Connect the sunday message to your week!

These short devotionals help bridge the gap between sunday services. We pray this resource will help you grow in your journey with Jesus!

Day 1

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Reading:
Acts 1:1-14

Devotional: Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He didn't tell His disciples to get busy working—He told them to wait and pray. For ten days they prayed, and then the Holy Spirit fell with power. Three thousand people came to Christ through one sermon. This reminds us that we cannot accomplish anything of eternal value without God's power. The American church often tries to operate through programs, personality, and planning alone. But Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Today, stop striving in your own strength. Spend time in prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. God's power is available, but we must make room for Him.

Reflection: Where have you been relying on your own strength instead of God's power? What would it look like to prioritize prayer over productivity today?

Day 2

Testing Everything by God's Word

Reading:
Acts 17:10-15

Devotional: The Bereans were commended because they didn't blindly accept Paul's teaching—they examined the Scriptures daily to verify what he said. In our culture of endless information and influential voices, this practice is more critical than ever. Just because someone is charismatic, educated, or popular doesn't mean their teaching aligns with God's truth. We must become students of Scripture, filtering every message, every philosophy, and every cultural trend through the lens of God's Word. Don't be led astray by persuasive arguments or emotional appeals. Test everything. When you anchor yourself in Scripture, you'll recognize deception and stand firm in truth. God's Word is your protection against being led off course.

Reflection: What voices are you listening to regularly? Are you testing what you hear against Scripture, or accepting it at face value?

Day 3

Servants, Not Celebrities

Reading:
1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Devotional: Paul reminded the Corinthians to view spiritual leaders as servants of Christ, not celebrities to idolize. The church had become divided over personalities—some followed Paul, others Apollos. Paul corrected this immediately: we're just servants and stewards of God's mysteries. In today's celebrity-driven culture, it's easy to elevate pastors, worship leaders, and Christian influencers to pedestals they were never meant to occupy. But every person is broken and fallen, in desperate need of Jesus. Honor your leaders, encourage them, pray for them—but don't idolize them. They're human and will disappoint you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus alone. He is the only One who will never fail you or lead you astray.

Reflection: Have you placed any spiritual leader on a pedestal? How can you honor leaders while keeping Jesus as your ultimate focus?

Day 4

The Danger of Pride

Reading:
Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

Devotional: Pride goes before destruction. The Corinthian church had become arrogant, acting as though they had achieved spiritual maturity on their own. Paul reminded them: "What do you have that you did not receive?" Everything we have—our gifts, knowledge, opportunities, even our salvation—comes from God. When we forget this, we become unteachable and vulnerable to deception. Pride blinds us to our need for correction and growth. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us teachable and dependent on God. It allows us to receive godly counsel, admit when we're wrong, and make necessary course corrections. Stay humble before God and others. Recognize that apart from Him, you can do nothing of eternal value.

Reflection: In what areas of your life has pride crept in? How can you cultivate a posture of humility today?

Day 5

Receiving Correction with Grace

Reading: Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Devotional:
Paul wrote to the Corinthians not to shame them, but to admonish them as a loving father. There's a crucial difference between shame and conviction. Shame says, "This is who you are." Conviction says, "This is what you've done, but it's not your identity in Christ." God disciplines those He loves, not to condemn us, but to restore us to right relationship with Him. When God corrects you through His Word, His Spirit, or godly counsel, receive it with gratitude. He's saving you from yourself and redirecting you back to His path. Don't harden your heart or justify your actions. Instead, respond with humility and obedience. God's correction is evidence of His love and His commitment to your spiritual growth.

Reflection: How do you typically respond to correction—with defensiveness or humility? Ask God to help you receive His discipline as an act of love.