Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts . . . so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. (Deut. 30:6)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 30:5-10

Years ago, my toddler daughter received second degree burns while helping me cook her favorite mac and cheese. We spent the weekend in the burn unit; Isabelle’s bandages were changed regularly, wounds cleansed and dead skin removed. The nurse shared her cell phone to keep her favorite little patient distracted while the painful process took place. In time, the cleansing and cutting became routine—not without pain, but bearable for mama and two-year-old, and we’d continue the procedure at home in the weeks ahead.

That cutting and cleansing process promoted fresh skin growth. A year later, her “baby” skin was good as new. We took care to cover her arm during summertime play and lotioned it consistently, and our new habits helped her fresh skin thrive.

God’s people needed heart surgery in order to understand the stories of their past and live in future obedience. Fortunately their rescuer was also their surgeon—they were in good hands. Circumcised hearts would result in one holy pursuit, to love their God with every part of their being. The surgeon was ready and waiting to delight in his favorite patients, prospering his children in all their endeavors.

He also works to make us new—cutting away hard hearts and healing our wounds in order to delight in us. Our surgeon makes our futures good as we follow him with hearts made new.

Where has your heart grown hard? Entrust it to the Healer.

Jamie Hilty lives in northern Indiana with her pastor-husband Josh. She spends her days reading aloud to her kids, planning retreats, and avoiding the dishes.

© 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!

Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. (Deut. 29:2)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 29:1-4

Who was your comic hero in childhood? The best heroes were mixed up in epic adventure, powerful struggle, and mind-boggling circumstances. They saw great need, came onto the scene from nowhere, rescued the helpless, and won the battle. Their stories continue to be told.

The God of the universe was the Israelites’ epic hero, their rescuer from mighty Pharaoh. The eyewitness accounts of the Lord’s great power had been repeated to sons and daughters, grandkids too. And now, forty years later, although most of the eyewitnesses were no longer alive, the next generation could say they’d also seen the Lord’s might. The hero story had become their own because they’d been recipients of the eyewitness accounts of their parents and grandparents. The story and the hero never grew old.

It’s one thing to know the story by heart; quite another to understand its meaning. For years, the wandering eyewitnesses could speak the stories, but they still needed a second rescue—one that opened their minds and hearts to understand who their hero was and what following him faithfully would mean in the sequel to come.

God also helps us understand his significant work in our past. As we tell our own tales of the Lord’s power in our lives, let’s allow him to also open our minds and hearts to understand the meaning beneath, trusting our hero with the outcome.

Tell your hero tale—and seek to understand its significance for today.

Jamie Hilty lives in northern Indiana with her pastor-husband Josh. She spends her days reading aloud to her kids, planning retreats, and avoiding the dishes.

© 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 you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

Expanded Passage: How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! (Ps. 92:4-5)

Psalm 92

“I can’t believe it snowed last night,” my friend griped. “I am so ready for winter to be over.” What she really meant was she was ready for spring to make all things new again. Living in a milder climate than hers, I already could see cherry trees in full regalia over carpets of sunny daffodils, but I kept my mouth shut. I understood.

Something I love about Jesus is that he understands us. He knows how we long for new beginnings, how we press against the limits of our lives. He lived among us, choosing to come to an unwed teenager who nearly lost her marriage contract as a result. He was a refugee who fled for his very life to a land that was known to despise his people. He grew up under the harsh abuse of Roman soldiers, and when he began ministry, Jesus commented that though foxes had dens, he had no home. He comprehends our afflictions, longings and anxieties, more than we can imagine.

This Sabbath song of thanksgiving to God was written by one who valued how God’s thoughts reflect the depths of his faithful, unfailing love. As we draw near to him, we begin to see beyond the winter moments to the spring he is preparing, and we can rejoice in his marvelous deeds, all the way to old age.

Sing for joy for what the Lord has done!

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor . . . and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. (Deut. 26:19)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26:1-19

Each spring I anticipate the awakening of the oak trees in my neighborhood. Tulips open, daffodils dance, maple trees flower—but the stolid oaks remain bare sentinels. Then it happens. Tiny leaves unfold, perfect renditions of their mature selves, each leaf a unique creation. For me, it’s like seeing a baby greeting the world, tiny toes and fingers and button nose formed and designed with loving purpose.

I imagine God felt such anticipatory joy as he took a single wandering Aramean apart to himself to build the nation of Israel. It’s the same with each of us; we come into this world naked, weak, and small, and God invests people, talents, and experiences in us to expand us into Kingdom fruitfulness.

In Deuteronomy 26 Moses described how God had redeemed Israel out of Egypt and carried them himself into their inheritance. When Moses explained when, where, and how to give one’s firstfruits to God, he emphasized a heart-felt response to our beneficent Lord.

What wonderful things has God done in your life? What wilderness have you endured, God never forsaking you? What is he unfolding in your life right now? His thoughts and plans for us transcend what we see with our earthly eyes. He has shown us this week how we can return gifts to him in joyous gratitude for the inheritance we have been gifted in Christ.

Worship the One who invests in your life.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

“I have not eaten any of the sacred portion . . . nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God.” (Deut. 26:14)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26:14-19

“We’d like you to rent our building now that our translation project is finished.” They had dedicated that space to God’s ministry, so they refused to lease it to profit-seeking businesses. It fit Mercy Ships’ needs perfectly, providing living spaces, kitchens, and offices for patients staying in the port for post-surgical care.

God was not done responding to both ministries and rewarding their faithfulness in that African country.

We were looking for a way to share the gospel with our patients; one ministry was looking for a way to disseminate the podcasts containing Scripture that they’d recorded in regional languages. Again we teamed up, and soon patients were gathered around little speakers eagerly learning about “Isa”—Jesus. Many downloaded the podcasts to their phones and enthusiastically took them back to their far villages to share the good news. The “sacred portion” was given fully to God.

Moses modeled prayer to the Israelites who were eager to cross the flooding Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land. As they brought him their tithes, they were to tell God they had not invested his share in dead purposes (like Egyptians putting food for the dead in their tombs, or like people today living for riches and status that will abandon them at the end). Even as the tithe was to be set apart, holy to God, so were they.

Give with a holy heart set on God and see what happens.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year . . . you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. (Deut. 12:12)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26:12-13

When my friend fled the Communist takeover of her homeland and came to Vancouver, Washington, she was speechless.

“What’s this? You have stores just for toys? You have doctors just for pets who live in the house with you?” She had never imagined such luxuries. Before long, she got a job and was buying everything that pleased her imagination. She filled her apartment and five storage units, until her cousin finally helped her stop.

Such a delight in consuming abundance is encouraged by advertising and our cultural emphasis of “moving up” and “improving your life.”

God knows the temptation to indulge ourselves can result in our becoming slaves to it. When the Israelites were ready to enter the Promised Land, God taught them through Moses to delight in giving to the Lord. First, they were to contribute a tithe each harvest to his Levites and priests. That matched his primary call to love the Lord our God. Second, he told them to set that tithe apart every third year as a contribution to the poor, the immigrants, and the remaining Levites. This matched the second great commandment, to love others.

Honor God by investing in those who are struggling.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Deut. 26:9)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26:9-11

Chief Massasoit lost over half his tribe to illness brought by European fishermen, probably during the time that the Puritans were hoping to sail to the New World. Delays meant they sailed in autumn, not spring, and arrived ill-prepared in icy weather. More than half of them died that first winter. Though Europeans had brought them heartache and death, certain Native Americans extended aid, including Chief Massasoit. They taught Puritans how to hunt, fish and garden in their new land so that, come autumn, they celebrated with homes to live in, meeting houses for governance and worship, and a plentitude of foods.

The first Thanksgiving had commenced! Chief Massasoit turned up with many of his men, bringing venison to add to their banquet. A three-day feast! Despite all their losses, the Puritans and Native Americans had a glorious time, with all sorts of games and competitions.

Like the Pilgrims, the children of Israel suffered death and hardship in the wilderness, costing many of them their dreams and even their lives. Yet, seeing God’s kindly provision as they looked across the Jordan, they rejoiced. Moses commanded that once they’d taken the land God had promised them, they were to celebrate his abundant provision annually, just as the Pilgrims did.

Seek to embrace God’s kind provision in times of affliction.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

Take some of the firstfruits . . . from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in . . . the place the Lord your God will choose. (Deut. 26:2)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26: 2-8

“What have you got to show for all that time overseas?” Charles chided me. “Despite your college degree, you’re broke and you’re working in a retail store’s freight department!”

I laughed. We will always face opposition, hardship and mocking words. Israel certainly did. They went into Egypt thinking it was the promised land—rich in food, grazing lands and money—only to become impoverished slaves. Yet God was with them, expanding a mere seventy-five persons to over a million. As they departed, the Egyptians lavished rich gifts upon them, but the real gift was God with them, a pillar of cloud by day and a column of fire by night—shade in heat and light in darkness.

COVID-19 shut down schools, including my school on the Africa Mercy, ship so with God as my shade and my light I returned to Oregon and went to work in a store. I was delighted to deposit that first check in my bank account and write a tithe for God. What a privilege to participate in his work, even when church doors were closed, and our medical ship was shut down!

Moses commanded Israel to bring the firstfruits of their labors to their priest, declaring, “I have come to the land the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” I, too, have come into God’s promised kingdom!

Bring to God the firstfruits of what he has given you.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it. (Deut. 26:1)

Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 26:1

“Welcome aboard!” the receptionist greeted me as I entered the M/V Anastasis, a lovely Italian cruise liner retired to serve as a surgical hospital. Talk about entering a new land! I went from my own cute two-bedroom Oregon home to a shared cabin, featuring a narrow berth and a wee closet. Though not a nurse or doctor, I was answering a call to serve God in Africa.

What an exciting gift that calling was! As a middle school teacher, I served Mercy Ships’ missionary crew children for a year. In 2007 I returned, this time to the refurbished railway ferry, M/V Africa Mercy, to work another twelve years. Even though I was non-medical, being part of such revolutionary medical work was thrilling. While many would delight in the numerous ports I visited, for me the real joy was a different land, the Kingdom of God—fellowship with the hundreds of saints who came from over thirty countries to be Jesus’ hands and feet.

Moses prepared his people for such a remarkable transition. They would enter God’s promised land, the gifted inheritance—just as we did when we took Jesus as our Lord and Savior and were ushered into his kingdom inheritance. Moses spoke of Israel’s calling as a done deal: they would take possession of God’s gift and settle in it. We have the same invitation.

Take possession of God’s kingdom and settle in it.

Kim Robinson is a retired teacher who enjoys working with children’s ministries at her local Wesleyan church right down the street.

© 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!

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (Ps. 91:14)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 91

Right outside of St Paul, Minnesota, a car veered off the highway and hit a light pole and guardrail, which sparked a large fire. People passing by saw the car and several good Samaritans rushed over to try to rescue the driver. The driver’s side doors were both stuck next to the guardrail, preventing them from opening. The fire was growing and they didn’t have much time. Someone who worked on the highway came forward and broke the glass window, allowing the group to rescue the driver. A few moments later, the car was engulfed in flames.

Do you know that our God has staged so many rescues that our news reporters would not be able to capture them all? Ephesians 2:1-10 states that when we were dead in our transgressions and sins, God rescued us by grace, through faith. He loves us so much that he includes us in the rescue plan. In our Psalm for today we see something similar. We see how God is not only our refuge, but also our fortress. He is not just a safe place, but is actively protecting and defending us. As you face life’s challenges and joys, know that God’s grace is not only sufficient, but it goes before you and prepares the way. Your faith and trust in him only accentuates what he already wants to do in your life.

Take some time today to remember how God has rescued you.

Santes Beatty is an ordained minister and serves as the director of NextGen for Church Multiplication and Discipleship of The Wesleyan Church. He loves traveling with his family, writing, cooking, and equipping leaders.

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