"The American author and humorist Mark Twain wrote that "the two most important days of our lives are the day we are born and the day we learn why." I believe the answer to the second portion of Twain's proposal can be found in John 17:1-26. This is known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. He prays this amazing prayer just before His arrest, torture, and execution is about to begin. The prayer is divided into three segments. The first has Jesus praying to the Father, seeking to be glorified in the events that lie ahead, only that the Father may be ultimately glorified. The second part finds Jesus praying for His Disciples and the final segment is Jesus praying for all of us! Throughout, Jesus asks that we all may be one, through the message of the gospel, just as the Father and Jesus are one. Jesus says that eternal life is knowing the one and only true God and knowing Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent to us. Thus, to know why we were born is this: "To have eternal life in knowing the one and only true God and Jesus whom He sent." Indeed, all else flows from this statement of our faith, knowing God and His son Jesus. This brings forth the unity that Jesus prays for all of us. Our call, our purpose is simply to be one, in unity, with the Father and His son Jesus Christ. From this, the ebb and flow of our lives will follow."

"A priest, an evangelist, and a rabbit walked into a blood donation clinic. The nurse asks the rabbit, “What blood type are you?” The rabbit answers, “I think I’m probably a Type O.”

Funny joke, right? But it reminds me of a serious truth…every one of us needs the right blood type. Per Google.com, there are 8 common blood types…but did you know, there are over 30 other blood group systems with hundreds of rare antigens? While every one of us needs our own blood type to survive, there is only one that leads to salvation! Scripture says, " You were bought with a price…” Not good works, not wealth, and certainly not religious beliefs…only by the blood of Jesus Christ. His blood still cleanses the sinner, restores the broken, and gives hope to the lost. Our lives no longer belong to the world, but to our Savior who gave Himself for us. Don’t ever forget, you are bought by the blood!"

"Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” To be called by God is to be called to serve. Jesus, the King of kings, chose the path of humility—washing feet, meeting needs, and giving His life for others. Serving begins when we stop focusing on ourselves and start seeing the needs of others. As C.S. Lewis said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Jesus modeled that kind of humble service every day. If our Savior served, then our calling is clear. Serving isn’t always visible or celebrated. Often, it’s found in quiet moments—helping someone in need, offering encouragement, or simply showing up when it matters. But in God’s kingdom, no act of service is small. Every act done in love reflects the heart of Christ. You don’t need a title to serve—you just need a willing heart. Right where you are, God has given you opportunities to make a difference. Someday we will stand before Jesus, and the question won’t be how important we were, how recognized we were, or how comfortable we stayed. The question will be: Did we love people enough to serve them? The hands that serve are often unseen by the world, but never unnoticed by God. So don’t wait for a title, applause, or the perfect moment. Someone around you needs the love of Christ today—and God may have placed you there to be the answer."

"Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations”. [Matt.28:19] Jesus commands that His Church do as He did intentionally, as He walked along the way. During His three-year ministry Jesus invested His time and focus on the twelve. They were with Him 24/7 learning and experiencing the discipleship way. The key ingredient to His success was built on intimate relationships with the twelve. Jesus poured His life into their life. They experienced His compassion, His love for His Father, His kindness to the widows, His love for the children. They witnessed His mighty power to heal and raise the dead and calm a raging storm. Yet just as these experiences shaped their future ministries, the anchor of their learning came from the human personal contact with Jesus each day. John said it well, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life.” [I John1:1] Therefore, let’s “make disciples” the Jesus way, pouring time, service and His love into one another. As we build loving relationships we “baptize” and “teach all that He commanded.” Go therefore and make disciples” for Jesus!"

"Eternity, defined in the English language, is infinite or unending time. That sounds about right. Not long ago, I spent what felt like an eternity at the MVA. I eventually got what I needed and made it back home, but I assure you there had to be moments of pure eternal human understanding of waiting.

Even better, I’m sure most of us know someone from Generation Alpha who can restlessly spend multiple layered eternities stacked upon one another simply waiting for commercials to end or the “Skip Ad” button to appear so they can continue their doom-scrolling.

The truth is, we all experience different perceptions of eternity on a daily basis — usually not in a joyful way. While these everyday examples give us a bit of humor and perspective on our human understanding of time, there is a far greater reality of eternity that faces every person.

The verse that we as Christians know very well and even most in society have heard or seen written at least a few times over says it beautifully:

John 3:16 — “For 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.”

That verse should fill us with pure joy when we consider the true meaning of eternity and what awaits us in eternal life.

Yet we must also consider the alternative clearly stated in God’s Word:

Matthew 25:41 — “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”

God’s Word presents the choice with striking simplicity: Option 1 — eternal life, or Option 2 — eternal fire.

So today fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as we serve our Lord, let us find great joy in knowing that eternity — that infinite, unending time — will one day be spent in the glorious presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"

"The Faithfulness of God refers to His unwavering commitment to act in perfect alignment with His unchanging character; fulfilling every promise He makes. He never forgets, fails, or wavers. Key Scripture: Exodus 34:6 “…The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth…”

1. God’s Faithfulness is filled with His constant mercy and unfailing Love. Key Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” This is written in such a way as to call out faithfulness as being the summary or “bottom line” as it were of what it means for God to have unstoppable love and unending mercy.

2. God’s Faithfulness is rock-solid during difficulties. When you feel like life has pushed you over a cliff, and you’re dangling in mid-air by just a rope, God has you! God is the rock, you’re anchored into, the rope you’re holding on to, AND the harness you’re tied to. It is likely that no prophet suffered as much as Isaiah. Yet read this Key Scripture: Isaiah 51:6 “…the sky will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not wane.”

3. God’s Faithfulness remains despite human weaknesses. Ever been let down? REALLY let down? Have YOU been the person to REALLY let someone down? God does not fail, has not failed, will not fail. Key Scripture: In 2 Timothy 2:13 Paul tells Timothy, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Then, Paul goes on to exhort the younger Preacher, “remind them (us) of these things”

4. God’s Faithfulness is woven into the reliability of His Word, the Bible. One of the most important passages in the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 where Paul writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God (i.e. God-breathed) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Last of all, I’ll leave with this scripture. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

"Grace is greater than sin because God’s mercy is stronger than humanity’s failure. The Bible teaches that no matter how deep sin runs, God’s grace reaches further. In Romans 5:20, the Apostle Paul writes, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” This means that sin does not have the final word in the life of a believer. Through Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, restoration, and new life to anyone who turns to Him in faith. Good works do not earn grace; it is a gift freely given because of God’s love.

The greatest example of grace overcoming sin is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. According to Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” Humanity could never save itself from sin, but Jesus paid the price on the cross so that people could be reconciled to God. Even when people fall short, God remains faithful and ready to forgive. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This shows that God’s grace is not limited by human weakness; instead, it triumphs over sin and brings hope, freedom, and redemption."

Be sure to check back here and on our Facebook page each week as we continue this journey through the Bible from A–Z! Every devotional title corresponds with a different letter of the alphabet, creating a unique and engaging way to explore biblical truths and grow deeper in faith one letter at a time. From “A” to “Z,” each week brings a new topic, a new writer, and a new opportunity to be encouraged by God’s Word.