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10/24/2026

The Compatibility of Beauty In, Beauty Out
Deacon Shelton Smith
1 Peter 3:3-4 NRSV

Do not adorn yourself outwardly by braiding your hair and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

Brothers and Sisters, I recently attended the annual Beauty In, Beauty Out awards gala, and proudly served in multiple leadership roles. The Beauty In, Beauty Out awards gala is notable for celebrating the accomplishments of diverse women in various fields and industries for their professional leadership, philanthropic work, and success as entrepreneurs. In addition to the many women who are celebrated, there is traditionally one male recipient who receives the Beauty In, Beauty Out Man of the Year Award. The Beauty In, Beauty Out honorees reflect diversity amongst successful men and women.

Our scripture in 1 Peter 3:3-4 teaches us that God is not interested in our outer appearance; God is more pleased with our inner spirit. This scripture defines that true lasting beauty comes from the heart and character rather than an outward appearance. God is intentional with evaluating us on our inner character instead of our physical traits or social status. It is important for us to understand that physical beauty is fleeting; it will not last always. Our heart, soul, and character will never dissolve.

Beloved, it is important we appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. We are beautiful by design because we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Remember, God is flawless and without error. Therefore, God never makes a mistake. It is pleasing to God when we are recognized for our inner beauty as the result of treating people with kindness, which adds value to our character. God expects our outer beauty and inner beauty to be compatible with each other. As children of God, our beauty is expected to match the beauty of our Creator.

Brothers and Sisters, the word of God is specific in providing basic instructions for how to live life.

Beloved, we are God’s handiwork; therefore, our inner beauty and outer beauty are a perfect match.

PRAYER:
Lord God, please help us see your amazing creativity and beauty in all things.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What do people see when they behold you?

10/23/2026

Overwhelmed or Overcoming
Lee T. Jones
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Two boxers were pounding away at each other, but soon one boxer began overwhelming the other with mighty blows. The boxer on the receiving end of the blows was saved by the bell twice. However, in the next round, that boxer became exhausted and could not hold up any longer. Every counterpunch and uppercut didn’t work; the fatigued boxer could not overcome the steady blows. However, the weary boxer tried one last thing: “clinching.” This is when you step into your opponent, bringing them closer to you and interlocking your arms with theirs to prevent any further punches. What is most significant about “clinching”? No boxer has ever been knocked out while clinching onto another. Clinching prevents punches and allows time for rest. You turn your overwhelming situation into an overcoming one.

In today’s scripture, we learn that Paul encourages believers to persevere despite suffering. He contrasts physical decline with spiritual renewal, emphasizing that inner transformation continues even as the body ages or faces hardship. The verse teaches resilience and hope. Physical challenges do not diminish the ongoing spiritual renewal that God provides daily. Cling to God, who is your refuge and your comfort. Don’t be afraid to turn to God and share how you’re really feeling. God is our ultimate healer. Lean into God at all times, but especially when you need God most. When life is the most difficult and the most overwhelming, turning to God will offer the greatest source of peace you can find.

Hagar was overwhelmed when she was displaced and left stranded in the harsh wilderness with her son Ishmael, facing dehydration and death. Overcoming, she turned to God in raw honesty and prayer. God heard her, saw her distress (calling God El Roi, “the God who sees me”), and provided a miraculous well of water and a promise for her son’s future.

We can recall that Joseph was overwhelmed with betrayal, deep emotional trauma, and intense grief. However, Joseph did not overcome his trauma through immediate rescue or vengeance. Instead, he overcame his circumstances through unwavering faith in God.

Overcoming means maintaining faith in God and resisting worldly evil through the victory already won by Jesus Christ rather than relying on human strength alone.

PRAYER:
To our divine creator we draw nigh unto you, our savior. Relying on your ultimate power rather than our personal self-sufficiency for perseverance through adversity. We understand the hardships are not the end of the world, but opportunities to clinch to your divine spirit.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
I choose to be an Overcomer

10/20/2026

Blessings of Closed Doors
Jewel Love
Acts 16:7 (NIV)

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

The Apostle Paul is at a transition point in his ministry after experiencing a painful split with his long-time ministry partner Barnabas. Paul is embarking on a new journey and has selected Silas as his new ministry partner. In addition, he also picks up Timothy for this latest missionary journey to revisit churches he already planted and then go to Asia Minor. As the group travels into Asia, the Holy Spirit redirects them. Turning around, they try and head north into Bithynia and again Jesus says no. The group keeps moving and walking in God’s desired direction understanding that eventually the “no” will turn to a “yes.”

There are times when God simply closes the door. We may be surprised by the shift, but we do not have to view a closed door as negative or as failure. We tend to focus on what has been lost rather than the gain God may have for us. Have you ever been in your dream job and it suddenly ends? As a consultant, I have worked on tremendous projects for multiple years and then they end. Not having the certainty of what comes next can be jarring. But sometimes it is time to move toward another blessing, and God has to get our attention. Redirection can be good news because God knows what is best for us.

Have you ever been getting to know someone, everything seems to be going well, and then the person does something that will end the relationship? Whew, my hand is raised! I learned that God was protecting me, quickly snatching me out of a situation before I experienced greater heartbreak. Closed doors can feel like rejection, but trusting God means believing we may also be protected. Embrace the course correction. You may be guided toward your true person, your true purpose or an even more impactful contribution.

Finally, God may close a door because we are simply not ready yet. We may need more time to grow so we can appreciate and fully experience the blessing. God’s timing is impeccable. The Almighty knows when we are ready to walk through the open door.

PRAYER:
God, thank you for always protecting me. Give me the growth to appreciate closed doors.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God knows what is waiting on the other side of door and when I am ready to walk through the open door.

10/19/2026

The Choice is Yours
Melanie M. Baker
Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

What would you have done if you lived in the Garden of Eden and had to choose whether or not to eat the fruit God commanded you not to eat? We can say that we wouldn't have eaten the fruit; however, every day, we face similar situations, and sometimes we choose to obey our flesh instead of the Spirit.

God wants us to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives so we can be filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 RSV). One way we can receive God’s guidance is to talk to God when we are tempted. When we’re tempted to go against what God has told us to do, we can tell God what we're thinking about doing and why. The one thing Adam and Eve didn't do was talk to God. They literally were around God when God walked through the garden and could talk to God, yet they didn't bother asking God's opinion about what they should do. We don't talk to God about what the devil has said to us either. We hide from God before we've even sinned.

So today, what will you choose? Sin or spirituality? We make the same choice Adam and Eve did every time we decide to walk in the flesh instead of flourishing in the Spirit. When we choose the spiritual over the flesh, we can glimpse what God had in mind for us and wanted us to experience when God created Eden.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us choices because otherwise, we would feel confined. Help us to be led by the Spirit to make the right choices. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
God has given us Spiritual fruit to consume instead of the spiritually poisonous works of the flesh. It's up to us to decide. What will you do?

10/18/2026

Who Are You?
Rae C. McCray
Romans 1:1 MSG

I Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ, on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God’s friends.

The facilitator is building excitement as she gives the overview. The room is filled with people eagerly waiting to get started. Then it happens. That question each participant must answer. Who are you? In a non-work environment, I dread this question. The facilitator calls participant after participant, edging closer to me as tension builds in the pit of my stomach. I always struggle with answering this question. Others talk about the distinct roles they play and the accomplishments they have made. In my mind, what I do is not who I am.

Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, the capital city of the Roman Empire, the greatest empire on Earth. Paul had not established the Roman church and had never been there to develop personal relationships, although that was Paul’s desire. Certain words can be said to people you know that can cause major damage when said to people you do not know. The believers were God’s friends, not Paul’s. Paul knew he had to choose words that unified, edified, and were written with love. Although Paul did not know them, Paul knew God intimately, and God knew Paul. Paul’s self-description in verse one testifies to his self-awareness of belonging totally to God (devoted slave), being sent (apostle), and his special assignment to proclaim the Gospel of God (to all types of people).

Knowing God intimately, spending time with God daily, and being guided by the Holy Spirit build confidence and give us the courage to go into unknown territories, ready and willing to answer all who ask, "Who are you?" We, like Paul, can testify that we are God’s property, chosen. The beloved bought and paid for by Jesus Christ our Lord, our Redeemer, and Master who loves us unconditionally.

PRAYER:
God, open our hearts and our spiritual eyes so that we recognize uncomfortable situations as opportunities to testify about the goodness of Jesus Christ, leading someone else to Christ so they can be free in Christ, like us. In Jesus ' mighty name. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Do you know who you really are?

10/17/2026

Never underestimate
Deacon Cassandra Hudson
Matthew 17:20 NIV

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

It never fails. When I plant seeds in my church’s garden, I place them too close together. Even after reading directions that clearly state, “Plant six inches apart,” I still plant them too close together, resulting in overcrowding. Why? My mind cannot conceive of that tiny little seed needing that much space. It just feels wrong to leave that much room for something so very small. Inevitably, that tiny seed grows into a gigantic plant with vines and leaves spreading in every direction. Never underestimate the potential of a tiny seed!

In Matthew, Jesus illustrates the potential of a tiny seed. After healing a boy suffering from seizures whom the disciples could not heal, they ask Jesus why. He replies, “Because you have so little faith.” He goes on to say that faith as small as a mustard seed will allow them to move mountains, and that nothing will be impossible for them.

Sisters and Brothers, God asks us to have sincere faith, not big faith. If we truly believe in love, worship God, and know that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing, and ever-present, the Lord will take our mustard-seed-sized faith and do more than we can begin to imagine. God may not literally give us the power to move a mountain, but the Lord will empower us to move the metaphorical mountains we encounter on the road of life. Our seeds of faith will reap a bountiful harvest!

PRAYER:
Loving and powerful God, we thank you and praise you for our faith and all the ways you work in and through us to bring glory to your name. We thank you for the magnitude of what comes from mustard seed faith.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Plant seeds and make room

10/16/2026

‘Dream Big, Obedience Brings God’s Presence and Blessings’
Dr. Loretta Young-Wright
Genesis 28:10-22 NIV

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (16) When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” (18) Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.” Then Jacob made a vow, saying If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

In Genesis 28:10, Jacob has an encounter with God that assures him a great future with promises of prosperity, protection, and influence. Jacob, upon the request of Isaac his father, left Beersheba with uncertainty. His trusting relationship with his father resulted in Jacob honoring Isaac’s request. In this scripture, God is demonstrating his awesome capacity for showing love and patience. God is not blind to our shortcomings, but rather forgiving of us. He allows growth and development that result in the ability to see God as a loving father and ourselves as children of God. Our lives are filled with ongoing demands which require faith, obedience, movement, action, and attention. At times it appears improbable to slow down and reflect on what we are actually doing. With such active minds and bodies, the temptation is to feel as though there is no time for stopping. But when we do obey the need to calm our hearts and heads, rest and relaxation afford the chance to see clearly. Jacob was sent on a long journey to accomplish something that he could not rush through. In deciding to rest, he allowed himself to hear from God in a dream. Similarly, brothers and sisters, take the opportunity to rest, to process and to appreciate the blessings in your lives. As we refuel and proceed in faith, God reveals blessings.

Did you ever question your parent’s wisdom, and later become amazed at their insight? You might have said, ‘How did they know that?’ Because Jacob took the opportunity to obey his father’s request and reflect on the message God shared in his dream, his understanding was enlightened to God’s presence and blessings. Jacob was so transformed that he made an ongoing commitment, a covenant like God made with him, saying, each time you bless me, I will acknowledge the blessing with a tenth of what you have given me. Wow!

In the scripture, Jacob set out on a journey with a specific purpose; he chose a certain place to sleep, and while he was dreaming, God communicated his intent to bless Jacob. God’s assurance was so comforting to Jacob that he wanted to preserve the place where his conscious awareness of this God experience. Jacob became so engaged with this encounter that he not only expressed gratitude, but bargained with God, saying, if you do this for me, God, I will do this.

Now there is no doubt that this scripture holds controversial information for me. I wanted to know why Isaac told Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman. A good place to begin additional research for a different devotion. However, I was blessed by the lessons of this text.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me choose a place to rest that will reveal the plans You have for my life.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
My desire is to hear God’s voice and follow His will for my life.

10/15/2026

A Little While Longer
Rev. Kim Shelton
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Have you ever been in a season when you wondered, “Lord, how much longer?” You have prayed, cried, trusted God, and done all you know to do, yet the situation has not changed. Sometimes, the hardest part of faith is holding on when you are tired of waiting. Peter writes to believers who are experiencing suffering and reminds them that their suffering is not the end of their story. He points them to the God of all grace, who promises to restore, establish, strengthen, and settle them.

Notice the words, “after you have suffered a while.” Peter acknowledges that trouble is real, but he also reminds us that trouble does not get the final word. We may not know how long our season will last, but we know the God who will carry us through it. Trouble don’t last always.

Sometimes God does not change the situation as quickly as we would like, but God gives us grace to endure it. The Lord strengthens us when we feel weak, restores us when life has worn us down, and settles our spirit when everything around us feels uncertain. So, if you are tired, hold on a little while longer. If you are discouraged, pray a little while longer. Do not allow what you are going through to make you forget who is bringing you through. A little while longer! Your tears will not define your testimony, and your struggle will not have the final say. The God of all grace is still working in your life!

PRAYER:
Lord, give me strength to endure, faith to keep believing, and peace while I wait. God, hold me when I wonder where you are and question your process. I trust and believe that God's grace is sufficient. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Hold on a little while longer. God has not forgotten you!

10/12/2026

Don’t FALL for the Madness
Sandra (Sandy) Hall
Psalm 46:10 NIV

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

While in college in Southern Illinois, I developed seasonal allergies. Since that time, fall has been my favorite season. The consistent sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes left me feeling uncomfortable and exhausted every August and September. The cool, breezy days ushered in by the fall signals to my body and spirit that allergy season is officially over. The presence of the beautifully colored orange, yellow, and red leaves is always icing on the cake for me. This fall season, we’re in the midst of local and national mid-term elections, and constantly being solicited for our financial support and vote. We are bombarded with so much information, propaganda, mistruths, and mess. It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions, to FALL for the madness.

In our Old Testament God-inspired scripture, written by King David, God is reminding us of God’s sovereignty: that nothing or no one is more important or greater than God. As we are being bombarded with messages about who is qualified to run for certain offices and who is not, God is telling believers and non-believers, especially, that we need to recognize God’s glory and greatness. In verse (9) of this chapter, we are reminded that God is mighty and able to enforce peace and cause wars to cease. It is important for us to submit to and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the nations. God is the ultimate authority over the entire universe.

Our submission in this process, as one of God’s children, is to first of all be quiet, be still, surrender, and acknowledge that God is the one and only victorious God! Our submission, acknowledgement, and simple consideration that GOD IS GOD in our walk and talk can be a way to silence the naysayers and non-believers. The last part of our scripture is the icing on the cake for me. The knowledge that our God will win in the end and that God’s triumph, not any current or future elected officials, will extend to all the earth.

PRAYER:
Gracious Lord, we thank you for this day and the season we’re in. Help us to rise above all the noise and distractions that seek to steer us away from you. Help us to continue to grow in faith and worship and not FALL for the madness.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
As the lyrics say in the song, Jesus is Real, “Put your hands together if you know God is real, hallelujah.” Lyrics by John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir,

10/10/2026

God Favors God's People
Sistah Eve Cogdell
Romans 8:28 & 31 NIV

28 “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Beloved, we all know that life often will knock us down; you think you will enjoy a day, an hour, or a moment, and the next thing you know, life has knocked you down. The enemy can throw us many curveballs that keep us crying for God and desperately seeking God’s mercy. Trials and tribulations gnaw away at the very fiber of our being! And, if we’re not careful, we may even begin to doubt God’s love for us. Personally, I have experienced this feeling on many occasions. In fact, recently I have faced many challenges and situations that left me devastated! Financial difficulties, relationship issues, disabilities, and other health challenges kept me from doing the things I loved or accomplishing my other life goals. You name it, I’ve been through it!

Topping all this, too many times I have fallen from grace by either doing or thinking things I know were not pleasing to God. However, whenever I’m tempted to ‘throw in the towel’, Jesus speaks to my spirit; He reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures: ”And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Dearly beloved, we might remember the flight of the Israelites after Pharaoh finally let them go. Instead of leading them through a nearby safer, more desirable location, God led them through the wilderness. We all know the outcome; just when the Israelites feared their captors would catch up with them, God proved His love for them by delivering them from the Egyptians. The Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea! (Exodus 13:17&18; and 14:1‒31)

Sometimes God does things we don’t understand, like leading us through our own wilderness. God may lead us through the wilderness, but God always delivers God's people.

PRAYER:
Loving and most merciful God, we can rest assured that when we pray and believe, You will deliver us from all our dungeons.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
He’s working it out for your good!

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