Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples.” (Matt. 28:6–7)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 28:5-10

When we were sent on an errand, my mom would sometimes say, “. . . and no lollygagging!” We may have even been warned not to “dillydally.” I’m not sure of the precise meaning or history of these words, but we knew it meant not to get sidetracked with meaningless browsing or loitering and return home as quickly as possible. The angel on Easter morning could have used those words in his invitation to visit the empty tomb. “He is not here! Come and see! But no lollygagging!”

Many Holy Land tourists are taken to various possible locations for Jesus’ tomb. Not until Christians in the diaspora began making pilgrimages to see the Jerusalem of Jesus’ life was anyone even that interested in visiting a place that was known only for being vacant. Even the angel seems perplexed as to why people would look for someone who was alive in the place of the dead.

The moment of the resurrection was a powerful event in God’s salvation history. But it was not something to focus on as a curious oddity. Easter is an ongoing pattern for life. Belief in the resurrection was intended to propel believers into the world with a message of Christ’s offer of grace and love for all people—and not have us lollygagging at the tomb.

Stop lollygagging and get out to tell someone about Jesus!

Rich Eckley is professor emeritus of theology at Houghton University (NY). He is an ordained Wesleyan minister and enjoys—with his wife, Lynn—entertaining four active grandchildren.

© 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!

An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. (Matt. 28:2)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 28:1-4

As a child, my big sister was my protector and champion. When a playground bully began punching me and throwing me around, my sister stepped in and, with a few blows of her own, ended the fight by sitting on him and not letting him up. The Lord encouraged Israel to sit at his right hand “until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (Ps. 110:1). Like my sister sitting on that junior high bully, it shows a level of control mixed with victory over your difficulties.

The stone that Joseph had placed in front of the tomb, that the authorities sealed, and where guards were stationed to watch, had been a problem for anyone wanting to observe the holy resurrection. The scene that unfolds, bringing fear and trembling into the lives of all who surround the tomb, quickly becomes a comedy. Earthquakes and dazzling light punctuate the angel’s simple action of rolling back the stone—and then sitting on it.

Sometimes therapists encourage people struggling with anxiety and fear to “sit on it” for a while. It may be that it allows them to ponder, reflect, and get perspective on their lives. Certainly, the view from the angel’s perch atop that stone was a great place to be on that resurrection morning. No wonder he was able to tell the people—us included—not to be afraid.

Watch God from a new perch atop what once felt insurmountable.

Rich Eckley is professor emeritus of theology at Houghton University (NY). He is an ordained Wesleyan minister and enjoys—with his wife, Lynn—entertaining four active grandchildren.

© 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 said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’” (Matt. 27:63)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 27:62-66

I’ve been going to church all my life. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that I’ve listened to thousands of sermons—and I’ve done my share of preaching them. Sometimes the sermons preached outside the church, and by unbelieving preachers, have an even greater and lasting impact on hearers’ lives.

During the time of Jesus’ ministry, religious enemies heard him say that he would come back from the dead. They saw how his followers were fired up by those words, and believed that he was deceiving the masses with false hope. This group of unbelievers knew that if Jesus was to be shown to accomplish such a feat, they would lose control of the people’s minds, being deceived even worse a second time. So they worked to spread the word, explaining why resurrection wasn’t the only possible answer to the empty tomb.

In the days following Jesus’ crucifixion many of his disciples were in despair and seemed to have forgotten what Jesus had prophesied about his resurrection. Conversely, the naysayers took his words to heart. They remembered his words and they knew that if they came true it would challenge everything. They got out their own counter-message quickly. Poisoning the public with misinformation is nothing new. The wise in every age must be able to recognize the truth from a lie when it is presented.

Listen to the sermons around you, separating the truth from lies.

Rich Eckley is professor emeritus of theology at Houghton University (NY). He is an ordained Wesleyan minister and enjoys—with his wife, Lynn—entertaining four active grandchildren.

© 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!

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. (Matt. 27:59–60)

Expanded Passage: Matthew 27:57-61

While in seminary, I rode my bike through a small local graveyard on my way to morning classes. Most of the people buried there were longstanding associates of the seminary and church community, so the tomb stones often had unique descriptions of the occupants. One that I remember read something like: “Stand Back from This Stone. When the Rapture Occurs, I’ll Be Coming Out!” For over two thousand years, Christians have thought of their final resting place as a temporary shelter, a waiting room for something better.

We may never know what motivated Joseph, this new disciple from Arimathea, to offer up his own grave to house the crucified Lord. Perhaps he believed Jesus was not going to be there for long, or that he himself would not need the tomb. But it seems Jesus was never shy of borrowing things—whether a manger for a crib, a colt for travel, or a tomb for a three-day grave.

Many people think the axiom “Neither a lender nor a borrower be” comes from the Bible. It was advice given by Polonius to his son Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Scripture actually encourages lending to people in need (without interest!), and Joseph, known as a rich fellow, must have learned this lesson from his Lord. He will forever be known for his act of devotion and generosity—lending his unused tomb for Easter Day.

Consider what you could lend that someone needs—without expecting it back.

Rich Eckley is professor emeritus of theology at Houghton University (NY). He is an ordained Wesleyan minister and enjoys—with his wife, Lynn—entertaining four active grandchildren.

© 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!

Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. (Ps. 118:19)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 118:1-29

“The devil made me do it,” the sign read. Two cherubic devils posed cutely on either side of the phrase. It was the sort of sign you might expect to see in the house of a particularly wry grandmother. My husband pointed out the hanging ornament to me a few weeks ago in a flea market in town and joked that we should hang it in the room of our two young and precocious sons.

That phrase is humorous because it’s insightful—not in its accuracy, but in how it captures so well our willingness to cast off our own guilt onto whomever we can find. Even in the garden of Eden, original sin was quickly followed by the original blame game. It’s easy to fear free will when it entails culpability, and yet God also grants us the tools to do good.

The church is one of God’s templates for righteousness; it reflects the perfect communion of the Trinity and gives us the context to give and receive such wonderful love. The challenge is that we also possess the tools to destroy that structure—selfishness and derision. But if we model our lives after Christ’s, join a body of believers, and work toward the selfless love that characterizes holy community, God will help make our imperfect efforts perfect.

Use the tools of righteousness God gives to live in holy community.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

© 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!

Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. (1 Thess. 3:6)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

When I picture holiness, I imagine lone prophets or monks fully dedicated to God, serenely living a life in prayer, perhaps alone on a mountain or in a desert somewhere. Often, when I am frustrated by my own failings, by the way I treat others when irritated or impatient, I think the best response is to withdraw. My image of holiness says that to encounter God, I must distance myself from other people.

But the image of holiness that Paul offered is far more relational. First, he noted how encouragement and testimony can strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and he pointed out the joy found in selfless, loving community. Then he said that desiring such fellowship is right—a reflection of God’s own Trinitarian nature. Finally, he said that a communal pursuit of holiness culminates in love that overflows the boundaries of our circles—and that love is made perfect by Christ.

Paul seemed to say that this holy community is vital to the Christian walk. In fact, it’s often what makes the walk bearable! Especially in times when we feel powerless on our own, or alone with our doubts, or helpless in the face of injustice, the answer is often found in holy community, where Christ’s blood redeems us and we join his holy body.

Write down three believers who might help you in difficult times.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

© 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!

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father. (1 Thess. 3:13)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:13

I never thought I could love another person so much until I married my husband, and my surprise was repeated again with the births of my two sons. And yet I still found myself, on my honeymoon, nitpicking my brand-new husband’s driving. Within weeks of my sons’ births, I found myself being selfish in small ways—being resentful of their crying at night, even if only for an instant. I had never experienced love so profound, and yet I was still so imperfect.

As I think of my relationships, with my husband, children, family, and friends, I see all the ways I have been weak, unsupportive, or even shamefully cruel. I have been curt with roommates, rude to strangers, and insensitive to my mother. All my worst habits are cast in stark relief against a blameless Savior.

And yet, the Bible reminds us that we will be made blameless in Christ—but only as he strengthens our hearts. Alone, we will continue to fail, to be weak, and anything but blameless. As we surrender to him for his cleansing and strengthening, he will look at our motives and know we are blameless. By his grace, let’s pray for that same strengthening, cleansing, and blamelessness for the Christian community of which we are a part. Let’s do our best to love and strengthen each other as we wait for his return.

Ask God to shape your Christian community into his model of loving holiness.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

© 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!

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (1 Thess. 3:12)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

As I raise two sons, one of my first concerns is their spiritual formation. I’ve asked many more-experienced parents how they taught their children about God and received many different answers. One of the friends I respect most explained that she had her children memorize a catechism that included answers to over one hundred theological questions.

Her reasoning was simple: If a child understands the logic of the gospel and knows its complexities inside and out, that child will at least have the tools to act rightly. It seemed simple when she told me this, given all the verses and stories that encourage internalizing Scripture, not to mention rich traditions in the church like catechism and Scripture memorization.

But just as a child’s faith matures by practice and study, a Christian community sees tangible fruit when it dedicates itself to Christlikeness. Like young believers, friendships, marriages, and churches need to strive toward maturity. And when that manifests as love within the community first, it will lead to love outside the community next. Again, this pattern reflects the Trinity itself, which has always existed, and whose love overflowed in the form of a very good creation.

Although no measure is perfect except God’s, one good indicator of a community’s holiness is whether it spills out in the form of love to those outside the community.

Practice fruitful love within your church until it overflows.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

© 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!

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. (1 Thess. 3:10)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:10-11

Marathons are easy compared to the months of training leading up to them. Sure, running for hours destroys your body, but setting aside hours every day for months to run yourself miserable destroys your spirit. When I ran my first and only marathon, I could only get up every morning for my workouts because I knew two of my best friends were waiting for me. And when we ran together, it was understood that none of us could quit.

Working, suffering, and succeeding are all made easier in community. As the author of Hebrews said, life can sometimes feel like a race—the kind of race that makes a marathon look like a walk in the park. But communion with other Christians not only acts as a sign for those outside the church; it also lends support to those within the church.

When my friends and I finally ran the marathon, we all ran at different paces. But as soon as one of us finished, she went back and cheered on the next. And as soon as the second finished, they both cheered on the last. Across a long life, Christian community won’t always be immediately available, but desiring it all the time, and strengthening it when you can, will make the moments of distance just a little bit easier.

Work to strengthen your faith community in anticipation of challenging times.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

© 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!

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? (1 Thess. 3:9)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:8-9

Music gives shape to many of my memories, whether I was warming up for a soccer game, coming to Christ in church, or getting married. Even years later, I can hear a song from my wedding reception, and it brings me back to that day—makes me feel the beauty of life more fully. These songs are like signs that point back to something much larger, much more important, than themselves.

In the same way, the joy of the Christian church—that is, a community of sacrifice and self-giving love—points back to the original perfect community: the Trinity. When we participate in loving and supportive friendships—in church, in marriage, or even with strangers—we also act as signs pointing to someone much larger, much more important, than ourselves.

The beauty of this sort of community is that God sustains it. The New Testament tells us that the church is the body of Christ, and the Spirit is present in a special way with Christians gathered together. We don’t have to put pressure on ourselves always to be perfect. Sometimes I’m not as polite as I could be, or as kind and supportive. But just by being there, by committing to Christian community, the body of Christ is made manifest, and the Holy Spirit attends the meeting.

Choose to participate in Christian community, even when it isn’t perfect.

Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.

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