Scripture:  Luke 7:37–38, “A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came...”

Devotional Thought:  Jesus wasn’t surprised to see her. He didn’t recoil or rebuke. He received. Her presence at the table was shocking to everyone except Jesus. What others called shameful, He called sacred. And her tears? Worship.
If you’ve ever believed the lie that you’re too far gone or not spiritual enough to be close to God, this story tells you otherwise. Grace isn’t for the polished. It’s for the broken. And His guest list includes you.

Reflection Question:  

• Have you ever felt unworthy to approach Jesus? Why?
• What does it say about God’s heart that this woman wasn’t turned away?

Prayer:  Jesus, thank You that You don’t invite me based on my performance, but on Your grace. Help me to rest in that today.

Action Step: Text someone who’s been made to feel “uninvited” by the church. Let them know they matter to you and to God.

Scripture:  Luke 7:39, “If this man were a prophet, he would know... that she is a sinner.”

Devotional Thought: Simon couldn’t see past her past. But Jesus could see her future. Religion often builds walls, but Jesus built bridges. Grace disrupts judgment, and it makes room where religion draws lines.
Sometimes, we forget that the table we sit at was only made possible by grace. And if grace made a seat for us, shouldn’t we pull up a few extra chairs?

Reflection Question: 

• Who in your life do you have a hard time believing God could forgive or use?
• Is there anyone you’ve silently judged who needs your grace?

Prayer:  Lord, make my heart more like Yours, quick to forgive, slow to judge, and always ready to invite.

Action Step: Pray for someone you’ve been tempted to write off. Ask God to help you see them the way He does.

Scripture: Luke 7:50, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Devotional Thought: Peace wasn’t just a feeling; it was her new identity. Jesus didn’t just forgive her; He sent her out with dignity. She walked in with shame and walked out with peace and purpose.
Faith is what made her stay. She didn’t run from the judgmental stares. She stayed because something about Jesus told her it was safe to. Grace holds you, but faith keeps you.

Reflection:

• What would it look like for you to live out of a forgiven identity today?
• What’s holding you back from walking in peace?
  
  

Prayer: Jesus, help me to trust You enough to stay close even when I feel like running. I believe You see more in me than I see in myself.

Action Step: Write down what Jesus has forgiven you of. Then write: “Go in peace.” Keep it somewhere visible this week.

Scripture: John 1:46, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Devotional Thought: The most powerful tool you have isn’t persuasion; it’s invitation. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to say, “Come and see.”
Jesus changes lives, but most people need someone to bring them close enough to see Him. That someone is you.

Reflection:

• Who in your life needs to know they’re invited?
• What fear or hesitation holds you back from extending that invitation?
  
  

Prayer: God, give me the courage to be someone who invites others into Your grace. Help me make the ask.

Action Step: Reach out and invite one person to church this weekend. Share why you thought of them specifically.

Scripture: Romans 15:7, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Devotional Thought: This is the heartbeat of the Church: radical welcome, rooted in Christ’s example. We don’t just build buildings; we build belonging. Every smile, every conversation, every act of service is a “You’re invited” sign.
Imagine that the seat beside you at church this Sunday is the doorway to someone else’s new life in Christ. That’s what’s at stake.

Reflection:

• How has the church welcomed you well? How could you help others experience the same?
• What part can you play in making our church more outward-facing?
  
  

Prayer: Jesus, make me part of the kind of church You dreamed of, one where everyone feels welcome at the table of grace.

Action Step: Show up 15 minutes earlier this Sunday. Look for someone who’s alone. Smile. Sit with them. Show them they’re invited.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12, "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ."

Devotional Thought: When you walk into a church service, it’s easy to assume that someone else will take care of everything. That someone else will greet, someone else will lead, someone else will invite, serve, give. But the Apostle Paul flips the script: you’re not just attending a body, you are part of the body. You’re not just welcome, you’re needed. You’re not just included, you’re essential. Every seat matters. But so does every servant.

Reflection: Do you tend to see yourself as a contributor or consumer at church? Why?
What role(s) in the body do you think God might have uniquely wired you for?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for making me part of something bigger than myself. Show me where and how I’m meant to serve in Your body.

Action Step: Make a list of your passions, skills, and spiritual gifts (even if you're unsure). Ask God to reveal where they might fit in your church.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:15–16, “If the foot says, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make it any less a part of the body.”

Devotional Thought: Comparison is one of the enemy’s favorite tools to paralyze God’s people. You look at someone more talented, more outgoing, more “spiritual” and convince yourself there’s no place for you. But just because your gift is different doesn’t mean it’s unimportant.
You don’t need a spotlight to shine. You don’t need a stage to make a difference. What you do need is to believe the truth: you’re needed right where you are.

Reflection:

• What gifts or qualities have you undervalued in yourself?
• Where have you compared yourself and disqualified your part in God’s plan?

Prayer: Father, silence the lie that I’m not needed. Help me to embrace my place in Your body with confidence and joy.

Action Step: Encourage someone who serves behind the scenes at your church. Tell them how their service has made a difference to you or someone else.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:22, “Some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.”

Devotional Thought: Up to 50% of your hand’s grip strength comes from your pinky; something most people overlook. The same goes for the body of Christ. Some of the most powerful Kingdom impact comes from people and roles that never get noticed.
God sees the faithful volunteer, the quiet encourager, the dependable giver, the unseen cleaner. They’re not extras; they’re the foundation. Maybe you are too.

Reflection:

• Do you believe God sees and values every act of service, no matter how small?
• What’s some “small” act of service in the body you could offer God that might actually be powerful?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to serve without needing recognition. Let me be faithful in the hidden spaces, trusting You to use it all.

Action Step: Do something intentionally unseen today; serve or give anonymously.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26–27, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it… All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”

Devotional Thought: If you break your toe, your whole body limps. The same is true in the church. When even one person isn’t serving in their role, everyone else has to work harder to compensate.
You may not feel like you’re missing much by not being involved, but the church does. Something is missing. Something God wants done is not getting done.

Reflection:

• How might your absence be affecting the health or impact of our church?
• What’s keeping you from saying “yes” to serving?

Prayer: Lord, help me see how my presence, or lack of it, affects others. Give me the humility and courage to step in.

Action Step: If you’re not currently serving, take one step toward it today. Ask a staff member, explore an option, or sign up for “Serve Now.”

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”

Devotional Thought: We often search for purpose like it’s a destination. But in God’s Kingdom, purpose usually finds you when you start using what He’s already given you to serve others.
You discover your calling when you start carrying something for someone else. You grow when you give. You belong when you build. You become more than you think when you give more than you thought you could.

Reflection:

• What’s one way you’ve experienced joy or growth through serving?
• What area do you feel most drawn to serve in our church’s mission?

Prayer: God, help me find my purpose through serving. I want to be faithful with what You’ve given me, for Your glory and the good of others.

Action Step: Write down one area you want to explore serving in or how you want to up your commitment where you serve. Tell someone today, then act on it.