Today Daily Devotional

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

— 1 Timothy 4:12

Aaron was young and active and loud. He gathered friends easily. He was also one of the first teenagers to show up at a pizza lunch at our church. We had decided that inviting students from the high school next to our church for lunch each week might be a good thing. A toonie (two Canadian dollars) would get you three slices of pizza and a pop. When the first six kids showed up, we had lots of pizza, and they inhaled a lot more than three slices each. Then Aaron began inviting others. They began to show up week after week, and opportunities to feed them both physically and spiritually began to happen. Now, 20 years later, the pizza lunch continues, serving about 180 hungry kids. What’s more, the youth pastor at the church today is one of those first six who came the first week. We all have a place to open a door for someone else so that the gospel can be shared. When I served those first slices of pizza, I did not know who would help to advertise the lunch idea, but God knew. He used a young teenager full of zest and noise to invite others. I did not know who would serve in that ministry after me, but God knew. God also knew that thousands of pizzas would be served to students who might not otherwise have had a chance to hear about him. I am so glad that God knew!

God, thank you for noisy, appealing teenagers. Thank you that you can use any of us to invite someone in. Help us to listen to you, to have courage, and to respond. In Jesus, Amen.

“If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”

— Luke 10:6

On my Facebook page I asked a question about how people might define “a person of peace.” I received lots of answers, and a few of those can be summarized as an answer for all. “A person of peace,” they said, “is someone who opens doors for others so that they see life differently.” Another answer (via Google) can help us get to the heart of what Jesus was saying when he sent out 72 followers: “A man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, who is prepared by God to provide entrance into their community for the sake of the gospel.” When Jesus sent his followers on mission for the sake of the gospel (the good news of the kingdom of God), he talked about finding people of peace. These would be people who were open to the message of God’s love and peace, and they would welcome Jesus’ followers with hospitality. One thing I have learned about engaging with people who share God’s love and peace with others is that they do not have a particular personality or come from a certain demographic. Anyone can be used by God to open opportunities for the good news to be shared. It might even be someone you wouldn’t expect. This month let’s explore some stories from the Bible and discover what it looks like to be a person of peace.

Dear God, help us to pay attention when you ask us to go and create spaces for others to hear the message of your good news and love for everyone. Amen.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:16

The newness we celebrate at the start of each year pales in comparison to the ultimate newness we receive through Christ. Eternal life isn’t just about a future promise; it’s about a present reality that transforms how we live today. When we embrace the newness of eternal life, we accept that we are part of something far greater than ourselves—an unshakable kingdom that will never fade. I remember when I first understood this truth fully. It wasn’t until a hard season in my life that I truly grasped what it meant to have eternal life through Jesus. I realized that no matter what happened in the world or in my circumstances, the gift of eternal life could not be taken away. This profound shift in perspective gave me the peace that surpasses understanding. I knew I had a hope beyond what this world could offer. Eternal life changes everything. It shifts our values, our priorities, and even the way we see hardship. Each day becomes a step closer to the fulfillment of God’s promises. So when the trials of life come, we can face them with the confidence that we are secure in the love of God, which never ends. As we conclude this devotional journey, let’s remember that the newness we experience now is just a foretaste of the life we have in Christ that will never fade but last forever! 

Lord, thank you for the gift of eternal life. Help us to embrace your love and the hope you have given us, trusting in your promises. Amen.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

— Psalm 126:5

The journey of life isn’t always easy. We face struggles, setbacks, and moments where it feels like our efforts are in vain. But the beautiful truth of Psalm 126:5 is that God does not waste our pain. The tears we shed are never in vain, for they are like seeds being sown for a harvest of joy. I remember a time when I was going through a season of difficulty. It felt like everything was falling apart, and I couldn’t see how any good could come from it. Yet, looking back, I realize that those moments of struggle were the very things that cultivated a deeper joy in me. God used the pain to refine me, teach me, and ultimately bring me to a place of greater peace and happiness. We are promised that, even in our sorrow, God will bring forth joy. The joy doesn’t always come immediately, and at times we have to endure some hard moments. But when the harvest comes, it’s sweeter than we could have imagined. It’s a joy that only God can bring—a joy that comes from knowing that he is with us through it all. As we walk through life, let’s remember that the joy that follows the tears is a new joy. It’s a joy that comes from trusting God with our struggles and waiting patiently for his work to be completed in us. 

God, thank you for the promise of joy in our life’s journey. Help me to trust you through the difficult times and to hold on to the hope that we will be filled with joy in you. Amen.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

— John 13:34-35

When Jesus gave this new command to his disciples, he wasn’t simply telling them to show kindness or to be nice to each other. No, Jesus was calling his followers to something deeper—a radical, sacrificial love that mirrors his own. This is a love that goes beyond feelings and extends into actions. Jesus’ love is the kind of love that says, “I will put your needs above mine, even when that is difficult.” Think about how often we hear of “love” in the world today. It’s talked about in the context of self-love, romantic love, and the love we feel for family and friends. But what sets the love of Christ apart is its foundation in sacrifice. Jesus loved us to the point of laying down his life for us all. This is the love he calls us to show to others. This command is new in the sense that it is not about loving people as we want to love them, but as Jesus loved us—unconditionally and without limit. It’s a love that challenges us to love the unlovable, to forgive when that is hard, and to extend grace when it seems undeserved. When we walk in the love of Jesus, we bear witness to the world about who Jesus is and the transformation he brings. Let’s love as he has loved us. 

Jesus, thank you for showing us what true love looks like. Help me to love others with the same sacrificial love you have shown me. And may my actions reflect your love. Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Becoming a new creation in Christ is one of the most beautiful transformations we can experience. But it doesn’t always feel like a sudden change, does it? I’ve found that, at times, I don’t always see the immediate evidence of my transformation, and that can lead to discouragement. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I’m still the same person I was before.” But here’s the truth: When you come to faith in Christ, you are a new creation, and that is the beginning of a radical shift. The old ways, the old habits, the old mindset—these things begin to fade away. You are not just improving on who you were; you are becoming someone entirely new. I remember when I first came to this realization. I was trying to change my behavior to match what I thought Christ wanted from me. But it wasn’t until I embraced my new identity in him that I started to experience real change. Instead of striving in my own strength, I learned to rest in the truth that Christ had already made me new. Embrace your new identity in Christ. When you’re tempted to go back to old patterns, remind yourself that the old has passed away. The new has come, and you are a new creation in him!

Lord, thank you for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to fully embrace my new identity in you and to live out the transformation you have begun in me. Amen.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 1:6

When we set out on a new journey or season, it can be easy to feel discouraged, as if the process of change is taking too long or the work isn’t happening quickly enough. Sometimes we wonder if the growth we desire in our lives will ever truly take place. I’ve been there—often questioning if I would ever truly grow past certain struggles. But Philippians 1:6 is a reminder that God is not finished with us yet. He began a good work in us, and he is faithful to complete it. This reminds me of a time in my life when I was overwhelmed by all the changes that I felt were needed in my life. I tried to rush things, but the harder I pushed, the more frustrated I became. It was during those moments of struggle that God gently reminded me that he is the one doing the work, not me. God’s timing is perfect, and he works in ways that I can’t always see or understand. Take comfort in knowing that God is working in you. Your transformation might not happen overnight, but God will complete the good work he has started in you. Trust in his process and know that, as you walk with him, you will become the person he created you to be. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the work you are doing in me. Help me to trust your timing and to believe that you are faithful to complete what you have started. Amen.

He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

Life has a way of humbling us. Whether that takes place through physical illness, personal struggles, or unexpected challenges, we often find ourselves in places where we feel weak and incapable. But in those moments of weakness, God’s power is made evident. I’ve learned that in times when I feel I have nothing left to give, God’s strength rises within me. I remember a situation in which I was trying to balance my personal life, work, and ministry, feeling overwhelmed and worn out. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep going. Yet, through prayer, God reminded me that in my weakness, he could show his power. Instead of pushing through on my own, I began to lean into God’s strength, trusting that he would carry me. When you feel weak, remember that God doesn’t expect you to be strong on your own. His grace is more than enough. His strength in your weakness is the very thing that will carry you through and make you stronger than you ever imagined. 

Holy Spirit, thank you for being my strength in times of weakness. Help me to rest in your power and trust in your sufficiency. Amen.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

— Revelation 21:5

Have you ever felt like you’ve missed an opportunity or that life has passed you by? Maybe you have faced setbacks, disappointments, or closed doors. It can be easy to feel that your chances for new beginnings are over, but the truth is that, with God, there is always an opportunity for something new. In Revelation 21 we get a glimpse of the ultimate renewal God has in store: “a new heaven and a new earth.” And even today God is at work making things new in our lives. Whether it's a new relationship, a new calling, a new season of growth, or even a new perspective on the circumstances we find ourselves in, God is always offering new opportunities. I remember a time in my life when everything seemed to be falling apart. Relationships were strained, work was stressful, and I felt as if I had nothing left to offer. But in the midst of that I felt a deep pull to start fresh, to rebuild, and to pursue something new. As I stepped out in faith, God opened doors that I never expected, and he renewed my heart, mind, and spirit in ways that I could not have imagined. If you feel stuck or as if the best parts of life are behind you, know that God is the God who makes all things new. His opportunities never run out, and his plans for you are always fresh and full of hope. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the new opportunities you bring into my life. Help me to trust you and to embrace the newness you have in store for me. Amen.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

— Colossians 3:2

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to become consumed by the distractions and stresses of the world. Our focus often shifts from eternal perspectives to temporary, earthly matters. We become fixated on problems, failures, and the pressure to perform, but all of that can limit our vision and steal our peace. The apostle Paul encourages us to set our hearts and minds “on things above, not on earthly things.” When we do, we gain a new perspective. We are reminded that our identity is in Christ and that our hope is in the Lord, who rules over all things in heaven and on earth. The troubles of today become smaller when we shift our gaze upward, realizing that we are citizens of a kingdom that is unshakable. I remember a time when I was overwhelmed with anxiety about my future and the things I could not control. But when I started to focus on God's promises and his eternal plan, I could put my worries into perspective. Life became less about immediate outcomes and more about fulfilling God's purpose. It was a powerful shift, giving me peace in the midst of chaos.

God, help me to focus on you and the eternal promises you have given me. Shift my perspective so that I can embrace the newness you are bringing into my life. Amen.