"Prayer Changes Everything" Devotion for Today

12 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Fourth Man" Daniel 3:25 New Living Translation 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a God. Can you think of a time when you felt all alone in a trial? Have you ever felt, like Paul, that nobody stood with you (2 Timothy 4:16)? This is a discouraging place to be for sure. There's nothing joyful about suffering alone. Knowing that someone stands with you can make all the difference. There is something that all Christ followers need to understand, which will enable them to live joyfully regardless of their circumstances: we have a Savior who never leaves our side. Christ is with us whether we face a fiery trial (Daniel 3:25) or death itself (Psalm 23:4). Think about the times you thought you were alone. How would your perspective have changed if you realized that the wave-calming, grave-conquering Messiah was standing shoulder to shoulder with you? This knowledge is key to walking with joy through drought and through storm.

11 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Folly of Self-Comparison" 2 Corinthians 10:12 English Standard Version 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. How often do you find yourself comparing your life to someone else's? Comparison seems to be the name of the game these days. It's tempting to compare our incomes, the behavior of our children, and even our talents to those around us.The problem with this game is that nobody wins. Either you come up short and feel discouraged, or the other person comes up short and you feel prideful. Either way, God is not glorified when we compare ourselves to one another. Our goal is to keep up with Jesus and not the Joneses. He's the standard by which we live. We're to be seeking the things that are above and not comparing the things that are below. Let's end the comparison game; it'll never lead to a joyful life. We'll begin to experience joy when we're more concerned with how we compare to our Savior than to our neighbor.

10 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Confidence in God's Love" Romans 8:37 New Living Translation 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. When is the last time you felt like a conqueror? It's easy to focus on our failings and forget that we've been given victory over the things of this world. Satan would love nothing more than for Christ followers to walk around with our headshanging and our hearts heavy. He wants us to believe that we're defeated and forget that, through Christ, we're “more than conquerors.” Whether through beating an opposing sports team or kicking a bad habit, there's joy in victory. In order to walk daily in a spirit of joy, we must remind ourselves that Christ has given us the victory. We don't have to listen to the enemy when he whispers reminders of past failures in our ears. The next time discouragement or despair attempts to take over your spirit, look into a mirror. Look yourself in the eye and be reminded that you're more than a conqueror, and victory looks really good on you. There's no joy quite like thejoy of the victorious.

09 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Soul-Level Blessing" Psalm 103:2-4 New Living Translation 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. To some, the admonition to “be a person of joy” sounds as doable as growing wings and flying. The phrase Shout for joy! sounds over used and unrealistic. You're either happy or you're not-and I'm not, they think. They've forgotten thattrue, abiding joy comes from the Holy Spirit, and He's all about doing the miraculous to and through ordinary Christians. When we're born again, we don't become better versions of ourselves; we're entirely re-created. That's a supernatural event, but the miracles don't stop there. Even the most cynical bad-tempered person can become a carrier of joy through the work of the Holy Spirit, who imparts the fruits of the Spirit. Many Christians have had the pleasure of running into someone who was once irritable only to discover that he or she radiated joy after an encounter with God. If joy sounds as unreachable to you as the moon, take heart: you serve a God of miracles.

08 September 2025 Daily Devotion: “Spiritual Hunger”Matthew 5:6 New Living Translation 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. A paradox is a statement that's true even though it seems contradictory: When we try to explain this wonderful God we serve, we find that our description is filled with paradoxes: He makes us free when we surrender our whole lives to Him; He requires us to die to ourselves in order to gain life; He teaches us that true wealth is available only to those who willingly give everything away. Here's another one: the only way to maintain a holy hunger for God is to keep filling up on Him. When we eat as much as we want of a meal, we say we're full and: "more than satisfied. "We had an empty spot in our belly, and now it's filled. The satisfaction that God gives: us is different. The more we pursue Him, the more He satisfies us, and the more we long for Him! The whole cycle sounds illogical but brings us great joy. To be filled with God while also hungry for God is a wonderful, life-giving, joyful paradox.

07 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Glutton and a Friend of Sinners" Matthew 11:19 New Living Translation 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.” Have you ever met someone who was so full of joy that the people around him were convinced he was up to no good? Misery loves company (as do anger, cynicism, and pessimism), which is why more than one joyful Christian has been the victim of rumors. After all, laughter comes easily to them. They know how to enjoy good food. They remain unflappable during a crisis while everyone else is wringing their hands. They rarely seem uptight, and they love “those people”- the poor, the homeless, the “unlovable. “They're boring during a gossip session, quick to see the best in others, and slow to lash out at even the most infuriating person. If you can relate, be encouraged: there was once a Man who not only spread joy, He invented it. He was calm, compassionate, and quick to see the best in others. He hung out with “those people” and enjoyed good food so much they called Him a glutton. You're in very good company.

06 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Fragrance of Worship" John 12:3 New Living Translation 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. Have you ever wanted to do something for someone but were afraid of what it would cost you? Can you think of a time when loving someone cost you your reputation in the community or a relationship with a friend? Perhaps there was a literal financial cost to your act of love. Mary knew how to love lavishly. When she entered the place where Jesus was, she wasn't worried what others might think as she poured the costly perfume onto Jesus' feet. She didn't concern herself with the monetary value of the act oflove (John12:5). Her fragrant sacrifice filled the room. We can live joyfully when we learn to love lavishly. Let's love our communities. Let's serve our neighbors. Let our lives be a pleasing aroma to our God (2 Corinthians 2:15). Joy will come when we live and love without counting the cost.

05 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Beautifully Broken" Psalms 147:3 New Living Translation He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. What do you do when something's broken? Depending on what it is, you might attempt to fix it. Maybe you discard it without a second thought. You might feel frustrated that it no longer works the way you want it to work. Brokenness can be a real bummer. Kintsugi is a Japanese art in which broken pottery is repaired with a gold, platinum, or silver lacquer. The brokenness of the piece is highlighted and not hidden; it's celebrated instead of discarded. The brokenness adds more value and beauty tothe piece. It's tempting to want to hide our brokenness and to be ashamed of our scars. In order to live joyfully, we have to understand that Christ makes our brokenness beautiful. He fills in the cracks with His love, and the end result is more precious and beautiful than anything we could have imagined. Immense joy can follow brokenness if we allow Christ to bind us up.

04 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Put Away Falsehood" Ephesians 4:25 English Standard Version 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Life is pretty complicated on the best of days. How much worse do we make it when we get ourselves tangled up in falsehoods? Whether we consider them whoppers or little white lies, the truth of the matter is that it's all deception, andthere's no joy in any of it. To live joyfully a person must, as Paul instructed, “put away falsehood. "Our words and actions must be truthful and trustworthy. If we are truth tellers, we don't have to worry about being found out or having the truth come to light. Wedon't have to concern ourselves with who speaks to whom about anything. Not only did Paul warn believers against any form of dishonesty, Solomon told us that the Lord “detests lying lips” (Proverbs 12:22). We can never live joyfully while engaging in behavior detestable to the Lord. We must live genuinely if we wish to live joyfully.

03 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Contagious Sin of Bitterness"Hebrews 12:15 English Standard Version 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; When is the last time you felt a little bitter? The world certainly offers plenty of opportunities to feel that way. Whether it's seeing someone else succeed where you've failed or simply feeling overlooked or unappreciated, there are many times you could allow bitterness to spring up in your soul. Bitterness is like an aggressive weed that chokes out any other plant in a garden. Nothing good can grow along side a bitter root. Someone who wants to live a life of joy must keep herself far away from bitterness. Paul warned the Ephesians of the dangers when he told them to put bitterness “away from [them]” (Ephesians 4:31ESV). Ask God to reveal any hidden roots of bitterness within your heart that may be stifling your joy. Put it far away from you so that you and those around you can live more joyfully each and every day.

02 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Source of Joy" Ecclesiastes 2:25 New Living Translation 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? Some things are so simple that we try to make them complicated. We think, there's no way it can be that easy! Those who have struggled to live lives of joy and fallen short have likely tried too hard and chased the wrong things. Here's the long and the short of it: there's no joy apart from God. No career success, marital status, fame, or fortune can bring a person joy if God isn't in it. You could surround yourself with your favorite possessions, hobbies, and people,and something would still be missing. Have you looked high and low, yet still struggled to find joy in your life? All you need is God. All the joy your heart can handle is found in Him. He provides the forever kind of joy that the world can't take away. You can walk in joy when you walk with Him.

01 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Divine Purpose" Philippians 1:19 New Living Translation 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.Have you ever watched someone going through a trial and wondered how they were able to keep their joy? What makes one person able to endure while another seems tocrumble under the same weight? Paul was well acquainted with trials and tribulations and yet was a man of great joy. Paul knew, even while sitting in a prison cell, that the prayers of believers had power and that Christ would bring him deliverance one way or another. This knowledge enabled him to live joyfully while being imprisoned and beaten. When suffering comes our way, no matter what form it takes, what we know matters. In order to live joyfully in every season, we must know God's Word and what it says about His ways, His character, and His love for us. No trial can take away the truths we've hidden in our hearts. On the darkest of days, remind yourself of what you know, and you'll live joyfully no matter the circumstances.

31 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Nothing is Too Hard for God" Jeremiah 32:17 New Living Translation 17 “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Have you ever watched someone do something with ease and grace after you'd tried unsuccessfully to do the same thing-for an hour? Maybe you struggled all day to solve a problem that involved math only to watch, amazed, as your spouse unraveled it in mere seconds. Maybe you wrestled all day to move a bulky chair until your neighbor stopped by, saw what you were doing, then picked it up and set it down without breaking a sweat. The most shocking thing about each instance is that the task wasn't less difficult for the other person, it was effortless. Most of us would quickly agree, "Nothing's too difficult for God!” But think about it: nothing is even difficult. Nothingis too challenging, tiring, or confusing to our God, but neither is it even remotely challenging, tiring, or confusing. God has never struggled for a split second to accomplish anything. Take joy in the truth that that's the God who cares for you!

30 August 2025 Daily Devotion:"God's Promise in the Midst of Fear" Isaiah 41:10 New Living Translation 10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. You're offered the promotion you've wanted for three years, but instead of joy, you feel panic: What if I can't do the job? You have a unique idea for a book, and you can't wait to get started. But by the end of the first page, you're staring at the monitor in terror: What if no one wants to read this non sense? What if I never sell a single copy? Here's a question to ponder: Who told you that failure is wrong? Fear of failure will extinguish joy faster than you can say, “I blew it.” We've accepted the lie that failure is always bad, and therefore we should avoid it at all costs. However, as Robert F. Kennedy observed, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” To truly follow God wherever He leads, we must be okay with failing once in a while. Only then will we change the world around us. Today, shake off the fear of failure and welcome the joy.

29 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Remnant's Praise" Isaiah 24:14-16 New Living Translation 14 But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the Lord's majesty. 15 In eastern lands, give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 16 We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere. The word glory means great beauty, magnificence, and splendor. We've all heard that we should bring glory to God. But have you ever wondered how a person actually does that? God is already as glorious as He can be. He's infinitely beautiful, magnificent, and full of splendor. If He were able to increase in glory, that would mean He's less glorious than He will be in the future-and God is not “less” anything! Even so, we can bring Him glory by sharing stories and testimonies of His love and excellence with other human beings who don't yet know Him. When we “brag” about God, we bring Him renown. Through our words and actions, we can cause others to want Him, to respond to Him, and to seek Him. That brings Him glory. And all the while, as we seek You and You receive glory magnify Him (make Him “larger” in the eyes of others), He grants us joy.

28 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Promise for the Sincere" Psalm 145:18 English Standard Version 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him to all who call on him in truth. Have you ever, in the midst of a painful time, been unable to see God? Even Job felt that way during those dark days of loss (Job 23:8-9). He was actively seeking some sign that help was on the horizon, and he saw none. The feeling that God has abandoned you is just a slight of hand; it's a magician's trick. Satan is trying to play “now you see Him and now you don't.” Don't be fooled, because God is right here. He's as close as your next breath. Even in the midst of unspeakable pain, Job knew this to be true (Job 23:10). We can have joy during the hardest times because we know that God is near to those who call on Him. We don't have to see Him with our eyes to know He's closer than we can even fathom. Let's not fall for Satan's worn-out tricks; let's rejoice knowing that God is near.

27 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Father to the Fatherless" Psalm 68:6 New Living Translation 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. It was never God's intention that anyone “do life” completely alone. While we know that God is always with us, it is also important to have people to care about us and to share our lives. Scripture tells us that our God sets the lonely in families. Sometimes we miss the joy of family because it doesn't look the way we expected it to look. For the person without a mother, God can place an older woman in his or her life to give comfort and wisdom. For the unmarried, family may look like a group of friends gathered around at table, laughing and doing life together. Life doesn't always (or ever) look the way we thought it would, and neither does family. A family's members may come through biology, adoption, or the bonds of friendship. To live joyfully, we must learn to see that family can come in many forms and to embrace the beauty of the unexpected.

26 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "I Have Called You Friends" John 15:15 New Living Translation 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. One of the greatest joys in life is the gift of friendship. To have someone who's on your side no matter what can make all the difference during difficult times. It doesn't matter how many friends you have or how long they've known you. Theintimacy and depth of the relationship is what matters. If you've ever felt like the odd man out or as if you've missed out on the gift of one true friend, Jesus has great news: He declares Himself your Friend. Can you even comprehendthat? The Word, the Bread of Life, the Living Water looks at you and says, “I call you My friend.” Perhaps you've read a verse like Proverbs 18:24 and thought, I don't have a friend like that. If you're a follower of Christ, you do and it's Christ Himself! Jesus is that friend “who sticks closer than a brother," and that should bring you great joy. 

25 August 2025 Daily Devotion:"God's Judgment on Eli's House" 1 Samuel 3:10-12 New Century Version 10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!”. Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Watch, I am going to do something in Israel that will shockthose who hear about it. 12 At that time I will do to Eli and his family everything I promised, from beginning to end.How does it feel when someone ignores you? Have you ever had a relationship where you were always the one making contact? A person doesn't feel very important or valued if the communication only goes one way. On the other hand, how special do you feel when someone takes the time to call you by name and speak to you? As believers, we have the privilege of communication with God Himself. It's. not one-sided, and He never ignores us or tunes us out. We find joy in knowing that God takes the time to speak to us and that He doesn't give up on us. We justneed to be faithful to listen because our God is faithful to speak. Think about the joy that comes when you spend time in intimate conversation with a dear friend. Now, imagine the joy that will come if you will take the time to listen to the God of the universe speak.  

24 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Empathy in Community" Romans 12:15 New Living Translation 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. How many people do you know? There are people in your family, your workplace, your school, and your community. You bump into folks at the grocery store, the dry cleaner, and the mall. People are all around you! Have you ever wondered howGod is at work in their lives? If we follow the scriptural command to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, we always have a reason to rejoice. There will be seasons when things in our lives are not ideal. The secret is to learn to ask others, “What is God doing in yourlife?” By turning our attention to the people around us, we'll be able to see God at work in the lives of others and rejoice. If we're solely focused on our own circumstances, we'll eventually find ourselves running low on joy. But if we learn to see God at work around us, the opportunities for rejoicing will be endless.

23 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Freedom in The Spirit" 2 Corinthians 3:17 New Living Translation 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. What currently has you bound? Is it fear, doubt, or worry? Insecurity, guilt, or shame? Perhaps you can't break free from anger over the way someone has wronged you. Are you bound by feelings of unworthiness? Whatever the source of your chains, Christ has come to set you free. Christ came so that you could experience freedom and the joy that comes along with it. The enemy can't steal your salvation, but he'll do his best to rob you of your joy. Satan wants to see Christians in bondage, and He often succeeds. Some men and woman walking among us are more imprisoned than those living in prison cells. There are also people behind bars who are free in Christ. Don't listen to the lies of the enemy. Choose to live joyfully-choose to accept, embrace, and walk in the freedom Christ purchased.

22 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Call to Listen and Respond" James 1:19-20 New Century Version 19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, 20 because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. It doesn't take much to set some people off. A difference of opinion over politics, parenting, or pizza can quickly lead to angry words, hurt feelings, and broken relationships. If you've spent any time around an angry person or if you'veever been the angry person, you're aware that angry people are not joyful people. James, Paul (Titus 1:7), and Solomon (Proverbs 15:18; 16:32; 19:11) all warn God's people to be slow to anger. A joyful spirit is a mark of a person who's learned to overlook an offense, to choose grace over a grudge, and to reject everyopportunity to be offended. Anger, just like worry, is a choice. If anger is an issue for you, ask God to help you let it go. There's a beautiful rhythm to a joyful life and it's quick, slow, slow. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

21 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Exuberant Praise for Redemption" Psalm 71:23 New Living Translation 23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. A person who lacks joy in his life is, most likely, one who has forgotten all that the Lord has done for him. This is a common tactic of the enemy: he loves for people to focus on what's wrong with the world around them. Satan knows negativity can quickly crowd out joy. If you find yourself in a bit of A joyless rut, take a moment and review the topics of your recent ramblings or meditations. Was there more complaining and grumbling or praise and gratitude? What about your most recent conversation? Did you feel joyful or drained when it was over? The psalmist knew that the key to living joyfully was to be a person of praise. Our hearts will fill with joy when our lips are full of praise to the Lord for all He's done. Are you feeling low on joy? Take a moment and begin praising God for who He is, and joyful shouts will soon follow!  

20 August 2025 Daily Devotion: “Love in Action” Romans 12:9 English Standard Version 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. A sure way to add a lot of tension to your life is to pretend to be something you're not. It takes a lot of time and energy to maintain a false persona, and most people don't have an excess of time or energy. It never works out anyway. As soon as you pretend to be a boss in the kitchen, someone will nominate you to supply all the cakes for the community bake sale. It's better to be genuine up front and let people know that your cakes are of the grocery store variety. The same goes for loving other people. You won't find joy in being phony or over the top; a person's true heart will always be revealed. Paul's instruction to believers was simply to be genuine. The reality is that to love genuinely is to live joyfully. Imagine what it would look like if everyone genuinely loved one another. We'd be able to celebrate one another without bitterness. We could choose grace over grudges. We could link arms and walk through trials together. And we could livejoyfully as brothers and sisters in Christ.

19 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Victory Banner" Psalm 20:5 English Standard Version 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! How excited do you get over someone else's salvation? Being a part of another person's deliverance will fill you with unspeakable joy. It's an absolute gift from God that we get to play a part in His victory plan. David wrote Psalm 20 to serve as a guide for the people to use when praying for him. He wanted them to be joyful over any victories God gave him. Likewise, the people of God should be overjoyed when He gives someone victory over his or her sins. Someone being set free and becoming a brother or sister in Christ is definitely cause for joyful celebration. Jesus said there was rejoicing in heaven over one person who repented Luke 15:10). We can experience that same joy when people around us come to know Christ. It just takes a willingness to be a part of someone else's life and to share the gospel with him or her. Then we, too, can shout for joy.

18 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Miracle Worker" John 6:2 New Living Translation 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. When you are joyful, people are naturally drawn to you. Maybe you're that joyful person to whom others gravitate. They might not even realize exactly why they're so drawn to you; often, the joy inside a believer is extremely attractive to people. Sometimes the fact that people want to be near you can feel more like a nuisance than a blessing. Especially if you're naturally reserved, it can be exhausting when others constantly come to you for advice, companionship, or even just casual conversation. The key is to remember that what you have is beyond priceless. If you could bottle the joy in your heart, they'd pay an absurd price for it. People are desperate for genuine joy. As much as you're able, share it with them.

17 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Prepare for the Ark's Journey" 1 Chronicles 15:15-16 New Living Translation 15 Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. 16 David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals. Have you ever attended a church service where the praise and worship time was, well, boring? In many churches, the congregation seems reluctant to join in, singing either very softly or not at all, as if worship is, something only the choir isqualified to do. There's no joy, and there doesn't appear to be any true worship. This is not how God has directed us to worship. We're to worship Him with our whole hearts, with sincerity, and with joy. Several times in the Bible, we're told to “make a joyful noise” to the Lord (Psalm 95:1-2; 98:4,6; 100:1 Esv). And in thedevotion verse, we're told to worship by using a variety of musical instruments. If you pour your heart out to God during worship time (or even when you're home alone), you'll find your heart being filled with the joy of the Lord.

16 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Joy in the Bridegroom's Voice" John 3:29-30 New Living Translation 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom's friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must becomeless and less. We live in a world where bigger is better, more is never enough, and everyone strives for first place. Someone else always seems to have more, do more, and be more. Satan loves to whisper lies in our ears that lead us to believe thatwe are, somehow, less than. The constant weighing of less and more wears on a person's soul until all that's left are weariness and discouragement. But the joke is on the enemy because being less is the key to living joyfully. God never intended for life to be some sort of comparison game. Joy comes when we finally understand it's always been about Jesus. When things go poorly and people want to pity us, we should point them to Him. When things go well and people want to praise us, we should point to Him. Living a life where we choose to become less so that Jesus becomes more brings joy.

15 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Glory to God Alone" Psalm 115:1-3 New International Version 1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations saying “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. Even if you aren't a control freak, we all like to think we have things somewhat under control. The idea that we're in control brings a false sense of security that we cling to because it makes life seem a little less scary. Unfortunately, at some point, it becomes painfully obvious how little control one person really has in the grand scheme of things. Attempting to maintain control of everything in life is a stressful way to live. People were never meant to carry that weight on their shoulders. Children have few responsibilities until they get older because a young child can't handle thestress of adult responsibilities. Likewise, we can't handle the stress of God's responsibilities. God is in heaven and He does whatever pleases Him. He has everything under control. There isn't any fear in relinquishing control; there is freedom and joy. We can let go of the facade of control and rejoice, knowing that God truly is in control.

14 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Fulfilling The Will of Christ" Galatians 6:2 English Standard Version 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. It was never God's intention that people strain under the weight of their own burdens. That's an exhausting and joyless way to live. According to Paul, the law of Christ was best fulfilled when people chose to bear each other's burdens. How could you share someone's burden in your home, community, or workplace? In order to bear someone else's burden, you have to get close to them. You have to keep in step with them as they make their way through a trial. You might also have to loosen the grip on your own problems and allow someone else to step up and shoulder some of the weight. God's design is that we become an army of people all walking in the same direction, at the same pace, with the weight evenly distributed so that no one stumbles. It's there, in the sharing of the load, that we find an unexpected joy. The joy comes when we're willing to take on someone else's issue and trust someone with part of ours.

13 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Believer's Inheritance"1 Corinthians 3:20-23 New Living Translation 20 And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.” 21 So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, [b] or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs toyou, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Have you ever been the odd man out? It's not any fun to feel overlooked or left out. There's a time in everyone's life when he or she is not included or simply doesn't make the cut. Few pains are quite like the feeling that you just don't belong anywhere. Everyone needs to have someone; there's joy in knowing you belong. All Christ followers can rest assured that they belong. It doesn't matter if one's marital status isn't what he had hoped or if everyone else seems to have more friends. Paul told the Corinthian believers that they belonged to Christ. The apostle John shared a similar sentiment in 1 John 4:4- “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” You can live with joy knowing you belong. You are included; you have a place at the table. God smiles when you show up because you belong to Him.

12 August 2025 Daily Devotion:"Death Is a Gain" Philippians 1:21 New Living Translation 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. For many people, worry is one of the biggest joy stealers they encounter. Can you relate? How joyful do you feel when you're worrying about something? If you were to do a quick search, you'd find that one of the antonyms for worry iscertainty. We tend to worry about things or situations that hold an element of uncertainty. It may have seemed, to an on looker, that Paul was in the midst of an uncertain time. Was he going to live or die? Was he going to be set free or not? Paul was able to maintain joy because he had certainty regarding what really mattered. Paul viewed his every breath as devoted to the gospel. To live meant he would continue honoring Christ with his life. To die meant that he would see Christ with his own eyes. It was a win-win situation. We can live joyfully when we're certain about the things that are most important. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

11 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Glory and Joy in God's Presence" 1 Chronicles 16:27 New Living Translation 27 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling. In Psalm 91:1 we read, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” What an encouraging and glorious promise! If we dwell in Christ, welive in and for Him, and if we do that, we'll “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” What an amazing place to be. There's no way around it: in order to be in someone's shadow, we must be very close to him. Therefore, if we live in and for Christ, we'll be very close to Him. What could possibly bringus more joy than that? How do we live close to Jesus Christ? The Bible describes many ways: studying the Scriptures, praying to Him,worshipping Him, spending time in His presence, loving Him first and then all others, and obeying Him. Will you make a commitment to live close to Christ today?

10 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Test of Faith"Job 2:10 New Living Translation 10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. Poor Job. The devil had secured God's permission to test Job's faith, as long as he didn't kill Job. So he-probably gleefully-attacked Job with every weapon in his arsenal. Job,however, had great faith; he knew that the Lord was greater, wiser, and mightier than Satan. And Job persevered. In the book of Job, it's made very clear that Job was enduring. horrendous pain, both physical and emotional.Through it all, he questioned God and cried out to Him, struggling to understand what was happening to him. Ultimately he submitted to God's sovereignty and“ [repented] in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Although it sounds impossible, we, too, can have even a thread of trust in God-and therefore joy. The joy of the Lord isn't a fleeting thing that disappears as soon as trials come. On the contrary, if we cling to the Lord, He'll remain with us. And His joy can be our strength.

09 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Power Beyond Silver and Gold" Acts 3:4-6 New Living Translation 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” At some point, every person fails to live up to the expectations of others. In the case of Peter and John in the book of Acts, they offered healing to a beggar who was hoping for money. The man got far more than he expected so the story ended well, but many times it doesn't. All too often people are left disappointed and disillusioned because they expected something that someone wassimply unable to give. Those disciples, for instance, could not give that beggar gold or silver because the Lord had specifically told them not to take any on their journey (Mark 6:8). We will greatly increase the joy in our lives when we stop expecting people to provide us with the things our souls need. We can expect the Lord to do the things we need Him to do. We can lay our requests before Him and wait expectantly and joyfully, knowing He hears and will answer. Those expectations are never misplaced.

08 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Seeking God's Approval" Galatians 1:10 English Standard Version 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Some people try to please everyone. The problem with this desire to live a people-pleasing life is that there isn't any joy in it. It may seem, on the surface, that wanting everyone to be happy is a good thing. The problem is-as the saying goes-you can't please everyone. Thankfully, there can be joy in living a life pleasing to God because it is possible to please Him. God's expectations never change. He makes His will known through His Word. No one has to wonder if he or she is loved or accepted by Him. It doesn't take perfection to please Him; it takes only a pure heart. For everyone caught up in the need to please people, it's time to get off the crazy train and experience the joy of seeking the approval of God. That is the only approval a servant of Christ needs.  

07 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Hospitality Without Complaint" 1 Peter 4:9 English Standard Version 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. Do you know people who possess the gift of hospitality? Their guest rooms feel like a sanctuary, they have an open-door policy, and they are always having company for dinner. Meanwhile, you hold your breath when someone rings the doorbell and pray they don't hear your television and know you're home. While some may have the gift of hospitality, we all have the scriptural command to be hospitable. In Paul's letter to the saints in Rome, he listed hospitality as one of the marks of atrue Christian (Romans 12:13). Peter instructed his readers to show hospitality even though they were all living in exile (1 Peter 1:1)! Using what you have-whether a lot or a little-to minister to others will always bring you joy. If you're living the life you always dreamed of, or if you wonder where it allwent off track, showing hospitality is still the Lord's will, and there is always joy for those obedient to His will.

06 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "God's Song Over You" Zephaniah 3:17 New Living Translation 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Think about your favorite song. How do you feel when you hear it? It doesn't matter if you're an experienced soloist or an only-in-the-shower singer, music speaks to everyone. Something in human DNA responds to music, which is the reason you can probably remember your favorite tunes from high school but can't seem to recall why you walked upstairs. While studies have been done on the correlation between music and mood, the connection was made long ago in Scripture. Zephaniah gave an image of a God who finds joy in singing over His people with joyful songs. The psalmistfelt comforted by a God who would surround him with “songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Paul and Silas sang while in prison, and the heavenly beings never cease their singing in heaven (Acts 16:25; Revelation 4:8). Even if you don't consider yourself a musical person, try adding some music to your day. God can cause the melodies to bring joy to your soul.

05 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Quiet Life" 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 New International Version 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. Does your life ever seem just a little too loud? Do you ever look around and wonder how it got so crazy? Life can become overwhelmingly loud without a person even realizing it's happening. The constant noise can add undue stress and can slowly drain your joy. Noise can enter your life a number of ways. Being too busy or too concerned with others, affairs are just a couple of them. Often all it takes to restore joy to your life is to learn to quiet down. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul described a life that was pleasing to God. He talked about living a holy life, loving one another, and learning to live quietly. What would it look like for you to live quietly? Perhaps you would need to say no to some things. Being still doesn't come naturally to everyone, so maybe you would have to work on that. Learning to be present in the moment without trying to plan or predict the next moment will reduce the noise and bring more joy into your life.

04 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Equipped for Every Good Work" 2 Timothy 3:17 New International Version 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Is there anything more frustrating than finding out in the middle of a project that you don't have the right tools? Have you ever tried to prepare a meal only to discover you'remissing an ingredient? Whether you're new to a job or a first-time parent, it's very disheartening to feel ill-equipped. Now think of a time when you excelled at a task. Perhaps you aced a project at school or you delivered an exceptional work presentation. Joy comes when we are thoroughly prepared and able to do something well. God has set you up for success. In His Word, He has given you everything you need to do what You're called to do. By studying Scripture, you can have the joy that accompanies aservant of God.

03 August 2025 Daily Devotion: "Times of Refreshing"Acts 3:19 New International Version 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. How good do you feel when you know you've done something wrong? Do you try to sweep it under the rug andcarryon with life? Most believers have discovered that trick doesn't work. We will never experience joy while living in disobedience to God. The more we try to hide our sin, the more our joy turns to guilt and shame. The enemy would love for us to just live that way, but God wants so much more for us. There is no place for shame in our hearts, but we have to choose to release it. We can turn away from our disobedience and turn to God. When we do that, He wipes the shame away and fills our hearts with a fresh joy. What have you been trying to hide? It's time to lift the rug and let it out. There is nothing too big for God to forgive. Don't let it stand in the way of you living joyfully.  

August 02, 2025 Daily Devotion: "Confession and Forgiveness" Psalm 32:5-7 New Living Translation 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude 6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. When you forgive someone after he or she has offended you, do you then forget the offense? Or do you bring it up again and again, hoping to make that person feel sad or guilty? Imagine if God were to store your offenses in the back of His mind, and then bring them up every time you asked Him for something. How would that make you feel? Fortunately, when God forgives, He casts our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). Since the east and the west will never meet, that's about as far away as one could toss anything! Along with the sin itself goes 1) the punishment due, 2) the guilt it causes, and 3) the shame you feel gone. All of it. God never does anything halfway; therefore, when He forgives, He forgives completely. Because your forgiven sin is completely gone andforgotten, you have no reason and no right to dredge it up again. Therefore, rejoice in God's forgiveness, and make a clean start. 

August 01, 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Blessing of Generosity" Psalm 41:1-3 New Living Translation  1 Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. 2 The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. 3 The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. Have you ever noticed that, when He walked on earth, Jesus seemed to migrate to people who were poor, sick, emotionally troubled, or spiritually confused - in other words, the weak? Several times He was even chided for associating with “sinners.” On one occasion, His answer to His accusers was, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”(Luke5:32). In like manner, God calls us to minister to those who are weak, such as “orphans and widows” (James 1:27).In the above quote from Psalm 41, He calls those who help the weak “blessed,” and adds that He “delivers them in times of trouble.” Not only will He bless those who help the needy, He'll also grant them extra protection! If you've never visited the sick or the imprisoned or served at a free dinner for the hungry, isn't it time you did? Many people who have ministered to the poor have walked away amazed at the joy this gave them. Give, and you will receive!

July 09, 2025 Daily Devotion: "Raised from the Dead"2 Timothy 2:8 New Living Translation 8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. How are we supposed to live joyfully when everything around us is out of control? That's really the question, isn't it? How are we supposed to have joy when the news leaves usunsettled and our personal lives are in disarray? There's only one way and it almost seems too simple. Paul said it this way: “Always remember that Jesus Christ... was raised from the dead.” No matter what is currently going wrong, Jesus was still raised from the dead. In the midst of broken relationships, financial concerns, health scares, and heartaches, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. That is how we can live with joy in any and every circumstance. This good news can bring you joy each and every day because you are promised that same power (Ephesians1:19-20). When you find yourself in need of joy, “always remember that Jesus Christ ...was raised from the dead.” Whatever happens.

July 08, 2025 Daily Devotion: "Rescued from Deep Waters" Psalm 18:16 New Living Translation 16 He reached down from heaven and rescued me he drew me out of deep waters. Bald eagles build their nests far up in trees or high on the edges of cliffs. When the baby eagles, or fledglings, are old enough to begin to fly, Mama eagle will hover below the nest, flying in circles, calling out encouragement to her little ones to give it a try. When a fledgling finally launches itself into the air, Mama continues to circle the area below. If the baby eagle, for whatever reason, stops flapping his wings,Mama is right there to catch him on her back, take him back to the nest, and start the process over again. Whether through poor choices or outright sin, each of us will occasionally lose our bearings in life and start to plummet. When that happens, God is right there, ready to catch us, setus back on our feet, and let us try again to be the Christians we should be. He never seems to tire of catching us and restoring us to solid ground. How joyful we should be that He's always there for us, always in position to rescue us! 

July 07, 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Beauty of Joy and Grace" 1 Peter 5:10 New Living Translation                                      10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and hewill place you on a firm foundation. Some people actually resist joy because they struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve it. They've made some terrible mistakes in life and failed in some major ways. The lives of those around them were affected, and not in a good way. When the choir sings their favorite worship song, or they look into the face of a brand new grandchild, their heart floods with joy-and they think, I don't deserve this feeling! Can you relate? If so, you might as well know: You're right. You don't deserve to experience something as pure and lovely as joy. No one does. Neither do we deserve the love of God, the prospect of heaven-or the warmth of a shearling blanket or the taste of a good cup of coffee, for that matter ... except for grace. The work of Jesus on the cross opened the door to peace, rest, beauty-and joy. Because of Him, joy isours for the taking. Don't turn Him down. Don't resist grace and what it's accomplished.

July 06, 2025 Daily Devotion: "Responding to Rejection and Remaining Wise" Matthew 10:14-16 New Living Translation 14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. 15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day. One of the greatest hindrances to joy is holding on to the wrong things for too long. Whether it's a toxic friendship, a romantic interest that never worked out, or the frostedlipstick you've been wearing since 1982, there comes a point in time when you just need to let go. When Jesus sent His followers out into the world to spread the gospel, He knew they would encounter run welcoming towns and obstinate people. Were they instructed to continue clinging to criticism and hanging out where they weren't wanted? No. “Shake the dust off your feet,” was Jesus' instruction to them. There are things worth fightingfor, so please don't misunderstand. But if we are refusing to let go or move on from things that are bad for us, we will never live with any sort of joy. If we continually look to the past, we'll miss out on the joy in the present. What is standing between us and the joy in the Lord we are promised? Let's shake the dust off together.

July 04, 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Giver" 2 Corinthians 9:7 New Living Translation 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.How does it make you feel to give something to someone else? Think about Christmas gifts, giving to a good cause or even buying someone's meal at a restaurant. It's pretty amazing, isn't it? One morning, as a young woman left the grocery store with her children, an older woman walked up to her. She said that she was on a mission of joy and she handed the young mother a dozen red roses. While it certainly made the recipient smile, the joy was equally evident on then elder woman's face as she walked away. When we think about the cheerful giver mentioned in Scripture, it's tempting to conclude that a cheerful person tends to be a generous one. While that may be true, the flip side of that is also (and perhaps more) true. A person who gives tends to be a cheerful person. If you find yourself needing a boost of joy in your life, try being generous with your time, gifts, or finances. Become a person who gives and you'll find yourself living a little more joyfully.

July 03, 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Grateful Heart" Psalm 119:62-64 New Living Translation 62 I rise at midnight to thank you. for your just regulations. 63 I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments. 64 O Lord, your unfailing love fills theearth; teach me your decrees. How do you feel about the darkness? Have you ever found yourself all alone in the middle of the night? We can usually keep things together during the daytime, but there's something about the nighttime that breaks down our defenses. The psalmist had the answer for finding joy during the darkest of times. Whatever has you feeling down and swallowed in darkness, there's joy to be found. You still have reasons to rise and give thanks. God's Word is a light, and it shines in the darkness in away it never could in the light (Psalm119:105). We have only to open our eyes and look for it (Psalm 119:148). At some point, we'll all find ourselves in a dark place that we would never have chosen. Even then, if we open God's Word, He can shine His light (Psalm 119:130) and reveal places of joy. 

July 02, 2025 Daily Devotion: "THE PRAYER" Mark 11:23-24 New Living Translation 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt inyour heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. How do you approach the practice of prayer? Are you hopeful or hesitant? Do you think it would be nice if God heard you, or are you certain that He does? James was very clear that the doubtful person could expect to receive nothing from the Lord (James1:6-7).Jesus also had something to say regarding prayer. To unleash its full power, we should pray for specific things. Is there a mountain in your way? Follow Jesus' instruction and command it to move. Don't be afraid to list everything you need to take place. We need to believe that God loves us enough to hear us and answer. We can find joy in knowing that if we're asking within God's will (1 John5:14) we can believe that we've received the thing for which we've asked (Mark11:24). We can delight in ourprayers knowing that God delights in hearing them (Proverbs 15:8).

July 01, 2025 Daily Devotion: "THE CROSS" Colossians 2:14 New Living Translation 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. All of us have that person who remembers us “when.” They know the mistakes we've made: the lies, the poor relationship choices, and the downright bad decisions. It's safe to say that none of us would want to read a record of all our wrongs. No matter how much we wish it weren't so, we all have charges against us (Romans 3:23). The offenses are great, and the enemy wants to hold us accountable for each and every one of them. Though we're all guilty, for. those in Christ, there's still reason to rejoice. When Jesus saves a person, they don't become a better version of themselves; they become someone completely different (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can have joy knowing that He's cancelled the debt and paid the penalty, and we can walk in freedom as though we'd never sinned. That's the power of the cross.