FOCUS OF THE MONTH (FOM)
Embracing God’s Grace and Mercy While Staying In His Presence
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK (SOW)
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. -– Psalm 84:10 KJV
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. — Psalm 84:10 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, January 18, 2026 – FAITH AND FALSE ACCUSATION – Nehemiah 6:1-9
Our Daily Bread Focuses: Identity of Christ; Influencing people; Justice; Spiritual maturity; Suffering
Today’s Devotional
Driven by powerful winds, the fire raged for days. The historian Tacitus describes a chaotic scene filled with screams and citizens running for their lives. In the end, nearly two-thirds of Rome had been destroyed. The Roman emperor Nero falsely accused believers in Jesus of starting the fire. He hated Christians and selected them to be the scapegoat for the disaster—one that was rumored to have been ordered by Nero himself!
Nehemiah also faced the blistering heat of false accusation. He’d been a servant to the king of Persia but had been allowed to return to Jerusalem with other Israelites to repair its walls (Nehemiah 2:1-10). When the wall was repaired, however, enemies accused the Jews of “planning to rebel” and making Nehemiah “their king” (6:6 nlt). How did they respond to false accusations? By declaring and living out their innocence (v. 8), courageously standing in God’s power (v. 11), and praying fervently to Him (v. 14). Their enemies were ultimately “frightened and humiliated” as they “realized [the wall reconstruction] had been done with the help of . . . God” (v. 16 nlt).
At times, we’ll be falsely accused by others. But as God provides the strength we need, we can forgive our accusers and “live such good lives” that, though “they accuse [us] of doing wrong, they may see [our] good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).
Reflect & Pray
Why are believers in Jesus sometimes falsely accused? How can you live out a courageous faith?
Loving God, thank You for helping me when I’m falsely accused.
Check out this article to learn more about standing firm with the Lord.
Today’s Insights
Nehemiah was serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia when he learned that the Jewish remnant who’d returned to Jerusalem was in trouble. The wall of Jerusalem had been broken, and the gates burned (Nehemiah 1:3). Nehemiah fasted and prayed to God (v. 4), and the king graciously allowed him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild (2:1-6).
When Nehemiah arrived and announced his plans, the Jewish leaders replied, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” (v. 18 nlt). Opposition began almost immediately (v. 19), but Nehemiah wasn’t discouraged by the false accusers. He declared, “The God of heaven will give us success” (v. 20). As with Nehemiah, when we trust in God, He’ll give us strength to stand even against those who falsely accuse us.
Monday, January 19, 2026 – FROM EVERY NATION – Acts 10:30-35, 39-43
Daily Bread Focus: Living like Christ; Justice
Scriptures: Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 2:14-16
Today’s Devotional
London is a cosmopolitan city, with people from many nations living side by side. This coming together of people from around the world can bring richness—including amazing food—but also challenges. For instance, I was saddened that friends from one European country felt they were the least respected in London because their country had been admitted to the European Union more recently. They felt overlooked, blamed for problems, and resented for the jobs they secured.
Since God doesn’t show favoritism, neither should we. He breaks down barriers between people. We see His Spirit at work in Peter’s vision while praying on the rooftop, and how Peter was called to minister to Cornelius, a God-fearing gentile. God helped Peter evaluate the Jewish regulations about not associating with gentiles. The apostle listened and went to Cornelius’ home to share the good news of Jesus. He said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).
Those who follow Jesus are called to love and serve all those who are made in the image of Christ. Part of that mission is to not to show favoritism for people from certain nations or with particular skin colors. May we learn to seek justice and to defend the oppressed as God guides us (Isaiah 1:17).
Reflect & Pray
Why do you think God breaks down barriers between people of different nations? How could you speak out for the oppressed?
Dear God, please help me make a difference for You in my community.
God longs to use us to reach the nations. Learn more by reading The Impact of Obedience on God’s Administration of Grace.
Today’s Insights
In Acts 10, Peter’s response to God’s command contrasts with that of the prophet Jonah. God commanded both the wayward prophet and Peter to take His words to non-Jewish people. Jonah fled by way of Joppa so that he didn’t have to obey (Jonah 1:3), but Peter, while in Joppa, listened and headed straight to Cornelius (Acts 10:23-24).
Jonah responded to God’s outpouring of compassion with anger (Jonah 4:1), but Peter allowed his heart and mind to change in light of God’s acceptance of the outsider (Acts 10:34, 44-48). Believers in Jesus are called to love everyone without favoritism, for we’re all made in the image of God.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – OUR BIRTHRIGHT IN CHRIST – 1 Peter 4:12-19
Daily Bread Focus: Living for Christ
Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Acts 11:24-26; Micah 6:8
Today’s Devotional
The owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks offered a Chicago sports-talk host $100,000 to legally change his name to “Dallas Maverick.” In addition, he said he would donate $100,000 to the man’s favorite charity. After some soul-searching, the radio host held firm and told the owner no. He explained, “I’d be saying I’d do anything for money, and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.”
Just as the radio host’s name is his birthright, early believers in Jesus took on the name “Christian” as their spiritual birthright. Barnabas and Saul ministered a year in Antioch, and through the preaching of the good news, the church grew. The early believers in Antioch lived so much like Christ that people who didn’t believe in Jesus—called them “Christians” (Acts 11:26). So “Christians” were those who belonged to Christ. Bearing that name ultimately became a source of persecution. But Peter encouraged believers to “not be ashamed” of their birthright and of suffering for bearing that name (1 Peter 4:16).
For those who believe in Jesus, “Christian” is our birthright, and no amount of money, suffering, or abuse should cause us to compromise that name. We have a responsibility, as God provides what we need, to live every day to bring honor to the name of Christ.
Reflect & Pray
When people hear the name “Christian,” what do you think fills their thoughts? What does it mean for you to be called a Christian?
Dear Jesus, please help me to live in a way that honors Your name.
Learn more about Jesus’ teachings by reading Echoes of the Sermon on the Mount.
Today’s Insights
For gentile converts, the experience of being persecuted would’ve been a new and likely shocking experience. The Jewish people had experienced generations of suffering as a minority culture group and had therefore developed ways of understanding suffering and even dying for their faith. But the gentiles had been completely at ease with and accepted in their culture before their conversion to belief in Jesus.
Experiencing suffering might have even caused them to doubt the truth of the gospel if they thought God’s favor should lead to their prosperity. To address this, the apostle Peter emphasizes that there’s nothing “strange” (1 Peter 4:12) about suffering for Christ. Instead, those who bear His name could view suffering for Him as a way of participating in His own suffering and could eagerly wait for the day they’d share in His glory too (vv. 13-14). As believers in Jesus, we belong to Him, and God will help us live in a way that brings honor to His name.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – DIVINE INTERRUPTIONS – 2 Kings 4:8-10, 14-17
Daily Bread Focuses: Holy Spirit; Community; Service
Scriptures: Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:13-14, 25; Philippians 2:14-15
Today’s Devotional
Up early, Sara wrote her to-do list for the day. But she was interrupted with a request from a young, struggling family. They desperately needed a gas card from church to be delivered to them. Sara was busy but knew God wanted her to do this. So she agreed to drop it off at the hotel where the church was having them stay for a few weeks. She got the card and checked the address—the drive was farther than she’d anticipated, so she complained to God, It’s going to take too much gas to get this to them!
Sara sensed these words in her spirit: Haven’t I provided for you? She replied, Yes, God, You have. Forgive my attitude. When she arrived, she found the couple, gave them the card, and held their baby. Sara thanked God on her drive home for blessing her with this simple, yet joyful opportunity.
In Elisha’s travels to Shunem in Israel, he found a woman who had a servant’s heart toward him. She urged Elisha “to stay for a meal,” so he often “stopped there to eat” (2 Kings 4:8). She and her husband even built him a room so whenever he came to their town, he’d have a place to stay (vv. 9-10). God graciously chose to bless them through Elisha’s prophecy of a child (v. 16).
Whether serving a prophet of God or a homeless family, when we’re open to God’s plan and defer to His to-do list, God delights to bless our hearts with joy.
Reflect & Pray
What interruption might be God’s plan for you? How can you serve in ways that are best for others?
Dear God, please open my heart to hear Your voice and serve as You lead.
For further study, read When He Was Gone.
Today’s Insights
Elisha usually takes a back seat to the more celebrated Elijah, yet Elisha’s ministry was both powerful and profound. He experienced a divine interruption when Elijah abruptly cast his cloak upon him—signifying he was being called to follow and be trained for service (1 Kings 19:19-21). In the midst of plowing his family’s fields, the trajectory of Elisha’s life was changed as he not only followed Elijah, but he used the yoke and oxen to make a sacrificial offering, apparently as a statement of his commitment to follow the prophet. He enjoyed a much longer ministry than Elijah, and by the power of God performed more miracles than that of his mentor. Today, we can ask God to help us be open to His plans for us as we look for ways to serve others.
Thursday, January 22, 2026 – A LONGING FULFILLED – Revelation 21:1-4
Daily Bread Focuses: Big story of the Bible; Union with Christ; Worship
Scriptures: Use Scriptures in the Story
Today’s Devotional
Blaise Pascal famously said there’s an “infinite abyss” inside us that only an infinite God can fill. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord,” Augustine prayed, “and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” As David put it, like thirsty people in the desert, our whole being “longs” for God (Psalm 63:1).
Surprisingly, however, it isn’t only humans that experience longing. God does too. While the infinite God of the universe needs nothing outside Himself to be fulfilled, the Bible says He “longs” to have us back when we stray (James 4:4-5), and repeatedly says He wants a people to call His own (Exodus 6:7; Hebrews 8:10).
For thousands of years this longing has fueled God’s missionary endeavors: sending prophets to win back His straying people and ultimately sending His Son to find His lost sheep (Isaiah 30:18; Luke 19:10). The good news is that in the end, this longing will be fulfilled. “They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God,” and God and human beings will dwell together (Revelation 21:2-3).
Humans long for God, and no substitute will satisfy. God longs for humans, and no substitute will do. So no wonder there’s rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). When we run to God’s open arms, everyone is fulfilled.
Reflect & Pray
How do you feel about God “longing” for you? How can this encourage you when you need to repent for doing wrong?
Heavenly Father, thank You for passionately longing for me to know You.
Today’s Insights
After God created the heavens and the earth, He placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. But then they sinned, and pain, strife, and death were the result (Genesis 1-3). In Isaiah, the prophet declares that God will one day create “new heavens and a new earth” where “the former things will not be remembered” (65:17; see also 66:22). Later, Peter wrote of “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
In Revelation 21, John has a vision of this new heaven and new earth, where they’ll be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4). In this vision, Jesus—“he who was seated on the throne” (v. 5)—declares, “those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (v. 7). God rejoices when we repent of our sin and seek forgiveness. Those who do will enjoy this new earth with Christ for all eternity.
Visit go.odb.org/012226 to learn more about the book of Revelation.
Friday, January 23, 2026 – SURVIVORS BY GOD’S MERCY – Romans 9:22-29
Daily Bread Focuses: Forgiveness; God’s character; Salvation
Scriptures: Lamentations 3:22-23; Hebrews 4:16
Today’s Devotional
Charles Joughin was a sailor from the young age of eleven. He served as a baker on a number of ships and, in 1912, got hired on to a cruise ship sailing out of Southampton, England. That ship, the Titanic, hit an iceberg in the Northern Atlantic. As the ship went down, Joughin helped people into lifeboats. He himself stood atop the end of the Titanic as it sunk vertically into the water. Miraculously, he survived.
Thirty years later, during World War II, Charles was on another ship, the RMS Oregon. It was rammed by another vessel, and it also sank. Remarkably, Joughin survived again.
Scriptures tell us we’re all on a sinking ship. Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He refers to the rebellious nation of Israel, quoting Isaiah: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom” (Isaiah 1:9). Paul speaks of a “remnant” of Israel, a shipload of survivors: “only the remnant will be saved” (Romans 9:27). How are they saved? By receiving the good news (10:16). You see, we’re all like Israel, drowning in our sin. None of us can be rescued unless we receive the good news. The lifeboat that God throws out to us all is Jesus.
We who believe in Jesus might need to be reminded of the remarkable truth that we are, by God’s mercy, survivors. Those who haven’t yet found Jesus in the troubled waters of life might do well to climb in the lifeboat.
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt like you’re drowning in life? How do you understand God’s offer of a lifeboat?
Dear God, thank You for Your mercy and rescue.
For further study, read What’s Wrong with the Sinner’s Prayer?
Today’s Insights
In Romans 9:22-29, Paul reveals the depth of God’s mercy against the backdrop of divine sovereignty. Though God has every right to display His wrath and power, He instead chooses to show immense patience, even toward those who oppose Him. This patience paves the way for mercy, as God calls not only the Jews but also the gentiles, creating a new people belonging to Him.
The apostle draws from Hosea to emphasize that God’s saving grace reaches beyond human expectation: Those once considered “not my people” are now beloved children of God (Romans 9:25; Hosea 2:23). Salvation isn’t earned but freely offered, and God’s mercy isn’t limited by ancestry or status. We’re all drowning in sin, but God offers salvation through Jesus to all who believe (Romans 10:13).
Saturday, January 24, 2026 – WITHIN GOD’S REACH – Zephaniah 3:14-17
Our Daily Bread Focuses: Evangelism; Forgiveness; Identity in Christ; Justice
Today’s Devotional
Sentenced to fifty years in a maximum-security prison, a sixteen-year-old girl sat in solitary confinement. Due to her age, she remained separated from the other inmates. For nearly a year, she had no outside visitors. During an outreach and baptism held at the facility, the guards let a ministry leader enter the girl’s cell. She heard the gospel, surrendered her life to Jesus, and asked to be baptized. At first, the team considered using water bottles, but then the prison staff shut down the entire facility and led her to a portable baptismal pool. As God’s people prayed, she wept.
Though God promises to judge those who reject Him, He also extends mercy to those who repent. He restores and protects those who trust in His name (Zephaniah 3:10-12). Repentance leads to redemption, because God Himself “has taken away” the punishment we deserve (v. 15). Hope resounds in the prophet Zephaniah’s words about God: “He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (v. 17).
So we can share the gospel with compassion and confidence, especially with those who may feel they’re too far from God. No matter where we are, what we’ve done, or how alone, forgotten, or unworthy we may feel, God loves and pursues us. Every person is within God’s reach.
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt too far from God? How has His mercy toward you changed your compassion toward others?
Loving God, please help me care enough to see and share You with those who need You as much as I do.
Today’s Insights
Zephaniah, like most biblical prophets, has words of both scathing judgment and confident hope. He describes “the day of the Lord” (see Zephaniah 1:7) as one that would be ominous not only for gentile nations but also for those in Judah who were worshiping their gods. But the final lines of the book look beyond that judgment with some of the most precious sentiments one can imagine: a God who takes “great delight in you” and “will rejoice over you with singing” (3:17). In between these two phrases we read: “he will quiet you [or be quiet] by his love” (esv). The God of justice has an affectionate and sympathetic parental love for His daughter Jerusalem in the wake of her necessary discipline. We too can be assured that no one is too far from God’s love.
THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT BY SISTER CLOVIA
GOD IS YOUR ANCHOR IN THE STORM
When you put your faith in Christ, He becomes your Anchor that holds you steady when the winds and waves of life come. Although you may feel like you are about to sink when the world presses in from every side and you aren’t sure what your next step should be, rest peacefully because you have a strong anchor to keep you safe and grounded.
No matter what you are facing today, Jesus is your secure Anchor. Rest in Him and draw on His strength. God doesn’t promise there won’t be storms—He promises He will be your Anchor in the storm.
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil.” – Hebrews 6:19
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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