August 1 — "The Arbiter Has Arrived"

Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 2 

Isn’t it breathtaking to glimpse the brilliance of God’s design in Scripture? From Genesis to Revelation, there’s a golden thread woven through every page—Jesus.

As St. Augustine put it: “The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.”

One beautiful connection unfolds between Job and First Timothy. Job, battered by loss and grief, sat in the ashes—bewildered, broken, and desperate. He sensed the impossible gulf between a holy God and sinful man. And in his agony, he cried out: “There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both” (Job 9:33). His words echo the ache of every human heart that longs for mercy but feels too far gone to reach it.

Fast-forward two millennia—and Jesus steps into history. What Job could only groan for, Paul boldly proclaims: “For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5–6). The yearning of the Old is satisfied in the certainty of the New. The Arbiter has come—and His name is Jesus.

A mediator is someone who acts as an intermediary or "go-between" to reconcile differences between two parties. The human race needs a mediator because we are separated—estranged from—God and we cannot bridge that gap on our own. 

We need a Mediator because sin created a great divide—a chasm in the universe—separating us from God. As Isaiah wrote, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have  hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”  (Isaiah 59:2). No effort, goodness, or religion can bridge that gap. Only someone who fully embodies both divinity and humanity can stand in that space.

That’s what Jesus does. As fully God, He radiates the holiness, justice, and truth of the Father. As fully man, He enters into our frailty, temptations, and pain. He alone qualifies to “lay His hand on us both.”

Scripture isn’t a jumble of disconnected truths. It’s a divine drama—Spirit-breathed and Christ-centered. Jesus is the Lamb hinted at in sacrifices, the Ark of refuge, the Ladder to heaven, and the Mediator Job wept for. Do you see it? The brilliance? Job’s cry is met with Christ’s cross. The God who once felt distant now draws near—reaching with nail-scarred hands from Heaven to earth.

May wonder fill your heart today as you marvel at the unity of God's Word and the beauty of His plan. Rejoice—your Mediator has come. And He stands in the gap for you. 

July 31 — "Aim for What Matters"

Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” (Francis Chan) 

In life, it’s easy to chase the wrong prize—success, approval, control, even religious performance. But Scripture calls us back to what truly matters. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes to Timothy, a young pastor in the thick of a distracted church culture, and reminds him of the real mission: love. Not love as sentiment, but love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Timothy was dealing with teachers obsessed with myths, rules, and endless debates—missing the whole point. Paul’s words cut through the confusion: “The goal of our instruction is love.” That’s the real measure—not how impressive we sound, but whether our hearts are being shaped into Christ’s likeness.

That kind of love flows from three strong roots:

1. A pure heart—free from bitterness, hidden motives, and hypocrisy.
2. A good conscience—the quiet strength that comes from integrity and obedience.
3. A sincere faith—authentic trust in Christ that isn’t for show, but for real life.

There’s a story of a competitive archer who trained for years to hit bullseyes. At one major tournament, he nailed every shot dead center—only to realize he had been aiming at the wrong target lane the entire time. He hit what he was aiming for, but it didn’t count. Life is like that. You can be disciplined, focused, and successful—and still miss what matters most if your target is off. As author, Steven Covey said, “Don’t climb the ladder of success only to find it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”

We all pursue something. But if love isn’t shaping our words, motives, and actions, then we’re just hitting the wrong target with great precision. Think about your last few conversations—were they driven by love or driven by pride? Did your social media post build someone up or just broadcast your opinion? When love leads, truth comes with gentleness, correction flows from humility, and our hearts begin to look like Christ’s.

So pause and recalibrate. Before you speak, decide, or respond—ask: What’s my true goal here? Don’t just shoot with skill—make sure you're locked onto the right target.

May the Lord steady your hand and clear your vision. May He purify your heart, calm your conscience, and deepen your faith—so that your life becomes a faithful arrow of His love, flying straight and true.

 

July 30 — "Hearing, But Not Listening"

Today's Reading: Acts 28

A soft, tender heart is one of the most priceless spiritual treasures a person can possess. It reflects humility, trust, and a deep, abiding love for God. Like freshly tilled soil, a softened heart welcomes the Word—it doesn’t repel it, choke it out, or let it blow away. Instead, it receives truth, clings to it, and blossoms with fruit. A heart like this is teachable, eager to grow, and open to change.

In essence, a tender heart unlocks deeper intimacy with God, leads to wiser decisions, nurtures healthier relationships, bears lasting fruit, and renews the soul day after day.

But here’s the kicker—when our hearts grow dull, our spiritual “ears” stop hearing and our spiritual “eyes” stop seeing. The result? Spiritual stagnation. Acts 28:27 delivers a sobering truth: the Gospel can be boldly preached and still rejected—not due to confusion, but because people simply refuse to respond. God longs to heal, but He won’t bulldoze a will that won’t yield.

Paul, quoting Isaiah, explains why many Jewish listeners resisted his message about Jesus: “For this people's heart has grown dull...” It wasn’t a lack of comprehension. It was a crusty, calloused heart. They’d heard the truth again and again but had built up spiritual scar tissue through repeated resistance. And that’s the warning—when we continually brush off God’s voice, we risk developing spiritual deafness. What was once a soft heart can turn hard with pride, fear, or distraction.

Let’s be real—none of us are immune. Think of all the times we’ve sat through a sermon, skimmed a verse, felt the Holy Spirit tug at our hearts... and shrugged it off. Every dismissal nudges the heart toward dullness—one hardened layer at a time. But the reverse is gloriously true: every time we respond, the Spirit softens and shapes us anew.

So don’t let your heart grow crusty. Today, if you hear His voice, respond to Him. Ask the Lord to open your eyes, unstop your ears, and tenderize your heart. Let the Holy Spirit reignite your love for His Word, presence, and path. Keep your heart soft through daily surrender, frequent repentance, and a joyful, radical trust.

May the Lord bless you with a heart that pulses in perfect sync with His. May your ears perk up at His whisper, your eyes spot His wonders, and your feet run after His lead. And may He protect you from spiritual callouses by covering you—again and again—in His truth and love. 

July 29 — "Stay in the Ship!"

Today's Reading: Acts 27:27-44

Sometimes God asks us to obey in ways that feel... well, completely upside down. Forgive someone who left deep wounds? Be extravagantly generous when your wallet’s wheezing? Stay in a relationship that’s stretching your last nerve? Obedience in moments like these rarely feels comfortable—but it’s divinely right. While we see fragments, God sees the full picture. What feels absurd to us may be the exact key to your breakthrough. Trusting Him often means taking the road that feels backward, awkward, and counterintuitive.

Just look at Acts 27—Paul and 275 shipmates caught in a sea-born horror show. Waves thrashing, the vessel cracking, and seasoned sailors whispering plans to jump ship. I mean, who wouldn’t want OFF a sinking boat? It’s the obvious call, right? But Paul, under divine direction, says, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Wait… what? Stay in the wreck? God’s instructions defy logic because they’re driven by purpose, not appearances.

Remember Joshua and Jericho? God told him to take down a fortified city by... marching around it silently for seven days. No battering rams, no siege towers—just tiptoes and trumpets. It shattered military logic, but obedience brought down walls. When God gives bizarre instructions, it’s not divine whimsy—it’s divine foresight. His wisdom sees far beyond our own.

Has God nudged you to do something that collides with common sense? Maybe He’s urging you to stay when everyone says bounce—or move when your instinct says freeze. Don’t sit around waiting for His direction to make perfect sense before stepping out in faith. God isn’t asking for your full understanding—He’s inviting your full trust. If He’s whispering “forgive,” “stay,” “give,” “speak,” or “wait”—just do it. Even if your emotions are throwing a fit. Real trust is revealed when God says "go left" and your gut yells "go right." Obey anyway. His voice sees the finish line from the starting gate.

May the Lord fine-tune your ears to hear even His most mind-bending instructions, and fill your heart with boldness to follow without flinching. May He cradle your spirit with peace when His ways perplex your logic. Trust Him. He’s got this—and He's got you. 

July 28 — "Fear Not, Sail On"

Today's Reading: Acts 27:1-26

Fear is a natural human response to uncertainty. But all throughout Scripture, God lovingly repeats a divine refrain: “Do not be afraid.” Whether His people were squaring off with giants, bracing against storms at sea, or staring into the great unknown, heaven’s message remained constant and clear—you’re not alone, I am here.

Take Acts 27. The Apostle Paul was neck-deep in shipwreck drama—chaotic waves, shrieking wind, and a Roman prison vessel splitting apart like a soggy breadstick. And in the middle of that mess, an angel appeared with this soul-steadying declaration: “Do not be afraid, Paul... God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” Now hear this—God’s presence might not always still the storm... but it absolutely, unequivocally, unshakably stills His servant.

Paul’s storm was real—saltwater spray, splintering wood, and all. Yet right there, God’s voice reminded him not of how tough he was... but Whose he was. The phrase “Do not be afraid” shows up more than 300 times in Scripture—not because life’s dangers suddenly go on vacation, but because, when it shows up, God is already there. From Abraham (Genesis 15:1) to Joshua (Joshua 1:9), Mary (Luke 1:30) to the disciples (Matthew 14:27)—God keeps saying it, and saying it, and saying it... because, let’s be honest, we keep needing it, and needing it, and needing it.

Maybe you’re not adrift at sea, but you're weathering a storm—financial, relational, emotional, or spiritual—and it feels like you’re sinking faster than your hope. Listen up: if you belong to Jesus, the same God who stood by Paul stands with you right now. The enemy loves to throw fear parties, but the Spirit breaks out the faith playlist. Your feelings can lie, but God’s promises are your anchor.

So what do you do? Bail out? Nope. Panic? Uhhuh. Run awa? No way! Believe. Sail on! Stand up and declare it today: “I will not be afraid, for the Lord is with me!” Keep sailing by faith, even when the shoreline vanishes from view. Trust—really trust—that God is not just going to bring you through this storm. He’s going to bless you and others through it.

May the Lord fill your sails with His peace—the unshakable kind that whispers “I’m in the boat” even when the waves roar. Step forward today with holy courage, holy confidence, and holy calm, knowing the One who said “Do not be afraid” is still saying it... and still sticking with you. 

July 27 — "Too Implausible to Believe?"

Today's Reading: Acts 26

The resurrection of the dead isn’t just a dusty relic of ancient theology—it’s the blazing heartbeat of the Christian faith! In Acts 26:8, Paul flings down a bold challenge: “Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?” Translation: If God is truly almighty, the Creator of life itself, why should resurrection blow your minds?

Standing trial before King Agrippa, Paul doesn’t tiptoe around the Gospel’s core. He plants both feet in it: Jesus rose from the dead. That truth was his anchor and the fire in his bones. Surrounded by skeptics, Paul doesn’t back down—he turns the volume all the way up! The resurrection wasn’t abstract theology to him—it was a life-altering encounter. For Paul, resurrection wasn’t a dilemma; it was a divine certainty.

Let’s unpack that word “incredible.” It didn’t mean amazing; it meant implausible or beyond reason. Paul flips the logic: “If you believe in a God who creates life, why would restoring life be off-limits?”

If anyone should grasp the boundless power of God, it was Paul’s Jewish detractors. After all, the Jews’ history is saturated in divine displays that defy logic and gravity. They saw the Red Sea part like curtains, ate bread that fell from the sky, drank water from rocks, and watched Jericho’s walls fall at the sound of praise. Dead bones once rose and danced under a prophet’s voice. In fact, Elijah raised the son of a widow back to life after he died during a famine. Why should resurrection be unthinkable?

To Paul, resurrection was the natural expression of who God is: the Giver and Restorer of life.

But let’s be honest—we often treat resurrection like it’s an Easter-only event, wrapped in pastels and boxed away till spring. If God raised Jesus, He can revive a dead marriage, a broken heart, a weary soul, and yes—He will raise every believer to eternal life. Resurrection isn’t seasonal—it’s our daily confidence!

So don’t shrink your prayers to fit human limits or what your skeptical mind might consider “implausible.” Believe boldly for extravagant resurrection power in your everyday life. Share that wild hope with the world—just like Paul did—even when it sounds outrageous.

May the Lord flood your heart with resurrection faith. May He breathe new life into every dry place. And may you carry this blazing truth wherever you go: our God raises the dead! 

July 26 — "Dead Man Walking!"

Today's Reading: Acts 25 

Sometimes, what seems like a small religious disagreement to  those in the world is actually the most important truth in the universe.

In Acts 25, Roman governor Festus tries to explain Paul’s case to King Agrippa, saying it “was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.” What Festus tried to downplay (the resurrection of Christ) was proclaimed loudly by Paul: Jesus is alive! And everything hinges on that!

From the Roman viewpoint, Festus couldn’t quite wrap his official mind around Paul’s bold proclamation. To him, this was just some strange religious quarrel “about a dead man.” In Festus’s practical, rational thinking, dead people typically stay dead. End of story. Resurrection? Come on—it sounded like the kind of folklore you’d find scrawled on a tavern wall.

This single verse throws us headfirst into the thunderous collision of two worldviews. Rome, ever so grounded in politics, order, and raw earthly power, faced off against the incredible, supernatural claim at the very heart of Christianity: resurrection! To Festus, this was just a baffling assertion about some man walking out of a tomb. It was theological gibberish to his imperial ears.

To Paul, though? Jesus being alive wasn’t a quirky side note—it was everything. The resurrection confirmed Jesus wasn’t just another passing religious figure but the Victorious Conqueror of sin and death. It proved His divine authority, stamped God’s eternal “YES” over His promises, and flung open Heaven’s doors for anyone who’d believe. Festus’s shrug? It only magnified how deep the chasm ran between mere human logic and the divine disruption of history.

This clash between materialist and Biblical worldviews is still alive today. Like Paul, Christ-followers should stand firm in Gospel truth, live out its transforming power, and engage others with humility and winsome dialogue—offering a compelling vision rooted in Jesus’ resurrection. After all, this dead Man is actually alive!

Today, may you be filled with courage to stand firm in the truth of Christ's resurrection, sharing His transformative power with humility and grace. And may you, like those before you, loudly proclaim, “He is not here; He is risen!”—declaring with every breath that death is defeated, hope has triumphed, and the impossible has become possible.