5 Day Devotionals
Real Life with Jesus – Week 5
Day 1: The Quiet Moments That Define Us
Scripture: "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4)
Reflection:
Most of life's defining moments happen quietly. There's no applause, no spotlight, no recognition—only faithful prayers whispered at night, decisions to trust God when it doesn't make sense, and acts of obedience that cost more than people realize.
The widow in Luke 21 gave her two mites in a moment no one else was watching. Yet Jesus stopped everything to say, "This is what real faith looks like." God sees what everyone else overlooks. He doesn't measure the size of our gifts or the sound they make. He sees the heart behind them, the cost to the giver, and the faith they represent.
Today, consider: What quiet acts of faithfulness is God calling you to? What decisions of trust are you facing that no one else may ever know about? Remember, God is not impressed by appearance without compassion. He values the hidden moments of surrender that only He witnesses.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live for Your eyes alone, not for human recognition. Give me the courage to be faithful in the quiet moments when no one is watching. May my life reflect genuine trust in You, not just outward religious activity. Amen.
Reflection Question:
What is one area of your life where you're tempted to seek human approval rather than God's approval?
Day 2: Beware of Empty Religion
Scripture: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." (Matthew 15:8-9)
Reflection:
Jesus warned His disciples about the scribes who loved their long robes, prestigious titles, and public prayers—yet "devoured widows' houses." They looked spiritual but were spiritually bankrupt. It's possible to appear religious while being far from God's heart.
The scribes were meant to protect the vulnerable, but instead they exploited them. They lived for appearance, not for authentic relationship with God. Jesus measured not their outward show but their hearts, and He found them wanting.
This is a sobering reminder for all of us. God is not impressed by religious activity that ignores justice and truth. He calls us to examine our own hearts: Are we serving for recognition or out of genuine love? Are we protecting the vulnerable or overlooking them? Are we more concerned with our spiritual reputation than with actual righteousness?
As Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, God's thoughts and ways are not like ours. He sees beyond the surface to the true condition of our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord, search my heart and reveal any areas where I'm living for appearance rather than authenticity. Help me to serve others with genuine compassion, not for recognition but because of Your love working through me. Keep me from empty religion. Amen.
Reflection Question:
In what ways might you be prioritizing religious appearance over genuine compassion and justice?
Day 3: Trust Over Amount
Scripture: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Reflection:
Jesus said the widow gave "more than all of them." This wasn't poetic exaggeration—it was theological recalibration. The rich gave from their abundance without risk. The widow gave from her poverty with real vulnerability. She gave everything.
Biblical stewardship is not about equal giving—it's about equal trust. God doesn't ask for a portion of our lives; He lays claim to all of it because He first gave all of Himself. The widow's two mites were worth about 1/64 of a day's wage—humanly speaking, insignificant. Spiritually speaking, everything.
Sacrifice is the language of faith. Throughout Scripture, God delights not in equal amounts but in equal surrender: Abraham and Isaac, the boy with loaves and fish, and ultimately, Jesus on the cross.
Faithful giving looks different in different seasons of life, but it always supports kingdom work. The widow gave to support the temple—to support God's work in the world. No one forced her; she felt compelled by love and trust.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You with everything, not just a portion. Teach me to give sacrificially, not out of guilt but out of gratitude for all You've given me. May my stewardship reflect complete surrender to Your lordship. Amen.
Reflection Question:
What would it look like for you to move from "safe giving" to "sacrificial trust" in your current season of life?
Day 4: Entrusting Our Whole Lives
Scripture: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)
Reflection:
When Luke says the widow gave "all she had to live on," he literally means "her whole life." She wasn't being reckless—this was covenant trust. She was promising her life and care to God, believing in His faithfulness.
She embodied Psalm 37:25: "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread." She remembered God's promises and chose to put His kingdom first, trusting that He would provide.
True stewardship is not first about money—it's about ownership. Real life with Jesus means living sacrificially, no matter the cost. It means surrendering our time to study God's Word, sharing our lives with others in community, and serving those in need.
This might look like:
- Opening your Bible daily to study and grow
- Joining a small group to share life with others
- Serving the homeless, supporting missions, encouraging widows, teaching classes, or meeting practical needs
You may never see the results, but God will. He honors obedience, not optics.
Prayer:
Lord, I surrender my whole life to You—not just my money, but my time, talents, and heart. Help me to seek Your kingdom first, trusting that You will provide for all my needs. Show me where You're calling me to serve sacrificially. Amen.
Reflection Question:
What is one specific way you can surrender more of your life to God this week through study, sharing, or serving?
Day 5: You're Not Home Yet
Scripture: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Reflection:
Missionary Henry Morrison served in Africa for over 40 years. On his return voyage, President Teddy Roosevelt was also on board, returning from a hunting trip. When the ship docked in New York, thousands cheered, bands played, and banners welcomed Roosevelt home. Morrison and his wife watched the crowds disperse, realizing no one had come for them.
In his hotel room, Morrison struggled: "For 40 years we poured our lives into ministry, and not a single soul came to welcome us home!" His wife gently reminded him: "Henry, you've forgotten something—you're not home yet."
Neither are we. It doesn't matter what recognition we receive or don't receive in this life. Our reward is in heaven. The widow gave her two mites in obscurity, but Jesus saw and honored her faith for all eternity.
Real life with Jesus is lived for God's eyes alone. The quiet moments of faithfulness, the sacrificial gifts no one notices, the trust exercised when it doesn't make sense—these are the things that matter eternally.
Keep serving. Keep trusting. Keep giving. You're not home yet, but one day you will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Prayer:
Father, help me to live with an eternal perspective. When I'm tempted to seek earthly recognition or become discouraged by lack of appreciation, remind me that I'm not home yet. May I faithfully serve You until that day when I see You face to face. Amen.
Reflection Question:
How does remembering that "you're not home yet" change your perspective on current struggles, unrecognized service, or sacrificial giving?
Additional Scripture for Meditation This Week:
- Luke 21:1-4 - The Widow's Offering
- Luke 20:45-47 - Warning Against the Scribes
- Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices
- Psalm 37:25 - God's Faithfulness to the Righteous
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 - God loves a cheerful giver