Daniel Fast

By Allen Boatman

Even along with disappointment, victory can come. Act in faith AND obedience.

Even in great betrayal can forgiveness be found. And possibly a purpose.

I’m sure the disciples thought The Messiah was dead forever, which was why they had returned to their previous occupations. But Jesus appeared to them and reminded them to follow Him. And so they left their occupations once again and obeyed.

Nietzsche once said, “I will say it again: what seems to be essential ‘in heaven and on earth’ is that there be obedience in one direction for a long time. In the long term, this always brings and has brought about something that makes life on earth worth living.” I’m not a huge fan of Nietzsche, but I do find myself coming back to this quote time and again. The long obedience of the apostles in one direction accomplished much.

Psalm 145

Beginning and ending with praise and gratitude. David’s heart in Psalm 145 is that of praise and gratitude.

A while back I tried an experiment. Before doing anything else, when I sat up in the morning, I lifted a word of praise and thankfulness to the Father. The really cool thing is that it rolled throughout the day. It didn’t stop with the first prayer of thanksgiving, but kept coming back and just “rolled “throughout the day and really affected my attitude. I’m going to try ending my day with thanks and praise as well. Follow up with me in February and ask me how it went.

2 Samuel 7:18 struck me as needing to be included with the Psalm 145 reference.

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”

Let your day begin and end with a word of praise and thanksgiving!

Father, I am grateful for the lessons, failures, and successes of 2025. I’m learning to be joyful in the trials. In my pursuit of the goals of 2026, may you be the center, the motivation, the heart of my efforts. May your agenda in 2026 be accomplished through me. May my actions and lifestyle bring glory to your name. Help me to be aware that you are constantly with me.

Amen

By Laura Aylward

The Tomb is empty! John Chapter 20 is where we find the joy, peace, and hope that we could not possibly recreate ourselves. After the resurrection, we encounter many emotions within each person. A loyal but devastated Mary wakes up early to tend and care for Jesus once more. The anxiety and overwhelming sadness that she may have been battling on the way to the tomb would quickly turn to fear, confusion, panic and possibly even anger when she arrives at the empty tomb. She then runs to John and Peter to tell them that Jesus is not there.

John runs quickly – he stops to look in the tomb and see the linen cloths but does not enter. What causes him to stop and not enter the tomb? Could it have been fear, brokenness, or shock? Next comes Peter, he does exactly what we would expect him to do when he arrives – he runs in. He sees Jesus is not in the tomb. John then enters the tomb and also sees Jesus is not there – they believe. In the tomb, they see that the face cloth (that once covered the face of Jesus) is not next to the rest of the burial cloths, instead it is set apart. Peter and John go home.

Mary stays by the tomb and cries. She encounters Jesus but she is overcome by her emotions and does not recognize Him – she does not immediately see Him for who He is. Then, Jesus calls her by name – she knows His voice. Pain, fear, and loss all turn to hope, joy, and triumph instantly. She sees clearly that He is alive and goes back to tell the disciples what she saw.

Mary needed to hear Jesus to know it was Him. She saw Him but did not recognize Him until she heard His voice. Mary spent time with Jesus – she knew Him and knew His voice. Do you see clearly when God is at work? Do you recognize Him? Do you know His voice? Do you spend time with Him?

Later, in Verse 20, Jesus comes to the disciples – except for Thomas. Jesus shows them His scars and they see and believe. Thomas is not there and he does not see, he wants to believe but he needs to see and feel the scars. Eight days later, Jesus does go to Thomas and allows him to see and feel His wounds. Thomas believes and Jesus says “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Like in the tomb, when the cloth is removed from our eyes – we can see Jesus and we are set apart. Knowing His voice, and seeing Him working in our lives, the lives of those around us and everywhere. We are no longer part of the cloth for the dead. We can see Him for who He is and what He has done for us.

How often do we feel that we need proof like Thomas? Maybe it isn’t because we don’t believe or have doubts, but because we want the relationship others have. We want to have had a personal encounter with Jesus – we want to see Him and feel Him too. Maybe you have felt that you needed proof to know what His plans are for you or where He is leading you.

God’s Word does not just tell us to know Him, it also tells us that God knows us. Psalm 139 tells us that God knew us before we were created. He knows our thoughts, our fears, our desires, our dreams, He knows everything. He is always with us. Psalm 139:7 says “I can never escape from your spirit” He is with us in the good, the bad, the scary, the joy and the heartbreak. Psalm 139:23 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” John 20 tells us that it was written so that we may see & believe and have everlasting life.

We are not alone, He is with us, He knows us, He loves us, and goes before and behind us (Psalm 139). When Jesus spoke to the disciples and they saw Him– He left them with the Holy Spirit (Verse 21). That same spirit resides in us. His resurrection gives us hope and life.

There are many people around us searching for God. They want to see Him, they want to feel Him, and they want to know He is real. When we bring others to Christ and show them who He is, how He loves them, and where to find Him, they can take the face cloth off and be set apart. We are then no longer clothed in a cloth that is of death but can see and see that Jesus defeated death and despair giving us a new life with Him and eternal life in Heaven.

During your quiet time with God today, make time to listen to His voice. Ask God to send you someone you can help see and feel Jesus. Help them know that God loves them. Let them see that you have joy, hope, peace, and a purpose because He defeated the grave and now we walk with Him in new life with eyes to see.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I feel your presence with me. I know your word says you are with me. Sometimes I am like John, ready to answer the call but then paralyzed with fear, worry, pain, or uncertainty. Other times I am like Mary, still in disbelief, overcome by my own thoughts and fears and need to hear your voice call my name. I need you to remind me I am yours and you are with me. Other times, my heart is moving faster than I can even think and I run to answer your call, ready to share or defend what you have shown me. I pray that I see you in all things and people. That I remember your words of being known are not just for me but for all your children. I pray that I remember I am on mission to make you known and to tell others how you know them and love them. That you call me to help others see you, feel you, and learn to know your voice. Lord, I pray you use me and open their eyes to see you and that they believe and have everlasting life with you. Amen.

His ever presence by David & Sandy Goede

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—

from where does my help come?” — Psalm 121:1

There are moments when faith feels like a question rather than a declaration. The psalmist gives voice to that moment: From where does my help come? It is the cry of a pilgrim looking ahead, uncertain of the road, aware of danger, longing for assurance. Psalm 121 answers not with escape, but with presence: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

John 19 brings us to a place where that promise is tested.

At the cross, help does not look like rescue. Jesus is mocked, wounded, and lifted up between heaven and earth. The crowd sees failure; the disciples see loss; even creation responds with darkness. Yet John insists—quietly, insistently—that nothing here is accidental. Scripture is being fulfilled. Love is being poured out. When Jesus cries, “It is finished,” He is not surrendering to defeat but declaring completion.

Psalm 121 promises that God does not slumber or sleep. John 19 shows us what that vigilance looks like. The Father is not absent at the cross; He is at work in the deepest way imaginable. God’s keeping does not always prevent suffering—but it never abandons His purpose, and it never lets suffering have the final word.

In late 2023, my father fell and fractured his hip. He had multiple chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure, which required dialysis. His recovery from his surgery was prolonged and he had complications which required a stay at a rehab facility. Between work, family, caring for my mother, and making sure we were there for dad, both Sandy and I found solace in scripture and our faith. One day, Dad experienced a medical crisis at rehab, Sandy and I urgently arrived at his bedside with my mother. We made the decision to move Dad to comfort care rather than sending him to the hospital where his life would only have been prolonged. With that decision, I had so many waves of emotions and doubts. Through our prayers and our friend’s prayers we were comforted and knew we had made the right decision. During his final hours, I wanted to calm him, so I read scripture to him. I read Psalm 23 multiple times and this was the last scripture he heard before crossing over to God’s glorious Kingdom.

Lord,

We place ourselves in Your care.

We ask that you watch over us each day and

give us peace, strength for today,

and comfort in Your presence.

Lord, we thank you for always being near.

These things we pray in your name.

Amen.

The Power of His Name | Pastor Steve Williams

Wow, the immense power of a name. Philippians 2:9 tells us that God gave Jesus “the name above all names.” That is a powerful name indeed.

In John 18, a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards come looking for Jesus. When they come upon the gathering of Jesus and His disciples in an olive grove, Jesus asks who they are looking for and identifies Himself using the phrase “egō eimi”, which is translated “I am He” or “The I am is here”. He was using the same name He used in Exodus 3:14 when Moses was with the burning bush and asked God for His name. This is Jesus super clearly identifying Himself as God.

The power of this name is immediately clear because the soldiers’ response is to fall to the ground. THAT’S powerful.

Jesus is saying “I am God. I am the same God from the Old Testament. I am the same God that David wrote about in Psalm 103. I am the same God that deserves all of the praise that David talks about. I am the same God that deserves the praise from the angels and all of creation. I am He.”

Go read Psalm 108. David talks about the majesty of who God is, what He’s done, and what He deserves. Everything David talks about in that Psalm is the answer to “who is Jesus?” Whoa. It’s pretty intense. It’s overwhelming. One can see why it would knock someone to the ground.

Now, think about that name. Jesus. What does that name mean to you? If someone asks you “who is Jesus?” What comes up in your heart? What kind of power do you associate with it?

If I’m honest, I can allow the name of Jesus to become rote in my life. I can allow it to become so commonplace that it loses its power and impact. I can allow it to simply be the same as any other name. Sure, I love Jesus and I love to worship Him, but when I say His name, it doesn’t lead to the kind of response God’s name deserves. It certainly hasn’t knocked me down lately.

Reading this Psalm, and seeing what kind of impact Jesus’ name is supposed to have, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to adjust my heart. I need to fine tune my approach to the God of the Universe, my creator, and the Savior who gave Himself over to those guards despite His very name being capable of knocking them over. He was that powerful and He still went to the cross for me. Wow. That’s who He is. That’s His character. That’s His love. THAT should stir my soul when I hear the name above all names. That is Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I confess that I’ve allowed Your son’s name to become weak in my heart. In my head, I know all of these things you’ve done, yet my soul no longer responds to Your name in the way it should. You are majesty and power and might. You are love and compassion and grace. You are Truth and justice and right. You are amazing and Your name should amaze my heart. Help me to fall in love with You again, that I should stir at the mere mention of Your name. You deserve it.

By Brian Griggs

As we read Jesus’ prayer in Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, there are many things that have stood out to me. Jesus prays this prayer right before He will be betrayed, which makes what He prayed for so significant. I find so much peace and calm within His words, even though He knows the suffering He will soon enter into. I believe as we look more deeply into Jesus’ prayer, we will see a pattern that we can incorporate into our prayers when we approach our heavenly Father.

Here are three things that stood out to me:

First, everything that Jesus prays for is consumed with the glory of His Father. Jesus starts out His prayer in v1b “Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.” Jesus knew that any renown He received was only given to Him from the Father in order to bring glory to the Father. He knew that by obeying and speaking the very words God has given Him that He would be bringing His Father the ultimate fame. Everything that was given to Jesus was given to Him by the Father and belonged to the Father.

Second, Jesus’ prayer starts inward, moves to His inner circle, and then to all people. Jesus focused His heart and intentions on His personal mission of fulfilling the purposes of His incarnation. He then prays for His disciples and their mission, and then He begins to pray for all who will come to faith because of the Good News. He starts in and then moves out. Yet, all the while bringing everything back to the glory of the Father.

Lastly, Jesus constantly returns to praying for unity. Unity with Himself and the Father. Unity amongst His disciples, and unity for all believers. Jesus knew that the greatest showcase of the Gospel would be the love and unity of His followers to their God and to each other. He desired that those who would believe would be one just as Jesus and the Father were one. Did you notice in the passage how many times Jesus talked to the Father about being one? About unity?

I would encourage you to read through the passage of John 17 one more time and keep a lookout for these three things. Also, as you pray, put these three things into practice in your quiet time with the LORD. Start praying that everything you do would be to bring glory, honor, and praise to our heavenly Father. Remembering to not only pray for ourselves, but let our prayers branch out to those closest to us, and then to those further outside of our inner circle. And finally, pray for unity. Pray that you would be united to the will and purposes of God for your life, your family’s life, and our church’s mission. Pray also that you will live in unity and peace with all people, but especially with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Father, may my life be lived in such a way that you are glorified in everything I do. May your renown be written all over the pages of my life. I pray that my family would live in your glory. I pray that my co-workers, neighbors, friends, and those I meet in my day-to-day life would be aware of You through me. Give me opportunities to invite them in to know You more. And may my life and love for You be made apparent in my unity with my fellow believers. May I put aside the differences and disagreements, and uphold others’ dignity for the honor of my Savior. Teach me how to praise You more, love You more, and love others better for the glory of the One who saved my life. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me for the glory of the Father. Amen.

Psalm 91 & John 16: The Protection of the Most High
Written by Jada Grace Wells

Psalm 91 says God will protect us, that no evil will conquer us.

I’ll be honest: this used to be hard for me to believe. After losing my mom to cancer a few years ago, I struggled to trust the promises found in Psalm 91, like “He will protect you from deadly disease” and “No plague will come near your home.”

But then Jesus spoke into this tension in John 16. He tells us we will face trouble and suffering of many kinds, but He says, “Take heart, I have overcome the world.”

That is the protection God promises, not that evil won’t touch us, but that it will never have the victory. Jesus has overcome the world.

“If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home.” Psalm 91:9-10 NLT

My mom had to walk through cancer, but she was never conquered by it. In the last two years of her life, I never saw her more at peace, joyful, hopeful, and fearless. Evil may have touched her body, but it never touched her heart. She wasn’t conquered by cancer; she was protected by the Most High.

Psalm 91 and John 16 together give us a clear picture of God’s protection. It’s not protection from suffering, it’s protection from being defeated by it.

With that truth, I began reading Psalm 91 with new eyes:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
His faithful promises will be your armor and protection.
You will not fear the terror of the night.
I will be with you in trouble.
No evil will conquer you.

This is the protection God promises us. This is why we can take heart in every trial of this life. We may face suffering now, but evil will never have the final word. Jesus has already won!

As we start this new year, let’s pray as a church for God’s protection—not from hardship, but from defeat. Ask Him to protect you and your family’s peace, hope, and joy, so that no matter what trials lie ahead, our hearts will not be defeated.

Father, 

I know I will face troubles of many kinds.
Just as Jesus wasn’t exempt from suffering, I know I will also face suffering by the hands of evil, and so I need Your protection to cover me.
Protect my peace.
Protect my joy.
Give me Your rest in the shadow of Your wings. Armor me with Your faithful promises.
Protect me from the traps I may be walking into. Give me hope and unshakeable courage in the face of uncertainty.
Do not let evil conquer me.
I choose to rest in the promise that no matter what I face, You will be with me.
You will uphold me. I can take heart, for You have overcome the world.
So I will not be afraid, for I dwell in the shelter of the Most High. You are my God and I trust You. 

Amen.

Abide in Me, By Pastor Steve Wells

Scripture: John 15:4-11 (ESV)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me… for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Intuitively, this verse makes total sense to us! Jesus’ words are easy to understand. And I am convinced that all believers read these verses (15:4-11) and immediately want everything Jesus is offering us—fruitfull, answered prayer, deep joy, and the assurance of His love. But somehow, for many of us, this call to daily abiding is intermittent at best.

But why? Why do we get this right some days and not others?
Let’s begin by asking another question.

What does it mean to truly “abide”? Other translations use the phrase “remain in me,” and I believe those words can offer us some help. To “remain” implies that we stay close, that we don’t wander off, that we keep near and don’t move away from the source of our life – which is Christ Jesus.

Yet we often fail to remain close because of our distracted and wandering hearts. We get pulled in a hundred directions—notifications, worries, plans, pleasures—and before we know it, we’ve drifted.

Even more subtly, we don’t abide consistently because we are selective about when we feel we need to abide. Let’s be honest: there are areas of life we believe are under our control—our daily routines, work tasks, relationships, spending, conversations—and in those moments we quietly think to ourselves, “I’ve got this.” Then, when we face something that feels beyond our control—illness, crisis, big decisions—we run back to God for help. In essence, we decide to abide only when we sense a great need for His help, and we go it alone when we feel self-sufficient in our daily routine.

And lastly we struggle to abide because somewhere along the way we confused abiding with our the time we spend in prayer in the morning. It’s important to remember yes, abiding is a part of our morning prayer time with the Father, but abiding should not end when our morning prayer ends and our work day begins. True Abiding happens all day long.

Jesus wasn’t offering us partial connection. (Partial Abiding = Partial Connection) He said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” And while we have learned through experience that we can do some things on our own, the fruit that Jesus is speaking about is eternal. Apart from Him- you and I will not bear eternal fruit and our lives will lack joy and we will not see Him answer prayer in a way that demonstrates the power and authority of God working in our lives.

The Solution: Pre-Decide to Daily Abide (all day, everyday).
Make it a predetermined decision—before each day begins—to abide (remain) in Him. Start each morning by staying close, drawing near, remaining connected to the vine because you believe that you need Him for everything and in all things.

Think About it:
What would this week/month look like if you lived as though Jesus’ words were 100% true—that apart from Him you truly can do nothing of lasting/eternal value?

Imagine beginning each day surrendered, dependent, connected to Christ in the small things and the big things alike. Now imagine remaining in the heart of abiding throughout the day – for every single decision and choice you face. . What if that was the path for you to find the real fruitfulness and joy He promised in John 15. Read Psalm 63 and notice how King David understood the importance of daily & continual abiding with God. Notice how he sought after God day and night – like he was looking was water in the desert! Oh may we have a heart like King David to do the same.

Prayer:
Father, I confess that too often I wander, I drift, and I live independently, convinced I can handle much of life on my own. Forgive me for my distracted heart and my selective dependence. Today I pre-decide to abide in You—to remain close, to stay near, to draw my life from Christ alone. Guard my heart from distraction, wandering, pride, and the illusion of control. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I bear much fruit, so that I may prove to be Your true disciple, and experience the full joy that Jesus promised. I commit myself anew – to abide in you – daily.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Quinton Fitts

I believe Psalm 51 and John 14 hold some of the greatest encouragements for us.

In Psalm 51, when it’s boiled down, what we see is an imperfect person who loves God and is responding to the sin in his life. Throughout scripture, we see that God has preserved this description of David as a man after God’s own heart and yet we also see his tragic sin laid before us. It’s not until the prophet Nathan confronts David and the weight of his sin festers in his heart that we see David’s response in Psalm 51.

In John 14, Jesus first starts out by confirming for us that He is the only way denying all other religions and paths to heaven. I always find it so interesting that every other religion makes room for Jesus saying He is a good religious teacher or a very special profit or some kind of enlightened person, but when you look at the words of Jesus Himself in John 14:6, He denies everything and everyone else! We also read of an incredible promise in John 14 – the Holy Spirit. One of the things captured in this promise is that the Holy Spirit will “bring to remembrance all that I said to you.” This verse can give us full confidence that the testimonies of the Gospels are true and accurate because they were written by men “moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

I think there is a neat linkage about the Holy Spirit and evangelism found between Psalm 51:10-13 and John 14:26-27.

In the Psalm we see this:
Verse 10 – repentance
Verse 11 – seeking the Father
Verse 12 – renewal
Verse 13 – obedience

Humility comes first in the pursuit of an intimate relationship with God. What is so beautiful though, is how God is able to transform us from the inside out and equip us through His Holy Spirit to accomplish His Kingdom work. We may feel ill equipped, unworthy, or uneducated theologically to share the hope of Christ with non-believers – but this a lie! God is able to use a contrite and willing heart to reach the lost. Like David, the Holy Spirit will give us the ability to sing to God that we will “teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.”

The profound love of God has no end. Not only does He go to the cross to wash us clean, but He sends us help to walk in this new life that He has called us to. Towards the end of John 14 where we see the promise of the Holy Spirit, there are two powerful attributes that stick out. First, that the Holy Spirit will “teach you all things”. The Spirit will help us discern the things of God, so we must lean on Him for understanding. Second, that the Holy Spirit will “bring to remembrance” all that He said. Like the disciples, we must store in our heart all of Christ’s teachings so that the Spirit can bring these things to remembrance.

I have a heart for evangelism, but there was a time where I had no idea how to talk about my faith and I was so scared to engage in spiritual conversations. But where do you even start? I think the scripture we looked at today is a great starting point. Realizing that God will equip us to do the things He has called us to do is so freeing! Its not our job to save people, its our job to proclaim the good news – God will save them! Don’t put all the pressure on your shoulders.

Where is our heart at though? Like David, there might be some unchecked sin in our lives that we need to address first and man it would be nice to have a Nathan to call us out so we knew! Well maybe there is something that comes to mind right now and the Holy Spirit is illuminating that thing for you to address.

Are you seeking the Father? There are so many distractions in our lives, but if you wrote down a priority list, where does God fall on that list? Is He your way, your truth, and your life? What is one step of surrender that you can do today to show God that you are ready for His renewal in your life and ready to experience His peace that He promises.

Lastly, do you have a Kingdom mindset? Reaching the lost does not need to look like you standing on a street corner, God has surrounded you with the people He wants you to reach, but do you trust that He can use you? Maybe you need to store the truths of His Word not only in your head, but also in your heart so the Spirit can bring these things to remembrance.

Lord thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. Help me to live by your Spirit and not by my flesh. Illuminate in me the things that are displeasing to you and help me to overcome them. Give me wisdom and discernment to know you more intimately so that I can share your light with others more accurately. I love you and praise you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Cameron Greenhaw

There are certain passages in Scripture that have had a profound impact on our lives. John 13 is one of those passages for me. To rightly apply this passage, however, it’s important to first understand what is happening in the text.

There is a clear shift in John’s Gospel between chapters 12 and 13. The first twelve chapters cover roughly three and a half years of Jesus’ life and ministry. Beginning in chapter 13, the pace slows dramatically, as the next seven chapters focus on the final twenty-four hours leading up to His crucifixion. These are Jesus’ last, intimate moments with His disciples—moments filled with deep emotion and intentionality. They would become memories the disciples would return to and reflect on for the rest of their lives.

At the opening of chapter 13, John highlights several important truths. First, Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to depart from this world. He was fully aware that His sacrificial death was imminent and that everything leading up to it was about to unfold. Second, having loved those whom the Father had given Him, Jesus loved them to the very end. Everything that follows in these chapters flows from that love. Third, Judas had already set his heart on betraying Jesus. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and that others would deny Him and leave Him alone. He was not caught off guard by what was coming. Finally, Jesus understood that the Father had placed all things into His hands and that He was returning to the Father.

It is in this moment—when all eyes are on Jesus, waiting to see what He will do next—that He does something utterly unexpected. He gets up from the table, removes His outer garment, wraps a towel around His waist, and begins to wash the disciples’ feet. Foot washing was one of the most degrading tasks, reserved for the lowest servants. Yet Jesus willingly embraced this role, humbling Himself to serve others, much to the shock and discomfort of His disciples.

Jesus washed each of their feet—including Judas’—and then returned to His place to explain what He had done. He reaffirmed that He is their Lord and Teacher. And if He, their Lord, Teacher, and Messiah, humbles Himself to serve them, then they too ought to serve the needs of others. Jesus is not offering a kind suggestion; He is setting an expectation for those who follow Him to fill their lives with serving others.

While Jesus expects us to regularly serve others, He also gives us a promise: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” The blessing does not come from merely knowing what we should do, but from actually doing it—humbly serving others from a heart of love, even when it requires self-sacrifice.

When I first truly understood this passage, it began to have a profound impact on my life. I started intentionally looking for ways to serve the needs of those around me. It wasn’t easy. I often had to sacrifice my time, money, preferences, and plans in order to benefit others. But the reward has been great—seeing the kingdom of heaven advanced through simple acts of service.

How are you doing at seeing the needs of those around you and meeting them on a daily basis? How willing are you to volunteer for the tasks no one else wants to do? If Jesus—our Lord and Savior—paused in the most intense moment of His life to carry out a lowly, practical act of service, how can we not regularly seek opportunities to serve others?

Serving others is what Jesus expects from us. It reflects His heart and His life to the world around us. When we serve the people in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches, and communities, we bring the presence and character of Jesus into those spaces. Today and throughout this week, look for opportunities to follow His example: washing dishes, cleaning floors, taking on an unwanted task at work, helping a neighbor, serving in KidMin, ushering during a service, or meeting any number of everyday needs. Remember Jesus’ words: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

Closing Prayer – Jesus, thank you for leading by example to lovingly serve the needs of those around me. Show me today where I can serve others in any fashion and any area of my life to reflect your love and goodness to them. Help me to serve humbly and with excellence as my service ultimately serves you today. Amen.

By Pastor Robby

What is your mission for your life? It’s a tough question to answer, and maybe not something we think about all that often. Jesus knew that how we answer this question matters, so he actually answered it for us in John 12:44-50. In this section, we actually learn a few key things about his mission that can help us answer this question for ourselves.

First, we learn that God the Father is the one who sent him on this mission, and a key part of this mission is to be light in the world. Light helps us to see and understand what is going on around us. Without it, we’re just lost in the darkness. That’s one of the things that Jesus does in his mission, he helps rescue us from the chaos and confusion of stumbling through the darkness

Next, Jesus tells us that he has not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He knows that his job is not to condemn people and inform them that they’re bad people. The thing is, we usually know we’re bad apart from Jesus, even if we would rather not admit it. Instead, Jesus has come to save us from our wickedness. That isn’t to say there isn’t judgement for some. In the very next verse is 48 Jesus tells us that those who do reject him and his message will face judgement on the last day, but that day is not today because today is the time for salvation.

Jesus finally closes this by saying that the things he is saying are not his own, but are the words he has received from the Father. He’s here to give life because our heavenly Father gives new life. We should walk away from this verse excited because this is all good news!

I noticed something about this verse, and I want to know if maybe you noticed it, too. As Jesus’ followers, his mission is our mission. We should be continuing his mission, the one he is laying out here, today. Did you notice that there is a challenge here in these verses? Jesus knows that our natural, sinful flesh wants to start by judging other people. Judging people is easy, and it makes us feel better about ourselves. It often elevates our view of ourselves over others. That’s not what Jesus says to do, though. We’re supposed to bring the light to people who are in darkness, not judge them. We’re called to point them to the salvation found in Jesus.

It’s time to ask ourselves some uncomfortable questions. Do I bring people light or darkness? Do lost people who encounter me see the light of Jesus in my life, or are they still left in the dark? Am I known by others as helping people find salvation through Christ, or am I known more by how I judge others? I know for me, I regularly find myself operating in the darkness and must constantly remind myself that I should be moving people towards the light of Jesus.

You might also struggle with this. Maybe your mission for your life has felt a bit aimless. If you answered honestly, you’d say you’ve been living your life in the pursuit of money, power, comfort, or something else. Your mission has been more about yourself and less about telling people how Jesus can rescue them from the darkness. That’s ok, though, because that’s what this fast is all about. We’re using this time to redirect our lives so we’re doing Jesus’ mission, not our own.

I know for me, I will be on the lookout today for whom I can have a gospel conversation with. It doesn’t have to be jumping right into sharing the gospel. It may just start with a conversation about their day, or what they believe about Jesus. You can do that today as well. That would be a great way to make Jesus’ mission your mission. Let’s pray now and ask for Jesus to help us do his mission.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the mission you gave your son, to be light in the darkness and save us instead of judge us. I am so grateful for all Jesus has done in pursuing me in that mission. I ask that you would help me to make that my mission, too. Help me to lay aside whatever mission my sinful flesh may desire and instead to boldly pursue Jesus’ mission of saving the lost with my life. Send me to someone today who needs to hear about your light, and empower me to boldly share the story of your Son with them. I know this mission is difficult, but if you are with me, then I can do it. Amen.