Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. (1 Thess. 5:23)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

In 1986, I was with a team on my first-ever international outreach, a three-week effort in Mexico City. It was the year after a huge earthquake, and the economy was struggling. Many people were open as we shared the love of Jesus through service, street drama, and Bible distribution and study. We traveled by bus to partner with a ministry seeking to bring the good news to those in a women’s prison. We prayed on the bus as we made our way through the streets, and something unusual happened. We sensed that God’s Spirit was moving as several began to break down and weep for the women in the prison. God was preparing us as we moved into a place of ministry. One hundred women attended the meeting where we performed that evening, and some sixty women made professions of faith.

This work had been grounded in the power of God’s Spirit. God had empowered the prayer and the outreach, and he graciously empowered us to participate with him in his work. In the original language, the word “you” in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 verse is plural—meaning that God’s peaceful, sanctifying, and enabling power is given to the whole body of Christ. As we experienced God’s sanctification in Mexico City, we saw firsthand the power of sanctification in our work as his hands and feet.

Let God’s Spirit sanctify and prepare you for good works.

Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years.

© 2025 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 God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thess. 4:7)

Expanded Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

Jake rose from his bed with a yawn, glancing back at Gwen, his beautiful bride of six years, still quietly resting on this Saturday morning. He softly went over to the next room to check on four-year-old Johnny, fidgeting on his bed. Wandering over to his favorite chair in the den, Jake settled in to read his Bible but decided to check his phone first. Slowly, he thumbed through the baseball standings, the morning news, and then turned to his favorite social media site. He noticed that he’d received a friend request. Jake drew his breath in surprise when he saw that it was from his old college girlfriend, a relationship he’d formed during his yearlong period away from God. Jake’s finger hovered over the “accept” button on his screen.

Jake thought again of Gwen and of his Bible sitting on the table next to his chair, and he felt the unmistakable twinge of his conscience as he realized that accepting this connection request would not be acceptable. He knew it could only reawaken something that should remain away from his mind. Allowing such a relationship was not only wrong but would also undermine the call that God had placed on him to “live a holy life.”

Jake hit the delete button, put down his phone, and opened his Bible.

Choose to live a holy life today.

Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years.

© 2025 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!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22–23)

Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:19-26

Manuel stared into his coffee as he contemplated how to respond to Mahmoud’s statement. He had met Mahmoud at community college and struck up a friendship, one made unlikely by their ethnic and national differences. Still, they were clearly in the process of becoming friends, and Manuel gratefully accepted the invitation to meet for coffee on this brisk autumn day. Perhaps he would have a chance to share a bit about his faith in Jesus.

Mahmoud, however, started in with a political argument about past conflicts between their respective peoples and nations. Manuel asked God for wisdom to respond well. He knew he could win a political argument, and, on one level, he really wanted to. He realized, though, that winning this argument would likely close the door to future discussions about Jesus. Manuel smiled and prayed inwardly, asking God to grant him peace and self-control.

The moment passed, and the subject changed. God’s Spirit had overcome Manuel’s natural inclinations and enabled him to walk in obedience in the moment. This bore fruit as their conversations began to turn to faith and to salvation in Jesus. Mahmoud accepted a New Testament in his native language. By putting aside his pride and accepting the Spirit-empowered, peaceful fruit of self-control, Manuel created a joy far greater than the self-satisfaction of winning an argument.

Cooperate with God’s Spirit, bringing forth his fruit in you.

Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years.

© 2025 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 I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)

Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:16-18

Though raised by a Christian mother, Augustine had pushed back hard against his upbringing. Gifted with a brilliant intellect, he was a star at school. But when he was forced to take time off due to family financial issues, Augustine spent his time playing pranks and indulging himself sexually. Recognized for his rhetorical abilities, he received help from a powerful sponsor to continue studies in Carthage, which was the jewel of Roman North Africa at that time.

Augustine delved into his education but continued a lifestyle of hedonism. However, he began to search for meaning. This led him to explore two religious systems that highlighted the battle between flesh and spirit, though neither could provide adequate resources to conquer his impulses. Augustine became an adherent of Manichaeism, which centered on the battle between the spirit and the flesh. Yet his sinful nature still reigned. A later attraction to Neoplatonic thought inspired him but could not empower him.

However, the prayers and witness of his mother and Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, led Augustine to realize that only Jesus could help him to conquer his sinful nature. Hearing a child’s voice say, “Take up and read,” Augustine read Romans 13:14, which offers deliverance from sin, in Christ. He realized that his journey to freedom was at hand.

Rejoice in walking in the Spirit.

Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years.

© 2025 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 the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14) 

Galatians 5:13–15 

Ghaffar had been meeting regularly with Tom on his lunch break, learning about what it meant to follow Jesus as a new Christian in a Muslim society. Part of Tom’s teaching included putting the words of Scripture into simple songs. One of those which Ghaffar found himself singing as he worked in his carpentry shop was a song that emphasized the central commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  

This teaching was brought home to Ghaffar on a visit home to his family in their village. Ghaffar looked for ways to quietly share his faith with his family members and community. On one occasion, his uncle Yusuf had gotten into an ugly dispute with the family living next door. Things had culminated with Yusuf grabbing a long bamboo stick from his house and heading over to teach a lesson to his opponent. Ghaffar saw this and ran out to stop his uncle, pleading that they were all commanded to love their neighbor as themselves!  

Even though this was not yet a Christian setting, Ghaffar sought to apply the teaching of Scripture to the situation. He was being “salt and light” among his Muslim family and neighbors, practicing this command as well as sharing it with others. In Christian settings and in secular settings, we can always fulfill God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

Ask God how you can express love to a neighbor today. 

Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years. 

Listen to today’s devo!

I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears. (Ps. 102:9) 

Expanded Passage: Psalm 102:1–17 

My friend was struggling. Nothing was going right. The girl he was supposed to marry was struggling, as well. She asked him a question that completely changed everything for both of them. “Are you doing everything you know to do to live a life pleasing to God?” 

This question set each of them on a new path, though separate. His honest response over time brought him to a place where, for him, he found peace for his troubled heart. He found clarity in his calling as a family doctor and found freedom in turning loose of his life and future to God. He found the girl he was meant to marry. It was beautiful and it worked out for everyone. 

He has since passed, and he left the legacy of a life well lived, poured out for others and pleasing to God in every way. 

Psalm 102 is one of those night and day psalms. It begins with the psalmist struggling without God, a dark place to be. Something happens in this psalm between verse 11 and verse 12. The focus shifts from the psalmist to God, and as it does, the darkness goes away, and the speaker finds hope in the goodness of God. May we remember this psalm when we reach a dark point in our lives where nothing seems to go right.  

When in darkness, shift your focus to God and let in the light. 

Dan LeRoy is a retired Wesleyan pastor, church planter and district superintendent. He and his wife Cynthia live in Kernersville, North Carolina. 

Listen to today’s devo!

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own.” (John 16:13)

Expanded Passage: John 14:16-26; 16:12-16

When I was in college, I played point guard. It’s not like I had much choice, at 5’7”. But I was quick, could handle the ball, and I loved to thread the needle on those passes. I honestly got more fulfillment from making the assist than I got out of making the shot. I could shoot, and I loved driving in and finding a way to get the ball in the hoop. But I really loved getting the ball to the big guys. It’s just the way I’m wired.

An unselfish point guard is indispensable to a good basketball team. A selfish one who dribbles around until he can put up a solo shot would be sitting on the bench if I was the coach.

My friend Tim understands this concept. He has helped many churches of all sizes find and fix what was holding them back from accomplishing their mission—all from behind the scenes. In the industry, this is called leading from the second chair.

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate second chair leader. He draws no attention to himself and puts all the attention on Jesus. He speaks none of his own thoughts, faithfully delivering the message of Jesus. He shuns every spotlight, shining the light on Jesus. He is the personal presence of God in your life, working behind the scenes, glorifying Jesus.

Heed your Second Chair Leader; step back and let Jesus shine.

Dan LeRoy is a retired Wesleyan pastor, church planter and district superintendent. He and his wife Cynthia live in Kernersville, North Carolina.

Listen to today’s devo!

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” (John 14:26)

Expanded Passage: John 14:25-26

If you are in trouble—perhaps on the side of the road with your car broken down—and God sends me your way, it’s not going to turn out well. I was on my way to church one Sunday evening and I noticed a car with a flat tire. Of course, I immediately thought, “I can’t stop. I’ll be late for church.” And God said (not audibly, as a friend might, but louder than that), “Are you preaching about the Good Samaritan tonight?” Well, no, but I got the point. So I stopped.

The lady was driving an old Pontiac. Does anyone remember those? Before I got the car jacked up, I tried to loosen the lug nuts. They would not budge. I nearly bent the tire iron, straining until I was grinding my teeth. In the midst of all this, a fellow walked up—I’m pretty sure he was the Holy Spirit wearing the man like a cloak—and he told me to look closely at the stud. Right there in the middle of the stud end was an “L” imprinted. “That means you turn it to the left, not the right,” the man instructed. “Oh.”

In this world of trouble there is only One who really knows what he is doing, and he will teach us what we need to know so we can join him in his redeeming work.

Listen for the Holy Spirit’s instruction.

Dan LeRoy is a retired Wesleyan pastor, church planter and district superintendent. He and his wife Cynthia live in Kernersville, North Carolina.

© 2025 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 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” (John 14:22–23)

Expanded Passage: John 14:22-24

Tomorrow is July 4. In the United States, that is the ultimate day of loyalty, a day of declaration of independence from all allegiances but one. It is not a day that tolerates betrayal.

On the night he was betrayed, in the conversation Jesus had with his disciples, he assured them they would not be abandoned, and Judas (not Iscariot) asks a question about the timing of it all.

Who is this Judas, not Judas Iscariot? The ancients said he was Jude, the brother of Jesus, author of the New Testament book bearing his name. Most today prefer to identify him with the disciple called Thaddeus, in Matthew’s account.

Is he the Judas who did not betray Jesus? No. There is not one of those. Every Judas has betrayed Jesus, along with the rest of us.

On Good Friday, one of our pastors referred to “the man at the table who betrayed Jesus.” I later put my arm around his shoulder and said in tears, “Pastor Graham, I am that man at the table.” In that moment, with the songwriter Stuart Townend, I was ashamed to hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. Then the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, put his arm around my shoulder and whispered gently to me, “Judas Dan, it was your sin that held him there, but take heart. I give you blessed assurance, by the blood of the Lamb, you have been forgiven.”

Take heed, your sin is horrendous. Take heart, your sins are forgiven.

Dan LeRoy is a retired Wesleyan pastor, church planter and district superintendent. He and his wife Cynthia live in Kernersville, North Carolina.

© 2025 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!

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21)

Expanded Passage: John 14:21

How do you know someone loves you? Two people can give you flowers or candy, and you appreciate the one, but you adore the other. Same flowers. Same candy. Different response. There is something intangible about love that sets it apart from everything else. It is not in the gift. It is in the heart of the giver.

How do we know God loves us? That again is indescribable and intangible. While we read it in his Word, and we take it by faith, there is an intangible assurance that comes to us that cannot be explained, but it is more real than anything that can be put into words. And then he proves it over and over by how he cares for us at the point of our deepest need and greatest danger.

How does God know we love him (besides the fact that he knows everything)? Jesus chose to say that our love is proven in our obedience. Apparently, it is not in our emotional attachment or our flowery words or our extravagant gifts that our love is proven. It is in whether we do what he asks us to do.

And what is that? To love him with all of our heart, soul, and strength; and to love other people just the same way—and to not stop until he stops.

Bless someone God brings across your path today.

Dan LeRoy is a retired Wesleyan pastor, church planter and district superintendent. He and his wife Cynthia live in Kernersville, North Carolina.

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.