Today Daily Devotional

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

— Proverbs 17:17

Ever since I was born, my brother has been by my side. As kids, we walked to school together, and when we moved to the Chicago area, we had each other’s backs. I’ll never forget when I was in second grade and the bus driver dropped us at the wrong stop for our first day at a new school. I was sure we’d never find our way home, but my brother stayed calm. He found someone trustworthy, and we made it home safely.

He’s always been there for me, especially in tough times. He’s defended me in fights, and although we’ve had our share of arguments, I can always count on him. My younger sister has also stood by me, especially when I was a single dad with young sons, lost and overwhelmed. She was “in it” with us, and we were blessed by her presence.

The Bible shares stories about siblings—some who were rivals, others who were deeply loyal. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” I thank God for my brother and sister, who have been with me through it all.

Do you have siblings? A friend who’s like family? Take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of those who stand by your side.

Father, thank you for the gift of siblings, who walk alongside us through life’s joys and challenges. Bless our relationships with love, patience, and understanding, reflecting the unity and grace you have shown us. Amen.

“In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. . . .’”

— Exodus 13:14

My father-in-law tells a story about his grandfather returning from Norway with a fresh salmon wrapped in newspaper under his shirt, just to bring a taste of home back to the United States. The act and the retelling of the act have power. Stories shape family identity, weaving together memories and values.

At Roseland Christian Ministries, testimony plays a crucial role in worship. It recounts stories of God’s grace, provision, and faithfulness. In testimony, the church bears witness to God’s ongoing work in our lives. Testimonies are powerful because they highlight personal transformation and remind the community that God is always faithful.

In the Old Testament, storytelling was central for nurturing the faith of God’s people. God often described himself in terms of liberating actions: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exodus 2:2). And the people retold this story while celebrating Passover each year to remember God’s deliverance. The regular retelling shaped them as a people.

What are the stories in your family or community that remind you of who you are? What stories of God’s faithfulness need to be retold to help reinforce your identity as a person of faith in Christ?

Lord, help us in retelling the stories of your faithfulness. May our shared memories of your grace and love inspire and strengthen us, deepening our trust in you. Amen.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

— 2 Peter 3:18

Megan, Kayla, and Kailyn Flowers grew up as the youngest children in a family of 13 siblings. They became involved in the church during their preteen years. Every day, they would walk a block to church, attending summer camp, Bible study, liturgical dance, youth programs, and Sunday worship.

Over the years, I’ve watched them grow into smart, responsible, caring young women. It hasn’t always been an easy journey. There were times when immaturity, misunderstandings, and impulsive decisions caused strain on relationships. I can relate—I made similar mistakes in my younger years. Yet, they continued to show up, listen, and grow.

Now in their twenties, they all lead their families, are active in church life, and contribute in many other ways. I am incredibly proud of the women they have become.

What touches me most is their perseverance. I’m grateful they never gave up on the church, and I’m equally grateful we never gave up on them. Their growth is a testament to the power of God’s grace and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, as we grow and mature, help us to deepen in your grace. Guide our hearts to reflect your love, patience, and wisdom. May we become more like Christ, bearing fruit for your glory. Amen.

In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

— Romans 12:5

DeWitt is a beloved part of our church family. He was the first neighborhood kid to meet Rev. Tony Van Zanten, who served at Roseland before me. Seeing nowhere for young people to gather, Rev. Tony threw open the doors of the Roseland Community Center, inviting DeWitt and an entire generation to come in and play basketball and form a community, a family. Over the years, some of those young people moved away, graduated from college, or started businesses. Others died. DeWitt joined the military but returned and settled in next door. For the past 40 years he’s been at Roseland nearly every day.

He has cooked meals, hosted volunteer groups, played the congas in church, and participated in countless games of dominoes at the Drop-In Center. He has also sung in choirs and contributed to our vibrant community life. If you’ve been to Roseland Christian Ministries (RCM), you’ve probably met DeWitt. He’s kind, fun-loving, and has a beautiful tenor voice (similar to that of Luther Vandross).

I’ve learned that DeWitt’s deepest longing is to be loved and belong—which all of us share. Some people find this in their immediate family or in their marriage. DeWitt found it in Christian community at RCM. I’m grateful that we can belong to God together in this place. Thanks be to God.

Father God, thank you for the gift of belonging. In your love we find our true home. Help us to reflect the unity of Christ’s body, where all are welcome. Amen.

We are co-workers in God’s service. . . .

— 1 Corinthians 3:9

On Sundays as I stand in the pulpit at Roseland Christian Ministries, I see DeWitt Casey at the congas to my left, Ryan Krestel at the drums, and David Walker to my right at the keyboard. Ryan and I have been friends for 30 years. Every Sunday, the four of us serve at one another's sides, leading the service. We've led hundreds of services together.

David and I have also ministered at funerals in some of the darkest circumstances—for victims of gun violence, overdose, and more. When David's brother was killed, I officiated at the funeral, and when my sons’ mom died, David led worship. When I moved into Roseland as a college student, DeWitt was my housemate. We all have history together.

In moments when the pain and hardships of life overwhelm me, I draw strength from seeing David, DeWitt, and Ryan faithfully serving. I hope they have found some strength in me as well. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we carry each other as we serve.

Whom has God brought into your life to give you strength in hard times as well as smooth times?

Lord, we thank you for the strength we find in one another. As we walk through challenges together, may we lift each other up, reflecting your love and drawing closer to you. Amen.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace. . . .

— 1 Peter 4:10

Jim and Mary live down the street from Roseland Christian Ministries (RCM). Retirees, they pour their heart and soul into our thrift store, sorting clothes, stacking furniture, doing what they can to help our little store thrive. The store earns money that helps to support our programs. Working with them are Arlene, Amalia, Marlene, Sue, Ruth, Ms. Green, Bruce, Jan, Terry, Arlo, Randy, and more. They use their gifts to create a community that does a lot of good in the neighborhood.

Jack is our board president. He serves wonderfully in his role of setting policy, vision, and development. But on a Monday morning you’ll often see Jack deep cleaning the kitchen stoves or mopping floors. Over the years I’ve watched him listen and learn—forming bonds and trust with people in the community.

All of the people I have mentioned here are retired. It inspires me that in retirement they live lives of service and form bonds with each other. It’s not simply that they are serving, but that they are serving alongside one another, each with different gifts.

Who are the people you have formed bonds with while serving? Who are the gifted people with whom you serve?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the deep bonds we form while serving together. Strengthen our unity as we work side by side, reflecting your love and building Christian community together. In Jesus, Amen.

Every day they continued to meet together. . . . They broke bread . . . and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

— Acts 2:46

For the first seven years of my life, we lived in a small town on the Mississippi River, and most Sundays included a family gathering. After church, we’d gather at my grandma’s house. My dad, one of six siblings, was part of an extended family with more cousins than I could count. The kitchen soon filled with casseroles, chicken, pies, and Jell-O while the sound of football played in the background. Laughter echoed as we played at a nearby park, and the sense of belonging was palpable.

As years passed and family members moved away, our gatherings became less common. When my grandma died, it felt like the end of an era, but the bonds we made have remained strong—much like the unbreakable ties that God gives his people. Though I have moved to Chicago to embrace new surroundings, I still miss those gatherings at times.

When I go back to that small town today, it’s often for funerals, and yet as our family members gather again, it feels as if no time has passed. We pick up familiar conversations, share stories, and laugh, just as God’s family does when gathered in his presence.

“Family” should be a verb. It’s about gathering, sharing meals, talking, praying together, and supporting one another. God's people are called to “family,” actively living in community and love.

Lord, thank you for the joys of gathering together. May we cherish these connections as reflections of your abundant grace. Amen.

Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

— Hebrews 12:1-2

Each year, our church community holds a solemn celebration. We set up tables at the front of the church and place unlit candles on them. Church members come forward with photos of loved ones who have died. One by one, people approach the microphone, announce the name of a loved one, and light a candle. Sometimes they also share a story.

We’ve lit candles for grandmothers who died of natural causes, young men killed on the streets, babies lost to miscarriage, and loved ones taken by overdoses. Each name carries a story; each candle represents a life that touched ours.

God’s family includes not only we who are living right now but also the many who came before us and who have gone on to eternity. They live on in the stories we tell, and it’s important to stop and remember them.

In Hebrews 11 we find many examples of people who make up the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us. All of these examples encourage us to walk in faith.

We all do well to pause and remember: Who came before you? Who inspired you? Who are the people for whom you are grateful, knowing that God sent them to be part of your faith journey? Take a moment to name them and to thank God for each one.

Father, we thank you for all who have gone before us, paving the way with faith and sacrifice. May their legacy inspire us to walk humbly and serve others, reflecting your love and grace. Amen.

The pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

— Jeremiah 18:4

Donald sold drugs, and Felisha was one of his customers. When she was arrested, she was pressured to reveal his name, but she refused, taking a hit to the head for her silence. Years later, Donald went to prison, where he surrendered his life to Christ. Felisha also got clean and gave her life to Christ. When Donald was released, he and Felisha crossed paths again unexpectedly. This time, a spark ignited between them. Each saw the transformation in the other, drawn by the change God had worked in their lives.

They began dating, and a few years later they were married. Today Donald and Felisha are inseparable, ministering together to people who are sick and hurting. When the cook at Roseland Christian Ministries resigned, Donald volunteered to take over, and Felisha stepped in to do the dishes. They attend church faithfully, and Felisha has reconnected with her children. Both she and Donald have helped her sons find jobs and apartments and develop life skills.

Their relationship, which began so marred and misshapen, has been transformed into something beautiful and life-giving. Just as a potter can remold damaged clay into something new, God has reshaped their lives. They serve as instruments of God’s grace, showing how broken lives can be transformed to honor God.

Lord, reshape whatever is broken in us into something that reflects your love and purpose. In Jesus, Amen.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. . . .

— Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

When I was an intern at Roseland Christian Ministries, Phil Walker was one of the first people who befriended me. Recently home from prison, Phil was working at a church summer camp. I was the only white person working there, but Phil made me feel welcome. “This is my brother,” he’d say, with his big arm around me—and he meant it.

Phil would invite me to his grandmother Joellyn Walker’s apartment after church on Sundays, where we’d eat and watch football. When I arrived, Ms. Walker would say, “Oh, my other grandson is joining us today.”

After 25 years Phil and I remain brothers. He’s looked after my sons. I officiated at his grandmother’s funeral. We’ve both had our struggles. Ecclesiastes 4 says, “Two are better than one. . . . If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” That’s been true for both of us.

There’s the family you're born into, and the family you choose. I’m grateful that Phil chose me as his brother.

I hope you have had a brother, sister, or friend whom God has placed in your life to help you up when you’ve needed it. Thank God for them, and be sure to tell them and others you are grateful for them.

Father, thank you for the gift of friends who lift us up when we fall. Their love reflects your grace. Bless them for their kindness, and strengthen us to be there for others in their times of need. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.