Monday July 27th
 Justification by Faith
Reading: Romans 4:1-8 4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,  and whose sins are covered;  8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”


Devotional: Today we explore the foundational truth of justification by faith. Just as Abraham was credited with righteousness because of his faith, we too are made right with God not by our works, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Reflect on the freedom this brings - you don't have to earn God's love or work your way to heaven. It's a gift, freely given. How does this change your perspective on your relationship with God? Take a moment to thank Him for His incredible grace and the gift of righteousness through faith.


Tuesday July 28th
God's Impossible Promises
Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Devotional: Abraham and Sarah's story reminds us that God often works in ways that seem impossible to us. At 99 years old, Abraham was promised a son - a promise that seemed laughable to human understanding. Yet God fulfilled His word. What "impossible" situations are you facing today? How might God be inviting you to trust Him beyond your own understanding? Remember, our God specializes in the impossible. Pray for the faith to believe in His promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless.


Wednesday July 29th
 The Power of the Holy Spirit
Reading: Acts 1:1-8 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”


Devotional: The transcription emphasized the importance of relying on God's power rather than our own. Jesus promised His disciples the power of the Holy Spirit, and this same power is available to us today. How often do you try to live the Christian life in your own strength? Take some time to reflect on areas where you need to surrender control and invite the Holy Spirit's power. Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit and to help you walk in His strength rather than your own.


Thursday July 30th
 Perseverance in Faith
Reading: Hebrews 11:1-16  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city


Devotional: Faith isn't always a smooth journey. Even heroes of faith like Abraham had moments of doubt and made mistakes. Yet God commends them for their overall trust in His promises. The key is to keep getting back up when we fall. Reflect on your own faith journey. Where have you experienced setbacks or doubts? How has God been faithful despite your failings? Thank Him for His patience and grace, and ask for strength to persevere in faith, especially when the path is difficult.


Friday July 31st
 Living with Eternal Perspective
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Devotional: As believers, we're called to live with an eternal perspective. This world is not our final home, and our current struggles are temporary in light of eternity. How might your daily choices and attitudes change if you consistently viewed life through this eternal lens? Consider an area of your life where you're struggling or discouraged. How does an eternal perspective shift your outlook on this situation? Pray for God to deepen your longing for heaven and to help you live each day in light of eternity