungering and thirsting for God.

Discussion Questions:

1. What spiritual practices are most helpful in connecting with God or your faith?
2. How does prayer, meditation, or Bible study impact your daily life?
3. What are some ways you can incorporate more faith-based practices into your routine? 

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Having summarised the position and privileges of the believer and the glory of our salvation, the apostle Peter exhorts Christians to live their lives in a godly manner and points out the responsibilities and duties that are incumbent on all who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We know right from wrong, but that doesn’t mean we do what’s right or wrong. Sometimes we procrastinate. We put the fix in on our decisions. Paul says it best in Romans 7:15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”  

When we are submissive to God’s will, passivity is needed. Jesus demonstrated this kind of passivity on the night He was arrested. Rather than allow His disciples to fight for Him, He willingly submitted to the abuse of His captors. “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (1 Peter 2:23). The Son of God allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and insulted by men—and He did nothing to stop them. He had earlier told His disciples, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” (Matthew 26:23). There was a reason behind His inaction.  The Lord was actively giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Throughout the Bible, we see a picture of Jesus who is strong, focused, resolute, unafraid, calm in the face of danger, and compassionate, gracious, and merciful. This is the standard that He holds us to. There is no such thing as “let go and let God.”There is no place for just going through the motions when God has called us to action. There is no place for complacency.

To avoid being a passive Christian, one must cultivate a strong prayer life, study and apply God’s Word, follow Jesus, and actively serve in the body of Christ. The Christian life is a call to action, not complacency.

Faith is essential to salvation. It is what saves us and what God gives us to see Him more clearly. However, He is clear that having faith is just the beginning. Faith is the precursor to action. Faith causes you to change. The world will believe based on what you do. Jesus shows us that. Your faith is truly living when it is demonstrated through action. James 2 :17 says, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”  True faith requires action.

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s one area of your life where you struggle with passivity or fail to act?