Devotional on Luke 12:32-40 A reflection on God’s promise, our eternal investment, and vigilant readiness “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” In these opening words Jesus speaks directly to our deepest fears, reminding us that we belong to a loving Father who delights in giving us His kingdom. He calls us to sell our possessions and give to the poor, not to punish material comfort, but to free our hearts from earthly attachments. As we release what weighs us down—greed, anxiety, the relentless chase of more—we discover a treasure in heaven that no thief can steal and no moth can destroy. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master.” Jesus invites us into a posture of alert anticipation, like servants at a wedding feast—ready to spring up and open the door when he arrives. This readiness isn’t passive vigilance but active preparation: cultivating prayer, reading Scripture, and serving others with joy. When our Master finds us alert, he won’t scold us; instead he will recline us at table and wait on us—turning our faithful watch into a banquet of grace. “If the owner of the house had known when the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready.” The suddenness of Christ’s return calls us to constant preparedness. Life shifts in an instant—day turns to night, health to illness, plans to surprises. Rather than living in fear, we embrace each dawn as a gift and every moment as an opportunity to align our lives with God’s kingdom purposes. Our watchfulness flows from trust, not dread—a trust that whatever hour it is, our Savior is already at the door. Reflection and Application • Where are you storing your treasure today? What habits, possessions, or relationships need to be surrendered to align your heart with heaven’s economy? • How can you cultivate a lifestyle of readiness—through daily prayer rhythms, acts of generosity, or moments of stillness before God? • In what ways can your congregation embody “dressed for service” posture in the week ahead? Take time to journal or pray through these questions, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas where fear still grips you and where readiness needs to grow. Closing Prayer Gracious Father, You have given us your kingdom and invited us into a life of fearless trust. Help us to release the weights that bind our hearts so we may gain the unfailing treasure of heaven. Fill us with the joy of active watchfulness—disciples ready to welcome our Master at any hour. Teach us to live each moment in expectancy, serving one another as if you were knocking at our door today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. I invite you to light a single candle each morning as a physical reminder to keep your lamps lit.

Scripture: Luke 12:13–21 “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” — Luke 12:15 Reflection: In a culture that often equates success with accumulation, Jesus invites us to reimagine what it means to be truly rich. The parable of the rich fool reveals not just a warning, but an invitation—to shift our focus from building bigger barns to building deeper trust in God. The man in the story had everything he thought he needed but lacked what mattered most: a life rooted in relationship, generosity, and eternal purpose. As you go through your day, consider where your security lies. Is it in what you own, or in the One who owns all things? Are you storing treasures that uplift others, or simply preserving comforts for yourself? Jesus reminds us that true wealth is found in living with open hands and open hearts—rich toward God and rich toward one another. Prayer: Gracious Giver, teach me to release the grip of greed and lean into the freedom of faith. Help me to measure my days not by what I’ve gained, but by how I’ve loved, shared, and served. May my life reflect the richness of Your grace, today and always. Amen. Today's Practice: Give something away—a possession, time, attention, or encouragement. Let it be an act of trust and testimony: that your life is held not by what you have, but by the One who calls you beloved.

In Luke 11:1–13, we encounter the disciples watching Jesus in prayer—not with curiosity, but longing. “Lord, teach us to pray,” they ask, revealing both humility and hunger. They weren’t asking for technique; they were seeking relationship, just as Jesus modeled. Jesus responds with what we now call The Lord’s Prayer , but in this context, it’s more than a formula. It’s a framework: God is near  – “Father” speaks to intimacy, not distance. God’s will matters  – “Your kingdom come” reminds us we pray for alignment, not convenience. God provides  – “Give us each day our daily bread” isn’t just about food, but all sustenance: grace, peace, forgiveness. God forgives and frees  – We ask to be forgiven and to forgive, releasing resentment and embracing mercy. God protects  – “Lead us not into temptation” invites divine guidance in our daily walk. But Jesus doesn’t stop with structure—he urges persistence. He tells a story about a friend knocking at midnight, reminding us that God isn’t annoyed by our prayers; He’s attentive. In fact, Jesus insists that prayer isn’t begging—it’s trusting. Ask. Seek. Knock. How beautiful that Jesus repeats this triad: Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. It’s not a checklist; it’s a posture of prayerful expectation. God isn’t stingy with grace. Jesus says even earthly parents know how to give good gifts—how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! A Simple Invitation This passage isn’t about mastering prayer. It’s about entering deeper communion with the One who invites us to call Him Father. Prayer is not performance—it’s presence. It’s knocking with hope, seeking with trust, and asking with humility. As we navigate ministry, life, and all that weighs on our hearts, this text reminds us: God listens. And God responds—not always how we expect, but always in love.

Jesus steps into the home of two sisters—Martha, bustling with service, and Mary, seated at His feet. It’s a familiar tension. One attends to tasks, the other attends to presence. And yet, rather than rebuke Martha's service, Jesus redirects her focus: not to do less, but to first choose the “better part.” This passage isn’t a dismissal of hard work. It’s a call to re-center. Before we pour out, we must fill up. Before we speak, we must listen. Before we run, we must rest in the presence of the One who gives purpose to every step. Mary’s posture is an act of trust. She doesn’t fear what’s left undone, because she knows who holds all things together. She listens—and in that listening, worship begins. Let this be our rhythm today: to quiet the noise, to release the checklist, and to sit—if only for a moment—in the stillness where Christ speaks. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach us to choose the better part. In a world of clamor and demand, let us find stillness at Your feet. Renew us in Your presence, so our service flows from Your Spirit, and our lives reflect the peace that cannot be taken away. Amen.