November 27, 2025

1 Peter 2:1-3

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

I vividly remember when my daughter was born. That first night was the hardest of my life. She cried and cried… and cried some more. Then I cried. While I was feeling sorry for myself, she was crying out desperately for milk. Nothing else would satisfy her.

Oftentimes, it feels like a chore to read our Bibles. We are too busy, or we are not in the mood, or we find some other excuse. However, Peter commands us to be like newborn babies longing for spiritual milk. We are to seek biblical truth like our very lives depend on it, which in fact, they do.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to seek you earnestly today. Please reveal more of yourself to me.

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

November 26, 2025

Romans 13:11-12

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

As a kid, I used to have this recurring nightmare. I walk into class, and the teacher asks for my research paper. Immediate anxiety. I had no idea there was a paper due, and now I have run out of time to prepare anything. The assignment is due right now, and I have nothing to show for it.

Paul is trying to warn us that there is a deadline looming. One day Jesus is coming back to claim his church. Are you ready if that day is today? Don’t let another day go by where you neglect Jesus. Press into him today, and see how he changes your life.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, don’t let me be caught off guard when you return. Help me long for your return.

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

November 25, 2025

1 Peter 1:13

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

If you’re anything like me, then you know how easy it is to get distracted when you set your mind to something significant. One minute I’m pursuing a real goal, the next I’m checking box scores on my phone, or reading a book, or playing a video game. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important.

As followers of Jesus, He is our goal. We get to pursue a relationship with him through prayer, reading the Bible, praising Him, and telling our friends and family about Him. When you get distracted, don’t give up! Set your mind back on Jesus. It’s not wrong to have interests and passions, but don’t let those take away from all the goodness and grace you will encounter in your relationship with Jesus.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please help me to set my hope on You today.

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

November 24, 2025

1 Peter 1:3-5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Do you feel ashamed of your sins? Some days it’s all I can think about. But God has dealt with our wrong doing. The devil will try to get you laser-focused on your failing, how horrible and pitiable you are. Before you know it, you’re not even sure if you’re actually saved!

God promises to keep your inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. What does that mean? It means that when you sin, God doesn’t give you up as a lost cause. He continues to guard your salvation, so that on the day that you meet Him face to face, you can be with Him forever.

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please forgive me for my sins. Thank You for never giving up on me.

Written by Jacob Bonesteel

November 22, 2025

Psalm 73:25-26

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

You can only lift weights as long as your body is able. Eventually your muscles will give way. In a similar way, hardship, emotional distress, and lies from the enemy can cause your heart to become… well, disheartened. When your heart fails, it feels hopeless, like you can’t go on.

It’s in these “hopeless” situations that God can teach us to trust in His power, not our own, to desire Him over anything or anyone else. Will you let Him? If you do, then whenever you feel abandoned, unlovable, or unable, He’ll remind you of what is true: He is with you, He loves you, He is able.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I need the Holy Spirit to give me strength to endure hardship, so I can also be a resource for others who are in need.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 21, 2025

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do you ever wonder if God understands what you’re going through? Sure, He knows what’s happening to you, but does He know what you're experiencing? It’s difficult to endure pain and suffering without other people alongside you, but it’s even harder if it feels like God is too far away to empathize.

The passage above is God’s confirmation that He knows what you’re going through. Remember that Jesus experienced temptation, but never sinned. He even suffered on a cross and bore the wrath of God for your sake. God understands your pain more than you understand it. Be comforted by this Truth, so that you can comfort others too in their time of need.

Prayer prompt: Lord, we thank you for suffering in our stead, and we find comfort knowing that you’re with us in our own suffering.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 20, 2025

James 1:2-4

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Think about the last time you faced difficult circumstances. What was your attitude toward that situation? More often than not, our gut reaction is to see trials as inconvenient or destructive, getting in the way of the life we want to live. How could any good possibly come from tribulations?

God’s word commands us to change our perspective on facing hardship. Instead of complaining about how trials ruin our plans, let’s ask God to sanctify us through our trials just as gold is refined by fire (1 Peter 1:7), so that we can grow in our love for Him and others.

Prayer prompt: Lord we trust you, especially when experiencing adversity, for You can use the trials we face to bring us closer to You.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 19, 2025

Philippians 4:12-13

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

How do you live when things seem to be going really well? How do you respond when you face challenges or experience suffering? Whether our circumstances are good or bad, we often find ourselves tempted to ignore God. We boast of our self-sufficiency in good times, and we resort to self-pity or despair in bad times.

The secret to facing any situation is our hope in the Gospel. Jesus died for us and saved us so that we might live with Him forever! In good times, let’s be grateful to the Giver of all good things, remembering that this present world will pass away. In hard times, let’s hold fast to God who is with us in our suffering, remembering that this present world will pass away. He is coming for us soon!

Prayer prompt: Lord, strengthen me to face the challenges of today. It is only by your power that we can persevere.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 18, 2025

Luke 12:24

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Needs seem to be everywhere. There’s always something else we need to have or we need to make time for or find the answer to. The list of needs becomes overwhelming!  Do you ever find yourself opening this eternal list, wondering if God cares or if He’ll provide?

Of course God cares for you! He cares for all of His creatures! How much more for us for whom He sent Jesus to die?  It seems silly to doubt Him, but oftentimes we do. We don’t trust his timing to meet our real needs. We make ourselves too busy to stop and actually ask Him to provide. Spiraling under the pressures of life will keep our focus off of what we need most: Him.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I thank You for all You’ve done for me, and I know You're always with me. I trust that You know what I need and that You'll provide.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 17, 2025

Romans 12:18

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Do you want control sometimes? Or maybe you want control all the time. We often feel anxiety or even despair when our plans or expectations fall through. How much more so when the people around us are really difficult to deal with or when people we care about reject us?

The command to “live peaceably with all” is for us as believers. We ought to forgive those who sin against us, and we ought to extend grace to those who offend or frustrate us. But we cannot force others to forgive us or extend grace to us. If someone doesn’t want to forgive, then we must find the highest level of peace with them that we can, and then pray for a true reconciliation. Instead of grasping for what little control we can find, let’s rest in God’s goodness and sovereignty, trusting that He’s working in our hearts and in the hearts of others.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for making peace with us through Jesus! Help us to make peace with others, as far as it depends on us.

Written by Kyle Tucker

November 15, 2025

Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

King David was a man of great faith. Yet, he was deeply concerned about the possibility of sin deceiving him and leading him astray from salvation. Driven by this fear, David invited God to search the darkest corners of his heart for any hidden sin. It’s common to have moments of doubt, like David, wondering if our faith is genuine or if we’re pretending, living in rebellion. Instead of living in fear, how can we have confidence in our salvation?

God doesn’t need us but chooses us. Knowing that develops trust in a loving Father who wants nothing but goodness for our lives. This goodness manifested in God sending His Son to die on the cross for us. Instead of wondering if what we do is enough, we can have even more confidence than David, knowing that Jesus died for our sins, which is enough to blot out any deep, dark sin in our hearts.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 14, 2025

Jeremiah 29:11-12

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

God spoke through Jeremiah to the Israelites who were facing a time of great uncertainty. Even though the Israelites had been unfaithful to God, He was merciful and promised them a future. Like the Israelites, we too may face periods of hardship and uncertainty, but God promises He has a plan and will hear us when we are troubled, like a loving father consoles a child. How can this example bring comfort to someone facing hard situations today?

Everyone experiences moments of failure and brokenness, yet God always has a plan for our good. We may feel like the world's weight is constantly bearing down on us, but we can have hope in God’s promise that He has a plan to give us a future. With this kind of Father reaching out to comfort us, who could refuse Him?

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank you for your love and faithfulness.

Written by Luke Robinson

November 13, 2025

Matthew 15:8-9

8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Jesus challenged religious leaders who seemed obedient, but were just going through empty practices. Like the religious leaders thousands of years ago, we too can be tempted to prioritize outward appearances over inward transformation. We may go through the motions of routines without a genuine heart connection to God, like a child reciting words without fully understanding them. Why is it important that our faith is more than just a performance? Why should we seek a genuine and deep relationship with God?

Jesus challenges us to move beyond routines and embrace a faith characterized by heart change. As we grow in our relationship with God, we begin to embody qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we live out those qualities, we honor and bring God praise—we experience a life filled with joy that reflects His love rather than one characterized by empty rules.

Prayer prompt: Lord, lead me into a deeper relationship with you that is not driven by outward appearances.

Written by Luke Robinson

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