Second Presbyterian Church, Norfolk
Dr. Craig Wansink
Certain Bible verses stand out to Christians, because they remind us of who God is, who we are, how we should live, and why faith matters.
The following is a 20-day devotional, consisting of verses that are arranged in a manner that is intended to be logical (it reflects our order of worship). As you look at the dark boxes/headings, note that they follow a pattern characteristic of our weekly Sunday worship: Call to Worship or Opening Prayer; Confessing Our Sin; Receiving Grace; Time of Gratitude; and Responding to the Word (by reflecting on who we are and how we should carry ourselves in this world).
First, we focus on who God is. God is to be trusted. God cares for us.
Second, we recognize that frequently we don’t rely on God. We are separated from God.
Third, we know that we are forgiven. We are loved by God. God always wants us first to recognize that love and then to respond with our lives in a way that shows our thanks.
We respond with thanks and prayer, we respond by turning our lives to God, and we respond by treating others in new, loving, and forgiving ways.
RELY ON GOD/TRUST GOD
Day 1: God’s Promises for Our Future
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11
Meditation: “God’s plans for your life exceed the circumstances of your day. Particularly when we have a lousy day. We need to be reminded that God’s plans for us are filled with hope and purpose. Even when the present feels chaotic, we can rest in the promise that God has a future in mind for us that is good. Like a gardener tending to seeds, God nurtures our potential. Today pray for the next chapter in your life, that it may be filled with awareness of God’s blessings in your life and hope for your future.
Day 2: Faithfulness Through Generations
“For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.” — Psalm 100:5
Meditation: God's faithfulness is not a fleeting emotion; it’s a steadfast promise that has spanned generations. When we look back on our lives, we can often see God’s hand guiding us, even in the most difficult times. In the busyness of our lives, we need to pause and intentionally remember God’s faithfulness. When you feel like your life is going smash, pause, try to get a perspective beyond your immediate circumstances, and pray to trust that God is being faithful in your life.
Day 3: Casting Our Cares
“Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” — Psalm 55:22
Meditation: Corrie ten Boom writes, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." We often carry burdens that weigh us down, believing we must shoulder them alone. Yet, God invites us to release these cares to Him. Trusting God not only lightens our load but also strengthens our faith. What are worries you have that you need to turn over to God in prayer, trusting God’s faithfulness?
RECOGNIZING OUR SIN AND SEPARATION FROM GOD
Day 4: The Cost of Distraction
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36
Meditation: Henry David Thoreau writes, "It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" In pursuing success and validation, we can easily lose sight of what truly matters. This scripture reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. Meaning in life comes from nurturing our souls, not just our ambitions. What distractions keep you from focusing on your spiritual growth?
Day 5: Broken Cisterns
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” — Jeremiah 2:13
Meditation: God offers us a source of life that never runs dry, yet we often seek fulfillment in temporary pleasures. These "broken cisterns" cannot satisfy our deep thirst for love and meaning. Recognizing this truth leads us back to the living water of faith. In what ways do you try to fill your life with things that cannot truly satisfy you?
KNOWING THAT WE ARE FORGIVEN
Day 6: The Gift of Eternal Life
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16
Meditation: One of the mysteries of the trinity is that God’s love for us is so great that God himself would come to earth and would experience the worst that this world has to offer. It is an amazing belief. It is an amazing truth. What does it mean that God would make that sacrifice? Reflect on the sacrifices that others have made for you? Why did they do so? How can you live with gratitude for all—including God—who care for and who sacrifice for you?
Day 7: More Than Conquerors
“What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” — Romans 8:35, 37
Meditation: The challenges we face do not define us; rather, our response to them in Christ does. We ourselves can be frail and fallible. Through the Spirit, we are empowered to rise above our circumstances, giving us strength to face any trial. Identify a challenge in your life. Pray for God’s love and support to strengthen you as you face that challenge.
RESPONDING WITH THANKS AND PRAYER
Day 8: Rejoicing in Today
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Meditation: Each day is a unique gift filled with opportunities for joy, gratitude, love, and connection. Seriously. You had no guarantee you would even have today. If you rejoice in today, you align ourselves with God's will, finding peace in God’s presence. What is one thing you can celebrate today, regardless of your circumstances?
Day 9: Shining Our Light
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
Meditation: James Keller wrote, "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." That is a great metaphor. Even a tiny bit of light radically changes a dark room. By showing kindness to others and by sharing the love of Christ, we become reflections of his light. How can you intentionally shine your light in someone else's life this week?
Day 10: Prayer and Thanksgiving
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6
Meditation: Corrie ten Boom writes, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." In times of anxiety, prayer is an important refuge. By bringing our worries to God with thanksgiving, we experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. This act of surrender transforms our hearts and minds. What worries can and should you surrender to God in prayer today?
TURNING OUR LIFE TO GOD
Day 11: Seeking God First
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33
Meditation: When we prioritize our relationship with God, everything else falls into place. Seeking God’s kingdom means aligning our desires with God’s will and, in return, God fulfills our needs. That feels counterintuitive, but the reality is that it works. What steps can you take to prioritize God’s kingdom in your daily life?
Day 12: Presenting Ourselves to God
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1
Meditation: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." — Martin Luther King Jr.
In the apostle Paul’s day, animals were sacrificed on an altar. They were fully given to God as a sign of people’s devotion. In Romans 12, Paul says that our lives are supposed to be living sacrifices. So we are supposed to act in such a way that our lives show that we fully belong to God. At the same time, as people jokingly say, the downside of a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar. Our offering ourselves as living sacrifices means actively living out our faith daily. Love is about sacrifice. It doesn’t always come easy. How can you offer your life as a living sacrifice to God today?
Day 13: Transformation Through Renewal
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” — Romans 12:2
Meditation: There are plenty of things in this world that are messed up. There are plenty of aspects that aren’t healthy for us, or that steer us in unhealthy directions. How do we recognize the need to not just float with the stream? Transformation begins in our minds. By allowing God to renew our thoughts and perspectives, we can better understand God’s will for our lives. This ongoing renewal is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God’s purpose. What thoughts or habits do you need to renew to align more closely with God’s will?
HOW WE SHOULD TREAT OTHERS
Day 14: Constant Love
“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” — 1 Peter 4:8-10
Meditation: Martin Luther King, Jr. write, "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." Love is at the heart of our faith. By practicing unconditional love and hospitality, we mirror God's grace in our relationships. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” We can do insensitive, inappropriate, or sinful things in our lives, frequently unintentionally. How might you engage in “constant love”, so as to act faithfully and lovingly in your life, even to those who might be frustrating or irritating you?
Day 15: Gifts for the Common Good
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:7
Meditation: : Muhammad Ali said "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." What a great quote. It is the sort of quote that seems like it should come from a “professional” religious figure. That is part of why Ali’s quote somehow feels extra meaningful. Each of us is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to contribute to others. Recognizing and utilizing our gifts—even in ways we might see as small—not only blesses others but fulfills our purpose in God’s design. We need to daily exercise our sharing our gifts with others. What are distinctive gifts God has given you, and how can you use them to serve others? Better yet, what are ordinary gifts you have that you could share?
Day 16: The Golden Rule
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31
Meditation: We all know this verse. We don’t have to be in church or be a person of faith to recognize that it is important. We also don’t have to go far to realize that sometimes people—ourselves included—can have hypocritical hearts. As I (Craig) am fond of saying, “Way too frequently we judge ourselves on the basis of our intentions, but others on the basis of their actions. And the end result is . . . we end up looking pretty good every time.” The principle of reciprocity in the Golden Rule encourages us to treat others with the same respect and kindness we desire (of course all of this assumes that we like ourselves). By embodying this rule, we encourage harmony and understanding in our relationships, reflecting God's love. What is one way in which you fall short in following this command? What is one situation in which you can think more about how to treat others fairly?
Day 17: Being Doers of the Word
“But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”
— James 1:22
Meditation: John Burroughs said that "The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention." It’s easy to hear God’s word and agree with it intellectually. However, faith calls us to action. Our actions should align with our beliefs, although frequently they don’t. What are ways in which your actions don’t match your ideals? What is one specific action you can change?
Day 18: The Nature of Love
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Meditation: Love is more than a feeling; it is a choice. Sometimes a hard choice. It is a commitment to act in ways that honor and uplift others. Sometimes it means forgiving and not holding on to painful experiences. Sometimes it means helping others grow and not lose face. Sometimes it involves being humble, even when we are confident that we are right or doing the right thing. This passage defines love's characteristics, guides us in our relationships, and reminds us to reflect God’s love in our actions. How can you embody the qualities of love described in this passage in your relationships? Are you ever arrogant or rude? Do you ever insist on your own way? The answer to those questions is probably yes. How can you seek to grow in love?
Day 19: The Great Commission
“Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” — Matthew 28:19-20
Meditation: These words from the resurrected Jesus are at the very end of the Gospel of Matthew. They are known as the Great Commission (i.e., Jesus is telling followers to do something with their lives), with these words calling us to actively engage in teaching and nurturing others in faith. God promises to be present with us—always—as we do so. It is easy for each of us to sell ourselves and our abilities short. This week what is one way that you—explicitly or subtly—can share the love and teachings of Christ with someone in your life?
Day 20: Walking with God
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. — Psalm 23
Meditation: " At SPC we frequently say this psalm at memorial services, implying that the dark valley we walk through is related to death itself. The psalm, however, very much focuses on our journey through life. As you read the scripture again, imagine a shepherd walking through a field. Imagine the challenges that shepherd faces, but also imagine the presence of God. God walks with us, guides and provides for us through every season of life, and leads us to rest and restoration. In what ways can you intentionally lean into God’s care in your daily life??
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