Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Psalm 119:105* - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Reflection:
Life often feels like a journey full of unknowns—decisions to make, paths to choose, and directions to follow. In moments of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel lost or unsure of where to turn. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a guide: His Word. The Bible is described as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, illuminating the way forward when we can’t see what lies ahead.

God’s Word doesn’t just offer guidance in the big decisions but also in the small, everyday choices that shape our lives. It is through His Word that we learn His will, understand His heart, and receive the wisdom we need for every step we take. While we may not always see the entire path clearly, we can trust that God reveals enough light for the next step. His guidance is always timely, always sufficient, and always right.

Our Father knows best. He sees the whole journey and provides just what we need at the right moment. When we rely on His Word, we walk with confidence, knowing that He is leading us according to His perfect plan.

Application:
Today, seek God’s guidance by turning to His Word. Whether you’re facing a tough decision or just navigating the day-to-day, trust that the light of His Word will show you the next step. Take time to meditate on Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate the path before you and to help you follow in obedience.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word as a guide. Help us to trust in the light You provide, even when we can’t see the whole path ahead. Give us the courage to take each step in faith, knowing that You see the entire journey. Lead us by Your wisdom, and let us walk confidently in the direction You’ve set before us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Everyday Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By MarkWaldrop

Ephesians 2:1 "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection:
In a world full of division, hostility, and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflict—whether it’s in our personal relationships, communities, or even within ourselves. But Ephesians 2:14 offers us a powerful reminder: Jesus Himself is our peace. Through His sacrifice, He tore down the walls of separation, reconciling us to God and to one another.

God’s wisdom often transcends our understanding. We might see chaos, but He sees the greater picture. Where we see brokenness, God sees an opportunity for reconciliation and healing. His ways are higher than our ways, and His knowledge surpasses anything we can comprehend. This is why trusting in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us, brings peace.

When we face situations that challenge our peace, we must remember that our Heavenly Father knows best. He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), and His plans for us are always for good, to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Application:
Today, surrender your worries and conflicts to the Lord. Trust that He is working, even in the areas of your life that seem most challenging. Ask Him to help you break down any walls of hostility within your heart—towards others, yourself, or even towards Him. Allow His peace to fill the spaces where division once lived.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for being our peace. In a world full of division and conflict, help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom. Break down any walls of hostility in our hearts and teach us to live in harmony with others. We surrender our plans to You, knowing that Your ways are always best. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best 
By Mark Waldrop

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Life is filled with moments of uncertainty, trials, and challenges that can often feel overwhelming. Yet, in this verse, God promises something powerful—His unwavering presence through every hardship. The waters may rise, the flames may burn, but we are not alone. Our Father knows what lies ahead and walks with us through it all.

There may be days when we feel like the burdens are too great, or when the path ahead seems treacherous. But it’s in these moments we must remember that God's ways are higher than ours, and His wisdom is far beyond what we can comprehend. He knows what we need before we do, and He knows exactly how to carry us through.

Trusting Him doesn't mean we won't face difficult times, but it does mean we can rest in the assurance that He will not allow us to be consumed by them. Just as He led Israel through the Red Sea and the fiery furnace, He will lead you through your struggles today.

Let this truth bring you comfort: our Father knows best, and His presence is with us in every trial.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your promise to be with me through every challenge. Help me to trust in Your perfect wisdom and guidance, knowing that You will not let me be overwhelmed or consumed. Strengthen my faith to rely on You more each day. Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There are times when we feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. We may face difficulties that seem insurmountable, situations where we feel like there is no way out. In these moments, it's easy to feel powerless and question how things will ever improve.

But today, Jesus reminds us that with God, all things are possible. What is impossible for us, in our own strength, is never impossible for Him. God sees the bigger picture, He knows what we need before we even ask, and He knows the best way to bring us through every trial.

We may not understand why we face certain obstacles, but we can trust that God’s plan is always perfect. He can open doors we never imagined and bring solutions we never thought possible. Just as a loving father knows what’s best for his children, so does our Heavenly Father know what is best for us.

When we trust God fully, we release the weight of trying to control everything on our own. We place our burdens at His feet and rely on His power rather than our limited abilities. In doing so, we experience the peace and hope that comes from knowing He is in control.

Today, let us remind ourselves that nothing is too hard for God. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, trust that our Father knows best. He will guide us, strengthen us, and do the impossible in our lives according to His perfect will.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that all things are possible through You. Help me to trust in Your wisdom and power, even when life feels overwhelming. I surrender my fears and burdens to You, knowing that You know what is best for me. Strengthen my faith and guide me according to Your perfect will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

John 15:4-5
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

In these powerful words, Jesus reminds us that true fruitfulness in our lives only comes from a deep connection with Him. Like a branch attached to the vine, we draw our strength, our nourishment, and our ability to flourish from Jesus Himself. When we abide in Him—rest in His presence, lean on His wisdom, and depend on His love—we are empowered to bear fruit that will last. 

Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting significance. Our plans and efforts may seem successful in the moment, but without the life-giving connection to the true Vine, they fade away. Yet, when we rely on Jesus, trusting Him with our hearts and lives, we will see fruit that brings glory to God and blesses others.

Abiding in Christ is not a one-time event; it’s a daily choice. It’s choosing to stay connected to Him in prayer, to listen to His voice in the Word, and to trust His leading in every situation. Our Father knows best, and as we abide in Jesus, we can be confident that He will bring forth the fruit He desires for our lives.

Prayer
Father, help me to abide in Your Son, Jesus, each and every day. Teach me to depend on You fully and to trust that apart from You, I can do nothing. May my life bear the fruit of Your love and grace, as I remain connected to the true Vine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

As we walk through life’s ups and downs, it can be difficult to always rejoice or give thanks in the midst of trials. Yet, these verses remind us that God’s will for us is not just to endure our circumstances but to embrace them with joy and gratitude. He knows what is best for us, even when we don’t fully understand.

Rejoicing always doesn’t mean that we ignore pain or pretend struggles don’t exist. It means we trust that God is at work, even in the difficulties. When we pray without ceasing, we keep an open, ongoing conversation with our Father, leaning on Him through every moment of our day. And when we give thanks in all circumstances, we acknowledge that His plans are greater than our own, that He is working all things together for good.

Today, as you move through your day, remember that our Father knows best. Rejoice in His goodness, pray in every moment, and give thanks, even when it’s hard to see the bigger picture. His will for your life is filled with purpose, and He is with you every step of the way.

Prayer
Father, thank You for Your constant presence and Your perfect plan. Help me to trust You more each day, to rejoice in Your goodness, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all things. You know what’s best for me, and I surrender my will to Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Luke 10:41-42
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

In this familiar passage, Martha is busy and anxious with many tasks, while her sister Mary chooses to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teaching. Martha’s intentions were good, but she became overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Jesus gently reminds her that amidst all the worries and tasks, only one thing is truly necessary — to be close to Him.

Sometimes, we are like Martha — busy, stressed, and consumed by the demands of life. We feel the pressure to get everything done, to handle every responsibility, and to solve every problem. But Jesus reminds us that our true peace and purpose come from spending time with Him. God knows what we need before we even ask. He sees the big picture, and He knows what’s best for us.

When life becomes overwhelming, we must remember to pause, seek His presence, and trust that our Father knows best. Let us choose the good part, like Mary, and rest in the knowledge that what we receive from God can never be taken away.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to focus on what truly matters and not be overwhelmed by the busyness of life. Remind me to seek Your presence daily and trust in Your perfect wisdom. Amen.  

Reflection:
What things in your life are causing you anxiety or distraction? How can you turn to God for peace and guidance today?

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

2 Corinthians 5:8
“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

As believers, we long for the day when we will be fully present with the Lord, free from the struggles of this world. It’s natural to yearn for our eternal home, where we will be in perfect union with God. Yet, while we are here on earth, we must trust that our Father knows best. He has us in this world for a reason—our work, our growth, and His purpose for our lives are not yet complete.

Though we may feel weary at times, God’s timing is perfect. There are still hearts to touch, love to share, and a journey of faith to walk. When we feel the tug of eternity pulling us, we must remember that our Father holds us in His hands, guiding us in His wisdom.

Each day we are given is an opportunity to glorify Him, to live with purpose, and to reflect His love to others. Let us trust in His plan, knowing that when the time comes, we will be at home with Him, where peace and joy are everlasting.

Prayer:
Father, we trust in Your perfect timing and wisdom. Help us to live each day with purpose, knowing that You have us here for a reason. Strengthen our hearts when we feel weary, and remind us that our true home is with You. Until that day, may we serve You with joy and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Reflection:
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask for “our daily bread.” These simple words reveal a profound truth: God is the source of all we need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Asking for our “daily bread” reminds us to rely on God’s provision each day and to trust Him for our needs.

Too often, we focus on tomorrow’s worries or yesterday’s regrets. But Jesus calls us to live in the present, depending on our Father to give us what we need today. He knows exactly what’s best for us, far better than we do ourselves. He asks us to trust Him daily and receive His provisions one day at a time.

Just as the Israelites in the wilderness received manna each day, we, too, receive daily sustenance from God’s hand. This is not just physical bread but also spiritual nourishment—His grace, wisdom, and strength to face whatever the day brings. When we ask God for our daily bread, we are acknowledging that He alone is our provider, and we express our faith in His perfect timing and care.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the source of all I need. Help me to trust You today and not worry about tomorrow. Give me the faith to rely on Your perfect provision. Teach me to seek Your will and find satisfaction in the daily bread You provide. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Trust God for today—He knows what’s best and will always provide in His perfect timing.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best 
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4

Mat 18:1  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
Mat 18:2  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
Mat 18:3  And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus a question many of us have probably wondered at some point: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" We live in a world that often rewards power, status, and achievement, so it's easy to assume that greatness in God’s kingdom works the same way. But Jesus' response is both simple and profound: He places a little child before them and tells them that unless they change and become like children, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to become like a child? Children trust without reservation. They approach life with humility and wonder. They are not weighed down by pride or the need to prove themselves. Jesus calls us to that same childlike faith, one that leans wholly on the Father, trusting that He knows best, even when we don't fully understand.

True greatness in God’s kingdom is not about achieving success, but about humbling ourselves. It's about surrendering our self-reliance and pride, and acknowledging that we need God every day. Just as a child depends on a parent for guidance, provision, and protection, we must depend on our Heavenly Father in the same way. 

Reflection:
Today, reflect on areas in your life where you’ve been relying on your own strength instead of trusting in God's plan. Are you willing to let go of control and humble yourself like a child, trusting that your Father knows best?  

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, teach me to approach You with childlike faith and humility. Help me to trust You fully, knowing that Your plans are better than mine. Remind me daily that true greatness is found in surrendering to Your will. Amen.