Today Daily Devotional
Today Daily Devotional is a daily podcast from ReFrame Ministries that guides listeners through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. Each episode aims to help Christians refresh, refocus, and renew their faith. The content is straightforward and centered on Scripture, offering a brief devotional for everyday spiritual growth.
Episodes
Head of the Body
He is the head of the body, the church. . . .
— Colossians 1:18
My daughter plays percussion for the Des Moines (Iowa) Youth Symphony. As we take our seats for a concert, the warmup sounds like cacophony and chaos. Every musician is doing their own thing as they tune up and warm up.Then . . . tap-tap-tap. The conductor calls everyone to attention, and everything changes! The mess becomes music.
The Good Shepherd
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them. . . . I am the good shepherd. . . .”
— John 10:3,14
Our family lived for ten years in a border town of the Navajo Nation. We learned a little about herding sheep and tending cattle from our Navajo friends. We learned that different animals are led differently.Cattle are driven. Dogs or horses are used to spook them from behind so that they trot whe
The Second Adam
The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
— 1 Corinthians 15:47
Have you ever played the game “Grab the Bacon?” Two teams face each other in an open field, and a sock or towel (the “bacon”) is placed on the ground between them. A runner from each team races out to grab the “bacon,” and the one who brings it back gains a point for the whole team. The team’s success
Immanuel
“They will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
— Matthew 1:23
After the First World War, British soldiers returned from the front lines devastated. Many were shell-shocked, disfigured, wounded, and scarred.Among the pastors who ministered to those hurting veterans was Edward Shillito. He wrote a poem, in 1919, in which he speaks as a soldier, seeking God. The poem expresses dismay an
The Stone Rejected
“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected. . . .’”
— Acts 4:11
Rejection. We see it when grandparents are cut off from grandkids over politics. Or when siblings haven’t spoken in years. In the church, a difference in conviction can be met with a cold shoulder, and a cutting off of friendship.Rejection hurts. I remember a group question: “What is the worst pain that people have known?” Some part
Man of Sorrows
A man of suffering, and familiar with pain . . . he took up our pain and bore our suffering. . . .
— Isaiah 53:3-4
What gives hope when our hearts break?Five years ago, my sister-in-law, only 47 years old, died of a brain-stem tumor. I helped to care for her and her young family during six years of decline, dementia, hospice, and devastating pain. At times like that, many of us may wonder, “Wher
The One Who Serves
“I am among you as one who serves.”
— Luke 22:27
When I began attending a university, I was amazed at a group of seniors (one of them my future sister-in-law) who invited the university president to come to a dorm apartment for a meal they had prepared. I was even more amazed that, important as he was, the president said yes. But the thing I’ll never forget is that when the meal was over, the pr
Lamb of God
I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne. . . .
— Revelation 5:6
A large painting in my living room takes up half a wall. It portrays a lion and a lamb lying down together. My mom painted it in 1973, back when she had two baby boys and would soon have a pair of girls too.I often notice the posture of those two animals my mom painted. The lion looks subm
Bread of Life
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. . . .”
— John 6:35
In a book titled The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty, David Meyers wrote: “We buy more, but enjoy it less. We have more food and less nutrition; fancier houses, but broken homes. We have added years to life, not life to years.”Enter Jesus, the one who was born in Bethlehem (“house of brea
Deliverer
“The deliverer will come. . . .”;
He . . . shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death . . .
— Romans 11:26; Hebrews 2:14
My son David, at age 3, found a picture that captivated him. He’d bend over it on the floor and look, and look. The picture was of a wood carving from an old altar in Europe. The carving showed Jesus kicking down
Messiah (Christ)
. . . Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham. . . .
— Matthew 1:1
Ever since humanity fell into sin, God promised that someone would come and put it right.God promised Eve a snake-crusher (Genesis 3:15). He promised Abraham a line of descendants who would bless the nations (Genesis 12:3). God promised his people a prophet who would come from among them, and to whom they should li
The Resurrection and the Life
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live. . . .”
— John 11:25
I don’t know about you, but I tend to think of resurrection as an abstract or distant thing—as if it is only about Easter Sunday or a date on the end-times calendar.But, no—and more profoundly— Resurrection is a name for Jesus! “I am the resurrection . . .” he said. Resurrection is a “right now” realit
Prince of Peace
He will be called . . . Prince of Peace.
— Isaiah 9:6
Here Jesus is named “Prince of Peace.” What is peace?Two artists, the story goes, are asked to paint pictures depicting peace.One artist paints a tranquil scene—a calm lake surrounded by rolling green hills and with towering trees mirrored in the water. The blue sky is still— and, well, peaceful.The other painter brushes onto the canvas a roc
Light of the World
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
— John 8:12
With a tour group I went into a deep cave in New Mexico, and our guide turned off all the lights. The darkness was paralyzing; I immediately felt vulnerable.Darkness in a cave is one thing. Darkness in life is worse. We may face shadows of a dark past: abuse, ugly words
Jesus, Name Above All Names
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. . . .
— Philippians 2:9-10
There are a lot of big names out there: Zuckerberg, Apple, Xi, Trump, Oprah, AI. Does our world rise or fall with these names?Or how about some names closer to home: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, ALS, Down Syndrome? Or what about labels that society
The Gospel Resonates with the World
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
— Psalm 96:11
Psalm 96 invites us to hear the greatness of God resounding everywhere and in everyone. We began our devotions this month with this psalm, and it seems fitting to close our reflections on “Resonance” by focusing on this psalm again.Throughout this month we have been personally invited to res
The Gospel Resonates with Us
All the believers . . . broke bread . . . together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God. . . .
— Acts 2:44-47
My wife and I have been part of many small groups in our church over the years, but one experience of community stands out as especially rich. We were in a group with three other couples who were younger than us and in a different stage of life. When we first began meeting, none of
The Gospel Resonates with Me
If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
For the next few days, let’s think about how the gospel resonates with us personally, then spreads into our relationships, and then rings out further into the world.I was speaking in a church in Canada recently that has baptized hundreds of new immigrants from a country in the Middle East.
Communion: Resonance with Jesus
Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
— 1 Corinthians 11:26
“Do this . . . in remembrance of me.” The church of Jesus has been living into these words for nearly 2,000 years. Thinking about our devotional theme for this month, we might say that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion, is one of the most resonant experiences
Longing for Perfect Resonance
The leaves of the tree [of life] are for the healing of the nations.
— Revelation 22:2
Several colleagues and I were on a call with church leaders from a West African nation where Christians have been facing increased hostility and violence. We wanted to connect and hear how they were doing, and we wanted to ask how we might pray for and support them.Yet the conversation proved difficult. Techni
God’s Daily Voice
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night. . . .”
— Joshua 1:8
This year the Today devotional guide is celebrating its 75th anniversary.As we think about the Word of God resonating around the world, these devotions are one of the ways in which the Spirit is at work, encouraging and challenging many thousands of Christians and people who are curious about the Ch
Deep and Painful Conviction
I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
— Psalm 51:3
It can happen so easily. A quick or thoughtless word can hurt someone else. And if we are confronted with our guilt, we instinctively move into denial or defense. We try to shift blame to another person or circumstance as we try to justify ourselves. Or we sink into shame, allowing self-damaging thoughts to take hold. The cyc
The Power of Greeting
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
— Romans 12:15
The life-giving power of Jesus rings out in many ways. My colleague Joyce, a former missionary to Nigeria, tells of her moving experience with the Nigerian practice of “greeting.” She learned that whenever something significant happened— whether joyful or painful—people would gather simply to be present with you in that m
Ringing out with Hope
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
— 1 Peter 4:11
I often have the privilege of meeting creative and courageous leaders in different parts of the world. In Kenya recently, I stood on a tidy little property tucked between tall buildings in a small town outside Nairobi. It was once a vacant lot, choked
Only One Answer
Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
— Colossians 2:15
I read about a missionary walking through a vast temple who witnessed something deeply heartbreaking. Crowds of people— many of them poor and desperate—were bowing before a massive golden statue. They placed what appeared to be their meager earnings into a treasury
Baptism: Blessed to be a Blessing
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
— Mark 10:14
My church denomination baptizes children, and one of the great joys for me as a pastor has been to baptize many children through the years.It may seem odd to say, but I like it that baptism ceremonies can sometimes be a little chaotic. The parents usually come to church a l
Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
Those who had been scattered by the persecution . . . traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.
— Acts 11:19
For the past few days we have been tracking the spread of the gospel as recorded in the book of Acts. Jesus had said that his followers would be his witnesses in Judea and Samaria and beyond, “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In our reading
Witnesses in Judea and Samaria
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
— Acts 8:1
We see Jesus’ words to his disciples fulfilled, in part, in our reading for today: “You will be my witnesses . . . in all Judea and Samaria” (Acts 1:8).But it came at a great cost. The gospel had been spreading through Jerusalem, and that
Witnesses in Jerusalem
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly. . . .
— Acts 6:7
As we saw earlier in the book of Acts, Jesus promised his followers that the Holy Spirit would empower them to become his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). For the next few days, we will see how Jesus’ words were literally fulfilled in
The Gospel: Ringing Out! (Part 2)
The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
— 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Last year, my favorite baseball team came within inches of winning the World Series. There were a lot of sad faces after the team’s loss. I found myself imagining what the team’s home city would have looked like if they had won. People would have poured out i
The Gospel: Ringing Out! (Part 1)
The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
— 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Old Testament scholars will tell us that in Hebrew writing, the main message of a passage is not usually found at the beginning or the end of the passage but at its center. This literary device is called chiasm. We see chiasm at work especially in the Psalms.
Resonating Outward
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8
Picture someone striking a large gong with a mallet, maybe as part of an orchestra or a marching band. The mallet hits the center of the gong, and the sound rings out powerfully. Not many of us have a gong in our homes, but if you have a phone or a computer nearby, take a moment to sea
The Word is Proclaimed!
“My word . . . will not return to me empty, but will . . . achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
— Isaiah 55:11
On this day of worship let’s return to the words of Isaiah 55 and reflect on the power of the preached Word of God.Human communication is often filled with mistakes and misunderstandings. We are imperfect people who communicate in many imperfect ways. Sometimes the results can be h
The Wonder of the Cross
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
— 1 Corinthians 1:18
One of the leaders in our mission organization visited a women’s Bible study in a local church. She knew that most study groups focus on God’s love, Jesus’ teachings, or a particular book of the Bible. But when she visited this group, she was surprised by
Follow Me
“Follow me,” [Jesus] told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
— Matthew 9:9
Where I grew up in Canada, the church youth groups in the area would host an annual play competition. We wrote and performed our own plays, and the winning group received a trophy. To be clear, these were not Shakespearean masterpieces. The plays were often silly, with winding and unrealistic plots performed by tee
The Living Spirit
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said . . . “Brothers, what shall we do?’’
— Acts 2:37
After Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11), he did exactly as he had promised his disciples. He had said, “I am going away, but then I will send you the Holy Spirit, who will guide you and be with you” (see John 16:1-15).And as we read in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came dramatically on
The Living Jesus
[Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
— Luke 24:27
Our theme verse today is from the Emmaus road story once again. We have seen that the two disciples’ hearts burned within them because of their encounter with Jesus, the living Word. Today we see that their hearts resonated with the teaching of the living Jesus.Luke shows that as Jesus explained the Sc
The Living Word
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
— Luke 24:32
Let’s return to the Emmaus road story that we reflected on yesterday. Two disciples, walking home in deep discouragement, are met by the risen Jesus. As they recall this encounter, they speak of their hearts burning within them—and one of the key reasons for that transforming
Hearts Burning Within Us
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us . . . ?”
— Luke 24:32
One of the ways we can speak of “resonance” is in terms of human connection. When a person says something that connects with us deeply, we might say, “Yes, that resonates with me,” or maybe, “I feel the same way. I’m totally in sync with you on that.”We can find resonance in spiritual experiences as well. This ha
Desperate for Worship
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
— Psalm 42:2
The Christian writer C. S. Lewis was a careful thinker. One day he was asked which of the world’s religions gave people the greatest happiness. He thought for a moment and answered, “While it lasts, the religion of worshiping oneself” would do that. He was pointing out that when we focus on our own needs a
The Heavens Resound with Praise
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
— Psalm 19:1
Psalm 19 asserts that the heavens declare the glory of God. I recently learned some things about the Hubble Space Telescope and what it reveals about the known universe. Astronomers describe it in a way like this:Imagine holding up your finger with a grain of sand on it and looking at the patch of sky th
Our Voices Resonate with Praise
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy. . . .”
— Isaiah 54:1
I grew up (and still serve) in a Christian tradition that tends to be reserved in worship. I remember inviting a pastor from a neighboring church to speak in our congregation. He came from a more expressive background, in which people often said “Amen!” and “Yes, Lord,” to statements he made whi
The World Resonates with Jesus!
“My word . . . will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
— Isaiah 55:11
The gospel account of John opens with an astonishing declaration: the Word, who is Jesus, the Son of God, has broken into our world. As verse 14 beautifully proclaims, the Word “made his dwelling among us.” If ever there was a moment when the earth could reso
Creation Resonates with Praise
“The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
— Isaiah 55:12
Isaiah 55 captures the deep, joyful relationship between God and the world he has made. This chapter overflows with delight in the connection between Creator and creation. What Isaiah describes is resonance— the voice of God and the voice of the world echoing back and f
Ringing Out Across the World
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
— Psalm 96:3
Have you ever experienced a genuine echo? Maybe you shouted “Hello!” into a wide empty space and then heard your own voice return: “Hello! Hello! Hello!” I remember being about seven years old and calling out across a misty lake—and then, with a sense of wonder, hearing my voice come drifting back to me.This
Trust and Obey
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
— John 14:15
As I’ve been reflecting on the Ten Commandments, an old gospel song keeps running through my mind: “Trust and Obey.” This simple hymn expresses the bedrock faith and action of seeking to live for the Lord. By trusting God and, through his strength, turning to him for support each day, we find joy in the new life we are promised forever in Christ.T
True and Perfect Love
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:40
As boys, my brothers and I often played a Bible trivia game at our grandmother’s house. The game cards helped to hone our knowledge of various facts in the Bible. “Name the twelve tribes of Israel.” “Name the twelve apostles.” “List the Ten Commandments in order.” Today, I’m not sure I could answer any of these questi
Reordered Desires
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
— Philippians 4:8
Some people claim that we can establish a good habit in as little as 21 days. Others say it takes much longer—between 66 and 254 days—to form a good habit. By sheer effort and discipline, can we will ourselves into a habit of keeping the Ten Commandments?No. We can only begin on a new path of living for the Lord
The Heart Command
I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
— Romans 7:7
Most people agree that the commandments we have been discussing lately—about promoting justice, honesty, respect for others and their property, and more—offer clear, practical boundaries for living together in society. Guidelines like these are found in all kinds of societies around the w
The Right Antidote
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
— Philippians 4:11
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, the right antidote can neutralize or block the venom that begins spreading into your body. The antidote can prevent death or even sickness.Spiritually speaking, the sin of coveting can also introduce a poison that can lead to committing other sins in our lives.The tenth commandment for
Striking a Balance
Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
— Ephesians 4:15
Sometimes hard conversations are necessary. Perhaps you need to discuss a painfully difficult situation with a family member, a neighbor, or a colleague. Maybe you are dreading it, but you know you must do it. The hardest part of a difficult conversation i
A Blatant Lie
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said. . . .
— Genesis 3:4
Sometimes we might hear or even tell little lies in attempts to be polite or to spare someone’s feelings. Though not recommended, those kinds of lies are far different from lies that are told out of callous self-interest for personal gain or even malice to harm others. Of all the lies told in history, the most blatant, malicious
Truth and Justice
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
— Exodus 20:16
Courtroom dramas can make for interesting and engaging stories. Why? Because often in a court of law, two of the most basic concerns for living together in society come into sharp focus: truth and justice. These two main concepts are the foundational principles behind the ninth commandment: “You shall not give false testi
Working With Our Hands
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands. . . . .
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Have you noticed that most of the Ten Commandments begin with a negative order, saying, “You shall not . . .”? In commandments six through ten, the negative orders set clear, concrete boundaries for how we are to treat people. Without the command “You shall not s
Respecting Property
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
— Ephesians 4:28
Can you guess what the most common crime is in any country?If you guess that stealing is the most common crime, that’s right—shoplifting, burglary, identity theft, credit card fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, gr
Property Crime
“You shall not steal.”
— Exodus 20:15
The story of Achan in Joshua 7 is very disturbing. During the battle for Jericho, Achan steals an ornate robe along with a hoard of silver and gold. Knowing he has committed a serious sin, Achan buries the stolen goods under his tent. Achan’s wrongdoing highlights the truth that the cost of breaking the eighth commandment —“You shall not steal”—can be enormo
A Great Mystery
This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church.
— Ephesians 5:32
On weekday evenings, my wife, Vicki, and I can usually be found in our favorite seats in our living room, with Vicki knitting while I read. Occasionally I’ll glance at her from over my book, and often I am filled with a rush of gratitude and wonder—grateful for over 42 years of marriage and awed by how inti
Protecting Our Eyes
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.”
— Matthew 5:29
Many years ago, the Christian college I attended did not allow dancing. To skirt this rule, “foot functions” were sometimes held in dormitory basements. Today we may smile at such a quaint restriction, but behind it was concern about a serious challenge to Christian purity: lust.Recognizing the destructive
Saving Marriage
A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
— Genesis 2:24
If atoms are the so-called “building blocks” of matter, what are atoms made of? Scientists have identified protons, neutrons, and electrons as particles that make up atoms, and even more fundamental particles are quarks and leptons.In some ways similarly, if families are the so-called “buildin
Two Sides of the Same Coin
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
— Genesis 4:9
Sometimes we recognize that two things are closely related or even the same, although they appear to be different— and we describe them by saying they are like two sides of the same coin.God’s command “You shall not murder” is an example of this. While he orders that we may not harm or kill anyone, God is also calling us to care for and protect our neigh
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