Posts with the category “daily-devotion”
Praying According to God's Will
by Ministry Support on February 2nd, 2026
If there was ever a time you needed to be praying, it is now. Praying to God and spending time communicating with Him should be a regular part of your daily routine. However, many people are intimidated by prayer. They don’t know where to start and what to say. They don’t want to “bother God” with their requests and issues. Read More
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Jesus is Coming Back
by Ministry Support on February 1st, 2026
There’s a song from the 1960s written by Larry Norman that shares a heartbreaking picture of what it will look like for those who are left behind after Jesus returns. The song goes like this: Read More
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When God Nudges Your Heart
by Jared West on January 31st, 2026
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." — Hebrews 3:15 I need to change this worship service right now. Have you ever had that moment? When you're in the middle of something planned, something organized, and God speaks to your heart? If there's a persistent tug on the inside, you need to respond immediately because this worship service belongs to Him. It doesn't belong to me. It... Read More
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You Must Be Present to Win
by Jared West on January 30th, 2026
All the believers were together and had everything in common... Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. — Acts 2:44, 46 When I went to college in Houston, I was looking for a church. I wanted good preaching and encouraging worship. I thought I found it, and I walked down the aisle to join. The pa... Read More
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Worth the Sacrifice
by Jared West on January 29th, 2026
What's one life worth? Would you endure beatings, imprisonment, and humiliation if it meant reaching just one person for Christ? Paul would. And he did. In Philippi, Paul was beaten with rods and thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel. His body was broken, his feet locked in stocks, yet at midnight he and Silas were singing hymns to God. When an earthquake shook the prison doors open, the jai... Read More
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When Your Faith Has a Reputation
by Jared West on January 28th, 2026
"The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us." — 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9a Your faith has become known everywhere. Think about that. The church in Thessalonica had a reputation. People were talking about them. Not ... Read More
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When Love Changes Everything
by Jared West on January 27th, 2026
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Your work for God will not be sustained unless it's produced by your love for Christ. If your work is not produced by love, coercion and expectations cannot underwrite a life that completes the race. If you are in love w... Read More
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When Light and Darkness Collide
by Jared West on January 26th, 2026
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." — Joel 2:28 Something remarkable is happening. Across our country, young people are coming to Christ in numbers we haven't seen in years. Students are standing boldly for Jesus. Politicians are speaking about the Gospel with clarity. God ... Read More
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When God Calls You to Small Things
by Jared West on January 25th, 2026
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8) Do you ever feel like your ministry doesn't count because it's small? Maybe you teach three kids in a Sunday school class while someone else has thirty. Maybe you serve in a role that nobody notices. You wonder if God's hand is even on what you're doing. Let me t... Read More
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What are You Still Holding?
by Jared West on January 24th, 2026
"They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven." — 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10 You turned to God from idols. When you hear "idols," what do you picture? Stone statues? Golden calves? Ancient temples? That's what the early church dealt with. They literally walked away from shrines dedicated to false gods. They turned from physical idols... Read More
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The Question That Changes Everything
by Jared West on January 23rd, 2026
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." — Romans 10:13 One day, when I stand before God, if the Lord should say, "Curt, why should I let you into my heaven?" what would I say? I could say, "I was Pastor of Westside Church for over two decades." But I wouldn't. I could say, "Lord, you know all those theological degrees I worked for. I studied Greek and Hebrew." But I wouldn't. I... Read More
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The Gospel Changes Everything
by Jared West on January 22nd, 2026
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." — Romans 1:16 Ministry isn't about buildings or budgets. It's about the Gospel changing real people in real time. When Paul arrived in that Greek city, he didn't show up with a marketing plan or a five-year strategy. He brought something far more powerful: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that G... Read More
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Faith That Doesn't Need Answers
by Jared West on January 21st, 2026
The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you." — Genesis 12:1 Faith is the willingness to go with God without knowing where, without knowing when, and without knowing how. That's not easy. We want our prayers answered. We want God to lay it all out for us logically. But God often calls us to move before we have all the answe... Read More
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Ministry Happens in the Mess of Real Life
by Jared West on January 20th, 2026
"Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8) What makes ministry real? Is it polished programs? Perfect theology? Large crowds? None of those things. Ministry happens in relationships. It's messy. It's personal. It's about pouring yo... Read More
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Joy in the Middle of Hell
by Jared West on January 19th, 2026
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." — 1 Thessalonians 1:6 You welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with joy. Read that again. In the midst of severe suffering. With joy. That doesn't make sense, does it? When you're suffering, joy is usually the last thing you feel. When ... Read More
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It Will Cost You
by Jared West on January 18th, 2026
But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house." — Acts 17:6-7 The church in Thessalonica was only three weeks old. Paul had spent three Sabbaths in the synagogue proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from ... Read More
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Don't Watch. Pray.
by Jared West on January 17th, 2026
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others." — Matthew 6:5 If God doesn't speak to the rest of you, please bow your head. Do not watch who is coming. Just pray for those people. That's what I said that Sunday when God stopped the service. People were coming forward for prayer. Some were dealing ... Read More
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God is Working In Us
by Jared West on January 16th, 2026
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)When you become a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you and guide you through life. There are several different ways the Holy Spirits works in us, so today I want to talk about a few of the ways He works.1. The H... Read More
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Learning to Say No
by Jared West on January 15th, 2026
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.... Read More
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We are Different for a Reason
by Jared West on January 14th, 2026
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not f... Read More
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Praying According to God's Will
by Jared West on January 13th, 2026
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." (Matthew 6:9-13)If there was ever a time you needed to be praying, it is now. Praying to God and spending ti... Read More
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Jesus is Coming Back
by Jared West on January 12th, 2026
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. – Revelation 1:7There’s a song from the 1960s written by Larry Norman that shares a heartbreaking picture of what it will look like for those who are left behind after Jesus returns. The song goes like this:“Life was filled with guns ... Read More
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Don't Waste Your Pain
by Jared West on January 11th, 2026
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Have you ever felt like your pas... Read More
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Worrying Won't Get Your Anywhere
by Jared West on January 10th, 2026
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7With everything we as human beings are juggling in our day-to-day lives, there is plenty to be anxious about. We worry about our family, our... Read More
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Does Your Ministry Stick?
by Jared West on January 9th, 2026
"For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." — 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Have you ever wondered what makes ministry actually work? I mean, really work — not just fill up a church calendar or keep people busy, but genuinely change lives? Paul spent only a short time in Thessaloniki. If you visit today, you'll find a thriving city with f... Read More
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Learning to Be Alone
by Jared West on January 8th, 2026
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) In our culture today, it seems like everyone is constantly occupied. People are wearing headphones, and they are on their phones. They have the ... Read More
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Caught Off Guard
by Jared West on January 7th, 2026
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2 This Fall is special for me because I go into the woods and bow hunt. This past year, I took my two grandsons. I decided to hunt between both of them. I strapped my stump chair next to a tree and leaned back. It was warm and the wind was blowing one evening. Nothing was moving, so I took my phone a... Read More
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Lean on God in Uncertainty
by Jared West on January 6th, 2026
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)When you are in the middle of a season of uncertainty, and have more questions than answers; do you find yourself wondering where God is in the midst of it all? Maybe you ask questions like, “God, where are you?” or “Do you really and truly care about me?” or “What are you trying to do?”Feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety often pr... Read More
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But Wait, There's More
by Jared West on January 5th, 2026
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:20Do you remember Ron Popeil? The late-night infomercial king? He marketed a device that could supposedly slice a tomato so thin it only had one side. But there was one phrase he said over and over: "But wait, there's more!" That phrase ... Read More
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God's Plan
by Jared West on January 4th, 2026
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the more widely known verses in the Bible. It reminds us that God has a plan for our lives, and that His plan is good. However, it is important to note that the word “prosper” in this passage does not mean what many pe... Read More
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Are Your Sins Confessed Up to Date?
by Ministry Support on January 3rd, 2026
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 When I was in seminary, Bertha Smith came to speak. She was a godly woman who was part of the Shantung Revival in China. Her hair had turned white and wiry. Her face was battered by the years. Her first words to our class were: "Boys, are your sins confessed up to date?... Read More
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Are You Worth Following?
by Ministry Support on January 2nd, 2026
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. — 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Read More
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Are You Living Like He's Coming?
by Ministry Support on January 1st, 2026
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." — Matthew 24:42-44 Read More
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God’s Plan
by Curt Dodd on December 31st, 2025
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the more widely known verses in the Bible. It reminds us that God has a plan for our lives, and that His plan is good. However, it is important to note that the word “prosper” in this passage does not mean what many p... Read More
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Lean on God in Uncertainty
by Curt Dodd on December 30th, 2025
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) When you are in the middle of a season of uncertainty, and have more questions than answers; do you find yourself wondering where God is in the midst of it all? Maybe you ask questions like, “God, where are you?” or “Do you really and truly care about me?” or “What are you trying to do?” Feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety often ... Read More
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God, Fix It
by Curt Dodd on December 29th, 2025
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7) When your heart gets heavy and there is pain in your life, we pray, “Oh God, take away the pain. Take away the pain, now.” Sometimes, the answer to that prayer is different from how we want it. I really believe there are people who are reading this today, who are going through a desperate situation. They ar... Read More
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Praying Instead of Worrying
by Curt Dodd on December 28th, 2025
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) As I watch our country vibrate with all kinds of decisions that are being made and look at what is happening globally, I am heavy at... Read More
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The Impact of Jesus
by Curt Dodd on December 27th, 2025
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18) There has never been anyone who has made a greater impact on history and on our world than Jesus Christ! Jesus is... Read More
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Disruption in Life
by Curt Dodd on December 26th, 2025
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Ble... Read More
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On Track
by Curt Dodd on December 25th, 2025
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for ... Read More
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Are You Living Like He's Coming?Are You Worth Following?Are Your Sins Confessed Up to Date?God's PlanBut Wait, There's MoreLean on God in UncertaintyCaught Off GuardLearning to Be AloneDoes Your Ministry Stick?Worrying Won't Get Your AnywhereDon't Waste Your PainJesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe are Different for a ReasonLearning to Say NoGod is Working In UsDon't Watch. Pray.It Will Cost YouJoy in the Middle of HellMinistry Happens in the Mess of Real LifeFaith That Doesn't Need AnswersThe Gospel Changes EverythingThe Question That Changes EverythingWhat are You Still Holding?When God Calls You to Small ThingsWhen Light and Darkness CollideWhen Love Changes EverythingWhen Your Faith Has a ReputationWorth the SacrificeYou Must Be Present to WinWhen God Nudges Your Heart
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Building Men Over MembershipsAre You Encouraging Others?Committing Others To ChristSharing Your StoryFaith Beyond Your FamilyGod’s Purpose In Your PainAligned PrayersPraying with PowerA Defining EncounterA Desire To ServeA Faithful and Helpful FriendRestoring Broken RelationshipsThe Power To RestoreA Guilt-Free LifeA Hand Of BlessingA Heart Of RepentanceAllowing God To Do The ChangingAre You Feeling Stuck?Trust His HeartBe Ready For InterruptionsFull of the Holy SpiritDefeating DepressionPowerful Prayers and a BurdenThe Triumphal EntrySurrender Your Life to ChristGratitude Is The Gateway To ContentmentGratitude Is A Defense Against AnxietyDealing With DoubtFocus On The WordGiving and ServingListening Instead Of Talking
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