United Devotional: Day 55

The Set-Up

We probably don’t think about this, but I wonder how many of us are enslaved in the metaphorical sense. How many of us are slaves to our jobs? Entertainment? Our desires?

How often do we put ourselves under the inappropriate control or influence of others?

We are influenced by a number of things throughout our lives. Each day we are bombarded with messages from the culture around us – Buy this! Cook this! Lose weight! Social media is full of “influencers,” people whose literal job is to affect our purchasing decisions or lifestyle.

I’m not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves. God created work, and we can do our jobs in a way that is pleasing to Him. God also created and modeled rest. Many of us find relaxation in doing things that are entertaining to us. God gave us our desires; it’s not wrong to pursue those things. And it’s not wrong to look to other people for guidance, inspiration, or advice. The problem arises when we put too much trust and emphasis on those things and not enough on God. It’s when we allow our jobs, our entertainment, our desires, or other people to have far more influence on our lives than is appropriate.

Jesus sacrificed Himself for us so that we would be free from the world. He purchased us with His blood in order to set us free. Before knowing Christ, we were slaves of the world. We didn’t know there was anything better. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” But now that we know Christ, we know the joy that awaits us in following Him. But how often do we leave our Master, who wants more for us than we could ever imagine, to go back to making mudpies, thinking that will satisfy us?

The world will never be able to satisfy us. No matter how much we give of ourselves to our jobs or our desires, no matter how much we try to emulate another “successful” person, if we’re not following God’s will for our lives, we will never be satisfied. We are not to be enslaved to this world, because this world no longer has any bonds on us. Our bondage belongs to Christ. It’s only through submitting to Him completely that we will find what we’re looking for.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 7:20-24

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to be “enslaved to the world”?

2. Based on what we’ve learned about the Corinthians so far, why do you think Paul instructed them not to be enslaved to the world?

3. What’s the difference between being a slave to Christ and being a slave to the world?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for purchasing our freedom through Jesus’ sacrifice. Ask Him to help you renew your commitment to submit to Him and Him alone. If you are struggling with being “enslaved” to something, ask Him to help break those chains of bondage.

United Devotional: Day 54

The Set-Up

The last couple of devotionals have focused on Paul’s teachings about lawsuits between two Christians. In yesterday’s reading, Paul was mainly talking to the person wronged. He taught that as followers of Jesus, we should extend forgiveness and peace rather than seek restitution through the secular court system. To go file a lawsuit against a brother or sister in Christ not only puts a bad light on the church but also causes disunity among the Christian family.

I do want to point out here that Paul was talking about civil lawsuits, not criminal charges. There’s a huge difference. I don’t think Paul would ever suggest that we should keep criminal acts under wraps for sake of the church’s reputation. In fact, in Romans, Paul says we should submit to governing authorities. He calls them God’s servants and argues that those who do wrong should be punished by those authorities (Romans 13:1-4). In all honesty, when churches do keep illegal activity hidden, they ruin their testimony to others because of the harm and trauma they’ve caused victims. So many people are hesitant or blatantly against Christianity because of hypocrisy. Covering up illegal activity only furthers distrust of those outside the church.

In today’s passage, Paul changes his attention to the person who did the wrongdoing. Even if cheating or deceiving someone didn’t seem like a big deal, it was still wrong. Sin is sin, and no matter how big or little it is, it’s worthy of God’s punishment. Because He is absolutely holy, even the smallest sin can’t be in His presence. 

Because we are human, sin will be a constant battle for us in this life. Thankfully, through Jesus Christ, God allowed us a way out of our sin. Once we’ve made the decision to follow Christ, our job is to live like it. Any of us can look at the list of sins in verses 9-10 and know we’ve done something on that list, probably even after becoming a Christian. That doesn’t mean your faith isn’t valid. The problem is when we become known by that sin, when it categorizes us because it’s so much of who we are. As followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t be known by our sin, but by the holiness we now have through Christ. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Reflection Questions

1. We are not saved by our works. The Bible is pretty clear that we are saved only by the blood of Jesus. However, our actions should match up with our faith. Is there an area of your life that isn’t matching up with your faith?

2. Which of the sins out of the list in verses 9-10 is the most surprising to you? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Paul ends his discussion about lawsuits among Christians by calling out sin? What point do you think he was trying to make?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for allowing Jesus to pay your sin debt. Acknowledge that without Christ’s sacrifice, you would be unable to earn your salvation. Ask God to point out any areas in your life where your actions don’t line up with your faith.

United Devotional: Day 53

The Set-Up

Yesterday, our devotional focused on why we shouldn’t sue another follower of Christ. From a practical standpoint, I think not suing another believer makes sense – both the financial cost and the ridiuclously long process of taking someone to court just don’t seem worth it. And, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be able to deal with our issues in a God-honoring way, without having to bring in the court system.

In today’s reading, however, Paul goes a little bit deeper, and personally, I find it harder to stomach. In verse 7, Paul basically says, “Why not just let yourself get cheated?” 

Wait, what?! Just let someone scam me? Yeah, okay, Paul.

I think the best way for me to explain this is to create a hypothetical scenario, so imagine the church parking lot after service. As I’m pulling out, I back into Pastor Cody’s car, bashing in his passenger side door. Now, there are a couple of ways to handle this situation:

1. I leave, hoping no one saw the accident.

2. I tell Pastor Cody what happened but refuse to give my insurance information.

3. I tell Pastor Cody, to contact insurance, and we work together to figure out a plan.

In each response, both Pastor Cody and I have different ways we can work through the situation. We can either work together to find a resolution that works for both of us, or we can try to cheat one another – not just financially, but emotionally, too. If I chose not to come clean to Pastor Cody, I would ruin any trust he has in me and my integrity would be shot. In that scenario, Pastor Cody would have the right press charges. He could also decide not to forgive me or to hold the event over me. Either way, if we responded in those ways, we would cause havoc on Journey Church.

Thankfully, if this scenario did happen, I know Pastor Cody well enough that he wouldn’t hold it against me, and I hope he knows me well enough to trust that I’d do whatever possible to clean up my mistake. It’s not about our “rights,” it’s about doing what is most beneficial to the body of Christ. 

We are so concerned about our rights that we sometimes forget about what is most important – loving God and loving people. That’s why it is so important for us to lean into the unity that 1 Corinthians teaches. When we lose sight of what unifies us, it’s easier to take advantage of one another, to not care about how outcomes affect others. Don’t let your rights keep you from exhibiting godly character.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 6:7-8

Reflection Questions

1. In today’s and yesterday’s reading, Paul never says, “Suffer wrong and not confront the problem.” His concern is about bringing disputes before unbelievers to resolve. What’s the difference?

2. Is it possible to “accept injustice” or “let yourself be cheated” while still confronting an issue? Why or why not?

3. Why is it important for us to have unity in the face of disagreements?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He has brought us together as brothers and sisters. Even when we argue and hurt each other, whether unintentionally or not, He gives us the grace we need to work through problems and find resolutions. Ask God to continue to unite Journey Church and Christ followers from around the globe by helping us focus on our unified goal – to glorify Him.

United Devotional: Day 52

The Set-Up

I have always been fascinated by true crime and criminal justice. This is probably because I was raised on Law and Order, CSI, and Judge Judy. 

I remember one Judge Judy episode where the plaintiff was asking for compensation because her ex-roommate stole some vintage wine. Even as a kid, I thought that was the most ridiculous reason to go to court. Why couldn’t two people who were presumably friends – at least at one time – work out a way to resolve the issue?

I like to imagine that this was what type of dispute Paul was talking about in today’s reading. In Paul’s day, civil courts met in the middle of the marketplace. Greek culture found legal battles entertaining, so it didn’t take long for lawsuits to become public knowledge. If one Christian decided to sue another, everyone in the area would know about it. What type of example would that be to those who weren’t Christians? 

We currently live in a “sue-happy” society, but God’s people are called to live differently than the rest of the culture. We’re also called to live at peace with one another, to the best of our ability (Romans 12:18). Not only does taking other Christians to court not look good for the church, but it’s also not very practical. Legal fees are expensive, and civil lawsuits between two individuals don’t typically result in good payouts. When looking at civil lawsuits from that perspective, it seems like it’s just another way to say, “I was right and you were wrong.” As Christians, that’s not the type of attitude we should have toward one another.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think two Christians suing one another puts the church in a bad light? Why would Paul be concerned about that?

2. How would you solve a civil dispute with another Christian? How would you solve a civil dispute with someone who wasn’t a Christian? Do you think there is a difference in how you would respond?

3. In this passage, Paul is discussing civil law, not criminal law. Why do you think Paul makes this distinction?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for giving us wisdom and grace in handling issues with other people. Thank Him for His constant forgiveness, and ask Him to give you the same desire to forgive others. If you are currently trying to navigate a dispute with another person, ask God for the wisdom needed to handle the situation peacefully.

United Devotional: Day 49

The Set-Up

One thing that I’ve learned from my years in education is that different students need different expectations. Obviously, there are different academic expectations for different grade levels. I can’t expect a 2nd-grade student to multiply double digits. That’s more of a 5th-grade expectation. Likewise, in working with students with behavioral difficulties, my expectations for them have to be fair. I can’t expect a 1st-grade student with severe trauma who struggles with handling anger appropriately to act like one of their classmates who doesn’t have the same difficulties.

The same is true when it comes to spiritual maturity. We can’t expect someone who isn’t a follower of Jesus to act like someone who is. At the same time, we can’t expect a new Christian to act the same as someone who has been a Christian for a decade or longer.

In the verses immediately before today’s section, Paul is calling out the Corinthian Christians for allowing blatant sin among their members. Apparently, one of the church members had some sort of ongoing sexual relationship with his stepmother, but no one in the church was bothered by it. Paul continues, explaining that allowing sin to continue in the church can have far-reaching consequences. In order to stop the spread of sin, blatant sin must be confronted and dealt with.

In today’s verses, Paul wraps up his thoughts on confronting sin by explaining that we can’t expect godly behavior from those who don’t follow Jesus. It would do us well to remember this. How often do we spend our time and energy confronting the sins of society while ignoring our own sins? Don’t get me wrong – there are definitely things about our society that we should be concerned about, things that do need to be addressed. But we need to stop attacking those who aren’t Christian for not living by Christian ideals, especially when we tend to turn a blind eye to our own issues. For example, earlier this year, a huge investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention, the second-largest Christian denomination in America, went underway, uncovering decades of sex abuse and cover-ups. Could this crisis have been stopped sooner if Christians were more concerned about the moral behavior of their brothers and sisters in Christ rather than those outside of the church? Obviously, there’s no way of knowing, but I think that the church could do a much better job of reflecting Christ if we focused more of our energy on correcting our own sin issues rather than pointing out the sins of those who don’t claim to follow Him.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Reflection Questions

1. Many people say that their problem with Christianity is hypocrisy. What do you think about that statement?

2. In verse 12, Paul says, “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” How can you apply this to your own life?

3. In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us not to judge (Matthew 7:1-5). How are we to judge those inside the church as Paul instructs, but also not judge as Jesus says?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for His willingness to forgive our sins. The Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. Ask God to help you focus on the things that are the most important, and ask that He would give you a heart that is open to confrontation from others when it’s necessary. If you feel like there is someone you need to talk to about a sin issue in your life or theirs, ask God to give you the compassion and gentleness needed to have that conversation.

United Devotional: Day 47

The Set-Up

One of my current songs is “Craig” by Walker Hayes. Here are the words to the first verse and chorus:

I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace

It’s like he understood my “I don’t want to be here” face

I felt out of place and I smelled like beer

But he just shook my hand, said “I’m glad you’re here”

He says, “We’ll all be judged”

But he was never judgmental

And even though my songs don’t belong in no hymnal

He’d quote me my lyrics, slap me on the back

Said, “Man you’ve got a gift! How you write like that?”

Yeah, I know, he sounds cool, right?

Not your typical kid from Sunday school, right?

I still ain’t figured out church yet

But Craig, I get

Nah he can’t walk on water, or turn a Napa Valley red

But he just might be tight with a Man that did

Now he’s not the light of the world

But I wish that mine was bright as his

Yeah he just might be tight with a Man that is

I’m not a crier, but I honestly can’t listen to this song without tears welling up in my eyes. What makes this song even better is that it’s based on a true story. In an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show, Hayes shares that being an artist in Nashville really messed him up. When he met Craig, Hayes was an alcoholic, a musician without a record deal, and dealing with the loss of a child. Through Craig, Hayes - a self-proclaimed atheist - was able to experience the love of Jesus. The whole interview is really impactful, and it shares how Craig, an unemployed pastor, saw Hayes as an answer to prayer, the friend he had been asking for.

On a personal level, I think why this song is so impactful for me is because I’ve been both Walker Hayes and Craig. I started attending Journey Church when I was out of a job, struggling with depression, and drinking way too much. Pastor Darrick and his family, along with the rest of Journey Church, took me in, showed me love, and gave me a job. Because of that support and unconditional love, I’ve been able to extend that to others.

Many of my closest friends are those who don’t attend church, most of them choosing not to attend because of the pain they’ve received from the church. I’ve always felt very passionate about embracing those that are outside of the church, especially those who have been hurt by “religious people.” It’s been incredible and humbling to see how God has used my life to reach others. A few months ago, I was able to help baptize one of my best friends as she made a public declaration of her faith in Jesus Christ. I am absolutely blown away by how God used me in her life. Like Walker Hayes and Craig, we were both at a place in our lives where we needed someone, and God brought us together.

I think that if Paul was alive today, someone might write a song about him titled, “Paul.” He was always willing to reach those who needed to hear Jesus, no matter what that looked like. He laid aside his Jewish traditions to reach those who weren’t Jewish; he kept the Jewish laws when he was around Jewish people. Paul took on the burdens of others so that they might know the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. 

Our world is so full of entitled people, people who are only concerned about their rights or their comfort. But as followers of Jesus, our concern should be to show others His love and share the gospel. In other words, in a world full of Karens, be a Craig.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Reflection Questions

1. Would you say that you’re a “Walker Hayes” or a “Craig”? Why?

2. Paul grew up Jewish and was extremely educated in the Jewish traditions, but he still set aside his traditions to reach people for Jesus. How can you apply that to your own life?

3. Walker Hayes said that he experience Jesus’ love through Craig. As believers, others should be able to say that about us. Is that true about you? What can you do to change or continue that?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He places us around the people we need and that need us. Thank Him for choosing to use us to reach other people, even though we’re imperfect and mess up often. Ask Him to help you see people who need to hear about Him and experience His love.

United Devotional: Day 46

The Set-Up

Throughout this summer, I’ve spent a lot of time with the daughter of one of my best friends. Sometimes, we all hang out together for a “girls' day,” and other times, it’s just the two of us while her mom is at work. 

The two of us have a great relationship. Since I don’t have kids or any nieces/nephews of my own, I think of her as my “adopted kid.” It makes me so happy to get to do all the fun aunt-type activities with her - ice cream for no reason, trips to the zoo, making messes for Mom to clean up later, etc. I’m a safe person for her: I’ve snuggled her when she’s upset or applied the magical “fix-all” bandaid when she’s hurt; I’m someone she asks for when she’s scared or nervous. But, there are times when she just needs Mom. While I am an authority figure for her and someone she loves, her mom is her ultimate authority and comforter. She knows that Mom will make something better or fix an issue.

As we’ve discovered through this series, we know the Corinthian believers had a lot of issues. Through it all, they’ve had other people step in and guide them in spiritual matters. They’ve had other teachers instruct them about Christ and the gospel. However, they had reached a point when they needed a greater authority to help straighten them out. They needed a “parent” to point them in the right direction.

That’s where Paul comes in, and it’s one of the main reasons for writing this letter. Having started the church in Corinth, Paul had a special relationship with the believers there. He cared about them as sons and daughters. Because Paul loved them like they were his own children, he needed to challenge their thoughts and beliefs in order to help them grow spiritually – even if it was uncomfortable or painful.

Like the believers in Corinth, we all have our issues. We all deal with things we can’t get past on our own. Whether a sin struggle or just life in general, there are times when we need another person to help point us back to our true focus: Jesus Christ.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Reflection Questions

1. Why was there a difference between the authority of the other teachers (verse 15) and Paul? Do you think that made a difference in how the Corinthians might have accepted Paul’s letter?

2. Has there ever been a time when you needed another person to lovingly help you get back on track spiritually? What was that experience like?

3. In verse 14, Paul says, “I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.” What do you think he is warning them about?

4. In this section, Paul says that he plans to come and visit Corinth if God allows, and he asks the Corinthians if they’d rather him come with a rod to punish or a gentle and loving spirit. What do you think Paul means by this? 

Prayer Idea

Thank God for putting people in our lives who care enough about us to help us grow spiritually, even when it’s uncomfortable or awkward. Ask God to show you if there is a specific area of concern in your spiritual life where you need help growing. Prayerfully consider going to a trusted person who is more experienced in that area than you and asking them to help you.

United Devotional: Day 45

The Set-Up

If I’m being truly vulnerable and honest, one thing I really struggle with is being questioned, especially if someone is questioning or making assumptions about my character. I like to think of myself as a pretty patient person, but having someone question my character or motives instantly sets me off. 

Because feeling like my character is being unfairly judged is something I personally struggle with, I appreciate Paul’s words in today’s passage: “It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Corinthians 4:4).

Paul isn’t saying that we are above reproach. In the following chapter, Paul actually gives his readers permission to “judge” someone for their sinful behavior. It’s also included elsewhere in Scripture that we should lovingly point out issues in our friends’ lives; Proverbs tells us that an open rebuke is better than hidden love and that a wound from a friend is better than affection from an enemy (Proverbs 27:5-7).

Paul’s issue here is that the Corinthian believers weren’t respecting his authority as an apostle. The Corinthians were pretty full of themselves – many felt that they were elite citizens with influence and importance in society. In contrast, Paul was a traveling missionary with little money and was regularly beaten for his proclamation of the gospel. It seems like Paul was an embarrassment to them. Why couldn’t he just stop making a scene?!

The thing I find most inspiring about Paul is that he is never swayed by the public’s opinion of him. His main concern is always about sharing the gospel with others, even if that means acting against traditions or propriety (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). He is able to live this way because he knows where his true justification lies – in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

It is impossible for us to please everyone. People have their own experiences and opinions; sometimes those things get projected onto us, and we get unfairly judged or criticized. But that’s okay, even when it’s hard and incredibly unfair. Ultimately, God is the only one who truly knows our hearts; He knows the motivations behind our actions. We might be judged unfairly by others, but we will never be judged unfairly by God.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever experienced someone judging you unfairly or questioning your motives/intentions? How did you feel?

2. In verse 5, Paul writes, “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns.” What do you think this means?

3. Also in verse 5, Paul writes, “For he (God) will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” What do you think about Paul’s statement here? What does this tell you about your future?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that our salvation and justification is found through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have nothing we have to prove to anyone else; Jesus already took care of all of our sins – past, present, and future. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you not unfairly judge those around you, especially their motives or intentions.

United Devotional: Day 44

The Set-Up

No matter what you’re building, the most important thing is the foundation. It doesn’t matter if you are building a car, a house, or a snowman, if you don’t have a good, solid foundation, the completed project won’t last very long.

No one understands this better than the people living in San Francisco’s luxury condo tower, the Millennium Tower.

Completed in 2008, the Millennium Tower is the tallest residential building in San Fransico. It stands 58 stories and holds multi-million dollar apartments owned by star athletes and retired Google employees. Unfortunately, a few years after completion, people noticed that the building had begun sinking. By 2016, the building had sunk 16 inches and had begun to tilt two inches toward the northwest. It’s normal for buildings to sink a couple of inches as they settle into their foundation, but the Millennium Tower was only estimated to sink four to six inches over its lifetime. Despite efforts to stop the building from sinking more, as of 2022, the Millennium Tower has sunk 18 inches, tilts 26 inches, and has started to rotate slightly.

How did such a massive project fall apart so quickly? Simple. They started with a bad foundation.

Instead of resting the foundation on bedrock, the original construction crews for the Millennium Tower used a “friction pile,” which is much shorter and doesn’t reach the bedrock. In theory, the friction caused by the sand and the weight of the building should keep the building steady, but due to other factors, that idea clearly isn’t working. In other words, a 645-foot tall building was built on sand, not solid rock.

The saga of the Millennium Tower is a good metaphor for the Christian life. Without taking the time and consideration to set a good foundation in Christ, things are going to fall apart. In all honestly, it might not seem like a big deal now, but at some point, a bad foundation will give out. It might be easier to only do the bare minimum of this Christian thing – going to church on Sunday, throwing some cash in the offering, maybe reading the verse of the day from a Bible app – but Paul warns his readers that eventually, their shortcuts will catch up to them.

That leaves us with a choice – do the right but hard things now and be rewarded later, or take the easy way now and suffer loss later. The choice is up to you, but the outcome is ultimately in God’s hands.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Reflection Questions

1. Verse 13 says, “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.” What do you think Paul means by this?

2. How can you start building or continue building a strong foundation in Christ today?

3. Is there an area in your spiritual life where you are taking the “easy way”? How might that affect you later?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He is always willing to give second, third, and fifty-sixth chances. If there’s an area in your life where you feel like you’re “short-changing” God, ask His forgiveness and then ask for His strength to change.

United Devotional: Day 43

The Set-Up

“The Best is Yet to Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Although it’s been recorded by many of the great American jazz singers, you are probably familiar with Frank Sinatra’s version.

Cy Coleman is a well-decorated American composer and jazz musician. He started writing “The Best is Yet to Come” as an instrumental to play with his jazz trio in clubs. One night when they were playing, Carolyn Leigh walked in, much to Coleman’s annoyance. Leigh was a songwriter, and often visited clubs to listen to the music – just to see if there was something playing she hadn’t heard yet.

The next day, Leigh cornered Coleman saying, “I can put a lyric to that.”

Today, “The Best is Yet to Come” is still widely known. Most people recognize the melody if they hear it in a commercial or playing over the loudspeakers in a shopping center. Pinterest is full of wedding decor that includes signage reading “The Best is Yet to Come,” although I’m not sure if they are alluding to the song or not. I’m sure that Coleman was not expecting that type of legacy when he sat down and scribbled out a few notes. 

For as long as he was alive, “The Best is Yet to Come” was one of Sinatra’s favorites, and it went down in history as the last song of his last public performance. Sinatra would die three years later and etched on his headstone are the words, “The Best is Yet to Come.” In response, Coleman said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if it’s true?”

As Christians, we know that the best is yet to come. No matter what our circumstances are in this life, even if things never get better while we’re on this earth, we can trust that our earthly lives will pale in comparison to the eternal lives waiting for us. We don’t have to question if the future is brighter or if the best really is to come. We know that it is.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 2:1-9

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you wondered if life would ever get better? What was that like?

2. Paul says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” What do you think he means by this?

3. Do you believe that there is life after this one? Why or why not?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for always working for our good and His glory. Even in the hardest situations, He is preparing us for something better. If you are struggling in your current situation, ask God to help you trust in Him to bring you through. If you are content with your life at the moment, praise God for His blessings!

United Devotional: Day 42

The Set-Up

Some of the best Bible stories are the ones where God uses the most unexpected person to do something huge. My personal favorite is the story of Ehud, a left-handed man who killed a Moabite king. Because he was left-handed, Ehud kept his dagger on his right hip. Most likely, the palace guards only searched Ehud’s left side, where most people would keep weapons, because in ancient times, being left-handedness was severely looked down upon. It was thought to be evil or unclean, depending on the culture. Ehud was basically able to waltz into the palace, stab the king, and leave. And to top it all off, the king was so obese that his stomach fat covered Ehud’s dagger (Judges 3:12-30). It was a perfect crime!

There are so many stories of God using those who are ignored by society to do His work: the midwives in Egypt refused to kill Hebrew boys as they were being born, thwarting Pharaoh’s plan of infanticide (Exodus 1:15-21); Rahab the prostitute saved the lives of a couple of Hebrew spies (Joshua 2:1-24); teenaged David killing a Philistine with a single stone thrown from a sling…and then chopping off his head (1 Samuel 17:1-58). Those are just my favorite examples of God using the unexpected – the Bible is full of so many more accounts.

What these people all had in common was their willingness to follow God at the moment, right where they were at, using what they had. When God asked them to move, they did.

God has placed you where you are for a purpose. There may be times when you feel insignificant, or it feels like you don’t have any influence. Maybe you’re in that place right now, a place where you feel like you don’t have anything of importance to offer God. But please hear this: importance, status, or influence isn’t what God is looking for. He just wants a heart that is willing to listen to Him and move out in faith. He delights in using the unexpected to bring great things. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Reflection Questions

1. After reading today’s passage, why do you think God uses ways that are unexpected (“foolish”)?

2. What do you think Paul means in verse 18 when he writes, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction”?

3. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like what you were doing didn’t matter? What was that situation like? Did something happen to make you feel differently?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He uses imperfect and unexpected people to do His work. We truly have nothing of real value to offer Him. Everything belongs to Him anyway; there’s nothing we could give Him that isn’t His. But He still delights in working through His people.

United Devotional: Day 41

The Set-Up

Earlier this spring, I competed in my first weightlifting competition. One of my friends was also supposed to compete. She wasn’t able to, unfortunately, but she still came to support me and the rest of my team.

To say this friend of mine is a beast is an understatement. She is absolutely jacked. Throughout my training, she had been a huge source of motivation for me. Knowing that she was there to watch me encouraged me, but also kind of terrified me. When we worked together, her nickname with the students was “Drill Sargent,” so hopefully that gives you an idea of her intimidation factor.

Sure enough, when I got out on stage, she was as close as she could get without actually being on the stage. I didn’t do well in my first attempt, and as I walked off to regroup, she was right there, telling me to get myself together and do better. To anyone watching, I’m sure it seemed super intense and aggressive, but I sincerely appreciated it. She knew I could do better and was pushing me to do so.

I like to think that this was Paul’s attitude toward the people of the church in Corinth. He knew they were struggling with a lot of different issues – they lived in a culture that was well known for its partying, drunkenness, and promiscuity. But he also knew they were “called by God to be His own holy people” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

If anyone understood the tension between living by society’s standards and living according to God’s standards, Paul did. He was beaten, arrested, and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. He knew how hard it was to live a life set apart for God instead of following the world. Even though there are times his words to the believers at Corinth seem harsh, it’s because he knows they can do better. He knows they have a higher calling than the one they are living. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Reflection Questions

1. What do you think it means to be “called by God to be His own holy people”?

2. It might seem that because of all their issues, the people in the Corinthian church weren’t true believers, but Paul says they were made “by means of Christ Jesus.” What do you think this tells us about Paul’s audience?

3. 1 Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote addressing the issues of the Corinthian church – he basically calls them out for their sins and shortcomings but also points them in the right direction. How can we apply this to our own lives?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for making you holy through Christ Jesus. Confess to Him that you have weaknesses and shortcomings, and you can’t overcome them without His help. Ask God to reveal any specific issues to you that you need to work through.

United Devotional: Day 40

The Set-Up

I’m writing this from a bunk bed, the place I’ve been sleeping the last week as I’ve been counseling the girls from our youth group at church camp. I love getting to spend time with our youth students, and it’s been a joy to see them build friendships that probably wouldn’t happen under different circumstances. These kids come from all kinds of different backgrounds – different states, different schools, different churches, and different home environments. But the one thing they do have in common is their desire to know God better.

When we arrived at camp, each church was placed in one of six different colored teams. Throughout the week, we’ve all been competing against each other to earn more points. From creating war cries and chants to playing rugby with a watermelon to having a mud fight, these kids have gone all out in order to win. But as soon as we walk into the chapel for evening service, their team allegiances are forgotten, and they’re all crowding around each other in front of the stage to worship the same Jesus.

We can learn so much from our kids. It’s totally fine to compete against one another, to challenge one another. It’s okay to have different opinions and interests and skill sets. But when we gather together as a group of believers, we need to set those differences aside and realize how connected we truly are. We are set apart by Jesus as one body to glorify Him together. Our unity is deeper than our opinions and our differences because it’s made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

Reflection Questions

1. What do you think Paul means when he says that we are one body?

2. How can we respect differences, but still be unified? Do you believe that is actually possible? Why or why not?

3. How can you be better unified with those in your church family – even those that seem very different from yourself?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for all the different relationships that are only possible because of our faith in Him. Ask Him to give you patience with those who are different from you or those you have a hard time connecting with. Ask God to reveal someone to you who you have a hard time connecting with, and then ask the Holy Spirit to help you find a common point of interest as a way to help you start building a relationship with that person.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass.

United Devotional: Day 39

The Set-Up

I once read that if you’re reading a book and come across a scene of people eating together, pay close attention – you’re about to learn something very important. Eating is one of the most mundane things people do, so if an author is choosing to use a meal as a setting, something big is coming — maybe a plot twist or a piece of vital information.

This is true with the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. The disciples didn’t understand that this would be the last meal they shared with Jesus, but Jesus knew. While they ate, Jesus used bread to signify His broken body and wine to symbolize His blood that would be poured out. As typical with the disciples, they missed what Jesus was trying to tell them, and instead started arguing about which one of them was greater (Luke 22:7-38).

I love Jesus’ response to His disciples' argument. He kindly rebukes them, reminding them that their job isn’t to be great by the world’s standards; they are to be servants. And then He takes it a step further. The almighty Creator of the universe, bound in a human body, ties a towel around His waist and begins to wash His friends’ feet (John 13:1-17).

The last interaction Jesus had with all of His disciples was a powerful example of what it meant to be a servant to others. This was a vital piece of information Jesus wanted to leave His followers with, and it’s something that should be at the forefront of our minds as well.

The next time you partake in communion, I urge you to remember Jesus’ humility and desire to serve those around Him. He was going to be arrested and unjustly tried in the next few hours. He knew what was coming. But instead of coming up with an escape plan or deciding to take all of Rome down with Him, He knelt on the ground and washed His disciples’ feet. That’s the example we are to follow.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Reflection Questions

1. Why is Jesus washing His disciples’ feet impactful?

2. How can you be a servant to someone today?

3. Communion is meant to help us remember Jesus’ sacrifice, but what is a way you can remember Jesus’ sacrifice today?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for allowing Jesus to pay our debt. Take a few moments to praise Him and thank Him for His sacrifice. Ask God to develop a servant’s heart in you, so you will be more aware of the needs of others.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass. 

United Devotional: Day 38

The Set-Up

When I first decided I was going to go to a Bible college, a man from my childhood church asked, “Are you going to get your MRS degree?” Once he explained to me what that was, I laughed and told him that I was only going to get an education. However, once I arrived on campus, I realized how many people went to college looking for a spouse.

During my time at college, every spring my Facebook page was full of people announcing their engagements. I even did photoshoots for a few! The joke around campus was, “A ring by spring.” Thankfully, many of the couples I knew are still married, but unfortunately, there have been many who have divorced.

Our culture pushes the idea that in order to be complete, you have to find someone special to complete you. Take the classic Disney movies, the Hallmark channel, and just about any song on the radio, and you’ll hear about people on the quest to find true love. It’s as if finding the person to say, “I do,” to is the ultimate goal in our life. Culture teaches this, but the Bible says something different.

Our ultimate goal and purpose in life is to glorify God. This is true no matter what our relationship status is. In today’s reading, Paul thinks that everyone should remain as he is – single. Being a single man allowed Paul to travel and risk his life for the gospel. He didn’t have a family he needed to provide for or protect. He could focus all his time and energy on serving God. 

Paul admits that this is just his personal view, and not a command from God, but there’s a principle we can learn here, whether you’re single or in a relationship – embrace the life you have and live as you are called. No matter where you are in life, it’s a gift from God, meant to help you reach the potential He has for you. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Reflection Questions

1. Are you content in your relationship status now? Why or why not?

2. What are some things you can do with your life situation that might be difficult for others to do in theirs? (For example, because I am single, I don’t have to worry about the needs of a spouse or family when I make financial decisions).

3. What are some of the challenges that you face in your life situation? How can you take those challenges and grow from them?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for the life He has given you. If you are struggling to find things to be grateful for, ask God to help you see His blessings. Ask God for wisdom in how to use your life situation to serve those around you. If you are struggling, ask God to reveal someone to you that you could reach out to and ask for help. By doing this, you give them an opportunity to be used by God and be a blessing, too.

United Devotional: Day 37

The Set-Up

My favorite Bible stories are the ones that tell of King David’s life. The man who would become Israel’s greatest king and a man after God’s own heart started as an easily dismissed shepherd boy. In fact, when God sent a prophet to anoint the next king of Israel, David’s father didn’t even mention that David existed. He paraded his other sons in front of the prophet, but only when God said none of those sons was the right one, did he decide to mention David. At that moment, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. The only problem though was that Israel already had a king – King Saul.

Time and time again, God showed His favor for David. Eventually, this became too much for Saul, and jealousy overtook the king. He threatened David’s life, forcing David to flee into exile. But throughout his exile, David stayed faithful to God and His promises. Most of the psalms are written by David, many written during his time of exile. These psalms overflowed with depression and sorrow as David struggled to understand what God was doing, but, repeatedly, David chooses to praise God and trust that He will right all wrongs.

David eventually did become king, decades after he was first anointed. Under his rule, Israel flourished, both financially and spiritually. 

There are so many things wrong in this world. We see evil every day. We witness unspeakable violence, wars, and unjust politicians. There are times when life is so incredibly hard and seems unfair, times when we question what God is doing. Is He even aware of what is happening? Does He even care?

Like the believers in Corinth, we need to trust that one day Jesus will claim victory over all things. Paul tells us that there will come a day when Jesus will humble all His enemies, defeating them – even death. Everything will be brought under His authority. 

God does care about us, so much so that He allowed Christ to die for us. He cares about what happens to us. Throughout Scripture, God shows Himself as a God who is passionate about the treatment of His people. Every wrong we’ve endured, every unfair decision made against us, will be brought to His judgment. Until then, we can follow King David’s example and find comfort in knowing that God will fulfill all His promises.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 15:21-28

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever questioned whether or not God sees you and your struggles? What did that feel like? How did you work through that experience?

2. How can trusting that one day Jesus will bring all things under His authority help you today?

3. Paul says that Jesus will humble all His enemies. What reaction do you have to that? Does it encourage you, scare you, shock you, etc.?

Prayer Idea

Praise God for His righteousness and goodness. Because He is righteous, we can trust Him to make just judgments, and because He is good, we can trust that He cares for us and does not seek to harm us. If you are struggling today, ask God to help you see an example of His goodness and help you trust in His plan.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 36

The Set-Up

One of the greatest deterrents to our faith is believing the lie that this life is all there is. We would probably never admit that out loud, but our actions show differently. How often do we live in fear of death? How often do we let what is happening in the here and now define our lives?

The lives were are living now are just a sliver of our existence. As James tells us in the New Testament, our life is just a puff of smoke. It’s there for a moment and then gone (James 4:14). The vast majority of our existence will be after we’ve lived our lives on earth – either eternity with God or eternity separated from Him.

Because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, there is something better than our wildest dreams waiting for us on the other side of this life. We can’t allow ourselves to get too wrapped up in the things of this world, because it’s simply not going to last. It’s only temporary. 

In no way am I disregarding the struggles of our lives. There are terribly hard seasons we all must walk through, but through it all, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God has something better planned for us. He loved us so much that Jesus died to open that way for us.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Reflection Questions

1. What are your thoughts about what happens after death? Do you believe that we will live on through eternity? Why or why not?

2. Through Jesus, God has given us victory. What victories has Jesus helped you achieve in your own life?

3. How does believing that there is more waiting for us after this life help us live out the instructions Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 15:58?

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 35

The Set-Up

One of the best things about being an adult is being able to eat cookie dough or cake batter whenever I want. I made a cake a couple of weeks ago for my mini-bff (what I call my small child friends), and I was able to eat as much of the batter as I wanted without my mom stopping me. It was great!

But with great freedom comes great responsibility. 

Part of being an adult is having the freedom to make my own choices (i.e., eat a bowlful of cake batter), but part of being a mature adult is knowing that my choices have consequences (i.e., an entire bowlful of cake batter in my stomach will not feel great later on). When I was younger, my mom helped me make those decisions by giving me clear instructions and boundaries, but now that I’m older and live on my own, I have to figure out those boundaries for myself.

This was something the early church struggled with. Many of the first converts to Christianity were Jewish and lived according to the Jewish laws and traditions. Since Jesus Himself was Jewish as well as His twelve disciples, one of the first decisions the early church leaders made was whether or not someone had to become Jewish in order to become a follower of Christ. You can read about the debate in Acts 15:1-11, but essentially, the leaders decided that since salvation was a gift of grace, it wasn’t right to expect people to uphold their old laws. 

This is where the passage for today comes into play. The believers in Corinth understood that they didn’t have to follow the boundaries of the Jewish laws and traditions. Because they were covered by grace, they could do whatever they wanted, and they were golden! But Paul writes to instruct them that just because they are free to do something, doesn’t mean it is a wise decision. 

In this context, Paul is discussing whether or not a follower of Christ should eat meat that had been sacrificed to other gods. However, instead of giving a straightforward, “yes or no” answer, Paul basically tells his audience that they need to look out for those around them, not just themselves. They could eat the meat if they wanted to, but they still needed to be aware of and consider the experiences of those they spent time with. They had complete freedom to eat the meat sacrificed to idols, but was it worth doing if it hurt another person?

Despite our independent culture, this life is not about us. Our choices affect those around us, whether we realize it or not. Yes, we have massive amounts of freedom in Christ, but we also have a huge responsibility to care for other people. Our most important job is to love God and love others.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Reflection Questions

1. Think about how you interact on social media. We are free to have our own views and opinions, but do you interact in a way that could be offensive or hurtful to those who see what you post?

2. There are many different views about certain biblical topics. Do you find it easy or difficult to respect someone else’s view that differs from yours? Why or why not?

3. Is there something that you are okay with but other believers might struggle with? How can you emphasize with them while still living out what you believe is okay?

4. Have you ever made a decision without thinking about how it would affect those around you? What was the outcome?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for the freedom we have in Christ, and praise Him that our salvation is through grace, not through keeping a list of rules and traditions. Ask that God would help you know how to live at peace with those around you, despite different opinions. If you’re feeling especially courageous, ask God to reveal anyone you may have hurt (even unintentionally) by how you interacted with them or by a choice you made that affected them. If He does reveal someone to you, reach out and have a conversation with them about the issue.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 34

The Set-Up

Reading is my first love. I was joking with my mom the other day about how when I was little, I would read everything – if it had words on it, I would read it. My summers were spent reading book after book so I could earn a prize from my local library as part of their summer reading program. But one day, the unthinkable happened: I found a book I couldn’t read.

The book? Les Misérables. 

I can’t remember my exact age, but I was definitely in elementary school when this happened. I was so confident in my reading abilities that I wanted to find the biggest book in my library and read it. 

I made it about five pages and gave up. Sure, I could read most of the words, but I didn’t have enough understanding to comprehend the context or what was actually going on in the book. I just wasn’t ready to read something at that level.

Just like I needed to learn and grow more before I could read Les Misérables, the Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians that they needed to grow more before he could give them harder concepts. He had taught them in a simple way because they weren’t ready to take in more. They just weren’t spiritually there yet.

In today’s passage, Paul tells the believers in Corinth that he wanted to teach them differently, but he couldn’t. He basically tells them that he couldn’t talk to them as mature Christians because they weren’t. They were infant Christians and metaphorically needed milk because they couldn’t handle solid food.

I think the frustrating part for Paul was that these believers should have been past the “milk stage.” It had been around 3-5 years since he helped establish the church in Corinth, but the Christians there will still immature believers. They were too focused on the things of the world to be focused on God. In fact, in this passage, the Corinthians were too busy arguing about which teacher was the best one to notice that it was really God who was behind everything.

Growing spiritually isn’t an option. God expects us to grow and become more like Christ. It’s time to put down our bottles and get to work.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Reflection Questions

1. One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to confess your sins. Is there a sin in your life you’re ignoring or something in your life you’re not wanting to change?

2. To grow spiritually, we also have to be more focused on God than the things around us. What is something that often draws your attention away from God?

3. Engaging with Scripture is a great way to learn about God, but spiritual growth is more than just knowledge - it’s learning how to apply it to your life, too. What is one thing you can do today to focus more on God than the world around you?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He has given us everything we need to grow through His Word. Ask Him for guidance and help in revealing any areas of your life that need to be changed in order to grow spiritually. Ask Him for the desire to not just read the Bible, but to let it transform you.

United Devotional: Day 33

The Set-Up:

Technology has revolutionized the world, invaded our daily lives, and changed the way we do things. Even church things. As the world continues to change according to technology — the internet, media, etc. — one thing that will never change is the Word of God.

The Word (Bible) is God’s breath — His Spirit, which is useful for teaching and learning to build up and equip God’s people. The church needs to wake up and get back to the Word of God, to allow His Word to daily change and transform us. The Church must not compete with the world; she must grow and advance by ways o the Word, to teach and talk about spiritual things and gifts of the Spirit, especially gifts of prophecy. Gifts of prophecy is much needed in the church, especially in today’s troubling world, because prophecy is meant to comfort and edify people.

When the church is excited about things of God, eager to know Him more, seek Him more, and when the church can’t get enough of God and are hungry and thirsty for more of Him, to tasted His goodness and power, to pursue Him instead of the world, then and only then can the church find what “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The key to discover God’s spiritual gifts is to love Him and to follow Him. His gifts will come to edify, exhort, comfort, and unify the church.

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 14:1

This devotional was written by Dara Rasavanh