January 20th, 2026
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
5-Day Devotional: Living as a Great New Testament Church
Day 1: The Beauty of Servant Flexibility
Reading: Acts 20:1-6; Ephesians 6:21-22
Devotional: Tychicus reminds us that the greatest ability is availability. This faithful servant went from being an usher collecting offerings to delivering apostolic letters, from running errands to standing in pulpits as an interim pastor. His willingness to serve wherever needed made him invaluable to God's kingdom. Like a Swiss army knife, he adapted to every situation with humble readiness.
Consider today: Are you waiting for a "big" ministry opportunity while overlooking the small tasks before you? Jesus taught that faithfulness in little things qualifies us for greater responsibilities. The next time you see a need—whether setting up chairs, encouraging a struggling believer, or serving behind the scenes—remember Tychicus. Your flexibility and availability might be exactly what God wants to use to build His church. What "small" service is God calling you to embrace today?
Day 2: Redemption from a Sinful Past
Reading: Philemon 1:8-18; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Devotional: Onesimus's story is breathtaking. A runaway slave and thief who deserved execution became a beloved brother, trusted messenger, and eventually a pastor. His transformation proves that no past is too dark for God's redeeming grace. When Christ enters a heart, old things truly pass away.
Perhaps you're haunted by past failures, convinced your history disqualifies you from meaningful service. Onesimus would disagree. The same Jesus who changed a criminal into a church leader can transform your shame into a testimony of grace. Your past doesn't define your future when you're in Christ—it becomes part of your powerful story of redemption.
Stop living under the weight of guilt for sins already forgiven. Stand up as the new creation you are. God doesn't just forgive your past; He redeems it, using even your darkest moments to display His transforming power. What past shame will you surrender to Christ's redemptive work today?
Day 3: The Ministry of Presence
Reading: Job 2:11-13; Romans 12:15
Devotional: Aristarchus understood something profound: sometimes the greatest gift is simply showing up. Having experienced imprisonment himself, he chose to sit with Paul during house arrest, offering the ministry of presence. He knew that empathy often requires few words but demands our full attention and compassionate hearts.
In our fix-it culture, we struggle when we cannot solve someone's problem. Yet often, hurting people don't need answers—they need someone to sit in their pain with them. Job's friends did their best work when they simply sat in silence for seven days before opening their mouths.
Who in your life is hurting today? Instead of crafting the perfect words or advice, consider offering your presence. Bring a meal. Sit quietly. Listen without trying to solve. Let them know through your presence that they're not alone. Sometimes the most powerful sermon is preached through empathetic silence and a caring heart. Be an Aristarchus to someone this week.
Day 4: Growing Through Failure to Maturity
Reading: Acts 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11
Devotional: Mark's journey from "cotton-headed ninny muggins" to gospel writer is one of Scripture's most encouraging transformations. When ministry got difficult, he ran home to his mother. Paul deemed him so unreliable that he refused to take him on another journey. Yet Mark didn't let failure define him. He matured, repented, and re-engaged until Paul himself declared him "useful for ministry."
Your past failures don't determine your future usefulness. What matters is whether you're growing in Christian maturity. Mark could have wallowed in shame, but instead he allowed Barnabas to mentor him and persevered until he became one of only four men to write a Gospel account.
Are you stuck in past failures, convinced you've disqualified yourself from God's service? Or worse, are you currently running from difficulty instead of growing through it? God specializes in using redeemed failures. Repent where needed, re-engage with humility, and watch God transform your weakness into strength. Let Mark's story inspire your comeback.
Day 5: Examining Your Heart's True Allegiance
Reading: Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:9-10
Devotional: Demas's story is sobering. He appeared to be a faithful co-laborer, mentioned alongside spiritual giants like Luke and Epaphras. Yet he ultimately "loved this present world" and abandoned Paul and the faith. Like Judas, he played the part convincingly while his heart remained unredeemed.
This isn't meant to create paranoia but healthy self-examination. You can fool fellow believers, pastors, even yourself—but never God. Church attendance, religious activity, and Christian vocabulary don't save anyone. Only genuine faith in Christ transforms the heart.
Ask yourself honestly: Have I truly surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, or am I just playing church? Do I love Christ more than the world's offerings? Is my faith authentic or merely a mask I wear on Sundays?
If the Holy Spirit is convicting you now, receive it as God's merciful warning. Today you can genuinely turn from sin and trust in Christ. Don't wait until you stand before Him with no time left. Authentic salvation is available right now through faith in Jesus alone.
Day 1: The Beauty of Servant Flexibility
Reading: Acts 20:1-6; Ephesians 6:21-22
Devotional: Tychicus reminds us that the greatest ability is availability. This faithful servant went from being an usher collecting offerings to delivering apostolic letters, from running errands to standing in pulpits as an interim pastor. His willingness to serve wherever needed made him invaluable to God's kingdom. Like a Swiss army knife, he adapted to every situation with humble readiness.
Consider today: Are you waiting for a "big" ministry opportunity while overlooking the small tasks before you? Jesus taught that faithfulness in little things qualifies us for greater responsibilities. The next time you see a need—whether setting up chairs, encouraging a struggling believer, or serving behind the scenes—remember Tychicus. Your flexibility and availability might be exactly what God wants to use to build His church. What "small" service is God calling you to embrace today?
Day 2: Redemption from a Sinful Past
Reading: Philemon 1:8-18; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Devotional: Onesimus's story is breathtaking. A runaway slave and thief who deserved execution became a beloved brother, trusted messenger, and eventually a pastor. His transformation proves that no past is too dark for God's redeeming grace. When Christ enters a heart, old things truly pass away.
Perhaps you're haunted by past failures, convinced your history disqualifies you from meaningful service. Onesimus would disagree. The same Jesus who changed a criminal into a church leader can transform your shame into a testimony of grace. Your past doesn't define your future when you're in Christ—it becomes part of your powerful story of redemption.
Stop living under the weight of guilt for sins already forgiven. Stand up as the new creation you are. God doesn't just forgive your past; He redeems it, using even your darkest moments to display His transforming power. What past shame will you surrender to Christ's redemptive work today?
Day 3: The Ministry of Presence
Reading: Job 2:11-13; Romans 12:15
Devotional: Aristarchus understood something profound: sometimes the greatest gift is simply showing up. Having experienced imprisonment himself, he chose to sit with Paul during house arrest, offering the ministry of presence. He knew that empathy often requires few words but demands our full attention and compassionate hearts.
In our fix-it culture, we struggle when we cannot solve someone's problem. Yet often, hurting people don't need answers—they need someone to sit in their pain with them. Job's friends did their best work when they simply sat in silence for seven days before opening their mouths.
Who in your life is hurting today? Instead of crafting the perfect words or advice, consider offering your presence. Bring a meal. Sit quietly. Listen without trying to solve. Let them know through your presence that they're not alone. Sometimes the most powerful sermon is preached through empathetic silence and a caring heart. Be an Aristarchus to someone this week.
Day 4: Growing Through Failure to Maturity
Reading: Acts 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11
Devotional: Mark's journey from "cotton-headed ninny muggins" to gospel writer is one of Scripture's most encouraging transformations. When ministry got difficult, he ran home to his mother. Paul deemed him so unreliable that he refused to take him on another journey. Yet Mark didn't let failure define him. He matured, repented, and re-engaged until Paul himself declared him "useful for ministry."
Your past failures don't determine your future usefulness. What matters is whether you're growing in Christian maturity. Mark could have wallowed in shame, but instead he allowed Barnabas to mentor him and persevered until he became one of only four men to write a Gospel account.
Are you stuck in past failures, convinced you've disqualified yourself from God's service? Or worse, are you currently running from difficulty instead of growing through it? God specializes in using redeemed failures. Repent where needed, re-engage with humility, and watch God transform your weakness into strength. Let Mark's story inspire your comeback.
Day 5: Examining Your Heart's True Allegiance
Reading: Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:9-10
Devotional: Demas's story is sobering. He appeared to be a faithful co-laborer, mentioned alongside spiritual giants like Luke and Epaphras. Yet he ultimately "loved this present world" and abandoned Paul and the faith. Like Judas, he played the part convincingly while his heart remained unredeemed.
This isn't meant to create paranoia but healthy self-examination. You can fool fellow believers, pastors, even yourself—but never God. Church attendance, religious activity, and Christian vocabulary don't save anyone. Only genuine faith in Christ transforms the heart.
Ask yourself honestly: Have I truly surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, or am I just playing church? Do I love Christ more than the world's offerings? Is my faith authentic or merely a mask I wear on Sundays?
If the Holy Spirit is convicting you now, receive it as God's merciful warning. Today you can genuinely turn from sin and trust in Christ. Don't wait until you stand before Him with no time left. Authentic salvation is available right now through faith in Jesus alone.
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