5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the Sunday Message from January 25, 2026:
Day 1: Receiving God's Cleansing Grace
Reading: John 13:1-11
Peter's resistance to Jesus washing his feet reveals our own struggle with grace. We want to earn our standing before God, to clean ourselves up first. But Jesus says clearly: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." The Christian life begins not with our effort, but with our humble acceptance of what Christ has done. Just as those disciples walked dusty roads and accumulated filth, we accumulate the grime of sin. Jesus meets us in that mess, kneels before us, and cleanses what we cannot clean ourselves. Today, stop trying to make yourself worthy. Simply receive His grace. Let Him wash you clean.
Day 2: The God Who Serves
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus, possessing all authority and power, wrapped a towel around His waist and served those who would betray, deny, and doubt Him. This wasn't God replacing His divine nature with servanthood—this revealed His divine nature as servant. The King of Kings became lower than the lowest, even to death on a cross. This upside-down kingdom challenges everything our culture teaches about success and significance. Greatness isn't found climbing ladders or accumulating status. True greatness is found in humility and service. When we serve others, we're not diminishing ourselves—we're reflecting the very image of God. Consider today: how does your life reveal the servant-heart of Jesus?
Day 3: Love in Action
Reading: 1 John 3:16-24
Love isn't primarily a feeling—it's action. Jesus demonstrated love by laying down His life, and calls us to do the same for one another. This means more than grand gestures; it's meeting needs when we see them, serving in small and simple ways. We love an invisible God by loving our visible neighbors. When we give our time, talent, and treasure freely, we're living out the greatest commandment. The challenge is that serving doesn't come naturally. We're wired to worry about our own needs first. But transformation happens when we shift focus from "what can I get?" to "how can I give?" Today, look for one specific need you can meet for someone else.
Day 4: Confident to Serve
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Jesus could serve so freely because He was confident in who He was and where He was going. He wasn't worried about status or reputation. When you know you're a beloved child of God, adopted into His family and made new, you're free to serve without seeking recognition. You're His masterpiece, created for good works. This identity isn't earned through service—it's the foundation that makes service possible. Many serve from guilt, obligation, or to prove their worth. But we serve from overflow, from the deep soul satisfaction of knowing whose we are. When you're secure in God's love, you stop climbing ladders and start washing feet. Let your identity in Christ fuel your service today.
Day 5: Blessed Through Obedience
Reading: James 1:22-27
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Information without application leads nowhere. Jesus promises blessing—deep soul satisfaction—not just for knowing truth, but for living it. The formula is simple: God's Word plus application in relationships equals growth. Serving isn't a guilt trip or checkbox; it's an invitation to experience something extraordinary. When you put faith into action, when you serve sacrificially, you discover a joy the world cannot provide. This is totally upside-down from the culture's promise that satisfaction comes from being served. True blessing flows from a servant's heart. This week, don't just know what Jesus taught—do it. Serve someone who cannot repay you, and watch God work.
Day 1: Receiving God's Cleansing Grace
Reading: John 13:1-11
Peter's resistance to Jesus washing his feet reveals our own struggle with grace. We want to earn our standing before God, to clean ourselves up first. But Jesus says clearly: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." The Christian life begins not with our effort, but with our humble acceptance of what Christ has done. Just as those disciples walked dusty roads and accumulated filth, we accumulate the grime of sin. Jesus meets us in that mess, kneels before us, and cleanses what we cannot clean ourselves. Today, stop trying to make yourself worthy. Simply receive His grace. Let Him wash you clean.
Day 2: The God Who Serves
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus, possessing all authority and power, wrapped a towel around His waist and served those who would betray, deny, and doubt Him. This wasn't God replacing His divine nature with servanthood—this revealed His divine nature as servant. The King of Kings became lower than the lowest, even to death on a cross. This upside-down kingdom challenges everything our culture teaches about success and significance. Greatness isn't found climbing ladders or accumulating status. True greatness is found in humility and service. When we serve others, we're not diminishing ourselves—we're reflecting the very image of God. Consider today: how does your life reveal the servant-heart of Jesus?
Day 3: Love in Action
Reading: 1 John 3:16-24
Love isn't primarily a feeling—it's action. Jesus demonstrated love by laying down His life, and calls us to do the same for one another. This means more than grand gestures; it's meeting needs when we see them, serving in small and simple ways. We love an invisible God by loving our visible neighbors. When we give our time, talent, and treasure freely, we're living out the greatest commandment. The challenge is that serving doesn't come naturally. We're wired to worry about our own needs first. But transformation happens when we shift focus from "what can I get?" to "how can I give?" Today, look for one specific need you can meet for someone else.
Day 4: Confident to Serve
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Jesus could serve so freely because He was confident in who He was and where He was going. He wasn't worried about status or reputation. When you know you're a beloved child of God, adopted into His family and made new, you're free to serve without seeking recognition. You're His masterpiece, created for good works. This identity isn't earned through service—it's the foundation that makes service possible. Many serve from guilt, obligation, or to prove their worth. But we serve from overflow, from the deep soul satisfaction of knowing whose we are. When you're secure in God's love, you stop climbing ladders and start washing feet. Let your identity in Christ fuel your service today.
Day 5: Blessed Through Obedience
Reading: James 1:22-27
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Information without application leads nowhere. Jesus promises blessing—deep soul satisfaction—not just for knowing truth, but for living it. The formula is simple: God's Word plus application in relationships equals growth. Serving isn't a guilt trip or checkbox; it's an invitation to experience something extraordinary. When you put faith into action, when you serve sacrificially, you discover a joy the world cannot provide. This is totally upside-down from the culture's promise that satisfaction comes from being served. True blessing flows from a servant's heart. This week, don't just know what Jesus taught—do it. Serve someone who cannot repay you, and watch God work.