First Church Of God-Dublin

10/31/2026

10/31/2026

The Bible was never meant to be merely read. It was meant to be seen. Ask the Author to open your eyes before you open the page.

Father, I confess how often I open Your word out of habit: rushing a chapter, skimming a psalm, closing the book without really expecting to see You. Forgive me for reading on autopilot. Tonight I come like David, asking You to do what I cannot do for myself. Open my eyes. Let there be wonder in the waiting, and let me not walk past what You have written for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Psalm 119:18: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." David did not pray, "Open the book." It was already open. He prayed, "Open my eyes." Seeing wonders in God's word is not a talent for scholars; it is a gift the Father gives to anyone humble enough to ask.

Reflective practice: Before you open your Bible tonight, pause for one unhurried breath and pray the verse itself: "Lord, open my eyes." Then read slowly, until one phrase catches your heart, and stop there. Stay with it a moment, and thank Him for what He showed you.

Community question: What wonder has God opened your eyes to in His word lately?



Word of Encouragement™ ©

10/31/2026

October 31, 2026
Is there an area where hiding has begun to feel easier than honesty? Invite God's light into it with grace, not shame. If you would like more quiet encouragement rooted in Scripture, join our free weekly devotional through the link in bio.

10/30/2026

The day ahead of you is not blank. Every one of your days was written before the first one began.

Father, I confess how much of my life I face like an empty page, afraid of what might be written on it next. I wake up bracing, as though today is a stranger You have no knowledge of. Thank You that Your eyes saw my unformed body, and that every day ordained for me was written in Your book before one of them came to be. This morning is not a surprise to You. The appointment I am dreading, the conversation I keep rehearsing, the week I cannot see, You have already gone ahead of me there. Teach me to walk into today like a letter You wrote with love, not like a page I have to protect. My times are in Your hands, and I am safe there. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Psalm 139:16 says, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Before you drew your first breath, God had already written your last page, and every page in between is held by the same hand.

One-minute practice: Hold an ordinary object from your morning, a cup, a key, a spoon, and let its smallness remind you how ordinary days are the ones He fills. Breathe slowly and whisper, "Father, You have already written this day, and You are in it." Then name the part of today you are most braced for, and hand that page over to Him.

Community question: What would change in your morning if you truly believed today was already known and loved by God?



Word of Encouragement™ ©

10/30/2026

October 30, 2026
Let love choose your next response. When fear tries to choose your next move, pause and ask what love would do instead. If this reflection met you where you are, you can receive our free weekly devotional through the link in bio.

10/30/2026

Reaching our limit is not always failure. It can become the honest place where we stop performing and begin depending on grace. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

For more gentle encouragement in weary seasons, join our free weekly devotional through the link in bio.

10/29/2026

10/29/2026

The water may rise to your ankles tomorrow. It will never rise between you and Him.

Father, I confess how often I stand at the edge of a hard week and measure the depth of the water before I trust You. I rehearse every step I am afraid of, as though the crossing were mine to make alone. Thank You for Your promise: when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Not if. When. You never promised shallow rivers; You promised company in the deep ones. So I will not wait for calm water before I move. I will step in with You beside me, and I will trust that no current can rise higher than Your hand. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." Notice that God does not promise a dry path. He promises His presence in the wet one.

One-minute practice: Fill a glass with water and hold it in both hands for one slow minute. The river moves, but the water in your hands is held the whole time, and so are you. Breathe slowly and whisper, "Father, You are with me in the water." Then name the crossing you are facing this week, and take the first step with Him.

Community question: What river are you crossing right now, and where have you noticed Him walking beside you in it?



Word of Encouragement™ ©

10/29/2026

October 29, 2026
Return your attention to what lasts. Where has your attention been living lately? Gently turn it back toward what is true, lasting, and life-giving. Join us for gentle Scripture-centered encouragement each week through the free devotional linked in our bio.

10/29/2026

Oh my, Thanksgiving is coming up soon. We want to welcome you to visit us and enjoy an inspiring message, seeing old and new friends and family plus a delicious lunch on us. Save the Date, we can't wait to see you!