Daily Devotions
Daily Devotions
The devotions here are based on the Bible text that we will be using and sharing from this week.
April 3, 2025: The Power of Gratitude
Scripture: Luke 17:15-16
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan.”
Reflection:
Out of the ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus. This Samaritan recognized that his healing was a gift from God and responded with gratitude. Gratitude is an essential response to God’s work in our lives. It is easy to take blessings for granted, but true healing—both physically and spiritually—requires a heart that responds in praise and thanksgiving.
Gratitude helps us recognize God’s hand in our lives and keeps us humble. It reminds us that everything we have is a gift from Him.
Questions for Reflection:
How do you respond when God answers your prayers or blesses you?
In what areas of your life do you need to express more gratitude to God?
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for all the blessings You have given me, both big and small. Teach me to have a heart of gratitude and to always recognize Your work in my life. May my life reflect thanksgiving in all things.
April 2, 2025: The Power of Obedience
Scripture: Luke 17:14b
“And as they went, they were cleansed.”
Think About It:
The ten lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ command. It was in the process of doing what He said that they received their healing. Often, we wait for a miracle before we take action, but God calls us to trust Him and take the first step. Obedience is an act of faith that leads to transformation.
In our spiritual walk, obedience isn’t always easy, but it’s often the key to unlocking God’s blessings and seeing His power at work in our lives.
Questions for Reflection:
Are you waiting for a change before taking action, or are you stepping out in obedience?
How can you practice obedience in a specific area of your life today?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to obey Your Word even when I don’t see immediate results. I trust that Your plan for me is good, and I want to follow You with all my heart.
April 1, 2025: The Call to Faith
Scripture: Luke 17:14
“When He saw them, He said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.”
Think about this:
Jesus’ command to go show themselves to the priests was an act of faith for the lepers. In the Old Testament, lepers had to be declared clean by the priests before they could re-enter society. Jesus told them to act as though they were already healed before they saw the priests. Their healing came as they obeyed, showing that faith often requires action.
Faith requires more than just belief—it requires obedience. When God calls us to act, even before we see the results, He is testing our trust in His promises.
Questions for Reflection:
Are there areas in your life where God is asking you to step out in faith before you see the outcome?
How does this passage challenge you to obey God, even when His plans are not immediately clear?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the strength to step out in faith when You call me. Help me to trust that as I obey, Your promises will be fulfilled.
the results, He is testing our trust in His promises.
Questions for Reflection:
Are there areas in your life where God is asking you to step out in faith before you see the outcome?
How does this passage challenge you to obey God, even when His plans are not immediately clear?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the strength to step out in faith when You call me. Help me to trust that as I obey, Your promises will be fulfilled.
March 31, 2025:
The Healing Power of Jesus
Scripture: Luke 17:11-13
“Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met Him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!'”
Think about it:
In this passage, we see ten lepers who were desperate for healing. They knew they could do nothing on their own to fix their condition. They recognized Jesus’ authority and called out to Him for mercy. Like the lepers, we often find ourselves in situations where we are powerless to heal our own brokenness. Jesus is always ready to hear our cries, no matter the condition or distance.
Questions for Reflection:
Are you willing to cry out to Jesus for mercy when you’re in need?
How does this passage remind you of the power of Jesus to heal and restore?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being a God who hears our cries. Help me to always recognize Your authority and approach You with faith, knowing You are ready to offer mercy and healing.
March 29, 2025
Humble Obedience to God’s Will
Scripture: Luke 17:10
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”
Reflection:
This verse calls us to a posture of humility after fulfilling our duties. It is not about seeking reward or recognition but about acknowledging that our obedience to God is simply our duty as His servants. As Southern Baptists, we believe in living out our faith in practical ways, recognizing that our lives should be marked by obedience to God’s Word and the Great Commission. When we do what we are called to do, we do it as an act of love and submission to Christ. Today, reflect on how you approach your daily responsibilities—are you doing them with humility and for God’s glory?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to always approach my duties with a heart of humility, recognizing that obedience to You is my reasonable service. May I never seek praise, but only Your will and glory in all I do.
March 28, 2025
A Servant’s Heart in the Kingdom of God
Scripture: Luke 17:7-10
“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”
Reflection:
As Christians, we are called to a life of humility and obedience to Christ, not seeking recognition or praise but simply fulfilling our duty to God. Southern Baptists emphasize serving God and others with a heart of humility, understanding that our role in His Kingdom is not for personal glory. We serve out of love for Christ and a desire to see His will accomplished on earth. Reflect on your service today. Do you approach it with the mindset of “unworthy servant,” doing all for God’s glory?
Prayer:
God, remind me daily that my service is for You and not for man’s recognition. Help me to serve with humility and love, knowing that in Your Kingdom, we are all servants of the Most High. May my actions bring glory to You alone.
March 27, 2025
Faith That Moves Mountains
Scripture: Luke 17:5-6
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.'”
Reflection:
We hold to the power of prayer and faith, teaching that faith in God is the key to overcoming the impossible. Jesus tells His disciples that even a small amount of faith in God’s power can do miraculous things. It’s not about the size of our faith, but about the object of our faith—God Himself. We must trust in His ability and not rely on our own strength. Reflect on your faith today—do you truly believe that God can do all things? Let your faith be anchored in His ability, not in your circumstances.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask for more faith in You. Even if my faith is small, I trust that You can work mighty things in and through my life. Strengthen my trust in Your power and guide me to walk in Your ways every day.
March 26, 2025
The Seriousness of Sin and the Call to Forgiveness
Scripture: Luke 17:1-4
“Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, “I repent,” you must forgive them.'”
Think About It:
Jesus places a grave warning about leading others into sin, especially those who are spiritually immature or vulnerable. As a believer, it’s our responsibility to live in such a way that we do not cause others to fall into sin. Even in the face of repeated offenses, forgiveness is required—reflecting Christ’s unconditional grace toward us. Forgiving others reflects the heart of the Gospel. As you reflect today, consider the people in your life whom you might need to forgive, and seek God’s strength to do so.
Prayer:
Father, I recognize the seriousness of sin and the responsibility I have to lead others faithfully. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me, even when it is difficult. I pray for the strength to offer grace, as You have shown grace to me.