Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:6

God's Spirit unites believers with Christ and places them in the body of Christ, also known as the church. Christ also unites believers in his death, which enables them to live victoriously over sin. The Holy Spirit moves in the believers who yield to him. We receive gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and fear of the Lord through the Holy Spirit when he dwells in us.

Apostles laid their hands on people so that they would be filled with the Spirit of God, and through God's wisdom gain the ability to be obedient before God. Through the laying of their hands, these men received instructions from God through the Holy Spirit so that they could become part of the body of Christ and work according to God's will.

In our churches, we should do exactly as the apostles did to create unity among believers. It is our calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus in any matter so that the Spirit of God will reach more believers, helping us to do what is pleasing to God and to glorify him through our actions.

Listen for the Holy Spirit in anything that you are doing.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

© 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!

They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:5)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:5

Maria was born into a Christian home, but she did not know much about the power of faith. She had not yet seen Jesus Christ as a life-changer. Maria had just learned that she had breast cancer and had lost hope. One day, she heard from a radio station that Jesus Christ can heal all kinds of diseases and do what is considered to be impossible in our lives. The radio station proclaimed that Jesus was a life-changing healer. In faith, Maria closed her eyes and prayed. After a short prayer she felt a new hope that God would heal her. In the coming days, she miraculously started feeling improvements in her health. At her next doctor’s appointment, the doctors declared that she was cancer free!

Stephen was a pioneer of faith in God. He demonstrated living in faith, and putting faith into practice. Faith can change people’s situations, and it can save us. It does not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Christians should walk by faith and not by sight, believing that God is a life-changer.

Maria’s story reminds us of the importance of faith and how it can change our situations. Put your doubts aside and believe that God can do all things. In Jesus Christ we find hope, truth, and a way of life.

Act out your faith in Jesus Christ today.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

© 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!

“[We] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:4

Estee had a son who was a drug addict. She had little hope for her son to change. One day, she read in her Bible that God is able to make great changes in our lives if we give ourselves to him. Estee got a new hope that God would change her son and prayed, believing that God was able to change her son’s life. Estee encouraged her son that it was possible to live without drugs, if only he allowed God to change his heart and commit his life to the Lord. Together, they believed that God was able to do what they had asked. After weeks, her son came back to her full of bliss, having experienced three weeks of life sober. “I’m free,” he said, “I’m no longer a slave to drugs.” They praised God and to this day, her son has been living without taking any drugs.

There is power in prayer to change lives. God can turn misery into ministry, if we invite him into our lives. As apostles believed in prayer to bring change, so we, too, should believe that prayer will prompt God’s interventions as a life-changer. He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb, and he has prepared a bright future for us, if we let his will be done in our lives. We cannot achieve our plans without God’s help.

Give yourself to the Lord and believe he is able.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

© 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!

“Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:3

A theologian teacher was a having a lesson with his students; they were talking about worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. A question was brought up: Is worldly wisdom good enough to help people solve their problems? The teacher shared that people need God’s wisdom, which is beyond human understanding, to bring changes and solutions in all aspects of our lives. Once God’s wisdom is present, life will be peaceful, even when we come across trials and difficulties. But when worldly wisdom is used, we often encounter conflict and suffering.

Stephen, the man of God, was known to be full of God’s wisdom (v. 5), which was required to solve any matter that arose among God’s people. In the early church, the church’s survival depended not on worldly wisdom, but on God’s wisdom.

We must pray and ask God to bless us with his wisdom so that we may experience peace in our leadership, in our churches, and in every aspect of our lives. Without God’s wisdom, we will perish. God’s wisdom may be beyond our understanding. It works to bring changes and allows us to have peace beyond doubt. Even in the modern church, we—like Stephen—must pray for wisdom that will help us to solve disputes and overcome difficulties with God’s peace.

Ask God for his wisdom, which is greater than worldly wisdom.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

© 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!

“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:2)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:2

How many times is our attention pulled toward small conflicts, causing us to lose our focus on sharing the Word of God? Many times, believers are being divided because of unnecessary conflicts starting from our families, or conflicts that might come our way because Satan wants us to lose focus on sharing the Word of God with those who need to hear it. The author of Acts wanted those listening to keep their focus on spreading the gospel, instead of spending time on issues that were lower in priority.

The apostles of God in Acts did not allow Satan to play them by dividing their attention between issues that could slow the spread of God’s Word. This passage is a reminder to us to stop dividing our time and instead focus on helping more people hear about the power of God’s Word for salvation.

We must put away our personal interests, which may influence decisions made among believers, and focus on spreading the Word of God to make more disciples of Jesus Christ, even today.

Consider whether your attention is focused or divided.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

© 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!

The Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1)

Expanded Passage: Acts 6:1

A certain family was having a financial problem. One day Joyce, a member of that family, went to visit a nearby widow who was forgotten. She was so empty inside with no children around. Although Joyce didn’t have a thing to give that widow, she decided to help her do some cleaning and other chores, and then they read the Bible together. Joyce didn’t know that by doing so, she was giving more than just a few hours of her time. She gave the neglected widow a new hope and happiness.

Sometimes giving is not about money or material things. Sometimes even spending time with those who are lonely is enough to give hope and happiness to a neighbor. Even this is considered an offering to God. How many times do we neglect helping a person in need or giving a favor just because we feel we don’t have enough to offer? Your time and energy go beyond giving money or material things. We can act for God’s glory.

This story from the days of the early church reminds us about the importance of looking after people in need. The story stresses the importance of not overlooking the few while feeding the many.

Let’s cultivate a giving mindset by helping anyone in need in any way we can. We should reflect God’s love in our service of others.

Look for ways to give to someone in need.

Irene Semu Ndosi is from Tanzania and holds a diploma in education with religious studies and a degree in biblical counseling.

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

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Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. (Ps. 99:2)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 99

Recently I have been reminded of the enormity of God. Our Scripture today highlights the greatness and worthiness of God to be worshiped.

Isaiah 40:12 and other passages remind us that God measures the width of the universe by stretching out his hand. Some estimate the universe to be ninety-three billion light years wide! I can barely span nine inches with my hand. Scripture informs us that God can hold all the waters of the world in one hand. I can barely hold a tablespoon of water without spilling it.

To God, the islands and mountains of the world are like fine grains of dust. I have a hard time lifting one small boulder. God created billions of stars and can call them all by name. I sometimes mix up the names of my three children. At least three times in the Bible, the globe we call earth is called the “footstool” of God (for example, Matt. 5:35).

In every way, God is so much greater than we are. King David, who contemplated the smallness of people compared with the immenseness of God, said with astonishment, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Ps. 8:4). And so today, we are reminded to exalt and worship our great God.

Notice the vastness of the sky and marvel at God’s greatness.

Stephen Elliott serves as the national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and program director of pastoral ministries and church planting degree programs at Kingswood University in New Brunswick. He and his wife, Helen, have three adult child

© 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!

We have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1)

Expanded Passage: 1 John 1:5—2:2

Recently a family member had to go to court to face serious criminal charges. The legal process was long and drawn out, expensive, and extremely bewildering. The language, forms, procedures, rules—the entire experience—was intimidating to those unfamiliar with the system. One lawyer told me that the process was the punishment. Thankfully, my relative had a competent lawyer to defend him. Our family had great confidence in the wisdom of this highly experienced trial attorney. The outcome was the best that could be anticipated.

John refers to Jesus as being our advocate, the one who speaks in the heavenly courtroom in our defense. Imagine, our defense attorney is the son of the Judge! He is, above all others, the most equipped, respected, capable person to plead on our behalf. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus, at this very moment, is appearing for us in God’s presence (Heb. 9:24) and “always lives to intercede” for us (Heb. 7:25).

The One who understands the frailties and challenges of living in a fallen world is, on our behalf, willing to lovingly plead for mercy based on his own righteousness and sacrifice. As we humble ourselves, repent, and confess our need for God’s mercy, we are not alone. We have the Great Defender by our side. We neither deserve nor can afford such an advocate.

Thank Jesus for being your advocate.

Stephen Elliott serves as the national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and program director of pastoral ministries and church planting degree programs at Kingswood University in New Brunswick. He and his wife, Helen, have three adult children.

© 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!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. (1 John 1:9)

Expanded Passage: 1 John 1:9-10

Imagine the following situations: A friend borrows your car and has an accident with it. Would you rather they tell you they had an accident, or would you rather the police show up at the door to investigate? Would you rather a student reveal they cheated on a test, or would you rather catch them cheating? Would you prefer an employee confess they had stolen from your business or discover the theft on a video tape? Would you prefer that your spouse self-reveal a gambling problem or realize the problem by examining the credit card statement?

I think there is little doubt, most of the time, we would rather the person just step forward and own up to what they did rather than have the problem revealed in some other way. It is hard to stay angry at a person who, on their own initiative, “fesses up” to something they have done. When a person is caught covering up, hiding wrongdoing, or lying about misbehavior, it usually results in a harsh response. On the other hand, those who humbly take responsibility and self-reveal the problem are far more likely to receive mercy and forgiveness.

John’s letter reminds us by restating the amazing promise of God from Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Humbly confess and renounce any hidden sin in your life.

Stephen Elliott serves as the national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and program director of pastoral ministries and church planting degree programs at Kingswood University in New Brunswick. He and his wife, Helen, have three adult children.

© 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!

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves. (1 John 1:8)

Expanded Passage: 1 John 1:8

My wife and I were looking to purchase a home, and we had a few non-negotiables. Because we had three young children and some pets, a fenced-in yard was important to us. But as you may have experienced, kids and pets like to climb over—or tunnel under—fences to explore what is on the other side.

Fences exist for many reasons but primarily to keep out the bad and to protect the good enclosed within. The laws of God are like fences. Moses said the laws of God exist “for your own good” (Deut. 10:13). They exist to protect us. When we violate the commands of God, we do so against our own best interests. This is one of the definitions of sin: that which damages our relationship with God, others, self, and society.

All of us, at one time or another, climb over the fences God has erected to keep us safe. When we do so, initially there is a rush of excitement. But ultimately, climbing over fences results in damaged lives and relationships. Nothing good comes from “deceiving ourselves” to believe we have not climbed over God’s safeguards. The evidence that we are living outside of God’s protective laws is usually apparent. There is no way to be safe outside of God’s boundaries.

Name one of God’s fences that you will stay within this week.

Stephen Elliott serves as the national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and program director of pastoral ministries and church planting degree programs at Kingswood University in New Brunswick. He and his wife, Helen, have three adult children.

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