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Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17, NIV1984

Recommended Reading: Acts 14:8-10

The book of Acts illustrates the truths expressed by the apostles in their letters to the churches. One example is how Acts 14:8-10 illustrates the truth taught in Romans 10:17.

In Romans 10, Paul says Israel needs someone to preach the Gospel to them. He then says that “faith comes from hearing … the word of Christ.” “Word of Christ” can mean either the word(s) spoken by Christ as repeated by a preacher or words spoken about Christ by a preacher. The effect is the same—anyone preaching about Christ will no doubt quote some of Christ’s words. And those words produce faith. That’s what happened when Paul was in Lystra. A man who was crippled from birth, who had never walked, was listening to Paul preach. Paul looked at the man and saw “that he had faith to be healed” and told him to stand up—and he did (Acts 14:8-10)! The words of/about Jesus created faith in this man.

Do you need faith or know someone else who needs faith? Meditate on “the word of Christ” and trust God that faith will come.

Faith rests on the naked Word of God. That Word believed gives full assurance.
H. A. Ironside

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Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9

When describing the birth of a newborn, we never say, “The baby birthed himself at 3:00 p.m.” Likewise, when describing spiritual rebirth, Jesus said, “Unless you are born.” That is, both human birth and spiritual rebirth are passive events for the infant. Mothers give birth to physical babies; the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual babies (John 3:5-8).

This idea is behind Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Our spiritual rebirth is not something we do by ourselves, by our own efforts. If it was, we would be right to boast. Since it is of God rather than ourselves, we can only boast about God and His grace (1 Corinthians 1:27-31; 2 Timothy 1:9).

If you have been born again through faith in Christ, give thanks to God that He has birthed you for a purpose. As the Spirit brought you into God’s Kingdom, so He will lead you and transform you.

“Except a man be born again,” he will wish one day he had never been born at all. 
J. C. Ryle

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Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11

Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:16-17

It is estimated that around three hundred direct quotations from the Old Testament appear in the New Testament. References and allusions bring that number closer to one thousand. We often take for granted how often the New Testament writers incorporate a quotation or reference from the Old Testament—especially in their conversations where they appear to be quoting from memory. And we have to remember that they had no computers or complete copies of the Old Testament to work with when writing the New Testament.

Jesus appears to quote the Old Testament around 75 times in His teachings and verbal exchanges with others. Take, for example, His exchange with the devil during His 40-day sojourn in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Three times He refuted the devil’s temptations by quoting verses from Deuteronomy. Paul quotes or alludes to the Old Testament around 75 times just in the book of Romans. How did they do this? Memorization and in-depth familiarity with Scripture.

Consider setting a goal of memorizing one verse or passage of Scripture each week. After all, the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and the foundation of faith (Romans 10:17).

Memorization is the first step to meditation.
Jerry Bridges

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I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16, NIV

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Infusions have become a popular way to replenish fluids or nutrients in your body. At your home or at an infusion clinic, you’re hooked to an IV that delivers vitamins, minerals, and fluids directly into your bloodstream.

Are infusions available for us spiritually? If so, where can we find an infusion of strength for our souls? For that we turn to the clinic of God’s Word. In Ephesians 3:16, we learn a vital prayer to offer for ourselves: Lord, I ask You to grant me, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened with might through Your Spirit in my inner being. 

The Holy Spirit was sent to us as a Helper. He comes to strengthen us. When you feel weak, ask the Lord to impart His strength.

If you’d like another prayer along these lines, use these words from hymnist Edwin Hatch: “Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.”

Breathe on me, breath of God until my heart is pure, until my will is one with Thine, to do and to endure.
Edwin Hatch

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Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38

Recommended Reading: Luke 2:51

Perhaps the most important thing we know about Mary, the mother of Jesus, comes from her own words to the angel Gabriel when she was told of God’s plan for her.

First, she referred to herself as a “maidservant of the Lord.” This word could be translated as “servant,” “bondservant,” or “slave.” It carried with it the idea of compulsion or obligation—that is, a role that Mary wasn’t free to reject. How did Mary come to view herself as a young woman obligated to serve God with her life? We don’t know. But we do know that her commitment to God resulted in Gabriel referring to her as “highly favored” in God’s sight (Luke 1:28). Second was her response to Gabriel’s announcement: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Once she received the amazing explanation of how she, a virgin, could give birth to a baby (Luke 1:35), there was no hesitation, questioning, or debate. Mary simply said “Yes” to God.

When it comes to submitting to God, the fewer words the better. Only one word is truly necessary: Yes.

The essence of sin is arrogance; the essence of salvation is submission.
Alan Redpath

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By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Recommended Reading: John 15:12-15

Far too many churches and denominations have been founded for reasons that were less than loving. Yet Jesus told His disciples that love among Christians would be the hallmark of those who follow Him. He gave His disciples a new name—He called them friends rather than servants. And a new command: As friends, they were to love one another.

If all followers of Jesus are His friends, that makes all followers of Jesus friends with one another. As mutual friends, love for one another is to be what separates Christians from the world. So serious was Jesus about love for one other that He said it would require laying down one’s life for one’s friends—which is what He did for His friends (John 15:13). Do you have a friend who would lay down his or her life for you? Are you the kind of friend who would lay down your life? “Friend” is a covenant term in Scripture (James 2:23). Under the old covenant, a true friend was closer than a blood brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Be the kind of friend you would like to have and show the world that you are a friend of Jesus.

In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, [love].
Richard Baxter

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Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
John 16:7

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:9-11

Jesus’ preparation of His disciples for His return to the Father in heaven was disconcerting for them. For three years they had witnessed His teaching and His merciful healings—not to mention His companionship and counsel. What would they do without Him?

The solution He revealed to them was new. He would send to them a Helper who they came to understand was the Holy Spirit—given to them a few weeks later at the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2). In fact, Jesus said it would be to their advantage for Him to go away and for the Spirit to come in His place, enabling them to do even greater works than He had done (John 14:12). So the Holy Spirit was given to all believers to empower the life of Christ in each one who believes (Romans 8:11; Galatians 2:20; 5:22-23).

Never forget during difficult moments: If you belong to Christ by faith in Him, He dwells in you by His Spirit.

He who has the Holy Spirit in his heart and the Scripture in his hands has all he needs.
Alexander MacLaren

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[Peter] said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
Acts 12:17

Recommended Reading: Acts 12:5-17

The first twelve chapters of Acts concern Peter. In Acts 12, an angel freed him from prison, and he went to the home of John Mark and spoke to the disciples. Then he left for “another place.” Starting with chapter 13, the remainder of the book of Acts concerns the apostle Paul.

Where did Peter go? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but ancient traditions say John Mark led him from Jerusalem to a section of Egypt known as “Babylon” or “Old Cairo.” It was possibly the same place Joseph and Mary fled with the baby Jesus, beyond the reach of Herod. It was a place of refuge.¹

We all need a place of refuge. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” When we face trouble, we can retreat to our Refuge. He is always there, easily accessible. We have only to turn to Him. When everything else fails, there is still another place—His everlasting arms.

God will our strength and refuge prove, in all distress a present aid, and though the trembling earth remove, we will not fear or be dismayed.
The Presbyterian Psalter

1. Thomas C. Oden, The African Memory of Mark (Downers Grove: IVP, 2011), 118-122.

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Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6

Recommended Reading: Psalm 150

1. Sidlow Baxter wrote, “Our Lord is not a fair-weather companion only. When the dark hour comes, when the storm beats about us, when the grievous blow falls, He is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother…. Our Lord is not merely a distant spectator of our concerns, far removed from us in a far-off sky. He is a present help.”

When we truly grasp the nearness of God and His involvement in even the smallest concerns in life, we’re empowered to lift up our hearts and lungs in praise. We often rely on God during difficult times, but do we also remember that He’s there during the good times as well? He’s with us in the ups and downs, and we should take time during both to praise Him for that. Are things going well for you? Praise the Lord; He is a God who sends our blessings! Are things difficult right now? Praise the Lord; He is a God who bears our burdens.

Let everything on earth praise the Lord!

Most certainly is He the helper of His people and their cause considered collectively: but He is more than the God of the multitude. Each of His people may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper.”
J. Sidlow Baxter

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Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:4-5

Recommended Reading: Lamentations 3:22-23

In the New Testament era, the most prominent theme is the grace of God—encompassing love, mercy, and forgiveness. But it is important to remember that God is our Father who is willing to discipline His children when the need arises (Hebrews 12:5-13).

There are two aspects of discipline which need to be viewed differently. One is in the form of correction for sin as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32—discipline in the form of punishment. The other is discipline for the purpose of training during times of hardship: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children” (Hebrews 12:7, NIV). For His children, God’s discipline—regardless of the reason—is temporary. But His grace is never-ending: “His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life.” As the prophet Jeremiah wrote, God’s compassions never fail—“they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

If God has you in training, remember: It is only temporary. His grace and compassions fail not.

Discipline is a proof of sonship.
John Blanchard

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So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
Luke 1:59-60

Recommended Reading: Luke 1:11-17

It was not uncommon in Israel for firstborn sons to be named after their father—for example, “Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus” (Mark 10:46—bar in Hebrew meant “son”). Therefore, when it came time to name the firstborn son of the priest Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, their relatives assumed the child’s name would be the same as his father. But Elizabeth said his name would be John—a decision Zacharias confirmed.

The angel Gabriel, when revealing to Zacharias that his barren wife would conceive a son, said the boy’s name would be John. For being skeptical of Gabriel’s announcement, Zacharias was made mute until John was born. But apparently during Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Zacharias had somehow communicated to her what the angel had said. Out of loyalty to God’s will through Gabriel, and loyalty to her husband, Elizabeth confirmed the baby’s name would be John—who became John the Baptist.

Loyalty means choosing a priority that might be different than your personal preference. Loyalty to God always comes first.

God demands complete loyalty to His Word.
Richard L. Pratt

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I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
Acts 27:25, NIV

Recommended Reading: Acts 27:21-25

Scott Smiley is an American soldier who was blinded while fighting in Mosul, Iraq. In his book, Hope Unseen, he describes how he and his wife Tiffany learned to trust God with tragedy. Tiffany said, “The words that I read in the Bible prior to all of this became real. It was like oh, this is the peace that surpasses all understanding, you know, this is the hope that carries you through. So it all came to life for me. There’s still times where we’re like ‘Yeah, we wish Scotty could see.’ But God what has taught us through His word…. And going through this trial and this valley with the Lord, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”¹

When we go through trouble, we struggle, but out of the struggle comes strength. And out of the strength comes a shout of praise. Express your faith when you are experiencing a time of trouble. The action of expressing your faith aloud is often the first step toward courage and victory.

A lot of people look at the events in my life as a huge tragedy, and I don’t necessarily. I think God has given me the ability to understand Him more and to understand His purpose through my blindness.
Scott Smiley

1. Julie Blim, “Scott Smiley: A Soldier’s Sacrifice,” CBN, accessed January 26, 2026.

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On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred.
Esther 9:1

Recommended Reading: Esther 9:1-5

The book of Esther describes a plot to annihilate the Jewish people. It fails because of two brave people—Mordecai and Esther. The name of God is not mentioned in the book, but that’s the point. When God seemed absent and danger was near, the invisible hand of our Lord was working behind the scenes to save and deliver His people.

Sometimes we face danger or sorrow, and we wonder if God is near. Yes, He is! His eye is watching, His hand is moving, and His grace is available. That’s why we can be thankful even in tense times. The devil may threaten to undo us, but in the providence of God’s grace the opposite will occur.

That’s why we’re called to be thankful. In coming days, we’ll look back and see all the times and places where God has been faithful to us. Be sure each day to think of all God has done for you and ask Him to give you a spirit of gratitude regardless of the circumstances.

The Lord’s wisdom is seen in arranging the smallest events so as to produce great results. Everything, the most minute … as well as the most magnificent, is ordered by the Lord.
Charles Spurgeon

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The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:17

Recommended Reading: 2 Samuel 12:11-17

The darkest blot on the life of David was his double sin of adultery and accomplice to murder (2 Samuel 11). David took another man’s wife and then tried to hide his sin by having the woman’s husband killed in battle. And he remained quiet about his actions for almost a year. After the baby that was conceived was born, a prophet confronted David, and he confessed his sin. Psalm 51 contains the record of his sorrowful confession to God.

David’s words in his psalm reflect “a broken spirit … and a contrite heart.” So we know that God heard his confession and forgave him for his horrendous sins. But what about the consequences of his sins? Confession does not remove consequences. The child that was born died, and several other tragic events happened in the lives of David’s adult children. God promises to forgive our sins, but He does not promise to erase the consequences of our sins.

It takes contrition and humility to confess our sins, but it takes the same attitudes to live with the consequences. Thankfully, God gives restoring grace to heal and repair.

Sin would have few takers if its consequences occurred immediately.
W. T. Purkiser

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Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Psalm 32:4, NLT

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 12:4-6

Aerial photos are used to reveal the effects of a prolonged drought. One photo will show a lake during times of plentiful rainfall, followed by a photo taken during the drought. The change in the shoreline reveals the effects of evaporation.

The psalmist David used just such an image to describe the effects of unconfessed sin in his life: “My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.” Psalm 32 is one of the most graphic portrayals of the movement from hidden sin to open confession found in Scripture. We don’t know exactly what sin David was guilty of hiding—perhaps it was his sin with Bathsheba, detailed in Psalm 51—perhaps some other sin. Whatever the sin, David was only freed from his torment of guilt when he confessed to God: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

New Testament Christians are provided the same relief: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession.
Richard Sibbes

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Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches.
Psalm 73:12

Recommended Reading: Psalm 73:1-28

A timeless question has plagued mankind: Why do the good suffer and the wicked prosper? That question surfaces in the Bible in two extended passages: Job 21 and Psalm 73. Job raised the question because he thought he was a righteous man who had been made to suffer. And the psalmist raised the question because it represented an apparent contradiction. Both writers resolved the question by encountering God and His purposes.

In the latter chapters of his book, Job encountered God and gained understanding about His sovereign ways (Job 42:1-6). The psalmist declared that the contradiction in God’s ways “was too painful for [him]—until [he] went into the sanctuary of God; then [he] understood their end” (Psalm 73:16-17). The “sanctuary” represents Job considering his questions in light of the sovereign purposes of God and the fact that God will balance the scales of justice in the end. For him, it was enough to put his trust in God and “draw near” to Him (verse 28).

Don’t let the carefree lives of those who don’t serve God be a source of frustration. Let Him be your only desire on earth (verse 25).

The humble Christian is far happier in a cottage than the wicked in a palace.
A. W. Pink

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[Hannah said], “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.”
1 Samuel 1:27-28, NIV

Recommended Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

A woman in Israel had been childless for years but had faithfully prayed for a son. She even “made a vow” to God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to God’s service (1 Samuel 1:11).

After years of worship and prayer, Hannah conceived and bore a son. After the boy was weaned, she took him to Eli the priest and fulfilled her vow. She gave her longed-for son to the Lord. The boy, named Samuel, “grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men” (1 Samuel 2:26) and ultimately became God’s chief prophet in Israel (1 Samuel 3:19-21)—all because a mother was devoted to the Lord and kept her promise to Him. Years later, King Solomon would write, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it …. Better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).

Being devoted to God is not without sacrifice. But with such sacrifice comes blessing.

Sacrifice is the giving up of something we genuinely value in order to express our devotion to God.
John Benton

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From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:15

Recommended Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

In his book about holiness, J. I. Packer wrote, “Holiness is actually the true health of the person. Anything else is ugliness and deformity at character level; a malfunctioning of the individual; a crippled state of the soul…. Holiness effectively thwarts Satan in his designs on our lives.”¹

We’re always concerned about the health of our children. We want them to get the right nutrition and exercise, to have the right medical care, and to be in a sound educational environment. But the most important way of keeping children healthy is to show them what holiness looks like. The apostle Paul reminded Timothy of “the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

It’s important to protect our families from destructive influences. What they need to see in us is warm, true, Christlike holiness. Prayer then becomes a great force. Spend some time today praying for your family. And then share a Bible verse with someone in your family circle.

Holiness is the substance of which happiness is the spinoff. Those who chase happiness miss it, while to those who pursue holiness through the grace of Christ, happiness of spirit comes unasked.
J. I. Packer

1. J. I. Packer, Rediscovering Holiness (Baker Books, 2009).

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Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Psalm 127:1

Recommended Reading: Psalm 127

John MacArthur wrote, “It is no mere accident of history that family relationships have always been the very nucleus of all human civilization. According to Scripture, that is precisely the way God designed it to be. And therefore, if the family crumbles as an institution, all of civilization will ultimately crumble along with it.”¹

When the Lord created humans, He immediately placed them in a marriage/family environment. The devil attacked that marriage, and he has been doing so ever since. But God is stronger than Satan, love is stronger than discord, and the Lord Jesus loves to be included in our homes. In fact, He expects to be first—the ever-near Savior whose presence fills our homes and hearts.

If you’re going to build your family successfully, you need to place God at the head of your home. If not, all your work will be in vain. To have Him at the head of your home, therefore, you need to install Him as the head of your life. Ask God to take charge of your life and of your family today.

God demands to be first in the family. It’s only when we love Him more than family that we can really love our families in the highest, purest sense.
John MacArthur

1. John MacArthur, “The Nucleus of Civilization,” Grace to You, accessed January 29, 2026.

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And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you.”
Genesis 26:24

Recommended Reading: Genesis 26:23-33

In Genesis 26, the patriarch Isaac faced multiple pressures. A terrible famine was threatening his livelihood (verses 1-5). He was in hostile territory, and he was worried he’d be killed by someone wanting his beautiful wife, Rebekah (verses 6-7). He also angered Abimelech, king of the Philistines, and was driven from his territory (verses 8-16). Local tribesmen constantly harassed and argued with him and his servants (verses 17-22).

Have you ever experienced a time when multiplied pressures and problems bore down on you? We all have! But that’s exactly when God appeared to Isaac and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you” (verse 24, NIV).

When you’re fearful or discouraged, learn to draw near to God. If you’ve admitted your fears to Him and called out to Him, He will deliver you. God doesn’t always remove you from your circumstances, but He will be with you through all of them, protecting you.

An awakened soul feels that his chief happiness is in coming before God…. In His presence is fulness of joy.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne

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