Divine Union: Church at the Table
5-Day Devotional: Living in Divine Union
Sunday May 31, 2026
See the full sermon here.
Day 1: The Father's Radical Love
Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Devotional: The prodigal son's father gave freedom knowing it could lead to heartbreak. This is the nature of God's love—unrequited, unconditional, and risky. He never forces Himself upon us but waits with open arms for our return. True love cannot exist without freedom. When we grasp this radical love, we understand that God values our choice to love Him freely more than robotic obedience. Today, consider where you need to receive God's love without strings attached. You cannot give what you have not received. Let His grace fill your empty tank so you can extend that same unconditional love to others, even when it's risky.
Day 2: The Son's Servant Leadership
Reading: John 13:1-17
Devotional: Jesus washed Judas's feet knowing full well the betrayal to come. This act reveals that leadership in God's kingdom is always a demotion, not a promotion. Our culture separates power from servanthood, but Jesus united them. He possessed all authority yet chose the lowest position. When you lead, you bleed. The question isn't whether you have power, but what you choose to do with it. Will you use it to elevate yourself or to serve others? Today, identify one person you can serve without expectation of return. Remember, equality with God is not something to be grasped—empty yourself and watch how God fills you with His presence.
Day 3: The Spirit's Transforming Presence
Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Devotional: The Holy Spirit isn't about spectacular gifts but about transformation from the inside out. What you feed grows. If you feed your flesh, it gets fat while your spirit grows skinny. Even as believers, we must choose daily what we will nourish. The Spirit produces fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These aren't achievements but evidence of abiding in Christ. You are the temple where heaven and earth meet. Today, instead of striving for God through effort, practice simply being in His presence. Invite Him into every conversation, every moment. Don't box Him into ten minutes of prayer; let Him permeate your entire day.
Day 4: Freedom and Free Will
Reading: Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 8:18-25
Devotional: God created everything with a specific purpose—angels to worship, plants to grow—but humanity alone received free will. This distinguishes us as image-bearers. The tree in Eden's garden was a risk, but God values chosen love over forced compliance. Without freedom, there is no real relationship, no opportunity to learn, grow, or fail forward. Relationship in any context is a risk that yields either the greatest joy or deepest heartache. God took that risk with you. Today, reflect on how you're using your freedom. Are you choosing to love God and others freely? Remember, without free will, we become robots with no understanding. Your choices matter to Him.
Day 5: Living in Complete Unity
Reading: John 17:20-26
Devotional: Jesus prayed that we would be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—brought into complete unity. This Trinity isn't a puzzle to solve but the God we encounter. The church didn't create the Trinity; the Trinity created the church. When we live in this divine union, the world recognizes the gospel as real. Unity requires surrendering control and acknowledging you're not in charge—God is. It means accepting grace you cannot earn and extending grace you don't naturally possess. Today, consider your next step of growth. Do you need to receive the Father's love more deeply? Walk in the Son's humility? Abide in the Spirit's presence? Keep seeking Him, and He will keep seeking you.
Sunday May 31, 2026
See the full sermon here.
Day 1: The Father's Radical Love
Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Devotional: The prodigal son's father gave freedom knowing it could lead to heartbreak. This is the nature of God's love—unrequited, unconditional, and risky. He never forces Himself upon us but waits with open arms for our return. True love cannot exist without freedom. When we grasp this radical love, we understand that God values our choice to love Him freely more than robotic obedience. Today, consider where you need to receive God's love without strings attached. You cannot give what you have not received. Let His grace fill your empty tank so you can extend that same unconditional love to others, even when it's risky.
Day 2: The Son's Servant Leadership
Reading: John 13:1-17
Devotional: Jesus washed Judas's feet knowing full well the betrayal to come. This act reveals that leadership in God's kingdom is always a demotion, not a promotion. Our culture separates power from servanthood, but Jesus united them. He possessed all authority yet chose the lowest position. When you lead, you bleed. The question isn't whether you have power, but what you choose to do with it. Will you use it to elevate yourself or to serve others? Today, identify one person you can serve without expectation of return. Remember, equality with God is not something to be grasped—empty yourself and watch how God fills you with His presence.
Day 3: The Spirit's Transforming Presence
Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Devotional: The Holy Spirit isn't about spectacular gifts but about transformation from the inside out. What you feed grows. If you feed your flesh, it gets fat while your spirit grows skinny. Even as believers, we must choose daily what we will nourish. The Spirit produces fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These aren't achievements but evidence of abiding in Christ. You are the temple where heaven and earth meet. Today, instead of striving for God through effort, practice simply being in His presence. Invite Him into every conversation, every moment. Don't box Him into ten minutes of prayer; let Him permeate your entire day.
Day 4: Freedom and Free Will
Reading: Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 8:18-25
Devotional: God created everything with a specific purpose—angels to worship, plants to grow—but humanity alone received free will. This distinguishes us as image-bearers. The tree in Eden's garden was a risk, but God values chosen love over forced compliance. Without freedom, there is no real relationship, no opportunity to learn, grow, or fail forward. Relationship in any context is a risk that yields either the greatest joy or deepest heartache. God took that risk with you. Today, reflect on how you're using your freedom. Are you choosing to love God and others freely? Remember, without free will, we become robots with no understanding. Your choices matter to Him.
Day 5: Living in Complete Unity
Reading: John 17:20-26
Devotional: Jesus prayed that we would be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—brought into complete unity. This Trinity isn't a puzzle to solve but the God we encounter. The church didn't create the Trinity; the Trinity created the church. When we live in this divine union, the world recognizes the gospel as real. Unity requires surrendering control and acknowledging you're not in charge—God is. It means accepting grace you cannot earn and extending grace you don't naturally possess. Today, consider your next step of growth. Do you need to receive the Father's love more deeply? Walk in the Son's humility? Abide in the Spirit's presence? Keep seeking Him, and He will keep seeking you.
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
2023
May
Parenting Millennials: March 25, 2017Newsletter 2: January 23, 2017A Husband’s Love: April 19, 2017The 316 Launch: Sep 21, 2017The Perfect Storm: Jan 23, 2020The 316 Church NEWSLETTER: Feb 28, 2018Re-Thinking Church: Mar 23, 2018A Tribute to Carmelo: May 9, 2018Immigrants, the Innocent, and Other Holy Things : Jun 22, 2018On Earth as it is in Heaven!: Aug 24, 2019On Politics: Oct 20, 2020316 Fundraiser: Dec 1, 2020Motherhood Is Not Oppression: Feb 27, 2021“Release Him”: Mar 3, 2021Healthy Church: Mar 17, 2021Parenting Adult Children: Feb 27, 2022Champion Your KidsWho is Initiating?
No Comments