Today Daily Devotional

The woman . . . said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
— John 4:28-29

It started as an ordinary day. The woman had her routine planned—including going to the well at the hottest time of day, when no one else would be there. She was tired of the looks and the whispers of others. Life had not gone as she had hoped. She was glad to have a house to live in and a man to share it with her. At least he did not seem to mind the rest of her story. As she approached the well that day, the woman noticed someone was there. But she needed water, so she continued to the well and began filling her water jar. The stranger engaged her in a conversation that should never have happened. And yet what he said was amazing. Leaving her water jar behind, she raced back to her village to tell others, “Come and see . . .”! She needed them to know what had happened and that there was hope and life. Jesus chose an unlikely woman to carry out his mission of peace and good news that day. She went from hiding to inviting others to hear the story. Have you ever felt as if your story disqualified you from sharing with others? Well, Jesus is calling. He is inviting you to share with others the message of God’s grace and truth. Will you too invite others to come and meet Jesus, who knows everything about us all? 

Dear Lord, thank you for interrupting our ordinary life to show us your glory. Thank you for choosing us to share your story. Thank you for bringing us hope and light and truth. Amen.

How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
— Romans 10:14

Have you ever wondered what beautiful feet look like? A woman who walked into my office one day helped me to see that beautiful feet make the effort to go on mission. She had a heart for second-generation Koreans who were leaving the church. She said she needed someone who could help her find a place for them. In the next couple of weeks we worked on how that could happen within our church. We looked at our Alpha course, which invites people to ask questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Christian faith. We decided to offer the Alpha course in both English and Korean. The door that she opened in my office that day has led to many Koreans coming to faith in Jesus and becoming a part of his church. Families, students, and the young people she had a heart for now lead in worship, serve on our staff, teach, and volunteer. Is God calling you to advocate on someone’s behalf? Like the woman who walked into my office, perhaps? Or maybe you could invite someone to your home for coffee or to join you at church? Is there a group of people or a person whom you would love to see learn more about Jesus? Can you think of ways to help or to open a door for them to hear the good news of Jesus? Have you looked at your feet and thought, “How beautiful!”? 

Dear God, thank you for beautiful feet that walk in the direction of helping others to find you. Give us the courage to invite others into your story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
— 1 Timothy 4:12

Aaron was young and active and loud. He gathered friends easily. He was also one of the first teenagers to show up at a pizza lunch at our church. We had decided that inviting students from the high school next to our church for lunch each week might be a good thing. A toonie (two Canadian dollars) would get you three slices of pizza and a pop. When the first six kids showed up, we had lots of pizza, and they inhaled a lot more than three slices each. Then Aaron began inviting others. They began to show up week after week, and opportunities to feed them both physically and spiritually began to happen. Now, 20 years later, the pizza lunch continues, serving about 180 hungry kids. What’s more, the youth pastor at the church today is one of those first six who came the first week. We all have a place to open a door for someone else so that the gospel can be shared. When I served those first slices of pizza, I did not know who would help to advertise the lunch idea, but God knew. He used a young teenager full of zest and noise to invite others. I did not know who would serve in that ministry after me, but God knew. God also knew that thousands of pizzas would be served to students who might not otherwise have had a chance to hear about him. I am so glad that God knew!

God, thank you for noisy, appealing teenagers. Thank you that you can use any of us to invite someone in. Help us to listen to you, to have courage, and to respond. In Jesus, Amen.

“If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
— Luke 10:6

On my Facebook page I asked a question about how people might define “a person of peace.” I received lots of answers, and a few of those can be summarized as an answer for all. “A person of peace,” they said, “is someone who opens doors for others so that they see life differently.” Another answer (via Google) can help us get to the heart of what Jesus was saying when he sent out 72 followers: “A man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, who is prepared by God to provide entrance into their community for the sake of the gospel.” When Jesus sent his followers on mission for the sake of the gospel (the good news of the kingdom of God), he talked about finding people of peace. These would be people who were open to the message of God’s love and peace, and they would welcome Jesus’ followers with hospitality. One thing I have learned about engaging with people who share God’s love and peace with others is that they do not have a particular personality or come from a certain demographic. Anyone can be used by God to open opportunities for the good news to be shared. It might even be someone you wouldn’t expect. This month let’s explore some stories from the Bible and discover what it looks like to be a person of peace.

Dear God, help us to pay attention when you ask us to go and create spaces for others to hear the message of your good news and love for everyone. Amen.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
— John 3:16

The newness we celebrate at the start of each year pales in comparison to the ultimate newness we receive through Christ. Eternal life isn’t just about a future promise; it’s about a present reality that transforms how we live today. When we embrace the newness of eternal life, we accept that we are part of something far greater than ourselves—an unshakable kingdom that will never fade. I remember when I first understood this truth fully. It wasn’t until a hard season in my life that I truly grasped what it meant to have eternal life through Jesus. I realized that no matter what happened in the world or in my circumstances, the gift of eternal life could not be taken away. This profound shift in perspective gave me the peace that surpasses understanding. I knew I had a hope beyond what this world could offer. Eternal life changes everything. It shifts our values, our priorities, and even the way we see hardship. Each day becomes a step closer to the fulfillment of God’s promises. So when the trials of life come, we can face them with the confidence that we are secure in the love of God, which never ends. As we conclude this devotional journey, let’s remember that the newness we experience now is just a foretaste of the life we have in Christ that will never fade but last forever! 

Lord, thank you for the gift of eternal life. Help us to embrace your love and the hope you have given us, trusting in your promises. Amen.