ONE BAPTISM & ONE GOD Day 1 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 As soon as we know the truth, we don’t waste another minute. We immediately run to our Heavenly Father and wholeheartedly embrace Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This response to God’s love is active, demonstrating our desire to receive Him fully into our lives. As we respond in obedience to God’s love, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. Without delay, we make a public declaration of our allegiance to Christ through baptism. This public proclamation is a vital step, acknowledging we’ve been washed cleaned and our sins have been forgiven. Our perspective shifts as we begin to turn away from our old patterns of thinking and living and instead choose to trust and rely on the Spirit of Jesus to guide and empower us in our new life with Him. God’s promise is true for all: everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This assurance gives us confidence as we walk in faith and obedience, trusting in God’s saving grace. Why might the physical act of baptism be significant in following Jesus? If you believe in God's promise and have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, yet haven't been baptized, consider taking this next step in your relationship with Him. Why have you delayed and what do you need to know in order to move forward? Additional Reading: Acts 2:1-41 Day 2 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Through our faith, we become a new creation in Christ. While old patterns of sin may linger, our identity is completely transformed; there is nothing left of who we used to be. Embracing every promise in Christ means letting go of old loyalties and obligations. We are no longer bound to the ways of our past but are set free to live differently. This freedom empowers us to see others from a new perspective. Where once we may have harbored resentment or judged others as unworthy of God’s love, now we recognize the power and influence of sin on every human heart. We realize that God’s love extends to all, because each of us has experienced the need for His mercy. As the Spirit of Jesus takes up residence within us, division and hatred are replaced by unity and reconciliation. In this renewed life, we are called to represent Jesus wherever we go and with whomever we meet. Our participation in the ministry of reconciliation becomes our new mission, reflecting the love of Christ as we seek unity and peace with others. How has your life changed as a result of faith, and what recurring challenges do you still face? Is there someone God may want you to see differently or reach out to with His grace and love? Additional Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 Day 3 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 God was not compelled by obligation or necessity to send His Son for our reconciliation. In our sinful nature, we are undeserving of His mercy, and by rights should face only His judgment. Yet God chose to make an extraordinary sacrifice so that we could know Him not simply as a distant spiritual force or a god to be appeased, but as a loving Father. The circumstances of our birth and our journey to faith in Jesus Christ are not random or accidental. God’s intention is for us to know Him intimately as Father, a relationship built through faith in Christ. As a good Father, He teaches and trains, equips and encourages us, nurturing us in His righteous ways. Embracing our identity as children of God gives us both strength and courage to live wholeheartedly for Him. Through following the example set by others and sharing the grace and truth found in Jesus, our understanding of our identity in Christ deepens. This process matures us, shaping us increasingly into the likeness of Jesus, co-heirs in the kingdom of God. Reflect on God has your perfect Father. Do you find this easy or challenging, and why? In this season of life, how is God teaching, training, equipping, or encouraging you, and how might you actively participate as you learn and receive from Him? Additional Reading: John 1:1-18 Day 4 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 God is love. Let that sink in for a minute. God is not just someone who shows love occasionally or when we meet certain expectations. Instead, God’s very nature is love—He is the embodiment of what it truly means to love. This love is constant and unwavering; it does not depend on our actions or circumstances. Because God loves us first, He makes it possible for us to love Him and others in return. It is impossible to claim that we love God while harboring hatred toward our brothers or sisters. When we genuinely experience God’s love, it changes our hearts. We are compelled to love God and to show genuine love to those around us. One of the most powerful ways we demonstrate this love is by sharing the message of Jesus with others. Because there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus, we have no reason to fear. Everything God does and calls us to do helps us to know His love more deeply. As we trust in Jesus, accepting His sacrifice on the cross, embracing His grace and forgiveness, and allowing Him to transform our attitudes toward others, we begin to experience and share the perfect love that comes from God. How does God’s perfect love compare to the culture’s concept of love? In what ways are you hesitant to show God’s love to others, and what fears could His perfect love help you overcome? Additional Reading: 1 John 4:7-21 Day 5 “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4 In Christ, we have received the gift of One. We are one with God, one with Jesus, and one with the Holy Spirit. This unity extends to every person who proclaims faith in Jesus. We cannot separate ourselves from those in the body of Christ any more than we can split ourselves in two. God’s mercies are new every morning, which means each day presents a fresh opportunity for transformation. We are invited to renew our attitudes and thoughts, to leave behind our old ways, and to embrace the new self that is shaped to be like Christ in what we think, say, and do. As we meet together and share our lives with one another, we actively remind each other of God's promises as we encourage one another in the hope that only comes from Jesus. God the Father stands ready, willing, and able to assist us in every area of life. As we seek His goodness and wisdom, we are empowered to reflect His character to every person we meet. As we each do our part, the body of Christ throughout the world grows stronger and more vibrant. Let us, therefore, strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Which of the “Ones” are you interested in learning more about? How could you dive deeper into this topic? What might you need to set aside to better focus on the unity and peace that the Spirit of God seeks to bring through you? Who could you reach out to for support in this effort? Additional Reading: Ephesians 4:1-32

ONE FAITH Day 1 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17 Jesus is the exact representation of God. The fullness of God is alive within Him. To know the Son is to know the Father, for He reveals who God is. Jesus is the Word through whom all things were created; it was by His command that everything came into being. He brings light into darkness, order out of chaos, and purpose when life seems meaningless. When we offer praise to Jesus as Lord, we are recognizing that all wisdom, power, and authority are His alone. He is the source and owner of everything, and every created thing finds its true purpose in Him. Every human ruler and spiritual powers answer Him, whether they realize it or not. Everything on earth and in heaven exists because Jesus wills it; that includes you, His church and bride. He died so that we could live; not simply survive but thrive in relationship with Him. Without Him, all life is meaningless. In Christ, however, all that we do has significance; we fulfill His purpose and bring Him joy when we love one another in His name. What current events do you need to know are held in the loving hands of Jesus? Talk to Him about it today. What issue in your life do you need to bring into His light so that you can experience His peace and find purpose? What first step is He calling you to take? Additional Reading: Colossians 1:3-23 Day 2 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, our Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:13-14 Jesus knows exactly who He is and has complete confidence and trust in His Father. He acknowledges that He is both Lord and Teacher, and it’s good and right to recognize Him as such. As we humble ourselves before Him, He graciously invites us to learn from Him. Jesus didn’t merely speak about humility and service; He gave us a living example of what it means to humble ourselves, not only before God but also toward one another. He never requires anything from us that He Himself was not willing to do. By doing so, He showed us the true path of servant leadership and selfless love. Jesus understood fully that He came from the Father and was returning to the Father. In the same way, our faith in Christ grants us the assurance that we, too, belong with Him for all eternity. No act of service is too small or insignificant to diminish our identity in Him. On the contrary, when we serve one another in love, we reflect the character of Christ and embody His example in our lives. In what ways are you challenged to follow the example Jesus has set? Which roles, titles, or activities shape your sense of identity, and how would your life change if your identity were more firmly grounded in Jesus? Additional Reading: John 13:1-20 Day 3 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 Jesus has not only made a way for us to be reconciled to the Father, He is the way. There is no need to question whether we’ve done enough to earn the Father's love, because it is not something we can achieve through our own efforts. Instead, as we place our trust in Jesus, He leads us home to the Father's house. Trusting in Him is not always easy, but it is through Him alone that we find our way back to God. Jesus speaks the truth about the sin that exists in our lives and reveals how it creates a distance between us and God. Yet, when we bring our sin into the light of Jesus, He will help us exchange the lies we once believed for the truth that He offers. This truth reveals what it truly means to live in the freedom that Jesus provides. We can be open and honest with Him and with each other, with no need to hide in shame or fear we can live fully in the light of Jesus. Jesus is the author and source of all life. He brings purpose and meaning to even the most routine aspects of our lives, because everything we do is connected to how we are created to share in His work in the world. Jesus is preparing a place for us to live and thrive in His eternal presence. The work He calls us to begins now, right here, as we live and serve alongside one another. Is there any part of your life that you hold back from God or those closest to you? What first step is Jesus inviting you to take as you trust Him as Lord? In what ways might knowing that your life and purpose are found in Jesus free you to follow wherever He leads? Additional reading: John 14:1-14 Day 4 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 Jesus is King enthroned in all glory. He is Lord with all authority on earth and in heaven. At the same time, He is a humble servant, accomplishing for us what we could never achieve on our own. As the sinless lamb, Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, demonstrating the ultimate act of sacrificial love. Jesus’ actions consistently aligned with the will of His Father, reflecting perfect obedience and unwavering commitment to God’s purpose in the world. Just as the Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, we abide in and experience the unfailing love of God when we are aligned with the will of Jesus. This love is the foundation for everything we do. As King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus does not merely regard us as servants. Instead, He calls us friends, not only granting us insight into the workings of His Father’s kingdom but also inviting us to participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. Through our response to Jesus and our trust in Him, we are drawn into a deeper relationship with Him and into the unfolding of God’s purpose on earth. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value. But just as Jesus was faithful to the very end, we too can remain connected to Him and bear fruit as we abide in His love and follow where He leads. How does your love for Jesus inspire you to do what He says? Is there anything Jesus has told you do to that you’ve been putting off? As you consider Him both Lord and friend, how will you choose to respond today? Additional Reading: John 15: 1-17 Day 5 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16 Some believe that Jesus was a prophet, a spiritual leader, or someone sent by God, though not God Himself. Others view Him as just a good moral teacher. However, Jesus did not present these possibilities; He allowed Himself to be worshiped and set Himself on equal footing with God. So, we ask, did Jesus believe He was God when He wasn’t? This would make Him mentally unsound. Did He know He wasn’t God even when He claimed to be? This would make Jesus a liar. So, was Jesus delusional, dishonest, or was He truly who He claimed to be? God has given each person the power and right to answer this question for themselves: Who do you say Jesus is? If Jesus wasn’t who He claimed to be, then all of this is meaningless. But if you, like His earliest disciples, declare that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, then He is truly worthy of your devotion, obedience, and even your very life. Do you have questions or concerns you need addressed before answering this question? If so, be honest and write them out. Ask God for His help in knowing the truth about Jesus. If you declare Jesus Christ to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God, how will you honor Him as Lord and God today? Additional Reading: Matthew 16:1-28