Daily Devotion

We now move onto the topic, “Faith in Action” focusing on: “Living out discipleship tangibly, as early believers did.”

Today we consider “Acts of Service” – Galatians 5:13-14 “My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself.”

Reflection: I read of someone who was once sitting in a café, listening to two people at the next table talking about whether to join a local group. Every suggestion was weighed with the same unspoken question: How much time will it cost me? What will I get out of it? Will it help me feel better, look better, or get ahead?

Nothing they said was unreasonable. In fact, it all sounded very sensible. And yet beneath every sentence ran a quiet refrain: “What’s in it for me?”

That question has become the subtext of so much of modern life. We don’t often say it out loud, but it shapes our choices — relationships, church, work, even faith. We ask it when deciding whether to commit, whether to forgive, whether to serve. If the return on investment looks too small, we step back.

The gospel, of course, turns that question on its head. Jesus rarely asks, “What will you gain?” Instead, he asks, “Whom will you love?” and “Whom will you follow?” Discipleship is not a transaction but a transformation — a move from what’s in it for me to how might God use me for others.

And perhaps that’s the quiet challenge Jesus places before us: not to silence the question entirely, but to let it be reshaped, so that the deeper question becomes, “What’s in it for the kingdom of God?”

Prayer

Father, open my heart to the astounding truth of my freedom in Christ. Holy Spirit, conform my heart to be like Jesus' heart. Open my eyes to how I can serve others and bless them as they seek to walk in the light of their freedom in Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.

Challenge: Serving others without seeking recognition.

Daily Devotions

Love in Action

Scripture: John 13:34–35

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Reflection:

Jesus redefines love not as a feeling we fall into, but as a costly commitment we live out, shaped by His self-giving example. This love bears with one another in patience, chooses forgiveness over resentment, and responds with compassion rather than judgment. It is expressed in everyday decisions to serve, to listen, and to place others before ourselves. Such love is the true mark of discipleship. In a world fractured by division, fear, and indifference, Christ-like love becomes a powerful witness—quietly shining, healing wounds, and pointing others toward the transforming grace of God.

Henri J.M. Nouwen once commented, “Prayer for others, therefore, cannot be seen as an extraordinary exercise that must be practiced from time to time. Rather, it is the very beat of the compassionate heart.”

Illustration:

A candle doesn’t diminish by lighting another candle; instead, the light multiplies. Love works the same way—every act we offer increases the light.

Thought / Question:

How can I show Christ-like love to someone today?

Prayer:

Lord, fill my heart with Your love and help me share it freely with others. Amen.

Action Step:

Choose one intentional act of love today—an encouraging message, a small gift, a kind gesture, or a word of forgiveness.

Daily Devotions

Gratitude in All Circumstances

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.”

Reflection:

Gratitude is not a denial of pain or struggle, nor is it a forced optimism. It is a faithful choice to notice God’s presence even when life feels incomplete. When we give thanks, our perspective changes: scarcity loosens its grip and hope quietly grows. Gratitude trains our hearts to see beyond disappointment and to recognise God at work in small mercies and unseen faithfulness. As we practise thanksgiving, our trust is strengthened, our hearts become more receptive, and we begin to notice grace threaded through ordinary moments, sustaining us day by day.

It was  G.K. Chesterton who said, “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”

Illustration:

Think of a camera lens adjusting its focus. When it shifts, what seemed blurry becomes clear. Gratitude refocuses our hearts to see God’s presence in everyday life.

Thought / Question:

What is one thing I can honestly thank God for today?

Prayer:

Lord, cultivate gratitude in my heart, even in challenging moments. Amen.

Action Step:

Write down three things you’re thankful for today—big or small—and offer them to God in prayer.

Daily Devotions

God’s Strength in Weakness

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Reflection:

Paul discovered that weakness is not something to be ashamed of, but a doorway into God’s grace. In a world that prizes strength, competence, and self-sufficiency, we are tempted to hide our struggles. Yet God works most powerfully when we stop pretending and honestly acknowledge our need. When we admit our limitations, we make room for God’s strength to take hold. In moments of vulnerability, grace does not abandon us; it meets us, upholds us, and quietly transforms our weakness into a testimony of God’s faithful power.

I recently read that “Many a humble soul will be amazed to find that the seed it sowed in weakness, in the dust of daily life, has blossomed into immortal flowers under the eye of the Lord.”

Illustration:

A cracked vessel cannot hold water perfectly, but when light shines inside, it glows through the cracks. Our weaknesses become places where God’s light is most visible.

Thought / Question:

Where do I need to rely more on God’s strength than my own?

Prayer:

Lord, let Your grace be my strength. Work through my weakness for Your glory. Amen.

Action Step:

Name one area where you feel weak or inadequate. Bring it honestly to God and ask for His sustaining grace.

Daily Devotions

Serving with Joy

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”

Reflection:

God has entrusted every believer with gifts—some visible and celebrated, others quiet and easily overlooked, yet all precious in His sight. No gift is accidental or insignificant. Whether our gifts lie in listening, teaching, organising, encouraging, praying, creating, or caring, each has a place in the Church and the wider world. These gifts are not given for personal glory or comparison, but so that God’s grace might flow through us to others. When we withhold them out of fear, busyness, or self-doubt, the community is diminished; yet when we offer them freely, even in small ways, God multiplies their impact beyond our imagining.

Service becomes joyful when we recognise it as a response to God’s generosity rather than an obligation. We do not strive to earn His love; we serve because we have already received it. As we use our gifts with humility, willingness, and compassion, we mirror Christ’s life—who knelt to wash feet, welcomed the overlooked, and gave everything for the world. In offering what we have, we discover both the blessing we bring to others and our own deeper purpose and belonging in God’s work.

Illustration:

Picture a mosaic: each tile small and seemingly insignificant on its own, yet together forming something beautiful. Our individual acts of service create a picture of God’s love in the world.

Thought / Question:

What gift has God given me that I can use to serve someone today?

Prayer:

Lord, help me serve joyfully and wholeheartedly, using the gifts You have given. Amen.

Action Step:

Do one simple act of service today—help someone, encourage someone, or volunteer your time.

Daily Devotions

Courage in Small Steps

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Reflection:

God’s command to Joshua wasn’t for heroic leaps but for daily courage—ordinary steps taken with extraordinary trust. Much of our faith is lived out in small, unseen acts of obedience. Even when we feel unsure or afraid, God goes with us. Courage grows when we take one faithful step at a time.

Illustration:

Think of a child learning to walk. Wobbly, uncertain, but supported by a parent’s steady hand. Our courage works the same way—we move forward because God steadies us.

Thought / Question:

What small step of courage is God inviting me to take today?

Prayer:

Lord, strengthen me to walk forward even when I feel hesitant. Remind me that You are always with me. Amen.

Action Step:

Take one step today you’ve been putting off—an honest conversation, a small act of service, or a decision requiring faith.

Daily Devotions

Generosity of Heart

Scripture: Acts 4:32

“All the believers were one in heart and mind… they shared everything they had.”

Reflection:

The early church was marked by remarkable generosity. Their unity wasn’t just spiritual—it shaped practical action. They shared possessions, resources, and burdens. Generosity grew out of gratitude for God’s grace and a deep sense of belonging to one another.

True generosity is not measured by the size of the gift, but by the love and freedom with which it is given.

It was John Bunyan who said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

Illustration:

Picture a table where food is placed in the centre so everyone can take and share. No one guards their portion; everyone contributes. That’s the kind of life-giving community the early church embodied.

Thought / Question:

Where might God be inviting me to practice generosity today?

Prayer:

Lord, give me a generous heart that reflects Your kindness and compassion. Amen.

Action Step:

Look for one practical way to share—your time, resources, or encouragement—with someone today.