Today Daily Devotional
992 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsToday is a daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus and renew their faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer.
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Episodes
Dealing With Conflict
April 21, 2024 05:00 - 3.38 MBIf it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. — Romans 12:18 Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but as followers of Christ we are called to pursue peace and reconciliation. In the midst of conflict we have the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and bring healing to broken relationships. When facing conflict, we begin by examining our own hearts and seeking humility. We strive to understand the perspectives of others and to respond with kindness, empath...
Discerning God’s Will
April 20, 2024 05:00 - 3.09 MBIn their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. — Proverbs 16:9 Discerning God’s will calls for seeking God’s wisdom and aligning our hearts with his purposes. As we desire to make choices that honor the Lord, we can trust that he will guide our steps and direct our paths. To discern God’s will, we must seek his wisdom through prayer and by meditating on his Word. We invite God into the decision-making process, surrendering our desires and plans and opening o...
Transitions
April 19, 2024 05:00 - 3.07 MBNow listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there . . . and make money.” . . . [But] you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” — James 4:13-15 Transitions in our lives can be exciting and challenging. Whether it’s a new job, a change in relationship status, or a move to a different city, transitions require us to trust in God’s guidance and to surrender our plans to him. In times of transition, we may feel u...
Dealing With Doubt
April 18, 2024 05:00 - 4.73 MBWhen I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. — Psalm 56:3-4 Doubt can cast a shadow on our faith, causing us to question God’s faithfulness and promises. But in the midst of doubt we can find assurance by anchoring ourselves in the unwavering truth of God’s Word. When doubt arises, we turn to God in prayer, pouring out our hearts honestly. We express our fears, uncertainties, and questions, knowing that the Lord welcomes our honesty....
Drawing Near to God
April 17, 2024 05:00 - 3.32 MBCome near to God and he will come near to you. — James 4:8 Intimacy with God is a precious invitation that is extended to each one of us. Our relationship with God is not distant but brings us in close communion with the Creator of the universe, who desires to reveal his love and purposes to us. To experience intimacy with God, we must prioritize our relationship with him. We set aside dedicated time for prayer, for studying his Word, and for worship. We cultivate a heart of surrender, seek...
Spiritual Warfare
April 16, 2024 05:00 - 4.28 MBPut on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:11 In our journey of faith we are engaged in spiritual battle. The enemy seeks to distract, discourage, and deceive us. But there is no need to fear because in Christ we are equipped for victory. God has provided us with spiritual armor to stand against the schemes of the devil. We are called to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace,...
Singleness: Embracing God’s Purpose
April 15, 2024 05:00 - 3.24 MBI wish that all of you were [unmarried] as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. — 1 Corinthians 7:7 Singleness is not a season to be endured but a gift to be embraced. People who are single have a unique opportunity to focus wholeheartedly on their relationship with God and his purposes for their lives. A single person can serve the Lord with undivided devotion, exploring their passions, and using their time and resources to serve for the be...
Trusting God
April 14, 2024 05:00 - 3.17 MBTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6 God invites us to trust in him, to surrender our worries, doubts, and fears into his capable hands. This involves a conscious choice to rely on God’s wisdom and guidance rather than leaning on our own limited understanding. In a world filled with uncertainty, we can find solace in the unchanging character of God. The Lord is fai...
Servant Leadership II
April 13, 2024 05:00 - 3.67 MB“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28 In a world that often values power and authority, servant leadership stands as a powerful model for those who seek to make a lasting impact. Jesus, our ultimate example of servant leadership, has shown us that greatness is found in humble service and selfless sacrifice. Servant leaders place the needs of others before their own. They lead with compassion, empathy, and a genui...
Servant Leadership I
April 12, 2024 05:00 - 3.63 MB“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Mark 10:43 Leadership is not about exerting power and control but about serving others with humility and love. Jesus, our ultimate example of leadership, taught us that true greatness lies in sacrificial servanthood and selfless influence. In a world that often values ambition and self-promotion, leadership that is rooted in humility and compassion stands out. A servant leader seeks the well-being and development of the peopl...
Gratitude: A Heart of Thankfulness
April 11, 2024 05:00 - 3.2 MBGive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Gratitude is a transformative attitude. It helps us to shift from looking at what we don’t have to seeing the abundance of blessings around us. In our gratitude we choose to recognize and appreciate the goodness and faithfulness of God in every aspect of our lives. Gratitude opens our eyes to the wonders of creation, the kindness of others, and the countless gifts bestowed on us by our h...
Secure in God’s Grace
April 10, 2024 05:00 - 3.69 MBIf you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 Salvation is a precious gift offered to everyone, and all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior receive salvation. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are reconciled with God, forgiven of all our sins, and granted eternal life. This salvation is based not on anything we have done but on God’s grace alone. Our salvation depends not on ou...
Embracing God’s Unconditional Love
April 09, 2024 05:00 - 4.58 MBNeither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 Unconditional love is a gift from God that surpasses our understanding. It is a love that knows no bounds, that remains steadfast through every season of life. With unconditional love our heavenly Father lavishes us with his grace and mercy. Human love...
Overcoming Fear
April 08, 2024 05:00 - 3.66 MB“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10 Fear has a way of paralyzing us, hindering our progress, and robbing us of peace. Yet, as children of God, we are called to overcome fear and walk in the confidence of his presence and power. When fear tries to grip our hearts, we can find strength in God’s promises. The Lord assures us that he is with us, holding us in h...
Finding Hope in God’s Promises
April 07, 2024 05:00 - 4.42 MBWhy, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. — Psalm 42:11 In our lives we can often face times of discouragement. Our spirits can feel heavy and our hearts burdened. When that happens, however, we can turn to God and lean on him, finding hope in his promises and unfailing love. Discouragement can come from various sources—disappointments, failures, prolonged challenges. Yet even in the midst of such trial...
Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth
April 06, 2024 05:00 - 3.41 MB“True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth. . . . God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:23-24 Jesus shares this important teaching while he is talking one day with a Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26). Worship is a sacred act that connects us intimately with God. It goes beyond rituals and outward expressions. It is a heartfelt response to God’s majesty and goodness. In worship, we surrender our hearts and minds to God, reco...
Marriage: A Sacred Union
April 05, 2024 05:00 - 3.95 MBHusbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. — Ephesians 5:25 Marriage is a sacred union designed by God, a reflection of his love and commitment to his people. It is a covenant relationship that calls us to sacrificial love, selflessness, and mutual support. In a world that often prioritizes self-gratification, marriage is meant to show the beauty of sacrificial love. As husbands and wives, we are called to follow the example of Christ’s love for ...
Fatherhood: Reflecting God’s Love
April 04, 2024 05:00 - 5.53 MBAs a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. — Psalm 103:13 Fatherhood is a sacred role for dads, an opportunity to reflect the heart of our heavenly Father in the lives of children. This is a responsibility that carries great significance and impact, as fathers have the privilege of nurturing, guiding, and loving their children. In a world longing for strong and loving father figures, we are called to show the compassion, grace, and wisdom o...
Cross-Cultural Connections
April 03, 2024 05:00 - 4.1 MBI looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. — Revelation 7:9 In his grand design God calls us to embrace cross-cultural connections and celebrate the diversity among us. The vision in Revelation reveals a glimpse of the eternal kingdom, where people from every nation, tribe, and language will stand united before the throne, worshiping our Lord and Savior. Cross-cul...
Discipleship: Embracing the Call
April 02, 2024 05:00 - 3.89 MB“Come, follow me,” Jesus said. . . . At once they left their nets and followed him. — Matthew 4:19-20 When Jesus called his disciples, he issued an invitation that went beyond mere companionship. He called for a radical commitment to follow him completely. This call echoes through time, extending to us as his followers today, urging us to embrace the path of discipleship. Discipleship is more than attending church or learning about Jesus. It is a transformative journey of surrender, obedien...
Overcoming Inadequacy
April 01, 2024 05:00 - 5.75 MBMoses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent. . . . I am slow of speech and tongue.” — Exodus 4:10 In our life of faith, there are times when God calls us to tasks that can seem beyond our abilities. Like Moses, we might think we lack the skills or eloquence to do what God has asked. Doubts and insecurities can grip our hearts, causing us to question whether we can truly serve God’s purpose. When God called Moses to go before Pharaoh and lead the Israelites...
Jesus Reconciles Us
March 31, 2024 05:00 - 4.88 MBNow [God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. — Colossians 1:22 I have friends and family who have been estranged from one another. It is, at best, unpleasant. At worst, it is horrible and painful. Spouses despise each other; children and parents don’t speak to each other for years; business partners want to be rid of each other. Things can get ugly in this old world. This is why the news of G...
Jesus Unites Us
March 30, 2024 05:00 - 4.98 MBI am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. . . . — John 15:5 Are we really united to Jesus like branches to a vine? Yes, and amen! And does that mean we are also united with other people who are Christians? Yes, it does. If we are united with Christ, we are like a branch of the holy vine of God. Yet there are other branches too, and the people represented by all those branches are loved by God just as we are—even if we might disagree wit...
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
March 29, 2024 05:00 - 5.22 MBJesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25 This quotation is a brief summary of the good news of Jesus. He says that anyone who believes in him will live, even after death. He says that life comes only through him. And he does not merely say that he knows how to find the resurrection and the life; he says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This occurs amid the dramatic story of the raising of Lazarus,...
Jesus Chooses Life for Us
March 28, 2024 05:00 - 4.52 MBThis day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life. . . . — Deuteronomy 30:19 In Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his farewell speech to God’s people Israel. So he tells the Israelites straight up: “You can go one of two ways—the way of blessings and life, or the way of curses and death. Choose life!” The choice seems rather simple and obvious, right? I can’t imagine people saying, “Well, I’ll choos...
Jesus Shows God’s Love for the World
March 27, 2024 05:00 - 4.09 MBGod so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 Notice that God loves this whole, great big world. He doesn’t just love only a few people—or even all people—but the whole world. That includes all creation. Wow, that’s a big love! All of nature is God’s, and God loves all of it. True, we humans are the capstone of creation, but we are still very much a part of it. All of us, and all of creation, can and should...
Jesus Conquers All for Us
March 26, 2024 05:00 - 4.85 MBNeither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 Most of the conquerors in history have been egotistical thugs. They established kingdoms by their own power and for their own glory, often killing many thousands of people to do so. But what we learn from Scripture is that Jesus, the King of kings and ...
Jesus Renews All Creation
March 25, 2024 05:00 - 4.7 MBThe creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. — Romans 8:21 Did you know that God’s plan of salvation includes more than the saving of human souls? For many Christians “Jesus saves” means that Jesus saves us from our sins, and that is true—but there is also much more. Jesus came to save the whole world, all of creation. So, when Jesus comes again, the world will not be obliterated—it will be renewed. The creati...
Jesus Welcomes Us Home
March 24, 2024 05:00 - 3.44 MB“My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” — John 14:2 There is nothing like a good homecoming. Perhaps you enjoyed one recently. Family members return home. Children, grandchildren, and other relations gather around, delighted to see each other and renew relationships. Or maybe a reunion brought together old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. If you were making preparations, didn’t you scu...
Jesus Builds Us a Home
March 23, 2024 05:00 - 4.67 MBLike living stones, [you] are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 2:5 Jesus came as the Savior to bring us into God’s family, providing us a home with God. As Peter describes it, Jesus is also the cornerstone of our faith: “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (See also Psalm 25:3; Isaiah 28:16.) And “like living stones,” we “are being built into a spiritual house” to se...
Jesus Reveals the One True God
March 22, 2024 05:00 - 5.02 MB“Father . . . glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. . . . Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” — John 17:1-3 Many years before Jesus came, the Lord God Almighty called Abraham and made promises to him—and Abraham trusted and followed (Genesis 12:1-8). At that time most people believed in many different gods, and all the nations claimed they had gods of their own. The Lord, however, taught Abraham and his descendan...
Jesus Dies for His Friends
March 21, 2024 05:00 - 4.17 MB“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13 In our Scripture reading for today we see that Jesus calls his disciples “friends.” Friendship is based on mutual love. A friend is someone you can talk with about anything. A friend is someone whom you look forward to seeing. A friend is someone you care about. Jesus is the best friend you and I have ever had. He laid down his life for us so that we could be freed from the curse of sin and death and...
Jesus, the True Word of God
March 20, 2024 05:00 - 4.79 MBIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. — John 1:1 In John 1 the Greek term for “Word” is logos. John chose this word carefully. In Greek philosophy the word logos referred to divine reason, or the power that made order out of chaos. This idea fits well with the scriptural teaching that God—whose word is always faithful and true, and who created all things—has revealed himself in a new way through his Son, the Word of God, who “became flesh and made h...
Jesus Gives Us Living Water
March 19, 2024 05:00 - 6.75 MB“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.” — John 4:14 Water is basic and fundamental to life. I once heard a biologist say that when God decided to create water, the rest of creation was details. This is not meant to minimize all the complexities of God’s creation, but it can help us to see how important water is. When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, he was b...
Jesus Brings Us Into Truth
March 18, 2024 05:00 - 4.18 MB“I am the way and the truth and the life.” — John 14:6 It is sometimes hard to face the truth, especially when the truth is that we have messed up. Instead we make excuses. We think we are exceptional: “I didn’t really mean it that way.” “I thought it would be OK if . . .” And so on. But the truth is the truth. And Jesus is the Truth. The worst thing we can do is to ignore or deny this absolute and final Truth—that Jesus is the one and only Son of God who saves sinners. Though the truth abo...
We are Adopted
March 17, 2024 05:00 - 4.66 MBWe ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption. . . . — Romans 8:23 This passage in Romans says that we become adopted into God’s family through the finished work of Jesus Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. This makes us “heirs of God and coheirs with Christ.” Amazing! So, while blood relation can determine who is part of a family, so can adoption. And this involves love—unconditional love—as well as deep, lasting, faith...
Jesus Breaks the Power of the Devil
March 16, 2024 05:00 - 4.13 MBHe . . . shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. — Hebrews 2:14-15 In the beginning, when the first human beings brought sin into the world (Genesis 3), we became enslaved by the power of death—and that put us under the tyranny of the devil. But that is not the end of the story. Ever since that time, God also promised to redee...
Jesus Saves Us From Hell
March 15, 2024 05:00 - 5.53 MBJust as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. — Romans 5:18 Hell is not an easy subject to discuss when we are talking about faith in Jesus. It’s much more pleasant to focus on the love of God through Jesus that saves us from death and hell. Nevertheless, the subject of hell is mentioned in Scripture, and it is probably best described as condemnation or complete separation from God. Romans 5 helps u...
Jesus Spares Us From Death
March 14, 2024 05:00 - 4.94 MB“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” — John 3:14-15 In John 3, Jesus teaches that the strange story about a bronze snake in Numbers 21 points to him and his work of healing. Jesus saves us from sin and death. The book of Numbers includes many stories about the Israelites’ complaining to God as they trekked through the wilderness. In Numbers 21 they complain again about the food. A...
Jesus, the True Temple
March 13, 2024 05:00 - 5.46 MB“It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. — John 2:20-22 Did you know that the tabernacle in the Old Testament (Exodus 36-40), and the temple afterward (1 Kings 6-8), were made from heavenly blueprints? Hebrews 8 helps us to see this. All the features and furnishings were meant to show that the temple on earth was just a copy of the sanctuary in heaven. When Jesus came to live among us, he ...
Jesus, the Ideal Priest
March 12, 2024 05:00 - 4.08 MBSuch a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. — Hebrews 7:26 Priests had a very important role in ancient Israel. They served as mediators between the people and God. They stood between the holy God and his sinful people, enabling these people to approach the Lord. But the priests themselves were also sinners. So even the best of them, the High Priest, had to purify himself before making sacrifices for the people...
Jesus, the One and Only Sacrifice
March 11, 2024 05:00 - 4.8 MBWe have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. — Hebrews 10:10 The book of Hebrews looks at Jesus’ life from the perspective of the Old Testament system of sacrifices. Today we will reflect on Jesus as the one and only sacrifice for sin. In ancient Israel, God commanded that sacrifices be made to cover the sins of the people. These sacrifices were symbolic, representing the sinner. By making a sacrifice, the sinner was saying, “I have done wrong and d...
Jesus Passes the Test for Us
March 10, 2024 06:00 - 5.07 MBJesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. — Matthew 4:1 Since the beginning, human beings have failed God’s test. In Eden, Satan asked, “Did God say . . . ?” and then misquoted God’s words. Adam and Eve responded by questioning the word of God and then doing what seemed right in their own eyes. So do we. Jesus, the Son of God, came to live among us as a human being. And, in his case, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. There Satan made s...
Jesus Makes Us Into His Followers
March 09, 2024 06:00 - 4.23 MB“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Mark 8:34 Following Jesus means more than listening to him and agreeing with his teachings. Jesus says that whoever wants to be his disciple “must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow” him. Notice that Jesus says we must deny our selves, not that we must deny ourselves something—like chocolate or a new car. We are to deny our own self-interest, self-absorption, and pride. The misgui...
Jesus Removed Our Shame
March 08, 2024 06:00 - 6.08 MBNo one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame. . . . — Psalm 25:3 Shame is different from guilt. If you are guilty, you did something wrong, and you realize you are responsible for it. You can feel shame from being guilty, but feelings of shame are not always tied to guilt. Shame has more to do with a lack of self-worth, and that can come from not measuring up to a standard, from feeling insecure, from being bullied or abused in various ways, from public disgrace, ridicule, and more. Wh...
Jesus Suffered for All
March 07, 2024 06:00 - 6.4 MBHe was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5 Never was someone treated so unjustly as Jesus was. Absolute good was attacked by absolute evil. And that evil was our evil, shared by all humanity. Our sins, along with those of the whole world, were like the nails that pinned him to the cross. Sometimes in our churches we skip over the excruciating suffering that Jesus en...
Jesus Brings Us Out of Darkness
March 06, 2024 06:00 - 4.98 MBYou are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9 A World War II veteran told me that he had never experienced complete darkness until he was on a ship in the Pacific Ocean during the war. There were no stars at night, and the ship’s lights were off so that no enemies could see it. When it is pitch dark, you can’t see your hand in front of your f...
Jesus Delivers Us From Slavery
March 05, 2024 06:00 - 7.57 MBChrist has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. — Galatians 5:1 Pharaoh was the most powerful man in the world at the time of the Exodus, when God freed his people from slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh reigned over the prosperous civilization of the Nile. He had huge temples built in honor of his gods. His gravesite is still visible today in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Yet Pharaoh was unable to stop God from liberating his people. T...
Jesus Provides Rest and Peace
March 04, 2024 06:00 - 4.49 MB“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:29 Did God rest after creating the world because he was tired? No. When God rested, he set up a pattern for his people to follow so that they could take time to rest and to worship him (see Exodus 20:8-11). Finding our rest in God provides peace, as God intends for us all. God wants his people to be able to live in a good, peaceful place where they can rest—that is, where they can flour...
Jesus Does What is Right
March 03, 2024 06:00 - 4.88 MBJesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” — Matthew 4:10 It’s easy for us to be tempted. There are temptations everywhere—within our hearts and coming at us from all sides. Satan provides a master class on temptation in Genesis 3. He begins by suggesting that God is keeping us from enjoying something good. “Did God really say you can’t eat anything in this garden? Poor soul.” And when we feel we are missing out on something,...