From: May 12, 2026
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23 ESV).
In 1 Samuel 12:23, the prophet Samuel addressed the people of Israel after they had demanded a king. Though the nation had rejected his leadership and grieved the Lord by asking to be like the surrounding nations, Samuel remained faithful to his calling. He declared that he would continue praying for the people and teaching them the ways of the Lord. Samuel considered it a sin against God to stop interceding for them. His ministry was not driven by personal approval or popularity, but by covenant faithfulness to the Lord. Samuel showed the heart of a true shepherd who remained prayerful despite disappointment and faithful despite rejection. He continued leading God’s people in truth even after they wounded him personally. In this way, Samuel pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Good Shepherd, who faithfully loved, taught, and prayed for His disciples. Samuel’s devotion also anticipated the apostles’ commitment in Acts 6:4, where they declared, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
We often feel discouraged when our service is overlooked, resisted, or rejected. Yet Samuel reminds us that ministry is ultimately done for the Lord’s approval rather than man’s. We are called to keep praying for others even when they disappoint us and to keep teaching God’s truth even when it is unpopular. Faithful ministry is measured not by applause but by obedience. Whether we lead in our homes, workplaces, or churches, we are called to remain committed to intercession and instruction. We can stay devoted to prayer and teaching because Jesus continues to shepherd and empower us faithfully.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to serve You with faithful and steadfast hearts. Help us not to grow bitter when others reject us. Strengthen us to keep praying for people and leading them in Your truth. May we serve for Your approval alone and follow the example of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. For it’s in His name we pray, amen.
From: May 12, 2025
“For not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5 ESV).
Jesus had four younger half-brothers named James, Joses, Judas and Simon and several unnamed sisters (Mark 6:3) by his mother, Mary and his adopted father, Joseph. Prior to Christ’s resurrection his brothers didn’t believe in him. We don’t read much about them, but here John records how they gave Jesus advice about how to become more famous. Jesus calmly replied to them that they didn’t understand God’s timing nor purpose for him.
Often the hardest people to live out your faith in front of is your own family. They have expectations of you and when you don’t live up to them, they punish you with biting comments. Yet, Jesus was obedient to God’s will for him.
After they saw him suffer and rise again, his brothers ultimately believed. James and Judas (Jude) both authored New Testament books. James, who became the lead pastor of the first church of Jerusalem, opened his little book with “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Can you think of a more convincing testimony for Jesus than this?
Does your family know your testimony of faith?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Jesus that we might believe and be saved. Yet many of us have family members who do not believe. Soften their hearts and open their eyes that they might believe in Jesus too. Strengthen us that we might be a faithful witness to them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 12, 2024
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4 ESV).
In our One Year Bible reading today I was looking for something to say to bless and encourage mothers. This passage from Proverbs seemed appropriate.
I often remember the gentle words of my mother. She always sought to encourage her children and grandchildren with her words. What made her words even more profound, was her habit of salting them with the Word of God. For she was a lover of the Bible from her youth.
My dear mother is with the Lord now, but I see this same trait in my sweet wife, Robin. Her words are always gentle and encouraging. They truly give life to our kids and grandkids. I’m thankful to have had a mother and to have a wife who offers such gentle and life-giving words.
Words have power, power to bless and power to curse, power to build up and power to tear down. Yet gentle words are a tree of life.
PRAYER: Thank you Father for the gift of mothers. You have entrusted to them the bearing of children. But more than that, You are ready to gift them with the life-giving power of Your gentleness, so that their children may be drawn to You. Lord, bless our mothers this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 12, 2023
“Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies” (John 7:18 NLT).
The crowds gathered in the Temple to hear Jesus were amazed at His teaching. They wondered how He had such knowledge and wisdom without training. He responded that His message came from God who sent Him. He did not speak for Himself. He did not seek His own glory, but to bring glory and honor to God. His answer was also an accusation against the Jewish leaders who claimed to be teachers. Jesus accused them of seeking glory for themselves.
Let us seek to be like Jesus. Let us always speak, so that Jesus gets the glory. How ugly is the human temptation to seek our own glory and to care for our own image. May we all grow in our commitment to speak in a way that glorifies Christ and not ourselves. And may we always understand that we represent Christ every time we speak.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we desire to always speak and live in a way that brings glory to You and to Your Son. As we study Your Word, set our hearts aflame with Your Spirit, so that we speak in a way that always brings You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.