June 3 -- "Comeback Guy: From Death to Life"

 Today's Reading: Ephesians 2 

The Gospel isn’t about turning bad people into better versions of themselves—it’s about bringing the dead to life! Before Jesus, we weren’t just struggling or spiritually weak—we were lifeless, completely cut off from God. But in His boundless mercy and unstoppable love, He reached into our brokenness and did the impossible. He breathed life into our souls and raised us up with Christ. It’s the greatest redemption story ever told—but for me, it became deeply personal.

As a teenager, my life went off the rails. Rebellion pulled me deeper into sin, convincing me I was in control while I drifted further from truth. Hoping to inspire change, my dad bought me The Comeback Guy, a book about a student who worked his way back from failure to success. I barely glanced at it. I wasn’t looking for a comeback—but God was already writing one.

Paul’s words in Ephesians 2 capture my reality back then. He declares that we were “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1–2). This wasn’t just a theological statement—it was my life. I chased the world, obeyed my flesh, and lived spiritually disconnected. No heartbeat. No way to save myself.

Then, verses 4 and 5 interrupted the downward spiral: But God… I wasn’t seeking Him, but He pursued me. It was when I met Jesus that everything changed. He didn’t just offer better choices or second chances; He raised me to life. This wasn’t self-help—it was resurrection.

Every Christ-follower has a “But God” story. Your past no longer defines you. You are alive in Jesus! The enemy wants you to forget, convincing you to live trapped by shame, ruled by guilt, or bound to old failures. But God has set you free. The tomb is empty. You are not who you were.

So live as someone resurrected! Let grace shape your words, influence your choices, and transform your relationships. See others through mercy, as God sees you. And daily, celebrate the “But God” moment that turned you into a “comeback guy (or gal)” and changed your eternity forever.

Today, may Jesus flood your heart with the assurance that you are truly alive in Him. May His mercy sustain you, His love strengthen you, and His Spirit empower you to walk in new life. You have been raised to life—now go and live like it, in Jesus’ name. 

June 2 -- "Walking in Heaven’s Blessings"

Today's Reading: Ephesians 1

If you are a follower of Christ, you are drenched in God’s favor. That’s what Ephesians 1:3 declares – God has blessed those in Christ with “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.” In other words, you lack nothing, because in Christ, you have been given everything that matters.

Imagine waking up every morning with the unshakable certainty that you are abundantly blessed—not by the fleeting measures of this world, but by the eternal riches God has poured out in Christ. What if your heart truly grasped the fullness of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, not just as a theological concept, but as a reality shaping every moment of your life?

No longer would your worth be tied to achievements, approval, or the unpredictable ebb and flow of circumstances. You would step forward each day knowing you are chosen—set apart by God before the foundation of the world. You would walk with confidence, not burdened by past failures, because redemption is already yours, sealed by the blood of Christ. Instead of striving for acceptance, you would rest in the assurance that you are fully loved, completely forgiven, and adopted into the family of the King.

This awareness would transform everything. Fear would lose its grip, because you would know that your inheritance is secure, held in the hands of a faithful God who never wavers. Doubt would no longer define you, because the Spirit Himself bears witness that you belong—that you are marked by divine grace. And discouragement? It would fade in the light of this truth.

Living with this perspective means stepping into each interaction with confidence and kindness, free from insecurity or comparison. It means embracing purpose, knowing that your life is infused with meaning—not because of what you accomplish, but because of who you belong to. It means lifting others up, sharing the riches of grace with those who feel empty, so they, too, can discover the inexhaustible love of God.

So start today—pause, reflect, and let this truth settle deep within you. You are blessed beyond measure, filled to overflowing with the riches of Christ. Walk in it. Live in it. Let it change the way you see yourself, the world, and the people around you. This isn’t just a promise—it’s your reality. Step into it fully, and let your life reflect the abundance of heaven. 

June 1 -- "The Secret to Understanding the Bible"

Today's Reading: Luke 24:28-53

We can study the Bible in many ways—analyzing the grammar, comparing translations, delving into the original languages, reading commentaries, even memorizing entire passages. But none of these efforts, on their own, can unlock the deeper truths that transform hearts and reveal Jesus. True understanding is a divine work, not a human achievement. Scripture itself confirms this in 1 Corinthians 2:14: spiritual truths are beyond our grasp until God opens our minds to receive them.

Consider what happened on the road to Emmaus. Jesus walked alongside His disciples, yet they struggled to understand. Despite having spent years with Him, witnessing His miracles and hearing His teaching, they still couldn’t connect the dots. But in that pivotal moment, Jesus revealed the grand design. He showed them how Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms all pointed to Him—how the intricate threads of Scripture wove a masterpiece that declared His glory. It wasn’t just about gaining knowledge. It was about divine revelation—seeing Jesus with new eyes.

That same gift is available today. Have you ever felt stuck in your Bible reading, unsure how to move beyond words on a page? You’re not alone. Even the disciples needed help understanding! But here’s the hope-filled truth: Jesus is still illuminating hearts and minds. When you approach Scripture with a teachable spirit, leaning on the Holy Spirit—your divine Helper—you’ll begin to see the Word come alive in ways you never imagined. You don’t need credentials or years of study; you only need a deep hunger to know Him.

So ask Him. Before you open your Bible, pray: “Lord, open my mind to understand what You are saying to me.” Then read with expectation. Slow down. Let the words sink in. Ask questions. Search for Jesus in every verse. And as your understanding grows, let it overflow—share it, speak it, live it! Just like those disciples who ran to tell others, let the light of God’s Word shine through your conversations, your worship, and your witness. 

May 31 -- "The Tomb Told the Truth"

Today's Reading: Luke 24:1-27

The resurrection of Jesus Christ isn’t just some heartwarming spiritual metaphor. Nor is it a cleverly devised myth or fable—it’s a historical, verifiable event. It happened in real time, at a real tomb, outside real Jerusalem, in front of real people. The stone wasn’t rolled away just to let Jesus out—it was rolled away to let eyewitnesses in.

When the women came to the tomb early that morning, they weren’t expecting a risen Savior. They came to finish the burial process by applying spices and perfumes to His corpse. Instead, they found angels announcing what would become the cornerstone of Christian faith: “He is not here, but has risen.” That claim wasn’t made in secret or kept within a tight-knit circle. It was publicly proclaimed. And it stood up to scrutiny.

Think about it—Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. Then to Peter. Then to the two on the road to Emmaus. Then to all the disciples. Then, according to Paul, to over five hundred people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6)! These weren’t hallucinations or wishful thinking. Many of these witnesses would go on to suffer and die rather than deny what they had seen: a living, breathing, resurrected Christ.

Imagine being in a courtroom with 500 eyewitnesses all pointing to the same undeniable truth. That’s the resurrection: overwhelming testimony, verifiable facts, and an empty tomb that still echoes today—“He is not here, but has risen!”

And the tomb? It remained empty. The authorities couldn’t produce a body—because there was none to be found. If the resurrection were fake, Christianity would’ve fizzled before it ever found footing. But it didn’t. It exploded—because truth has a way of doing that.

Our faith isn’t blind. It’s grounded in history. Jesus didn’t just rise “in our hearts”—He got up and walked out of the grave. And that truth gives us a sure foundation for hope, forgiveness, and eternal life.

So live boldly, because the resurrection is real. Trust God’s promises, because Jesus backed them up with His own victory over death. Don’t settle for vague inspiration when you have solid truth to stand on.

May the Lord grant you unshakable confidence in the risen Christ, anchoring your faith not in feelings, but in the solid truth of His resurrection. And may the same power that raised Jesus from the grave breathe fresh hope into every part of your life today. 

May 30 -- "Radical Forgiveness"

Today's Reading: Luke 23:26-56

Jesus never let His own suffering overshadow the needs of others. As He hung on the cross, His body broken and His strength fading, He looked beyond His pain to see the spiritual desperation around Him. In an act of astonishing love, He prayed—not for His own relief, but for the forgiveness and relief of those who had condemned Him.

His words in Luke 23:34—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”—reveal the unfathomable grace of God, a mercy that extends even to those who mocked, tortured, and crucified His Son. Though innocent, Jesus endured brutal punishment at the hands of those He had come to save. Instead of condemning His executioners, He interceded for them, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “Yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). In His suffering, He showed the world what true forgiveness looks like.

This radical forgiveness is not just a lesson but a command. Forgiveness is never presented in Scripture as optional—it is a direct expectation for those who follow Christ. In a world that clings to bitterness and seeks revenge, Jesus calls His followers to embrace grace. Forgiving someone who hasn’t apologized or repented can feel unfair—almost as if we’re letting them escape the consequences of their actions. But Biblical forgiveness isn’t about excusing sin or denying justice; it’s about releasing our own hearts from bitterness and mirroring the mercy of God.

Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of Ravensbrück concentration camp, understood this truth in a deeply personal way. Many years after her release she encountered a former Nazi guard from the very camp where she and her sister had suffered. He asked for her forgiveness. The weight of her past pressed heavily upon her—but she prayed for strength, obeyed God’s command, and extended mercy. As she did, she felt the overwhelming love of God pour through her, bringing healing not only to herself but to the man who had once been her oppressor.

Are there wounds in your heart that remain unforgiven? Are there conflicts you have yet to release? Surrender them to God. Reconciliation may not always be possible, but the choice to forgive is always within reach. Just as Christ has freely forgiven us, so we are called to forgive others.

May the Lord fill your heart with His selfless love, enabling you to prioritize others above yourself and to forgive as He has so graciously forgiven you. 

May 29 -- "Not Guilty!"

Today's Reading: Luke 23:1-25 

Pilate’s verdict was clear: Jesus was innocent. “I find no guilt in this man,” he declared in Luke 23:14. Yet, despite this undeniable verdict, the mob clamored for His crucifixion, choosing injustice over truth and mercy. That moment set into motion the most breathtaking act of love and redemption the world has ever known

This was not merely human injustice—it was divine orchestration. The suffering of this holy Man was not an accident of history or simply the tragic result of mob rule. It was the sovereign plan of God unfolding, just as foretold. What seemed like a tragic defeat was, in truth, the fulfillment of the Father’s plan to unlock forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life for all.

God’s law demanded a sacrifice for the atonement of sin, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22) Only a perfect, spotless sacrifice could satisfy this requirement and redeem humanity from sin. Jesus alone fulfilled that requirement. Pilate’s words unwittingly confirmed what prophecy had long foretold— “he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) Though unjustly accused and surrounded by hostility, Jesus did not protest nor defend Himself. Instead, He stood in silence, willingly taking upon Himself the condemnation we rightfully deserved.

This defining moment in history is the very heart of the Gospel: The Innocent One bore the penalty of the guilty, bridging the gap between humanity and a holy God. His suffering was not just physical; it was the agony of betrayal, false accusation, deep injustice, and the excruciating pain of separation from His Father.

Let your heart be captivated by the One who took your place. Rejoice in the freedom that His sacrifice secured for you. When resentment tempts you, when the sting of wrongdoing weighs heavy, turn your gaze to the cross. There hangs the Savior who, even in agony, forgave. Let His boundless grace shape your heart, softening your response to life’s injustices.

May the Lord awaken in you a deep wonder at the purity of Jesus and the unfathomable depth of His love. May His example embolden you to choose humility over bitterness, mercy over retribution, and trust over fear—knowing that He who was judged unjustly is the righteous Judge over all. 

May 28 -- "The Right Hand of Power"

Today's Reading: Luke 22:47-71

Throughout Scripture, the “right hand of God” is a powerful image of unstoppable might, divine authority, and ultimate victory. It is the hand that delivers His people, judges nations, lifts the humble, and secures the faithful. From the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 to the triumphant throne in Revelation 5, God’s right hand moves with purpose—it rescues, reigns, and redeems.

In Exodus 15:6, the people of Israel erupt in praise—"Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy." They are celebrating the Lord’s defeat of Pharaoh’s armies without a single sword being lifted. No warriors. No weapons. Only His breath and the crashing sea did the work. This same powerful right hand is echoed throughout the Bible, revealing God as the source of salvation, strength, and security (Psalm 20, Psalm 89, Isaiah 41).

Fast forward to Luke 22:69—Jesus, standing trial before the Sanhedrin, declares that soon they will witness Him “seated at the right hand of the power of God.” He wasn’t simply referencing prophecy—He was making a profound claim: He is the Messiah, the rightful Judge, the Son of God. In ancient times, the king’s right hand was reserved for the most trusted ruler, the heir, the one who acted with the king’s full authority. Yet Jesus was saying something even greater—not just that He shared God’s rule, but that He was one with the Father. His words were unmistakable, and they shook His audience to the core.

Jesus now reigns at God’s right hand—not as a distant deity, but as our living Savior and victorious King (Hebrews 10:12). And from that place of authority, He intercedes for us—"Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:34). The same hand that shattered Pharaoh’s army, conquered death, and raised Christ from the grave is at work talking to the Father about you-interceding in your life today. His power is limitless. His presence is personal. No trial, no enemy, no fear can stand against the mighty hand that holds you.

Think of a child in a bustling crowd, grasping tightly to their father’s hand. That grip—the unwavering strength, the assurance of safety—is exactly what we have in God. Through Christ, we are not just carried, but upheld by His righteous right hand, and we are never alone, because He intercedes for us continually.

Today, may you walk with boldness, knowing that the hand of victory holds you securely. Let His power steady your heart, guide your steps, and fill you with peace.