Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. (1 Thess. 3:7)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7

By the time I was sixteen, my family had moved over a dozen times. With each new job my mom started, we unpacked in another apartment—complete with holes in the drywall and cockroaches burrowed in the carpet. And each time we moved, I found myself surrounded by a whole new community.

It was no surprise, then, that years later I struggled to put down roots. Newly married and pregnant with our first child, I visited churches with my husband in the city where we’d moved, only to find myself shaking my head silently again and again as he drove us home.

When we finally connected to a church, I wanted to leave at the first hint of conflict. It was then that I realized I had trouble committing to new communities because, growing up, I’d always been taken away from them within a few months. Yet I knew that God calls us to be a body, unified in his Son. And the Christians I respected most in life had been firmly embedded in such holy community.

I decided to share my frustrations at church. Unknowingly, I opened myself up to be encouraged, to hear the testimony of my brothers and sisters in Christ. To this day, that church community remains one of the most important anchors in my faith and life.

Open yourself up to encouragement from the Christian community around you.

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!

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” (Ps. 118:2–4)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 118:1-4

My friend, Pauleta, praised God in the midst of her chronic cancer. Another friend, Jeff, trusted the Lord in the midst of his daughter’s death, because she didn’t have to suffer any longer. The Lord should be praised in the tough times and in the victories. Praise him even in your hurt, for your pain draws you closer to Jesus. Let the refrain of Psalm 118 ring in your ears, “His love endures forever.”

When you make a choice to praise him, the battle you face doesn’t seem so large. What if we chose to praise the Lord in our challenges? Can you imagine the difference and impact it would have in the lives of others? Allow the Lord’s praises to be on your lips even when you don’t want to praise. Change your mindset, have a new perspective, and make a joyful noise to the Lord. See the good in your pain; notice the Lord’s blessing and his provisions in the midst of your battle. Thank God for his wisdom and embrace his love that endures forever. Take a moment to thank him. I will always be impacted by Jeff and Pauleta and how they praised the Lord in their battle. When my own battles come, I fix my eyes on Jesus and choose to praise, taking inspiration from Jeff, Pauleta, and the psalmist, who trusted God through the storm.

Choose daily to praise the Lord.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2–3)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13—3:5

It’s not if a storm comes, it’s when. Everyone handles storms differently; some run to God, while others run away. When a buffalo faces a storm, instead of hiding in one place, the buffalo runs right through it to get to the other side. The only way we can survive the storm is by remaining faithful and fixing our eyes on Jesus as we run through it.

Paul’s love for the Thessalonians was great; he called them his “glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:20). He was proud of their faith in Christ and their willingness to follow the gospel. Paul served with humility, caring about what honored the Lord over his own desires. Paul was a person of great integrity and gave his all to the work of the Lord.

Paul expected a storm to develop. He understood suffering and what it was like to face persecution. Paul gives us a great look into the battle of discouragement and warfare that a Christ follower will face as we devote our life to the Lord. The storm is real and it’s right in front of us. We should anticipate the attack, but remember you could be on the verge of a major victory. Allow your storm to be an opportunity to praise the Lord. Let the storm not take you out but bring you closer to the Lord.

Run toward God in the middle of the storm.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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!

I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. (1 Thess. 3:5)

Expanded Passage: Thessalonians 3:3-5

A professor in college asked me once if I felt like I was under spiritual attack. I answered the question honestly and said, “Yes, almost daily.” His response surprised me, “Good, because if your answer was no, it would mean you are not a threat to the Evil One.” The Thessalonians knew that the Evil One would not relent. They were warned that persecution would come, just like my professor reminded me.

Paul was worried that the Thessalonians would leave their faith and that all of his work would be for nothing. This is not uncommon for leaders, but we have to trust that the Lord is working and that he can provide what we can’t see. We can’t be thrown off by our afflictions; we must be strong in the Lord. We must remember that sorrows will come, but they will also pass. The road will be difficult, you will face adversity, so prepare yourself for the spiritual battle. Be strong in the Lord, remain so faithful that you can feel the Lord’s breath on your cheek as he speaks to you. Remember, he is with you, he hasn’t left your side. He is fighting for you in the midst of the battle. Ask God for strength to stand against the tempter and believe that your efforts for the kingdom are never in vain.

Search for the Lord’s breath on your cheek amid spiritual warfare.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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!

So when we could stand it no longer . . . we sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker . . . in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith. (1 Thess. 3:1–2)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

When I was seven years old, I was going deaf in my right ear from a hole in my eardrum. At church camp a group of ministers anointed me with oil and began to pray over me. As they were praying, I felt complete healing in my right ear and felt my hearing was being restored by the Lord.

Paul remained dedicated to his faith regardless of the trials and struggles that he and his team were up against. Paul learned to trust in God, to have faith by increasing his dependance on Jesus and believing that God would provide a way. When Paul couldn’t see the possibility, the Lord made a way by sending Timothy to the Thessalonians to strengthen their faith and encourage them. This was not the way Paul desired it to be. I’m sure he was relieved to know Timothy was there, but he was hurt because he desired to be with them himself.

God’s plan was different than Paul’s plan. God’s plan may be different from ours, but his plan will still be accomplished. In our limited view, we don’t see the possibilities; we see the obstacles but miss the opportunities. Wait patiently and be ready for God to turn things around in your life. Be strong in the Lord and allow Jesus to strengthen your faith. When we can’t see a way, the Lord will make a way for us.

Trust in God to provide a way when you feel there is none.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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 made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you . . . but Satan blocked our way. (1 Thess. 2:17–18)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Many times in ministry I have experienced spiritual warfare. There were times I would preach and felt Satan trying to stop the message from getting to the congregation. Other times, I’ll see a distraction within the service intended to derail me or my congregants. We must be aware that we have a real enemy who is out to attack.

Paul and his ministry partners were experiencing spiritual warfare and were being blocked from seeing the Thessalonians. Every time he would try to visit them, Satan would find a way to keep it from happening. Satan wants to make us discouraged, isolated, distracted, lonely, and defeated. Paul was experiencing these struggles; he missed his friends and would do anything to be with them. Satan used this desire to cause discouragement in Paul’s life.

What Satan tried to use to destroy Paul and make him feel ineffective, the Lord used to develop spiritual muscles. Paul remained obediently faithful and continued to press on in the battle. He persevered in warfare and pushed through pain, which gave him an opportunity to grow spiritually. Warfare will come, and you will feel discouraged at times, but I encourage you to fight. Tell Satan to flee, to get out of your thoughts. Put on your armor and be a warrior that endures and pushes the enemy back.

Allow yourself to develop spiritual muscles and grow in the battle.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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!

You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered. . . . They . . . are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles. (1 Thess. 2:14–16)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

One of my favorite songs is “Way Maker” by Leeland. The bridge of the song says, “Even when I don’t see it, you’re working. Even when I don’t feel it, you’re working. You never stop, you never stop working.” This reminds us that God is working, even in times when we can’t feel his presence or meet the need that is right before us.

The Thessalonians were experiencing persecution from their own people, and likewise we can be persecuted by our own communities. Paul and his ministry partners were feeling the pressure. They were facing an obstacle that was preventing the gospel from getting to the Gentiles. Their plan was put on hold, and they were stuck with nowhere to go. Although this persecution from their own people held a special hurt and slowed their efforts, they did not stop trying to speak to the Gentiles.

When obstacles arise and we can’t seem to find our way toward the goals God puts in front of us, we may feel Satan has won. But don’t forget that God is still moving. No matter the obstacle we face we must continue to endure, to press on and not give up even when the roadblock seems too big to break through. Remember, God is always working. Even when we don’t see it, he never stops working.

Persevere in any struggle you face because God is always working.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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 you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God. (1 Thess. 2:13)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13

I am always impacted by my father, because even though he’s getting older, he has such an appreciation for the Word of God and desire to share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus. There is still a fire, a hunger to grow in his faith and impact the kingdom of God.

Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians’ commitment to the gospel. They learned to discern between the voice of God and the voice of man. They allowed the Word of God to move powerfully in their lives. The gospel produced lasting fruit that transformed lives and Paul could see that in the church, just like I see it in my father.

We must remind ourselves that the Word of God is living and active, that it can transform us as believers. The Word has the power to deeply impact and change us from the inside out, affecting those the Lord places around us, and creating faith that bears fruit. Let the Word of God produce a fire in your soul and ask the Lord to bring someone’s name upon your heart to inspire and impact today. Pick up your phone, scroll through the contacts, and ask the Lord to reveal a name. Don’t be concerned about man; listen to the voice of God and obey him immediately.

Allow the Word of God to produce a fire inside you.

Nate Kingsbury is a husband, dad, and pastor. He loves being with his family, seeing people find Jesus, and investing in leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.

© 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!

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. (Ps. 117:1)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 117:1-2

Mario was seventeen years old when he contracted polio. He lived in a poor barrio in Honduras, requiring him to maneuver his wheelchair through dirt roads full of ruts and debris. Undeterred, he would press on, singing as he made his way through the city. There were times when he would pay a visit to the mission house, his deep baritone letting us know of his arrival. It was as if the strength no longer occupying his shriveled legs had taken residence in vocal cords that could do nothing but praise the Lord in his native tongue.

It is estimated that there are 7,000 languages spoken around the globe. According to the Guinness people, Ziad Fazah, a Liberian-born Lebanese polyglot holds the world record for being fluent in fifty-eight of them. That’s impressive, but compared to the number of languages and dialects spoken in the 195 countries that make up our world, it’s just a start.

God calls every nation and every tongue to praise him, not because he’s selfish or simply demands it. On the contrary, it is out of his great love and faithfulness, desiring that all would know him intimately, no matter the country they live in or the language they speak.

Praise and thank the Lord for his love and faithfulness.

Marcy Burke enjoys living in Alabama, being a retired pastor’s wife, former missionary, and worship leader. She enjoys playing the piano and taking long walks with her husband, Larry.

© 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 know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children. (1 Thess. 2:11)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

My dad was a meatcutter. I still remember the sides of beef hanging from hooks behind the meat counter and how he would heave them onto the butcher block to prepare and divide the different cuts for packaging. It was a physically demanding job; he had broken his back in a glider crash during the war and needed a back brace to help him get through the workday. He was in the hospital more than once for surgery because of the demands of his job, but providing for his family’s physical needs was a priority.

Even more importantly, the example my father lived consistently in front of me and my four siblings was such that we all chose to follow Christ and live out our lives in a way that would honor my father and please the God he loved and served.

Paul considered himself very much like a father to the Thessalonians. He cared for them deeply, and this spurred him on to be there as both a comforter and encourager. But above all, Paul showed them what it meant to live a life completely sold out to God, and in doing so, influenced them to do the same. He set a living example.

Ask God for ways to be an encouraging example.

Marcy Burke enjoys living in Alabama, being a retired pastor’s wife, former missionary, and worship leader. She enjoys playing the piano and taking long walks with her husband, Larry.

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