Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. (Rom. 1:9–10)

Expanded Passage: Romans 1:5-10

I hope you have had the assurance of knowing that someone was praying for you regularly. I once had a supervisor who mentioned me in prayer daily, and I am quite confident that he still prays for me regularly even today. I always admired my teaching colleagues who would pray for every student they had in class on a nearly daily basis. They have been models for me of what it means to intercede for others in prayer.

Like my supervisor and colleagues, Paul prayed for his churches in this way. Although the “thanksgiving” section of Paul’s letters was an expected part of a letter, we can be sure that Paul meant—and practiced—every word. No doubt he agonized with concern over his churches and their struggles. No doubt he thanked God for their joys and victories. His faithful prayers were both an indication of and a way to practice his love for the people.

While some Christians seem to have a gift of prayer, we are all told to “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17). We are invited to be in daily conversation with our God, for our good but also for the good of others. Without prayer, our lives become vulnerable to other spiritual influences. And while communing regularly with God, how easy it is to mention those people the Holy Spirit lays on our hearts!

Put someone new on your prayer list.

Ken Schenck is provost with Campus EDU. He previously served as vice president for Houghton College (NY) and dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

[Christ] through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:4)

Expanded Passage: Romans 1:3-4

Living as royalty is completely foreign to most of us. We do not grow up with the heavy weight of expectations about what we must do or be when we grow up. If we follow in our parents’ footsteps, most of us do so freely. When I look at how the children of King Charles of England have grown up, including the intense scrutiny and demands on their lives, I am somewhat relieved to be a nobody.

Jesus had a destiny on earth, although almost no one knew it. He was the heir apparent to his Father’s throne. He was always the Son of God, but he became “the Son of God in power” after he rose from the dead. It was an appointment he had from all eternity past, and he assumed the throne after his resurrection from the dead. It was then most meaningfully that God made him Lord and Messiah, for it was then that he sat at God’s right hand (Acts 2:36). The “Spirit of holiness,” the Holy Spirit, made it happen (Rom. 1:4).

You may have sung the gospel song about this central moment in all history without fully realizing it: “He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead, and he is Lord.” Is Jesus truly the king of your life today? If so, he must be Lord of all.

Make Jesus your Lord not just in theory but in truth.

Ken Schenck is provost with Campus EDU. He previously served as vice president for Houghton College (NY) and dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. (Rom. 1:1)

Expanded Passage: Romans 1:1-2

Have you ever had to wait on news? Some of the scariest moments of our lives can happen in waiting rooms. A loved one is in surgery. Perhaps you are about to hear the test results. Sometimes the news is great, and sometimes it is not what you wanted to hear. I will take the good news any day!

The news from the Lord is good. The gospel or “good news” about eternity is extremely good. God set Paul apart to be a messenger or “apostle” of that eternal good news. After a period of persecuting Christians—of him being bad news—God stopped him in his tracks and showed him the better way. He became a servant of the very king whose authority he had rejected.

As he wrote Romans, he sensed that his time preaching in the east was done. He sensed that God was sending him west, maybe even to Spain. More people needed to hear that good news in a world full of bad news.

God is sending us too. We are still God’s messengers of good news to a world that is full of horrible news. The best news is that God wants to rescue us from whatever pit of despair we may find ourselves in. We as believers should be God’s ambassadors of joy to the world.

Be good news to those around you today and every day!

Ken Schenck is provost with Campus EDU. He previously served as vice president for Houghton College (NY) and dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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 God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then the people will settle there and possess it. (Ps. 69:35)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 69:29-36

In the late 1990s, my daughter Kristi was a volunteer with World Hope when, under the direction of NATO, refugees were being repatriated from Albania back to their homes in Kosovo. The excitement of going home mixed with the uncertainty of what lay ahead was strong, and expectations were high and hopeful.

The people here in Psalm 69 had been promised a new home in which they could settle, possess, and inherit. Those who loved the name of God would dwell there. The power of God to save the people and rebuild their cities was clearly stated.

Across the years there has been considerable derision aimed at the old gospel song that says, “There’s a land that is fairer than day and by faith we can see it afar.” The title captures the overarching truth: “In the Sweet By and By.” A new home. A new reality. A fulfilled promise. These lyrics and verses reminded me powerfully of the new home being built where all fully devoted followers of Christ will be invited to settle, possess, and inherit. In the spirit of the promise given to the folk of Psalm 69, all those who love the name of God will dwell there.

That was no empty promise those long years ago. It is no empty promise now to all who love and serve the Master.

Never underestimate the care of God for his people.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 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!

Then the people of the land killed all who plotted against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place. (2 Chron. 33:25)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:14-25

A few years back my eleven-year-old great-niece was up for a visit. We were sitting on our deck with her “Nama,” my sister, and she was telling me about her wants, which were many. Each time she did this, I whipped out my cell phone and googled the very popular (back in my day) song by the Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” I got the desired result of the eye roll. She would change the subject but return to it later. I was ready to play that song again.

The people of the land had fifty-seven years of wicked kings, and they had had enough. Even though they had asked for kings because other countries had them and followed these wicked kings in their wicked ways, they got what they wanted and deserved. With humble repentance, the people of God seemed ready for a change.

It is a great blessing to give gifts to young relatives and see them squeal with delight! But getting all the things we want may not always be the best thing for us. I wonder how many eye rolls God sees in a day. I know there are some things I would like to have and have asked God for them. Sometimes I wonder how many times I make his eyes roll when I ask.

Trust that with God we get his best.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 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!

In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. (2 Chron. 33:12)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:11-13

“Oh no! What have I done?” The young boy looked at his little sister who, with a little coaxing, followed him up to the top of the roof but was unable to follow him back down. She was too scared to climb back down. She was stuck. Her older brother could not coax her down and became frantic, not only for his sister, but also in wondering what his parents would do to him as punishment for going up on the roof, knowing his little sister would follow. He had to do something quick.

Manasseh was in shackles in Babylon. He was down with the lowliest of all the lowlies, with a hook in his nose, a prisoner of his adversaries. He was behind prison bars instead of the palisades of the palace. What else could he do? Who else could he call for a rescue? With a humble heart, Manasseh called on the only One who could rescue him.

“Help! Help!” The boy yelled for his dad. “She’s stuck on the roof! Daddy, I am sorry for climbing up to the roof. I’m sorry I talked her into following me. I’m sorry that she could have gotten hurt. Can you help get her down? I promise I won’t climb up there again.” And the father came near.

When you are in distress, call on the Lord to deliver you.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 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!

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. (2 Chron. 33:10)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:10

Traffic lights at busy intersections are there for a purpose. Both pedestrians and drivers need to pay attention, not only to the traffic light but also to each other. Walking down the main street of our town, I cannot recount the number of times I heard a loud bang, only to see the wreckage of mutilated metal in the middle of an intersection with people standing on the curb in utter tears. Tears of thankfulness for no immediate injuries or tears of the devastation by the loss of a vehicle or thoughts of what could have been. Either way, tears and destruction are a product of not paying attention.

Manasseh heard the voice of the Lord, but he paid no attention to it. God also spoke to the people, but they, like their leader, paid no attention to his voice. Because Manasseh did not listen, devastation came upon him, and he was taken as a prisoner by the army commanders of Assyria. The people also suffered many consequences.

I often wonder how much wreckage and damage in our lives could have been avoided if we had only paid attention to the voice of the Lord. Like Manasseh and the Israelites, the Lord knows and calls each of us by name, and I hope we can have ears to listen and hearts quick to respond.

Pay attention to the voice of the Lord.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 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!

But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. (2 Chron. 33:9)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:7-9

Living in the country with a large family was the best. The experiences of running down to the creek to catch crayfish, riding bikes for miles on the back roads, and having the neighborhood kids play hide and seek in our yard well into the evening hours are priceless. One game we played was follow the leader. Playing the game in a barn full of hay bales was the most fun as unsteady feet caused some really funny stunt work with wild arm and leg motions. But going through the roughest terrain around or doing the craziest movements was the aim to get the followers out of the game. Being the leader and making it difficult for the followers to follow was my goal in childhood.

Those who lived in Jerusalem at the time of King Hezekiah followed a good leader, doing good in the eyes of the Lord. But then, a new king came into power: Manasseh. He led the people away from God. He had them do some really evil things and led them through rough terrain that cost some of them their lives.

Being a follower was not one of my strong points as a child. As I continue to grow up, my prayer is that I become a good follower of Christ and that others will want to be a good follower of Christ too.

Be a follower of God because he will never lead you astray.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 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!

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. (2 Chron. 33:2)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 33:2-6

On a trip to the lake one day, my three young children were doing what normal kids do when traveling. I often heard “Don’t touch me” or “Stop it” over the course of the trip. Many times I would hear shuffling noises along with some groans or muffled arguments, and to the one who was quietly terrorizing their siblings, I would ask them to stop touching, poking, or staring. The response was, “How do you know what I did?” My response, of course was, “Because I have eyes in the back of my head.” Soon enough, I would feel little fingers parting the hair on the back of my head!

Manasseh, unlike his father, King Hezekiah, did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He undid all his father had done for the people of Israel, and the people of Israel followed. Manasseh did not try to hide his evil from the Lord. In fact, he did it to provoke him to anger. He was not quiet about the evil he did. The list of abhorrent actions was long.

We cannot part God’s hair to find his eyes but we can read his Word that tells us he sees all that we do. As we lead, we can remember that “the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Prov. 15:3).

Do not try to hide your sin from God.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 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!

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. (2 Chron. 33:1)

Expanded Passage: Chronicles 33:1

“Just as I Am” was the song played at camp when I gave my heart to Jesus at age eleven. That moment was my first calling, how I came to be royalty. Belonging to Jesus made me a daughter of the King. What does a daughter of the King do? How does a daughter of the King act? What are the responsibilities of a daughter of the King?

I did not inherit a kingdom to rule over but a kingdom to build—God’s kingdom. Knowing how to build a kingdom meant reading the kingdom-building manual and blueprints. While many kingdoms have limited princes and princesses, God’s kingdom is endless and all are welcome. He wants no one to perish.

In 2 Chronicles 31, we read that Manasseh’s dad, King Hezekiah, was a good leader for the people of Israel. At twelve years of age, Manasseh began his reign over the people of Israel and went on to lead for fifty-five years. Fifty-five years is a long time to make a difference for good or bad when reigning over a group of people, and within Manasseh’s fifty-five years, he did evil and led the Israelites to do the same.

Turning toward Jesus is not just a once-in-a-lifetime calling; it is a life-long call. Obedience to the call of kingdom building is the responsibility of all God’s daughters and sons.

Make your lifetime calling the pursuit of God’s kingdom.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

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