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Bible Reading Plan

This year, we’re encouraging our whole church to read God’s Word every day. For convenience, we’re including suggested passages at the top of each devotional Monday through Friday to prepare your heart and mind for each weekend’s teaching. This plan connects your daily Bible reading directly to what you’ll hear on Sunday, creating deeper understanding and life application. Enjoy!

Today’s Passage: Luke 6:17-26

Blessings and Woes

¹⁷ He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸ who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, ¹⁹ and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
²² Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have already received your comfort.
²⁵ Woe to you who are well fed now,
    for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
²⁶ Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

•••

Daily Devotional

The daily devotional is written by Willow staff and volunteers to help you reflect on God’s word in a different way. It’s based on the weekend teaching, but isn’t aligned with the Bible reading plan.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Matthew 5:3

While my husband was dying of cancer, I made appointments, drove him around, took care of his physical needs, but I could not eradicate the cancer. While sitting with him during chemo treatment, the song “It Is Well with My Soul” came on. I paused and thought, “It IS well with my soul.” God’s presence was tangible. His promises for Scott were confirmed. After Scott died, I was in tremendous pain. I am still brought to tears five years later as I write these words. But I also mop up quickly and lean into the Lord, who became closer than a husband. The perfect Father, the creator of the universe, who patiently listens to all of my words, whether filled with joy, pain, confidence, confusion, weighty decisions, everyday tasks, praise, or lament. 

AI defines “poor in spirit” as “recognizing our utter need for God, acknowledging your spiritual bankruptcy, and cultivating deep humility, rather than focusing on self-sufficiency or material wealth.” Rephrasing today’s scripture: Fortunate are the people who acknowledge their need for God because they will live in the place where God resides and rules.

The “poor in spirit” demeanor frequently surfaces when life circumstances are beyond our control, and we turn to an all-powerful God.

Surrendering to a loving, almighty, heavenly Father is different from giving up.

How does a person reach the soul posture of “poor in spirit”?

I visualize myself like a child, climbing into the lap of an almighty Father God. Resting in that image, I inhale deeply and breathe out, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). I let worship music wash over me. I let Bible verses saturate my brain and drown in their simple, profound truths. I admit my human failings. I listen to the testimonies of other fully devoted followers of Christ and let them inspire me toward God as my loving and sustaining King. I reach out to the less fortunate with compassion and ask to see them through God’s eyes.

I am absolutely missing Scott. I certainly would never choose this road for myself. I am completely residing with God as I humbly partner with Him, in some small way, to bring Heaven to Earth. My faith in God is rock solid. My relationship with Him is grateful, reverent, casual, comical, and constant—one foot on Earth and one foot in Heaven.

Next Steps

This song speaks to the strong relationship of a God who walks through tragedy with the broken, much better than I can. Take a listen today.