July 3 — "Jesus: Do-Gooder"

Today's Reading: Acts 10:24-48

According to Acts 10:38, Jesus was a do-gooder. But He wasn’t just a nice guy doing kind deeds—He was a force of healing, restoration, and radical goodness in a broken world. This verse tells us He was anointed "with the Holy Spirit and power and went about doing good. He brought healing to the sick, fed the hungry, calmed storms, forgave sins, welcomed outcasts, cast out demons, taught deep truths, restored dignity to the broken, welcomed children, and ultimately sacrificed Himself for our salvation.

He didn’t simply pass through suffering—He confronted darkness and transformed it. And here’s the amazing thing: He’s still doing good today and He wants to do it through you and me! And as Peter described Jesus, he pointed to something incredible: Jesus didn’t fight evil with force He overwhelmed it with love and goodness. This is a call to recognize the compassionate, powerful heart of the Messiah.

If Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, healed the broken and freed the oppressed—and that same Spirit now dwells in us—then guess what? Were carrying the baton! Our lives should echo His: stepping into messy situations with grace, praying for the sick, comforting the weary, and shining His light in dark places.

Never underestimate what the Spirit of God can do through an ordinary day and a willing heart. Ask Him where a little doing good is needed—a word of hope for a coworker, a prayer for someone sick, a visit to someone lonely. You don’t need a pulpit. You don't need an audience. You just need His power and your yes!

God was with Him. Four simple words from this verse are packed with profound meaning. Though fully God, Jesus didn’t operate independently—He walked in complete connection to His Heavenly Father, empowered by the Holy Spirit. His miracles, compassion, and obedience flowed from that unshakable union. And here’s the jaw-dropping reality: that same Spirit now dwells in every believer, and He empowers us to walk in Jesus' footsteps bringing hope to the weary, healing to the broken, and light to the darkest places. Let today be a day of divine appointments—wherever you go, bring light, healing, and hope. Because when God is with you, even the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

In light of this, may the Lord anoint you afresh with His Holy Spirit and power as you walk in step with Jesus. And may it be that you—like Jesus—go about doing good, shining His light into a dark world. Do some good today. Amen! 

July 2 — "When Labels Fall, Grace Rises"

Today's Reading: Acts 10:1-23

Be careful how you label things—or people. In Acts 10:15, God jolted Peter with a bold truth: “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This wasn’t a minor adjustment to Peter’s diet—it was a radical shift in his worldview! He thought he was being faithful, but his labels didn’t match God’s. This verse reminds us: Don’t mislabel what God has redeemed. Whether it’s people, places, or situations, our perception must align with God’s truth—not our own biases.

Peter lived in a world neatly divided: holy (set apart for God) or common (unclean; off-limits). This wasn’t just cultural—it was ingrained through centuries of religious tradition. To most Jews, Gentiles were outsiders. They didn’t follow the Law of Moses. They worshiped false gods. They lived differently. So, forming close relationships, entering their homes, or even touching them? Unthinkable.

This mindset built invisible walls: They’re not like us. Even devout Gentiles like Cornelius, who feared God and gave generously to His work were still seen as outsiders. To Peter, God’s saving power was inseparable from Jewish heritage and tradition, and not for Gentiles. So, when God called him to step into a Gentile’s home—to share the Gospel—it clashed with everything he’d been taught.

Peter didn’t believe Gentiles were unworthy of love—he simply assumed they were outside holiness’s reach. But God uprooted that thinking.

And here’s where it hits home—we still slap labels on people. We categorize them by politics, past mistakes, addictions, or appearances. We write off entire communities—biker clubs, rehab centers, Hollywood, tattoo shops, even certain churches—assuming God’s not working there. We’ve branded people lost causes when God is moving in ways we can’t see.

But if God calls someone clean, forgiven, chosen, and accepted—who are we to say otherwise?

It’s time for a spiritual label audit. Ask God: “Who or what have I misjudged?” Surrender assumptions. Replace human categories with heavenly truth. Instead of avoiding the atheist, the addict, the celebrity, or the broken—you might be the very person God wants to use to bring grace.

May God open your eyes beyond appearances. May He give you the humility to replace labels with His love. And may you step boldly into places and relationships you once wrote off—knowing grace is always bigger than our categories. 

July 1 — "The Ripple Effect of True Transformation"

 

Today's Reading: Acts 9:20-43

When Jesus transforms a life, the ripple effect is undeniable! Acts 9:22 tells us that Saul’s radical change in Christ confounded people. The Greek word means to bewilder, baffle, or shake someone up mentally and emotionally. Saul’s transformation wasn’t just surprising—it was disruptive. His encounter with Jesus sent shockwaves through his community, leaving both friends and enemies scrambling to make sense of it.

Saul, once a feared persecutor, had just met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, and now? He was boldly preaching Christ in the synagogues. His past made him a walking contradiction, and his new life forced people to wrestle with the truth. But here’s the thing—he wasn’t seeking approval. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He was compelled by the undeniable reality that Jesus is the Christ.

This is the ripple effect of a truly surrendered life—it doesn’t stop at personal change. It spreads, unsettling assumptions and challenging beliefs. Saul’s transformation wasn’t just his story; it had a domino effect on everyone around him. His old allies were thrown into confusion. His enemies couldn’t ignore him. Even believers had to reconsider how fully God’s grace could reach. That’s what happens when God flips the script—a changed life shakes the world!

Maybe you’ve worried that your past disqualifies you. But that’s a lie—your past is the very thing God uses to magnify His grace! Like Saul, when Jesus takes hold of your life, it demands attention. People will notice. Some will question, others will doubt—but a transformed life speaks for itself!

So don’t shrink back—share your story! Even if your testimony doesn’t seem dramatic, lean into Scripture, just as Saul did. Let the Holy Spirit deepen your faith, sharpen your understanding, and strengthen your resolve. Expect challenges, but stand firm. Keep proving, with your life and words, that Jesus is the Christ!

Today, may you live so boldly that people have to ask, “What happened to you?” And then you get to joyfully proclaim, “Jesus!!” And may the Lord bless you with a transformation so powerful that its ripple effect confounds, commissions, and glorifies Christ.

June 30 — "The Ultimate Plot Twist: Grace Wins"

Today's Reading: Acts 9:1-19

God loves a good plot twist—and He’s not afraid to cast the unlikeliest characters. In Acts 9, God says to Ananias that Saul “is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Hold up—He’s talking about Saul. The very same Saul who made it his personal mission to crush the church! Not just forgiven, not just tolerated—but chosen, handpicked by God for a world-shaking assignment.

Let’s not breeze past that. Saul wasn’t looking for Jesus. Jesus came crashing into Saul’s journey, full force and blazing glory—knocking him off his feet (literally), blinding him, and then raising him up again through the healing hands of grace. One divine interruption later, the persecutor became a preacher. That’s vintage God.

Of course, Ananias was hesitant—who wouldn’t be? From a human angle, this looked reckless. Saul wasn’t just a skeptic; he was dangerous. Acts 9:1 says he was “breathing threats and murder” against the believers. Not exactly Sunday school material! He raided homes, dragged off disciples, and set fear in the hearts of the faithful. By all accounts, he was the early church’s “Public Enemy Number One.”

But God doesn’t recruit based on résumés or reputations or “rap sheets.” He looks beyond the wreckage and sees redemption. He wasn’t alarmed by Saul’s rage—He was ready to redeem it. Saul’s zeal wasn’t wasted; it was repurposed for something holy. That same boldness, that same fire? God aimed it straight into the heart of the mission field.

So here’s the twist for us: If God can use Saul, He can use you.  Your past doesn’t intimidate Him. Your baggage isn’t a dealbreaker—it might be the backdrop for His brightest spotlight. Maybe you feel unworthy, unqualified, or unlikely. Perfect! You’re exactly the kind of person God loves to partner with. He’s in the business of flipping scripts and rewriting futures.

Truth is, if you’re following Jesus, you are living proof of this truth. Your salvation—whether loud and dramatic or quiet and steady—is a miracle of grace. You were dead… but now? You live (Ephesians 2:4–5). That’s the ultimate divine reversal.

May the God who rewrites stories with mercy and power awaken fresh courage in your heart today.
And may your life, like Paul’s, become living proof that no one is too far for God’s love to reach, redeem, and send. 

June 29 — "Divine Dispatch: God’s Perfect Timing"

Today's Reading: Acts 8:26-40

God is the ultimate Dispatcher, setting the stage for life-changing encounters in the most unexpected places. In Acts 8, an Ethiopian official is poring over the words of Isaiah, reading about the “Lamb of God.” But there’s a problem—he doesn’t understand. Who is this “sheep” being led to slaughter? Why didn’t he fight back or even speak up? Confused, the official suddenly hears footsteps approaching his chariot. Enter Philip—dispatched by the Spirit, guided down a lonely desert road—for one purpose: to introduce a seeking heart to Jesus.

Philip doesn’t hesitate. He jumps right in, bridging the gap between Scripture and Savior, making sense of Isaiah 53:7—where Jesus, the sinless Lamb, willingly endured suffering and injustice to bring us peace with God.

This official had just returned from worshiping in Jerusalem, yet his heart remained restless. He was searching for more, longing for truth. He had the right Scripture but needed the right explainer. So, God sent Philip—pulling him from a thriving revival in Samaria—to meet one man in the desert. Why? Because God saw a heart that was ready! And let’s not miss the reminder here: God knows exactly where we are—geographically, emotionally, spiritually—and He moves Heaven and Earth to meet us in our searching.

Ever felt like Scripture just wasn’t clicking? Or like you were stuck in a “desert road” season, unsure why you’re there? Friend, don’t overlook the possibility of a divine setup! This story proves God goes out of His way to reach the forgotten, the outsider, the overlooked. No heart is too far, no desert too dry—He pursues with relentless grace.

If you’re searching, ask Jesus to reveal Himself through His Word. He will! And if you’re following Him, be ready for divine interruptions. That “random” conversation or unexpected detour might be your Philip moment—someone else’s eternity might hinge on your obedience. So keep your heart soft and your feet ready.

May the Lord open your eyes to the Lamb of God in a fresh, personal way. May His Word ignite a fire within you. And may you be willing to go wherever He leads—because every step could be a step toward someone’s salvation. 

June 28 — "Scattered But Not Silenced"

Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-25

Picture yourself stomping out a campfire, expecting to smother the flames. But instead of snuffing them out, you send embers flying in all directions—igniting new fires! That’s exactly what happened in Acts 8. Persecution scattered the early believers, but instead of silencing the Gospel, it shot sparks flying and spread like wildfire. What seemed like a setback became a divine setup—God’s Word reached new hearts and transformed lives.

The early believers, driven from their homes, didn’t retreat in fear—they boldly proclaimed Christ wherever they went. Acts 8:4 says, “those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This scattering wasn’t random—it was God expanding His kingdom. What looked like chaos was actually His divine strategy.

How did this explosive growth happen? By the scattered believers “preaching” the word. What is remarkable is that “preaching” here doesn’t mean formal sermons—it means everyday conversations. These believers shared Jesus in streets, homes, and marketplaces, turning every moment into a chance to spread hope through the truth of Jesus Christ.

After Acts 8, Christianity expanded beyond Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and Gentile regions. Through missionaries like Paul, the Gospel spread across the Roman Empire despite opposition. The early Church developed leadership, foundational doctrines, and resilience against critics and heresies. This growth laid the groundwork for Christianity’s prominence in centuries to come. Historians generally agree that by around AD 200, the Christian population in the Roman Empire had grown from a few dozen disciples to roughly between 1 and 2 million believers!

You may not face physical persecution, but life has a way of scattering us. Maybe it’s a career shift, a strained relationship, or unexpected hardship. The real question is: How will you respond? Will you shrink back, discouraged, or will you let God use your situation for His glory? He never wastes our trials—He repurposes them for His kingdom.

So, what about you? Where has God placed you? Who needs to hear His truth through your life, right here, right now? Don’t let hardship silence you—step boldly into the opportunities God has put before you. Like the believers in Acts, let your everyday conversations be a testimony of grace and truth, no matter where you’ve been scattered.

May the Lord grant you courage to share His Word, no matter where life takes you. May He open your eyes to see challenges as divine opportunities, and may His peace and purpose guide your steps! 

June 27 — "A Glimpse of Heaven That Changes Everything"

Today's Reading: Acts 7:30-60

Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church, stood before an angry mob, falsely accused, moments away from death. The chaos swirled around him, yet Heaven itself opened before his eyes. And what did he see? Jesus—not seated as He is often described—but standing, ready to receive him. That glimpse of glory didn’t erase his suffering, but oh, how it transformed the way he endured it! When we catch sight of Heaven’s reality, the trials of this life shrink in comparison to the joy set before us.

Have you ever had a moment where God felt overwhelmingly near—so close, so real, that His presence left you speechless? These sacred glimpses aren’t reserved for Biblical heroes like Stephen; they happen to ordinary believers just like us! Whether in worship, in prayer, in Scripture, or even in life’s toughest moments, God reveals His glory, shifting our vision beyond earthly struggles.

Stephen’s story is astonishing, but it’s not just history—it’s a truth for us today. Christ followers still experience moments where Heaven kisses earth—where God’s presence becomes undeniable, lifting our eyes above the weight of this world. These glimpses of glory remind us that Jesus is near, His kingdom is unshakable, and our hope is eternally secure.

We may not witness Heaven splitting open as Stephen did, but we encounter God’s glory in profound ways. Maybe you've been in worship and felt His presence so deeply it brought you to your knees. Or perhaps a verse leapt off the page, speaking straight to your heart as if God Himself whispered it to you. Maybe you've known a peace that defied logic in the middle of a storm, or looked at creation and felt an unexplainable longing for Home. These moments awaken something within us—joy, awe, peace, and a hunger for more of Jesus. They remind us that this world is not our final destination.

Don’t overlook the glimpses of glory God places before you! Chase after His presence—immerse yourself in His Word, worship without hesitation, pray with bold expectation, and open your heart to see Him moving in the ordinary. When trials come, seek His perspective, just as Stephen did. Fix your gaze on Jesus, and let the glimpses He gives you strengthen your faith until that glorious day when you finally see Him face to face.

May the Lord open your eyes to His glory, flood your heart with His presence, and fill you with the joy of knowing He is near. And may every glimpse of Heaven fuel your faith until the day you stand before Him in glorious eternity.