Today Daily Devotional

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

— Philippians 3:20

Citizenship has its privileges. Citizens of a nation can have access to education, community services, social services, health care, and more.

Being a citizen of heaven takes us to a different level altogether. When our identity is rooted in Christ, his home becomes ours, because through him we become children of God with an eternal inheritance. Even though we still live here on the earth, we are privileged to live abundantly as part of a kingdom not crafted by human hands.

Being citizens of heaven prompts us to pursue higher goals and take on a broader perspective than mere earthly citizenship can offer. This transforms our priorities, redirects our ambitions, and empowers us to endure.

If you have seen the launching of a hot-air balloon, you understand the struggle. The more the balloon fills with heated air, the greater the struggle to keep the basket earth-bound. The cords holding it to the ground become taut and strained. And when they are released, the balloon majestically ascends toward the heavens. Similarly in some ways, the more we are filled with God’s Spirit, the stronger our vision for life in God’s eternal kingdom becomes.

Focusing on these things moves us to live in a way that not only longs for heaven but also seeks to bring a taste of heaven to earth.

Heavenly Father, as we navigate the challenges of this world, may we always put you first in our lives. Help us to anchor our hope in full life with you forever. Amen.

He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

— Ephesians 1:4

The Bible explains that believers have been freely and generously chosen by God. This choosing is not based on our appearance, intelligence, personality, status, or anything else. It’s not something we earn or deserve. Instead, it’s a purely gracious act.

God, in his great love, initiates the process of salvation. By his sovereign will and good pleasure, God has decided to save us, making rescue and redemption possible for all who have been made in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). Even though we were ensnared in sin, Jesus died to deliver us from the curse of sin and death to make us holy in God’s sight.

Being chosen by God is an overwhelming blessing that fills us with humility and helps us see that there is no room for pride or boasting. It also instills in us a sense of security and confidence, recognizing that our salvation is not based on our religious performance. Instead, as God’s chosen possession, we belong to him. Body and soul—in life and in death—we are his, and nothing can snatch us from his hand (John 10:28-30).

What an exhilarating honor—to be chosen, wanted, and valued by the most significant being in the universe!

Gracious God, thank you for choosing us. Thank you for being the author, perfecter, and finisher of our faith. May we live with the assurance that you will complete the good work you have begun in us. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends.”

— John 15:15

Having friends is a great blessing. Friends multiply our joys and divide our sorrows. Friends walk in when the rest of the world walks out. Friends know all about us, and they still love us anyway. Proverbs 18:24 notes that “a friend . . . sticks closer than a brother. In other words, a true friend can be relied upon and is always there for us.

The amazing thing is that Jesus, the Savior and King of creation, calls believers his friends. As believers in Christ, we are not just subjects or servants of the Lord of the universe; we are his friends. And he is loyal and true, sticking closer than a blood brother. In John 15, Jesus explains that, like a true friend, he is transparent and open with us: “Everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” No secrets, no deception, no masks—just an open heart entrusted to his friends.

The truest sign of friendship is sacrificial love. Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus demonstrated this when he went to the cross to pay the price for all our sin. He considered friendship with us so important that he surrendered his very life in order to secure it.

Lord Jesus, it’s overwhelming to know that we have a friend in you. Grant us strength in knowing that you want to walk with us through life as our constant, faithful friend. Amen.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

— Matthew 4:19

Imagine receiving an invitation that changes the entire course of your life. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew received that kind of invitation. One day Jesus approached them with a life-changing proposition. In effect, he said, “Until this time, your whole life has centered on catching and selling fish. How about joining me, and I’ll teach you how to catch precious souls for the kingdom of God?”

Note that for Jesus, discipleship (following him) and evangelism (fishing for people) go hand in hand. Once we find ourselves in the safety of Jesus’s lifeboat, we are to extend a hand to help others climb aboard and join with Jesus too. This missional calling isn’t merely an accessory to our lives; it’s integral to who we are and what we do as followers of Jesus. Every believer is called by God to be a fisher of people. Every congregation is called to be a mission outpost for Christ’s kingdom.

To excel in this calling, we must learn to think like a fish—seeking to understand their ways. We must also keep casting toward nibbling fish. If the fish aren’t biting, we can move on and come back later. Some fish might not be hungry right now, but maybe they will be six months or a few years from now, when God’s Spirit has prepared their hearts. We wait patiently for God to work while we keep fishing for others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for rescuing us and making us part of your rescue team. Guide us as we invite the people around us to find new life in you. Amen.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said. . . .

— Matthew 4:19

In the children’s game “Follow the Leader,” one person takes up the role of the leader. The rest of the group lines up behind that person, mimicking their actions.

It’s natural for us to follow someone, and we all have role models we admire. These are people we want to pattern our lives after. But we need to ask, “Whom are we following? Whose footsteps are we walking in?”

In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, a rabbi (religious teacher) would invite students to join and work with him for a period of time—often years. The invitation would be a call to walk in their way, mirror their actions, and become their disciples. Luke 6:40 describes this process: “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” This involved learning by experience and being shaped to a new way of life.

Jesus extended that kind of invitation to Andrew, Peter, and others, saying, “Come and follow me. Walk closely with me, learn from me, and become my apprentices.” Today Jesus extends that same call to each of us: “Walk in my way, learn from my teachings, and become my disciples. Do life with me so that, over time, you may resemble me.”

Lord Jesus, what an amazing privilege it is to be invited to follow you and learn from you. Guide us, as your disciples, to follow you faithfully each day and bring the good news of your kingdom to people everywhere. Amen.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

— 2 Corinthians 5:18

Hostility, conflict, and division seem to be the narrative of our times. Society is splintering at an alarming rate. Yet in this toxic environment we are called to be followers of Jesus Christ. As new creatures, we have been given a calling to extend the reconciling work of Jesus to our world.

Following Jesus’ example, we are to work at bridging chasms that divide people. Instead of fueling disagreement with inflammatory speech, we can season our speech with grace and kindness. With a humble spirit of goodwill, we can strive to find common ground with others. We can seek to build networks of understanding. We are called to be God’s peacemakers in a divided world.

Our main mission is to assist people in reconciling with God and discovering peace with him through his Son, Jesus Christ.

As reconcilers, we serve as linking agents of God’s mercy and grace. With one hand extended to a hurting world and the other firmly held by our gracious Lord and God, we aim to help others connect with God and find forgiveness and new life in him.

In what ways can you bring the peace of God into your surroundings today?

Spirit of God, empower us to stand in the gap, clarify your message, and radiate Jesus’ love to the people around us. May we be vessels of your peace in our world today. Amen.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”

— Matthew 5:13

My wife is fond of salty snacks. Pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips are among her favorites. It’s often appealing to add salt to snacks, vegetables, and other things we eat because it enhances the flavor. When Jesus used this metaphor, he was illustrating the believer’s distinctive role in the world. He implied that we are to add a similarly positive influence on our surroundings, in a way like salt can.

Think of how salt can melt snow and ice. As Christ-followers, we can help to thaw the cold indifference that this world often portrays. God’s love, which fills us and overflows from us, has the power to soften hardened hearts, thaw frozen relationships, and dissolve disagreements.

Think too of how salt enhances the flavor of foods, often making them more tasty and palatable. Christ’s presence within us can similarly add taste to life. Our presence can inject joy and zest into our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. We can help make gatherings and settings more pleasant, positive, and welcoming.

In addition, salt serves as a preservative. Before we had refrigeration, salt was the primary method of preserving perishable foods. Similarly, we can help to turn back the corrosive effects of sin in the world. As followers of Jesus, we can bring God’s healing, regenerative power to bear on all kinds of situations.

Lord Jesus, use us to bring helpful change in the lives of the people around us, for your glory and for the restoration of this world. Amen.

“You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:14-16

When Jesus, by his Spirit, comes into our lives through faith, we undergo a transformation. Our spiritual life is changed as we become new creatures in Christ. As new creations, we transition from being self-serving to being self-giving. We radiate the light and life of Jesus wherever we go.

In Matthew 5, Jesus uses two simple yet profound metaphors—light and salt—to illustrate this personal transformation and the new role we take on in our daily living. Light is life-giving. It brings warmth, energy, and clarity to any situation. When Jesus’ power flows through us, we become a catalyst for positive change in our surroundings.

This doesn’t mean we are like the sun—generating light on our own. We are more like the moon, reflecting the light of Jesus so that others don’t have to stumble in the darkness of this world.

However, if we hide our light under a bowl, if we try to keep Jesus to ourselves, we make ourselves ineffective. And, worse, people will remain stuck in darkness, blinded by sin. For the sake of the world that Jesus came to save, we need to break out of our holy huddles and shine brightly for Jesus.

Lord and Savior, thank you for shining your radiant light into our hearts and warming us with your love. Help us never to underestimate the impact we can have when we allow you to shine through us. Amen.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.”

— Acts 1:8

Before going back to heaven, Jesus called each of his followers to be a witness for him. A witness is someone who can attest to what they have seen or experienced personally.

This calling applies to all of us who follow Jesus today as well. We are called to be reliable witnesses, sharing with others the grace of God that we have personally witnessed and experienced in our lives. This lies at the heart of our identity as followers of Christ.

The task that Jesus has entrusted to us is to carry his life-saving message wherever we go. This magnificent, global mission began with Jesus’ first-century followers, and it continues with his 21st-century followers today.

Empowered by his Spirit, we have a story to tell and a life-altering encounter to share. While others may have doubts about the Bible’s teaching or quibble about theology, they cannot refute our personal experience. They cannot change what we know to be true about God’s work in our hearts and lives.

Jesus recognized that a transformed life becomes an unstoppable force for good and for God in this world. To the people around you, there is no one better positioned to testify to the life-changing power of God than you.

Think of a story you can share with someone about the Lord’s work in your life. Whom will you tell today?

Dear Jesus, fill us with your Spirit. Empower us to be living testimonies of your grace and love, sharing with others our stories of your grace-filled work in us. Amen.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

— John 15:5

Have you ever seen the damage to trees after a heavy windstorm? Limbs and branches are often strewn about the landscape, and some land on houses and cars, causing even more damage. Often those branches still have healthy-looking leaves and fruit, but we know they will soon die. When a branch is severed from the main trunk, its vitality is lost. Its lifeline is gone. Its leaves will wither and die, and its fruit will decay.

Jesus conveys a similar message in John 15, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” He helps us to see that if we break away from him—the true vine—we will not have his spiritual life in us. Though we may appear vibrant for a while, we will lack the capacity to produce spiritual life, health, or fruit on our own. Only if we stay connected to Jesus can we bear spiritual fruit that endures.

The main function of a vine such as a grapevine is to bear fruit. And fruit-bearing sums up our purpose as followers of Jesus. In fact, Jesus explains that every branch that bears no fruit will be cut off. But with his Spirit living in us, we will yield fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). This is our calling.

Holy Spirit, by your life-giving power, produce a crop of spiritual fruit in our lives. May your glory shine forth, and may others be enriched by the fruits of our lives. In Jesus, Amen.