Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
YouTube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

Philippians 1

The Apostle Paul writes from prison with joy and gratitude, thanking his fellow believers for their faithful partnership in sharing the message of Christ. He is confident that the good work God started in them will continue until completion. Despite his chains, Paul rejoices because his situation is helping spread the gospel. Even though some preach Christ with wrong motives, he is glad that Christ is being proclaimed. He shares his personal struggle, wanting to depart and be with Christ, yet knowing it is more helpful to remain and encourage others. He declares that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul urges believers to live worthy of the gospel, to stand united in faith, and to remain courageous and unwavering, even when they suffer for following Jesus.

We are encouraged to live with a Christ-centered purpose, no matter our circumstances. We are reminded that God is always at work, shaping us into who He has called us to be. Even in seasons of hardship or waiting, we can find joy knowing our struggles can advance His message. We are not alone. We are part of something bigger, united with others in faith. Our lives should reflect Christ in words and actions, showing boldness, love, and humility. When we face challenges, we can stand firm, knowing that suffering for our faith is not a setback but a sign of our commitment. Together, we press forward, trusting that God will finish what He started in us for His glory.

Kind Father, thank You for beginning a good work in us and for the promise that You will complete it. Help us live lives that reflect Christ in every situation, whether in comfort or in struggle. Teach us to see challenges as opportunities to glorify You and encourage others in their faith. Fill us with boldness to stand firm in unity, striving together for the faith of the gospel, with a shared joy that our circumstances cannot shake. May our love grow in knowledge and discernment, so we can live pure and blameless lives, fearless through our confidence in You.

Thought Questions:

Why was Paul able to be joyful even in prison? What produces enduring joy in you through the great challenges and struggles of life?

Paul’s circumstances helped people hear the gospel. In what specific ways is God at work in your life to help people hear about Jesus?

God’s people are stronger together. How are you actively helping fellow believers stand firm in one spirit and strive together for the faith?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 6

Relationships continue to be featured in this letter. Children must obey and honor their parents, receiving God’s blessing if they do. Parents are called to raise their children with discipline and instruction in the Lord. Servants and masters are reminded to treat each other with respect, knowing that God is the ultimate Master. Christians must wear the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word. Paul emphasizes the power of prayer, encouraging constant communication with God. He concludes with a call to boldness in sharing the gospel, reminding believers to stand firm and trust in God’s strength.

We are called to obey God, honoring those in authority, and treating others with respect and integrity. In our daily lives, we must recognize that we are in a spiritual battle and cannot rely on our own strength. We need to put on the full armor of God daily, standing firm in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. God’s Word is our weapon, and prayer should be our constant connection to Him. When challenges arise, we must remember that our strength comes from God, not ourselves. By staying rooted in Him, we can resist temptation and boldly share the gospel with those around us. Walking in His power enables us to live faithfully and confidently in every aspect of our lives.

Glorious God, strengthen us to stand firm in Your power and to demonstrate Your will in our family and all relationships. Clothe us in Your armor so we may resist the enemy’s attacks. Fill us with truth, righteousness, and peace, and increase our faith to extinguish every doubt and temptation. Protect our minds with the assurance of salvation and equip us with Your Word to fight spiritual battles. Teach us to pray constantly, always seeking Your guidance daily. Help us to be bold in sharing the gospel and to walk in obedience and integrity. Prepare us to be used by You.

Thought Questions:

-       This chapter features authority constructs: parent/child and master/slave. Why is it vital to be Christ-like on both sides of these relationships?

-       How do you put on the full armor of God? What are your habits? More importantly, how does Christ’s strength help you when you do this?

-       “Pray at all times in the Spirit” (v18). What does it mean to pray in connection with the Holy Spirit, and how does He help you in your prayers?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 5

Believers are encouraged to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ sacrificially loved and gave Himself for them. He warns against immorality, impurity, greed, and corrupt speech, reminding them that those who live in such ways have no inheritance in God’s kingdom. Instead, they should live as children of light, producing goodness, righteousness, and truth. He calls them to be wise, making the most of their time and avoiding foolishness. Rather than being filled with worldly influences, they should be filled with the Spirit, worshiping God with gratitude. Paul also addresses relationships, instructing husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church and wives to submit to their husbands with respect. Marriage is a reflection of Christ’s love for His church, demonstrating unity, sacrifice, and deep devotion.

Imitating Jesus involves loving people. We demonstrate that love through how we treat others, as well as by helping holiness fill their lives. This is why we must not associate with immorality in body or speech. As children of light, we must bring the hope and holiness of Jesus into the world to expose sin and repel darkness. This entails walking wisely every day. We should seek to be filled with the Spirit and share His wonderful qualities among Christians and in all our relationships. Marriage is an incredible structure to demonstrate our allegiance to our Lord. Husbands should love as Christ loves the church. Wives should submit as the church does to Christ. Jesus must be honored in our homes.

Precious Lord, help us to love others in the likeness of Christ’s sacrificial love for us. Guide us to live as children of light, reflecting Your goodness, righteousness, and truth. Keep us from impurity, greed, and anything that draws us away from You. Teach us to use our time wisely, seeking to share Your wisdom in all we do. Fill us with Your Spirit, so our hearts overflow with worship and gratitude. Strengthen our relationships, teaching us to love, respect, and serve one another as Christ loves the church. May our lives and marriages glorify You in every way.

Thought Questions:

-       What is your responsibility among the darkness of this world? How do you shine the light of the gospel to others with both courage and love? 

-       How do you “be careful how you walk”? What are some daily things you think and do to ensure you use your time wisely for God?

-       What should marriage show people about Jesus? How is marriage just as much an evangelism tool as it is a blessing from our Lord?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 4

Paul urges believers to live in unity, maturity, and holiness as members of Christ’s body. He calls them to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and love, striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one Father who is over all, through all, and in all. Christ has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the church for ministry and spiritual growth. Followers of Christ must mature in faith, avoiding false teachings and growing into Him, the head of the church. They should cast off their old sinful ways and embrace a new life of righteousness. Paul encourages honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and speaking words that uplift others, reflecting God’s love in all our relationships. 

Are you walking in a manner worthy of God's calling? The most observable proof is in how we treat one another. We share a common faith and life in Christ, and we must exhibit gentleness, patience, love, and enduring tolerance towards each other. We cannot be in fellowship with God while being at odds with fellow believers. The apostles and prophets of Jesus’s time taught about Him to help us refute false doctrine and speak the truth in love, building each other up. While people in the world may have hardened hearts, God’s people possess soft, compassionate spirits. We must be honest, charitable, mindful of our words, free of bitterness, and abundantly forgiving, in honor of the mercy of our King.

Heavenly Father, implore us to walk in a manner that brings honor to Your name. Help us understand that attitudes and actions among Christians are central to being unique and united in this divided world. Grant us the humility to continue learning about Jesus, so we can refute errors concerning Him, and so that we might know how to encourage and support fellow members of the body of Christ. Soften our hearts. Deepen our compassion and love for one another. We commit to being honest, helpful, and generous among believers and all of humanity, as Jesus is with us.

Thought Questions:

-       Are you a uniting, patient, peaceable presence among the people of God? How important to God is your Christ-like light among Christians?

-       What unique gifts has God given you to use among His people? How are you presently cultivating and exercising those gifts?

-       How mindful are you of your words, especially during contentious times? What makes Christians different than the world in their speech?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

^ FREE - Click this link and send me at least the word JOURNAL and I'll get it to you.

Excel Still More Journal - Instructional Video

Excel Still More Journal - Amazon

Sponsors: 
Spiritbuilding Publishers
Website:  www.spiritbuilding.com

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

20 Years! Who can project their vision that far? But if God gives you that time, what do you want life to look like in 20 years? Have a great time today imagining the best possible scenario. Okay, now how do we accomplish this? What is the secret to achieving incredible goals and enjoying them with health, purpose, and longevity? 

The secret is daily habits, but that needs some discussion. What you choose and how you implement them will make all the difference. And you must start by accepting that short-term hard work leads to long-term success! So many are interested in quick wins and the easiest ways to get there. But the next morning, the truth is revealed: this approach gets us nowhere. Let's take a cue from NBA superstar Chris Paul, embrace the hard, have a vision, and keep stacking days.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 3

Paul reveals the mystery of God’s plan—to unite both Jews and Gentiles as one in Christ. This truth, once hidden, is now made known through the gospel, allowing all believers to share in God’s promises. Paul describes his calling to preach this message, emphasizing that his mission is not by his own strength but by God’s grace. He highlights how God’s wisdom is displayed through the church, which reveals His eternal purpose. He then prays for believers to be strengthened by the Spirit, to be rooted in love, and to grasp the immeasurable love of Christ. He concludes with praise, declaring that God can do far more than we ask or imagine through His power at work in us, bringing glory to Him in all generations, forever and ever. 

We are part of God’s incredible plan, united in Christ and granted access to His promises through the gospel. This truth should humble and inspire us to live with purpose, knowing that we have been chosen to reveal God’s wisdom and love to the world. Like Paul, we depend on God’s grace and strength, not our own abilities, to fulfill His mission. We should pray for spiritual strength, seeking to be rooted in Christ’s love and to comprehend its immeasurable depth. As we grow in faith, we trust that God is working beyond what we can see or imagine. Our lives should reflect His glory, demonstrating His love and power to those around us, bringing glory to Him in His church. 

Glorious God, thank You for revealing the great mystery of the ages through Your beloved Son—that anyone from anywhere can be saved through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in the unfathomable riches of our Savior, and we pray that this leads to confidence and boldness in our faith. Please grant us strength and power through Your Holy Spirit. Open our hearts for Your Son to dwell within us. Root us in His love and help us grow and bear fruit for You, demonstrating His glory as we live victoriously as His protected church. 

Thought Questions:

-       If God’s great mystery invites all people to come together in Christ, should that also be part of your mission? Whom should you share Jesus with?

-       God’s wisdom is shown to everyone through the church. When people see us as Christ’s church, what should we reveal about God?

-       Are you rooted and grounded in the love of Christ? How is that shown in how you treat others, especially those in the Lord’s church?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 2

The Ephesian believers were once spiritually dead in their sins, following the ways of the world; however, God, rich in mercy, made them alive with Christ. Their salvation is accomplished by grace through faith, not by works, so no one can boast. As God’s handiwork and driven by His incredible mercy, they were created in Christ for good works that He prepared for them. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the barrier between Jews and Gentiles was removed, making all believers one in Him. No longer strangers, they became citizens of God’s kingdom and members of His family. Together, they were being built into a holy temple, with Christ as the cornerstone, becoming a dwelling place for God’s Spirit.

No one deserves to be in a saved relationship with God. We have all given in to the enemy and sinned against our Father. “But God, rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” made us alive together through Christ. God’s act of grace saves us through Jesus as we choose to have faith in Him. Our works are flawed, but Christ’s perfect work has restored those who trust and follow Him. We now live faithful to Him, grateful for what God has done for us through His Son. And we are not alone. Christ has broken down walls, uniting all believers in one body, with access in one Spirit to the Father. We build our lives on Jesus, and we joyfully do so together.

Kind Lord, we humbly thank You for Your abundant mercy and great love that made us alive in Christ. We know we were once dead in our sins, but by Your grace, we are saved through faith. Help us walk in the good works You have prepared for us, living as reflections of Your love. Unite us as one body, breaking down any barriers of division. May we always remember that we are Your dwelling place, built on Christ, our cornerstone. Help us recognize Your Spirit and live with hearts of gratitude filled with peace, love, and humble service.

Thought Questions:

-       You once walked in darkness, refusing to live in the light of Christ. What did God do that changed your heart and caused you to repent?

-       Christ’s blood broke down all walls and united all believers. Is that still an important message for the church today? Why is it needful?

-       Christians must keep growing into a holy temple with Jesus as our cornerstone. What helps you keep growing in Him alongside believers? 

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Ephesians 1

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians opens by praising God for His spiritual blessings in Christ and highlighting God’s predestined plan, choosing before the foundation of the world to make believers holy and blameless. Through Jesus, we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, and the riches of God’s grace. Paul emphasizes that God’s purpose is to unite all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. He then speaks of the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our inheritance, sealing believers until final redemption. Paul prays that the Ephesians grow in wisdom and knowledge of God, understanding the hope of their calling and the immeasurable power at work in them. He concludes by exalting Christ as the head over all things, seated at God's right hand with authority over all creation.

Our identity in Christ gives us confidence and purpose, reminding us that we are chosen, redeemed, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Knowing that salvation comes by God’s grace should lead us to live with gratitude and trust in His plan. This passage challenges us to seek deeper wisdom and understanding, growing in faith, and relying on His power. As Christ reigns with authority over all things, we are called to submit to Him, trusting that He is in control. Instead of living in fear or uncertainty, we should embrace the hope and inheritance we have in Him. Our response should be one of worship, obedience, and a commitment to living out His purpose as His church, the body of Christ.   

Great Father, we pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened, so that we will know what is the Hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of Christ’s power toward us who believe. Please seal us with the Holy Spirit and preserve us eternally. Redeem us from sin, and help us understand our fellowship as Christ’s body. Lead us to honor Him as our head and to function as one, unified in the effort to carry out His work in this world.

Thought Questions:

-       What does it mean to say that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world”? What part does your faith play in that process?

-       The Holy Spirit has sealed believers and is a pledge of our inheritance. What does that mean to you, and how does it help your confidence?

-       Christians must continue to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. How can you ensure that your connection to Him continues to deepen?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Galatians 6

Believers should support one another in love, restoring with gentleness those who have fallen into sin while being aware of their own weaknesses. Paul reminds them to bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. He warns against pride and self-deception, urging everyone to examine their own actions. He emphasizes that whatever one sows, they will also reap—those who live for the flesh will experience destruction, but those who live by the Spirit will receive eternal life. Paul encourages perseverance in doing good, promising that in due time, they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. Believers should do good to everyone, especially fellow Christians. Finally, he stresses that boasting is in the cross of Jesus, not personal achievements, for grace comes only through Him. 

Christians are imperfect and sometimes find themselves caught up in shortcomings. Thankfully, God has created His family to support one another. If we remain humble and cautious, we can assist each other in repenting of sin and restoring a faithful relationship with God. Cultivating spiritual qualities in the lives of others benefits them and leads to gaining favor from the Lord and support from fellow believers. Failing to engage in supportive and loving actions toward others leaves our lives void of God’s blessings. You reap what you sow. We must never lose heart in doing good to fellow Christians while also seeking to help everyone we meet. In our service, we take pride only in our glorious Lord and Savior. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to walk in love, humility, and service. Help us to bear one another’s burdens with compassion and restore those who have fallen with gentleness. Keep us from pride and self-deception, and guide us to sow seeds of righteousness that lead to eternal life bountifully. Strengthen us to persevere in doing good, even when it feels difficult or unnoticed. Teach us to serve others selflessly, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we boast only in You, finding our identity in the cross of Christ. We will reflect His love in our lives. 

Thought Questions:

-       How do you move past your own insecurities and get more involved in helping Christians overcome their struggles? Is this important?

-       Are you sowing spiritual gifts into the lives of others? In what sense do you reap what you sow when investing in people?

-       Why is it important to prioritize Christians when rendering service? Is it also important to serve and help those who are not yet Christians?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Galatians 5

Believers must stand firm in the freedom Christ has given them, not returning to the bondage of the Law. Paul warns that relying on the Law for righteousness separates them from grace. Instead, faith expressing itself through love is what truly matters. He cautions against false teachers and emphasizes that Christ has set them free. Paul explains that freedom is no excuse for sin but an opportunity to serve others in love. He contrasts the works of the flesh—such as immorality, hatred, and jealousy—with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. He encourages believers to walk by the Spirit, resisting sinful desires. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh and should live in step with the Spirit, producing godly character.

If Christ has set us free, we must not return to anything that enslaves us. True freedom is not about doing whatever we want but about living by the Spirit and serving others in love. This chapter challenges us to examine whether we are led by the flesh or by the Spirit. The works of the flesh bring destruction, but the fruit of the Spirit produces godly character. Walking in the Spirit means surrendering to God, allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships. We must resist sinful desires and seek to grow in love, joy, peace, and self-control. As we live by the Spirit, we reflect Christ to the world and experience the fullness of life in Him.

Gracious Lord, thank You for our liberty and security in Christ. Help us to stand firm and not fall back into anything that separates us from Your grace. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may walk in love and resist the destructive and carnal deeds of the flesh. Produce in us the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Teach us to serve others humbly and live in step with the intentions of the Holy Spirit. We will crucify the flesh and live as blessed people who belong to Christ. 

Thought Questions:

-       Is it possible for a Christian to fall from grace? (v.4). What is the sin that causes this, and how do you prevent such a devastating mistake?

-       When can your freedom in Christ become an opportunity for the flesh? How important is it to love others in everything we choose to do?

-       How does the fruit of the spirit help you repel the deeds of the flesh? Choose one of each to illustrate how the light helps to repel the darkness.