Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:5-30

They said to Moses, “Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt that you took us away to die in the desert? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt like this?” - Exodus 14:11 (CEB)

While I expected to face challenges, I never anticipated that I would regret accepting God’s call to be a medical doctor. From the demanding schedules to the overwhelming workload of medical school, it’s a wonder that so many students persevere. I reached the point of almost quitting when I failed a course in my first year of pre-clinical training. I felt as if God had brought me to medical school only to fail. I would have been better off if I had chosen an easier path, I thought.

Doesn’t that sound familiar? “What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt like this?”

God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, leading them to the land promised to their forefathers. But when they got to the Red Sea, the Egyptians pursuing them, they began to regret the day they stepped foot out of Egypt.

When the journey to fulfilling my God-given dream became challenging in ways I didn’t anticipate, I learned that just because God calls me to something doesn’t mean it will be easy. And just because I hit a roadblock along the way doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. God can make a way where there seems to be no way. Through it all, I have learned that God is faithful and that God can be trusted.



Prayer: Dear God, thank you for calling us to divine purpose. Help us to lean on you for strength and guidance on the journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:14-29

The father said, “If you are able to do anything, help us! Have compassion on us!” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” - Mark 9:22-23 (NRSVUE)

A few months ago, I was trying to resolve large debts. Then my situation was exacerbated when my car was stolen and insurance did not cover the loss. I was frustrated and desperate, lacking the resources to cover everything. I prayed for answers on how to manage things, but I thought I was in charge and looked away from the true Provider — God.

One day I was reading the story in Mark 9 about the boy possessed by a spirit. I focused on Jesus’ response to the boy’s father: “All things can be done for the one who believes.” The words were profound for me because of my situation. My frustration had led to spiritual blindness and a disbelief that God was in control. However, in that crucial moment I began to understand that more than the money, my problem was my lack of faith. This shed new light on my perspective, and I echoed the response of the boy’s father: “I believe; help my unbelief!” I began to pray more earnestly. The following week, I began to feel better about my circumstances.

We are not exempt from enduring difficult and distressing circumstances, but in those moments God refines our understanding and strengthens our faith.


Prayer: Thank you for loving us, heavenly Father. Help our unbelief and increase our faith so that we will always turn to you, in good times and bad. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Psalm 66:16-20

As for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. - Micah 7:7 (NIV)

My two young grandsons were playing together in our backyard, competing to see who could kick their shoe the highest. Sounds of laughter and fun eventually turned to yelling and frustration.

As I made my way over to them, I saw that my oldest grandson was in tears. He pointed up. One of his brand-new sneakers was now stuck in a clump of branches, high up in a maple tree. He was terribly upset and yelled out, “I prayed to God, but he hasn’t done anything to help!” After taking a minute to console him, my cousin and I retrieved a ladder and broom and worked together to knock the shoe down to the ground.

Reflecting on the situation, I was pleased that my grandson relied on prayer during a difficult circumstance. As Christians, we know that praying should be our first response in times of trouble. But, as I later explained to my grandson, we must keep our eyes wide open to see the creative ways God answers our prayers. God didn’t solve my grandson’s problem by having the shoe instantly fall from the tree. Instead, God sent two capable adults to comfort and problem solve.

As we meet daily challenges, let’s remember to pray for God’s help and guidance and to be patient and watchful for God’s wisdom and creative problem solving.



Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us remember to rely on prayer during trying times. Please grant us patience as we wait for your blessings of guidance and wisdom. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 

Once you were alienated from God. . . . But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death, to present you before God as a people who are holy, faultless, and without blame. - Colossians 1:21-22 (CEB) 


In my classroom, I used to have five glass bowls — one for each group I taught. When the students obeyed the rules, I added a pebble to the bowl for their class. When they disobeyed the rules, I took a pebble out of the bowl. After a while, I would count the pebbles in each bowl, and the class with the most pebbles won a pizza party.

Many people think this is what it’s like to be a Christian: God gives us a bunch of rules to follow and adds pebbles to our glass bowl when we obey and takes them out when we disobey and then counts our pebbles to see if we’ve earned the reward of heaven. But this is not what Christianity is.

Christianity is not about obeying rules to score enough points to win admission into heaven or to get on God’s good side. Being a Christian is about living in relationship with God. That’s why the apostle Paul calls the gospel the “message of reconciliation” in today’s reading from Second Corinthians. It’s the good news of how we are reconciled to God through Jesus. And this is God’s gift given freely to us and not something we earn.


Dear God, thank you for inviting us to live in a loving relationship with you by faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to share this good news with others. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:6-10 

Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. - Psalm 139:10 (NIV) 


As a healthcare provider, I had many responsibilities in caring for patients in the hospital. One time I was asked to take over a colleague’s work while she was on vacation. Her work differed somewhat from mine and required that I complete tasks and make decisions which I was uncomfortable with and not as confident about. At first I was very anxious and overwhelmed. I doubted my ability to manage this new assignment. Then I remembered Psalm 139:10 — “Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

I decided to write this verse on a note card, along with this message: You are not alone. God is with you and will help you. Just ask God. I placed the note in my lab-coat pocket before I began each workday. If I started to feel anxious, I would pat my pocket to remind myself of these important truths. This reminder of God’s presence with me gave me a wonderful sense of peace. I felt confident that the Lord would provide the knowledge and the resources I needed to accomplish the work in this new role.

With God’s guidance, strength, and support, I was able to complete this assignment in a caring and confident way. This stressful time reminded me that the Lord will guide and equip me with what I need when I ask and trust God.




Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for reminders that you are always with us. Thank you for guiding and helping us, especially during stressful times. Amen. 

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-31

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. - Luke 6:30 (NIV) 


When I’m leaving my neighborhood grocery store, I often see a young man standing on the street corner, holding a sign. It says, “Homeless. Please give. Anything helps.” He stands there week after week, hoping someone will notice him and contribute. I’ve grown used to seeing him, and I don’t always remember to notice whether he’s there. Occasionally, I give him a few dollars, but I wonder: Is my money truly helping him?

Then I read Luke 6:30 — “Give to everyone who asks.” And I ponder what it would be like to live out these words of Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus doesn’t ask me to set up a charity organization or determine what the man should be doing with his life. Jesus just asks me to give. What if I simply give what I can to everyone who asks — without judgment about whether they need it or whether it will be used well? What if I make an extra effort to be present and attentive to those around me who need help?

Some days I can give the man one dollar. Some days I can give five dollars. And some days all I can give is a heartfelt prayer as I drive by. But when I give what I can to everyone who asks, I can trust that I’m listening to Jesus’ words and learning to follow him more closely.



Prayer: Dear God, help us to truly see the people asking us for help and to respond. Amen. 

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-11

[The Lord] says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV) 


The constant hum of my refrigerator had become such familiar background noise that I barely noticed it. But then during a power outage, the sudden silence felt deafening. As I sat in the darkness with a flashlight, I realized how much noise usually filled my life — electronics, traffic, and endless phone notifications.

In the unexpected quiet, I heard other things: my breathing, the gentle rustle of leaves outside, and — somehow more clearly than ever — God’s presence. The verse, “Be still, and know that I am God,” took on new meaning. I had read this scripture countless times, but experiencing genuine stillness helped me understand it differently.

We often think of silence as emptiness or absence. But that night, I discovered that silence isn’t empty — it’s full of God’s presence waiting to be noticed. Sometimes we need to quiet the noise of daily life to hear God’s voice clearly.

The power came back on after a few hours, but that experience changed me. Now, I intentionally create quiet moments in my day. Sometimes it’s just five minutes before sunrise or turning off my car radio during my commute. In these quiet spaces, I’ve found that God often speaks most clearly.



Prayer: Dear God, help us find moments of stillness in our busy lives where we can experience your presence more deeply. Amen. 

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-11

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:3 (NIV)


I had volunteered at a church event to distribute food and help clean up. Initially this felt like an insignificant job, and I was reluctant. My friends were on stage leading worship, hosting, and preaching, while I was cleaning up in the back. I began to feel left out. However, I gradually realized that this simple task had meaning. Through serving I connected with people and saw those in need of help, and I found a send of fulfillment and peace.

In those moments, I realized that when Jesus spoke of the "poor in spirit," he may have been talking about not being self-centered, focusing instead of God's calling and love for others. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," because a humble heart allows us to rely more deeply on God, enabling us to experience the peace and blessings of the kingdom of any situation.

In daily life, we may encounter tasks that seem small and are often overlooked. However, when we embrace these with humility and give our best, we can experience God's presence even in these small acts of service. True blessings are not born out of pride or self-interest but flow from a humble heart. God's grace, like a spring, nourishes our lives and refreshes the hearts of others.


Prayer: Dear Lord, grant us humble hearts so that we will lean on you and feel your peace and blessing. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:8-15

Encourage one another and build each other up. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) 

When I arrived at church, Joyce was already there. She had made coffee for Sunday school and had probably cleaned up the classroom, knowing her. Now she was walking around the sanctuary, greeting people with a constant smile on her face. I noticed that she made sure to speak with the elderly. She gave a hug to a woman in a wheelchair and to another woman with a walker. As church began, she slipped into the pew in front of me and turned to give me a hug and a smile.

After church, I asked her how she was doing. She hesitated a moment and then said, “Fine.” I asked again, “How are you really doing?” Dropping her smile, Joyce confessed that she was struggling. She felt lonely. She wondered if she really belonged in this church. Her words surprised me. She always seemed so upbeat. I had no idea she was hurting. I promised to pray for her and vowed silently to check on her regularly.

We all love the encouragers among us and appreciate the love they shower upon us. But do we consider that they also need encouragement? We can reach out not only to visitors and those who appear lonely but also to those who are so quick to reach out to us. They may need a listening ear and a sympathetic heart.


Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember those who have encouraged us, and show us ways to encourage them. Amen. 

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25



In the agricultural industry, we use a variety of equipment that comes with an abundance of moving parts. It is inevitable that something is going to break down. This usually happens at the most inconvenient time. When a piece of equipment cannot be used, we call this downtime. Downtime is costly because if the wheels are not turning the necessary tasks are not getting done.

However, we have a preventive maintenance program in place that reduces a fair number of these breakdowns. We bring equipment to the mechanic before we need it so they can check things over and repair it before it breaks. Being proactive saves a lot of frustration and stress.

Life has many struggles, and having a relationship with and learning to trust God makes it easier to accept God's comfort and wisdom. Shaping this relationship through devotion, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers is like a preventive maintenance program for our spiritual lives.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for giving us what we need each day. Help us to seek your guidance so we may be better equipped to serve you and others. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24

You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted be its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
 -Ephesians 4:22-23


Before following Jesus, Peter was a fisherman; his whole life revolved around catching a fish. That changed when Jesus gave him a new identity as a "fisher of men." Yet, after three years of following Jesus- hearing his teachings, witnessing his crucifixion, and even seeing him resurrected- Peter was still unsure of his next steps. So Peter decided to return to what was familiar, saying, "I'm going out to fish" (Jn. 21:3).

Often when we feel confused or stuck, we retreat to what we know. Like Peter, when faced with certainty, we return to familiar waters, falling back into old habits or revisiting the places we previously frequented.

But rather than returning to the familiar, Jesus calls us to embark on new journeys, following the path he set before us. Ephesians 4:22 says to "put off your old self." We are called to move beyond who we were before and live with purpose for the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen

Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

[Jesus] replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” - Matthew 15:26-27 (NIV)


One morning at the breakfast table, I watched as beautiful birds enjoyed the seed at my bird feeder. Cardinals , chickadees, and a dove eating peacefully made me smile. Suddenly, several larger, more aggressive birds flew in all at once. Startled, the smaller birds flew away. It upset me, so I got up, opened the glass door, and chased the new birds away. The seed I had put out was intended for the songbirds!

The next morning at breakfast the same thing happened. Just as I was about to chase the birds away again, today’s scripture from Matthew came to mind. A Canaanite woman was pestering the disciples and Jesus to heal her daughter. This upset the disciples, and they wanted Jesus to send her away. When Jesus told her he was sent only for the chosen, the people of Israel, her determined faith led him to show her compassion. The bigger birds weren’t the birds that I intended the seed for, but they too were hungry for nourishment.

Likewise, as Romans 9:23-26 reminds us, God’s grace is for everyone, not just a chosen few.


Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, may we never forget we are to spread the good news to all. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91:9-16

God says, “Because you are devoted to me, I’ll rescue you. I’ll protect you because you know my name. Whenever you cry out to me, I’ll answer. I’ll be with you in troubling times. I’ll save you and glorify you.” - Psalm 91:14-15 (CEB)

Many years ago, I belonged to a group of people who got together regularly to ride horses. We camped, rode trails, and participated in parades.

On one particular ride, one of the horses bolted from the horse trailer. Without thinking I grabbed the lead line, which slid through my hands, leaving severe rope burns. My injury prevented me from participating in the trail ride, so for hours I sat alone, nursing my hands as they began to blister. I knew I should have just let the rope go instead of holding on. As I had often done in other areas of my life, I tried to control things by myself rather than trusting God’s promises.

Looking at my injured palms, I thought of how I needed to let go of my desire for control and trust God in every area of my life. With that revelation, I gained a new sense of peace. When my friends returned, they found me smiling and ready to head home with the plan to put my trust in God, no matter what occurs in my life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives. Make us aware that your love, power, and wisdom are always available to us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: John 15:11-17

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

At ninety-two years old, I spend a lot of time alone in my little trailer. I have wonderful friends at church and the senior center, but still I spend most of the time by myself. However, one day while reading The Upper Room, I realized that I have friends everywhere! In its pages, I read about people who have troubles similar to mine, and I feel connected. I read about fellow Christians who are full of joy, and it uplifts me. If they write more than once, I get to meet them again! And I can visit with them over and over. All I have to do is pick up the devotional and read it as many times as I like. Through The Upper Room’s translations, I have a worldwide community!

And, of course, I have a friend who is closer than a brother — Jesus Christ. He is with me day and night, and I talk to him very often — whether I have big problems or am merely frustrated about something I can no longer do well and need advice to direct me to a new way of doing things. Because I read the Bible often, many characters seem like good friends when I read their stories again.

I experience God’s peace when I remember my friends around the world and the One who is closer than a brother (see Prov. 18:24).

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for friends near and far, and thank you for being our dear friend. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: John 14:25-27

I recently got hearing aids, but I continued to miss a lot of my morning conversations over coffee with my wife. The hearing aids were working fine. The issues were that my wife is soft-spoken and, more important, that I was not focused on listening. There were too many distractions as I checked news headlines and read emails on my phone. I was missing out on the part of my day that I most cherish, not because I couldn’t hear but because I was not paying attention.

Similarly, the presence of and communion with the Holy Spirit is a gift that we should treasure. As today’s verse states, the Holy Spirit will keep us mindful of the teachings of Christ and is the source of peace that surpasses all understanding. However, when I am not focused on listening, I miss much. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is also soft-spoken. To learn from the Holy Spirit and discern our true path, we must be disciplined in eliminating distractions so that we can really listen.



Prayer: Dear God, help us listen so that we can sense the presence of the Holy Spirit and receive the peace that we long for and that only you can provide. Amen. 

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“One kilometer to go,” shouted the timekeeper as I crossed the mark in a 5-kilometer run. I was tiring, but I kept my eyes on the finish line and my mind focused on winning the prize. I was running for the reward that comes with being first to cross the finish line. I had trained months for this day.

Early on, others passed by me, but I had kept to my own pace. Thoughts of quitting entered my mind as I tackled the hills. The last hundred yards were the hardest. My breathing was heavy and my legs ached. But the cheers of people along the roadside spurred me on. I finished strong and won first prize.

Paul likens the Christian life to a race. We are to run the course set before us with purpose and perseverance. In order to run with vigor, we must practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship, and Bible study. We will all give account to Christ and be rewarded for how we have lived. When I stand before Christ, I want to receive his commendation and receive the rewards for a life of faith and obedience.


Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to run with vigor the course of life so that we honor you and receive our eternal reward. Amen.

Upper Room Devotional

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Just after my first year of high school, I desperately needed a change. I had been going to a private school my entire life and living in the bubble that comes with that. I wanted to escape the familiar and experience something new. I was terrified to go to a public school because it was such an unfamiliar place, and I did not know anyone. But I felt God was urging me to make a substantial change, and so I decided to change schools. I poured all my stress and anxiety into my prayers and trusted God to help me.

Having now finished high school, I could not be more thankful that God gave me the courage to make that change. Even though I was nervous at first, eventually I found peace in my choice. I learned so much in those three years about respecting others with different beliefs and life experiences. My eyes were opened to so many different walks of life, which made me grow stronger in my faith and realize how God works in mysterious ways.
No matter how big or small the change may be, God has our best interests at heart. Following God's call-even when it requires a big change- can be a wonderful blessing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, remind us to put our trust in you. Give us courage to embrace new experiences and to follow your loving guidance. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 17:22, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 4:6, James 1:2-4


For some believers in Jesus, spreading joy as a way to share our faith in Jesus will be the easiest thing we ever do. Some of us are just naturally nice and friendly. People might rarely have anything negative to say about us, and tell us they feel better just being in our presence. Let’s use this to our advantage and influence them for Jesus by spreading joy! So, how do we do this?

First, we consider what we say. When our words are sprinkled with kindness and gentleness, we draw people to ourselves instead of repelling them. Speaking with grace and kindness is a universal language that everyone understands.
 
Second, we can do something nice for someone. Maybe our coworker is always negative. It may feel unnatural to do something nice for him or her, but this is the best time to do it. The fastest way to break down a hard heart is by dousing it with a kind act.

Third, we choose to do the kind things that bring a smile to someone’s face—a compliment instead of a complaint, a hand-written note of encouragement, or their favorite drink.
When we do things like these, we’re telling them that we see them and that they have a friend in us.

People who are joy spreaders are others-focused and look for ways to serve and love the people around them. While it comes more naturally for some, we’re all called to exhibit joy and make a difference in someone’s life. Understand that as we do this, we’ll be asked a variety of questions:

Why are you so happy?
Why do you say nice things to me?
Why don’t you have bad days?
Why do you always have a smile on your face?
Why are you nice to everyone?

We have a great opportunity to evangelize those around us simply by telling them why we have this unexplainable joy. This is our time to say, “The reason I’m this way is because I know Jesus, and He guides my life. Things don’t always go my way, and sometimes, life is extremely hard. But, He’s with me, all the time, in every season, and during difficult storms. And He died for you and wants to know you.”

Whether you share your faith through your story, extending an invitation, appealing to someone’s intellect, or spreading joy, whatever is your best evangelistic tool, use it! All we have to do is our part. God didn’t ask us to save someone. That’s His job. We are simply the tools He uses while His Holy Spirit is transforming someone’s heart.

Appeal to Intellect

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-19, James 1:5, 1 Peter 3:15

One of the more difficult aspects of sharing our faith is when we know someone who won’t believe in God because they can’t see Him. In fact, many highly intelligent people struggle with putting their faith in something they can’t see. They’d rather trust in their own intellect and things they can actually place their confidence in.
 
If you’ve read any part of the New Testament, then it’s likely you’ve read something that was written by the Apostle Paul. He was well-educated, highly intelligent, and even once persecuted people who believed in Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say this for certain, but with all of the credentials attributed to Paul, it’s likely that he was a know-it-all, arrogant Jew. But on one unlikely day as Paul was still threatening Christians with their lives, he was transformed.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6 NIV

Paul went from oppressing and harassing Christians to encouraging and teaching them. For years he’d heard the truth about Jesus, but chose to reject Him because this didn’t line up with everything he’d learned in his life. But on this day, no amount of intellect could explain away his experience with Jesus on that dusty road.

This method of evangelism, where we appeal to someone’s intellect, won’t be for everyone, but it will be attractive to some. Maybe we just don’t feel we know enough to journey down this intellectual path. Even if that’s the case, there could still be a time when God places someone in our path who has an abundance of questions, and plenty of them are ones you don’t seem to have the answers to.
 
Let’s spend some time learning new things about our amazing God, so that we’ll be prepared with answers to the questions that may be asked of us. We can also read books and learn about men and women who came to know Christ through a more intellectual way. Some people we come across won’t believe in anything until they understand it completely. And while we can’t change their hearts, we can be ready to share what we know and trust God to do the rest.

We won’t know everything, but we can ask God for wisdom that He’s ready to give us. As we learn new things, God may use us to bring grace-filled truth to someone at a time when we least expect it.

A very popular way that people share their faith with others is through extending invitations. Sometimes we don’t know what to say to people about our faith, so inviting them to our church to hear the good news of Jesus is often a great start. In fact, most people will attend church at Christmas or Easter because of traditions. Always be on the lookout for how you can introduce someone to Jesus through an invitation.

There is a noteworthy story found in John 4 where we see this act of inviting people displayed. Jesus and His disciples had just spent time in Judea baptizing people. On His way back to Galilee, He stopped at a nearby well to rest and get water. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and that’s when Jesus asked her for a drink. It was uncommon for a Jew to associate with a Samaritan, so the woman was clearly shocked that He asked her for help.
 
They began a conversation where Jesus was referring to one thing, and she was thinking it was something else. She eventually asked Jesus to give her this “living water,” but His response was unexpected—“Go and get your husband.” (John 4:16 NLT) When she told Him she didn’t have a husband, Jesus proceeded to tell about her past with men, which included five previous husbands and a current live-in boyfriend.

After more discussion, Jesus tells this woman that He is the Messiah in John 4:26. She left her jar, ran back to town, and started telling people about this man who knew everything about her. The people followed her back to where He was. And this is where her invitation does a miraculous work!

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” John 4:39 NLT

Can you just imagine the scene? What started as a story of a man asking a woman for water ended up turning into an evangelistic event! Because this woman invited people to meet Jesus, many lives were changed. She didn’t have to know all of the right things to say or do, she simply had to say, “Come and see!” And they did.

We can all find something to invite someone to where they can hear about the Jesus we believe in and live for. You could invite them to church, or a Christian concert or conference. Or you could also invite them to a Bible study or choose a Christian book to study with them. You could introduce them to the YouVersion App, and then begin a Bible Plan together.
 
There are numerous ways to invite someone to hear the truth and grace about Jesus Christ. Think about the ways you could begin to implement this into your strategy for sharing your faith. 

Share Your Story

One of the most compelling ways to share our faith in Jesus is by sharing our testimony, or story. The word testimony simply means that we’re sharing something that we experienced firsthand. We’re giving evidence of an event that occurred in our lives. Sharing our story is so powerful, because it’s not debatable. Not only that, but there is a strong chance they’ll be able to see the transformation that has occurred within you.

In John 9, the chapter opens with Jesus and His disciples coming across a blind man. The disciples wanted to know if this man had sinned to cause his blindness or not. Jesus assured them that the reason he was blind was “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3 NIV) Eventually, Jesus healed the blind man in a bizarre way when He spit on the ground, made mud, and then rubbed it over the blind man’s eyes. After the blind man washed his eyes in the Pool of Siloam, he could see.

This man was born blind, and everybody knew it. You can imagine the questions asked and the awe-inspired looks he got when he started interacting with the people around him. It was such a big ordeal that the now-seeing blind man was brought to the Pharisees. At first, they were upset that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Eventually, they began to ask more questions and even doubted that the man was ever blind! One visit with the man’s parents proved their doubts wrong.

Most of us might have been flustered by all of the questions from the Pharisees, especially when they wanted him to “give glory to God by telling the truth.” (John 9:24 NIV) You can almost hear the frustration in the man’s voice when he finally responded:

“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” John 9:25 NLT

So, what’s your story? What has God done in your heart? How has He changed your life? There are so many people who need to hear what He’s done in you. And there’s no one better to tell of God’s work in your life than you. Firsthand stories change lives!

Spend some time thinking about how God has worked in your life. Maybe it’s something profound with one of your children, or how God healed you from a disease. It could be that your view on life has drastically changed, and you know that’s only because of the life-changing power of Jesus. Whatever way God has given you a story to tell, tell it!

Why should I share my faith?

When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, it means that we’re saying yes to His ways and His plans for our lives. Part of that is sharing the life-changing power of Jesus with those around us. This is called evangelism.
 
Evangelism is defined as a zealous advocacy for a cause. In Christianity, this “zealous advocacy” is spread when we share the good news of Jesus Christ—how He came to earth to save us by dying for our sins and then being raised back to life so that we could spend eternity with Him. This is the good news of Jesus.

So, why is this important for us as followers of Jesus? For one, Jesus said to do it in the last words He spoke to His disciples at the end of Matthew 28. He told them to “go and make disciples of all nations…” And they did, and so should we! Secondly, anytime we have good news to share that could benefit someone’s life, we share it, don’t we? Knowing Jesus is not only good news, it’s the best news! We have the cure for the human condition, so let’s be a sharer of God’s love to the people in our lives.

Before we share the good news, or gospel, of Jesus, it’s important that we know it. Here’s the truth about what God has done for us:

God created us for a relationship with Him. (Genesis 1:26) But, we sinned and because of that, we deserve punishment. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23) Thankfully, God made a way for us to know Him by sending His only Son, Jesus, to save the world by dying on a cross and rising from the grave. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9) And once we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we receive eternal life. (Romans 10:9-10)
 
Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? We messed up, but then a loving, perfect Heavenly Father sent His only Son to save us from ourselves. It’s profound, but very simple. And it’s extremely good news!

Read: Acts 4:13-31, Mark 16:14-20

Hopefully, over the past few days, you have felt a Holy nudge to truly live out the book of Acts as a kingdom ambassador for Christ. The book of Acts is our roadmap for how we, as disciples of Jesus, are to conduct ourselves. This call to action is not just for pastors and church leaders, but for all of us. The more believers embrace living out the book of Acts, the more we will see God's kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

The enemy isn't intimidated by a believer who only knows the Word; he's terrified of one who lives it. To live out Acts, we must have the audacity to believe in God through any of the enemy's tactics. Knowing that as we care for one another, trust the Holy Spirit, and surrender to the Holy Spirit as people sent by God, we are fulfilling our kingdom mandate.

By embracing these foundational principles, we will see a world ablaze for the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. I leave you the charge and prayer for boldness that Peter and John prayed when they were imprisoned. That as you speak with boldness, miracles, signs, and wonders begin to take place in the name of Jesus.

By His authority, we have the power to bring healing, restoration, salvation, and hope to a people in desperate need of the love of Jesus. Go out and make a difference, proclaiming the name of Jesus in all the earth.

Prayer: Lord, help me take the steps necessary to live out the book of Acts today. As Peter and John prayed, grant me the boldness to speak your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen.

Read: Acts 9:1-22, Philippians 1:21, Romans 12:1

There are two S’s that speak to living out Acts that I want to call to your attention. The first one is similar to trusting the Holy Spirit, but I believe it speaks to a deeper level of trust, which would be surrender. This surrender is not a solitary act, but a process guided and supported by the Holy Spirit. One of the most prominent examples of this comes from the Damascus road experience of Apostle Paul.

Paul, known as Saul before his conversion, was a notorious Jew known for persecuting Christians. But in Acts 9, he would have an encounter with Jesus that would change his life forever. In this encounter, Jesus would tell Saul that it “is hard to kick against the prick or goad."

This phrase, often used in agricultural contexts, means it’s hard not to surrender to the Lord when He has called you. In this interaction, Paul would respond, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” And at the command of Jesus, Paul did exactly what He said from that day forward, writing about half of the New Testament and leading churches worldwide.
To truly live out Acts, we must be willing to surrender everything to the Lord. For Paul, it was his traditional way of thinking, his knowledge, and eventually his life. Yet, in this surrender, he found true freedom. He was so committed that he wrote, 'To live is Christ and to die is gain' (Philippians 1:21) and 'to present our bodies as living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1).

I urge you to surrender whatever may be holding you back from truly living out the Acts, whether it’s fear, lack, comparison, money, or even an ideal way of life that you had planned without consulting God. In this surrender, you will find true liberation and peace.
It is through Paul’s surrender that we understand fully what it means to be sent. When you look at the word Apostle (Apostolos in the Greek), it simply means a sent one. When Paul surrendered to the Lord, he embraced the sent nature of the Great Commission and helped spread the Gospel to new territories.

In the same way Paul was sent, we, as New Testament believers, are being sent out into our jobs, schools, neighborhoods, and so on, to proclaim the goodness of God. But to embrace being sent, you have to surrender the insecurities, people pleasing, and anything else that may hinder you from sharing the Gospel of Jesus with all you come in contact with. It is on us to share the good news to the ends of the earth beyond the comfort of the church!

Reflection Questions:

Where do you feel God asking you to surrender control right now?

What’s one step you can take this week to live like someone who has been sent by God?

Read: Acts 5: 1-11, Acts 10: 1-48, Acts 11: 1-18

Depending on the translation of the bible you read, the book of Acts may be referred to as the Acts of the Apostles. While this title is true, as we see what the apostles did through the book of Acts, I would encourage you to view it in addition to Acts of the Apostles as Acts of the Holy Spirit. For it is by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that the Apostles acted.

Now that I have shared that I believe it is important for us today just as it was for the Apostles then to trust the workings of the Holy Spirit. Acts 5 gives us an example of what not trusting (by way of lying) can do in the example of Ananias and Sapphira. Their lack of trust led to dire consequences. This should reassure you of the importance of trust in the Holy Spirit and give you confidence in His guidance.

However, let’s focus on another instance that I believe speaks to trusting God. In Acts 10 and 11 we see Peter preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. In short, the Gentiles were not seen as the chosen people like the Jews were and so this was a big deal and counter cultural for a Jew to do such a thing. But the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that God shows no partiality by way of a vision God gave Him and by seeing the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:34). In Acts 11, Peter would have to defend this revelation sharing with the Jews, leading them to be accepting of Gentiles who believed in Jesus, the risen savior.

This took Peter trusting the work of the Holy Spirit to stand for something that was counter cultural but from the Lord. In the same way, we have to trust the Holy Spirit when He shows us something or tells us things that may be contrary to societal norms. As New Testament believers, we have to take the promptings of the Holy Spirit seriously. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you to be bold and share your faith with those who don’t believe like you. Trust Him to lead you to pray for the stranger in need of a touch from God. Trust God to give sacrifically because you know that God will supply your needs.

Reflection Questions:

When was the last time you sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to do something—and did you follow through?

What might trusting the Holy Spirit look like for you this week—in your words, decisions, or relationships?