Oak Ridge Church

10/28/2026

Day 24 of our daily devotionals is a reminder that sometimes, the people God wants us to build relationships with are the people we least expect.

In Matthew 9:9–11, Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. Matthew then invites Jesus to dinner with other tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees see this and ask, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” (NLT)

Oof. That’s harsh. But it reveals something important: people often create categories of who is worth spending time with and who isn’t. And if we’re honest, we can do the same thing without even realizing it.

Maybe there’s someone you wouldn’t naturally choose to spend time with. Or maybe someone assumes they wouldn’t fit in with you. We don’t always see the barriers that keep relationships from happening.

That’s why prayer matters. Ask God to show you who you might be overlooking, and be willing to step outside your usual circle. A simple invitation to lunch or coffee could be the beginning of a meaningful friendship—and an opportunity to show someone the love of Jesus.

Who are you going to bless today?

10/27/2026

Day 23 of our daily devotionals is about learning from one of Jesus’ most common ministry strategies: eating with people.

It’s often said that in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is either at a meal, on His way to a meal, or just leaving one. And it’s true that so many important moments in His ministry happened around a table.

Jesus used meals to speak truth into people’s lives, build relationships, and challenge the idea that some people were more worthy of His time and love than others. Whether He was eating with tax collectors and sinners or dining in a Pharisee’s home, Jesus used ordinary moments to show people who God is and how He sees them.

There’s a reason sharing a meal can be so powerful. It creates space for honest conversations, deeper relationships, and opportunities to show someone the love of Jesus.

We are called to reach people the same way Jesus did, why not follow His example? You don’t have to plan something big. Start with lunch, coffee, or an invitation to share a meal.

Who could you bless today?

10/26/2026

Day 22 of our daily devotionals starts the next step in BLESS: E — Eat Together.
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)

We’ve talked about praying for the people God puts on our hearts, building genuine friendships, and learning to really listen. Now it’s time to be intentional about taking those relationships a step further.

Eating together doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be grabbing coffee, sharing lunch, or inviting someone over for a backyard BBQ. The point is to make time for people and invest in the friendships God may be growing. Even our everyday routines can become opportunities to worship God when we choose to use them to love others and reflect His heart.

So don’t just wait for an opportunity to happen, make one. Be intentional about creating space for a conversation, a deeper friendship, and a chance to show someone the love of Jesus.

Who could you invite to eat with you this week?

10/25/2026

10/25/2026

10/25/2026

Day 21 of our daily devotionals is about the importance of doing life together.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

Throughout Scripture, we see that God designed us to encourage one another, help each other through difficult seasons, and motivate each other to keep doing good.

But the truth is, a lot of people around us are missing that kind of connection. They’re looking for someone who will listen, encourage them, and have their back when life gets hard.

As we continue the BLESS challenge, remember that choosing to bless someone doesn’t always mean doing something big. Sometimes it means being the friend who checks in, makes time for a real conversation, or reminds someone they don’t have to face everything alone.

There are people in our community who are hungry for genuine connection. Your willingness to show up, listen, and walk alongside someone could make a bigger difference than you realize.

Who are you going to bless today?

10/24/2026

Day 20 of our daily devotionals is a look at a principle from Proverbs.

“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” — Proverbs 18:2 (NLT)

It’s easy to focus on what we want to say instead of trying to understand the person in front of us. But when we listen just to get our turn to talk, we miss the opportunity to learn what someone really needs.

As you BLESS others, listen with care. Listen to understand their situation, recognize how you might help, and remember the things that matter to them. Sometimes, the best way to love someone isn’t to offer advice right away, but to show them you genuinely care enough to hear them out. People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Principles are just one of the “gold nuggets” Pastor Gary says we can find when we dig into the Bible. He teaches us more about this in our 2nd BASE class. Sign up here: https://oakridge.live/growth-track

Who are you going to bless today?

10/23/2026

Day 19 of our daily devotionals is about how we can bless others by helping them feel seen and heard.

In Mark 10:46–52, Jesus stops for Bartimaeus, a blind man calling out for help. Jesus calls him over and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Jesus didn’t just heal him- He saw him and listened to him.

As we practice blessing others, we may not be able to fix every problem or meet every need. But we can slow down, give people our attention, and make sure they know they matter.

Sometimes, one of the greatest blessings we can offer is the chance to feel truly heard and understood. When people feel seen and known, they feel loved—and that love can point them toward Jesus.

So today, look for someone who needs to be seen. Be intentional about listening, ask questions, and give them your attention. You may never know how much that simple act of love means to them.

Who are you going to bless today?

10/22/2026

Day 18 of our daily devotionals is about being intentional with how we listen.

“Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.” — Proverbs 18:13 (MSG)

It’s easy to hear someone talking without actually listening. Our minds wander, we think about what to say next, or we get distracted by everything else competing for our attention.

But listening well takes intention. Put the phone away, resist the urge to interrupt, and ask questions that help you understand what someone is really saying.

You don’t have to have the perfect response or solve their problem. Sometimes, the best way to bless someone is to make them feel heard.

Who are you going to bless today?

10/21/2026