"Prayer Changes Everything" Devotion for Today

02 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Complete Joy Through Unity" Philippians 2:2 New Living Translation 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Can you think of anything less joyful than being at odds with someone you care about? Whether a disagreement involves sports, politics, or musical preferences, discord doesn't give anyone the warm fuzzies. Strife steals joy not just from those in a dispute, but also from everyone who cares about thepeople involved. Paul was speaking to the Philippians church when he said, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind. “He wanted his fellow believers to experience the joy of spiritual unity, and, by doing so, they would complete Paul's own joy as well. Unity among believers is essential for all of us to experience complete joy. Jesus prayed that we would all be one (John 17:21). Let's complete one another's joy by being of one mind and one mission. If we're all loving the Lord with our hearts, souls, and minds-and loving our neighbors the way we love ourselves-we'll experience complete joy.

1 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "Every Knee Will Bow” Philippians 2:10 New Living Translation 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth Where does your strength come from? Many people rely on their physical prowess or attempt to intimidate with their wit and intellect. If the source of our power is anything other than the name of Jesus, we'll inevitably end up looking weak and foolish. When it comes time to battle with the enemy, we can rejoice knowing that there is power in the name of Jesus Christ. That precious name is a strong tower where the righteous may run and find safety (Proverbs 18:10). That name is the source of our salvation (Acts 4:12). We're people of joy no matter how mighty the foe may seem or how immovable the mountain may appear. We can have joy knowing that the power of His name is at work on our behalf, in every situation. Rejoice; every knee must bow at the sound of the name of Jesus.

30 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ" 2 Corinthians 1:20 New Living Translation 20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? Something happens when people fail to keep their word; we don't get quite as excited when they promise something new. Wewait with uncertainty, and we hesitate to get our hopes up lest we are disappointed. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. There's cause for joy for believers because every promise God ever made is fulfilled in Christ. When we read a precious promise in Scripture, we can get excited knowing that God has never failed to keep His Word. We don't need to temper our joy because God doesn't disappoint. Is there something in God's Word that you've been afraid to believe? Is there a promise you long to claim but ear disappointment? Rejoice, believer, because our God is a promise keeper, and every one of His promises find its Yes in Jesus Christ.

29 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Her Love and His Forgiveness"Luke 7:44 New Living Translation 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. What do you see when you look at the people around you? It's pretty easy, especially if we know someone's story, to immediately pick up on a person's flaws or failures. Sometimes when we look at a person, we think of what we've heard other people say about him or her. When the sinful woman entered Simon the Pharisee's home, he saw her sin (Luke 7:39). He knew who the woman had been and everything she had done, and he judged her for it. Jesus wasn't concerned with what Simon knew but with what he saw. He wanted Simon to truly see the woman. When it comes to looking at other people, judgment and joy could not be further apart. Judgment sees a person's past, her shame, or her in discretions. But there's no joy in judgment. Joy comes when we truly see each individual andbegin to love the way God loves.

28 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Sacrifice" Genesis 22:2 New Living Translation 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” We tend to hold tightly to things. Without even realizing it, we sometimes cling more tightly to people, dreams, and objects than we do to God Himself. That's why many struggle with a passage like this one in Genesis where Abraham wascalled to sacrifice his only son. Isaac was the long-awaited son of the promise. He'd been longed for and was dearly loved. God instructed Abraham to sacrifice the very thing he treasured most. Because Abraham loved God more than anything else, his life was an act ofworship. We can live joyfully when we begin to view every aspect of our lives as worship. Trusting God with the things and people most precious to us is an act of worship regardless of the outcome. We can rejoice knowing that God is pleased by our trust and obedience.  

27 September 2025 Daily Devotion:"Sounds of Restoration" Jeremiah 33:11 New Living Translation 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord. They will sing, ‘Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven's Armies, for the Lord is good. His faithful love endures forever!' For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the Lord. Have you ever as though the whole day was a waste? Or possibly the issue is even bigger than that. Maybe you feel as if you've wasted years. The job you've had for decades is eliminated. A relationship you thought would last foreverdidn't. Someone you love leaves this world way too soon and you think, what a waste. Whatever place of waste you may find yourself in, today the Lord has a promise for you: there will again be joy and gladness. There will be times of celebration and cause for praise because the Lord is good (Jeremiah 33:10-11). We can know that even if we can't quite see it now, joy and gladness are coming. God's faithful love endures forever. He makes flowers bloom in barren deserts (Isaiah 35:1) because He's all about restoring what looks to us like a complete loss. He can take our places of waste and make them places of joy. 

26 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Faith's Role" John 11:39 New Living Translation 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” There's immense joy in being a part of what God is doing at any given time. What if Moses hadn't reached out and grabbed the snake by the tail (Exodus4:4)? What if the priests hadn't stepped into the Jordan (Joshua 3:13)? What if the blind man hadn't believed in the power of Jesus (John 9:7)? What if Martha and Mary hadn't moved the. stone (John 11:39)? To live joyfully is to believe that God can do anything. What is God calling you do to? What's that thing that seems ridiculous when you say it out loud? It would be a shame to miss out on a miracle because you feared looking foolish. We just have to believe. We pray for provision even when we can't see any possible way for it to happen. We pray for relationships to be restored even when renewal seems impossible. We believe in the impossible, and then we rejoice when our Lazarus comes forth.

25 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Great Reward in Heaven" Luke 6:23 New Living Translation 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. Chances are that everyone has, at some point, been excluded or disliked; this is, without a doubt, a painful experience. How are you supposed to respond when someone ignores or hates you (Luke 6:22)? A natural response would be hurt oranger, but Jesus tells believers to respond quite differently. When we're left out, ostracized, or persecuted because of our faith, Jesus says we're to rejoice. We're told to leap for joy! Why would we respond in such a way? Our faithfulness to Christ will result in great rewards in heaven; that's how wecan live joyfully in the face of rejection or abandonment. The next time someone walks away or mocks you because of your faith, choose joy over bitterness. Remind yourself that you're experiencing the same thing your forefathers experienced and that the rewards are more than anything you could imagine. Then, if you have it in you, go ahead and leap.

24 September 2025  Daily Devotion: "From Bitterness to Blessing" Ruth 4:14 English Standard Version 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! Can you think of a time when you experienced emptiness? Whether an empty seat at the table, an empty bank account, or an empty womb, emptiness can be devastating. The effects of experiencing it can make us unrecognizable to ourfriends (Job 2:12) and neighbors (Ruth 1:19). Naomi knew what it was like to be filled with good things, and she knew was it was like to be empty (Ruth 1:21). How is a person supposed to rejoice continuously while walking such a dark, lonely road? There is one promise that holds the key to joy in the midst of emptiness: that of a Redeemer. Whatever loss or emptiness we experience; we can rejoice knowing that God will restore to us whatever this world has taken (Joel 2:25). Trust Him to redeem it all and to fill in everyone of your empty places.

23 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Path of Peace" 1 Peter 3:11 New Living Translation 11 Turn away from evil and do good Search for peace, and work to maintain it. This verse tells us to “work to maintain” peace. Interestingly, Romans12, which is full of brief “nuggets” that explain how to live the joyful life, also tells us to do all we can to live in harmony with others. We can tell from the way the Romans passage is worded that Paul was a realist; he understood that certain folks don't want any part of harmony. Sometimes they've been wounded; they've decided that even the slightest offense is cause for war, which makes peace next to impossible. Other times, they're not soeasily angered, but they thrive on drama: the sky is always falling, and the smallest hiccup becomes a crisis. Often, numerous people are pulled into the drama via breathless conversations and texts, but you have a choice: join in the ruckus, or calmly distance yourself. If you must participate, then do your best to defuse the situation. The result is that you'll be able to hold on to joy while living at peace with everyone-including yourself.

22 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "God is My Portion and Cup" Psalm 16:5 New Living Translation 5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. Many natural disasters have ripped around the world. Some causing people to lose everything they own: their photographs, important papers, furniture, vehicles-eventheir entire homes. How difficult it must be to see your security wiped out in a matter of minutes. But wait! Is their security really gone? In Psalm 16:5, David tells us that the Lord is our security. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers can donate food, water, clothing, furniture, and money to the victims of disasters, but only God can truly keep us safe, both physicallyand spiritually. Storms may destroy, banks may collapse, and the enemy, Satan, may attack us, but the Lord assures us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews13:5). What greater, more invincible insurance could we have than the same God who created heaven and earth, who placed the stars in the skies and set the planets in motion? Rejoice! Feel the joy! God, our God, is our security.

21 September 2025  Daily Devotion: "Singing of God's Faithfulness" Psalm 89:1 New Living Translation Psalm I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. What do you have to leave behind when you're gone? Most people aspire to leave some mark on the world or some monetary gift to their children. While these things may bring some satisfaction, true joy comes when we successfully pass on our faith. This is the only true way to touch future generations. Believers are instructed in Scripture to teach their children the Word of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:7). We are to store up, for ourselves and those who come after us, things of eternal significance (Matthew 6:20). This is vital if we desire the ultimate joy of seeing our children walk in truth (3 John v. 4). A joyful life is one lived with the future in mind. Let's proclaim His goodness to those who follow us. Let's make sure we're not the reason that the next generation hasn't heard of God's Word and works among His people.

20 September 2025 Daily Devotion:"Doubt and Disbelief" Luke 1:18 New Living Translation 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” What do you do when times are difficult? When you've trusted until you're tired and you've endured until you're empty? What's your response when well-meaning folkstoss “For those who love God all things work together for good” your way like it's a magic cure-all for whatever ails you (Romans 8:28 Esv)? If you're Zechariah, you say, “Prove it.” It's easy enough to judge him, but who hasn't, at some point, yearned for just a little tangible reassurance? Maybe you're trying to pay your bills from an empty bank account. Or you've been sitting with someone you love, and he or sheis fading fast. Sometimes He takes pity on us. He hears our doubts and lets us touch the scars (John 20:24-27). There is joy for those who are able to believe even when they can't see (John 20:29) and who simply take God at His Word (Luke 1:45). Let's takeour cue from Mary and joyfully say, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 ESV).

19 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "God Has a Plan" Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. If polled, three out of four Christians would probably claim Jeremiah 29:11 as their “life verse.” Some people quote it to every friend going through a trial. It's written on Post-it notes and cross-stitched onto pillows. There's no denying that it's a catchy verse. The best part of this verse is often forgotten; it was a message from God to a people living in exile (Jeremiah 29:4). They were banished to a distant land, surrounded by unfamiliar territory and unfriendly faces. They were scared and scarred. They were worn and weary. Then, in the midst of their suffering, God whispered hope. You can take comfort in knowing that God has a plan, and you can find joy in knowing that He still has a plan in spite of your mistakes and flaws. When you look around and wonder how you got here, He knows. When your own sin has causedyour current pain, God still has a plan. You can rejoice knowing that God's plan is a good one. 

18 September 2025 DailyDevotion: "When All Hope Seems Lost" Luke 8:49 New Living Translation 49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now.” How many times have you believed that something was dead, hopeless, beyond repair, or not worth the fight? Has the enemy tried to suggest that you shouldn't trouble God with that thing anymore? Whatever it is that you fear is dead-don't believe it. To live joyfully, you must remember the power of your God. You have a God who breathes on dead things and causes them to live again (Ezekiel 37:13). You have a God who calls dead men from their graves with a mere word (John 11:43). You serve a Savior who walked about of the tomb Himself (Luke 24:2-3). Nothing is so dead that God's breath can't resurrect it. No hope or dream is so buried that it can't be called forth with just a word. What Satan calls dead, God calls merely asleep. When the enemy says, “Don't trouble God because they fear disappointment. Longings often come from a tender place within, and we fear the damage one more disappointment would cause. Joy comes when we no longer fear disappointment and bravely ask our God for abundance (Ephesians 3:20).

17 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "A Father's Hope" Genesis 48:11 New Living Translation 11 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!” Israel believed that his son had been dead for years. He had no reason to expect to see Joseph's face again on earth. There wasn't much hope for a surprise reunion. It would have never occurred to him to even ask for such a thing. Can you think of something you long for but have never thought to pray about? A person who lives joyfully always remembers that God goes above and beyond for His people. Has God ever done something for you that caused you to say, “I never expected that”? It makes you wonder what else you may have missed out on (James 4:2). Many people don't ask for things because they fear disappointment.Longings often come from a tender place within, and we fear the damage one more disappointment would cause. Joy comes when we no longer fear disappointment and bravely ask our God for abundance (Ephesians 3:20).

16 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Restoration and Hope" Hosea 2:14 New International Version 14 “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. How quick are you, during a time of trouble, to say, “What have I done to deserve this?” Often our first response is to view our trials as punishment. It's difficult to “rejoice always” when we're in the midst of a wilderness thinking, Why me? (Philippians 4:4). To walk with joy through the wilderness, we must recognize the gifts that are awaiting us. Sometimes God wants to stir up the passion we once had for Him. Other times the wilderness is a place of protection (Exodus 13:17-18). Thoughthe enemy would have you believe otherwise, the wilderness can be a place of provision (Psalm 78:19). We can have joy in the midst of any circumstance if we train our hearts to look for the gifts. If you're currently in a wilderness, look for the gifts of passion, protection, and provision.

15 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Victor's Reward" Revelation 2:28 New Living Translation 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! Have you ever given someone a gift or offered something that you didn't feel was fully appreciated? Perhaps they failed to fully grasp the value of what was being given. Or maybe you've received something and wondered why it was a big deal. We miss out on a lot of joy by not fully understanding the promises made to us in Scripture. In Revelation, for instance, the church in Thyatira was promised that those who endured and remained steadfast would be given “the morning star.” To fully grasp the joy of that promise, you have to keep reading. At the very end of the book of Revelation, Jesus identified Himself as “the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16 ESV). Jesus told His people that, after they endured, they would get Him! There is true joy in digging deeper into God's Word.

14 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Danger of a Loose Tongue" James 1:26 New Living Translation 26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. There isn't a person alive who hasn't spoken out of turn at some point or wished he could say, the words simply can't be put back once they have come out. Words can cause damage that can't be undone. Learning to control one's tongue will prevent the regrets and hurt feelings that often accompany hasty words. Solomon felt that there was little hope for a man who was too hasty with his words (Proverbs 29:20). He also warned against being too quick to make promises before God (Ecclesiastes 5:2). To truly live joyfully, a person needs to heed the instructions given in Scripture. It's often the simplest commands that, when disobeyed wreak havoc in a life. We can have joy when the words of our mouth are acceptable to God (Psalm 19:14).

13 September 2025 Daily Devotion: "Measuring Ministry by God's Sphere" 2 Corinthians 10:13 New Living Translation 13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. Some troubles and trials come our way simply because we live in a fallen world. Certain people will stand against us when we stand firm on the truths of Scripture. Then there are the hardships that, if we're honest, we bring upon ourselves. God has assigned an area of influence to each of us. We'll find joy in faithfully tending what has been entrusted to us, whether family, finances, or a specific ministry. The easiest way to lose joy and gain stress is to begin worrying about another person's area of influence or to begin comparing areas. Solomon advised his people to “know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23, emphasis added).To live joyfully, we must learn to stay in our own lane, to focus on our area of influence, and to know well the condition of our own “flocks.”

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.