December 14-20, 2025

Heart PreparationYou are nearing the end of our reading plan, just a couple of more weeks to go. Even if you haven’t been doing the reading, now is still a great time to jump back into the Word and seek God out. That’s the purpose of this time and this journey, to know the message of Scripture, so that we can know the God of the Scripture better and better. Finish strong, you’re almost there! 

Reading Plan

• Sunday, December 14 — Acts 27–28
• Monday, December 15 — Col 1–4, Philemon
• Tuesday, December 16 — Eph 1–6
• Wednesday, December 17 — Phil 1–4
• Thursday, December 18 — 1 Tim 1–6
• Friday, December 19 — Titus 1–3
• Saturday, December 20 — 1 Pet 1–5

What To Expect
The Bible passages you are about to read were written during hard times. There are storms, prison cells, unfair treatment, and suffering. Paul is quite honestly, suffering. He is locked up. Peter writes to people who feel pressure and pain because of their faith. Yet these letters are filled with hope, joy, and confidence in God.
As you read this week's devotion, don’t expect stories about things getting easier. Instead, expect to see how God works when life is hard for these guys. God’s plans are not stopped by all of these setbacks. In Acts, the storm does not cancel God’s promise to Paul. It actually leads to new opportunities to share the gospel. What looks like a tragedy becomes part of God’s plan to keep it in His hands.
One thing you will notice is that suffering does not destroy faith—it often makes it stronger. Paul and Peter do not pretend pain isn’t real, and in fact acknowledge it several times. They show believers how to trust God even in the midst of it. Hard times bring chances to grow and to depend on God in a very deep way..
You will also see that faith is meant to show up in everyday life. These books talk about how to treat others, how to live at home and work, how to speak, how to forgive, and how to keep going when things are tough. Although they acknowledge we will mess up! There are many examples of them doing the right thing for the gospel. Men of integrity.
Look for repeated reminders about joy, endurance, and hope. This joy does not come from good circumstances at all. It in fact comes from knowing that Jesus firmly in control and that God always finishes on top!

Personal InsightMy personal insight from these pages always makes me think of not only Jesus, but Paul himself! The fact this man lived through suffering for the gospel specifically is inspiring. We know that even in today’s world when people suffer for the gospel, it tends to spread more. Paul stood out because of what he was suffering for! It’s interesting to note that Paul is nowhere near a believer and killing Christians, and yet is willing to give his own life for it in the end. Paul shows us that we will stand out when we claim to be Christians because we have a different kind of hope, that is in Jesus Christ! We tend to WANT to live differently when we know this world is only temporary! Paul knew exactly the trials he would go through because he was one of these people at one point! But him mentioning that if he were to die it would be gain, but even on earth it’s gain to be able to spread the gospel more! However, knowing he couldn’t be around forever you can see the real son and father relationship between Paul and Timothy! I like to view this as a passing of the torch! Paul knows he’s getting old, and he uses this to raise Timothy to love the Lord, and share it with others! It’s inspiring for a person like myself who is just getting his adult life started and knowing there’s still plenty to come hopefully!


PrayerGod, thank you for all that you do for us. Thank you for the work that you have done through the apostles and continue to do through the church. Thank you for the transformative work that you show us in Scripture, so that we can see that you are able to redeem all lives. 

This week’s devotion was prepared by Hayden Collins