In the early days of the church, as the number of disciples grew, a problem arose: the widows of the Hellenists were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. Rather than allowing division to take root, the apostles offered a Spirit-led solution—appointing seven trustworthy men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to oversee the task. Among those chosen were Stephen and Philip, both of whom were later revealed to be remarkably gifted—Stephen as a teacher and Philip as an evangelist.

E. Stanley Jones reminds us that spiritual investments in people far outlast any material pursuit. He draws our attention to Paul’s relationship with Timothy—a man born of mixed heritage, mentored into maturity, and commissioned to carry on the life of Christ. Timothy wasn’t just a disciple; he was spiritual fruit that bore more fruit, evidence of the multiplying life of Christ flowing through a yielded vessel.

Today’s reflection from A.B. Simpson centers on a spiritual discipline that defies natural emotion: choosing joy even when we don’t feel it. The psalmist reminds us that God rules forever by His power and watches over the nations—nothing escapes His gaze. In the midst of personal battles or global unrest, His throne is secure.

Today’s reading from Bob Hoekstra reminds us that God never calls us to live the Christian life in our own effort—but neither does He call us to passivity. He calls us to cooperation with His indwelling work. Paul’s exhortation to “work out your own salvation” is not a contradiction of grace, but rather a call to respond with reverent awe to the God who is actively at work within us.

Oswald Chambers reminds us that the courage to face life’s hardest moments doesn’t come from natural boldness—it flows from trusting what God has already said. When we forget His promise, fear begins to write its own version of reality. We’re tempted to collapse inward, doubting God’s nearness and imagining that we’re alone in the struggle. But God never intended for us to live as if we’re on our own. He declared, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” and that promise was meant to shape how we speak and think and walk.

Today’s devotional from Miles Stanford proclaims a liberating truth: in Christ, we are beyond the reach of accusation, judgment, and condemnation. The courtroom of heaven is clear—not because of our defense, but because Christ Himself has already answered every charge. The enemy’s voice is silenced by the voice of the Cross. Our old man has been crucified, the power of the world broken, and Satan judged. These are not promises to wait for—they are facts to rest in.

Sometimes what is most glorious is wrapped in what seems most ordinary. Today’s devotional from Witness Lee continues to reflect on Philip’s encounter with Jesus and his invitation to Nathanael: “Come and see.” At first, Nathanael’s response was dismissive. Nazareth was a place of little esteem—certainly no breeding ground for the Messiah. But Jesus wasn’t concerned with outward appearance or public opinion. He came quietly, cloaked in humility, carrying the fullness of God in the form of a Nazarene.

Paul moves from his personal charge to Timothy into practical instructions for the church—what it means to live in God’s household. The central theme is peace and godliness, with prayer as its foundation. Paul urges prayer for all people, including those in authority, not to elevate earthly power but to reflect God's heart: He desires all people to be saved and to come to know the truth. That truth is centered in one Mediator, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—a universal provision with a particular purpose.

Acts 8 captures a pivotal shift in the gospel’s movement outward from Jerusalem. After the martyrdom of Stephen, persecution caused the church to scatter—but rather than retreat, believers spread the good news. Among them was Philip (one of the Seven, not the apostle), who brought the gospel to Samaria. His ministry was marked by signs and healings, leading to great joy in the region. However, not all responses were pure—Simon the magician believed and was baptized, but his obsession with power revealed a heart still captive to self.

E. Stanley Jones delivers a striking reminder: the life of Christ within us isn’t meant to be stored, but shared. Paul, in calling the Corinthians to imitate him, reveals that a genuine life in Christ is always reproductive. It gives. It invites. It multiplies. Jones emphasizes that evangelism is not merely a church program but the natural outflow of a changed life. The clearest evidence that Christ is in us is that we are drawing others to Him.

Ray Stedman brings us to the opening word of the Lord’s Prayer—Father—a single, intimate word that reframes the entire experience of prayer. This isn’t a cold title or a distant formality; it’s a relational name that reveals the heart of the One we approach. Stedman reminds us that when Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, He didn't direct them to a cosmic force, a heavenly bureaucrat, or a divine financier. He pointed them to a Father—a person of love, attentiveness, and strength.

Today’s reflection from A.B. Simpson urges us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—not merely glancing at Him now and then, but practicing a continual “off-looking” from everything that would distract or defile. The German rendering of Hebrews 12:2 adds richness to this truth, suggesting a turning away from evil in order to gaze single-mindedly on Christ.

Obedience is not something we manufacture for God—it’s the very life of Christ lived through us. As Jesus always did the things that pleased the Father, not by striving but by humble dependence, so now He dwells in us to express the same obedient life. This obedience isn't cold compliance or religious effort; it's the fruit of abiding union. Christ Himself is our hope—both for the eternal glory we anticipate and for the daily walk that reflects heaven’s character.

Oswald Chambers draws us back to a truth so simple, we often overlook its depth: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” This isn’t just a comforting phrase for hard times. It’s a foundational reality to build our lives upon. When everything is thrilling and purposeful, and when nothing feels new or inspiring—He is still with us.

Today’s devotional from Miles Stanford draws our hearts beyond mere preservation into transformation. While many believers find comfort in knowing that Christ shelters and sustains them—a truth certainly to be cherished—the devotional presses us further. It reminds us that the Christian life is not merely about having our needs met by Christ, but about being conformed to Christ.

Today's devotional from Witness Lee draws us into the quiet mystery surrounding Jesus' early life. Though the prophets declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), He became known as Jesus of Nazareth. The unfolding events—Mary's conception in Nazareth, a census that forced a journey to Bethlehem, Herod’s violent jealousy, and the flight into Egypt—form a tapestry of God’s sovereign orchestration.

Genesis 5 traces ten generations from Adam to Noah, emphasizing both the continuation of life and the certainty of death. The repeated phrase “and he died” shows the reality of the fall, yet there is a whisper of hope embedded in the record. Humanity, made in the image of God, continues to bear that image, even after sin entered the world—this truth is affirmed in verse 3 when Adam fathers a son in his own likeness, just as God had made Adam in His.

Daniel 9 captures a pivotal moment of prayerful longing and divine revelation. Daniel had been studying Jeremiah’s prophecy, realizing that the seventy years of exile were nearly complete. He turned to God with humility, confessing the deep sin of the people and pleading for mercy—not merely for their sake but for the sake of God's name. He didn't deny the justice of their suffering; instead, he acknowledged it fully and appealed to the Lord's covenant love.

Psalm 17 gives voice to a righteous sufferer crying out for vindication, confident that the Lord listens to those who walk in integrity. David is under attack—not just physically, but with slander and malice—and his prayer rises from a deep assurance that God sees rightly. He isn’t claiming perfection, but he is appealing to a heart that desires righteousness, resisting temptation, and aligning his life with God’s ways in word, thought, and deed.

E. Stanley Jones exposes a critical distinction—one that has eternal significance. He warns us that religious education often substitutes knowledge about Jesus for knowledge of Jesus. And when that happens, the Christian faith is reduced to a moral system, a philosophy of life, or a noble guide for ethical living. It may inspire discipline and reform, but it cannot impart divine life. Why? Because life isn’t found in principles, it’s found in a Person.