In 1956, five missionaries were killed reaching an isolated people in Ecuador—men who went ahead into danger so others behind them might live. Long before them, Joseph told the brothers who sold him: "God sent me ahead of you to preserve life." This short episode traces that pattern from a pit in Egypt to a table opened wide for the nations, and the greater Forerunner behind it all. Worship, theology, and reflection for pastors, volunteers, and congregants. Scripture: Genesis 45, Psalm 67, Psalm 133, Isaiah 56, Matthew 15, Romans 11.

On an October morning in 1555, Hugh Latimer told a fellow martyr to "take courage" at the stake. He was borrowing the words Jesus spoke over a storm: "It is I. Don't be afraid." This short episode traces courage through fear—Joseph in the pit, Elijah under the broom tree, Peter sinking in the waves—and finds it in the voice of God drawing near. Worship reflection for pastors, volunteers, and anyone whose Sunday shapes their Monday. Scripture: Genesis 37, 1 Kings 19, Psalm 85, Psalm 105, Matthew 14, Romans 10.

This devotional is designed to connect Ancient Worship practices and rhythms to the modern-day lives of those in high-stress professions. Particularly geared to First Responders, a community Josh has served for more than a decade. This is the first part in a 30-Day series covering each day of the book's worship practices.

You can find the book here - https://a.co/d/0fTY1tWf

The entire 30-Day course can be found here - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYMtDBK5OgY4&si=T-C_aP9G84-Qm6BD

Twenty years ago, Josh taught his first devotional in a college dorm room from Psalm 17: "I shall be satisfied." This short episode traces a hunger food can't fill—from Jacob wrestling in the dark to Jesus feeding the crowd—and names what satisfies it: the face of God. Worship reflection for pastors, volunteers, and anyone whose Sunday shapes their Monday. Scripture: Genesis 32, Psalm 17, Psalm 145, Isaiah 55, Matthew 14, Romans 9.

George Müller fed hundreds of orphans with bare cupboards and a single rule: tell no one but God. He was taking God at the word once spoken to a young king — "Ask what I shall give you." From Laban's grudging bargain to Solomon's blank check to the Son the Father did not spare, this week traces the open hand of a generous God. The question is still open in front of you. Bring him the hard thing. Come and ask.

Adoniram Judson, chained in a Burmese death prison, said the future was as bright as the promises of God. This week's readings sound that note from every angle: God meeting Jacob on the run, waiting in every direction the psalmist could flee, holding the first and the last, present in the mixed field, and living inside us as the Spirit who cries "Abba." Wherever your feet land — God is there. Secured by a forsaken Christ.

A date palm seed sat in a drawer for two thousand years — then sprouted the moment it touched soil. The word of the kingdom is a seed like that: it always carries life, and the only variable is the ground. From Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew to the four soils of the sower, the readings ask what makes soil good. Only the Spirit does. And the harvest grows from a King who wore the thorns himself.

In 1947, a war-weary Britain lifted its head to celebrate a royal wedding — a flash of color on a hard road. That same joy runs through this week's Scripture: a bride who says "I will go," a bridegroom running over the hills, a humble king on a donkey coming for prisoners. From Rebekah to Romans 7's cry for rescue, the call is one word — arise. Come to him first; then carry your burden to him.

Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Worship" caught a real instinct — that a people's relationship to God matters. But instinct without theology drifts. From Abraham's knife raised over Isaac to a false prophet telling the crowd what it wanted to hear, the readings press one question: are you loving the gift, or the Giver? Provision shows up at the place of surrender. Then walk out the door with a cup of cold water in hand.

John Bunyan sat twelve years in an English jail rather than agree to stop preaching — the word in him was a fire that would not go out. From Jeremiah's burning bones to the reproach Christ carried to the sparrow the Father sees fall, faithfulness costs something real. But for the one already dead and raised with Christ, the threats of the world land on someone already on the other side. Let the fire burn.