Listen to today’s devo!

We remember . . . your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:3)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

In 1914, famed Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton set out on a trans-Antarctic expedition, but disaster struck when his ship became trapped and eventually crushed by ice. Stranded with twenty-seven men, Shackleton led them through freezing temperatures and storms, drifting on various ice floes for months. In a daring open-boat journey, he and five other crewmen crossed over 800 miles of treacherous seas to seek rescue. Shackleton and his small crew of men eventually landed on the uninhabited side of South Georgia, an island far off the coast of Argentina. He then walked over thirty-two miles of mountainous terrain to the fishing village of Stromness to find help to rescue his stranded crew. Against overwhelming odds, all twenty-seven members of his crew survived. Shackleton’s leadership and care for his men turned a failed expedition into one of history’s most remarkable tales of survival, demonstrating that hope and resolve can triumph over despair. He lived up to the name of his ship: Endurance.

In one of Paul’s first letters, we meet a small church that has faced hardship and persecution from its inception. Yet this small, persecuted church remained faithful, loving, and hopeful. While Paul only spent a relatively short amount of time with them during his first visit, he continually remembered and praised them as a model for churches throughout the Roman Empire. The church in Thessalonica models persistent faith, passionate love, and enduring hope for us today.

Endure today’s hardships with faith, hope, and love.

Mark Moore is an associate professor of theology at Jessup University (CA) and an associate pastor at Faith Legacy Church in Sacramento, CA.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” (Ps. 116:4)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 116:1-9

It was an Easter Sunday when three men boarded a boat for what was intended to be a short trip between two small Pacific islands. Six days later, a family member reported to the Coast Guard that the three men had not returned. Immediately a search that would cover nearly 78,000 nautical miles was initiated. At first, the search yielded little results. Hope was thin until a pilot spotted signs of life in the form of branches that formed the word “HELP.”

In today’s Scripture reading, there is another word that is also a cry for help, spelled S-A-V-E. To gain a better understanding of what the psalmist was describing, we only need to look to the apostle Peter. Like the psalmist, and not unlike the three men stranded on Easter Sunday, Peter was caught in a desperate situation after he courageously responded to Jesus’ invitation to step out of the boat and join him on the water. As Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Without hesitation Jesus reached down and pulled Peter to safety (Matt. 14:30–31).

Sometimes life strands us on an island, sometimes it tosses us in the waves, and sometimes we may feel that the “cords of death” entangle us (Ps. 116:3). Whenever we find ourselves in desperate situations, let “Lord, save me!” be the prayer of our hearts.

Recount a time when things seemed desperate and God delivered you.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Mordecai . . . worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. (Est. 10:3)

Expanded Passage: Esther 6:1-10; 7:1-10; 10:3

On a cold April night, the Titanic made its way across the North Atlantic. As the ship drew closer to North America, ice warnings began pouring in from multiple ships. The last warning message came from the SS Californian at 10:55 p.m., who reported that they were “stopped . . . surrounded by ice.” The Californian’s message, along with others, never reached the Titanic’s bridge. Then forty minutes later screams from the crow’s nest were heard, warning that there was an iceberg ahead. However, it was too late, as the Titanic collided with the iceberg that caused her to sink in less than three hours.

Unlike the messages that never reached the Titanic’s bridge, Mordecai passed on the message he heard that threatened King Xerxes’ life. His actions not only saved the life of King Xerxes but also led to the salvation of an entire people group. Ultimately, he became their spokesperson within the king’s administration. The twenty-first century has provided us many different communication platforms. These platforms are powerful and offer us a tremendous opportunity to make our voices heard. And it is with our voices that we can either tear others down or build them up. Let us choose to use our voices to build one another up. As it says in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”

Encourage someone with your words.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Then Queen Esther answered, “Spare my people—this is my request.” (Est. 7:3)

Expanded Passage: Esther 7:3-10

One morning Margaret McCollum made her way to one of London’s train stations, not to board a train, but to listen to the recorded voice of her late husband that warned passengers to “Mind the gap.” Suddenly, a voice rang out, but it was not her husband’s. Hastily, she approached an employee and asked, “Where’s the voice?” Initially confused, the employee realized the voice she was referring was the recently replaced voice of her husband. Moved by Margaret’s story they reinstated her husband’s voice so she could once again sit and listen to him warn passengers to mind the gap.

Like travelers in London, the church is called to mind the gap that has been created by Christ’s advents—the first advent being his birth and the second his long-awaited return. Minding something means to care for it. Caring for something is demonstrated by Queen Esther when she stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves, an idea that was built into the DNA of The Wesleyan Church. Consider Adam Crooks, who left Ohio to become pastor of Freedom’s Hill, the abolitionist congregation in North Carolina. Just like Esther, he put himself in a precarious position to help save the lives of those who were in danger as they escaped slavery. Now take a moment to reflect: Are there people that God is calling us to stand up for?

Ask God to help you see those who may need help.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

The king . . . asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request?” (Est. 7:2)

Expanded Passage: Esther 7:1-2

In 1958 the Space Task Group was established by NASA to devise a plan to launch a person into space. To accomplish this endeavor seven men were chosen to become the first astronauts. While these men received much of the glory, it was the many engineers and mathematicians that made their trips to space possible. Among the engineers and mathematicians was Katherine Johnson. For years her contributions went unnoticed by the public, but not by astronaut John Glenn. Rather than trust the computers, before his flight, he requested that Johnson do all the required calculations. He said if Johnson believed the calculations were correct then he felt confident to launch.

Like Glenn putting his safety in Johnson’s calculations, God chose to put the safety of the Jewish race into the hands of a hidden figure within the Persian Empire named Hadassah. In newer Biblical translations, Hadassah is known as Esther. What we learn is that throughout history God has called women to fulfill his purposes and The Wesleyan Church has led the way in affirming this truth. We need look no further than to the Wesleyan minister Luther Lee, who preached the sermon for the ordination of Antionette Brown, the first woman ordained to the ministry in the United States. Women, God has called you to lead! Boldy walk in your giftedness! Continue making an impact for the kingdom of God!

Send a note thanking a female pastor for their ministry.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” (Est. 6:3)

Expanded Passage: Esther 6:3-10

When it comes to the most decorated athletes in the history of the University of North Carolina, the first name that may come to mind is Michael Jordan. However, some would argue it is former soccer player Mia Hamm. In her four years, the team only lost one game. They won four national titles, and she became a three-time All-American. Once she graduated, she was a part of two teams that won the World Cup and Olympic gold medals. After her playing days were complete, she was voted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. While talented, her college coach shares a story to explain her greatness. One morning on the way to work he passed a park and noticed Mia dripping with sweat as she went through punishing fitness exercises alone. In response he wrote her a note: “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when nobody else is watching.”

Yesterday we learned that righteousness is defined by doing what is right. Today we are adding to that definition. Righteousness is doing what is right whether it is seen or unseen. Up until King Xerxes read the record of events, Mordecai’s actions had gone relatively unnoticed. We need a church full of people who are willing to do what is right whether it is seen or unseen.

Ponder how you can do right without drawing attention to yourself.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh . . . who conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. (Est. 6:2)

Expanded Passage: Esther 6:2

One Saturday evening my grandfather and I were sitting outside on his deck. During that time many topics were covered including the subject matter of when a mistake becomes sin in the believer, a difficult topic for the smartest of theologians. However, my grandfather explained it in the simplest terms using an example from his own life. After he and my grandmother retired, they loved traveling to Nova Scotia. After returning home from one of their trips he emptied his pockets and noticed a receipt from the restaurant where they had eaten. What caught his eye was that the restaurant had forgotten to charge them for an item, and something would not allow him to throw it away. That something was the Holy Spirit, and for him to ignore the Holy Spirit would turn that mistake into a sin. Knowing he and my grandmother would take the same trip again, he returned to the restaurant with the receipt and paid for the missed item, not to be rewarded but because it was right.

Doing what is right is a basic definition of righteousness, and Mordecai did what was right when he reported the conspiracy against King Xerxes. We need a church full of people who are willing to do what is right. As it says in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Consider the Holy Spirit’s leading and choose righteousness.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in. (Est. 6:1)

Expanded Passage: Esther 6:1

Isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think? You’re welcome! You now have a song stuck in your head, especially if you were a teen in the mid-1990s. For the rest of the day, you may find yourself singing over and over: “It’s like rain on your wedding day / It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid / It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take / And who would have thought? It figures!” But to create more consternation as you sing, the only thing ironic about the song is the song itself does not contain irony. Which may have been the intent of the artist.

When it comes to irony, the book of Esther is overflowing with it. In today’s Scripture, the king desires to honor Mordecai and he asks a man, Haman—who wants to kill Mordecai—how he should do it. The full extent of the irony is revealed later. However, the book of Esther is not the only place irony is found in the Bible. Jesus shares an ironic teaching when he says, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matt. 20:16). This teaches that God’s kingdom functions differently than that of the world, and what makes us acceptable to him has everything to do with what he has done for us, rather than what we have done for him.

Ask for forgiveness for trying to earn what was freely given.

T. J. Albertson has been pastoring for twenty-one years, the last nineteen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the whole Bible and its relevance to life.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

He will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike. (Ps. 115:13)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 115:9-18

“Mommy, can you measure me?” Now that we have a six-foot painting of a giraffe as a measuring stick on our wall, my four-year-old asks this question at least once a week. The giraffe was a gift from her Papa, and she loves seeing how much she’s grown. Most kids want to be bigger, to get to ride the big rides and do all the things big kids do. Kids don’t want to stay small. Adults aren’t really so different. We may not be concerned with height and rides at the fair, but our desire for stature remains.

Sometimes this seemingly innate desire to be someone great—to make a difference or be important—trickles into our relationship with God. We may start to think God favors the successful and conditions his love in proportion to our greatness. But the writer of Psalm 115 declares that the Lord’s blessing is for the small and the great. It reminds me of the words God spoke to Samuel during his search for the next king of Israel: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). The psalmist is confident that the Lord’s blessing is not based on stature or popularity. Instead, it is poured out on all who love and revere him.

Anchor your significance in your identity as God’s beloved child.

Samantha Freds is an ordained pastor in The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys being active outside and spending time with her husband and two little girls.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter. (Est. 5:2)

Expanded Passage: Esther 5:1-5

The conference room table was huge and the titles of those seated around it were just as large: Plant Manager, Director of Quality, Production Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and on and on. And then there was me, the summer intern. I felt insignificant in that room, like I did not belong at the table. And yet I had been invited in.

Esther entered the king’s court uninvited. An act that could have led to her death. But at the moment of truth, the king extended his gold scepter, a demonstration of acceptance and welcome, and spared her life. Though she had no legal right to be in the inner court without a summons, the king was pleased to see her, and he used his power to welcome her in.

The book of Esther does not explicitly mention God, but this section of the story is a gospel parallel on full display. You and I have no right to be in the presence of the true King. There is nothing we can do to earn his favor. Yet he extended the gold scepter—through Jesus on the cross—and made a way where there was no way for us. And just as Esther only needed to approach and accept the gesture of Xerxes, we need only to accept God’s gift of grace. What a blessed gift is the love of God!

Thank God for the love and grace he has extended to you!

Samantha Freds is an ordained pastor in The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys being active outside and spending time with her husband and two little girls.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.