Daily Worship (May 18)
Devotional 1: When God Opens the Door
Revelation 3:7–8 (NIV)
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
Devotional Thought
Sometimes in life, we feel too weak or small to do anything big for God. Maybe we feel like our voice doesn’t matter or our faith isn’t strong enough. But in Revelation 3, Jesus speaks directly to a church like that. The church in Philadelphia had “little strength,” but they remained faithful to Jesus. They didn’t deny His name, and they obeyed His Word. And what did Jesus do for them? He set an open door right in front of them.
Jesus is the one “who holds the key of David.” That means He has all authority. No one can close a door He opens. This passage reminds us that open doors aren’t about our power — they’re about God’s purpose. When God opens a door for you to speak about Jesus, to serve someone, or to step into a new opportunity, He also gives you what you need to walk through it.
In your life, you might be surprised where those doors show up: a hard conversation, a hospital visit, a text message from someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Ask God to open doors for the gospel — and when He does, trust Him to walk with you through them.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being the One who opens doors that no one can shut. Help me to see the opportunities You place in front of me — even when I feel weak or unsure. Give me courage to walk through those doors, knowing You go with me. Amen.
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
Devotional Thought
Sometimes in life, we feel too weak or small to do anything big for God. Maybe we feel like our voice doesn’t matter or our faith isn’t strong enough. But in Revelation 3, Jesus speaks directly to a church like that. The church in Philadelphia had “little strength,” but they remained faithful to Jesus. They didn’t deny His name, and they obeyed His Word. And what did Jesus do for them? He set an open door right in front of them.
Jesus is the one “who holds the key of David.” That means He has all authority. No one can close a door He opens. This passage reminds us that open doors aren’t about our power — they’re about God’s purpose. When God opens a door for you to speak about Jesus, to serve someone, or to step into a new opportunity, He also gives you what you need to walk through it.
In your life, you might be surprised where those doors show up: a hard conversation, a hospital visit, a text message from someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Ask God to open doors for the gospel — and when He does, trust Him to walk with you through them.
COMMA Questions
- Context - What do you notice about the churches Jesus speaks to in the book of Revelation?
- Observation - What details in this passage show that the church was small or weak by human standards?
- Meaning - What does it mean that Jesus “holds the key of David” and can open or shut doors?
- Main Idea - How does this passage challenge your idea of what it means to be strong or successful in God’s eyes?
- Application - Where might God be opening a door for you to share your faith or serve someone this week?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being the One who opens doors that no one can shut. Help me to see the opportunities You place in front of me — even when I feel weak or unsure. Give me courage to walk through those doors, knowing You go with me. Amen.
Devotional 2: Speak with Clarity
2 Corinthians 4:5–6 NIV
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
Devotional Thought
We live in a noisy world full of mixed messages. People are constantly trying to prove themselves, promote themselves, or persuade others. But Paul reminds us that the gospel is not about us — it’s about Jesus Christ. We are not the heroes. Jesus is.
In this passage, Paul says that God has “made his light shine in our hearts” so we can know and show the glory of Jesus. This connects to the story of Paul in Acts 26, when he explained how Jesus opened his eyes and gave him a message to share. Paul didn’t preach clever words or complicated arguments. He spoke clearly about who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, and how people can respond.
We need that same clarity today. We don’t need to impress people. We just need to point to Jesus. Clarity comes from soaking in God’s Word, trusting the Spirit, and remembering that the gospel is about grace — not us. When people see that Jesus is the light in our lives, they’ll start asking questions. And when they do, we want to be ready to answer with grace and truth.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
God, thank You for shining Your light into my heart through Jesus. Help me to be clear when I talk about my faith. Take away pride or fear, and give me a heart that points people to You, not myself. Let others see Your glory through my words and my life. Amen.
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
Devotional Thought
We live in a noisy world full of mixed messages. People are constantly trying to prove themselves, promote themselves, or persuade others. But Paul reminds us that the gospel is not about us — it’s about Jesus Christ. We are not the heroes. Jesus is.
In this passage, Paul says that God has “made his light shine in our hearts” so we can know and show the glory of Jesus. This connects to the story of Paul in Acts 26, when he explained how Jesus opened his eyes and gave him a message to share. Paul didn’t preach clever words or complicated arguments. He spoke clearly about who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, and how people can respond.
We need that same clarity today. We don’t need to impress people. We just need to point to Jesus. Clarity comes from soaking in God’s Word, trusting the Spirit, and remembering that the gospel is about grace — not us. When people see that Jesus is the light in our lives, they’ll start asking questions. And when they do, we want to be ready to answer with grace and truth.
COMMA Questions
- Context - What is happening in 2 Corinthians 4 that helps explain why Paul talks about light and glory?
- Observation - What key words in this passage point to Jesus as the focus of our message?
- Meaning - What does it mean that God’s light shines “in our hearts” to show the glory of Christ?
- Main Idea - What does this passage teach us about how to speak clearly and humbly about Jesus?
- Application - How can you practice being clearer about the gospel this week — in your words or actions?
Prayer
God, thank You for shining Your light into my heart through Jesus. Help me to be clear when I talk about my faith. Take away pride or fear, and give me a heart that points people to You, not myself. Let others see Your glory through my words and my life. Amen.
Devotional 3: Be Bold in the Gospel
Ephesians 6:19–20 (NIV)
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Devotional Thought
When Paul wrote this, he was in prison. He didn’t ask people to pray for his release. He didn’t even ask for comfort. What did he ask for? Boldness. Twice in this short passage, Paul asks the church to pray that he would speak the gospel “fearlessly.”
That’s powerful. Paul wasn’t afraid of being in chains — he was more concerned that he might be too quiet about Jesus.
This ties directly into Acts 26, where Paul stood on trial before kings and governors. He didn’t water down the truth. He didn’t back away when called crazy. Instead, he pressed in and lovingly challenged Agrippa: “Do you believe the prophets?”
You and I may not be on trial, but we still need boldness. It’s easy to stay quiet when the moment feels risky. But boldness doesn’t mean being loud or rude. It means trusting God enough to speak the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Paul reminds us: we are “ambassadors,” even in hard places. And the gospel is worth speaking up for.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Father, help me to be bold for Jesus. Give me the courage to speak the truth in love. Even when I’m afraid or uncomfortable, remind me that the gospel is worth it. Make me a faithful ambassador for Christ in every situation. Amen.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Devotional Thought
When Paul wrote this, he was in prison. He didn’t ask people to pray for his release. He didn’t even ask for comfort. What did he ask for? Boldness. Twice in this short passage, Paul asks the church to pray that he would speak the gospel “fearlessly.”
That’s powerful. Paul wasn’t afraid of being in chains — he was more concerned that he might be too quiet about Jesus.
This ties directly into Acts 26, where Paul stood on trial before kings and governors. He didn’t water down the truth. He didn’t back away when called crazy. Instead, he pressed in and lovingly challenged Agrippa: “Do you believe the prophets?”
You and I may not be on trial, but we still need boldness. It’s easy to stay quiet when the moment feels risky. But boldness doesn’t mean being loud or rude. It means trusting God enough to speak the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Paul reminds us: we are “ambassadors,” even in hard places. And the gospel is worth speaking up for.
COMMA Questions
- Context - What’s the context of Ephesians 6, and how does this passage fit with the armor of God?
- Observation - What words show Paul’s desire to speak boldly despite his chains?
- Meaning - What does it mean to be an “ambassador in chains” for Christ?
- Main Idea - Why is boldness such an important part of sharing the gospel?
- Application - Where do you need boldness today — and who could you ask to pray for you?
Prayer
Father, help me to be bold for Jesus. Give me the courage to speak the truth in love. Even when I’m afraid or uncomfortable, remind me that the gospel is worth it. Make me a faithful ambassador for Christ in every situation. Amen.
Categories
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
2024
September