Weekly Encouragement from Sunday's Sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Sunday's Sermon.
5-Day Devotional: All In for Christ
Day 1: Embracing Discomfort in Faith
Reading: Luke 9:57-58; Hebrews 11:8-10
Devotional:
When Jesus told the first follower that "foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head," He was preparing him for an uncomfortable truth: following Christ means embracing homelessness in this world.
Abraham understood this when he left everything familiar to follow God's call, living in tents while waiting for the city God would build. Being "all in" for Christ doesn't mean life gets easier—it means recognizing we were made for another world. The discomfort you feel when standing for truth, when friends distance themselves, or when following God's direction doesn't make sense—these aren't signs you're on the wrong path.
They're confirmation you're going against the world's current, powered by God's presence behind you.
Reflection: What discomfort is God calling you to embrace today? How can you view it as confirmation rather than confusion?
Day 2: The Inconvenience of Obedience
Reading: Luke 9:59-60; Acts 16:6-10
Devotional:
"Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Jesus's words seem harsh until we understand He's addressing our tendency to wait for the "right time" to obey.
The second man wanted to follow Jesus on his own timetable, when everything was settled and convenient. God's divine appointments rarely align with our schedules. Like Paul being redirected to Macedonia, God may interrupt your plans with opportunities to serve, encourage, or share the gospel. That person who stops you when you're busy, the need that arises when you're exhausted, the prompting to give when finances are tight—these "inconveniences" are often God's greatest invitations.
True discipleship means surrendering our agenda for His. The blessing always comes on the other side of obedience, even when it disrupts our day.
Reflection: What "inconvenient" opportunity has God placed before you? Will you say yes today?
Day 3: Eyes Fixed Forward
Reading: Luke 9:61-62; Philippians 3:12-14
Devotional:
"No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Ancient farmers knew that straight furrows required fixed focus on a distant point. One glance backward created crooked lines and diminished harvest.
Jesus isn't saying we can't acknowledge our past or that stumbling disqualifies us. He's warning that constantly looking over our shoulder—whether at past comforts, past sins, or past failures—makes us ineffective for kingdom work. The enemy loves to turn our heads, whispering reminders of who we were instead of who Christ has made us. Paul understood this: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal." Your past is forgiven. Your sins—past, present, and future—were nailed to the cross. Grip the plow tightly and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Reflection: What keeps pulling your gaze backward? How can you refocus on Christ today?
Day 4: Strength Beyond Ourselves
Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Devotional:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This isn't about our strength—it's about His power operating through our weakness.
When you feel you don't have strength to keep plowing, to be compassionate, to forgive, to serve, or even to see yourself as God sees you—that's actually the perfect position. God's power is perfected in our weakness. Every saint who changed history first experienced absolute dependence on God. Abraham Lincoln paused before signing the Emancipation Proclamation, acknowledging his trembling hand, then signed anyway—not in his strength, but trusting a greater purpose.
Being "all in" doesn't mean having it all together. It means admitting you need God desperately and then watching Him accomplish what only He can do through your surrendered life.
Reflection: Where do you need God's power today? Will you exchange your weakness for His strength?
Day 5: Life Through Surrender
Reading: John 12:24-26; Matthew 16:24-26
Devotional:
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Jesus presents the paradox of kingdom living: we find life by losing it, gain by giving away, and live by dying to self.
This isn't about self-hatred but proper priorities. When we cling to comfort, convenience, and control, we miss the abundant life Christ offers. But when we surrender everything—our plans, our timeline, our reputation, our very lives—we discover purpose beyond imagination. David Livingstone wanted missionaries willing to come even if there was no road. God wants followers who will trust Him even when the path is unclear, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. The question isn't whether tomorrow's road is smooth, but whether we're willing to follow Jesus regardless. Being "all in" means taking that deep breath, picking up the pen, and signing your life over to Christ—then watching Him write a story more beautiful than you ever dreamed.
Reflection: What do you need to surrender fully to Christ today? Will you sign your life over to Him?
Day 1: Embracing Discomfort in Faith
Reading: Luke 9:57-58; Hebrews 11:8-10
Devotional:
When Jesus told the first follower that "foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head," He was preparing him for an uncomfortable truth: following Christ means embracing homelessness in this world.
Abraham understood this when he left everything familiar to follow God's call, living in tents while waiting for the city God would build. Being "all in" for Christ doesn't mean life gets easier—it means recognizing we were made for another world. The discomfort you feel when standing for truth, when friends distance themselves, or when following God's direction doesn't make sense—these aren't signs you're on the wrong path.
They're confirmation you're going against the world's current, powered by God's presence behind you.
Reflection: What discomfort is God calling you to embrace today? How can you view it as confirmation rather than confusion?
Day 2: The Inconvenience of Obedience
Reading: Luke 9:59-60; Acts 16:6-10
Devotional:
"Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Jesus's words seem harsh until we understand He's addressing our tendency to wait for the "right time" to obey.
The second man wanted to follow Jesus on his own timetable, when everything was settled and convenient. God's divine appointments rarely align with our schedules. Like Paul being redirected to Macedonia, God may interrupt your plans with opportunities to serve, encourage, or share the gospel. That person who stops you when you're busy, the need that arises when you're exhausted, the prompting to give when finances are tight—these "inconveniences" are often God's greatest invitations.
True discipleship means surrendering our agenda for His. The blessing always comes on the other side of obedience, even when it disrupts our day.
Reflection: What "inconvenient" opportunity has God placed before you? Will you say yes today?
Day 3: Eyes Fixed Forward
Reading: Luke 9:61-62; Philippians 3:12-14
Devotional:
"No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Ancient farmers knew that straight furrows required fixed focus on a distant point. One glance backward created crooked lines and diminished harvest.
Jesus isn't saying we can't acknowledge our past or that stumbling disqualifies us. He's warning that constantly looking over our shoulder—whether at past comforts, past sins, or past failures—makes us ineffective for kingdom work. The enemy loves to turn our heads, whispering reminders of who we were instead of who Christ has made us. Paul understood this: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal." Your past is forgiven. Your sins—past, present, and future—were nailed to the cross. Grip the plow tightly and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Reflection: What keeps pulling your gaze backward? How can you refocus on Christ today?
Day 4: Strength Beyond Ourselves
Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Devotional:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This isn't about our strength—it's about His power operating through our weakness.
When you feel you don't have strength to keep plowing, to be compassionate, to forgive, to serve, or even to see yourself as God sees you—that's actually the perfect position. God's power is perfected in our weakness. Every saint who changed history first experienced absolute dependence on God. Abraham Lincoln paused before signing the Emancipation Proclamation, acknowledging his trembling hand, then signed anyway—not in his strength, but trusting a greater purpose.
Being "all in" doesn't mean having it all together. It means admitting you need God desperately and then watching Him accomplish what only He can do through your surrendered life.
Reflection: Where do you need God's power today? Will you exchange your weakness for His strength?
Day 5: Life Through Surrender
Reading: John 12:24-26; Matthew 16:24-26
Devotional:
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Jesus presents the paradox of kingdom living: we find life by losing it, gain by giving away, and live by dying to self.
This isn't about self-hatred but proper priorities. When we cling to comfort, convenience, and control, we miss the abundant life Christ offers. But when we surrender everything—our plans, our timeline, our reputation, our very lives—we discover purpose beyond imagination. David Livingstone wanted missionaries willing to come even if there was no road. God wants followers who will trust Him even when the path is unclear, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. The question isn't whether tomorrow's road is smooth, but whether we're willing to follow Jesus regardless. Being "all in" means taking that deep breath, picking up the pen, and signing your life over to Christ—then watching Him write a story more beautiful than you ever dreamed.
Reflection: What do you need to surrender fully to Christ today? Will you sign your life over to Him?