From: April 12, 2025
“But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (Joshua 6:25 ESV).
Rahab was a Canaanite and a prostitute, a person many would overlook or dismiss. Yet her courageous faith in the God of Israel moved her to protect the spies Joshua sent into Jericho. Because of her actions, she and her family were spared when the city was destroyed.
What’s more, Rahab didn’t just survive—she was welcomed into Israel and became part of God’s covenant people. Matthew 1:5 tells us she became the mother of Boaz, placing her in the family line of Jesus. Hebrews 11:31 honors her among the heroes of the faith, highlighting her trust in God as the reason she did not perish.
Rahab’s story is not just one of rescue. It is a testimony of faith, redemption, and becoming a member of God’s people. Her story reminds us that our past does not disqualify us from God’s plans for our future. When we trust Him, He welcomes us in, gives us a new identity, and writes us into His story of redemption.
Do we trust God enough to act courageously, like Rahab, even when it might cost us something? Do we believe God can redeem our story and use it for His glory? Rahab’s faith challenges us to see others through the lens of grace and reminds us that God writes beautiful stories out of broken beginnings.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the hope we find in Rahab’s story. We are grateful that Your grace is greater than our past. Help us to trust You with bold and courageous faith. Teach us to see ourselves and others the way You do—as people who can be redeemed, restored, and used in powerful ways for Your glory. May we live each day trusting You to write something beautiful with our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 12, 2024
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 ESV).
Luke 15 has three “lost” parables in a row: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost prodigal son. The verse above is from the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed.
Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the “ninety-nine” members happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church must always focus outward in order to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for our inward focus, for our seeking of comfort, rather than seeking the lost. For we know You have commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to seek the lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 11, 2023
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you”(Luke 15:17-18 NLT).
Jesus told a parable about a father and two sons. The younger one was rebellious and took his portion of his father’s wealth and squandered it in riotous living. When his money had run out, a famine came, and he took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that the pig food began to look good to him. It was there that he finally hit bottom and “came to his senses.” So he repented of his sin, returned to his father, and asked for forgiveness. His father not only forgave him, he threw a party to celebrate and restored him as his son.
How many of us are like the younger son, the one that is called the prodigal son? For the word “prodigal” means to spend one’s life and resources recklessly and wastefully. And like the prodigal son, it usually takes losing everything and hitting rock bottom before we finally look up.
But we don’t have to waste our lives. We don’t have to hit bottom to look up. We can look up now. Come to your senses! Give your life to the Lord Jesus and be restored to the Father as His child.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we don’t want to waste the life You have given us. We don’t want to waste Your blessings. Help us to invest our lives for Your glory. Strengthen us to do Your will. Give us a holy sense of urgency to always follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 12, 2017
“Sing aloud.” Not humming softly. Not just tapping your foot to the sound in your head. “Sing aloud!” Sing the words of praise and worship to our God. Sing of His character. Sing of His works. Sing to Him by Name (i.e..”God of Jacob”). Sing and let His strength flow to and through you, that you might be filled afresh with spiritual power and joy for the day!
From: April 12, 2015
Luke 15 has three “lost” parables in a row: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The verse above is from the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed. Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the “ninety-nine” members happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church should be to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.
From: April 12, 2014
Achan hid the things he had ransacked from Jericho under his tent after God had warned against it. When Israel fought against the city of Ai they lost the battle and 36 warriors as a result. Many say that their sin is their own and it doesn’t affect those around them. Yet, here we see the error. Sin in the camp affects all in the community.