Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

Brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thess. 2:15)

Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:15

My mom was born twelve years before her youngest sister. When Aunt Jean was little, my mom would read Jean’s favorite book to her. My mom sometimes tried to skip a few pages to finish the book more quickly. But my aunt knew the story well because she had heard it so many times before. Jean knew immediately when my mom skipped a page, and she would call her out.

Recently, my great-nephew came to my house to visit, and he saw some children’s books sitting on the coffee table. He would select one and bring it to me to read. It didn’t matter if we had read it several times. He wanted to hear the story again.

We love to hear stories. And we crave hearing them over and over. The power of story gives power to our testimonies. This is one of the ways we pass on the truth of God’s Word—telling how the wisdom and doctrine have impacted us. There are plenty of stories being told. We need to be sure those around us are hearing the uplifting stories: the truth from God’s Word, how God has provided, and how the Holy Spirit has counseled and convicted, so that we may all stay grounded in the truth. Hold fast to what God has done and is doing in your life.

Pass on the Word of Truth through your life and words.

Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.

© 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!

We . . . thank God for you . . . because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thess. 2:13)

Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Gardening is a difficult endeavor. Whether vegetables or flowers, there are so many variables. The condition of the soil is important. Each plant needs the right amount of water and sun. You must tend the plants and check in to make sure there are no unexpected situations—bugs, weeds, or critters nibbling. Some things you have no control over—a weather event could be devastating.

When I was growing up, my parents planted gardens and then would assign my siblings and me rows that we had to weed. It was especially hard for me to endure the hot sun, bugs, and dirt to weed a row of vegetables that I did not care to eat. If I was assigned the rows of vegetables I liked, it was a more bearable chore . . . and I looked forward to the harvest.

God has given each of us a sphere of influence: soil we can tend, people that we can invest in spiritually. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we plant, till, weed, water, and protect. It’s hard work. We may not always get to see the results of our labor. But sometimes we do get to experience the special joy of the firstfruits—seeing the initial harvest. Take time to give thanks and celebrate those Holy Spirit–infused firstfruits. And keep faithfully tending the soil that God has given you to work for his kingdom.

Sow seeds for the future kingdom of God—encourage, evangelize, and disciple.

Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.

© 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!

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thess. 2:10)

Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“Let me tell you a thing or two!” When you hear someone start a conversation with those words, do you lean in, or do you dread what is to come? Your attentiveness and receptiveness are largely dependent on the person speaking and how much you trust them. Some you trust implicitly, and whatever they say, you take as truth. Others you distrust and cause you to suspect their validity. Then there are others that you will listen to, but you will do a bit of fact-checking before you make up your mind.

It is well known that when teaching folks to spot counterfeits, training consists of studying the real thing. Knowing the authentic source well helps you to see what is out of line, fake, or missing.

We need to be students of the Bible to know the truth—God’s truth—so that we can experience the fullness of all that God has for us. This will help us to spot deception. But this also begs the question: when it comes to hard things, do we really want to know the truth? Do we ignore the things in God’s Word that don’t suit us? Do we shy away from controversial things? God’s Word is designed to help us live holy and righteous lives. No matter how controversial, we need to firmly and confidently obey his Word.

Love and live the truth of God’s Word.

Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.

© 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!

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth. (2 Thess. 2:8)

Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8

My family has an unwritten rule: If anyone offers you a mint or piece of gum, accept it. This might be a subtle hint that your breath is problematic. Bad breath can be powerful, distracting, or even obtrusive. Plenty of dates have been ruined by a rogue onion or overwhelming garlic. I can remember the horrible breath of my seventh-grade social studies teacher—early-morning coffee and before-school cigarettes were a deadly combination. He was a great teacher, but his breath was putrid.

When we hear a baby’s first cry, we know that this means they are breathing. As we watch our loved one’s final breath, we recognize that breath is essential. Breath signifies life. We can breathe life into others with our encouraging words and actions. Likewise, our words can breathe discord and discouragement. Have you ever received unexpected news or harsh words that took your breath away? A word of correction can cause you to gasp and stop your misbehavior.

The power of our breath is minuscule when compared to our creator God, who breathed life into existence. How incredible! With this same breath, Jesus will thwart our biggest enemy. Thank you, Jesus!

Breathe in deep today, and exhale slowly knowing that God is in control. His breath can bring life, and it simultaneously protects us. With the power of his breath, he has already won the victory!

Be confident that the Breath of Life protects us.

Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.

© 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!

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. (2 Thess. 2:3)

Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Have you ever had someone ask you a question, but you had previously sent them an email or text with all the answers? Their question made it clear they did not take the time to read what you had sent. That is so frustrating!

If we are honest, we must admit that too often we want answers, but we don’t want to do the work to find the answers. We also don’t want to look like a fool who is uninformed and admit, “I don’t know.” The truth is, we aren’t always willing to do the hard work; we’d rather have someone else just tell us.

God has given us an incredible gift—his Word. Most of us have access to multiple versions, even web versions that are with us all the time. His Word is our foundation for doctrine—it can encourage, convict, counsel, and challenge us. But, if we don’t open the Scripture, read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it, we won’t be able to reflect what it says. And we will be easily deceived.

When people watch you, do your actions and words reflect Christ? Is it evident that you walk in accordance with the Word of God? We can only reflect what we know. God has provided us with a blueprint—we need to be intentional and disciplined to study it and live it out.

Know the Word of God so you can live in truth.

Belinda Selfridge is the assistant to the Tri-State district superintendent, assistant pastor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University adjunct professor, aunt, motorcyclist, creative frugalist, keyboardist, and bass player.

© 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!

This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. (Ps. 119:56)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 119:49-56

Apollo program engineers and planners prepared exacting procedures for every activity and contingency they could imagine. For months before each mission, the astronauts and controllers studied and practiced those procedures relentlessly until they could perform them in their sleep, and when Apollo 11 launched, their exhaustive practice paid off. They were able to do exactly the right thing at exactly the right time, and the mission was a tremendous success.

Psalm 119 is an ode to the Scriptures. When the psalm was written, though, the bulk of our Bible did not yet exist. Thus, the primary focus of the psalmist’s affection was God’s law. Over and over, the psalmist celebrated the wisdom and value of God’s commands, but the psalmist knew that wisdom was of little value if it never left the page. Like the diligence of the astronauts and controllers of the Apollo program, the psalmist relentlessly studied and practiced God’s commands day after day until doing God’s will became so automatic he could do it in his sleep. Certainly, this effort was exhausting. It was often easier to cut corners or call it good enough. Yet, constant practice in the small things was essential to doing God’s will when it really mattered.

Christians will relentlessly study and practice obeying God’s precepts in trivial, daily issues so that they will automatically obey when the stakes are high.

Relentlessly practice obedience to God’s commands.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

© 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!

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Eph. 5:17)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:1-21

On July 20, 1969, after years of planning, building, testing, and refining, Neil Armstrong’s first words from the moon echoed around the world: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Interestingly, because the lunar lander did not sink as far as engineers expected, the last step off the ladder really was a giant leap for Armstrong. The first man on the moon, then, was the result of a giant leap, but thousands of small, deliberate steps brought him there.

Paul realized that the Christian faith is similar. Believers are called to show the world the same sort of love that God showed them, and every so often, they make a giant leap toward that goal. Yet, most days are spent making small, deliberate decisions to reject worldly foolishness and do God’s will. Indeed, every decision moves the believer either closer to, or farther from, their goal of following God’s example.

Believers must, therefore, decide daily to leave behind actions that keep them from reaching Christlikeness. They must choose wisely the people who will shape their faith and practice. They must pursue the godly things that open the door so the Holy Spirit can come in and rearrange as he sees fit, and they must be very careful to align themselves perfectly with God’s character and commands.

Decide daily to do what will bring you closer to God.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

© 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!

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15–16)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:15-21

Everyone knew going to the moon was dangerous. It involved strapping three people to the top of a massive explosion and sending them for a week into the literal vacuum of space. On January 27, 1967, however, the reality of that danger was driven home when astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee were killed in a fire during a prelaunch test. Investigators discovered the technical causes of the tragedy and made appropriate changes. However, the most shocking discovery was the contribution of planners’ attitudes toward the test. Namely, the team lacked the equipment needed to fight the fire, numerous obstacles made it difficult to respond to the emergency, and medical teams were not even present. In short, NASA was careless.

When Paul advised the Ephesians to “be very careful . . . how you live,” the word he used did not convey a sense of timidity or caution. Indeed, Christians must often be bold and courageous. Rather, the word he used carried the ideas of exactness, accuracy, and diligence. In effect, the apostle was saying that Christians must pay attention to ensure their lives are aligned as perfectly as possible with God’s wisdom, which encompasses all of God’s character and commands.

As NASA learned the hard way, bad things happen when people are careless. The same is true for Christians. Believers must, therefore, be very careful to follow God’s example in the way they live.

Be very careful to align your life with God’s wisdom.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

© 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!

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light . . . and find out what pleases the Lord. (Eph. 5:8, 10)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:8-14

President Kennedy’s challenge to go to the moon came less than a month after Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Shepard’s flight lasted fifteen minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 116 miles. This was certainly a tremendous accomplishment, but a lunar mission would last at least a week, and the moon was 238,900 miles away. In order to land a man on the moon, NASA had a lot to learn.

Following God’s example involves more than leaving behind ungodly things and choosing good partners. Paul advised the Ephesians to “live as children of light” or do the things they knew God would approve. However, even this was not enough. Christians also needed to keep learning about God’s character and commands so they could please him even more by consistently becoming more like him. For the Ephesians, this meant studying written resources such as the Old Testament, as well as any writings available to them, which would later become part of the New Testament. Today, these have been gathered into the Bible and made available in a variety of forms. It also meant listening to sermons and teachings and closely observing those who were more advanced in their faith; Christians today should do likewise.

Christians will do their God-enabled best to live according to what they know of God’s character and commands and to keep growing in their knowledge of the same.

Keep learning and living out God’s character and commands.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

© 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!

God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph. 5:6–7)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:6-7

NASA needed help to reach the moon. The agency partnered with more than 20,000 companies and universities. Because each of these partners could determine the success or failure of the mission, choosing the right partner for each component of the program required careful discernment. For example, the company Martin Marietta submitted a strong bid to build the command and service modules, but NASA rejected it because they had no experience building high-speed aircraft or space vehicles.

Paul knew Christians needed help following God’s loving example and living like Jesus. Believers must carefully discern who will shape their faith and practice. Of course, they should not partner with unbelievers who have no interest in following Jesus, but the apostle advised the Ephesians to not be deceived by people who say they follow Jesus but are disobedient. These know what the Bible says but do not live accordingly, or they use bits of Scripture to rationalize things they are doing wrong. Perhaps they are gung-ho for Jesus today, but they are easily distracted, or their faith is too shallow to survive the trials of life. Paul advised his readers to avoid partnering with these too.

Christians must exercise discernment to partner with saints who have followed Jesus for some time, are deeply rooted in Scripture, and have a solid track record of following Jesus no matter what.

Partner with earnest Christ followers who will help you follow Jesus.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

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