Paul uses the word imitate multiple times in his letters, including in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 2:14. But the concept often stirs confusion. What does it mean to imitate Paul? Is this a call to replicate his behavior? His boldness? His suffering? Or is there something deeper—a life source he’s pointing us to?

Let’s explore this through the lens of 1 Thessalonians.

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is a reminder that future hope fuels present holiness. Written shortly after his mission to Thessalonica was abruptly cut short by persecution, Paul sends this letter to reassure, instruct, and embolden a fledgling church planted in the midst of hostility.

The resurrection account in John 20 stands as one of the most historically compelling and theologically rich passages in Scripture. The Grace and Truth Study Bible lays out four reasons the resurrection is reliable: the disciples weren’t expecting it, women were the first witnesses (a culturally unlikely detail to fabricate), the disciples were portrayed as fearful rather than bold (not flattering if one were inventing a myth), and the Gospel narrative remained restrained rather than embellished. These elements lend credibility to the claim: Jesus rose from the dead.

In today’s devotional, E. Stanley Jones takes us behind the scenes of a pivotal moment in Japan’s history following World War II—when the Emperor renounced his divinity. This declaration was more than political; it was spiritual and cultural surgery. Without it, Japan’s defeat could have festered into a myth of temporary loss, feeding a dangerous national pride rooted in divine identity. Instead, the Emperor’s admission became a national awakening and a doorway to renewal.

In today’s reflection from Ray Stedman, we see Peter and John respectfully standing their ground before religious authorities who demanded silence about Jesus. These apostles weren’t defiant in attitude, but they were unwavering in allegiance. Though the Sanhedrin were the official religious gatekeepers, the apostles recognized a higher call: to remain obedient to the God who had spoken clearly through His Son.

In today’s devotional, A.B. Simpson suggests Christianity is not a call to endless struggle or to a grim death march. It is the proclamation of life—resurrection life. Jesus did not merely come to show the way or to hand us a rulebook for better behavior. He came to be our life. The message of the cross is not just that we are to die, but that we have already died—and from that death springs new life, eternal and indestructible, flowing from our union with Christ.

In today’s reflection by Bob Hoekstra, we’re shown the stark contrast between the bondage that comes from the old covenant and the liberty that flows from the Spirit of Christ. The old covenant—based on human effort and law-keeping—leaves a veil over the heart. This veil is not just a metaphor for misunderstanding; it is a spiritual blindness rooted in self-sufficiency. The Israelites clung to their heritage, thinking their lineage from Abraham gave them standing before God. But Jesus made it clear: no one is free until they are made free by Him.

Oswald Chambers urges us today to reflect deeply on what we mean when we speak of love. Too often, our notions are sentimental or selective. But true love—the kind that God both gives and requires—is not rooted in emotional preference. It is grounded in the unchanging nature of God Himself. When God calls us to love, it’s not a call to summon up warm feelings toward others; it is a call to participate in His own divine nature.

Today’s reflection by Miles Stanford calls me to examine what it really means to live dependently upon God—not just in theory, but in moment-by-moment trust. It’s so natural to want to feel strong, to reach a place where I sense that I’m finally capable. But the paradox of the Christian life is that true strength begins not with a sense of capability, but with a deep recognition of weakness—a yielded posture that opens the door for the Spirit’s omnipotent power to operate freely.

In this deeply human moment from Genesis, Joseph's brothers misinterpret love as judgment. They fear the kindness shown to them, assuming retribution is near because of their past guilt. But Joseph—like Christ—was not plotting revenge. He was orchestrating restoration, tenderly and wisely.

If you’re tired—emotionally, spiritually, maybe even physically—you’re not alone. Many sincere believers carry the quiet burden of wondering, “Why is the Christian life so hard?” And when someone suggests, “Let Jesus live through you,” it can sound either too vague… or too good to be true.

The Grace and Truth Study Bible draws attention to Esther’s wisdom and restraint in chapter 5. Rather than charging forward with her request to save the Jewish people, she paces her approach carefully. She risks her life by entering the king’s court, but is met with favor. Instead of launching immediately into an appeal, she invites the king and Haman to a banquet—not once, but twice. These banquets prolong the tension and delay the climax, signaling something deeper: Esther is waiting on timing, not just opportunity.

Ezekiel 48 draws a final portrait of divine restoration. In sharp contrast to Israel’s fractured monarchy and the painful exile that followed, this chapter envisions a return to unity, peace, and divine order. God’s people are once again arranged according to their tribal inheritances, but notably, the monarchy is absent—this is not a political reformation but a spiritual one. At the very center of the land lies a sacred portion: a holy district that holds the temple, the priests, the Levites, the prince, and the city. This center is not only geographical but theological. It reflects a reordered nation built not on power, but on presence—God’s presence.

Psalm 8 is a breathtaking meditation on the splendor of God’s creation and the shocking honor bestowed upon humanity. The psalm begins and ends with adoration: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” This doxological bookend frames a central truth—though God’s glory transcends galaxies and angels, He has chosen to crown frail humanity with honor, dignity, and purpose.

E. Stanley Jones continues reflecting on the equal calling and potential fruitfulness of every believer in Christ. He draws from a stunning real-life event in post-WWII Japan: the emperor’s public renunciation of his supposed divinity. For centuries, Japanese citizens believed their emperor was a god—but in 1946, that belief was shattered. Not through political manipulation or military conquest, but through a quiet and strategic conversation between two men who knew that truth had the power to bring liberty.

Today’s devotional by Ray Stedman confronts us with the uniqueness of Jesus Christ—not as one among many wise teachers, but as the only One capable of transforming the human heart. While other religious leaders through history offered guidance, philosophy, or moral instruction, only Jesus Christ conquered death. Only Jesus is named by God as the cornerstone—unshakable, immovable, and eternally secure. His resurrection isn't just a proof of divinity; it is the very gateway to new life.

In today's reflection, A.B. Simpson invites us to behold the risen Christ not through the lens of sorrow, but through the brilliance of resurrection. When Jesus says, “I am He that lives and was dead,” He doesn’t simply declare a fact—He unveils a truth that transforms how we understand the Cross itself. Life, not death, is the beginning of His declaration. He lives, even before He was dead, and now He lives forevermore.

Many of us grew up learning to live by performance—earning approval, hiding weakness, managing appearances. That’s the essence of law-based living: it’s a system rooted in self-sufficiency. We do our best, we hide our worst, and when we start to slip, we put a veil over the fading glory. Moses did this quite literally. When the radiance on his face—evidence of his encounter with God—began to dim, he kept the veil in place. Not to protect others, but to protect his image.

Oswald Chambers invites us to a deeper understanding of our cooperation with God. While salvation and sanctification are fully God's work, Chambers challenges the passive mindset that waits for God to form our character and habits for us. The word “add” in 2 Peter 1:5 implies intentionality. We are to make conscious decisions that align with the life God has placed within us. This is not about striving in self-effort but about yielding in faith and responding actively to the Spirit’s prompting.

In our early days of walking with Christ—especially when still clinging to self-effort—we often avoid facing the truth about our sinful nature. It seems too shameful, too dangerous, too much to admit. But that fear is rooted in a misunderstanding of what the Cross has accomplished. The old nature—the entirety of our Adamic condition—was dealt with fully and finally at Calvary. God condemned it there, satisfied entirely in His judgment, and raised us up in Christ as new creations, forever separated from its penalty and power.