June 5 -- "Walk Like You Mean It"

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4

In Ephesians 4, Christ's followers are given a divine challenge--to walk worthy of their calling. Not just a casual stroll, but an intentional, purposeful march in step with Gods heart. In fact, Paul pleads (begs) for the believers to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (NLT)

This passage isnt just a gentle nudge; its a bold declaration of the incredible identity we carry as followers of Christ and our duty to that identity. Walking "worthy" means making choices that align with the kingdom of God--decisions so distinct that others can see Christ alive in us. This calling is no small thing! It’s not about marking off a spiritual checklist or simply being nice. No, its about transformation-- being remade in the very image of God Himself!

 But lets be real:walking un-worthy of this calling is all too easy. Pride creeps in, tempting us to elevate ourselves instead of humbling our hearts. Harshness overtakes gentleness, leading to strained relationships and unnecessary conflict. Impatience shortens our fuse, making tolerance and grace feel out of reach. And a lack of love? Well, that fractures the unity God designed for His people, and, tragically, makes His church indistinguishable from the world.

Yet, we are called to a higher way Christ’s way. Humility reminds us to put others ahead of ourselves. Gentleness teaches us to handle people with care, rather than crushing them with our words or actions. Patience helps us endure life’s challenges with grace, rather than frustration. And love--love is what binds us all together, shining bright as the undeniable evidence of Christs work within us.

Walking worthy of our calling isn’t something we muscle through on sheer willpower. It is only possible through the transforming and enabling power of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who refines us, strengthens us, and shapes us into the image of Christ. So, embrace this walk! Begin each day with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to fill you with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Walking like you mean it, is all about intentionality: living in a way that truly reflects the weight of your calling. Be intentional in every interaction, choosing to reflect Christs character through your words and actions.

Let your life be proof--living, breathing evidence--of the transforming power of Gods love. Today, may the Lord strengthen you to walk worthy of the calling He has placed upon you. And may His Spirit shape your heart with grace, guiding your steps every single day. 

June 4 -- "Mystery Unveiled: Minds Blown"

Today's Reading: Ephesians 3

The Lord had a plan from the beginning-to include Gentiles as equal heirs with Israel. This plan was shrouded in mystery, but clues were hidden in plain sight through the Old Testament. And now the mystery is fully revealed in Christ. And in Paul’s day, it blew people’s minds.

God is the Master Author, and for centuries, He laid out clues to His plan—like a cosmic treasure hunt. The Old Testament is filled with whispers of something bigger than anyone realized. God told Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah saw the Messiah as “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). And the psalmist sang, “All the families of the nations shall worship before You” (Psalm 22:27). These were more than poetic lines—they were treasure map markings pointing to something glorious.

But no one expected the treasure to be this good.

When Paul declared in Ephesians 3:6 that “this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus” jaws must’ve hit the floor when this truth was fully revealed. This wasn’t just that Gentiles could be near God—it was that they were now co-equal heirs with Israel. One body. One promise. One Savior. For centuries, the idea that Gentiles could share equally in God's covenant blessings would've sounded outrageous—scandalous, even!

But that’s our God—He delights in blowing our minds with grace.

And here’s where it hits home: if you’ve trusted in Jesus, you are part of the treasure. You aren’t a latecomer or a lesser part. You belong. Fully. Joyfully. Eternally. And just like anyone who finds treasure, we’re not meant to hide it.

Rejoice in your place in God’s eternal plan. Rest in the wonder of being fully included. And then, go help someone else discover what’s been revealed. 

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.