Teachings, devotionals, verses and declarationsA new verse every dayNeed prayer tonight? Call (888) 350-9150Teachings, devotionals, verses and declarationsA new verse every dayNeed prayer tonight? Call (888) 350-9150
Short studies you can read in a few minutes. Open one, then take the question with you.
011 min read
The way home
No distance is too far and no past too heavy for the Father to run toward you.
Luke 15:20
John 14:6
In the story Jesus told in Luke 15, a son takes everything he was given and spends it far from home. When nothing is left, he finally comes to himself. The turning point is not a plan or a performance. It is the simple decision to get up and go back.
What he did not expect was the welcome. The father had been watching the road. He ran, he embraced, and he put a robe and a ring on a son who came expecting to be a servant. That is how God receives you. Repentance is not the price of coming home. It is the door, and the Father is already standing on the other side.
Think on thisWhat is one honest step you could take toward the Father this week?
021 min read
Who you are in Christ
Your identity is received, not earned. It was settled at the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 8:1
1 Peter 2:9
Most of us live out of what we have done, what was done to us, or what people say about us. Scripture gives a different starting point. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. The old is passed away, and God does not keep reopening the file.
Believing this changes how you pray, work and relate to people. You stop trying to earn a seat and start living from one that has already been given. Chosen, forgiven and sent are not feelings to chase. They are facts to stand on, especially on the days you do not feel them.
Think on thisWhich old label are you still carrying that God has already removed?
031 min read
Prayer that tells the truth
God can handle your honesty. Pour it out, and leave it with Him.
Psalm 62:8
Philippians 4:6-7
Many people stop praying because they think they have to sound better than they feel. The psalms say otherwise. David complained, doubted, wept and praised, sometimes in the same chapter. God invites us to pour out our hearts before Him, because He is a refuge.
Start with what is true. Say what hurts, what scares you and what you want. Then thank Him for what is already His. Paul promised that when we pray this way, a peace beyond our understanding stands guard over our hearts and minds. Peace is not the absence of the problem. It is the presence of God inside it.
Think on thisWhat have you been holding back from God because it did not sound right?
041 min read
Led by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit does not only comfort you. He guides you.
Romans 8:14
Galatians 5:25
Psalm 119:105
Paul says that as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. Being led is part of belonging to the family. God is not hiding His will from you. He speaks through His Word, through peace, through wise counsel and through that quiet nudge to call someone or to wait.
To walk in the Spirit, start with the Word, because the Spirit never contradicts it. Slow down enough to listen. Test what you sense with trusted believers. Then act on the next thing He shows you, even when you cannot see the one after it. His light is usually a lamp for the next step, not a floodlight on the whole road.
Think on thisWhat is the next step you already know to take, but have not?
051 min read
Faith that moves your hands
What God does in you is meant to reach the person next to you.
James 2:17
Matthew 25:40
James writes that faith without works is dead. He is not adding a requirement to grace. He is describing what living faith does. When God restores you, He sends you, and love shows up as a meal, a ride, a visit, a gift or time given to someone who has none to spare.
Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. That is why our outreach teams serve widows, orphans and families in need around the world. You do not need a platform to start. Look for the person God has put in your path this week, and do the next kind thing.
Think on thisWho has God placed near you who needs a practical act of love?
02
Seven days home
A week of devotionals through the story of the lost son. Read one a day, or all in a sitting.
Day 1 of 7
Leaving
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Drifting rarely starts with a slammed door. It starts with a small decision to handle things alone, to go a little further, to wait on God a little less. The far country usually looks like freedom at first. Today, be honest about where you have been quietly moving away from the Father. You do not need to fix it yet. Just name it.
PrayFather, show me where I have drifted. Give me the courage to be honest, and the humility to stop pretending.
Day 2 of 7
Coming to yourself
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
The turn began with a moment of clarity. He remembered who his father was and what home was like. A clear moment is a gift. Pain is not always punishment. Sometimes it is God getting your attention. Where are you hungry today? Let that hunger point you toward home, and away from one more thing that will not satisfy.
PrayLord, thank You for the moment of clarity. Help me remember how good You are.
Day 3 of 7
The first step
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.
Notice the verbs: arise and go. Repentance moves. It does not wait for the feelings to line up or for the problem to be solved first. He rehearsed an apology, but the important part was getting on the road. What is one small, concrete step you can take today, a prayer, a phone call, a confession to someone you trust?
PrayFather, I am getting up. Take the step with me and meet me on the road.
Day 4 of 7
The running father
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father saw him a great way off, which means he had been watching. In that culture, a dignified man did not run. This father ran. Before the apology, before the explanation, there was an embrace. That is the heart of God toward you. Let it be bigger than your shame today. Read this verse slowly three times.
PrayFather, thank You for running toward me. I receive Your embrace.
Day 5 of 7
Robe, ring and shoes
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
A robe covers shame. A ring restores authority. Shoes mark a son, since servants went barefoot. The father did not give him a probation. He gave him his place back, at once and in full. When God forgives, He also restores. Ask Him today what He wants to put back on you, and let Him.
PrayLord, clothe me with what You say is true of me. I am Your son, Your daughter.
Day 6 of 7
The brother outside
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
The older brother stayed home but never learned to enjoy it. He measured his obedience and resented the party. If you have been faithful for years, hear the father's words to him: you have always been with me, and everything I have is yours. You are not a hired hand. Serve out of belonging, not out of comparison.
PrayFather, heal any bitterness in me. Help me rejoice when others come home.
Day 7 of 7
Come in
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Every story of rescue ends the same way, with a celebration. Heaven rejoices over one person who comes home. Today, do two things. Thank God for your own homecoming. Then think of someone who is still far off, and pray for them by name. You are invited in, and so are they.
PrayFather, thank You for the feast. Bring my loved ones home, and use me to show them the way.
03
Verses for what you're carrying
Pick what you need today. Copy any verse to send to someone.
Peace
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7Peace
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27Peace
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3Strength
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31Strength
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9Strength
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13Identity
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17Identity
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2:9Identity
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1Provision
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19Provision
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1Provision
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33Healing
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3Healing
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 30:17Healing
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5Direction
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6Direction
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105Direction
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11Coming home
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20Coming home
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9Coming home
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
04
Declarations
Say each one out loud, slowly. These are the Word of God spoken over your own life.
I am chosen, forgiven and loved. No condemnation has a place in my life.
Romans 8:1
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing I need.
Psalm 23:1
The peace of God stands guard over my heart and my mind.
Philippians 4:7
I am a new creation. The old is gone, and what God makes new will last.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I will be strong and courageous. I will not be afraid, because the Lord goes with me.
Joshua 1:9
God is supplying every need I have, according to His riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
His Word lights my next step. I trust Him, and He directs my path.
Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 3:5-6
I receive His healing and restoration in my body, my mind and my heart.
Jeremiah 30:17
When I fall, I will rise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light.
Micah 7:8
No weapon formed against me will prosper, and every word raised against me will fall.
Isaiah 54:17
I am an ambassador for Christ. My life carries His love to the people around me.
2 Corinthians 5:20
I walk by faith and not by sight. Jesus is faithful to bring me home.