FOCUS OF THE MONTH (FOM)
WITH FREEDOM COMES PEACE
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK (SOW)
(32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (36) If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. – John 8:32, 36 KJV
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:32, 36 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!
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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, July 12, 2026 – ACTING ON GOD’S PROMISES – Genesis 50:22-26
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): God’s character; God’s love
Today’s Devotional
Pieter kisses a framed picture of his elderly parents every night. It’s been many years since he was last with them. As a young adult, when he became a follower of Jesus, his family and community pressured him to give up his newfound belief. When he didn’t, his parents disowned him. “In the Bible, God promised He’d help His children in difficult times, and I believed Him,” Pieter said. “Choosing to follow Him brought suffering, but He has helped me endure.”
Pieter has the assurance from God that He keeps His word, so Pieter is able to trustingly act on God’s promises. We read in Genesis that Joseph, at the end of his life, was also confident in the promises of God. He told his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 50:24). Joseph was sure that God would keep His promise to take His people to Canaan. So he instructed the Israelites, “You must carry my bones up from [Egypt]” (v. 25).
Four hundred years later, during the exodus from Egypt, “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him” (Exodus 13:19). Eventually, “Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem [in Canaan]” (Joshua 24:32).
Let’s follow Joseph’s example of faith (Hebrews 11:22), showing our faith in God’s promises by acting on them. it.
Reflect & Pray
What promises of God can you act on? What practical steps can you take?
Faithful God, thank You for Your promises.
Today’s Insights
The writer of Hebrews commended Joseph for believing God’s promise that He’d bring his family out of Egypt into the promised land: “By faith Joseph . . . spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones” (Hebrews 11:22; see Genesis 50:24-25). In reconciling with his brothers who grievously harmed him, Joseph points us to God’s sovereignty in directing human affairs.
His statement that “you intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20) is echoed in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Just as “the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2, 23), we can trust in His promise that He’ll be with us and never forsake us: “We say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6; see Psalm 118:6-7).
Discover more by listening to Promise Keeper.
Monday, July 13, 2026 – GOD’S DRASTIC LOVE – John 3:16-21
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): God’s character; God’s love
5AM Focus(s): God’s drastic love drove him to sacrifice his son, Jesus Christ, on the cross to save a broken world so that we can have the same love for others.
Supporting Focus Scripture(s): Jeremiah 31:3
Today’s Devotional
Daniel was born into a Romanian orphanage. For seven years, he only left his crib to go to the bathroom. When he turned eight, a family from another country adopted him. They knew about attachment disorders—that Daniel could have difficulty attaching to them as his parents. Slowly, Daniel started to trust them. Over time, though, he began to rage to the point his parents hired a bodyguard to protect them from Daniel’s outbursts. They decided on a controversial therapy: For the next five years they were never away from Daniel even if he had a meltdown. On his thirteenth birthday Daniel broke down and, for the first time, told his parents he loved them very much. His mother summarized the experience: “Creating love is not for the soft and sentimental. Love is a battlefield.”
We’re all born knowing that something or someone is missing. Like Daniel, we have an attachment disorder. But God “so loved the world” so much that he took drastic action—“he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16), meeting us on earth’s battlefield in what we call the Incarnation. “Light has come into the world” (v. 19).
God took drastic measures to demonstrate His great love for the world. For you. His strong, determined Father-heart beats to hear from us the words Daniel’s parents finally heard: “I love you very much.”
Reflect & Pray
How have you felt that something or someone is missing? How can you respond to God’s drastic love for you?
Dear heavenly Father, I love You very much. Thank You for loving me first.
Today’s Insights
Many people are familiar with John 3:16, which describes the scope of God’s love for the world: “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.” Many, however, misinterpret this verse. They think that if God’s love is so great, no one will “perish.” The critical phrase is “whoever believes in [Jesus].”
John also writes, “Whoever does not believe [in Jesus] stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (v. 18). John’s gospel begins with John introducing Christ as the light of the world (1:4-9). Jesus says of Himself, “Light has come into the world,” but people avoid the light “because their deeds [are] evil” (3:19). God is indeed love. But we must respond to His love by believing in His Son, Jesus—the light of the world.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – GOD AT WORK – Judges 6:36-40
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): Faith; God’s love; Prayer
5AM Focus: God is at work doing things we can’t explain, we should believe and trust him in our unbelief.
Supporting Focus Scripture(s): Exodus 4:1-5
Today’s Devotional
Jay owned a Gideon Bible, yet his analytical mind didn’t permit him to accept its miracles. One thing haunted him, though: the genuine faith of his friend. So Jay offered a strange prayer. He told God, “If you want me to believe in You, then do something I can’t explain.”
One day, something drew Jay to look for his Bible. It was gone. How could that be? He never lost track of things.
He drove in the rain to his teaching job at the University of Zurich. Stepping out of his car, he spotted a Gideon Bible on the wet pavement. That’s strange, he thought. Picking it up, he noticed the Bible was totally dry despite the rain. Something he couldn’t explain!
Gideon Bibles are named for an Old Testament hero of Israel. When God chose Gideon to lead Israel into battle against a vast army, Gideon had huge doubts. He told God, “I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece . . . , then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand” (Judges 6:37). God answered Gideon’s challenge not once but twice (vv. 39-40).
Doubt-filled prayers aren’t a pattern for us to follow. They can, however, reveal God’s character. Gideon led a tiny army to a smashing victory (ch. 7). Jay put his faith in Jesus, recognizing that his prayer had been answered by a loving God who does things we can’t explain.
Reflect & Pray
What experiences have you had that seem beyond explanation? How do they help you see God at work?
Thank You, dear Father, that You hear my honest prayers and meet me where I am.
Today’s Insights
God’s power at work amid human frailty is showcased in Gideon’s life. Though he doubted that God could use him (Judges 6:11-18), He had assignments for Gideon as well as the divine and human resources needed to fulfill them. When Gideon highlighted the frailty of his family (v. 15), God answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive” (v. 16).
He also made sure He Himself would get the credit for victory by reducing an army of more than thirty thousand to just three hundred. When Gideon took the men “down to the water” to drink, He instructed him to “separate those who lap . . . with their tongues . . . from those who kneel down to drink” (7:5). He defeated the Midianites “with the three hundred men that lapped” (v. 7). Today, God still watches over us and is at work in our lives in ways we often can’t explain.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – ALWAYS GIVING THANKS – Ephesians 5:15-20
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): Celebration; Fruit of the Spirit; Gratitude
5AM Focus: We should be thankful to God for everything we receive in our lives, always giving thanks in celebration, in the name of Jesus
Supporting Focus Scripture(s): Psalm 100:4-5
Today’s Devotional
A fifty-ton, female humpback whale swam into a web of crab lines off the coast of California, trapping her in a tangled mess. Hundreds of feet of line and hundreds of pounds of traps wrapped around her body as she struggled to stay afloat. Four divers came to her rescue, swimming under her belly. For an hour, they cut rope—dangerous work since one flap of her tail could have killed them. After they freed her, rather than immediately escaping, she swam to and gently nudged each diver. “It felt to me like she was thanking us,” one rescuer said.
Whether or not whales are able to express gratitude, being thankful is truly an important part of being human. It’s vital for our life with God. Many of us thank Him for larger blessings (the birth of a child or healing from a disease). However, Paul tells us to offer gratitude for every gift we receive, for every bit of goodness we encounter. We’re to be “always giving thanks to God,” the apostle writes (Ephesians 5:20). Not sometimes. Not only for exceptional moments. Always. And to make sure he’s made his point, Paul adds a bit more. “[Make] the most of every opportunity” and give thanks “for everything,” he says (vv. 16, 20).
Genuine gratitude is more than an occasional word we offer; it’s the posture of our lives. Gratitude turns us to God over and over again, always giving thanks in celebration.
Reflect & Pray
What gifts can you thank God for today? How can you move toward a posture of gratitude?
Dear God, please help me to live a life of gratitude to You.
Today’s Insights
Ephesians 5 invites us to walk in Christ’s light rather than stumble through the darkness of the world (v. 8). In verses 15-20, we encounter a surprising source of spiritual strength: gratitude. Paul urges us to “be filled with the Spirit” (v. 18) and to “[give] thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 20). Gratitude is a posture and attitude that returns our focus to the source of all good things (see James 1:16-18).
When we express our thankfulness—even in ordinary or difficult moments—we acknowledge God’s presence and goodness. This reorientation helps us to live intentionally, reflecting Christ’s love. The apostle’s command to give thanks is paired with God’s enabling presence (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit fills, shapes, and empowers us to live a life of gratitude, which turns our hearts toward God.
For further study, read God at the Center: Habits for Spiritual Growth.
Thursday, July 16, 2026 – WHO DO YOU NEED – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18, 21-27
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): Service; Spiritual Gifts
5AM Focus: The church like the human body has many parts but all parts are needed to make the body complete and function carefully and efficiently
Supporting Focus Scripture(s): 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Today’s Devotional
A famous athlete sat tall in his seat as he prepared to fly to the championship bout he knew he’d win. A flight attendant walked by and said, “Sir, please fasten your seat belt.” The man smiled. “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” She replied without missing a beat, “Superman don’t need no airplane. Buckle up.” And he did.
Success can swell our heads. We don’t need a seatbelt or a flight attendant telling us what to do. We can take care of ourselves. If we bring this attitude to church, we’re like an eye that says to the hand, “I don’t need you!” or a head that says to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (1 Corinthians 12:21). The truth is, every part of the body is needed, and “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (v. 22).
We’re made in the image of the triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who thrive in an interdependent community of love. The God who exists in perfect relationship within Himself made us to be in relationship with others in life and in the church. We’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?” (v. 17). We’re not all the same but we’re all “indispensable” (v. 22). Who helps you at your local body of Christ? Tell them you notice, that you see them, and thank them for their service. And ask God to show you where you can serve other believers.
Reflect & Pray
Why did God create us to need others? Who can you thank for their service to you?
Dear Jesus, please empower me to serve others from where You’ve placed me.
Today’s Insights
Of the many different metaphors Paul used to describe the church (fellow citizens, household, family, temple, dwelling, field, flock, bride), “the body” is used most frequently (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-16; 5:23, 30; Colossians 1:18, 24; 3:15). Some Corinthian believers in Jesus elevated certain ecstatic gifts (for example, speaking in unknown tongues) above others and disdained the less spectacular gifts. Refuting this error, the apostle used the body metaphor to teach unity among God’s people. The church, like the human body, has many parts (1 Corinthians 12:14, 20); but all parts are needed to make the body complete and function correctly and effectively (vv. 24-26).
Friday, July 17, 2026 – GOD’S HANDIWORK – Job 38:31-41
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): Creation
5AM Focus: God is all knowing and we can trust his ability to use his creation to bring us from the darkest night into the joy of his presence)
Supporting Focus Scriptures(s): Nahum 1:3
Today’s Devotional
Dragonflies are dainty insects with some of the most amazing flight and endurance capabilities. Their aerial abilities have been studied to improve flight technology. Scientists recently found that with its wings beating thirty times a second, a dragonfly that has fallen upside-down can right itself in just 0.2 seconds. Its eyes process an incredible two hundred images per second to determine which way is up and make tiny adjustments.
God’s creativity and wisdom are on display all throughout our natural world. In the book of Job, the main character struggles to reconcile his suffering with God’s goodness and righteousness. God responds by asking Job, “Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” (38:33). God begins to describe many animals from birds and goats to the world’s largest predators (38:36; 39:1; 40:15-24; 41). He knows what each animal needs for survival and is aware of the hungry cries of their young (38:39-41). God has given each of them distinct characteristics, such as the speed of an ostrich or the strength of an ox, so they can thrive (ch. 39).
How exactly does a dragonfly maneuver so incredibly? We have a lot to learn. And yet we can trust that the all-knowing God who designed these creatures is the same one who knows how to bring us from the darkest night into the light and joy of His presence.
Reflect & Pray
Where do you see God’s handiwork in the world around you? What does it reveal about His nature?
Creator God, I trust Your wisdom and righteousness, even when I don’t understand it.
Today’s Insights
God’s majestic creation reveals many things about His nature. In creation, we see evidence of His power (Romans 1:20), for He spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 11:3). Creation reveals His sense of order (Psalm 139:13-14) and His brilliant design (v. 15). Perhaps above all else, however, it teaches us about His sovereignty (Colossians 1:15-18).
Not only did He create the universe by the word of His power, but He’s even now maintaining that universe. He not only made everything, but He also rules over all that He’s made (v. 17). The challenge for believers in Jesus is to live in the conscious awareness of His power, His word, His order, and His design. We can trust the creator of the universe to help us in our trials and bring us into the joy of His presence.
Visit go.odb.org/071726 to learn more about God’s wonderful creation.
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – ROAD CLOSED, SPIRIT-LED – Acts 16:6-10
Our Daily Bread Topic(s): Decision-making; Holy Spirit
Today’s Devotional
After a lengthy journey, my wife and I finally neared our street, but a large road closed to thru traffic sign blocked our path. I felt the urge to drive around it because home was just ahead, and I didn’t like being rerouted. But then I saw why the road was closed: A downed power line lay across the road. Had I ignored the warning, I could have driven into danger.
In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were eager to preach the gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed that door. Detours aren’t always rejection, however. They can be divine redirections. Like the roadblock on our street, God rerouted Paul from entering the province of Bithynia. It must have been frustrating to be blocked, especially while Paul was striving to do his best. But then he received a vision in which a man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). God said “no” to something good because He was preparing them for something else—taking the gospel to the people of another continent (v. 10).
Rather than seeing “no” as punishment and rejection, we can see it as His Spirit-led redirection. His detours are often pathways to divine appointments. Let’s not simply trust His direction when the roads are open; let’s follow when He closes them too.
Reflect & Pray
When has God placed a “road closed” sign in front of you as you were striving to do something good? How are you listening for the Spirit’s guidance as you work out your plans?
Dear God, please help me to trust Your closed doors as much as I trust Your open ones.
Today’s Insights
In Acts 16:6-7, it’s unclear how the Holy Spirit stopped Paul from moving forward with his plans. It may have been through a vision, a word of prophecy, or some other circumstance. When God prompted him to go to Macedonia so the gospel could be heard there, we’re told He spoke to him through a vision (vv. 9-10). Scripture doesn’t reveal the identity of the “man of Macedonia” (v. 9), but some scholars believe it may have been Luke, who wrote the book of Acts and joined the group at this point.
As believers in Jesus, when God seems to close a door, it may be that the Holy Spirit is redirecting our plans to better align with His. The Spirit of God lives inside us to guide us. Christ said of the Spirit, “He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears” (John 16:13; see 14:26).
AN INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FROM SISTER CLOVIA
JESUS IS ALL YOU NEED
Don’t be deceived into thinking the things of this world will make you happy. It’s not wealth or fame that brings peace and contentment. Far from it! Look around, and you’ll see evidence of plenty of rich people who are absolutely miserable! Without God, you will never achieve real joy and happiness! Jesus is all you need!
When you are discouraged, brokenhearted, and too weak to take another step, Jesus will carry you. These comforting words found in Isaiah 46:4(NIV) say it all: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
The more time you spend in His presence, the more your heart will truly know that… Jesus is all you need!
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” — Psalm 62:1-2
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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