Daily Devo

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I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Phil. 1:4–5)

Expanded Passage: Philippians 1:1-8

Willie Nelson’s voice is inseparable from a song recorded over 300 times. His version of “Always on My Mind” won him a Grammy Award in 1982, ten years and multiple renditions after Brenda Lee’s and Elvis’s recordings in 1972. The song still resonates with us. Loretta Lynn released her version in 2016, and dozens of others will likely follow. Usually, a song with cultural stickiness reflects on a great cause, shared heritage, or, like this song, a key aspect of the human condition.

Can you relate to this lyric’s premise, whether thinking about a spouse, friend, kids, or grandkids? For several years, writing projects have taken me to various countries and states, averaging around 200,000 air miles annually. However, in a sense my family is always with me, always on my mind—and usually only a nightly FaceTime away.

In the first chapter of Philippians, we find Paul longing to be with the church at Philippi he founded during his second missionary journey. A family of sorts. He envisioned FaceTime. Rather than connecting via Wi-Fi from a hotel, he was imprisoned—though it’s not clear where. And this longing was constant, “always,” and “from the first day until now.” The “joy” seemed to reflect deep times of ministry—including times of conversion and mentoring. Our deepest friends are often those from times of intense ministries—eternal partnerships.

Pray for ministry partners past and present.

Jerry Pattengale is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and the codirector and cofounder of the Lumen Research Institute. He has authored and edited over forty books including Faith Made Real (WPH).

© 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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Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. (Ps. 82:3)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 82:3

I have had the distinct privilege to serve and deploy with the military police. I have also worked in security and, while pastoring, I worked with strong individuals to develop a security team at my first church. In all my time serving and working in these fields, I was taught something very valuable by those I served with: If you are able, it is your responsibility to protect and defend those who can’t defend themselves. The women and men I served with were willing to lay down their own lives for the innocent and the helpless. They were true protectors.

God is calling all Christian warriors to action. If you are able, as a Christ follower, it is your responsibility to defend and protect the weak, helpless, and orphaned. I understand this is a daunting task, especially if you try to do it yourself. However, our encouragement and strength are not our own but found in the Lord. God is seeking Christian warriors who are willing to stand up and say, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8).

We may not be perfect in the spiritual battle, but we serve a perfect and powerful God who will lead the way. The question is, are you willing to be a Christian defender and protector? It is our responsibility to follow God and defend the weak and orphaned.

Be quick to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph. 6:18)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:10-24

During my time serving with the military police, we had rotations of guard duty. We had to stand ready and stay alert in order to protect one another from any attack or intruder. This meant long hours of waiting and preparing, because we never knew when the enemy would appear.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is urgent and precise. His writing is full of passion and conviction because he knew the severity of the spiritual war the church was facing. He wanted every Christian to be ready for the spiritual battles. Therefore, Paul provided us with every tool we will need: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. He wanted us to be properly equipped and ready for battle. But he doesn’t end there; he tells us to be alert and never stop praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paul knew the enemy would appear at any moment, and he wanted us to be alert and ready. He wanted us standing guard, praying and defending our fellow Christians. We are in a spiritual war. Are you alert and ready for spiritual attacks? Be alert, pray, and put on the full armor of God.

Be alert and ready for spiritual attacks.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:14-17

Within the first week of basic training, I was issued my rifle—the weapon I would carry for the duration of my time at Fort Jackson. The moment my drill sergeants placed that weapon in my hands, it was my responsibility. I was instructed to memorize the serial number, and I had to know every part and functionality of that weapon. It was my duty to train with it and clean it; we would spend hours cleaning our rifles, inspecting every detail to ensure nothing was wrong with them. We spent days firing and training with our rifles in order to become proficient marksmen. We did this so when the time came to engage the enemy, we would know our weapons perfectly and could defend against the attack.

As Christian warriors, we have the greatest weapon that has ever been forged: the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. We have been given the responsibility to become skilled with the Word of God by memorizing, studying, and putting it into practice. Our weapon cannot sit on the shelf collecting dust. Because when the spiritual attacks arrive, if we have not trained, we will not be ready to use the sword that God has entrusted to us. As Christian warriors, it’s our responsibility to be proficient with the sword of the Spirit.

Become familiar with the sword of the Spirit.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. (Eph. 6:13)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:13

Chapter 6 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians serves as a manual on how Christians can be thoroughly equipped with the right tools and weapons to be victorious in spiritual battles. Paul understood the enemy and he knew the severity of the threat, because he had experienced it. Therefore, he worked diligently to ensure that we are properly prepared for spiritual attacks.

When a soldier prepares to go into battle, they are physically and mentally fit, their equipment is clean and in perfect working order, and they have surveyed the battleground. Modern soldiers ensure they have enough ammo and medical supplies. They do all this so when the fighting starts, they will be able to stand their ground. Warriors do not go into a fight with the intention to lose; they prepare, plan, and train to be victorious. As a Christian warrior, are you preparing for victory?

What steps are you taking daily to allow God to strengthen you spiritually? A well-prepared enemy does not wait for you to be ready. They study and watch you; they wait for the opportune moment to ambush you. They aim to attack your weak points. Our spiritual enemy is well-prepared, and Paul knew that. Therefore, Paul is telling us to get ready. Put on the full armor of God so when the spiritual attacks come, you will be able to stand your ground.

Ask God to equip you to stand your ground.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. (Eph. 6:12)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:12

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu observed, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Sun Tzu understood the importance of knowing your enemy and yourself. If you only focus on training yourself and you know nothing about your enemy, defeat is inevitable. True warriors know who they are facing in a battle. This grants them the ability to train for the fight and gives them an upper hand against the enemy.

Paul was a strong spiritual warrior, and he knew the enemy. In this passage, Paul is training us to be Christian warriors who are properly equipped for spiritual battles. He instructed us to be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God because the enemy does not come in flesh and blood, but in spiritual forces. To be victorious in a spiritual battle, we must know our enemy, and we must be properly equipped with the armor of God. Do not fear our enemy, but instead, be strong in the Lord because our God has already won the battle. We must trust in him and rely on his strength and power.

Become properly equipped with the armor of God.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph. 6:11)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:11

Michael Jordan is arguably one of the best professional basketball players to ever play the game; some consider him to have been the best. His success is known worldwide, and his name is regularly brought up in the debate of who is the greatest of all time. His ability to win championships and be the best came from his preparation, practice, and training. In an interview, Michael Jordan said, “Every day in practice was like that to me, it was a competition. So, when the game comes, there’s nothing that I haven’t already practiced. It’s just a routine. Whatever happens in the game now, okay, I’ve done this before.”

Paul is encouraging the church to get ready and be prepared. The church in Paul’s time was in a spiritual war, and we are still fighting that war today. Paul wants us to be ready for the spiritual battle. He is introducing us to the necessary equipment for the fight in order for us to be victorious. Paul understood, as Peter did, that our enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It’s time for every Christian to put on the armor of God. Don’t wait for the heat of battle. Get ready today, so when the roaring lion appears you will be able to stand, with God’s strength, against the devil’s schemes.

Consider how you can put on the armor of God.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph. 6:10)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 6:10

In J. R. R Tolkien’s book The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo and Sam were at the end of their journey. After a long adventure and many battles, they were facing their most intense challenge—it was time for Frodo to destroy the one ring. But the task had become too much for him. He fell under the weight of the burden. Knowing that Frodo could no longer carry on, Sam spoke one of my favorite lines of the entire movie and book: “Come, Mr. Frodo! I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

As Christians, we are in a spiritual war, and this war is not against flesh and blood. Every believer goes through spiritual trials and challenges. And there may be a time when you find yourself in the heat of a spiritual battle, and it feels as if you can no longer carry on. The apostle Paul understood this fight, and in his final thoughts to the Ephesians, he provided a source of encouragement and strength for every believer.

In this letter, Paul had been writing and teaching on how to live like Christ. “Finally,” he says, “be strong in the Lord.” During your spiritual journey, allow God and his strength to empower you and carry you.

Rely on God’s strength to carry you.

Andrew Christman is a proud veteran of the US Army and serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN) and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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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I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. (Ps. 81:10)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 81:6-16

Everyone has been in bondage to something at some point in their lives. From the moment of our conversion to Christ, we were transferred from bondage to sin to complete freedom in Christ Jesus. At that time, some sins easily fell away, but other sins seemed to keep a hold on us. No doubt, some sins are still driving us to this day. How can we become free of these lingering, repetitive sins? Some of us are Christians but we behave as if we were still living in Egypt, in bondage. Could the problem be that we are trying to feed our emptiness with things of this world instead of turning to the Lord?

Although we are truly saved, as long as we are in human bodies we will continue to be tempted. Yes, it is still possible to fall into sin. Every sin has consequences, including a painful disruption in our fellowship with God. If we sin, we must not only immediately turn to the Lord and repent, but also ask him to release us from bondage to that behavior.

God says, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Whatever is causing us to sin, whatever need we are trying to satisfy, ask the Lord to fill it. He led us out of Egypt; he can deliver us from the bondage to sin.

Open your heart to the Lord and let him fill you.

Lisa Riggs serves as associate professor of English and literature at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She enjoys visiting with family, writing poetry, and painting landscapes.

© 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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Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Eph. 4:15)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16

Much like our world today, Ephesus was a diverse and immoral place, whose population engaged in a number of pagan cults and belief systems. Paul was writing to the Christians to encourage them to hold to the truth in Christ and to band together for support. Today’s Christ followers are in a similar position: we are surrounded by a confusing clash of opinions and worldviews. We would do well to follow Paul’s advice and stand together in solidarity against the insanity of secular culture. We need to press close to Jesus and to each other, while we ground ourselves in the truth of God’s Word.

Amid the flood of pluralism in the city of Ephesus, Paul reminded the Ephesians that there is only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all” (4: 5–6). This is the message the world needs to hear today. This is the truth that we must pass on to our children. When we are surrounded on all sides by temptation, deception, and persecution, we must turn to our brothers and sisters for support.

Remember, the body of Christ is the visible presence of God on earth. That is why the world hates us. But as we pull together and build each other up, God will use us as a great light to the world.

Do not try to go alone; turn to the family of God.

Lisa Riggs serves as associate professor of English and literature at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She enjoys visiting with family, writing poetry, and painting landscapes.

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