Today Daily Devotional

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

— Acts 1:8

I once served as a witness on a legal matter. The lawyers determined to make sure that my memories were clear and that the timeline of events was accurate. They also told me to share everything about the situation that I could; they would decide which details were important and which ones weren’t. It is significant that Jesus, before he ascended to heaven, commissioned his followers with these words: “You will be my witnesses. . . .” We serve as witnesses to Jesus, the Lord of the universe.

I don’t know about you, but this feels like a daunting task, especially when Jesus says that our witness begins where we are and extends to the ends of the earth. Do I have what it takes to be that kind of witness? Thankfully, we do not do this alone. As Jesus commissions us, he promises the gift of his Holy Spirit. He also commissions us, his followers, as a community. This is our task, together. This month, let’s explore how to bear witness to Jesus. In my work with Resonate Global Mission, I see examples of faithful witness every day. The Spirit is alive and well around the world! I look forward to exploring and sharing with you what mission looks like in our lives today.

Jesus, as we explore what it means to be your witnesses, we want to open our hearts to your call. Fill us with your Spirit and teach us how we can grow as witnesses for you. Amen.

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord . . . you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

— John 21:17

Recently I recalled the day my husband asked me to marry him. We were both students and had come from different backgrounds. We talked about questions like “What is love?” and “How do we know if we’re in love?” and “What would it look like if we decided to make this relationship permanent?” For me, coming from a long background of faith and solid examples of strong marriage made it easy for me to say that I loved him. For him, coming from a few years of faith and not so solid relationships made it harder to trust a longtime commitment. But we knew we had faith and a choice to try. And for over 44 years we have offered each other the best of ourselves.

Jesus’ question to Peter was about deep commitment. And Peter was probably feeling a mix of emotions as he stood on the beach facing Jesus that day. Peter had denied Jesus three times (John 18:17, 25-27), and yet there in front of him was the one who had defeated death. And now Jesus was asking the hard question: “Do you love me?” Of course Peter loved him, but Jesus wasn’t asking for a simple relationship. He was asking Peter if he was ready, no matter what the cost, to bring the good news about him to people who hadn’t heard it.

What is your answer to Jesus’ question?

Lord, thank you for loving us. Help us today to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to share the good news about you everywhere. Amen.

Simon Peter . . . dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

— John 21:11

Years ago we lived on the edge of a lake in eastern Ontario. We often took our fishing poles out to see what might be swimming in the water. Some seasons were better than others, and we released many sunfish so that they could grow bigger. Some bass ended up in the frying pan, but we certainly were not experts.

The fishermen in today’s story were experts. They didn’t know who was calling out to them from the shore, but they knew what it was like to try fishing on the other side of the boat. Yet on this day they were not sure what to expect; they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.

These men had also had a rough time lately. They had been following Jesus, the Messiah, but they were confused with the outcome. Jesus had died and risen again, but Rome was still in control. What was the Messiah up to?

Then, after throwing their nets on the other side and getting so many fish that they couldn’t haul the net in, something triggered in their minds: “It is the Lord!” (See Luke 5:1-11.) Eventually they dragged their overflowing net ashore, and it was not even torn. A reminder that God can do more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Today Jesus wants to remind us that he has called us to follow him too. What is Jesus up to in your life? In your neighborhood? Your community? Your area? Is he calling you to trust him again like you did when you first met him?

Lord, thank you for your abundant love as you keep calling us to love you and others. Amen.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

— Luke 24:32

At a concert, the usher at the door looked so familiar to me. But I could not recall where or when I might have met him before. After a brief conversation with him, we recalled that years ago he had been our son’s grade-8 teacher. We enjoyed sharing a few memories of that time in our lives.

I think the situation was slightly different as the two followers of Jesus walked along toward their home in Emmaus. They didn’t recognize that they were talking with Jesus, even though they had seen him recently. Did he not look the same? Jesus asked questions and taught them about the Scriptures, but it wasn’t till they sat and shared bread together that their eyes were opened to see him. What a wonderful feeling that must have been!

Then, after Jesus “disappeared from their sight,” they joyfully made the long trip back to Jerusalem to share their story. They could not wait to share their experience. Their love for Jesus and the others was enough to propel them back to Jerusalem to share.

With a text message from my cell phone, we eagerly shared with our son that we had talked with his grade-8 teacher at the concert that night. And it was fun to share that with him.

Are we eager in a way like that to share with others about our times with Jesus?

Lord, thank you for moments when you meet with us in a fresh new way. Open our eyes and hearts to your work in our everyday lives, realizing you are closer than we might think. Amen.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

— John 20:16

There are times in life when we have to do some things we don’t want to do. Tough things. There’s that phone call we have to make. Or that task ahead of us that looks bigger than we bargained for. Or maybe we have received news that shatters our thinking, and we can’t imagine how we can deal with the situation.

I am sure that is how Mary felt. Her heart was heavy with the news of Jesus’ death. She knew that his body was placed in the tomb, and she and some others had wanted to make sure his body was prepared properly (Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-12). Imagine their surprise when the tomb was empty. How could this be?

After sharing the news with Jesus’ disciples (John 20:1-2), Mary went back to the tomb and stood there. Her heart was heavy, and the tears for her Lord trickled down her face. Someone else was there too. A gardener? Perhaps he might know something.

He said, “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Then he spoke her name. And she knew it was Jesus. Her whole outlook changed. What a glorious encounter!

Whatever circumstances you are in and no matter what struggles you are facing, be assured that Jesus is with you (Matthew 28:20) and that he knows your name.

When we are distracted by tough circumstances in our lives, thank you for interrupting us, Lord, to call our name. Thank you for being there and reminding us how much you love us. Amen.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

— John 18:4

Not long ago I received a call that a dear friend might have only hours—or a few days, at best—to live. I rearranged my day and left for the hospital. I should have asked for the room number ahead of time, but as I stood near the nurses’ station, someone asked me whom I was looking for. She kindly directed me to the room—and after I walked in, I soon realized I was saying good-bye.

Jesus knew what would soon happen as he saw soldiers and officials coming for him. This was the plan ahead of him, and he faced it head-on. He even unnerved his pursuers by stepping forward and identifying himself. There was no fight from Jesus—just resolution that he was okay with accepting God’s plan for him and for the world.

When God calls us and asks us to step into the plan he has designed for us, do we step away or step in? When everything feels safe, it’s not hard to step in. When the storyline involves suffering or pain, however, it’s easier to back up and hesitate. I admit that I have argued with God on occasion, telling him I didn’t have time for his plan. I preferred a different way. That didn’t change the plan, though, and when I took the posture of trusting over fighting, I appreciated the choice God took for me so that I could trust him then. Can you?

Dear Jesus, as the soldiers approached, looking for you, you stepped forward and faced them. Will you help us today to have the courage to accept the plan that you have designed for us? Amen.

When [Jesus] came back, he again found them sleeping. . . . They did not know what to say to him.

— Mark 14:40

You have had a full meal, and it has been a long day. In fact, the past several days have been really challenging—emotionally and physically. You are worn out and tired. Even in the cool night air, you can barely stay awake. You know you need to pay attention because Jesus has asked you to keep watch, but your eyelids are getting heavier by the moment. Soon your head bobs, and you are fast asleep.

You didn’t plan it that way. Jesus nudges you awake and asks, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?” Startled, you hear him say, “Watch and pray. . . .” You nod in agreement, feeling horrible that you haven’t managed to stay awake. He steps away, and the heaviness settles in again. Your eyelids close. Later he wakes you again, and you don’t know what to say.

Then a third time you are awakened—and now there is a crowd coming. Sleep vanishes. You look at the one who asked you to pray, and he is in the hands of his enemies!

Though our lives today are much different from the disciples’, the need for staying alert and praying is not. Our world is in need of our attention, and the Lord is calling us to stand watch. It is encouraging to know that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us (Romans 8:34), but today he still needs us to do the same for his world and for all God’s children in it.

Lord, help us to be alert, watching and praying for your sake. Guide us to live faithfully, that all your children may come to know you. Amen.

“The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”

— Luke 22:26

Have you ever played “shotgun”? Usually it’s about getting “the best” passenger seat in the car—in the front seat by the driver. Our kids believed it was the middle seat in the back of the car. I can still hear the arguments and the mad dash for that seat. I am thankful that children’s car seats have taken away the mania of that game for my grandkids.

Our desire to be in first place can get in the way of how we respond to a situation. Can you imagine being at the Last Supper with Jesus and having an argument break out about who is the greatest? Had the disciples learned nothing from Jesus about service in God’s kingdom?

Jesus patiently tried again. He told his disciples that they were not like kings and other worldly leaders who lorded it over others; instead, his followers were citizens of heaven, where serving is more important than being served. He said, “I am among you as one who serves.” And he assured them they would be able to eat and drink at the table in God’s kingdom, but the time for that would come later.

As you reflect on this story, what is your posture? Do you need to be seen, or are you willing to open doors so that others will be treated in a way that brings glory to God?

Jesus, help us to remember that you set an example for us to follow. Guide us as we strive to follow you in attitude and posture. Thank you for your servant heart for us. Amen.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

— John 14:6

Homelessness is a problem throughout our world. So many people live rough and feel that they have no future. Many have lost their space to the greed of others, and this becomes a bigger story every day. Conversations and action plans are initiated, but solutions are hard to achieve.

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples were beginning to feel displaced as he talked about leaving them. Jesus had talked about his betrayal and about dying and going away (John 12-13). That probably made them confused and upset, because they didn’t expected those things would happen to the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, who had come to be the Savior. But there was a lot they didn’t understand. What was going to happen next?

Jesus offered comfort by moving the conversation in a different direction and focusing on living with him and the Father in heaven. This is something we should all pay attention to. With his question here, Jesus reminds his followers that there is a secure place for each of them in eternity with him. God’s house is big, and it has many rooms.

This same promise is for us and for everyone we share Jesus’ story with. God has prepared a place for all of us who believe in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life!

Jesus, thank you for your promise of sharing eternity with us and that you have a big house with room for all. Help us to walk faithfully with you into eternity. Amen.

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

— John 11:4

I know what it is like to lose a brother too young. He had cancer, and it seemed that surgery would help—but then a complication arose, and surgery did not go as planned. The day did not turn out as we expected. He was put on life support so that we could have some time with him. We gathered at the hospital with him and asked God to intervene. We prayed for healing and anything else that would change the outcome. It did not, and the doctor who brought things to a close that day was kind and compassionate. We too wondered, “What if Jesus had been there . . . ?”

A few months later we learned that the doctor who was with us that day had come to faith because of the interaction with our family. Jesus had been at work there in ways we had not imagined, and the glory given to God through this was evident. We had been able to share a hope beyond the walls of the hospital, trusting that eternity in Christ would be ours together, no matter what happened.

Martha believed with the same hope. Yet Jesus had another plan. With tears in his eyes, he asked where they had buried his friend Lazarus. When Lazarus came out of the tomb, I am sure that day wasn’t what the people there expected either. The glory given to God was real, and many came to faith in Jesus that day.

Where will God be glorified in your story today?

God, be glorified in our lives. Whatever we may be facing, we thank you for your compassion and love. Fill us with hope, in Jesus’ name. Amen.