Strong, Courageous, and Grounded Joshua 1:7–9 (NLT) “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it... This is my command, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Read More

Putting Others First Philippians 2:1–4 (ESV) “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Read More

Courage for the Next Season Joshua 1:1–6 (NLT) After Moses’ death, God speaks to Joshua and tells him it is time to lead the people forward into the land He promised. Again and again, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. Devotional: Joshua was stepping into a new season he had never led before. Moses was gone.  Read More

Faithful With What God Gave You Matthew 25:14–30 (NLT) “The servant who had received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more... The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’” Devotional Thoughts: In Jesus’ parable, a master entrusts resources to three servants before leaving on a journey.  Read More

Equipped to Serve Ephesians 4:11–12 (NLT) “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Devotional Thoughts: Paul reminds us that church leadership was never meant to do all the ministry.  Read More

Devotional 1 Corinthians 12:31; 13:1–13 (NLT) “But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.” “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” Devotional Thoughts: At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul has just finished teaching about spiritual gifts. Some teach, some lead, some serve, some heal, and others operate in different gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  Read More