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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.