BEYOND DAY 40

Closing Reflection & Invitation

As we come to the end of these 40 days, we want to take a moment to thank you for walking this journey. Our prayer is that this has not simply been something you read, but something that has spoken to your heart and drawn you closer to the Lord.

Over the past days, we have reflected on truth, grace, obedience, faith, and the finished work of Christ. But this is not the end, it is a beginning.

The goal was never just to complete a study, but to see transformation in our lives.

Take a Moment to Reflect

• What has God been speaking to you during this time?

• What has shifted in your heart, your thinking, or your priorities?

• What is one thing you know the Lord is asking you to continue in?

Moving Forward

As you step beyond these 40 days:

• Stay in the Word

• Remain consistent in prayer

• Continue to listen for His voice

• Walk in what He has revealed to you

Growth in the Lord is not built in moments alone, but in daily faithfulness.

A Final Encouragement

You do not have to strive to grow—just remain connected to Him.

He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for what You have done in each heart over these 40 days. We pray that what has been planted would take root and bear lasting fruit. Strengthen each person to continue walking closely with You, hearing Your voice, and living out Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Thought

This may be the end of this study…but it is the continuation of the journey.

The Promise Bible Study Team

DAY 40

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with open hearts to hear Your voice. We ask You to set our minds on You alone. You are our Sovereign Lord. You are the Truth. You are the Promise Keeper, our Example and our Eternal Treasure. You are our WAY. Draw us ever closer to You. In Your name we pray. Amen.

The final verse of Psalm chapter 16 has become a life verse for me – a verse to live by – a verse to grow by:

You make known to me the path of life;

Psalm 16 is a Messianic psalm, written by David, pointing to Christ’s resurrection, holding a promise with an eternal perspective for each of us. Peter references this Psalm in Acts 2:25-31 acknowledging the power of Christ’s resurrection and ascension to heaven at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. David begins Psalm 16 with an example of his trust in the Lord and ends with the Lord’s faithfulness to us. Today’s study applies this verse to our own lives building on Christ’s example.

“You make known to me the path of life” The Hebrew word used here for “life” is “Chayim” which is written in the plural and establishes that life is found in relationship. Paul provides that the Lord chose us in Him “before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4). We are created for relationship; we are created for relationship with Jesus our Lord and Savior. It is our life’s mission to faithfully walk the path He sets before us. Not on an independent solo trek, rather in a committed direction to deepen our relationship with Him.

We began our study of THE WAY with John 14:6, Jesus is THE WAY. He is the path of life that the Lord makes known here. THE WAY is Jesus. Jesus is LIFE. The path of life is being united with Jesus - a promise of relationship - a promise of life with eternal purpose – a promise to embrace.

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

The second clause of this verse “in your presence there is fullness of joy” offers a second promise: fullness of JOY in His presence. As we spend time in communion with Jesus, in His presence, our lives are transformed. Deep, lasting JOY is found in His presence. Jesus directs us to abide in Him that our JOY maybe full. (John 15:9). The JOY that the Lord gives is our defining strength and gives us the power to face life’s challenges. (Nehemiah 8:10).

How can we, in turn, be a JOY to our Heavenly Father? How can we focus our time, our priorities, goals and aspirations to bring JOY in heaven? Luke 15:7 and 10 provide the answer: the greatest JOY in heaven is when a person repents and turns his or her heart to Jesus. We bring JOY in heaven when we live with eternal purpose sharing the gospel message of eternal life with those the LORD places in our lives.

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This final clause is a promise of our Heavenly Father’s steadfast love and faithfulness to us to provide eternal life in His presence, where there is fullness of JOY at His right hand.

We can proceed in confidence. We are secure in our Heavenly Father’s love for us in Christ Jesus. We are assured we will be with Jesus - welcoming us to heaven where He sits at the Father’s right hand.

With the TRUTH of this promise – let us live ON MISSION sharing the good news of THE WAY with others to bring great JOY to Jesus and all of heaven.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You, humbled by Your steadfast love and Your desire for a relationship with us, Your children. Please continue to work in our hearts and minds to love You more and to know You deeper. Thank You, Jesus, You are THE WAY of life everlasting and guide our steps on the path You have set before us. Thank You, Lord, for Your presence and desire to walk life’s path with us. Thank You for Your promises. Fill our lives with Your joy - the joy that comes from being with You. We pray Jesus for boldness to share Your gift of eternal life with those we meet on THE WAY. We pray this in Jesus’ name, the Name above all other names. Amen.

Sharon C. Fletcher

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DAY 39

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Two years ago I was the principal at a small Christian school on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We began each day with the Pledge of Allegiance, a short Bible devotional on the different names of God, a Bible verse, and prayer.

It was my privilege and utmost joy to lead this morning routine! That year the verse we recited was Proverbs 3:5-6. I still remember saying those words, hoping for real long-lasting, life-inspiring understanding by the children, staff, teachers, and myself. I wanted all of us to take to heart the words of the verse. 

We are promised in Proverbs 22:6 that if we train a child in the way they should go, they will not depart from it.

As the students left  our morning sessions, I would quote my college President, Robert Cook, “Walk with The King today and be a blessing.’

Debbie Feliciano

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DAY 38

Psalm 139:23&24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139 describes for us an intimate description of how the LORD knows each one of us. Verses 23 and 24 are the last verses of the psalm.

The psalmist has been brought to an understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit and the historical account of how God blessed his chosen people. It is the revelation of the loving care and concern that God has for every one of his creations. Amazingly, we learn that God not only loves us every moment of our lives, but He also loved us before he created us and He will love us after our mortal lives end.

We read verses like:

V1: “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.”

V3b “And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.”

V5: “You have enclosed me behind and before.”

V7-8: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.”

These verses are but a few that describe God’s intimate knowledge of us, his beloved. Yet, with our focus on verses 23 and 24 we may lose sight of precisely what the psalmist is asking of God in these last verses.

Consider this, that the LORD knows more about the psalmist than the psalmist knows about himself. At the end of his prayer, the psalmist pleads with God that God reveal to him through the trials and tests of life the sinful thoughts and behaviors that separate him from the God who loves him and has reserved an eternal room for him in his heavenly mansion. The psalmist pleads with God to tell him his evident and hidden sins, so he can build a loving relationship with the God who loves him.

We Must Know the Truth and Be Truthful About Ourselves

When standing before Pontus Pilate, hours before his crucifixion, Jesus said the words, “In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” -John 18:37

Jesus is the “Way the Truth and the Life and no one will come to the Father except through him.” – John 14:6

But the psalmist knows another truth, that his righteousness in comparison to the holy, loving and pure God, his is nothing but filthy rags.

As sisters and brothers in Christ, I pray that we know that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world! Why? Because the world is already condemned through its sin! Jesus came to save us from a sinful and condemned world! The psalmist cries out to God to reveal the sin within him so he can live a life of thanksgiving and service to the one who loved him before he knew what love was.

For you see it is truth that leads us to an understanding of who we are in relationship to the holy God. Being truthful about ourselves in comparison to the holy, loving and faithful God is the foundation for why we worship God (how great our sin, how much greater is His love). Because when we are truthful, we recognize our sinfulness and the love, compassion, and mercy of the God who saved us from our sin.

In Closing.

Allow me to share with you hymn written by Stuart Townend. Allow this hymn be our closing prayer:

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure.

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss.

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders.

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life.

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.

In Christ we Pray. Amen

Rev. Nick Rama

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DAY 37

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

The Way of the Gospel

A Call That Still Sends

These words were spoken after the resurrection, when everything had changed. The disciples were standing in the tension between fear and faith, still trying to grasp what it meant that Jesus was alive. It is in that moment, with possible thoughts of the fear of the future and maybe feelings of insecurity, that Jesus gave them their assignment.

He tells them to “GO”.

This command is not limited to a select few or reserved for those who feel especially gifted. It is given to all who follow Him. The message is clear: the gospel is meant to be shared, not stored away. Faith is not something we hold tightly to ourselves; it is something we carry outward into the world.

“Go ye into all the world” speaks to both distance and intention. For some, it may mean traveling far. For others, it means being faithful right where they are. The call to go can look like living honestly, loving sacrificially, and speaking about Christ when opportunities arise. Wherever God has placed us, that place becomes part of “all the world.”’

Jesus also makes it clear that no one is excluded. Every creature matters. Every life is worth hearing the good news. This reminds us that the gospel is not shaped by our preferences or comfort, it is shaped by God’s love for all people.

Mark 16:15 challenges us to ask whether we are living as sent people. Are we open to being used by God in ordinary moments? Are we willing to step beyond fear, convenience, or silence when He calls?

The same Jesus who gave this command is still present with His people today. He sends us, but He also strengthens us. Obedience is not about having all the answers, 

it is about trusting the One who sends us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling Your people to carry the good news. Help me to be faithful where You have placed me. Give me courage to speak, humility to serve, and love for every person I encounter. Teach me what it means to live as someone You have sent. I trust You to work through my obedience. Amen.

Dr. Cindy Frontone

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DAY 36

Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The Lord’s prayer has been an incredible blessing to me in the past few months as I have used it as a template for prayer. This was not a new idea to me but was something that I was reminded of through the Practicing the Way course. The following is an adaptation of the instruction I received and have been so blessed by.

Begin by coming to quiet. This can be harder than it sounds but is something that I look forward to. Our joy is a relationship with our savior and He longs to hear from us and spend time with us!

Our Father – A father who loves us and desires relationship with us!

in heaven – He is omnipresent and so it is a joy to think of this less as “He is up there and I am here” and more like “He is all around and with me and He is in me!”

hallowed be your name – Lord I desire for you to be made much of in my life and in this world. Take time to thank him and praise Him for who He is!

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven - Lord let today be less about me and more about you and the expansion of your Kingdom. Pray for your church and your community. Ask that the Lord would give you opportunities to speak of Him.

Give us this day our daily bread – The infinite God of the universe cares about your life and your needs and desires. And He wants to you ask for them!

and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. – This is a beautiful opportunity to confess sin and know you are forgiven. It is also an opportunity to forgive others and keep bitterness from taking root in your heart.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil – We are in a battle against sin and Satan and Jesus has won! Ask the Lord for help and seek to walk in truth and freedom.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. – Our God is powerful and victorious and astoundingly loving and full of grace! We get to celebrate this reality every moment of every day! Lord give us opportunity to tell this story!

Adam Mihm

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DAY 35

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul provides a blueprint for prayer with some transformative instructions. Bracketing the precept of constant prayer are two vital bookends: joy and gratitude.

Rejoice: The first listed instruction from Paul, ‘rejoice always’, is the posture our heart is to be in when we approach God in prayer. By doing so, we are acknowledging God’s goodness before we speak a word. Even in difficulty, which is the time when it seems the most difficult to rejoice, we do so and we can because we know God’s will is perfect and He will accomplish His purpose in our life.

Because the Lord promises that those who seek Him 'shall not lack any good thing’ (Psalm 34:10b), we can maintain a joyful heart even in seasons of hardship, knowing that in the seeking, His provision is already secure.

Pray: With the heart properly positioned, Paul calls us to 'pray without ceasing.' Far from a literal requirement to kneel around the clock, this describes a perpetual soul-connection—a spiritual 'open line' to the Father. This shift transforms prayer from a heavy chore into a natural lifestyle; instead of checking in out of duty, you begin to walk with Him in constant, quiet intimacy.

Thankful: Notice that Paul instructs us to give thanks ‘in’ all circumstances, not ‘for’ them. We aren't required to be thankful for disease or difficulty, but we can remain thankful because God is present within them. Our gratitude isn't anchored in our shifting situation, but in the unwavering perfection of who He is.

When Job was hit by a tidal wave of grief—losing his children, his wealth, and finally his health—his wife urged him to curse God and give up. Job’s response was a firm rebuke. Though he was drowning in 'why,' Job 2:10 records a staggering victory: 'In all this Job did not sin with his lips.' While he openly expressed his raw, human agony—which is never a sin—he refused to let his pain turn into a protest against God’s character. He clung to His Redeemer (Job 19:25-27) with a gracious attitude, proving that gratitude is the seal on our prayers that prevents our requests from turning into complaints.

Prayer without the bookends of joy and thanksgiving risks becoming a heavy, legalistic duty. Without them, our hearts easily sour into bitterness when life doesn't align with our expectations. However, by following Paul’s 'sandwich' recipe, we cultivate a spiritual environment that makes us unshakeable. We move beyond merely surviving our circumstances to truly glorifying God through them.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for this roadmap of how I should approach You in prayer. Grant me the grace to rejoice always, be persistent in prayer and thankful regardless of the season I find myself in. Forgive me for the times I have approached You with a heart full of complaints instead of gratitude. May my words reflect my faith and trust in You, glorifying Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alinga Godber

5:17 Prayer Ministry

5:17 is dedicated to bringing together a global family of Christians to intercede for a hurting world. In our 5:17 Facebook community, we support each other through intentional prayer, bringing both our personal requests and global needs before the Lord. We would love for you to join our team and help us carry the mantle of 'praying without ceasing' for those in need everywhere.

To become involved in the 5:17 global prayer ministry, please click on the links below:

5:17 Intercessors Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GMR517 

To receive an email for a weekly update letter every Friday morning, please click the link below. Complete the first section that says, "Join the Prayer Team." 

https://www.gmrinc.org/517-prayer/ 

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DAY 34

Matthew 20:28: even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

A king has no reason to step down from his throne to serve his people. He serves with orders, laws and directives, not by removing royal robes and donning a servant’s towel. But the King of all kings rejected this way of the worldly ruler. His Way, THE ONLY WAY, is elevation through humiliation. The greatest servant is the highest of all in the Kingdom of the Highest King our Christ.

In Matthew 20:28, Jesus spoke of this Way. He came to serve not to be served. But these were no mere words of the wise rabbi. Jesus demonstrated service of the highest degree from incarnation to exaltation, with the Cross as the climax of servanthood, a paradox where the King of all was crowned with thorns and raised up in a display of sacrifice; an ascent to an unexpected throne. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name...” (Phil. 2:9).

For those in Christ there is a call to do likewise. The one who wishes to be greatest must make himself the least (Matt. 20:26) and we must have in ourselves the same mind — the same mentality — as Christ Jesus had when He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:5,8). This will lead to physical death for a few martyrs who give all for the cause of Christ, but for most of us, becoming like Christ in His death (Phil. 3:10) means a death to our own sin, desires, pride, self-sufficiency and ambitions, and a taking up of Christ’s desires for us in the love of God to live daily for Christ according to His will, in the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God.

How do we put to death our sin, desires, pride, and self-sufficiency? It starts with the posture of our hearts before the actions of our hands. The story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:3-42) reveals two postures: one of self and one of abiding. Martha was so focused on her to-do list and maintaining the appearance of serving, that she missed her moment with the Lord. Jesus says that there is only one necessary thing: the good portion of sitting at his feet (Luke 10:42). It is out of this posture of abiding, in tune with our Master, that we then can put to death our flesh by the power of His Spirit through serving others.

Romans 12:9-18 lists out the “marks of a true Christian.” Notice how many of them are others-oriented: love one another with brotherly affection, outdo one another in showing honor, contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality, bless those who persecute you, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, do not be haughty but associate with the lowly, live peaceably with all. When you are engaging in these activities, you are putting to death the natural desire to serve self. However, one can do all these things out of duty and therefore still be focused on self: God commanded this, so I have to…this is what I’m supposed to do…if I don’t do this, then I won’t deserve His love. This is where the heart posture comes in. If you are truly sitting at Jesus’s feet, communing with Him daily, moment by moment walking HIS WAY — love for Him and for His people will outweigh love of self. But it is a choice to remain in that posture of service, out of love for the King who came to serve you.

What will you choose today?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the life of sacrifice that You lived, emptying Yourself to show me the way of Your Kingdom: Last-first and first-last. I thank you for the Cross that ransomed my life from death so I can die to sin and self and live for You. Show me the Way by Your Spirit and through Your Word to walk out this life of service to You my King, as a living sacrifice for You, my whole life laid down. Teach me how to humble myself in your presence and serve those around me like You served. I thank you for the privilege of giving my life for Your glory; may You always be more evident through me today than yesterday, and may Your Kingdom be seen on earth as it is in heaven through my life, to the honor of Your Name.

Joshua & Sarah Tubbiola

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DAY 33

Isaiah 30:21: Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.’

There are many voices.
There are many options.
There are many roads.

But there is only one Way.

God does not shout from a distance.
He speaks close — “behind you.”
That means relationship.
That means covenant.
That means you are not navigating life alone.

The Hebrew word for way — derek — means a road, a lifestyle, a course of life.
This is not just about one decision.

It is about how you build, how you lead, how you speak, how you move.

The word walk — halak — means to live it out, to conduct yourself, to advance with purpose.

• This is active faith.

• You do not drift into destiny.

• You walk into it.

And when you begin to lean too far right or left — pride, fear, striving, distraction — the Spirit corrects. Not to shame you. To align you.

Jesus made it even clearer:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
—John 14:6

• The Way is not a concept.

• It is a King.

• You don’t just follow principles.

• You follow Him.

Today is not about figuring everything out.
It is about staying aligned.

Listen.
Move.
Adjust quickly.
Keep walking.

The Way is already prepared.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Way. I choose to follow You today — in my decisions, in my leadership, in my words, in my pace.

Thank You that I am not left to guess my way through life. Thank You that You speak — not from a distance — but near, close, personal.

Align my heart with Your Way. Teach me to walk — not drift.
To move — not wander. To advance with purpose, not react to pressure.

Train my ears to recognize Your voice.
Quiet every competing sound that pulls me right or left.
Guard me from pride that runs ahead and fear that holds back.

Amen.

Pastor Don Frontone

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DAY 32

1 John 2:5&6 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

What an incredibly encouraging passage! God has given you His Word to know Him and to transform you into the person He has created you to be! As you increasingly keep His Word to follow The Way, God’s love will be increasingly perfected in you! Wow! You can grow to become more and more like Jesus!

God wants you to know and not wonder that you are in Him and following The Way. If you are off course, He wants you to be aware of that so that you can take steps to come to the life He offers and ‘adjust your course’ – The Way you are living. The self-test He provides is: If you claim you abide in Him, your life should be characterized by that – by living like Jesus. A life lived on mission, loving people and leading them to a life found in Him, lived with Him, and lived for Him.

So… how does your life look?

There is a big opportunity in an honest answer!

Prayer: Father, help me to live as Jesus lived, to follow The Way, humble, obedient and loving. Amen.

Pastor Pete Shults

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DAY 31

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.  But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul is giving believers real-life wisdom here, the kind that is freeing if we actually take it seriously. This is a man who had suffered deeply, been misunderstood, beaten, imprisoned, and rejected, and yet he speaks with clarity about how to live without becoming crushed by life. He says he has not arrived, but he refuses to live facing backwards. Instead, he chooses to keep moving forward. That matters because life becomes a drudge for the believer when we forget there is a prize and an upward calling, when we lose sight of why we are still here at all. It is possible to belong to the kingdom of God and yet slowly begin to think and live like those who do not know Him, weighed down by the past, limited by disappointment, shrinking life to survival rather than hope. Paul reminds us that we are running toward something, not stuck in something. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus is God drawing us toward Christ Himself, toward a life that still carries purpose and direction. Scripture even warns us about the dangers of living in the past. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62), because a backward gaze always carries the pull to return there. This verse challenges both the wounded heart and the comfortable heart. Some of us need to release pain, others need to release the habit of living off former seasons, even when those seasons were good. We are reminded that we do not have to live like people with no hope, and that this wisdom comes from a man who, after everything he endured, could easily have done exactly that. Instead, he points us forward into Christ, who is Life and still offers fullness of life.

Gina Elmes

Breakfast of Champions

If you have enjoyed reading today's devotional. You may also enjoy Breakfast of Champions written by Gina Elmes every Monday to Friday. To begin receiving them via email please follow the link.  The link is https://greatbiglife.co.uk/breakfast-of-champions/

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DAY 30

Matthew 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection:

As we follow Jesus and follow His way, His light shines through us to the world. Many times we may struggle to be faithful or to allow our light to shine, but the Lord wants to use us for His glory and to reflect his light and love to others around us.

Devotional:

Jesus does not tell us to create our own light. He calls us to reflect His. The light we carry is not self-generated brilliance; it is the radiance of Christ shining through surrendered lives. When we walk closely with Him, His character becomes visible in our actions, our words, and our responses.

To “let” our light shine implies willingness. We can hide it through fear, comfort, or self-consciousness. We can dim it through compromise or distraction. But when we step out in obedience, serve sacrificially, forgive generously, and love sincerely, something of heaven becomes visible on earth.

Notice the purpose: not that people would admire us, but that they would glorify the Father. Good works are not performances; they are signposts. They point beyond us. When others encounter patience instead of anger, generosity instead of selfishness, courage instead of silence, they glimpse the nature of God.

Shining often requires stepping outside our comfort zones. It may mean initiating a conversation, offering help when unnoticed, choosing integrity when no one is watching, or serving without recognition. Light is most noticeable in dark places.

Today, ask not how brightly you can shine, but how faithfully you can reflect Him. The goal is not visibility, but faithfulness. As Christ increases in us, the light naturally grows stronger.

Reflection as a  prayer:

Lord Jesus, may your light shine upon us and through us. May we be willing to step out of our comfort zones and love and serve others and point others to You, Christ! And as we do, may others see our good works, be drawn to You, the Way, and give all the glory to You!!

Pastor Ty Williams

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DAY 29

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians is a letter Paul wrote to encourage the Christians in the Roman colony of Philippi, the place where he made the first Christian converts on the continent of Europe and then planted a church (Acts 16).

He starts the letter by assuring them of his prayers and quickly moves to his main bit of advice, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). That should be the daily goal of anyone who is part of The Way, then or now. Paul goes on to give one of the most inspiring and theologically rich descriptions of Jesus in the entire New Testament and adds a challenge to “work out your salvation” (Phil. 2:6-13).

But that raises a question: How are we to do that? Paul answers in the verse we are reflecting on today, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). He’s saying that when you are part of The Way, when you are a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that God Himself is working in you.

Do you believe that? Maybe when you quietly read your Bible or sit in church you do. But what about in “the real world”? When you feel stressed at work, when things get tough in your family, or when when you struggle with illness? Paul answers, “Yes!” God is at work at those times, too.

That raises another question: What does it really mean that “God is at work in you”? Paul gives a hint in the second part of the verse, “to will and to work for his good pleasure.” In other words, God is not only able to show you the way forward, but also, he can give you the will and spiritual energy pursue it.

Perhaps this analogy will help. Think of a small child who is riding a bicycle and crashes. They are hurting, crying and stuck under the bike. Then along comes a loving parent who lifts the bicycle, picks the child up and puts them back on the seat with a reassuring hug. Suddenly, the child realizes, “Hey, I’m ready to ride again!” And off they go.

That’s what Paul meant when he told the Philippians Christians, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” When you lose your way and your life crashes, God is able to pick you up, restore you, and help you get going again. That’s why this little verse is so encouraging for anyone who belongs to The Way.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, with all my heart I want to be a fully committed follower of yours. But you know that sometimes I lose my way and crash. Thank you so much that even so, you are working in my life. You forgive my sin and give me a new start and a new desire to live the way you always wanted me to. Amen.

Whitney T. Kuniholm

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DAY 28

Proverbs 4:18: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

I live in an area where sunflowers are abundant.  They are called sunflowers because they follow the sun.  In driving long distances to and from appointments, I have seen them follow the sun as it rises, and as it continues to set.  They are productive because they are always looking for the sun.  

Following the path of the SON will result in growth and transformation.

What path are you walking?

The path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter because we stay close to the source, Christ.  

You can’t be under so much power (the Holy Spirit) and not have it affect you.  The Holy Spirit will not lead you astray or misguide you.

Prayer:

Father, You know exactly what each of us are facing today.  Remind us that we are never fighting this good fight of faith by ourselves.  We each need your grace and strength to stay in the fight and finish it to completion.  You care for us at all times, and we are always in your hands.  Help us to pause and allow our heart and spirit to be loved by You.  We desire for our lives to display You.  
In Jesus Mighty and Matchless Name we pray!  Amen!

Tiffany Farrar

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DAY 27

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 5:3-4 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…

1 Peter 1: 6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

If you’ve ever started a new exercise program or prepared for a physical challenge, you know that the training brings some pain (suffering) as you build muscle and increase physical endurance (no pain/no gain).

God promises that the pain and perseverance we experience through trials produce in us a spiritual endurance. As we persevere, our endurance increases. We gain strength to withstand even more. That sustained strength leads to a mature character which results in a transformed paradigm, a new perspective. That transformation brings hope in any situation.

If our desire is to experience a ‘tough’ hope that stands up to our trials, we need to develop a mature character that comes through endurance. Our endurance is directly determined by the training we acquire through perseverance. By recognizing suffering as an opportunity to gain strength it leads to a hope that we can rejoice in.

How can we consider it pure joy when trials come our way? Although joy is not usually our initial response to trials, by shifting our focus it can be. Certainly we can recall at our lowest points we have been tempted to be angry, depressed, grieved or otherwise discontent. How did we overcome these temptations? Through prayer, supplication and belief. These challenges were an opportunity for God to help us overcome them by building our faith, maturity and confidence. Our transformed character, developed through trials, can bring us joy and reveal God’s glory to others. He reminds us all to, “fear not for He is with us”. These “forty days of praise” are an opportunity taking time to thank God for what His Son has done for us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father prepare our hearts to trust you first when difficulty comes, to remember your faithfulness and be thankful that our obedience is building character and giving You glory.

Mike & Sarah Gill

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DAY 26

Psalm 18:30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

We often use the word ‘perfect’ to describe things here on earth. But the only thing that is absolutely perfect is God. His way – though seemingly imperfect to us at times due to our limited understanding, is a beautiful pattern weaved through time to create His perfect majestic tapestry. Our lives are woven together by events that He has pre-ordained in order to fulfill His will. The more each of us put our faith and trust in Him, the more He will use us to accomplish what He has already done outside of time. His wonderful grace has allowed us to stumble into the Way He has chosen for us – in His very perfect way we all become a part of His tapestry if we choose to do so.

Throughout the Bible God has given us examples of His covering and protection for those who love, trust and believe in Him.

Joseph, through all of his many trials, held steady because of his intimate relationship with the Lord. He was shielded from every attack of the enemy – thrown into a pit by his brothers, thrown into jail unjustly for two years… What would the outcome have been had he not had Faith in God Almighty’s absolute power? Jacob’s prophetic words over his son shows us that the Lord kept Joseph in His Mighty Hands: Genesis 49:23 & 24: “The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel)”

David is a profound example of God’s unwavering love. David was by no means perfect, but he loved the Lord, and the Lord heard his every cry. Even in his youth the Lord was with him, as David slayed the lion and the bear to protect his father’s sheep. God is ever present for those who love Him. David’s fervent faith kept him safe in the Father’s arms. His love was unwavering, his faith solid. 1 Samuel 17:37: “Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Daniel – how can anyone read about Daniel and not be convinced that God protects those that trust in Him? The miracle of God shutting the lion’s mouths is a mind-blowing testament of the fact that God can do ANYTHING. His Word once again proven.

Daniel 6:22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

Moses and the Israelites – Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Moses is perhaps one of the greatest examples of taking refuge in Him. His conversations were constant – necessary for what God had called him to do. We all know the story of the Israelites being delivered out of the hands of the Egyptians and into the Promised Land that was promised to them by Him. Although Moses didn’t make it there, his obedience fulfilled God’s promise to His people.

As the song so eloquently states: “I trust in God, my Savior, Lord, You will never fail…”

Prayer:

O righteous King of the Universe – Your Word is proven – by all those who trust in You. Time after time you have saved us, even when we don’t realize it. Your WAY is perfect; help us to trust fully in You, knowing You will guide and protect us from harm. Help us to hear Your voice clearly as you give us direction. Help us to make Your WAY our WAY. We thank You for being our Shield, and for Your Faithfulness toward us, Amen.

Barry & Cheri SweetJackson

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DAY 25

John 21:15-19 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.  Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”  (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

There’s much that can be learned in this passage about listening, forgiveness, sacrifice and more. A resurrected Jesus has met his disciples on the beach with a breakfast of fish cooked over an open fire. Now he draws Peter aside for a quiet conversation. The last time they spoke, Jesus warned Peter that he would betray Jesus three times. Despite Peter’s insistence that he would never deny Jesus, that’s exactly what happened. Now these questions, and Peter’s answers, are a moment of restoration. 

But there’s something here for anyone who wants to follow the way of Jesus. The question Jesus asks is “Peter, do you love me?” That’s where the way begins: recognizing Jesus’ love and returning that love with our own. 
Jesus asks us: do you love me? Do you love me more than these goals, possessions, people, privileges?
Listen closely to the question: Do you love Jesus more than “these”? What “these” come to mind?  

That’s more than a one-time question. Or even a three-time question. It’s a lifetime question. “Do you love me? Do you love me more than these?”
If the answer is “Yes,” then the next step is to serve, to feed the sheep and lambs God puts in our path: the children, the aging, the new believers, those who have followed for years but grow tired or discouraged or burdened by doubt. For each of us it will be different. For each of us, it will change across seasons of our lives.
But the question and command remain. In different ways, at different times, Jesus will ask us: do you love me? Do you love me more than these? It’s good to stop, and consider, NOW, what in our lives is clamoring for attention. Are those priorities claiming our love? Or are they part of the task of feeding the sheep God calls us to?
Jesus invites us to join him in a lifelong conversation and sacrifice of love. Before the cross, and after, he calls us: “Follow me.”

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for showing your love for Peter, the other disciples, and me, by dying on the cross. Thank you for providing breakfast on the beach for them, and for providing so much more for all of us, today and every day. Help me to love you more than the good things you give me, more than the people you put in my life, more than the priorities that demand my attention. Ask me again: “do you love me more than these?” Help me to hear you, and answer with obedience.
Show me how to serve those you put in my life. Show me how to share your love and your provision. Teach me to feed your sheep and lambs the way that you feed me. Jesus, in all things, help me to follow you, with the great and lasting joy that comes from knowing and living in your love.

Carol Kuniholm

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DAY 24

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

A quiet danger stalks us through ordinary life. It is not the danger of obvious wrong, but the danger of convinced right. We don’t intend to stray from The Way; we stray while certain we’re still on it.

But Proverbs 21:2 draws a line in the sand of our self-confidence. “The Lord weighs the heart.” While we judge by visible steps and logical arguments, the God who is The Way looks deeper—into the hidden motives, the secret fears, the unspoken ambitions, the quiet self-interest that so often steers us. He does not merely correct our route; He examines the compass itself.

The book of Proverbs brings us face to face with a quiet but persistent danger: we trust our own sense of direction. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.” Our reasoning feels sound; our path seems straight.

But Scripture reminds us: “The Lord weighs the heart.”

The Hebrew word for weighs here is tākan — to measure, to assess with precision. The same word is used when Isaiah declares that no one can measure the Spirit of the Lord or instruct Him in the way of understanding (Isaiah 40:13-14).

David knew this. After his justifications had run their course, he prayed, “Search me — know my heart, test me, see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Walking with Jesus, our First Love, our Redeemer-Savior-Messiah, means accepting that He weighs what we cannot weigh. He sees what we cannot see. He gently corrects what we cannot correct. And all is done with a singular goal: to lead us further along The Way than we could ever navigate on our own.

Prayer:

Kindest Lord, You examine my path. You see what I cannot see. Where I am quick to justify myself, please slow me down. Where I defend my way, gently uncover my heart. Weigh my motives with Your mercy and refine what does not reflect Your beauty. Keep me from walking confidently in the wrong direction. Grant me the humility to hold my choices loosely, to bring them before You honestly, and to trust Your weighing of my heart. Kindly make my heart soft, teachable, and aligned with Yours. Lead me in Your Way from the inside out. Amen.

Richard Mahon

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DAY 23

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Paul didn’t want the Corinthians to follow the bad example and fall, as Israel had in the wilderness, giving in to temptation and disobeying God. Even though God was in their midst, guiding them with cloud by day and fire by night. Providing spiritual food and drink from the spiritual rock, Christ, they still disobeyed God. Because of their disobedience, that generation died in the desert and never entered the Promised Land.

Temptations come into every believer’s life – no one is exempt.

Temptation is not sinful; the sin comes when the person gives in to temptation.

God’s faithfulness and grace will limit the severity of every test and prevent us from being tested beyond our ability to overcome. Unlimited grace is available for every believer who faces hardship, temptations, and seasons of difficulty.

Ps 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

God promises us that, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

He is our Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness!

We can trust in God’s faithfulness that empowers us to overcome every difficulty we may experience. We are not told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives, but that God promises to be with us, so that we may be empowered to endure it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Temptation: A state of trial in which God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove our faith and confidence in Him.

James 1:12

Enduring temptation brings great rewards

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” 

He will not always remove the temptation, because facing it and remaining strong can be a growing experience; however, God shows promise to keep temptation from becoming so strong that we can’t stand up against it. There’s no temptation that we cannot resist.

James 4:7

“So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.”

Several years ago, we faced financial difficulties. We were about to lose everything except the clothes on our backs. We were advised not to tithe and file for bankruptcy. It was very tempting not to tithe and file for bankruptcy. Which meant we wouldn’t be homeless. But we decided to trust God. God is faithful! God will never fail us. We prayed and sought God’s wisdom and help. He gave us a strategy how to get out of this mess without filing for bankruptcy. We obeyed His instruction and guidance. It didn’t happen overnight. We had to discipline ourselves. We tithed and gave offerings faithfully. We are debt free! During that time God gave me this promise and I stood on it.

Ps 121

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

As time draw near to the end of the age, temptation will increase. The enemy is working overtime time to tempt us and deceive us. We must be disciplined in prayer, know the Word of God, and be intimate with the Lord to overcome.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for Your faithfulness, goodness and mercy. Thank You for knowing my struggles and for promising that I am never alone in them.

When I feel weak, overwhelmed, or pulled toward choices that dishonor You, remind me that You always provide a way to overcome. Open my eyes to see that way clearly. Give me courage to take it, even when it is difficult. Strengthen my heart to endure, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for me and Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Lord, help me trust Your faithfulness more than I fear temptation. Build in me self-control, wisdom, and perseverance. Let every trial shape my character and draw me closer to You.

Thank You for being my refuge, my strength, and my deliverer.

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Yong Brierly

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DAY 22

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Reflection:

We see a comparison here between the way of the world and the way of Jesus. The way of the world is easy but leads to destruction. The way of Jesus is the way to life, and He calls us to enter the narrow gate and to follow His way. Lord, Please help us to see how good You are and that Your way is the only way to everlasting life.

Dan Finkbeiner

Devotional:

Jesus does not soften this contrast. There are two gates. Two paths. Two destinations. One is wide, easy, and crowded. The other is narrow, costly, and less traveled.

The wide gate requires little surrender. It allows self-rule, cultural approval, and spiritual compromise. It feels natural because it aligns with the impulses of the flesh and the applause of the world. But ease is not the same as life. The end of that path, Jesus says, is destruction — not always immediately visible, but ultimately certain.

The narrow gate is different. It requires humility. Repentance. Trust. It asks us to lay down pride, self-sufficiency, and divided loyalties. It is not narrow because God is restrictive; it is narrow because truth is specific. Jesus Himself is the gate. To enter means aligning our lives with Him.

The way is described as “hard,” not because it lacks joy, but because it demands transformation. Following Christ reshapes desires, priorities, relationships, and ambitions. It will cost comfort at times. It may cost popularity. But it leads to life — real, eternal, abundant life.

The striking words are these: “those who find it are few.” The narrow way must be sought. It is not stumbled upon accidentally. It is chosen.

Today, this passage invites honest reflection. Which path am I walking? Am I choosing what is easy, or what is eternal? The goodness of God is not proven by the width of the road, but by the destination to which it leads.

The narrow gate is not an exclusion; it is an invitation. It stands open through Christ. And every day, we choose again which way we will walk.

Prayer: Lord, Please help us to see how good You are and that Your way is the only way to everlasting life. When we are tempted by the world, please help us to see clearly that Your way is the best and only way to true and everlasting joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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