From: June 30, 2026
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 ESV).
As Paul concluded his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he first urged them to pay careful attention to themselves before watching over the flock. He knew that spiritual leaders could not faithfully shepherd others while neglecting their own walk with God. The command to “pay careful attention” carried the idea of remaining continually alert, like a shepherd constantly scanning the horizon for danger. Only leaders who guarded their own hearts would be prepared to protect God’s people from the false teachers Paul warned would soon arise. Paul reminded these elders that the church was not theirs to possess or control. It was “the church of God,” purchased at the highest price through the blood of Christ. They served only as stewards of something infinitely precious. Paul also reminded them that the Holy Spirit had appointed them as overseers. Their calling was not merely recognized by people but entrusted to them by God Himself. Therefore, their ministry was to shepherd God’s flock through faithful teaching, loving care, and vigilant protection. Paul’s charge remains the enduring pattern for every pastor and spiritual leader.
Before we can effectively influence others, we must faithfully examine our own walk with the Lord. Whether we lead a church, a family, a small group, or simply seek to encourage another believer, our character always strengthens or weakens our witness. We are called to remember that every believer belongs to God and has been purchased by the precious blood of Christ. As stewards rather than owners, we must humbly serve those entrusted to our care with love, truth, and vigilance. We must remain alert to false teaching and spiritual dangers while continually feeding ourselves on God’s Word so that we are prepared to nourish others. Healthy ministry always begins with a spiritually healthy heart. We will be better equipped to shepherd others when we first pay careful attention to our own walk.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for entrusting us with opportunities to influence and care for others. Help us first to examine our own hearts and remain faithful in our walk with You. Keep us alert to temptation, false teaching, and spiritual dangers. Remind us that Your people belong to You and were purchased by the blood of Christ. Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to serve with humility, wisdom, and faithful love. May our lives reflect the gospel as we care for those You have entrusted to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 30, 2025
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.” (2 Kings 18:3 ESV).
After a long succession of mostly wicked kings, Hezekiah emerged as a striking exception. The biblical writer described him in glowing terms, noting that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just like David his father. This was a high compliment. This comparison aligned Hezekiah with David, the ideal king of Israel. It marked Hezekiah’s reign as a time of revival, a return to covenant faithfulness. He removed high places, destroyed idols, and restored proper worship. His obedience stood in sharp contrast to his father Ahaz, who had led Judah into spiritual ruin. Dale Ralph Davis called Hezekiah’s appearance in the text a “breath of fresh air,” a moment of spiritual hope in a long narrative of decline. Some scholars even see in Hezekiah a foreshadowing of the Messiah, the true Son of David who would bring lasting renewal.
Hezekiah’s example gives us hope. In a world marked by moral compromise and spiritual confusion, it is encouraging to see someone who chose faithfulness to God above cultural pressures. Like Hezekiah, we are called to walk in the ways that are right in the eyes of the Lord. We can cry out for revival in our families, churches, and communities. His courage to reform and restore reminds us that one faithful life can make a difference. Let us remember that true revival begins when we return to God with humble hearts and clear obedience.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the example of King Hezekiah, who chose what was right in Your eyes and turned a nation back to You. Help us to be like him in our generation—faithful, courageous, and devoted. May our lives point to the greater King, Jesus, the Son of David, who brings lasting revival and hope. Stir in us a desire to walk in Your ways and to lead others into deeper worship of You. Use us to bring a breath of fresh air wherever You place us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 30, 2024
“Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight… he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed” (Acts 20:7, 11 ESV).
The disciples in the city of Troas gathered on a Sunday to hear the apostle Paul preach. They couldn’t get enough of the church-planting apostle’s words, so they sat listening to him all day, even until midnight. What a great Sunday service this must’ve been.
Unfortunately, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep during the sermon and fell out the window of the third story upper room where they were meeting. The fall killed him, but Paul rushed downstairs and raised him up to life again. Then they returned to the upper room where they took the Lord’s Supper and listened to Paul until daybreak.
Can you imagine the way those who were gathered together that day to hear Paul’s final sermon in Troas talked about it later in life? For this was the last time they would see Paul. Surely years later, they would say, “Remember that time we attended an all-night service listening to the apostle Paul?” And others would reply, “We wish we could’ve been there!”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are so distracted and limited in our attention spans that we can hardly sit still for more than a moment. How we long for a time when we might sit and hear Your Word preached and pray with one another without consideration of time. Give us strength and stamina to stay our minds on You and on Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 30, 2023
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 NLT).
The apostle Paul reminded his friends from Ephesus of the calling he had on his life from Jesus. Even though he knew that suffering and jail awaited him, he was determined to fulfill his life’s purpose of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful grace. Protecting his life was not his primary concern. Preaching the gospel was. Finishing the work that Jesus had assigned to him was what gave his life meaning and worth.
Have you learned to find your self worth in Jesus? What work has Jesus assigned to you? His assignments to us are as various as our spiritual gifting, but they all have one thing in common–– giving testimony of the gospel of God’s grace!
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that You not only called us to Yourself in Christ Jesus, but You called us to one another and to the nations. Help us to find our life’s purpose and self-worth in doing the work Christ has assigned to each of us. Whatever our calling, help us to always have the Good News of God’s wonderful grace on our lips. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 30, 2022
THE HISTORICAL PRECISION OF LUKE
Paul’s missionary companion, Luke, rejoined Paul at Philippi. Luke was a physician, missionary and the author of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. His presence, while not specifically named, is seen by a reappearance of the word, “we,” a second person plural unused since Acts 16.
Like John in his gospel, Luke doesn’t name himself, but does note when he is present in the story. Notice the detail that Luke gives. What time of the year? “After the Passover.” Where? “Philippi in Macedonia.” Destination? “Troas” (The ruins of”Troas” also called “Troy” are on the coast of modern day Turkey). How long? “Five days” on the ship and “a week” in Troas.
Apparently, Luke had remained at Philippi in the house of Lydia (See Acts 16:12), since they had first passed through the region. Why he remained there is not known. At any rate, Luke rejoined Paul at Philippi and continued with his precise historical record.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the careful writings of Luke and all of the Scriptures that You have given us. For in them we have found the words of life. Strengthen us this day by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.