What Maters Most – Wk 1

by | May 19, 2025 | What Matters Most

Day 1: The Gift of Time

Devotional
Time is one of God’s most precious gifts to us. Each morning, we wake up to a fresh deposit of 24 hours –
no more, no less. The beautiful thing about this gift is its equality; whether you’re a CEO or a student, you
receive the same amount. However, what sets us apart is how we choose to invest these hours. Just like any
valuable resource, time requires intentional management and careful stewardship. When we view our days
through this lens, every moment becomes an opportunity to honor God and serve His purpose for our lives.
The challenge lies not in having enough time, but in using it wisely.

Bible Verse
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection Question
What areas of your life are currently receiving the most of your time investment, and do these align with
what you believe God values most?

Quote
If you don’t tell time where to go, it goes where it wants to.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of time. Help me to see each day as a precious opportunity to serve
You and fulfill Your purposes. Guide me in making wise choices about how I spend my hours. In Jesus’
name, Amen.

Day 2: Priorities and Purpose

Devotional
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to confuse what’s urgent with what’s important. The ping of a notification,
the endless stream of emails, and the constant demands of daily life can easily consume our attention. Yet,
God calls us to a different standard of living – one where our priorities align with eternal values rather than
temporary urgencies. When we allow urgent matters to consistently override important ones, we risk
missing the meaningful moments God has prepared for us. True wisdom comes in learning to distinguish
between what merely demands our attention and what truly deserves it.

Bible Verse
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalms 19:20
Reflection Question
What ‘urgent’ matters in your life might be stealing time from what’s truly important in God’s eyes?

Quote
If you don’t figure out what’s important, what’s urgent will take over every time.

Prayer
Lord, grant me wisdom to distinguish between the urgent and the important. Help me align my priorities
with Your will. Give me courage to say no to things that don’t align with Your purpose for my life. Amen.

Day 3: Seasons of Life

Devotional
Life moves in seasons, each with its own unique rhythm and requirements. Some seasons are filled with
intense activity, while others call for rest and reflection. Understanding and embracing these different
seasons is crucial for spiritual and personal growth. God, in His wisdom, has designed life with natural
ebbs and flows, times of planting and harvesting, moments of celebration and periods of quiet preparation.
When we fight against these natural seasons, we often find ourselves exhausted and frustrated.

Bible Verse
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Reflection Question
What season of life are you currently in, and how can you better embrace its unique challenges and
opportunities?

Quote
Kids run through your fingers like sand on the beach. They were little and then they got a kid. They’re little
and then you’re at their wedding. Here’s the problem. Those days of raising kids are really long, but the
years are really short.

Prayer
Father, help me to recognize and embrace the season You have me in right now. Give me wisdom to make
the most of this time and trust Your perfect timing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 4: Rest and Renewal

Devotional
In our achievement-driven culture, rest is often viewed as laziness or lack of dedication. However, God’s
design for human flourishing includes regular periods of rest and renewal. Just as He rested on the seventh
day of creation, He calls us to incorporate rhythms of rest into our lives. This isn’t just about physical rest –
it’s about spiritual, emotional, and mental renewal as well. When we ignore this divine pattern, we risk
burnout and diminished effectiveness in all areas of life.

Bible Verse
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection Question
How are you currently incorporating rest and renewal into your weekly routine, and what changes might
God be calling you to make?

Quote
The person who created it knows its service requirements. God knows for you to be your maximum at
everything, you have to schedule time off.

Prayer
Lord, teach me to rest in You. Help me establish healthy rhythms of work and rest that honor Your design
for my life. Grant me peace in stepping away from busyness to find renewal in Your presence. Amen.

Day 5: Living for Eternity

Devotional
Every day, we make countless decisions about how to spend our time. While many of these choices seem
small and insignificant, they all contribute to the legacy we’re building. The question isn’t just about how
we’re spending our time today, but about how our current choices will impact eternity. God has entrusted
us with a finite number of days, and each one is an opportunity to invest in what will last forever – our
relationship with Him, our impact on others, and our eternal destiny.

Bible Verse
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection Question
If you were to evaluate your life based on eternal impact rather than temporary achievements, what
changes would you need to make in how you spend your time?

Quote
You can’t buy any more days. You can’t get anything back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can’t earn more.
So the only thing you’re left to do is steward what you have.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to live with eternity in mind. Guide me in making choices that will have lasting
impact for Your kingdom. May my life be a testimony of wise stewardship of the time You’ve given me. In
Jesus’ name, Amen.

Step Into Your Story

by | May 12, 2025 | Step Into Your Story

Day 1: Taking Steps of Faith

Day 1: Taking Steps of Faith

Devotional

Life often presents us with unexpected turns that can leave us questioning our path. Like Naomi, we may find ourselves in situations where our carefully laid plans crumble, leaving us to navigate unfamiliar territory. Yet even in these moments of uncertainty, God remains faithful. When Naomi faced famine and later the loss of her husband and sons, she couldn’t see the bigger picture God was painting. Sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come disguised as our biggest setbacks. What appears as a detour might actually be God’s divine direction. The key is to keep moving forward, one step at a time, even when the path ahead seems unclear.

Bible Verse

“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, there was a severe famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.” – Ruth 1:1-5

Reflection Question

What situation in your life currently requires you to take a step of faith, even though you can’t see the full picture?

Quote

Standing still is never a motion. Taking steps is your motion.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to keep moving forward even when I can’t see where the path leads. Help me trust that You are guiding my steps, even through uncertain times. Amen.

Day 2: Character That Carries

Devotional

In times of hardship, our true character emerges. Ruth’s story powerfully demonstrates how integrity and loyalty can shape our destiny. Despite having every reason to return to her homeland and start fresh, she chose to stay with Naomi, showing remarkable character in the face of adversity. Her decision wasn’t based on convenience or comfort, but on commitment and love. This choice ultimately led her to become part of a greater story than she could have imagined. Our character isn’t just about who we are; it’s about where we’re going and who we’re becoming.

Bible Verse

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.'” – Ruth 1:6-7

Reflection Question

How are your current decisions and actions reflecting the character you want to be known for?

Quote

Your character will either take you places or leave you places.

Prayer

Father, help me develop character that honors You. Give me strength to make choices based on integrity rather than convenience. Shape me into someone who reflects Your heart. Amen.

Day 3: Divine Direction

Devotional

Sometimes what appears as coincidence is actually God’s careful orchestration. When Ruth went to glean in the fields, she ‘happened’ to find herself in Boaz’s field. But this was no accident – it was divine direction. God often works in ways we don’t expect, using ordinary circumstances to fulfill extraordinary purposes. He’s constantly working behind the scenes, arranging details we can’t see and connecting dots we don’t even know exist. Our role is to remain faithful in the small things, trusting that God is weaving them into His bigger plan.

Bible Verse

“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ‘My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?'” – Ruth 3:1-5

Reflection Question

Looking back, can you identify a time when what seemed like coincidence was actually God’s guidance?

Quote

Ruth didn’t question what God had in store. She just kept stepping forward until she stepped right into her story.

Prayer

God, help me trust Your timing and Your ways. Open my eyes to see Your hand at work in the everyday moments of my life. Thank you for Your perfect guidance. Amen.

Day 4: Never Disqualified

Devotional

Ruth’s story reminds us that God doesn’t discriminate based on our background or past. As a Moabite widow, Ruth might have seemed an unlikely candidate for God’s special purpose. Yet God chose her to be part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. This powerful truth still resonates today – no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God can use you. Your past doesn’t determine your future in God’s kingdom. He specializes in taking what others might consider disqualifying and turning it into something beautiful.

Bible Verse

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” – Ruth 4:13-17

Reflection Question

What perceived limitations or past experiences have made you feel disqualified from God’s purpose?

Quote

You’re never, ever disqualified in God. He’s always for you. Doesn’t matter your past, doesn’t matter what you’ve done. None of it matters. It matters where you are today.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You that You don’t disqualify me based on my past. Help me embrace the future You have planned for me, knowing that You can use all things for Your glory. Amen.

Day 5: Faith Meets Favor

Devotional

When faith intersects with God’s favor, extraordinary things happen. Ruth’s story beautifully illustrates this principle. Her faithful decisions, combined with God’s sovereign favor, led to outcomes far beyond what she could have imagined. She became the great-grandmother of King David and part of Jesus’ lineage. God’s ways are higher than ours, and His plans often exceed our expectations. Even when circumstances seem impossible, God is working. When we step out in faith, His favor can turn our simple obedience into something remarkable.

Bible Verse

‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” – Isaiah 55:8-9

Reflection Question

Where in your life do you need to combine faithful action with trust in God’s favor?

Quote

Faith plus favor equals something amazing. When you have faith and God’s favor together, these two things are a recipe for something phenomenal.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith, trusting in Your favor. Thank You that Your plans for me are greater than I can imagine. Give me courage to trust You completely. Amen.

Acts 2 – Next Steps

by | May 6, 2025 | Acts 2 - Next steps, Thrive Church Weekly Devotional

Day 1: The Nature of Truth

Devotional

In a world where everyone seems to have their own version of truth, it’s crucial to understand that real truth isn’t flexible or personal – it’s absolute. Just like gravity doesn’t change based on our opinions or feelings about it, God’s truth remains constant. When we try to create our own version of truth, we’re actually building on shifting sand rather than solid ground. Understanding this fundamental principle is the first step in our spiritual journey.

Bible Verse

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life have you been tempted to create your own version of truth rather than accepting God’s absolute truth?

Quote

If it’s your truth, it’s just truth. And if it’s just your truth, then it’s called crazy like this. Like, the truth is there is gravity. It’s not your truth or my truth. It’s jump off the roof and find out.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me recognize and embrace Your absolute truth. Give me the courage to align my life with Your unchanging standards rather than creating my own version of truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 2: The Deceptive Heart

Devotional

We often trust our hearts to guide us in making important decisions. However, our emotions and feelings, while important, aren’t always reliable compasses for truth. Our hearts can be influenced by our desires, fears, and past experiences, sometimes leading us away from God’s best for us. This is why we need something more reliable than our feelings to guide us – we need God’s truth as our foundation.

Bible Verse

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9

Reflection Question

Can you recall a time when following your heart led you away from God’s truth? What did you learn from that experience?

Quote

Our heart is sick and our ways are sick. And without an absolute truth, we stay sick.

Prayer

Lord, help me to trust Your truth above my feelings. Give me discernment to recognize when my heart might be leading me astray. Guide me in Your truth. Amen.

Day 3: Quality Over Quantity

Devotional

In our fast-paced world, we often prioritize quantity over quality, even in our spiritual lives. We might pride ourselves on reading multiple chapters of the Bible daily but miss the deep, transformative truth within each verse. God’s Word isn’t meant to be rushed through – it’s meant to be absorbed, understood, and applied to our lives. Taking time to truly understand and apply even one verse can be more valuable than quickly reading several chapters.

Bible Verse

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4

Reflection Question

How might your relationship with God’s Word change if you focused more on understanding and applying what you read rather than the amount you read?

Quote

Never mistake quality for quantity. People call me all the time. I read seven chapters of the Bible and what did it say? It says something about Jesus, right?

Prayer

Father, help me to slow down and truly digest Your Word. Show me how to apply Your truth in my daily life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 4: Inside-Out Transformation

Devotional

True spiritual growth isn’t about following a set of rules or modifying our behavior to look good on the outside. Real transformation happens from the inside out when we allow God’s truth to penetrate our hearts and minds. This kind of change is lasting because it addresses the root causes of our actions rather than just the symptoms. When we focus on internal transformation, the external changes naturally follow.

Bible Verse

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:19-20

Reflection Question

What areas of your life need internal transformation rather than just external behavior modification?

Quote

How about you heal from the inside out rather than trying to have Christianity be behavior modification.

Prayer

God, work in my heart to transform me from the inside out. Help me focus on genuine change rather than just appearing different on the outside. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 5: Unity in Truth

Devotional

God’s family extends beyond blood relations. When we embrace His truth, we become part of a larger family – the church. This family isn’t defined by our backgrounds, past mistakes, or current struggles, but by our shared commitment to God’s truth. In this family, there’s no ‘us’ and ‘them’ – we’re all on this journey together, supporting and encouraging one another as we grow in truth.

Bible Verse

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” – Judges 21:25

Reflection Question

How can you help create a more welcoming and unified church family that embraces all people while standing firm in God’s truth?

Quote

Can we stop calling them those people? Just call them us. We’re all welcome.

Prayer

Lord, help us see others as You see them. Give us hearts of love and acceptance while remaining grounded in Your truth. Unite us as one family in Christ. Amen.