Thursday, July 9, 2026

Daily Devotion: The Parable of the Sower (Hearing the Word) by J.E. Smith


Bible Reading: Matthew 13:18-23 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
- Matthew 13:23 KJV

As Jesus sat by the seaside, a great multitude gathered around Him, eager to hear His words. He began to speak in a parable, simple in imagery, yet profound in meaning. He told of a sower who went out to sow seed. As the seed was scattered, it fell on different types of ground. Some fell by the wayside, where the birds quickly devoured it. Some fell upon stony places, where the soil was shallow; it sprang up quickly, but with no depth of root, it withered under the heat of the sun. Other seed fell among thorns, and as it grew, the thorns rose up and choked it. But some seed fell into good ground, where it took root, grew strong, and brought forth fruit in abundance.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Daily Devotion: Abiding Fully — A Life Rooted in Christ by J.E. Smith


Bible Reading: Colossians 2:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:" - Colossians 2:6 KJV

 

A Life That Begins and Continues in Christ

The Christian life does not start with Christ and then continue in our own strength, it both begins and continues in Him.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him…” (Colossians 2:6, KJV)

The same faith that saved you is the faith that sustains you.

“…the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20, KJV)

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Daily Devotion: Chosen and Appointed — Living with Purpose by J.E. Smith


Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." - John 15:16 KJV

 

Chosen by Christ

Jesus reminds us that our relationship with Him did not begin with our choice, but with His.

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” (John 15:16, KJV)

This means:

  • You are intentional in God’s plan
  • Your life has meaning because Christ has called you

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4, KJV)

Monday, July 6, 2026

Daily Devotion: Love One Another — The Overflow of Abiding by J.E. Smith


Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:12 KJV

 

Love Is the Evidence of Abiding

When we abide in Christ, His life flows through us, and that life is marked by love.

Love is not optional; it is a command and a result:

  • A command we are called to obey
  • A result of staying connected to Christ

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…” (1 John 4:7, KJV)

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Daily Devotion: The Joy of Abiding — Fullness of Joy in Christ


Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11 KJV

 

Joy That Comes from Christ

Jesus does not just offer temporary happiness, He offers His joy.

“…that my joy might remain in you…” (John 15:11, KJV)

This is not joy based on circumstances. It is joy that comes from abiding in Him.

“…in thy presence is fulness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11, KJV)

Joy is found in His presence, and abiding keeps us there.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Daily Devotion: Abiding in His Love — Living from His Love


Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." - John 15:9 KJV

 

The Foundation: Christ’s Love for You

Before Jesus tells us to abide in His love, He reminds us of something powerful:

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you…” (John 15:9, KJV)

The same love the Father has for the Son is the love Christ has for you. This is not a weak or conditional love, it is perfect, constant, and unchanging.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV)

His love is not based on your performance, it is based on His character.

Friday, July 3, 2026

Daily Devotion: Pruned to Grow — Why God Removes Things by J.E. Smith


Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
- John 15:2 KJV

God Prunes Fruitful Branches

Pruning is not punishment, it is purposeful care.

Notice that God prunes the branches that are already bearing fruit. This means:

  • Difficulty is not always a sign of failure
  • Sometimes it is a sign that God is working more deeply

God removes what hinders growth so that more fruit can come.

Daily Devotion: The Parable of the Sower (Hearing the Word) by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading:  Matthew 13:18-23 KJV   Key Verse:  " But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, ...