November 12, 2025

Matthew 22:37-38

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.

A religious leader tested Jesus with this question: “What’s the greatest commandment?” Jesus responded in the verses above with the greatest command: to love God with our entire heart, soul, and mind. Meaning our whole being should burn for Him like a roaring fire. Clearly, nobody has ever really obeyed that command, including this religious leader. What that leader needed, and us too, is to see our deep need to depend on God’s grace.

Jesus challenged this leader who focused on rules rather than the importance of a genuine relationship with God. When we recognize our inability to love God with our whole being consistently, we find our need for His grace. God’s grace doesn’t condemn us but empowers us to grow in our relationship with Him. The closer we draw to Him, the closer He draws to us, and the more we can experience His love.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me to experience the joy of a genuine relationship with You.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 11, 2025

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The Apostle Paul proclaims that we have been saved by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, not by anything we do or earn. Still, in verse 10, he states that we are created for good works. How can we reconcile the idea that we are saved by God’s grace alone, not anything we do, with the clear teaching that we are created for good works?

The works Paul speaks of are not a way of earning salvation but a reflection of our new life in Jesus and a response to God’s overflowing love. We respond to Jesus's sacrifice with good works done in gratitude for what He has done for us. In other words, salvation produces good works; good works do not produce salvation.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for giving me the free gift of salvation.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 10, 2025

1 John 4:7-9

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

The Apostle John declares that love is central to Christian life; without it, we do not know God. However, like with all things, our picture of love can sometimes be skewed by our broken and distorted world. With this in mind, how does the world’s definition of love differ from the love that John speaks of?

Worldly love is often defined as conditional, fleeting, or based on our feelings rather than truth. God’s love, demonstrated through Jesus’s death on the cross, is unconditional and sacrificial, even though we don’t deserve it. This means we should play an active role in kindness, selflessness, and forgiveness to reflect God’s love in all we do and stand in contrast to the world’s view.

Prayer prompt: Lord, help me love and place others before myself.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 8, 2025

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

After giving several commands for how to live as Christians, Paul ends with perhaps the most important of all: to do everything in love. Though this may seem straightforward, truly doing everything in love is challenging and carries profound implications for our lives, shaping how we build relationships, respond to conflict, and serve others. Knowing this, why is it essential that love be the foundation of all we do?

A foundation of love is essential because it reflects God’s very nature and is the core of His relationship with us. Without love, our actions can become self-serving. Yet, when love is our foundation, we act with compassion, kindness, selflessness, and faithfulness toward God and others, even in difficult moments. Living out this love enables us to experience the true joy that only He can provide in our lives.

Prayer prompt: Lord, lead me in love in all my actions and thoughts.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 7, 2025

Jeremiah 1:4-5

4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah heard the word of God telling him that before he was even born, God knew him and chose him to be one of His messengers. That means God had a purpose for Jeremiah’s life before he drew his first breath. What does it mean that God “knew” Jeremiah before he was born? What does this mean for our lives today?

Throughout Scripture, God uses flawed and ordinary people to accomplish His plan. Although Jeremiah was born into a family of priests, he believed he was too young to speak as God’s messenger, but God knew he was capable with His help. This same truth applies today, even though we may doubt our abilities, God has known and loved us since before we were born. He has a specific plan for each of our lives and will equip us to accomplish it.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please teach me to follow Your commands even when I don’t think I can.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 6, 2025

Colossians 1:16

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 

Paul, in his letter to the church of Colossae, declares that all things were created by Jesus, through Jesus, and for Jesus. That means there is not one thing that exists today that Jesus did not create. In light of this, how can we reconcile the truth of Jesus being the creator of the world with all the brokenness, hurt, suffering, and evil in the world?

Jesus didn’t create evil. It entered the world through the disobedience and rebellion of humanity: a rebellion we’re all part of. Even though we have distorted the creation that was meant for good, God loved us so much that He gave Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. How can we not respond in praise of our wonderful creator for everything He has done for us?

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for sending your son to forgive me of my sins.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 5, 2025

Matthew 8:2-3

2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

If Jesus raised the dead with a word, clearly he could heal this leper without touching his nasty sores. Instead he comes close and heals him by touching him. You may assume that Jesus had some protection but let's not forget that Jesus was fully man and suffered pain and hurt just like all of us.

In the early days of COVID, I got the disease and a friend from Hope Church embraced me. It was hard to see doctors and I felt like a leper, but knowing all this my friend saw me in darkness and weakness and he hugged me. I will never forget that embrace! Now, he didn’t have the power to heal me but seeing this love pointed me to Jesus who actually did!

Prayer Prompt: Lord please help me show those around me the amazing love and compassion that you have shown to me!

Written by David Bowers

November 4, 2025

Luke 19:3-4

3 [Zacchaeus] wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

This reminds me of when I took my nephew to see his hero Lebron James. We got to the stadium hours early and waited for the bus just to see him walk in. Inside, we stood by the tunnel for an eternity waiting for him to pass by after warmups. As he passed, he didn't even look at us. My nephew was crushed.

In the same way, Zaccheaus was looking to engage with Jesus, even if it was just to see Him. The difference, and the most wonderful news, is that Jesus really wanted Zacchaeus. Jesus sees him and eats dinner with him. During dinner Jesus invites him into His family forever. You know they say “never meet your heroes because you will be disappointed”. You just need the right hero. Just like so many times in the scripture, Jesus is reaching out for you today.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank You for wanting to be with me.

Written by David Bowers

November 3, 2025

Psalm 59:9

9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.

The worst day of my life was when my nephew Kade died. I loved Kade more than I can express. When I heard the news, my soul was crushed. As I jumped in the car to rush to my sister, I remember calling my friend Keith and asking him to tell me I was strong enough to handle this devastation. He wisely said, “You ain’t”.

In the verse above, I don’t think David is singing about God’s biceps. He is singing about the strength that God gives to keep going even on our darkest days. When my sister asked me to speak at Kade’s funeral, I didn't think it was possible. I could hardly deal with my emotions enough to speak with my own kids. But with God as my strength, I was able to deliver a gospel message, through tears, to hundreds of people. God will be our fortress.

Prayer Prompt: God thank you for lifting me up and giving me strength to preach your love to others through it.

Written by David Bowers

November 1, 2025

Isaiah 58:12

12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

Very few things in this world give me more joy than taking a filthy junkyard car and giving it new life. Everyone else thought it was worthless and left it to rot. All it needed was someone to care enough to repair and rebuild it. The best part is when I see that car back on the road serving a family that needed it.

In the verse above, Isaiah is writing about how Jesus will repair the broken world and restore those in the ruins to a right relationship with God. Sometimes I don’t believe I was created in God's image. God is so great and I’m not even good. But then I read verses like this and I realize where my joy in fixing broken things comes from.

Prayer Prompt: God Thank you for loving me enough to repair my broken heart and giving me the ability to fix broken things so that I can share in that joy in a small way.

Written by David Bowers

October 31, 2025

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

When I turned 30 my wife gave me a gift of a sky diving package in Moab. Bless her heart I had always told her that I wanted to go skydiving but truthfully I had no intention to ever actually do it. But here I was holding this thoughtful gift and I was terrified!

When the day came, the safety talks and videos didn’t help reduce my anxiety. Only one thing finally helped me through the jump. The old man that was going to jump tandem with me told me he would be with me every step and, more importantly, that he had already done this hundreds of times. Jesus has gone through all the tribulation we will ever face and defeated it! He can take away your fear.

Prayer prompt: God thank you for being my peace when my world feels like I'm free falling. Thank you for Jesus and his victory over all my fears and doubts.

Written by David Bowers

October 30, 2025

Romans 9:2b-3a

2 … I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers….

Like Paul, my acceptance of the gospel means accepting the gut wrenching reality of a heaven where most of my community will not be with me for eternity. How could my heart be so cold to accept an invitation to the banquet when those that I love and have spent my life with aren’t invited? Is that true? Are they not invited?

God came from Heaven to redeem us. At the end of Matthew, Jesus commands all believers to go to the ends of the earth to tell people the good news. Today the gospel is being carried everywhere! Like Paul, I live in a community that is blinded by religion and refuses to listen to the Gospel of Jesus. I pray for God to soften their hearts to hear His call and to remind me that He is in control.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please keep my heart loving and serving the amazing friends and family that you have surrounded me with.

Written by David Bowers

October 29, 2025

Romans 9:2b-3a

2 … I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers….

I remember a conversation that I had with my pastor as I started my journey toward Jesus. I told him that I couldn’t accept the gospel as true because that would mean that almost everyone that I loved would not be in heaven. How can I enjoy paradise if my loved ones aren’t there? Was there a way that I could trade in my invitation to get them in?

What I really wanted was to share a gift with those who have given me so much and been so important in my life. I wanted them to feel the peace and joy that I feel and to know that joy is only a taste of the goodness that Jesus has in store for us. Rejecting Jesus myself wouldn’t get them in. As I keep moving toward Jesus, I pray they hear His voice too. 

Prayer Prompt: Please soften the hearts of my friends and family so that I can share You with them!

Written by David Bowers

October 28, 2025

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

My son made the family breakfast on Sunday. It was sweet of him and surprisingly good. The problem is he has mentioned it at least 10 times since. “How about that breakfast the other day?” Can you imagine if as parents we held everything over his head that we’ve done for him?

Was he serving us or his pride? Did I teach him this prideful behavior? We talked about serving out of love and gratitude for all that he has received from his family and God. It was a great reminder for me because the Lord knows I probably act the same way as I serve others. God is so kind to teach me to serve out of love instead of pride.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please teach me to serve others from love and gratitude.

Written by David Bowers

October 27, 2025

Proverbs 3:5

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Have you ever had a child go in for a surgery? I don't know if there is a more helpless feeling as a parent. You likely had to make all the decisions leading up to this moment and now you have to wait, hope, and pray that everything will be alright. I have heard children described before as your heart growing arms and legs and living outside of your body. Trusting God with your child feels like trusting Him with your whole heart.

The decisions we make as parents have huge implications for our children not only physically but spiritually. Is that a weight that you are able to carry alone?  We need to remind ourselves that we are stewards of God's children.  Not only is He in control but He also loved them first. Let Him guide you as a parent and trust Him.

Prayer Prompt: God please help me to trust You in the parts of my life that I still try to manage and control on my own.

Written by David Bowers

October 25, 2025

Romans 3:12

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

How would you feel as one of the first christians to open this letter written by Paul? Would you be encouraged or hurt? I have a pretty healthy fear of not being good enough.  Valid or not, I fear that one day an athlete might tell me that I'm a bad coach, that someone may say that I'm a bad father, or that a friend may tell me I have let them down.

I know I'm not perfect in any of these areas even if I try to pretend I am. I feel relieved my salvation does not depend on my performance. If I'm being honest, I would fail miserably. In fact, I have already failed many times. But this is why I need Jesus. He always picks me up when I fall and He paid for all my ‘turning aside’ from the worship of God by dying on the cross.

Prayer Prompt: God thank You for sending Your Son to cover my failures and wash away my sin.

Written by David Bowers

October 24, 2025

John 5:24

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Have you ever had to pull out a child's first tooth? Leading up to it, the child's eyes say it all. They fear the pain, what life will be like without that tooth, and they are questioning if you are even qualified for this job. Then you pluck it out and there is a sense of relief and wonder. In our house, the joy of having the tooth out is followed by some ice cream to celebrate.

Sadly, I had the same feelings about salvation. Did I really want that sin plucked out? Could I really bend the knee to Jesus as King when I really liked being king? Since trusting Jesus I have already been blessed with a joy I couldn’t have imagined. Now, I look forward to the feast we will have with Him, which I really hope also has ice cream.

Prayer prompt: God forgive me for doubting you and help me trust you with my life.

Written by David Bowers

October 23, 2025

John 4:13-14a

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.

I once had a friend tell me that it didn't matter how much a certain cut of meat cost because it made him happy. He said, "It's good for my soul.” He’s not wrong. Some food can give a moment of true happiness, but that moment will fade. You will be hungry again.

As I read about Jesus sacrificing his blood and his body to atone for my sins, I can’t help but feel grateful and satisfied. I can’t think of a greater God than one who would humble Himself to my level by becoming a man to pay the price for me, just so He can be with me forever. That truth will satisfy me again and again. It’s the water that takes away my thirst forever!

Prayer prompt: God I pray that you will lead my heart to desire you more than the things of this earth.

Written by David Bowers

October 22, 2025

John 11:32-35

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

Why do we cry on almost every Disney movie when they kill off one of the parents in the first couple of scenes? We know it's a movie. We know it’s not real, but the tears still flow. Disney does a great job of quickly building a relationship between you and the characters. They feel real.

In the passage above Jesus is relating to these people as He feels their pain. Don’t forget Jesus is God. He was in the beginning and His kingdom will have no end, yet He is relating with these lowly sinners. He also relates with you and me. Don't you want a King that is all powerful, all knowing, everlasting, but still willing to step down from his throne to embrace you and weep with you?

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for loving me enough to feel my pain.

Written by David Bowers

October 21, 2025

Psalm 33:13-15

13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;

In school, were you a front of the class person or back of the class troublemaker? In the back, it’s easier to nod off or goof off. In the front, the person who wants to learn, who wants to get some kind of approval from the teacher can get right under her nose. What’s your strategy in life with God who sees all mankind? Are you trying to avoid His notice or hoping to win His approval?

God sees you; you can’t get away from His close attention. There’s no escaping His program for bringing your life back to life and filling you up with His presence and pleasures. But God has also already proved His love for you; you can’t earn it. He has paid for your sin through Jesus. So you have definitely sinned and really need instruction. But you are also already declared clean and loved. Full of that love, you can get to the steady work of learning and change.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please remind me that You always see me.