FOCUS OF THE MONTH (FOM)
Love Lights the Way
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK (SOW)
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light. — Ephesians 5:8 KJV
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — Ephesians 5:8 ESV
MINISTRY RESOURCES
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
LET’S CELEBRATE YOUR NEW YEAR!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ESV Translation Philosophy
The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on “word-for-word” correspondence, at the same time taking full account of differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and exact force of the original.
In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed a “thought-for-thought” rather than “word-for-word” translation philosophy, emphasizing “dynamic equivalence” rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A “thought-for-thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive views of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.
Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between “formal equivalence” in expression and “functional equivalence” in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Within this framework, we have sought to be “as literal as possible” while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence. Therefore, to the extent that plain English permits and the meaning in each case allows, we have sought to use the same English word for important recurring words in the original; and, as far as grammar and syntax allow, we have rendered Old Testament passages cited in the New in ways that show their correspondence. Thus in each of these areas, as well as throughout the Bible as a whole, we have sought to capture all the echoes and overtones of meaning that are so abundantly present in the original texts.
As an essentially literal translation, taking into account grammar and syntax, the ESV thus seeks to carry over every possible nuance of meaning in the original words of Scripture into our own language. As such, the ESV is ideally suited for in-depth study of the Bible. Indeed, with its commitment to literary excellence, the ESV is equally well suited for public reading and preaching, for private reading and reflection, for both academic and devotional study, and for Scripture memorization.
PRAISE & WORSHIP
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Sunday, December 14, 2025 – AN EMPTY JUICE BOX – John 7:37-39
Our Daily Bread Focuses: Holy Spirit; Rest
Today’s Devotional
When I led a ministry for moms of preschoolers, we hunted for an image to describe the unending demands that mothers experience. Changing diapers. Wiping noses. Picking up toys. It turns out the image was right in front of us: a disposable juice box collapsed in on itself. Moms can feel like empty juice boxes. That ministry served moms by leading them to the Source of living water that can fill them to the full—Jesus.
In John 7, Jesus went to the Festival of Tabernacles (v. 10), commemorating God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. This festival included a water-pouring rite symbolizing the fruitfulness that only moisture produces and foreshadowed the spiritual rain the Messiah would bring. Jesus fulfills what the ancient festival anticipated. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (vv. 37-38).
At times, we can feel like empty containers. Weary from caregiving. Worn from working. Exhausted by everyday responsibilities. The unending demands draw us dry! But when we live in relationship with God, He provides springs of living water within our hearts to refresh and refuel us no matter how many cares and concerns try to drain us.
Reflect & Pray
What tasks deplete and drain you? How can you take a break from your daily tasks to experience God’s filling Spirit within you?
Dear God, thank You for dwelling in me by Your Spirit. May I continually draw from the living springs You provide.
Discover A Prayer for the Holy Spirit by Reclaim Today.
Today’s Insights
Jesus’ words in John 7:37-39 were delivered during Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). This feast commemorated the seasons of wandering in the wilderness following Israel’s exodus from Egypt and was celebrated in part by living in temporary shelters during the feast, as their ancient ancestors would’ve done. The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes that practices for this festival included “a solemn procession each day from the temple to the Gihon Spring.
A priest filled a gold pitcher with water while the choir sang Isaiah 12:3. Then they returned to the altar and poured out the water. This ritual reminded them of the water from the rock during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 20:8-11; Psalm 78:15-16).” The water ritual would’ve been given new clarity by Christ’s promise of “rivers of living water” (John 7:38), which refresh us when we’re weary and exhausted as those waters refreshed the children of Israel so long ago.
Monday, December 15, 2025 – KNOWING AND LOVING OTHERS – 2 Corinthians 2:1-8
Daily Bread Focuses: Church Participation; Developing a loving character; Loving others; Repentance
Scriptures: 1 John 1:9; 4:20; 1 Peter 1:15-16
Today’s Devotional
Hippocrates (ca. 460–375 bc) brought medicine out of the realm of the superstitious and into the light of testing and observation. But he didn’t lose sight of the patient’s humanity. “It is far more important to know what person the disease has,” he said, “than what disease the person has.”
The apostle Paul cared for a church with multiple problems, yet he saw the humanity of each member—including a man who’d committed a sin “that even pagans do not tolerate” (1 Corinthians 5:1). Paul dealt strongly with the “disease,” and the man repented. Now, as he wrote another letter to the church in Corinth, Paul had affirming instructions for all of them. He recognized that this man’s sin had affected everyone: “He has grieved all of you to some extent,” he said (2 Corinthians 2:5). But since the man had turned from his sin, Paul said, “Reaffirm your love for him” (v. 8).
His motivation was clear: “I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you” (v. 4). He knew them all. And he loved them.
Sin affects us all. Behind each sin is a human being. When we’ve been wronged, it may be difficult to work toward restoration, yet that’s what God calls us to do. Know the person. Then, in Christ’s strength, love them.
Reflect & Pray
How did Paul handle the sin in the Corinthian church? How does loving someone despite their sin differ from enablement?
Dear Father, please help me see others as You see them. Thank You for complete forgiveness of my sins.
To learn more about fellowship with others, read Why Christians Need Good Friendships.
Today’s Insights
Romans says that we all fall short of God’s holy standards: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). Yet Jesus loves us so much that He died for us and freely forgives all who come to Him in sorrow for their sins (John 3:16; 1 John 1:9). In turn, believers in Christ are to strive to forgive others (Matthew 6:14; Ephesians 4:32).
Paul says in Colossians, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (3:12-13). When we’ve been wronged by others, working toward restoration can seem like a daunting task. As we seek God’s guidance, however, He’ll help us to take the necessary steps.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? – Luke 10:25-34, 36-37
Daily Bread Focuses: Justice; Multi-culture/Race
Scriptures: Leviticus 19:19; Romans 13:10
Today’s Devotional
From her hospital bed, Marie Coble lit up when she saw the delivery driver whose help had likely saved her life. She’d fallen in her driveway and hit her head, causing a brain bleed. Seeing her injury, Raheem Cooper helped her while calling paramedics. Invited by family to visit her in the hospital, Raheem often brings sweet treats she enjoys to assist her recovery.
Their story brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable is Jesus’ reply to an expert’s question on what he must do to inherit eternal life. Do “what is written in the law,” Jesus said (Luke 10:26), including “love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 27). But the expert persisted, asking, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29).
Christ’s answer describes a man attacked by robbers, left half dead, and then ignored by two people—a priest and a Levite—who passed him by. “But a Samaritan . . . took pity on him,” “bandaged his wounds, . . . and took care of him” (vv. 33-34). Seeing the hurting man in need, the Samaritan’s help was active, urgent, and without bias—looking past race or creed to assist someone he could’ve ignored.
Thus, Jesus asked, “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man?” “The one who had mercy on him,” the expert said. Said Jesus, “Go and do likewise” (vv. 36-37). In Christ, we too can find the compassion to help a hurting person instead of passing by. It’s a lesson for all in sharing Jesus’ love.
Reflect & Pray
How do you need mercy? How can you show mercy?
Dear Father, may I look beyond differences to share Jesus’ mercy with others.
To learn more about mercy, read Living Justly, Loving Mercy.
Today’s Insights
The key to understanding the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) lies in knowing how first-century Israel answered the question, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29). They’d distorted the command “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) into “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43).
The Jews defined a neighbor as a fellow Israelite, for gentiles were accursed. For the Pharisees (experts in the law), it referred to a fellow Pharisee, for those who knew nothing of the law were accursed (John 7:49). Jesus turned this thinking upside down by making a hated Samaritan (people of mixed race whom the Jews viewed as heretics) the hero of the story. The Spirit can help us today to show compassion to others instead of simply passing by.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – PRECIOUS TO GOD – Isaiah 43:1-7
Daily Bread Focuses: Authenticity; Salvation
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7; John 3:16; 4:24; Psalm 25:5
Today’s Devotional
The painting hung on the wall of a home for years, unnoticed and forgotten, until one day it fell. When it was taken to an art restorer for repairs, he discovered it was a long-lost Rembrandt masterpiece titled The Adoration of the Magi. It had been thought that only copies of the work remained, but here was the original. Suddenly the painting’s value skyrocketed to hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Bible paints another picture of underestimated value and forgotten worth. Isaiah the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told God’s people that even though they would be taken away to a foreign land where they would suffer and be devalued, He would still be with them: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine,” He assured them (Isaiah 43:1). Though they would “pass through the waters” and “walk through the fire” (v. 2), His faithfulness to them would not change. With words that point to His coming kingdom in Christ, God promised that He would one day restore “everyone who is called by my name” (v. 7) and bring them home to Him.
God will one day gather all who are His because they “are precious and honored in [His] sight” (v. 4), each one an original! Our Creator values us because of His infinite kindness and mercy. The world may overlook us, but He never will.
Reflect & Pray
How does God’s kindness in Christ show that you are precious to Him? How much is He worth to you?
Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect love, that You would give Yourself for me!
Learn more here about having a personal relationship with God.
Today’s Insights
God disciplined His covenant people because of their unrepentant unfaithfulness and exiled them to Babylon for seventy years (Isaiah 39:6-7). But He wouldn’t forget His covenant or abandon His chosen people. In Isaiah 40-66, the prophet speaks of the return from exile and Judah’s future restoration. In chapter 43, God promised He’d bring them back to the promised land.
They were disciplined, not abandoned, for He said, “I am with you” (v. 5). He reminded them that He’s still their God—their creator, redeemer, protector, and savior (vv. 7-15). As God’s people, we need not be afraid of the trials we face or the uncertainties of our future. Because we belong to Him, we can be assured of His unfailing love (vv. 1-3). He tells us, “You are precious and honored in my sight” (v. 4). He loves us and won’t forget us.
Thursday, December 18, 2025 – GIFTED BY GOD – Exodus 31:1-11
Daily Bread Focus: Spiritual gifts
Scriptures: Proverbs 2:6-7; 1 Kings 3:12; James 1:17
Today’s Devotional
Virtuoso composer Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated musicians in history. Nearly two centuries after his death in 1827, his compositions are still among the most performed pieces. A study of Beethoven’s DNA, however, indicates he may not have been born with some of his abilities—as we might assume. When his genes were compared to those of 14,500 other people who’d shown an ability to keep rhythm (merely one aspect of musical talent), Beethoven ranked surprisingly low.
Beethoven also had ample opportunity and exposure to music (which developed the aptitude he did have). Yet neither talent nor opportunity fully account for God’s role in endowing us with the abilities we have. Our Creator equipped two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to be used in building the tabernacle. God filled Bezalel “with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs” and appointed Oholiab “to help him” (Exodus 31:3-6). God gave “ability to all the skilled workers to make everything [He] commanded” (v. 6).
Few of us will work on projects as significant as God’s tabernacle. And our abilities may never be recorded in history’s annals. Yet God has equipped us with the skills, aptitudes, and experiences He wants us to share with the world. May we serve Him faithfully, in His strength and for His glory.
Reflect & Pray
What skills and abilities has God given you? How might you serve Him with them?
Thank You, Father, for the abilities You’ve given me. Please help me use them for Your glory.
For further study, watch Gifts with Your Name on Them.
Today’s Insights
Bezalel and Oholiab are mentioned again in Exodus 35-38, as the Israelites prepared to put into action the instructions God had given them. But the construction of the “tent of meeting” (31:7) wasn’t just for those specially gifted by God (v. 6). The entire nation had the opportunity to participate. Moses said, “From what you have, take an offering for the Lord” (35:5).
Notice that the command was to give “from what you have.” Then Moses said, “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded” (v. 10). The record says, “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting” (v. 21). God has equipped each of us to contribute something, whether skill or time or material.
Friday, December 19, 2025 – RESTING IN GOD – Acts 12:5-11
Daily Bread Focuses: Peace; Trust in God
Scriptures: Isaiah 26:3-4; 2 Samuel 22:2-3; Psalm 4:8
Today’s Devotional
My neighbor Sam returned home one night without his car. “It was stolen,” he told his wife, then added, “I’m going to sleep. I’ll sort it out tomorrow.” His wife was flabbergasted. She couldn’t understand how Sam could be so calm, but he explained, “What else can I do? Panicking won’t make any difference.”
My ever-sensible neighbor could see there was no point worrying. He trusted that the authorities would be able to find his missing car later—which they did.
Did the apostle Peter feel likewise after being thrown into prison (Acts 12:4)? He was likely to face execution, yet the usually impulsive disciple “was sleeping between two soldiers” (v. 6). The angel had to “[strike] Peter on the side” to wake him up (v. 7)—suggesting that he was completely calm and at peace. Was it because he knew his life was in God’s hands? Verses 9 and 11 suggest that it wouldn’t have mattered whether he was rescued or not; perhaps he recalled the assurance of salvation and glory that Jesus had given him (Matthew 19:28), as well as Christ’s call to simply “follow me” and not worry about what would happen to him (John 21:22).
No matter what we’re facing today, we can trust that God holds our future—both on earth and in heaven—in His mighty hands. Perhaps then we can sleep in peace more easily.
Reflect & Pray
What worries keep you awake at night? How can you learn to surrender them to God and hold on to His promises?
Dear God, I know that my life and future are in Your loving and mighty hands. Please help me to keep trusting You.
For further study, read Putting Worry to Work.
Today’s Insights
Peter “was sleeping” the “night before Herod was to bring him to trial” (Acts 12:6). He’d already been unjustly imprisoned by King Herod for eight days and would’ve been sentenced the following day. And, like James, his fellow apostle, he too would’ve been executed (vv. 2-3). But “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (v. 5; see vv. 11-12). During his imprisonment, Peter experienced the peace that only Jesus could give (see John 14:27).
In the Old Testament, David also had confident trust in God and experienced His peace: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8; see 3:5). No matter what we’re facing today, we can turn our situation over to God, knowing that we can trust Him and experience the peace He alone provides (Philippians 4:6-7).
Bible in a Year
Jonah 1-4
Saturday, December 20, 2025 – WITH US IN OUR LONELINESS – Matthew 1:18-25
Our Daily Bread Focuses: Loneliness
Today’s Devotional
Henry David Thoreau described a city as a place where many people are “lonesome together.” Those words have the ring of truth. In my youth, songs like “Mr. Lonely,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Eleanor Rigby” focused on isolation and loneliness. In recent years, the pandemic was one of the most isolating seasons the world has known. And social media can feed that loneliness, giving us connection without relationship. Perhaps loneliness is the new pandemic.
As Matthew shared the story of the birth of Jesus (1:18-25), he told us, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet [Isaiah]: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’) ” (vv. 22-23). Ponder that for a moment. God with us!
As believers in Jesus, we’re never alone. We’ve been born again into the family of Christ, a family that spans the globe and the ages. The apostle Paul said, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19). We’re loved by the ever-present God, who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Whatever you’re facing today, your heavenly Father is present with you. Allow Him to help you as you step into life’s uncertainties and challenges. He’s with you.
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt lonely? When experiencing this sense of isolation, how do you respond to it?
Thank You, Father, that because of Your abiding presence, I’m never alone.
Discover more about being lonely by reading Alone Instead of Lonely by Reclaim Today.
Today’s Insights
Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). John’s gospel describes His incarnation in this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The concept that God is with His people can be seen throughout the Bible.
It’s the theme of Psalm 46, where the repeated refrain is: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv. 7, 11). The psalm concludes with this tender appeal to those facing loneliness or any other life challenge: “Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10). Whatever we’re facing today, God is with us, and we’re never alone.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
THE CHRISTMAS OF 2025
This Christmas Season, may we…
—Count our blessings
—Give to those in need
—Unwrap the prayers of our hearts
—Give thanks in all circumstances
—Offer grace to everyone we meet
—Replace our grumbles with gratitude
Above all, intentionally cherish joyful time together—reach out, gather, and share love with those around you.
If you need a reminder, remember that the first Christmas was meaningful, not extravagant. It was beautiful, yet humble. The decorations were a single star, a bed of hay, shepherds, wise men, animals, and angels. The gifts were simple and sincere.
This Christmas, choose to let go of deadlines or expectations. Instead, take a step to truly meet JESUS—devote time, reflect, invite Him to lead, and let His love guide your celebration.
Remember, Jesus is the heart and focus of this season. May His presence bring true meaning to your celebration.
CHRISTIAN-BASED MOVIE FOR THE MONTH
***The Daily Devotionals are taken from Our Daily Bread Ministries and the Scriptures are from the BibleGateway.***
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