Stay Ready - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2025

Bible in a Year : Ezra 1-2, John 19:23-42

We make it our goal to please [Christ].
2 Corinthians 5:9

Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Betty is ready. She began following Jesus as a teenager and has taken opportunities her whole life to serve and please Him. She attends Bible studies, worship services and prayer meetings. She’s taught studies, visited mission fields, worked in the nursery, served alongside her pastor-husband and she loves being with God’s people every chance she gets. And remarkably she’s 102 years old and is still ready to do whatever pleases God. She’s an inspiration to many who might not feel like gathering with other believers some days. Then they remember, Betty will be there. I certainly can get there! Betty now says she’s eager to get to heaven to be with her Saviour. She says, “I’m ready to see Jesus; I love Him so.”

The apostle Paul said he “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). But he knew God had work for him to do in encouraging believers in many churches (Philippians 1:23-24). So he kept serving and living “by faith” and “not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Paul remained ready and kept serving under God’s direction.

Whatever our age and stage in life, let’s ask God to help us make it our heart’s goal “to please [Christ]” (v. 9) and stay ready. Betty is ready. And if someday she isn’t ready, it’s because she’s already seeing Jesus face-to-face.

By: Anne Cetas

Reflect & Pray
In what ways can you practice answering God’s call to service? How can you become more ready for His call to heaven?

Dear God, I love You with all my heart and want to please You in whatever ways You want. I look forward to seeing You soon!