Category: Daily Devotion

Hannah enters her God moment with prayerfulness and humility. Read the following passage and discover how you might do the same.

1 Samuel 1: 11 (ESV)

And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 

(For more of the story, read 1 Samuel Chapters 1—2.)

Reflection

Hannah’s story is an amazing one that gives us wonderful insight into prayer and humility before God. Among these revelations are:

• Hannah’s prayer was not answered immediately.  But we learn from Scripture that she kept praying, consistently asking God for a son.  For years she endured the pain of being childless and the constant ridicule from her husband’s other wife.  But she did not give up.  She trusted God and was humble as to how God would answer her prayers.  
• Hannah offered something to God in her on-going prayers:  If He would grant her a son, she would give him to God at an early age for a lifetime of service to the Kingdom.  God, in His omniscience, knew that Hannah would in-fact keep this promise.  When her beloved and long-awaited son Samuel was three years old, she placed him in the temple with Eli, the Chief Priest in Israel, where his entire life would be one of service to God.
• God used Samuel – the result of Hannah’s prayers – to do mighty things in Israel.  Samuel was one of the priestly pillars of the Old Testament.
• It is Hannah’s prayerful nature that always sought God in her difficult life and humility to accept whatever God had in mind – not her own gain but the gain and praise of God. 
• Hannah called herself “God’s servant” and acknowledged God’s power and sovereignty. She was humble and recognized her dependence on God. 

Food for Thought

• How can each of us apply Hannah’s prayerfulness and humbleness to our most pressing needs?
• Although they are not necessary, what promises or sacrifices are we willing to make when our prayers are answered?
• How do we ensure that we fulfill those promises to God after He has answered our prayers?

Prayer

Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Holy Word and the lessons we can find in it daily.  Lord, as we pray, help us to do so consistently, with a pure and expectant heart.  Thank You for showing us what amazing things You can do through our prayers to You.  We pray this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Submitted by Dan Houston

READ

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This Scripture calls believers to shine as lights in the world through their good works, pointing others to glorify God. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. What specific actions can I take to let my light shine in a way that reflects God’s love and brings Him glory?

2. Are there any areas where I am hiding my light instead of boldly living out my faith for others to see?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor; 

    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

    and the day of vengeance of our God;

    to comfort all who mourn;

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 

This passage declares God’s mission to bring hope, healing and restoration to the broken and oppressed through His anointed servant, calling His people to participate in proclaiming the good news, and glorifying Him.

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. How can I actively participate in bringing hope and healing to the broken and oppressed in my community?

2. In what areas of my life can I trust God to transform mourning into joy and bring beauty from ashes?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Micah 6:6-8 ESV

What Does the Lord Require?

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness, 

    and to walk humbly with your God?

This Scripture teaches that God desires not outward rituals, but a life characterized by justice, mercy and humble obedience to Him.

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. How can I actively pursue justice and show mercy in my interactions with others?

2. What steps can I take to walk humbly with God in my daily life, prioritizing His will over my own desires?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Romans 12:13 ESV

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

This passage encourages believers to practice generosity by sharing with those in need and showing hospitality to others. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. In what way can I share my resources or time to meet the needs of those in my community?

2. How can I cultivate a more hospitable attitude towards others, especially those I may not know well?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This Scripture highlights Jesus’s promise that His followers will receive power through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses, spreading the gospel from their local communities to the ends of the earth.

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. How can I rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to boldly share my faith in my community and beyond?

2. What steps can I take to ensure that my life reflects Jesus’ mission both locally and globally?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV

The Final Judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

This passage emphasizes that Jesus will separate the righteous from the unrighteous at His return, rewarding those who showed compassion and cared for others in need as though they were serving Him, while condemning those who failed to do so. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. How can I better recognize and respond to the needs of others in my daily life as if serving Christ himself?

2. Am I living with an eternal perspective, focusing on actions that reflect God’s love and justice, rather than just personal gain?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In this passage, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands, with the assurance of His authority and constant presence. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on sharing the heart and love of Jesus practically in the world.

1. What steps can I take to actively live out Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations in my everyday life?

2. In what ways can I rely on the promise of Jesus’ presence (‘I am with you always’) to overcome fear or doubt in fulfilling His mission?

Review the OUT statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• My family enjoys serving Jesus together.

• My Christian community group serves the community together.

• I have a clear purpose in making a difference in the world for Christ.

• I look for opportunities to share what Jesus has done for me to others who do not know Jesus.

• I pray regularly for those far from God.

• I am spiritually coaching someone to know Jesus more.

• I grieve for those who are treated unjustly.

• I desire to learn more about how I can help someone who is struggling.

READ

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

These verses demonstrate the importance of meeting together at church. During that time, we are called to encourage each other, to love others, and to do good works. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on how to be in community and love others as Christ commanded:

1. What is a favorite memory from church that you had with friends and family?

2. How does your involvement in a community group encourage you to live a balanced spiritual life?

Review the IN statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• I am living in community with other Christians who help me grow in Christ.

• My devotional and prayer life with my family is consistent.

• I enjoy encouraging and building up others.

• I am praying for and with others.

• I look for opportunities to invest in the lives of others for their good.

• I seek advice from other Christians on important decisions.

• I have no problem reconciling broken relationships.

• My forgiveness is quick and my judgement slow. 

READ

James 5:16 ESV

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 

This passage reminds us of the power and healing that we can experience by praying for others. 

REFLECT

Questions to help you reflect on how to be in community and love others as Christ commanded:

1. When you face a difficult time, how do you remain confident in God’s love and provision for you? Who do you go to for help?

2. What is a hurt that you experienced and want God’s freedom from?

Review the IN statements below. Discern how true or untrue these statements are in your life. What would you do next to strengthen this aspect of your walk with Jesus?

• I am living in community with other Christians who help me grow in Christ.

• My devotional and prayer life with my family is consistent.

• I enjoy encouraging and building up others.

• I am praying for and with others.

• I look for opportunities to invest in the lives of others for their good.

• I seek advice from other Christians on important decisions.

• I have no problem reconciling broken relationships.

• My forgiveness is quick and my judgement slow.