Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11 reveal his deep frustration and sorrow over the Corinthians’ lack of discernment. False teachers, who disguise themselves as righteous but are actually servants of Satan, have infiltrated the church. These men boast in their eloquence, charge for their teaching, and elevate themselves in ways that appear strong but ultimately enslave the Corinthians. In contrast, Paul refuses to accept payment, humbles himself for their sake, and boasts not in worldly credentials but in his suffering for Christ.

Throughout Luke 20, Jesus is confronted by various groups attempting to undermine His authority. The Jewish leaders challenge Him in the temple, demanding to know the source of His authority (vv. 1–8). Jesus masterfully turns their own tactics against them, exposing their unwillingness to recognize truth when presented with it.

As I sat in church this morning, hearing a message on Elijah’s dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal, something stirred inside me. The sermon’s main thrust was about choosing God rather than idols, with a stern warning that choosing wrongly ends badly. Yet beneath this well-intentioned call, I sensed something unsettling—a transactional view of God, implying that our relationship with Him is primarily based on our performance, choices, and behaviors. It felt as though the Old Testament narrative was being leveraged to enforce New Testament living through fear and obligation rather than through grace and union with Christ.

As I listen week after week in church gatherings, my heart resonates with gratitude whenever someone is encouraged to accept Christ. Yet, a gentle discomfort stirs in my spirit when baptism by water is seemingly presented as the defining moment or pinnacle event of a believer’s new life. Baptism with water is indeed a beautiful, symbolic declaration of faith, a joyous testimony to the world—but biblically, it's not the baptism that defines us or seals our salvation.

In today's devotional from In Christ, E. Stanley Jones gently corrects the notion that Christian unity can be attained through external rituals or hierarchical structures such as baptism with water or ordination through laying on of hands. He lovingly points out that while these practices have significance, they were never intended to be the focal point for Christian unity or the source of spiritual authority. Instead, Jones emphasizes that our true unity as believers is found exclusively in Christ Himself, specifically through the baptism He alone provides—the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Epaphroditus is the kind of believer whose life quietly proclaims the very nature of Christ's servant heart. In Philippians 2:25-30, Paul honors this humble yet essential brother by describing him with words saturated in appreciation: brother, co-worker, fellow soldier, and messenger. Each title carefully chosen to highlight a single, powerful virtue—helpfulness. Epaphroditus was not merely kind; he poured himself out for others, reflecting a selfless love deeply rooted in Christ’s indwelling presence.

Today's devotional from Days of Heaven beautifully illuminates the extravagant generosity of God expressed in Psalm 84:11. Our heavenly Father freely provides grace and glory, withholding no good thing from those who walk uprightly—those who trust completely in Christ as their life. The author gently reminds us that “glory” can seem elusive, challenging to define in mere words. Yet it’s known intimately by the believer’s spirit, experienced as an overflow of God’s grace, a rich foretaste of heaven, and an inspired revelation directly from the Father’s heart. It’s the very glory that Christ Himself promised to share with us—His beloved children.

In today's devotional, Bob Hoekstra underscores a critical and beautiful truth: the resurrection of Jesus Christ isn't merely a historical event to commemorate annually. It's the cornerstone of everything we believe as Christians living under the new covenant of grace. Paul makes it crystal clear—if Christ hasn't risen, our preaching would be empty, and our faith pointless. Without the resurrection, our trust would be anchored in nothing more than the story of a great moral teacher who failed His ultimate mission. The resurrection authenticates Christ's victory over sin and death, making Him a living Savior rather than merely a memory from the past.

Oswald Chambers, in today’s entry from My Utmost for His Highest, gently reminds me that the judgment seat of Christ is not merely a distant reality, but a present-day invitation to live transparently under His gracious gaze. Judgment is often misunderstood as something frightening, something to dread at the end of life. But Chambers reveals it as an opportunity—a chance to experience the liberating purity of Christ’s loving inspection right now. It’s about allowing Jesus to show me what He has been doing in me all along, affirming His loving workmanship rather than merely exposing faults.

The heart of today's Abide Above devotional is a beautiful reminder that the spiritual life we experience directly reflects what we feed upon. Just as our physical health reveals the quality of our diet, our spiritual vibrancy reveals the richness and depth of the spiritual nourishment we choose to consume. The world's wisdom, literature, and philosophies—no matter how eloquent, insightful, or inspiring—simply cannot nourish our new creation selves. They lack the divine life needed to sustain our growth in Christ. True spiritual growth comes only from feeding upon the living Word of God, which continually refreshes our inner being and fills our hearts with genuine joy.

The return of the exiles to Jerusalem was not merely about reclaiming land or rebuilding homes—it was about restoring worship. Ezra 3 highlights this central truth: the people gathered not to secure their personal comfort first, but to reestablish their relationship with God through worship at the altar. The urgency of rebuilding the altar before even laying the temple’s foundation reveals a deep reality: true restoration begins with worship, not work.

Ezekiel 24 marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, as God commands Ezekiel to record the exact date—January 15, 588 BC—the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege against Jerusalem. This moment signified the execution of divine judgment long warned about. The people of Jerusalem had wrongly believed their city was an impenetrable fortress, likening it to a pot that kept them secure (Ezekiel 11:3). But now, God unveils the true picture: the pot is a boiling cauldron of judgment.

Job's final response to his friends is filled with sharp sarcasm—he exposes their so-called wisdom as utterly unhelpful. They offer simplistic moralism: the righteous are always blessed, and the wicked always suffer. But Job, in his suffering, knows this is false. Their framework leaves no room for undeserved suffering—no room for the cross, where Christ, the truly righteous One, suffered in our place. Their logic collapses when tested against reality, for it cannot explain God's ways.

E. Stanley Jones beautifully reminds us today of the divine pattern set forth in the New Testament: unity amid diversity. God designed His Church to be a body with many diverse members—each unique and beautifully distinct—yet all joined inseparably in Christ. Sadly, our human patterns have distorted this ideal. Instead of celebrating our unity in Him, we often gather around secondary things—denominations, traditions, leaders, or practices—and unintentionally divide the body that Christ Himself united by His blood.

In Philippians 2:20, Paul describes Timothy as uniquely selfless, a man who genuinely cared for others’ welfare without hesitation or pretense. Timothy’s selflessness wasn’t about weakness or passivity, as some mistakenly assume; rather, it was a reflection of the meekness exemplified by Jesus Himself. Meekness isn’t timidity; it's strength wrapped in humility—absorbing hurt without resentment, accepting praise without pride. It means setting aside personal interests for the sake of Christ's purposes, freely and joyfully.

In today's devotional from Days of Heaven, I'm gently reminded of the different "atmospheres" that can shape our daily lives. Some people immerse themselves in deep thoughts and intellectual pursuits, finding meaning in ideas and reflection. Others chase the fleeting comforts of pleasure, hoping satisfaction will finally stay within reach. Still others spend their days bound by duty and obligation, faithful yet missing the joy and freedom Christ offers.

The heart of today's Day by Day by Grace devotional centers on a truth that was foundational for the early church: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was not merely an event recorded in history but the dynamic, life-giving reality that transformed timid men into bold witnesses. From the Lord’s Supper to Pentecost and beyond, the resurrection wasn’t just implied or documented—it was powerfully proclaimed. It became the unstoppable message of the apostles, energized not by human strength, but by divine grace.

In my journey of faith, there inevitably comes a moment when I realize that following Jesus doesn't always match the image I had when I first embraced Him. Initially, it was exhilarating and clear; everything felt exciting and filled with purpose. I readily abandoned all else to chase after Him, confident in my understanding of who He is. But there comes a point where I find Jesus leading in ways I didn’t anticipate, toward destinations that seem uncertain and challenging. At such moments, a new realization hits—I don't fully grasp His ways or fully comprehend His thoughts. There's a sobering distance as He strides purposefully ahead, resolutely facing a path I wouldn't naturally choose.

When I discussed With by Skye Jethani with my mentor, he noticed something subtle but significant in our 45-day spiritual disciplines guide: a strong focus on being with Christ through readings in Psalms and the Gospels, yet an absence of readings from the Epistles, which emphasize being in Christ. Being with Christ cultivates intimacy and mindfulness of His presence, but being in Christ grounds us in our identity as new creations united spiritually with Him. Both perspectives are essential to experiencing the fullness of Christian life.

The heart of today's devotional challenges us to recognize where our spiritual foundation truly lies. Many believers, especially those who are still maturing in their faith, instinctively turn to Old Testament promises for comfort and direction. While the Old Testament is rich with truth, it was given to lead us to Christ and reveal our need for grace. The law was never meant to perfect us but rather to show us our inability to attain holiness apart from Christ.