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God, thank You for the Good News of Jesus. Help me remember how near and compassionate You are. Give me courage to love others out loud, so that my words and actions reflect Your heart. Lead me to someone who needs to hear Your hope today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God, I want to honor You with every thought, intention, and action. So today, I give You permission to change me. Let my whole life be one that honors You and brings You glory. You are holy and worthy of all my praise and adoration. My life is Yours! In Jesus' name, Amen.

LUKE 1:37 For the word of God will never fail.

Bring whatever is on your mind to God who faithfully keeps all His promises.

DEUTERONOMY 10:17 For the Lord your God is the gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

Think about how our great, mighty God is with you. As you reflect on this, talk to God about what steps you can take to glorify Him today.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 10-12 LUKE 9:37-62 SAMUEL ANOINTS SAUL AS KING SAMUEL'S SIGNS ARE FULFILLED As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. SAUL IS ACCLAIMED KING When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, a group of men whose hearts God had touched went with him. 27But there were some scoundrels who complained, “How can this man save us?” And they scorned him and refused to bring him gifts. But Saul ignored them. SAUL DEFEATS THE AMMONITES SAMUEL'S FAREWELL ADDRESS 14“Now if you fear and worship the Lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the Lord as your God. 15But if you rebel against the Lord’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors. “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people. 23“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. 24But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 25But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” JESUS HEALS A DEMON POSSESSED BOY An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. 40I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” 41Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.” 42As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. JESUS AGAIN PREDICTS HIS DEATH THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” USING THE NAME OF JESUS Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” OPPOSITION FROM SAMARITANS the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56So they went on to another village. THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS “I will follow you wherever you go.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

MATTHEW 17:24-27 PAYMENT OF THE TEMPLE TAX Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” 26“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 27However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” INSIGHT The law stipulated that every adult Israelite had to pay a tax to support the temple (Nehemiah 10:32). When Jesus was reminded that this tax was due, He said that just as kings don’t demand tribute from their own children, He—as the Son of God—is exempt. He’s “greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6), for the temple belonged to Him. But as a law-abiding Jew, He’d pay the tax so that He wouldn’t be accused of breaking the law and causing others to stumble (17:27; see 11:6). He then miraculously provided Peter with the needed tax, showing that He’s the Lord of creation and will provide for our needs. Christ assures us “not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. . . . Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs” (6:25, 32 nlt). As children of God, we can trust Him to provide for our needs.

By: K.T. Sim

GOD OUR PROVIDER In 2024, teenager Keegan happily reeled in a two-foot barramundi. But his happiness became elation when his little sister pointed out a tag on the fish. His catch was worth one million dollars as part of an Australian fishing competition. The annual event had been held since 2015; Keegan was the first to win the coveted top cash prize.

However slim the odds of catching that fish, the odds were far lower that a fish caught at random would have a coin in its mouth. But in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus instructed His disciple Peter to “go to the lake and . . . take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin” (17:27).

The context of this unlikely catch was a question of whether Jesus paid the temple tax (v. 24). The irony of insisting that Jesus—God’s Son—pay a tax to support God’s temple, wasn’t lost on Him. He pointed out that the king’s children don’t pay taxes to the king (vv. 25-26).

But there was no need to “cause offense” and distract others from His teaching by being perceived as a tax evader (v. 27). So Jesus instructed Peter to catch that fish, which had the exact amount to pay both His and Peter’s tax! Perhaps in part it was a reminder to Peter—and to us—that God is a provider who is always with His children as they follow Him.

By: Monica La Rose

REFLECT AND PRAY When have you experienced unlikely events in which you saw God’s hand at work? How does trusting Him free you to live in obedience?

Loving God, please help me rest in Your provision as I follow You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

OFFER TO PRAY WITH SOMEONE “And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17 NIV Offering to pray with someone is more than a kind gesture; it’s a step of faith that invites them to experience God personally.

In 2 Kings 6, Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army. The servant panicked, but Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened, and he saw God’s heavenly army—horses and chariots of fire—protecting them.

When Elisha prayed for his servant, it wasn’t just for physical safety—it was a moment of spiritual awakening. Through Elisha’s prayer, the servant’s eyes were opened to God’s presence and power. In the same way, praying with a non-Christian can be an act of evangelism that introduces them to the reality of God’s love and care.

By praying, you’re saying, “Your needs matter—to me and to God.” This can plant a seed of curiosity about who God is and how He works in their life. A neighbor who receives prayer for healing, or a coworker struggling with anxiety who hears you pray for peace might not connect the dots immediately, but they will remember the love, courage, and faith it took to pray with them.

You don’t need perfect words or a deep theological understanding to pray with someone. Like Elisha, simply trust God to work through your sincerity. A simple question like, “Can I pray with you about this?” can create a moment for God to move in ways you may never fully see. As you pray, you’re inviting them to experience God’s compassion and planting seeds of faith that the Holy Spirit can nurture.

Today, reflect on who in your life might benefit from an offer to pray with them. Trust that your obedience, even in this small step, can have eternal impact. Pray for courage and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading as you take this step of faith.

Who in your life could you offer to pray for this week, and how might this simple act of faith plant a seed of trust in God’s love?