Epworth Church

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

Have you ever had someone believe in you before you fully believed in yourself? Someone who saw potential where you saw weakness. Someone who saw possibility where you saw limitations.

Those people are rare. And they are incredibly powerful.

In the Bible, Barnabas became known as the "Son of Encouragement." Imagine being so consistently encouraging that it became part of your identity.

One of the most remarkable examples comes when Paul first became a believer. Many Christians were understandably skeptical. After all, Paul had spent years persecuting followers of Jesus.

Most people kept their distance. Barnabas stepped closer. He believed God was truly transforming Paul and helped others see it too.

The Old Testament gives us a similar picture through Moses and Joshua. As Joshua prepared to lead Israel, Moses intentionally encouraged him. He didn't view Joshua as a threat or a competitor. He wanted Joshua to succeed.

That's the heart of encouragement. It celebrates others instead of competing with them.

I've noticed that insecurity often makes encouragement difficult. When we're focused on our own shortcomings, we can struggle to celebrate someone else's strengths.

But Barnabas teaches us a different way. He reminds us that encouragement isn't about drawing attention to ourselves. It's about helping others become everything God created them to be.

What if we became known for that? What if people left conversations with us feeling stronger, more hopeful, and more confident in God's calling on their lives?

That's the kind of impact Barnabas had. And it's the kind of impact we can have too.

Identify someone with untapped potential. Send them a message sharing what strengths, gifts, or character qualities you see in them.

Reflection: Great encouragers see potential before others do. When I intentionally build people up, I help them recognize what God may already be developing.

Prayer: Lord, help me see people the way You see them. Make me an encourager who helps others grow into their God-given calling.

-Ryan Miller

06/18/2026

Here again Isaiah uses a rhetorical question to highlight the greatness and uniqueness of God. The Lord is incomparable in his greatness. He rules over all creation without needing anyone to guide him. In comparison to the Lord, all nations are insignificant. Our trust, therefore, must be not in human power or governments but in the one who rules from the eternal throne in heaven.

Isaiah points out that God is not like any image or idol either. Since ancient times, people have carved or cast images to represent their ideas of gods that they believe have power over them. But the only true God is the Lord, who made heaven and earth. All other gods are false. They know nothing and can do nothing. People’s idols are powerless, but God is all-powerful.

God is also incomparable in his care for us. He is the one who provides for us and renews our strength when we are weary.

Nothing and no one compares with the Lord. He is the source of life, so his life is not derived from anyone or anything. He does not depend on anyone to rule or to protect himself.

God is unique, singular, incomparable. Put your trust in him!

Incomparable Lord, unequaled in power and wisdom, turn our trust from human notions of strength and power to recognize you alone. By your grace and through your Spirit, anchor our hearts in your sovereign care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/17/2026

Encouragement is important in every season, but it becomes especially powerful during difficult ones. When life is going well, encouragement is appreciated. When life is hard, encouragement can become essential.

Elijah experienced this firsthand. After a tremendous spiritual victory, he found himself exhausted, discouraged, and ready to quit. Fear and disappointment clouded his perspective.

How did God respond? Not with criticism. Not with frustration. God met Elijah with compassion, care, rest, and encouragement. He reminded Elijah that he was not alone.

Paul modeled this same spirit in the New Testament. Even while facing imprisonment, hardship, and persecution, he consistently wrote letters encouraging believers to remain faithful and hopeful.

That challenges me because encouragement isn't just something we offer when life is easy. It's something we choose even when we're struggling ourselves. I've learned that some of the most meaningful encouragement I've received didn't come from people who had all the answers.

It came from people who simply showed up.
People who listened.
People who prayed.
People who reminded me that God was still present.

Sometimes we feel pressure to fix someone's situation. Most of the time, encouragement isn't about fixing. It's about reminding people they don't have to walk through it alone.

That's often where hope begins.

Action Step for Today:

✅ Reach out to someone who may be carrying a burden right now. Send a note, make a call, or offer a prayer.

Reflection: Encouragement becomes most powerful during hard seasons. God often uses simple acts of presence, compassion, and hope to strengthen weary hearts.

Prayer: Lord, help me notice those who are hurting. Use me to bring comfort, hope, and encouragement to people walking through difficult seasons.

-Ryan Miller

06/17/2026

As he continues describing God in his majesty and superiority, Isaiah says that all the nations, in comparison, are “as nothing”—even “less than nothing.” This means there is no room for pride or any sense of self-accomplishment in the sight of God. When Isaiah wrote this passage, Babylon was the superpower in that part of the world. It conquered many nations and had dominion over them.

Looking back, we see that the empires of the past fell. The great realm of Egypt lay covered with the dust of centuries. Assyria lost its far-reaching empire. Babylon, greater than Assyria, would soon fall into the hands of the Medo-Persians, and later Persia would fall to the Greeks. That is how it goes: nations rise and fall. Strong today, weak tomorrow. A nation may be rich and powerful for a time, but then it will crumble, fall, and eventually be forgotten— less than nothing.

Only God is never removed from his throne. Only the glory of God never fades. Only the power of God is never confronted by a greater power. Proud nations drink the cup of failure, but the Lord God will never face defeat.

Sovereign Lord, nations are as nothing before you, and yet you care for them and all people. Help us to trust in your unshakable rule. Root us in your eternal glory, unfailing power, and eternal reign that can never be challenged. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/16/2026

After discussing God’s incomparable supremacy, Isaiah emphasizes our human insufficiency to please the Lord. Lebanon is known in the Old Testament as a nation with great forests of beautiful trees producing the finest wood. The cedars and junipers of Lebanon were used in the construction of God’s temple and the king’s palace (1 Kings 5-7).

But even Lebanon’s great trees were not worthy enough to burn on God’s altar. And Lebanon’s animals were not sufficient for a burnt offering to the Lord. The prophet Micah asked God’s people, similarly, “Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?” Quantity does not impress God. An abundance of offerings cannot buy the Lord’s favor. Human resources are too small and limited to please the sovereign Lord of the universe.

Micah asks further, “With what shall I come before the LORD . . . ?”

And, by the guidance of the Spirit, the prophet answers: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Lord, you are far greater than we can imagine, and you are beyond anything we can offer. Teach us to honor you by practicing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you each day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/16/2026

Our words matter.

More than we often realize. A sentence spoken in a few seconds can stay with someone for years. We've all experienced both sides of this. We've heard words that wounded us and we've heard words that strengthened us.

That's why Proverbs reminds us that the tongue has the power of life and death.

Think about Joshua. Moses had died, and Joshua was stepping into an enormous leadership role. He faced uncertainty, pressure, and responsibility unlike anything he'd experienced before.

What did God do? He encouraged him. Again and again, God spoke words of courage and strength: "Be strong and courageous."

In the New Testament, Jesus did the same with Peter. Even knowing Peter would fail, Jesus continued speaking identity, purpose, and calling into his life. Jesus saw who Peter could become.

That's what encouragement does. It helps people see what God sees. I've found that it's easy to focus on what's wrong. It's easy to criticize, complain, or point out weaknesses.

Encouragement requires intentionality. It asks us to look for evidence of God's work in someone else's life and call it out. Imagine what would happen if we became known for speaking life.

Not flattery. Not empty compliments. But genuine encouragement rooted in truth.

Our homes would change.
Our friendships would change.
Our churches would change.

And perhaps most importantly, people would be reminded that God is still at work in their lives.

✅ Look for one opportunity today to speak life into someone. Tell them specifically what you see God doing in them.

Reflection: My words carry influence. When I intentionally speak life and truth, I help others see themselves and their future through God's perspective.

Prayer: Lord, help me use my words wisely. May my speech bring life, hope, encouragement, and strength to the people around me.

-Ryan Miller

06/15/2026

Here the prophet Isaiah portrays God's superiority over all the nations of the earth. The world’s great economic and military powers are no match for God. Empires rise and fall, but God remains the Sovereign Lord over all. Armies develop weapons and conquer other powers, but then other, stronger armies rise—and fall. In the meantime God remains on the throne of the universe. In poetic language, Isaiah says that all these nations, with all their power, are to God “like a drop in a bucket” or like dust on a set of scales. And islands, with their charm and beauty, are only like fine dust that can blow away in a breeze.

God is incomparable in his power. He is unique in his wisdom. He is indisputable in his governing. He is infinitely greater than everything he has created. Nothing compares to God. No one can equal him. In today’s world we have more than 200 nations. Even all of them together cannot compare with God. God is greater than the universe. He is infinitely greater than anything that exists.

Despite his greatness, the Lord is the personal God who cares about each one of us. He knows your name. He loves you with an everlasting love and draws you to himself. He has never given up on loving you, and he wants you to have full life with him forever.

Sovereign Lord, humble our hearts before you. Though you rule the universe, you know and love each one of us. Draw us close, and keep us in your never-ending care. Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/15/2026

Have you ever noticed how a few encouraging words can completely change someone's day? A text message, a conversation, a reminder that someone believes in you, those moments often stay with us far longer than we realize. The Bible teaches that our words carry tremendous power. We can build others up or tear them down. We can bring hope or discouragement. Over the next few days, we're going to explore the power of encouragement and discover how God can use our words, actions, and presence to strengthen the people around us. You may never fully know the impact of your encouragement, but God often uses simple acts of kindness and affirmation to change lives.

Most of us can remember someone who encouraged us at exactly the right moment.

A teacher who believed in us.
A friend who spoke hope when we were discouraged.
A mentor who saw potential we couldn't yet see ourselves.

Years later, we still remember those words. Why? Because encouragement changes lives.

In the Old Testament, Jonathan did this for David. While David was running for his life, discouraged and uncertain about the future, Jonathan sought him out and strengthened his hand in God. He reminded David of God's promises when David needed it most.

In the New Testament, Barnabas became known as the "Son of Encouragement." While others questioned new believers and doubted Paul's transformation, Barnabas believed in people and helped them grow.

I've learned that encouragement isn't complicated.

You don't need perfect words.
You don't need a platform.
You simply need a willingness to notice people.

The reality is that many people are carrying burdens we know nothing about. They may look fine on the outside while quietly battling fear, disappointment, loneliness, or uncertainty.

A few sincere words can become a lifeline.

And here's what I've discovered: encouragement doesn't just bless the person receiving it. It changes the person giving it too. It shifts our focus away from ourselves and helps us see others through God's eyes.

That's a powerful way to live.

Action Step for Today:

✅ Send one encouraging text or make one encouraging phone call today. Be specific about what you appreciate.

Reflection: Encouragement is one of the simplest ways to reflect God's heart. Small words spoken in love can leave a lasting impact on someone's life.

Prayer: Lord, help me notice people who need encouragement today. Use my words to strengthen, uplift, and remind others of Your love.

-Ryan Miller