Today Daily Devotional

ReFrame Ministries

Today is a daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus and renew their faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer.

  1. 7H AGO

    Finding Freedom

    “The Spirit of the Lord . . . has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. . . .” — Luke 4:18 In our city there is a center for forensic mental health. Part of its work involves care for people with mental illness who have been part of the criminal justice system. The center aims to help individuals begin a journey of recovery, and that includes providing some of them with day passes to volunteer in the community. Our church has had the opportunity to meet a number of these individuals, and many have become a regular part of our church life. They have volunteered in the kitchen, in the community garden, and in other areas. They also attend worship services on Sundays. It all started with one young man being invited in. He felt safe and invited others to join him. Some have even been baptized. I remember asking one young man about the difference Jesus has made in his life. He explained that he has been able to feel something for the first time in a very long time. His smile that day was radiant. One Sunday another young man from the health center read Scripture at the beginning of the worship service. I have also been able to spend time at the center hearing stories in which individuals share about the freedom Christ has brought them in the midst of tough situations. And as relationships have grown, our church has been invited to conduct worship services on-site. In what ways is Jesus calling on you to help others find freedom in him?  Dear God, thank you for connecting us with people who need to hear your truth and who then quickly pass it along. Thank you for helping us to imagine where we can share your love. Amen.

  2. 1D AGO

    It’s Free

    “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” — Matthew 10:42 I’m not sure how widespread the tradition is in your area, but when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday, like today, there is often a community gathering. In our area, anyone who is a biker heads off to the small town of Port Dover, Ontario. Thousands spend the day showing off their bikes, eating, and hanging out with people who have a shared interest in motorcycles. In the same small town is a wonderful ministry to young adults called the South Coast Beach Project, or SOCO for short. Young adults are welcomed into a home for the summer (May-August) where they share life together, grow in discipleship, and work and hang out in the community. A few years ago the young adults decided to set up a table on Friday the 13th when crowds of bikers came to town. They gave away freeze pops and made lots of connections. The SOCO director told me, "People couldn’t believe we would give something away for free. It was fun to say, ‘We are just being neighborly.’” It was a moment of hospitality and generosity. It was an open door for conversation. I love how the SOCO group partnered with an event already happening in the community, and how they could share a “Jesus in the neighborhood” moment. What kinds of local events can you partner with to invite gospel conversations? God, thank you for opportunities to partner in our community. Help us to open our hearts to new ideas and new people. In Jesus, Amen.

  3. 2D AGO

    It’s the Vision

    “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 I was intrigued by a church’s vision statement for 2026: “Empowering believers to embody Christlike values in their workplaces, businesses, and daily interactions, becoming ambassadors of Christ in every sphere of influence.” I couldn’t help imagining what a city or community could look like if that happened. Imagine a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that their life is not so much about them but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by his story and his heart for their local community. They are hope bringers and grace givers, risk takers and dreamers, young and old. They link arms with anyone who embraces the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, comfort the outcast, and seek the lost. They serve together, play together, worship together, and live life together. Their city or community will change because God has sent them. God has also sent us. There are lots of vision statements, but the main thing is that action is required. This means becoming the people in our communities who share the love and good news of Jesus and finding opportunities for others to do the same. What’s your vision? Dear God, help us to move into action. Help us to become people of peace and to find ways to help others share your peace and good news too. Amen.

  4. 3D AGO

    Jesus Opened the Door

    No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. — John 1:18 One of our latest adventures in the past year has been to invite about 10 people at random to our home for dinner—a mix of neighbors, church people, and anyone else whom Jesus invites us to meet. Once a month, after sending out invitations, I set the table, and people show up. And as food is shared and conversation happens in a random way, Jesus shows up. That can happen when a question or a concern about life comes up, or when someone shares a thought they have been wondering about. Somehow, the table talk eventually moves from what we might have in common to where God is in the story. For some people at the table, the idea of bringing God into the conversation can be a totally new thing, and for others it can be quite familiar. It doesn’t matter. Somewhere in the midst of conversation and sharing, the good news of Jesus is shared. It doesn’t always look the same or sound the same, but the underlying message is there, whether the topic is lighthearted or weighing heavy with concerns. I think that must have been what happened when Jesus came “and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14)—or, as we read in The Message, when Jesus “moved into the neighborhood.” His presence made it possible for people to encounter God in a new way. Thank you Lord, for fun ideas and for showing up in the neighborhood for us. Thank you for your presence and for giving us a chance to introduce you to others. Amen.

  5. 4D AGO

    Impact

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 J. John, an evangelist and speaker from the United Kingdom, has said there are two reasons why someone is not a Christian. The first is that they have never met a Christian and have not heard of Jesus. The second is that they have met a Christian but the experience was negative. How we engage and live our lives matters. What if someone is looking for us to be a person of peace? Do our actions show that we know the love of God in Christ? In a world that has become increasingly focused on the self, we may need to be reminded that, as Jesus suggests, perhaps our blessing comes from living with a new attitude that seeks to share his peace with others. There is a story about a teacher who went to visit a young boy in the burn unit of a hospital. Wearing a mask and a sterile gown, she explained that she would be helping him with verbs and adverbs over the next few days. Instead of concentrating on his pain, she gave him hope that perhaps life wasn’t over yet. The staff at the hospital were amazed at the difference that made in the boy. His recovery and motivation to live suddenly changed. He said later, “After all, they wouldn’t send a special teacher to teach verbs and adverbs to a dying boy, would they?” We too have the power to offer someone hope. Who needs you to be a person of peace for them? Dear God, teach us how to be the people you have called us to be. Help us to see others’ needs and to give them hope. In Jesus, Amen.

  6. 5D AGO

    Come and Stay

    “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” — Acts 16:15 The door of our church can be opened by pressing a “Push to Open” plate, and on Sunday mornings a greeter stands there to welcome people coming in. As they approach, he delightedly pushes the button to open the door, and there are lots of smiles as a conversation begins. Before they even enter the building, people feel welcome. His deliberate actions make the atmosphere inviting for so many people. Lydia knew how to open the door of her home to others. Her insistence to Paul and his companions showed that she was someone who understood hospitality. An echo from Luke 10:5-9 shows up here: when you find a person of peace (someone who is open to God’s love and the work of his kingdom) stay there, hang out, and work together. When we do that, the kingdom of God comes near. When we emulate the posture and actions of Jesus, we lean into what it means to share together the good news of life with him. What does hospitality look like to you? Are you a door opener? Are you ready to share the good news with someone who is looking for a way to spread the story to others? A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi begins, “Lord, make me a channel of your peace . . .”—and this can be paraphrased to say, “Lord, let me be a person of peace who invites someone in your name.” Dear God, thank you for each person you bring into our lives to engage with. Thank you for the opportunity to share your story. Amen.

  7. 6D AGO

    Recalibrate

    There was great joy in that city. — Acts 8:8 Our reading today describes a great persecution against the church of Jesus and how people like Philip responded. Saul (also known as Paul) was convinced he was doing the right thing, even at the cost of many lives. His actions caused the church to scatter to other places, and Philip was one who decided to move out from Jerusalem to preach the good news of Jesus elsewhere. Philip recalibrated his spiritual radar and went to a city in Samaria, some 40 miles (64 km) away. The idea of taking on a new direction turned into a wonderful opportunity. When the people in that city saw the impact of the gospel, they too followed in the way of Jesus. There may be times in our lives when we too may need to recalibrate our direction. If our situation is showing signs of heading the wrong way, we need to ask where God is leading us. Through prayer and seeking God’s will, we may be able to discern a new choice and see what could be achieved if we try something new. It can be a wonderful opportunity to see the gospel spread into areas we hadn’t thought about. When our local church purchased an old bar that had been known for ungodly activities, God showed up. People who might not have had a chance to hear the gospel or who felt like they couldn’t belong became followers of Jesus. More people of peace became part of God’s family and shared his love with others. In what areas do you need to recalibrate? Lord, help us to see new opportunities and areas where we can share your love and grace. Amen.

  8. FEB 7

    Coworkers

    Greet also the church that meets at their house. — Romans 16:5 Paul was a traveling preacher on mission for the Lord Jesus, and Priscilla and Aquila welcomed him to stay and work with them (see Acts 18). They knew the importance of the gospel and were willing to do what it took to help share God’s love in their community. Priscilla and Aquila offered genuine hospitality and were not afraid to open their home to others so that the good news of Jesus could be preached. And when Paul greets many of his friends in Romans 16, he calls on them to greet the church that met in Priscilla and Aquila’s home. We need to pay attention when God gives us people to share with. They might be tired and worn out, needing rest and a listening ear, or they might be eager and needing direction for something God has been preparing them to do. Not long ago, at an event where I was speaking, an older woman came up to me and said, with a twinkle in her eye, “It’s your fault.” I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she explained that at another gathering about a year earlier, I had told a story that had inspired her. She then began opening her home for a weekly Bible study that is now blossoming in her neighborhood. I am not sure if she would consider herself a person of peace, but I suspect that Jesus does. In what ways have you been encouraged to step out and risk doing something new for the sake of the gospel?  Thank you, God, for opportunities to show hospitality and to share your love with others. Help us to be a voice of encouragement to all. Amen

4.7
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Today is a daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus and renew their faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer.

You Might Also Like