Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Rom. 13:12)

Expanded Passage: Romans 13:11-14

When my wife was a kid, her mother was not the disciplinary parent. If my wife got into trouble or her mom needed something done—my wife would hear “Don’t let me get your dad in here.” It usually did the trick for her and her sister. In one sense, there was a fear of getting spanked, but the other part was fear of disappointing their loving father. In healthy homes, we are given expectations and boundaries that build, protect, and guide us into loving, productive, and successful adults.

Paul, trying to help build a healthy church, tells the Roman believers what God expects. He shares the boundaries God has placed in order for his people to become healthy, loving, and holy worshipers. What we see in the passages prior to Romans 13:11–14 are tangible, outward actions of love that emulate Christ.

In contrast, he shifts his focus onto the private, inward sin that corrupts our holiness. He gives the “just wait until your dad gets home” speech to the Roman believers. It’s a wake-up call to the sins others can’t see. Paul warns us of Jesus’ unknown return—his warning to be prepared for when our Father returns. Paul wants the church, and us, to be blameless and without blemish. There is an urgency to a holy life that will benefit us and glorify God.

Hastily put away sin and build holiness that reflects and glorifies God.

Hunter Curtis is a husband and father who loves traveling, reading, and equipping leaders. He is a licensed minister and operates a graphic design business.

© 2024 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 no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Rom. 13:8)

Expanded Passage: Romans 13:8-10

At eighteen, I left my parents’ home for my youth pastor’s five states away, experiencing a profound culture shock. This couple extended boundless wisdom, knowledge, grace, and love during my stay, an indebtedness I could never fully repay. While I contributed financially and helped around the house, it paled in comparison to their selfless love, rooted in Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 22—commandments to love, given by God and then by Jesus. This was the same love Paul, author of Romans, knew due to Christ’s grace for his murder of Christians. When he wrote Romans 13:8–10, Paul recognized the weight of the Jewish law but embraced Jesus’ command, understanding that his debt to God was to love others as Christ had loved him. In essence, my youth pastors passed on their debt of love to me.

Twelve years later, I had the chance to open my home to a former student, passing on the same love I had received. This love for God and others fulfills the law, as it leads to obedience, worship, and a deeper connection with him. It also encourages us to give, support, and guide others, thereby sharing our love for God. Acts of love need not be as grand as this hospitality; they can be as simple as a few dollars, the warmth of forgiveness, silent companionship in grief, or guidance toward sobriety.

Let your love for others serve as a beacon to God’s love.

Hunter Curtis is a husband and father who loves traveling, reading, and equipping leaders. He is a licensed minister and operates a graphic design business.

© 2024 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 everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Rom. 13:1)

Expanded Passage: Romans 13:1-7

I was a twenty-year-old driving a fifteen-passenger van and trailer to a mission site. At 2 a.m. on a Friday night, my youth pastor friend and I encountered flashing blue lights. The officer questioned our speeding van filled with supplies blocking the windows. I explained our 1200-mile destination, and he told us to slow down, noticing our matching camp shirts.

From this experience, I learned two essential lessons: the value of slowing down and the importance of wearing wear matching shirts! While I initially disliked the slow speed limit, I came to recognize the wisdom in obeying it. Whether it’s a speed limit or a policy, there are laws that need to be followed. Obeying is easier when it’s a small rule, but what about when policies conflict with God’s will?

In Paul’s time, the early church grappled with obeying both Roman and Jewish laws. One culture was rife with many gods and the other denied Christ’s divinity. Paul emphasized obeying God’s commands while respecting earthly authorities, even when they misuse their power like Pilate and his condemnation of Christ. This perspective follows Paul’s earlier teachings in Romans 12:14–21, advocating for forgiveness and nonretaliation. Instead of responding with violence or disobedience, we are encouraged to emulate Stephen, who, in the face of persecution, shared the gospel even as he faced martyrdom.

Obey God’s ordained authorities, even in challenging times.

Hunter Curtis is a husband and father who loves traveling, reading, and equipping leaders. He is a licensed minister and operates a graphic design business.

© 2024 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 your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:20–21)

Expanded Passage: Romans 12:14-21

Except for politics and military contexts, we seldom use the term “enemy” nowadays. Instead, we may describe someone as toxic or narcissistic, such as a former boss, neighbor, or partner. While not everyone encounters such dynamics, many harbor dislike for those with opposing beliefs. For some, an enemy is someone who has caused trauma to them or their family. This builds a theme of revenge and hate that is prevalent in social media, reality shows, and our text messages.

In the book of Romans, Paul addresses the Roman church, composed of Jews and Gentiles with strained interactions. Romans 12:14–21 calls for a Christlike response, centered around humility and love. Christ, even on the cross, blessed those who persecuted him, asking God to withhold his wrath (Luke 23:34). We must maintain integrity in our interactions, especially among believers. When hurt, we should respond with grace, forgiveness, and humility, not seeking vengeance. We are not equipped to mete out justice to our enemies or the enemies of the Lord. Instead, we can extend the grace we’ve received and trust the perfect and just Judge to dispense wrath in his way and time. This way of holiness is what separates us from others, because others will see God in our actions.

Embrace grace, forgiveness, and humility in your interactions, leaving vengeance to God.

Hunter Curtis is a husband and father who loves traveling, reading, and equipping leaders. He is a licensed minister and operates a graphic design business.

© 2024 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!

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Rom. 12:10)

Expanded Passage: Romans 12:9-13

I was in a conversation between two Christians discussing their local church’s impact. They saw the church as a force for good and God's glory, but each believed their community was being neglected. One was a farmer who grew up in the church established over seventy years ago, and the other was a mother from downtown whose three kids became members of the youth group. It’s a common discussion involving worship styles, rural versus urban culture, community involvement, and membership assimilation. Surprisingly, this was a healthy dialogue, unlike others lacking the Christlike qualities Paul describes in Romans 12.

Paul, with his unique background as a Greek-raised Jew, unified the Jewish and Gentile church, promoting peace, hope, love, and unity. You might find yourself mediating a similar conversation or are one of the parties in such a conversation. Recall the Christlike love and service we must exhibit. Romans 12 guides us: love one another, honor others, serve zealously, maintain hope, pray, give, and welcome others. This reminder encourages us to learn from each other’s differences, sacrifice for others, and create a space filled with love where God is glorified and the gospel’s impact endures, all without compromise for the truth. When we love others through tense situations, and yet remain true to God’s commands, we are setting an example of holiness.

Love and honor others, even amid tension.

Hunter Curtis is a husband and father who loves traveling, reading, and equipping leaders. He is a licensed minister and operates a graphic design business.

© 2024 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 is you alone who are to be feared. (Ps. 76:7)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 76:1-12

My childhood friends used to talk about whose older brother was the strongest. We would compare muscles, height, weight, speed, and other attributes to come up with our conclusions. Whoever was determined to be the strongest was to be most feared. We had no hard data, only opinions.

The psalm writer knew God well enough to tell that no one should ever attempt to mess with God. He is definitely the strongest on any block. Look at the list from Psalm 26 that demonstrates God’s power and strength, even his wrath if you decide to toy with him:

Unlike my childhood friends, the psalmist had a solid basis for drawing conclusions about who is most fearsome. We serve an awesome God who is worthy of our praise.

List ten things you love about God.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 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 different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Rom. 12:6)

Expanded Passage: Romans 8:26-29; 12:1-8

A decade or so ago the American Medical Association came out with a report that said even the lowly appendix has a purpose in the human body. For centuries some thought the appendix was a useless part of the human anatomy, having no positive function. Yet that is not the case. The appendix is needed after all. And just as with the human body, there are no useless parts in the body of Christ, the church.

Spiritual gifts are given to individuals by God for the purpose of building up the church of Jesus Christ. These parts are interdependent and have specific functions to keep the body working properly. It is important to know and use your spiritual gift or gifts so that the church can thrive. It is also important to recognize the gifts and graces of others so you will receive and appreciate the ministry God offers through them.

The bottom line is that all followers of Jesus have at least one spiritual gift. All are needed to help the church be as effective as possible in reaching the lost and discipling believers. We were not made to go through life alone. We need the God-given gifts of those around us. They represent God’s grace at work for our good. All in all, we need each other!

Lean into your spiritual gift today, or ask God to reveal it.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 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!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom. 12:2)

Expanded Passage: Romans 12:1-8

God has a pattern he would like us to be molded into. So does the world. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly being formed by someone or something. Who is it? What is shaping you into the person you are becoming? Is it the Holy Spirit, or is it some other influence? Whether you realize it or not, you are being formed.

Think about everything you watched on television this past week. Did it cause you to hunger after Jesus, or to lust after the ways of sin? Would your use of time give evidence that you are a follower of Jesus? What about your choices in entertainment, social media, music, and even conversation? All have a direct impact on who we are becoming.

The Bible is still the single most powerful influence in shaping us into the image of Christ. God’s Word is powerful and effective. It fills and shapes our mind with God’s truths, his ways. One survey I read recently reported that if a person reads the Bible at least four times a day, one verse at a time, that person is less likely to give in to temptation and fall into sin. Amazing! The best way to be transformed really is by the renewal of our minds. Garbage in, garbage out. But put God’s Word in, and God’s way of living will come out.

Begin the practice of daily Bible reading.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 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!

Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many. (Rom. 8:29)

Expanded Passage: Romans 8:29

Theologians and pastors have debated the meaning of this verse for centuries. Does it mean that God has specifically chosen those who will go to heaven and those who will not? Has God placed us all in a row and ordered us to count off one, two, one, two—then decreed that the ones go to heaven and the twos go someplace else? No! God wants everyone to be saved, but he hasn’t predetermined that for anyone. What he has predetermined is that those who accept his offer of salvation will look like Jesus more and more. That is God’s ultimate goal.

God wants you to be in a personal, vibrant, daily relationship with him. God wants us to be so close to him that we become like him. He wants us to be conformed into his image. We are made in his image, and he desires nothing more than for us to display that divine image as we go through our daily lives.

As we are fully transformed into the image of God, we will discover what we have been created for. We will dedicate ourselves to God’s Word and obey it. We will emulate the ways Jesus treated others. We will walk like he walked. We also will live under the direction of the Holy Spirit of Christ because we are filled with the Holy Spirit of Christ. God wants us to be transformed into his image so we can do the Lord’s work.

Thank God that he has chosen you as one of his holy children.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 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 good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

Expanded Passage: Romans 8:28

Some have surmised that God is finicky toward folk in that he blesses those who have answered a call to vocational ministry more than he blesses others, who may have a different calling in life. There are at least two responses to such perspectives. First, the idea of God being finicky is nonsense. Good and not-so-good events happen to those serving the Lord as missionaries as well as to those serving as office workers or laborers. The Scripture also reminds us that our Father in heaven “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45).

Second, the “calling” in Romans 8:28 refers to those who have been called by God’s Spirit to leave the way of sin and follow the goodness of Jesus, not those called into ministry. The Spirit calls us, convinces us of our sin-filled lifestyle, shows us the transformation that the power of Christ can bring about in us, and leads us in the way of salvation instead of damnation.

Regardless of our vocational calling, all are created to live our lives at one with God through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary. We experience his transforming power through the reality of Christ’s resurrection. His purpose for every life is that we would love him, know him, walk with him, and serve him all our days. Do you have confidence that you are called by God? You are. You have been chosen as his child.

Consider your calling while you are at your school or workplace today.

Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.