May 22 -- "Coins and Commitment: A Lesson on Taxes"

Today's Reading:  Luke 20:1-26

Jesus’ words today are often misunderstood as merely a directive to meet our civic responsibilities, such as paying taxes. But that wasn’t really His point. At their core, His words go beyond mere compliance with earthly authorities. He calls us to recognize a deeper truth—our ultimate allegiance belongs to God alone, and we must render (give, hand over) to Him the things that are His.

When the religious leaders attempted to trap Jesus with a cleverly devised question, hoping to corner Him into either rejecting Roman authority or dishonoring God, He responded with wisdom that still resonates today. He pointed to the image on a coin—Caesar’s likeness, signifying earthly rule. But then, He inferred a deeper, unspoken question: What bears the image of God? The answer is profound—you do. Human beings do. Each person is created in God's image, which means that while we may honor the demands of this world, our ultimate loyalty belongs to Him.

Life pulls us in many directions. We juggle taxes, obligations, and cultural expectations, often feeling torn between what society demands and what our faith calls us to. But in the midst of these pressures, we must remember that our hearts, minds, and lives belong entirely to God. Giving Him just a portion is not enough—He desires our full surrender.

Take a moment to reflect: Where do you invest your time, energy, and resources? Are you truly offering God what belongs to Him? Surrendering to God is more than fulfilling religious duties—it’s a daily choice to align our thoughts, actions, and priorities with His kingdom.

Consider the situation of a servant with two masters—one requires taxes and labor, while the other seeks love and devotion. The servant finds balance by meeting the demands of the first while wholeheartedly giving his heart to the second. We, too, dwell in two realms. This world demands that we render to Caesar (the governing authority) our taxes, obedience to laws, and participation in civic duties. Yet, beyond these earthly obligations, our true Master calls for our hearts to be fully rendered—given over—to Him.

While we all must navigate our responsibilities in this world, our devotion to God must remain our highest priority. Jesus calls us to discern the difference between what is temporary—our earthly obligations--and what is eternal—our divine allegiance. 

May 21 -- "𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝗲"

Today’s Reading: Luke 19:28-48 

God’s glory cannot be muted, His worthiness is beyond words, and every element of creation is attuned to the greatness of its Creator. In Luke 19:40, Jesus says if His disciples were silenced, “the very stones would cry out,” revealing that God’s glory is so powerful that even lifeless objects would proclaim His splendor even if we don’t.

Picture the scene: Jesus is entering Jerusalem, the crowd’s going wild with enthusiastic shouts of “Hosanna!” The Pharisees scowl, demanding silence, but Jesus drops a mic moment when He says, “If they’re quiet, the stones won’t be!” Wait—rocks? Shouting? Crying out? It’s a jaw-dropping picture of God’s unstoppable glory.

When Jesus declared that even the stones would cry out, He was revealing a truth too great to be contained—God’s magnificence demands a response. Jesus’ arrival as the Messiah was an event of cosmic significance. If the voices of humanity failed to acknowledge Him, nature itself would not remain quiet. It is a powerful image—a world designed to reflect God’s splendor lifting its voice.

Throughout Scripture, we see nature responding to God’s authority in ways that defy human understanding. The waters of the Red Sea parted to deliver His people (Exodus 14). The sun stood still to fulfill His purposes (Joshua 10). A donkey spoke His truth (Numbers 22). Jesus walked upon the waves (Matthew 14), transformed water into wine (John 2), and withered a fig tree with a word (Mark 11). These moments remind us that God is not confined by the laws of nature—He wrote them, and He can move beyond them whenever He pleases. If He so willed, stones could indeed lift their voices in praise.

Nothing can suppress the truth of Jesus’ identity. Whether or not His followers speak out, His glory will be proclaimed. All creation acknowledges His authority, from the smallest pebble to the most distant planet.

If even lifeless stones would cry out, how much more should we, who have been redeemed, offer Him the praise He deserves? Worship is not just an act—it is a realignment, a bringing of our hearts into harmony with heaven. In joy or sorrow, in strength or weakness, lifting our voices to God draws us closer to Him. Let nothing hinder your worship. Every moment of praise echoes into eternity.

May the Lord fill your heart with an unshakable song of adoration, and may your voice rise unhindered before Him. Let no stone cry out in your place!

May 20 -- "To Seek and Save"

Today’s Reading: Luke 19:1-27

When we lose something precious—a wedding ring, a wallet, a phone, or a pet—we drop everything to search for it, don’t we?. We retrace our steps, check the trash, flip furniture, and dig through the dirt if necessary. Why? Because that thing matters. It's not just about its function—it’s about its connection to us. We cherish it. It belongs to us. It holds meaning, memory, and purpose.

That deep, determined search is only a shadow of the passion Jesus has for lost people.

Jesus came to rescue treasures—not objects, but souls. Why? Because we are infinitely valuable to Him. Not because we earned it, but because He made us, loves us, and places immeasurable worth upon us. He said, “You are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31) If God watches over the smallest of birds, how much more does He care for you—made in His image, called by His name, destined for eternity?

Luke 19:10 follows Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus—a tax collector, hated by many, rich from extortion, and yet… lost. People saw corruption; Jesus saw worth. He didn’t shun Zacchaeus—He sought him and invited Himself over for dinner. That moment wasn’t just kindness—it was a rescue mission.

Zacchaeus didn’t find Jesus. Jesus found him. That’s what it means to seek and save the lost.

Every person carries the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Sin may have marred it, but it didn’t erase it. You are valuable—not because of what you’ve done, but because God created you and loves you with a sacrificial, pursuing, rescuing love. You matter to Him, even at your lowest.

And that means you don’t need to fix yourself before coming to Jesus. He came looking for you—not to condemn, but to save. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)

Let Him find you. Stop hiding. You are not forgotten—you are pursued by a Savior who gave His life to bring you home. And if you’ve been found, go tell others that they are priceless too. Join Jesus in the rescue mission. They’re worth seeking.

Today, may the Lord fill your heart with the unshakable truth that you are deeply loved and eternally valuable. May you rest in His seeking grace, rise with His rescuing purpose, walk in your worth, and help others find their abundant life in Him. 

May 19 -- "The Impossible Made Possible"

Today’s Reading: Luke 18:18-43

The Bible declares that humans cannot achieve eternal life by their own efforts. This truth is a sharp contrast to virtually every other belief system in the world. Most religions teach that humans must earn salvation, enlightenment, or paradise by performing rituals, keeping laws, following religious rites or accumulating merit. They teach that people must reach up to God or the divine through their own efforts.

Eternal life is not just difficult to attain—it’s utterly beyond human reach. No amount of effort, goodness, religion, wealth, spirituality, charity, or discipline can secure it. It is impossible by human standards, completely outside the realm of what we can achieve.

This truth comes from Jesus Himself, in a powerful exchange with a rich young ruler. The man approached Jesus, eager to know what he could do to obtain eternal life. He had kept God’s commandments and lived a morally upright life, but when Jesus challenged him to give up his wealth and follow Him, he walked away, sorrowful and unwilling. The disciples, watching this unfold, were stunned. If someone as outwardly righteous as this man couldn’t make it, who could? Jesus’ response shattered their assumptions—even for the most devout, something more was needed.

At the core of this passage is a sobering reality: humanity is powerless to save itself. We are born into sin, separated from God by a chasm we cannot cross on our own. No amount of goodness can erase the stain, no wealth can buy redemption, and no self-discipline can overcome the brokenness within us. Jesus makes it clear—left to ourselves, we are incapable of meeting the perfect standard of a holy God.

But that’s not the end of the story. The good news is that our loving Creator initiates salvation by reaching down to us. What is impossible for man is entirely possible for God. Salvation is His work from beginning to end. In His infinite grace, He has done for us what we could never do on our own. Jesus took our place, bearing the weight of our sin, paying the price we could not pay. His death and resurrection paved the only way to eternal life. Our hope does not rest in our own efforts but in Him alone.

God’s power makes the impossible possible. Through faith in Christ, we are justified—not by our works, but by His mercy. This is the heart of the Gospel: salvation is not about what we do, but about what God has done. When we surrender ourselves fully to Him, trusting in the finished work of Jesus, we step into the miracle of grace.

May the Lord bring you to the foot of the cross, where pride fades and the fullness of His love washes over you. May you find confidence in His sufficiency, knowing that with Him, what once seemed impossible becomes gloriously possible.

May 18 -- "Will He Find Faith?"

Today’s Reading: Luke 18:1-17

In Luke 18:8, Jesus poses a deeply stirring question: When I return, will I find faith on the earth? This question is more than a passing remark—it challenges us to reflect on the endurance of our own faith. The return of Christ is certain, but will we remain steadfast, clinging to God's promises even in the midst of trials and distractions?

At first glance, Jesus’ question might seem disconnected from the parable He had just told. But it is, in fact, a continuation of the lesson He was teaching through the story of the persistent widow. This woman, overlooked and ignored, refused to stop seeking justice. She pressed on, undeterred by silence, unwavering in her pursuit—an example of the kind of faith Jesus desires to see in His followers.

The widow’s tenacity teaches us that faith is more than belief—it is perseverance. In the parable, she pleads for justice from an unyielding judge who seems indifferent to her plight. Though he appears unmoved at first, her relentless persistence eventually secures a response. She was not discouraged by delay. She did not allow rejection to silence her. She was unwavering, determined, unshaken. This is the kind of faith we are called to—a faith that clings to God’s promises despite delays, setbacks, and delayed answers to our prayers.

That kind of faith is not just produced by human effort; it is divinely empowered. The Holy Spirit enables us to believe, even when circumstances tempt us to doubt. He strengthens us to stand firm in trials and trust God’s promises. Faith that lasts is not just about determination—it is fueled by the Holy Spirit. He is the source, the sustainer, the strength behind our perseverance. The key? Yielding to Him daily, listening to His voice, allowing Him to shape our faith into something unshakable.

Scripture tells us that when Christ returns, He will, in fact, find both faithlessness and faith. There will be many who fall away, yet there will remain a remnant—a people empowered by the Holy Spirit who refused to surrender their trust in God despite the tribulations of the Last Days. Christ is looking for this enduring faith—the faith that holds fast, that perseveres through hardship, that remains steadfast in a world pulling toward unbelief. Will He find that faith in you? This is the call—to believe, to endure, to hold on, knowing that He is coming again.

Today, may your trust in Him be as unshakable as the widow’s persistence. And when He returns, may He find in you a deep abiding faith that clings to Him and His promises. 

May 17 -- "Paradox: Keeping By Losing"

Today’s Reading: Luke 17:20-37

In Luke 17:33 Jesus is pressing the paradoxical truth that true life is found in surrender, not in self-preservation. Jesus is calling His followers to understand that, in the Kingdom of God, seeking to hold onto our lives, control our circumstances, and preserve our own comfort ultimately leads to loss. But when we are willing to "lose" our life—by surrendering our desires, ambitions, and self-will to follow Him—we find a richer, more abundant life, both here and in eternity.

But how do we actually live out what Jesus teaches in this verse—losing our life to find it? Here are some practical steps:

1. Let Go of Control: We naturally crave control—over schedules, finances, and relationships—but surrendering them to God brings peace. Trust that He knows better and is working all things for your good. If anxiety grips you over a decision, release it in prayer, relying on His perfect guidance.

2. Prioritize God’s Will: Begin each day asking, “Lord, what do You desire of me today?” This simple question shifts your focus from personal ambition to divine purpose. When facing choices, ask: "What honors God most?" It may require sacrifice, but His plans always exceed our own.

3. Serve Others: Losing your life isn't just about giving up personal desires—it’s about embracing love in action. When you serve others instead of chasing self-centered gain, you embody surrender. Whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or offering encouragement, service reflects the heart of God’s Kingdom.

4. Embrace Sacrifice: Small, daily sacrifices shape a surrendered heart. Rising earlier to seek Him, fasting from distractions, or giving generously all cultivate a deeper walk with God. Choosing His Kingdom over personal comfort leads to lasting fulfillment.

5. Trust God with Your Future: The instinct to map out every detail of life can lead to anxiety, but surrendering your future to God brings freedom. Whether career, family, or ministry—He is faithful to guide each step.

Losing your life to find it is deeply challenging—because it goes against every natural instinct we have. We're wired to protect ourselves, plan our futures, build our dreams, and secure comfort. Surrendering all that to follow Jesus requires real trust, humility, and dying to self—daily. It’s not just hard; it’s impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. But always remember, on the other side of surrender is freedom. On the other side of letting go is peace. And every time you choose Jesus over yourself, you’ll find more of His life flowing in you and through you.

Today, may the Lord grant you the grace and courage to begin losing your life for His sake. Go in peace, knowing that He who calls you to lose your life will return to you something far more beautiful—life in Him, abundant and everlasting. 

May 16 -- "Seven Times in One Day!"

Today’s Reading: Luke 17:1-19

Forgiving others isn’t just a noble gesture it’s a command from Jesus, a calling for all who follow Him.

In Luke 17, He leaves no room for doubt: no matter how often someone wrongs us, we are to forgive. This isn’t about keeping score or measuring how much grace we extend. It’s about mirroring the limitless mercy God has poured out on us.

Let’s be honest this kind of forgiveness is difficult. At times it can feel impossible, especially when wounds keep reopening. Our natural instinct is to hold on, to let resentment fester. But Jesus warns that refusing to forgive others hinders our own relationship with God, as seen in Matthew 6:14-15. It is when we release that burden that we are set free. Forgiveness isn’t just a one-time decision; it’s a continual act of obedience, a declaration that we trust Gods heart more than our own pain.

Jewish teachers of that day generally taught that forgiveness was important, but it was often conditional, meaning it required certain steps before it was granted. Unlike Jesus’ teaching of unconditional forgiveness, many Jewish teachers emphasized that forgiveness was dependent on the offender’s repentance and efforts to make amends. Some rabbinic traditions suggested that a person should forgive up to three times, but beyond that, forgiveness was not required. But seven times!? In one day!? Radical!

No wonder the disciples, hearing this radical teaching, felt overwhelmed. It went against every human impulse for them to offer grace again and again, especially when someone keeps failing us. So, in verse 5, they cry out, “Increase our faith!” In that moment, they realized that this level of forgiveness required something beyond themselves. They needed Gods help. Their plea shows their humility, their recognition that living out Jesus command is impossible apart from divine help.

So, who in your life needs forgiveness? Maybe the hurt feels fresh, the injustice seems too great to let go. But Jesus calls you to trust Him enough to release that burden today. Will you take that step? Will you offer grace—the same grace that has been offered to you? Trust that Gods strength is greater than your pain, that He will empower you to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven. As you release the burden, something remarkable happens. The chains of resentment begin to loosen, and the weight of bitterness lifts. Your heart grows lighter, no longer carrying the exhausting task of keeping score.

Today, may the Lord fill you with His mercy, washing away any bitterness. May His peace guard your heart as you step into the freedom that forgiveness brings. And may you rest, fully surrendered, in the forgiveness that has already been so lavishly given to you. Amen.