Perspectives Wk 3

by | Oct 6, 2025 | Perspectives

Day 1: New Creation, New Identity

Devotional

Have you ever struggled to see yourself as God sees you? Many of us accept Christ’s salvation but continue to define ourselves by our past mistakes, addictions, or wounds. We carry these old identities like heavy baggage on a journey meant to be traveled light.

The truth is revolutionary: when you accepted Jesus, something supernatural happened. You didn’t just receive forgiveness—you received a completely new identity. The old version of you—with all its failures, shame, and brokenness—died with Christ. In its place stands a new creation with unlimited potential in Him.

This isn’t positive thinking or self-help psychology. This is the supernatural reality of what happens when the Creator of the universe takes residence in your life. The transformation is complete and irreversible from Heaven’s perspective, even when we struggle to see it ourselves.

Today, take a moment to consider: Are you living as the new creation God declares you to be, or are you still defining yourself by who you used to be? Your past may explain how you got here, but it doesn’t define who you are now. In Christ, you have been made new—completely, perfectly, eternally new.

Bible Verse

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection Question

What old identity labels are you still carrying that God has already removed from you through Christ?

Quote

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jesus says, ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.’ You profess Jesus in your life, you are already new. Did you know that?

Prayer

Father, thank You for making me new in Christ. Help me to see myself as You see me—not defined by my past but transformed by Your grace. Give me the courage to embrace my new identity fully today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 2: Leaving the Grave Behind

Devotional

In ancient Jewish law, touching a dead body made a person ceremonially unclean. Yet Jesus repeatedly broke this taboo—touching the dead and bringing them back to life. This wasn’t just about physical resurrection; it was a powerful picture of what He does in our lives.

Jesus specializes in touching the dead things in our past—our failures, our shame, our wounds—and infusing them with new life. Where death once reigned, He brings resurrection power. The question is: will we let Him?

Many of us have experienced Jesus’ touch of new life, yet we keep returning to the tombs of our past. We revisit old wounds, replay past failures, and continue identifying with who we used to be rather than who we are now in Christ. It’s like Lazarus, after being raised from the dead, choosing to climb back into his grave and rewrap himself in burial cloths.

Jesus has reversed the power of death in your life. The things that once defined you—addiction, abuse, failure, shame—have been conquered by His resurrection power. You don’t belong in that grave anymore. Today, choose to walk in the new life He’s given you, leaving the grave clothes behind.

Bible Verse

“But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.’… But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, ‘Little girl, arise.’ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.” – Luke 8:50, 54-55

Reflection Question

What ‘grave’ from your past do you find yourself returning to, even though Jesus has already called you out of it?

Quote

Jesus touched the dead thing that the Old Testament said we should not touch anymore. Jesus did that. He goes up and he brings dead things back to life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your resurrection power that brings dead things back to life. Help me to stop returning to the graves of my past. Give me the faith to walk fully in the new life You’ve given me. In Your mighty name, amen.

Day 3: Unhooking from the Past

Devotional

Imagine walking through life with dozens of fishing hooks embedded in your skin, each one attached to a line leading back to your past. Every time you try to move forward, you feel the painful tug of these hooks holding you back. This is what happens when we allow the enemy’s lies about our past to define our present.

The enemy is strategic. He knows exactly where you’re vulnerable and which lies you’re most likely to believe. “You’re still an addict.” “You’ll never recover from that failure.” “You’re damaged goods.” “You’re not good enough.” These lies act like hooks, keeping you tethered to an identity Christ has already freed

you from.

The good news? In Jesus’ name, you have the authority to identify these hooks, name them for the lies they are, and deliberately unhook them from your life. This isn’t a passive process—it requires intentional recognition of the lie and a deliberate choice to replace it with God’s truth about who you are.

Today, identify one “hook” from your past that’s still embedded in your thinking. Name it, reject it, and replace it with the truth of your identity in Christ. You are not who you were. You are who He says you are.

Bible Verse

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

Reflection Question

What specific lie from the enemy acts as a hook keeping you connected to your old identity, and what truth from God’s Word can you use to counter it?

Quote

In Jesus name, you have the opportunity to unlatch that, cast it off and say, no, I am not that person. I am made new in Jesus Christ. I will detach those hooks from the past and leave them where they lie.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You’ve given me in Christ. Help me to identify the enemy’s hooks in my life and to unhook them by the power of Your truth. I choose to walk in the freedom You’ve provided. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 4: Bold as Lions

Devotional

There’s a striking difference between how the righteous and the wicked move through the world. Scripture tells us that “the wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as lions.” This boldness isn’t about personality type or natural confidence—it’s the supernatural result of knowing who you are in Christ.

When you truly grasp that you are righteous in Christ—not because of your performance but because of His finished work—it transforms how you approach life. You no longer shrink back in fear or shame. You no longer hide from challenges or opportunities. Instead, you move forward with the confident boldness of a lion, the King of the jungle.

This boldness isn’t arrogance or self-reliance. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing Whose you are. It’s the courage to face spiritual battles not in your own strength but in the authority of Christ. It’s the freedom to live without constantly looking over your shoulder at your past.

God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear or timidity. He’s given you His Spirit of power, love, and

self-discipline. Today, choose to walk in that Spirit, approaching life’s challenges with the bold confidence of one who belongs to the Lion of Judah.

Bible Verse

“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as lions.” – Proverbs 28:1

Reflection Question

In what area of your life do you need to stop retreating in fear and start advancing with the boldness that comes from your identity in Christ?

Quote

We are not the timid, we are not the fearful. We are not the shame filled church. We are supposed to be the light on the hill for people.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for making me righteous through Christ. Forgive me for the times I’ve lived timidly when You’ve called me to boldness. Help me to walk confidently today, not in my own strength but in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 5: It Is Finished

Devotional

When Jesus hung on the cross, His final declaration wasn’t a whisper of defeat but a triumphant cry: “Tetelestai!”—”It is finished!” This wasn’t just announcing the end of His suffering; it was proclaiming the completion of His mission. The debt has been paid in full, once and for all.

In ancient times, when a debt was fully paid, the creditor would write “tetelestai” across the certificate of debt. It meant “paid in full”—no balance remaining, no further payment required. This is what Jesus did with the debt of your sin and shame. He didn’t make a down payment or set up a payment plan—He paid it all, completely and forever.

Yet many of us live as if we’re still making payments on a debt that’s already been settled. We try to earn God’s favor through our performance. We punish ourselves for past failures. We carry shame for sins that have already been forgiven. We’re like someone who continues making mortgage payments on a house that’s already paid off.

Today, embrace the liberating truth that your debt has been paid in full. The price for your past, present, and future sins has been completely satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice. You don’t need to keep paying for what He has already purchased. It is finished—completely, permanently, gloriously finished.

Bible Verse

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14

Reflection Question

In what ways are you still trying to pay for a debt that Jesus has already declared “Paid in Full”?

Quote

When Jesus was on the cross, he said tetelestai. That means it is finished, has been finished and will remain finished. The debt has been paid.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for Your complete payment for my sin. Help me to fully accept the freedom You purchased for me on the cross. I receive Your forgiveness and reject the lie that I need to keep paying for what You’ve already paid for. Thank You that it is truly finished. Amen.

Perspectives Wk 2

by | Sep 29, 2025 | Perspectives

Day 1: From Hiding to Healing

Devotional

We all have parts of our lives we’d rather keep hidden. Maybe it’s a past mistake, a current struggle, or a deep wound that feels too shameful to share. From the very beginning in Eden, hiding became our natural response to brokenness. Adam and Eve hid from God after their sin, and we’ve been following that pattern ever since.

But what if hiding is actually preventing our healing? What if the very things we conceal are the areas God wants to transform most powerfully? The enemy thrives in darkness and isolation, whispering that we’re alone in our struggles and that others would reject us if they knew the truth.

God invites us into a radically different approach. Rather than hiding our weaknesses, He calls us to acknowledge them—not to shame us, but to heal us. When we bring our brokenness into His light, we discover that God doesn’t recoil from our mess. Instead, He meets us there with grace, forgiveness, and restoration.

Bible Verse

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

Reflection Question

What area of your life are you currently hiding from others, and what might happen if you courageously brought it into God’s light?

Quote

What if instead of hiding, we create a culture of revealing, of transparency, of honesty, of forgiveness, of repentance? Because the Bible says, when darkness is exposed to the light, the power of darkness is dispelled.

Prayer

Father, give me the courage to stop hiding the broken places in my life. Help me trust that You can bring healing to my deepest wounds and shame. I surrender my secrets to You today, believing that You can transform them into something beautiful. Amen.

Day 2: Perfect Power in Weakness

Devotional

Our culture celebrates strength, achievement, and having it all together. We carefully curate our public image, hiding anything that might reveal our struggles or failures. But God’s kingdom operates by a completely different set of values.

In God’s upside-down kingdom, weakness becomes the very channel through which His power flows most powerfully. When Paul pleaded with God to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” God responded with a profound truth: His power is made perfect in weakness. Not despite our weakness, but through it.

This truth liberates us from the exhausting work of pretending. We don’t need to have it all together. In fact, our brokenness becomes the canvas on which God displays His redemptive work. When others see God’s power flowing through our acknowledged weakness, they witness something far more compelling than human perfection—they see divine transformation.

Today, consider what might happen if you stopped hiding your struggles and instead surrendered them to God as channels for His power.

Bible Verse

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection Question

How might God’s power flow more freely in your life if you stopped trying to appear strong and instead embraced your dependence on Him?

Quote

My power, God’s power is made perfect in weakness. How often do we try to put up a good front, hide everything that I don’t like. Hide the weaknesses, hide the failures. Just go, man, what I want you to see is a guy who’s got it all together. God said, my strength is made perfect. When people realize your weakness, then they can see me.

Prayer

Lord, I’ve spent so much energy trying to appear strong and capable. Today, I acknowledge my weakness and limitations. I invite Your perfect power to flow through my imperfections. Use my brokenness to display Your glory in ways my strength never could. Amen.

Day 3: Breaking the Isolation

Devotional

One of the enemy’s most effective tactics is isolation. When we’re struggling, he whispers that we’re alone, that no one else faces what we face, that others have it all together while we’re falling apart. These lies keep us trapped in shame and prevent us from experiencing the healing that comes through authentic community.

The spiritual battle we face isn’t primarily against flesh and blood—it’s against powers of darkness that work to keep us disconnected from God and each other. These forces know that isolation makes us vulnerable, while connection makes us strong.

God designed His church to be a place where we can break free from isolation. When we courageously share our struggles with trusted believers, we discover we’re not alone. The burdens that seemed unbearable become lighter when carried together. The shame that festered in darkness loses its power when exposed to the light of compassion and understanding.

Today, resist the enemy’s strategy of isolation by taking a step toward authentic connection with another believer.

Bible Verse

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12

Reflection Question

Who is one trusted person in your life with whom you could share a struggle you’ve been facing alone?

Quote

The devil will make you feel that you’re alone. He’ll make you think that other people have it all together. But when you connect with the power of God, mmm, watch out. Watch out. Something good is gonna happen.

Prayer

God, help me resist the enemy’s strategy of isolation. Give me courage to reach out and connect authentically with others in the body of Christ. Thank you that I don’t have to face my battles alone. Use the community you’ve placed around me to bring healing and freedom. Amen.

Day 4: Weapons of Divine Power

Devotional

In our spiritual battles, we often feel outmatched and overwhelmed. The strongholds in our

lives—addictions, destructive thought patterns, deep-seated fears—seem impenetrable. We try to overcome them through willpower alone, only to find ourselves failing repeatedly.

But God has given us weapons for this warfare that aren’t dependent on our strength. These weapons have divine power—God’s power—to demolish strongholds. They include truth that counters lies, prayer that accesses God’s strength, community that breaks isolation, and the Word that renews our minds.

When we rely on these divine weapons rather than our human efforts, we participate in a different kind of battle. We stop fighting in our own strength and start allowing God to fight through us. The strongholds that once seemed unconquerable begin to crumble under the weight of God’s power.

Today, identify one stronghold in your life and consciously exchange your human weapons for God’s divine ones.

Bible Verse

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Reflection Question

What stronghold in your life have you been trying to overcome through your own strength, and how might you approach it differently using God’s divine weapons?

Quote

Your design by the power of God to fly into the face of the enemy, into the enemy’s teeth, by God’s power to do incredible damage, to cripple the enemy.

Prayer

Lord, I’ve been fighting battles in my own strength for too long. Today I lay down my insufficient weapons and take up yours. Use your divine power to demolish the strongholds in my life that have resisted my best efforts. I trust that your power is greater than any obstacle I face. Amen.

Day 5: Sweet Revenge: From Wound to Purpose

Devotional

God’s idea of revenge looks nothing like ours. While human revenge seeks to hurt those who hurt us, God’s “sweet revenge” transforms our deepest wounds into our greatest purpose. He takes what the enemy meant for our destruction and repurposes it for redemption—both ours and others’.

Think of Joseph declaring to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Or consider how Jesus’ greatest suffering on the cross became the source of our greatest salvation. This pattern of redemptive transformation runs throughout Scripture and continues in our lives today.

The burdens that have weighed you down can become the very areas where you experience God’s liberating grace. And once liberated, you can help free others carrying similar burdens. Your addiction story can inspire recovery in others. Your grief journey can comfort those in mourning. Your healing from rejection can help others find belonging.

Today, consider how God might be inviting you to surrender your deepest wound so He can transform it into your most powerful purpose.

Bible Verse

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection Question

What painful experience from your past might God want to transform into a purpose that helps others find healing?

Quote

Sweet revenge in God’s kingdom isn’t about retribution but redemption—allowing God to use your deepest wounds and failures to advance His purposes and defeat the enemy’s plans for your life.

Prayer

Father, I surrender my deepest wounds to You today. Transform what the enemy meant for my destruction into something You can use for redemption. Exchange my heavy burdens for Your light ones. Use my story to bring hope and healing to others who are walking through similar valleys. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Perspectives Wk 1

by | Sep 21, 2025 | Perspectives

Day 1: Looking Forward, Not Backward

Devotional

Life’s journey often presents us with unexpected turns and challenging transitions. When faced with uncertainty, our natural instinct is to retreat to what’s familiar and comfortable. Like a rearview mirror in a car, our past experiences serve as reference points, but they were never meant to be our primary focus.

Think about how we drive. We have mirrors to glance at occasionally, but our main attention must remain on the road ahead. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, while we can learn valuable lessons from our past, we cannot move forward if we’re constantly looking backward.

Lot’s wife serves as a powerful biblical example of this truth. When God was delivering her family from destruction, she couldn’t resist one last look at what she was leaving behind. That backward glance cost her everything. Her story reminds us that sometimes our attachment to the past—even the painful parts—can prevent us from embracing God’s future for us.

Today, consider what you might be looking back at with longing. Is there a relationship, a season, or a version of yourself that you’re struggling to leave behind? God invites you to redirect your gaze forward, toward Him and the good plans He has for your future.

Bible Verse

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” – Genesis 19:26

Reflection Question

What past circumstances or relationships are you still looking back at that might be preventing you from fully embracing God’s future for you?

Quote

“Looking back keeps you stuck instead of moving forward towards God’s purpose.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve been more focused on my past than Your future for me. Help me to learn from my history without being bound by it. Give me the courage to look forward with hope and faith, trusting that Your plans for me are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 2: Embracing Divine Transitions

Devotional

Change is inevitable in life. Seasons come and go, relationships evolve, and circumstances shift. While we often resist these transitions, they are essential parts of our spiritual growth journey.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything under heaven. This divine timing isn’t always comfortable, but it is purposeful. When we find ourselves in periods of transition, we have two choices: we can fight against the change, longing for what was, or we can invite Jesus into the process.

Transitions mark both endings and beginnings. They require us to release our grip on the familiar while reaching forward to embrace something new. This letting go can feel like loss, but it creates space for God to work in fresh ways.

Jesus specializes in transitions. He transforms water into wine, death into life, and brokenness into beauty. When we invite Him into our difficult transitions, He doesn’t necessarily make them easier, but He does make them meaningful.

Today, instead of resisting the changes in your life, consider how God might be using them to move you forward. The discomfort you feel may actually be growing pains as God stretches you toward His purposes.

Bible Verse

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Reflection Question

What transition are you currently experiencing that you need to invite Jesus into more fully?

Quote

“Transitions are the end of an era and the beginning of another. And sometimes we just have to accept things that we don’t want and start a new season.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that transitions are part of Your plan for my growth. Help me to release my grip on what was and embrace what You’re doing now. Give me wisdom to discern Your timing and courage to move forward when You call. Thank You for walking with me through every season. Amen.

Day 3: Grounded in True Identity

Devotional

In a world full of voices competing for our attention, it’s easy to let others’ opinions shape our identity. We look to social media likes, professional recognition, or the approval of friends and family to tell us who we are. But this approach leaves us vulnerable to the shifting sands of human opinion.

God offers a better foundation for our identity. When we understand who we are in Christ—beloved, forgiven, purposed, and empowered—we find stability that withstands life’s uncertainties. This divine identity isn’t based on our performance or others’ perceptions but on God’s unchanging love for us.

John reminds us that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. When we walk in His light, we see ourselves clearly—not through the distorted lens of others’ expectations or our past failures, but through the perfect light of His truth.

Moving forward in faith requires this solid foundation. When we know who we are and whose we are, we can face transitions with confidence. We don’t need to retreat to the familiar when challenges arise because our security isn’t in our circumstances but in our relationship with God.

Today, consider whose voice is loudest in defining your worth and identity. Are you outsourcing your security to others, or are you rooted in what God says about you?

Bible Verse

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life have you allowed others’ opinions to define your identity rather than God’s truth about you?

Quote

“Don’t outsource your security by making other people your authority. And what that means is, don’t let the words of other people, the opinions of other people, form your identity.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the unchanging identity You’ve given me as Your child. Forgive me for the times I’ve looked to others to define my worth. Help me to stand firmly on Your truth and to find my security in You alone. Illuminate any darkness in my thinking with the light of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 4: The Power of Spiritual Community

Devotional

None of us were designed to journey through life alone. God created us for community—not just casual connections, but deep, meaningful relationships that carry us closer to Jesus, especially when we can’t move forward on our own.

In Luke 5, we see a beautiful picture of this kind of community. A paralyzed man couldn’t get to Jesus by himself, so four friends carried him, even breaking through a roof to lower him to Jesus’ feet. These friends

didn’t just offer encouraging words; they took action that led to both healing and forgiveness.

This story illustrates the transformative power of spiritual friendship. True friends don’t just comfort us in our stuck places—they help move us toward Jesus. They see beyond our current limitations to what God can do. They’re willing to be inconvenienced, even breaking through barriers, to connect us with the source of healing.

As we navigate life’s transitions, we need people who will carry us to Jesus when we can’t walk ourselves—people who strengthen our faith when it falters and remind us of God’s faithfulness when we forget. Equally important, we need to be these kinds of friends to others.

Today, consider both the quality of your close friendships and how you might better carry others to Jesus. Are your closest relationships moving you toward Christ or keeping you comfortable in place?

Bible Verse

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

Reflection Question

Who are the friends in your life that consistently carry you closer to Jesus, and how might you be that kind of friend to someone else this week?

Quote

“If you’re walking with friends who would not carry you to the feet of Jesus, maybe you should re evaluate the people that you hold really close to you.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of community. Help me to cultivate friendships that draw me closer to You and give me wisdom to be that kind of friend to others. Show me if there are relationships I need to reevaluate or strengthen. Thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life who carry me when I’m weak. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 5: Renewed Strength for the Journey

Devotional

The journey of faith isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon that requires endurance. There will be moments when moving forward feels impossible, when the weight of uncertainty makes us want to retreat to familiar territory. In these moments, God offers us a beautiful promise: those who wait on Him will find their strength renewed.

Waiting on the Lord isn’t passive; it’s an active posture of expectant trust. It means we acknowledge our limitations while believing in God’s limitless power. It means we stop trying to force our own solutions and instead look to Him for direction.

When we wait on God this way, He renews our strength in supernatural ways. The same power that raised Christ from the dead works in us, enabling us to run without growing weary and walk without fainting. This divine empowerment doesn’t come through our own efforts but through His Spirit.

Zechariah reminds us that it’s “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” When we feel too weak to take another step forward, God’s Spirit provides exactly what we need. He doesn’t always remove the obstacles, but He always equips us to overcome them.

Today, if you’re feeling weary in your forward journey, remember that God specializes in renewal. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and His resources never run dry.

Bible Verse

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Reflection Question

In what area of your life do you most need God’s strength to help you move forward rather than retreating to what’s familiar?

Quote

“We don’t always get a roadmap, but God always does provide the next step.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess my weariness and my tendency to retreat when the path forward seems difficult. Thank You for Your promise to renew my strength as I wait on You. Help me to trust in Your power rather than my own. Fill me with Your Spirit today so that I can move forward in faith, not looking back but fixing my eyes on Jesus. In His name I pray, amen.

Tables Wk 3

by | Sep 15, 2025 | Tables

Day 1: The Company We Keep

Devotional

We’ve all heard the saying, “You are the company you keep.” This wisdom isn’t just a modern proverb—it’s deeply biblical. The people we surround ourselves with shape our thoughts, behaviors, and ultimately our character.

Holiness isn’t about following a rigid set of rules or isolating ourselves from the world. Rather, it’s about communion with God and making wise choices about our relationships. The tables we sit at—those places where we share life, conversation, and influence—matter tremendously in our spiritual journey.

When we choose to regularly associate with those who pull us away from God’s best for us, we shouldn’t be surprised when our spiritual life begins to wither. On the other hand, when we intentionally connect with those who encourage our faith and challenge us to grow, we flourish.

Today, take a moment to consider the tables where you’re sitting. Are the people around those tables drawing you closer to Christ or pulling you away? This isn’t about judging others but about honestly assessing the impact of your closest relationships on your walk with God.

Bible Verse

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” – Psalms 1:1

Reflection Question

Who are the five people you spend the most time with, and how are they influencing your spiritual journey?

Quote

“You’re the sum of the five people you hang out with the most. If you don’t like the trajectory of your life, you need to get up and change tables.”

Prayer

Lord, give me wisdom to evaluate my relationships honestly. Help me to be intentional about the company I keep, seeking out those who will encourage me in holiness while showing Your love to everyone I meet. Guide me to the right tables that will nurture my relationship with You. Amen.

Day 2: The Spreading Nature of Sin

Devotional

Have you ever watched a small drop of food coloring disperse through a glass of water? What starts as a tiny, concentrated spot quickly spreads until it changes the entire glass. This is exactly how sin works in our lives and communities.

Paul uses the metaphor of leaven (or yeast) spreading through dough to illustrate this truth. Just a little bit of yeast works through the entire batch of dough, changing its very nature. Similarly, when we allow sin to remain unchecked in our lives or communities, it doesn’t stay neatly contained—it spreads and affects everything it touches.

This is why the company we keep matters so much. When we regularly associate with those who normalize or encourage sinful behavior, those influences gradually work their way into our own hearts and minds. What once seemed clearly wrong may begin to appear acceptable or even desirable.

This doesn’t mean we avoid all contact with those who don’t share our faith or values. Jesus himself was known as a friend of sinners! But it does mean being intentional about who we allow to deeply influence us and shape our character.

Bible Verse

“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” – 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

Reflection Question

What influences in your life might be spreading like yeast, subtly changing your perspective on sin and holiness?

Quote

“Sin, like yeast, doesn’t stay contained. It always spreads. Sin will take you further and to worse places than you ever intended on it to go.”

Prayer

Father, help me recognize the subtle ways sin can spread in my life through the influences I allow. Give me discernment to identify these patterns and courage to make changes where needed. Create in me a clean heart that desires Your holiness above all else. Amen.

Day 3: Choosing the Right Table

Devotional

Life presents us with many tables where we can choose to sit—tables of gossip, bitterness, worldly ambition, or self-indulgence. But there are also tables of encouragement, wisdom, faith, and love. The tables we choose to sit at regularly will inevitably shape who we become.

When we consistently sit at tables where Christ is not honored, we shouldn’t be surprised when our own commitment to Christ begins to waver. Our spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—can wither when we’re not rooted in life-giving community.

This doesn’t mean we should only associate with people who are exactly like us or who never struggle. In fact, some of the best tables are those where honest questions are welcomed, and authentic struggles are shared. The key question is not whether everyone at the table is perfect, but whether the overall direction of the table is toward Christ or away from Him.

Today, consider whether your current tables are producing the fruit you desire in your life. If not, it may be time to courageously seek new tables or to transform existing ones by bringing Christ to the center.

Bible Verse

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

Reflection Question

What tables in your life need to be evaluated, and what would it look like to make Christ the centerpiece of those relationships?

Quote

“Does the table lead me to holiness and wholeness? And is it a table that Christ is the centerpiece on? And if it’s not, it’s the wrong table and you either need to get up and leave or you need to flip it.”

Prayer

Jesus, give me courage to evaluate the tables where I sit. Help me to seek out relationships that nurture my faith and challenge me to grow. Where I need to make changes, grant me wisdom and strength. Where I need to be an influence for You at difficult tables, equip me to represent You well. Amen.

Day 4: Restoration, Not Rejection

Devotional

When we talk about avoiding harmful influences, it can be easy to develop a harsh, judgmental attitude. We might be tempted to write people off or create an us-versus-them mentality. But this misses the heart of God, who always seeks restoration rather than rejection.

Church discipline, properly understood, is never about punishment or humiliation. It’s about healing and restoration. When Paul instructed the Corinthian church to address sin in their midst, his ultimate goal wasn’t to cast people out permanently but to create a pathway for repentance and return.

True holiness makes room for both grace and truth. It doesn’t compromise on God’s standards, but it also doesn’t forget God’s mercy. When we see others struggling with sin, our response should be gentle correction motivated by love, not harsh condemnation motivated by pride.

Remember that none of us is beyond the need for restoration. We all stumble in many ways. The question isn’t whether we’ll need grace and correction, but how we’ll respond when it comes—and how we’ll extend it to others when they need it.

Bible Verse

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

Reflection Question

How can you balance truth and grace in your relationships, especially when addressing sin or harmful patterns?

Quote

“Discipline in the church is never meant to humiliate. It’s always meant to heal.”

Prayer

God of grace and truth, help me to respond to sin—both in my own life and in others’—with Your heart. Keep me from both harsh judgment and passive enablement. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and what to say, always aiming for restoration rather than rejection. Make me an agent of Your healing love. Amen.

Day 5: Growing in Holiness Together

Devotional

Holiness isn’t a solo journey. While our relationship with God is personal, it was never meant to be private. We grow in holiness together, as part of a community committed to becoming more like Christ.

The health of the church depends on the holiness of its individual members. When we each pursue communion with God and wise fellowship with others, the entire body benefits. Conversely, when we neglect holiness or tolerate sin, the whole community suffers.

This is why Paul was so concerned about the Corinthian church addressing sin in their midst. He knew that their collective witness and spiritual health were at stake. The same is true for us today.

As we conclude this devotional series, remember that pursuing holiness isn’t about achieving moral perfection through our own efforts. It’s about drawing near to God, allowing His presence to transform us, and surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us in this journey.

We are constantly being saved—continually transformed by God’s grace as we walk with Him and with each other. Let’s commit to this journey together, creating tables where Christ is at the center and holiness can flourish.

Bible Verse

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Reflection Question

How can you contribute to creating a community where holiness is valued and nurtured?

Quote

“The health of the church, the health of the body of Christ depends on the holiness of the individuals that are in it. Our church can’t be any more holy than you are.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of community. Help us to grow in holiness together, encouraging one another and holding each other accountable with love. Show me how I can contribute to creating spaces where Your presence is welcomed and Your transformation is evident. May our lives together reflect Your character to a watching world. Amen.

Tables Wk 2

by | Sep 8, 2025 | Tables

Day 1: The House of Prayer

Devotional

When Jesus entered the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers, He wasn’t just having a bad day. He was revealing something profound about God’s heart. The temple had become a marketplace, a place of profit and exclusion, but Jesus came to restore its true purpose. God’s house was always meant to be a place of prayer—a sacred space where people connect with their Creator. Not a building controlled by a select few, but a spiritual home accessible to everyone seeking God. This vision isn’t something we own or control. Rather, it’s something we steward. We’re caretakers of God’s purpose, not creators of our own agenda. When we gather as believers, whether in grand cathedrals or simple living rooms, we’re participating in something much bigger than ourselves. Today, consider how you view church. Is it a place you go to be entertained or served? Or is it a house of prayer where you actively engage with God and welcome others to do the same? The difference isn’t just semantic—it’s transformational.

Bible Verse

“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” – Mark 11:17

Reflection Question

How might your perspective and participation in church change if you truly embraced it as a house of prayer for all nations rather than just a place you attend?

Quote “God’s house isn’t ours to control. His vision is ours to steward.”

Prayer

Father, forgive me for times I’ve treated Your house casually or selfishly. Help me to see church as You do—a place of prayer, connection, and welcome for all people. Show me how to steward this vision faithfully. Amen.

Day 2: Consumed by Holy Fire

Devotional

Worship is more than singing words on a screen. It’s a heart-to-heart conversation with the God who created you. When we truly understand who we’re worshiping—the consuming fire described in Hebrews—our approach changes dramatically. God isn’t just another part of our lives; He’s meant to be the center that everything else revolves around. The more we recognize His holiness and power, the more our worship shifts from routine to reverence, from obligation to awe. This consuming fire doesn’t destroy indiscriminately—it purifies. It burns away what doesn’t belong and refines what does. When we offer ourselves in worship, we’re inviting this holy fire to transform us from the inside out. True worship isn’t about perfect singing or raising hands at the right moment. It’s about surrendering to God’s transforming presence. As we open ourselves to Him, something remarkable happens: “The more you take in, the more he takes over, the more you offer to be consumed.” Today, approach God not as a distant deity but as the consuming fire who desires to purify and empower you through His presence.

Bible Verse

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'” – Hebrews 12:28-29

Reflection Question

What areas of your life have you kept safely distant from God’s consuming fire, and what might happen if you invited His purifying presence into those spaces?

Quote “When it stops just being words on a screen that you follow and becomes a conversation of passion between you and the God that created you.”

Prayer

God, I confess I often keep parts of myself hidden from Your consuming fire. Today, I invite You into every corner of my life. Burn away what doesn’t honor You and refine what remains. Transform my worship from words into a lifestyle of reverence. Amen.

Day 3: The Blueprint of Devotion

Devotional

The early church gives us a beautiful blueprint for authentic community. They didn’t just attend services—they devoted themselves to four essential practices: apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This wasn’t casual commitment. The word “devoted” implies persistence and passion. They hungered for truth, craved genuine relationships, shared meals with grateful hearts, and prioritized prayer as their lifeline to God. Notice the balance: they were devoted both to God (through teaching and prayer) and to each other (through fellowship and breaking bread). Their faith wasn’t individualistic but communal, not compartmentalized but integrated into daily life. The result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Their authentic devotion created an atmosphere where God’s presence was tangible and transformative, not just for insiders but for everyone they encountered. Today’s church needs this same devotion—not to programs or performances, but to the presence of God and the people He loves. When we prioritize these four elements, we create space for God to work in powerful ways, both in us and through us.

Bible Verse

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42

Reflection Question

Which of the four devotions (teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer) comes most naturally to you, and which one might need more intentional development in your spiritual life?

Quote “When the mission is bigger than the local church, when the mission is about Jesus and about emptying hell and making heaven populated, then we understand its mission and we can not get off course.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the example of the early church. Help me develop a devoted heart—hungry for Your Word, committed to authentic community, grateful for Your provision, and dependent on prayer. Use this devotion to draw others to You through my life. Amen.

Day 4: Catching and Cleaning

Devotional

A healthy church both welcomes newcomers and helps them grow. Like skilled fishermen who know that catching fish without cleaning them leads to spoilage, we understand that evangelism without discipleship creates stagnation. The early believers experienced God’s favor and daily growth because they balanced outreach with spiritual formation. They didn’t just add numbers—they developed disciples. Their community was both accessible to seekers and transformative for believers. This balance challenges us today. Some churches excel at attracting visitors but struggle to deepen faith. Others focus so intensely on spiritual depth that they become inaccessible to newcomers. Jesus calls us to both catch and clean—to welcome people exactly as they are while lovingly guiding them toward what they could become in Christ. A church that reflects Jesus’ heart creates space for sinners and saints alike to encounter God. It removes unnecessary barriers while maintaining biblical truth. It welcomes everyone without judgment while offering everyone the transformative power of the gospel. Today, consider how you might participate in both catching and cleaning—reaching out to those disconnected from God while also investing in spiritual growth, both yours and others’.

Bible Verse

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:47

Reflection Question

In what ways might God be calling you to participate in both “catching” (reaching those disconnected from faith) and “cleaning” (discipling believers toward maturity)?

Quote “If we just catch them and never clean the fish, the fish spoil in the bucket.”

Prayer

Father, give me Your heart for both the lost and the found. Help me welcome others without judgment while also encouraging growth in truth and holiness. Make me effective in both evangelism and discipleship, for Your glory. Amen.

Day 5: Living Stones in God's House

Devotional

We don’t just go to church—we are the church. Each believer is a living stone being built into God’s spiritual house. This construction project isn’t about physical buildings but about people being fitted together to create a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. Christ is our cornerstone—the foundation that determines the alignment of everything else. Each of us has a place in this structure, bringing our unique gifts, experiences, and calling. Together, we form something far greater than any of us could be individually. This building process takes time. It involves chipping away rough edges, finding the right fit, and being cemented in place through relationships and shared purpose. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but the result is beautiful—a spiritual house that reflects God’s character to the world. As living stones, we’re not passive materials but active participants. We choose daily whether to align with God’s blueprint or resist it. We decide whether to connect deeply with other stones or remain isolated. We determine whether to fulfill our purpose in God’s house or pursue our own designs. Today, embrace your identity as a living stone in God’s house. Recognize that your place matters, your connections strengthen the whole, and your alignment with Christ determines your impact.

Bible Verse

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5

Reflection Question

What might change in your approach to church if you truly saw yourself not as a church attendee but as a living stone being built into God’s spiritual house?

Quote “We don’t go to church. We are the church. And together we’re being built into a house that should reflect Christ’s heart for the world.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for making me a living stone in Your spiritual house. Help me find my proper place, connect meaningfully with others, and align perfectly with Christ my cornerstone. Use me to build Your church in ways that honor You and welcome others. Amen.

Tables Wk 1

by | Sep 1, 2025 | Tables

Day 1: Passionate Devotion

Devotional

When we think of Jesus, we often picture Him as gentle and loving. But in John 2, we see a different side of Him – passionate, zealous, and righteously angry. Jesus entered the temple and found it filled with corruption. Money changers were exploiting worshippers with unfair exchange rates, and merchants were selling substandard sacrifices at premium prices. This wasn’t just bad business; it was a desecration of God’s house.

Jesus didn’t respond with a calm discussion or a polite request. He made a whip, drove out animals, poured out coins, and overturned tables. His actions were dramatic and decisive. Why? Because He was consumed with zeal for His Father’s house.

This passion reveals something profound about Jesus’ character. He cares deeply about worship and about people’s access to God. When corruption, exploitation, or hypocrisy stand in the way of true worship, Jesus doesn’t stand idly by.

Today, consider your own passion for God’s house. Do you enter worship casually, as a passive attendee? Or do you come with zeal and expectation? Jesus invites us to care deeply about worship – both our own and that of others. He calls us to a passionate devotion that refuses to accept anything that diminishes our connection with God.

Bible Verse

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So, he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” – John 2:13-15

Reflection Question

How would your worship and church involvement change if you approached it with the same zeal and passion that Jesus demonstrated in the temple?

Quote

“Jesus didn’t set tables. He flipped them. And there’s such a passion in the fact that Jesus cared about his father’s house so much that he would turn tables over.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for times when my worship has been casual or halfhearted. Ignite in me a passionate devotion for Your house and Your presence. Help me to care deeply about worship and to approach You with reverence and zeal. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 2: Guarding the Temple

Devotional

Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus’ passionate response to corruption in the temple. Today, let’s consider a profound truth: we ourselves are now God’s temple. The physical temple in Jerusalem was significant, but through Christ, God’s presence now dwells within believers.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians that we are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in us. This transforms how we should view ourselves and our responsibility to maintain the sanctity of that temple. Just as Jesus drove out what corrupted the Jerusalem temple, we must be vigilant about what we allow into our lives.

What tables might need flipping in your life? Perhaps there are attitudes, habits, or influences that are corrupting your worship. Maybe you’ve allowed compromise to creep in, giving your best energy to worldly pursuits while offering God your leftovers. Or perhaps you’ve remained silent when you should have spoken the truth.

Jesus’ example challenges us to examine ourselves honestly. His zeal for the temple wasn’t destructive but restorative – He wanted to reclaim the space for its intended purpose. Similarly, when we identify and remove what corrupts our worship, we’re not losing something valuable but making room for something better: authentic connection with God.

Bible Verse

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Reflection Question

What specific attitudes, habits, or influences in your life might be corrupting your worship, and what practical steps can you take to remove them?

Quote

“Many People would never dream of spray painting on the walls of God’s house, but yet we vandalize it every day with gossip and hypocrisy.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for making me Your temple. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed corruption to enter this sacred space. Give me courage to identify and remove anything that hinders my worship. Help me to guard my heart and mind so that I can be a pure dwelling place for Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 3: Beyond People-Pleasing

Devotional

In our journey this week, we’ve seen Jesus’ passionate response to corruption and considered how we are God’s temple. Today, let’s explore another dimension of Jesus’ table-flipping moment: His freedom from people-pleasing.

When Jesus overturned tables in the temple, He wasn’t concerned with how it would affect His reputation. He didn’t worry about offending the religious leaders or disappointing the merchants. His sole focus was pleasing His Father by restoring the temple to its intended purpose.

Many of us struggle with people-pleasing. We remain silent when we should speak truth because we fear damaging relationships. We compromise our convictions to avoid conflict. We participate in conversations or activities that dishonor God because we want to fit in.

Jesus shows us a different way. His actions in the temple demonstrate that true freedom comes when we release ourselves from the need to please others and live solely to please our heavenly Father. This doesn’t mean being deliberately offensive or unkind. Rather, it means having the courage to stand for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular.

Today, consider where you might be compromising your devotion to God for the sake of human approval. Ask God for the courage to prioritize His pleasure above all else.

Bible Verse

“To the one who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!'” – John 2:16

Reflection Question

In what specific situation have you compromised your convictions or remained silent about truth because you feared losing someone’s approval, and how might God be calling you to respond differently?

Quote

“When we release ourselves from having to please the people around us and only live our life to please our heavenly Father, we find a freedom that can only be found through obedience.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve valued human approval more than Your pleasure. Give me the courage to stand for truth, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Help me find the freedom that comes through obedience to You alone. May my words and actions honor You above all else. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 4: Reclaiming Sacred Space

Devotional

Throughout this week, we’ve explored Jesus’ passionate cleansing of the temple and what it means for our lives. Today, let’s focus on His vision for what the temple should be: a house of prayer for all nations.

When Jesus drove out the merchants and money changers, He quoted Isaiah 56:7, declaring that God’s house should be a place of prayer. The marketplace had taken over the court of the Gentiles, preventing non-Jews from worshipping. Jesus was reclaiming this sacred space for its intended purpose – not just for the benefit of Jewish worshippers, but for everyone seeking God.

This vision extends to our churches today. Are our communities truly houses of prayer? Do we create environments where all people can encounter God without distraction or corruption? Or have we allowed other agendas – whether social, political, or personal – to crowd out the primary purpose of worship?

Jesus calls us to examine our communities and remove whatever corrupts worship. This might mean challenging gossip when we hear it, speaking against hypocrisy, or refocusing activities that have drifted from their spiritual purpose. It means creating spaces where sincere worshippers can encounter Jesus without corruption or clutter.

Today, consider how you might contribute to making your church community a true house of prayer for all people.

Bible Verse

“‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” – Matthew 21:13

Reflection Question

What specific action could you take this week to help your church community become more of a house of prayer where all people can encounter God without distraction?

Quote

“We will make Thrive Church a house of prayer. We will make it a shelter for those beaten by the storms of life, a hospital for the wounded, a place where people can connect with the living God.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the vision of Your house as a place of prayer for all people. Help me to contribute positively to my church community. Give me wisdom to recognize what might be hindering worship and courage to be part of the solution. Use me to help create an environment where all can encounter You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 5: Examining Our Partnerships

Devotional

As we conclude our week of reflections on Jesus’ temple-cleansing, let’s consider one final aspect: the importance of our associations and partnerships. When Jesus overturned tables in the temple, He was addressing not just individual corruption but a system that had compromised its devotion to God.

The Psalmist warns about the danger of walking in the counsel of the wicked or standing in the way of sinners. Paul cautions against being unequally yoked with unbelievers. These warnings recognize that our environments and associations profoundly influence our spiritual lives.

This applies to our personal relationships, business partnerships, entertainment choices, and more. We need to honestly evaluate: Are there environments or partnerships pulling us toward compromise instead of devotion? Have we formed alliances that make it difficult to maintain our spiritual integrity?

This doesn’t mean isolating ourselves from the world. Jesus Himself engaged with all kinds of people. But He never compromised His mission or values in those interactions. He maintained clear boundaries that protected His relationship with the Father.

Today, prayerfully examine your partnerships and associations. Ask God to show you if any are pulling you away from wholehearted devotion to Him. Then, with wisdom and grace, make any necessary adjustments to protect your spiritual integrity.

Bible Verse

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” – Psalms 1:1

Reflection Question

What specific relationship, partnership, or environment in your life might be pulling you toward compromise rather than devotion to God, and what boundary might you need to establish?

Quote

“Are there environments or partnerships pulling us towards compromise instead of devotion?”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom to evaluate my associations and partnerships. Show me if any are pulling me away from wholehearted devotion to You. Give me courage to establish healthy boundaries where needed and help me to form relationships that strengthen rather than compromise my faith. May all my associations honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen.