Author: Thomas Casper

A Devotional on Social Media, Exposure, and the Call to Purity

Opening Thought

We live in a time where, with one flick of a finger, we can watch violence unfold, arguments escalate, intimate acts be exposed, and abuse broadcast for the world to see. Social media has given us front-row seats to things God never intended our eyes—or our souls—to carry. It’s not just information; it’s contamination. What we watch, we absorb. What we absorb, we become. And what we become, if left unchecked, can crush the very soul God designed for purity and peace.

Scripture Readings

• “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22–23)

• “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” (Psalm 101:3)

• “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

• “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

• “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” (Psalm 119:37)

Reflection

When David prayed, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (Psalm 101:3), he could not have imagined TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Yet the principle applies. God designed the human soul with holy limits. We were not created to endlessly scroll through images of war, graphic sin, public humiliation, or constant comparison. Our souls are fragile vessels meant to hold light, not darkness.

Jesus warns that the eyes are the “lamp of the body.” In our digital age, what fills the eyes inevitably saturates the heart. When social media floods us with violence, lust, and rage, it is more than just “content”—it is spiritual corruption, creeping in pixel by pixel. Over time, these images erode compassion, warp our desires, and desensitize us to what God calls holy.

The ancient serpent tempted Eve with a vision: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes…” (Genesis 3:6). The pattern has not changed. What delights the eyes but destroys the soul is still Satan’s most common trap. Today, the forbidden fruit dangles not in a garden, but on a glowing screen in our palm.

Application

1. Guard Your Feed – Take inventory of the voices, images, and videos you consume daily. If they promote violence, lust, or strife, cut them off (Matthew 5:29).

2. Replace, Don’t Just Remove – Don’t simply delete apps or mute accounts. Replace what you see with what feeds your spirit—scripture, worship, godly teaching, beauty in creation.

3. Fast from Noise – Consider regular breaks from social media to detox your soul and retrain your eyes toward the light.

4. Pray for Clean Vision – Ask God to purify your eyes and heart. David’s cry should be ours: “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things.”

Closing Prayer

Father, You made my eyes to behold Your glory, not the world’s corruption. Forgive me for the times I have allowed darkness to seep into my soul through what I’ve consumed. Guard my eyes, Lord, and give me wisdom to discern what I see. Help me turn from worthless things and fill me with Your light. Let my eyes reflect Your beauty, and let my heart remain untainted by the constant noise of this world. Amen.

Opening Thought

Have you ever lost something small but deeply important—like a wedding ring, a keepsake from your child, or even a few dollars when money was tight? That feeling of desperation to search until you find it tells you something about its value. Jesus used the same imagery to describe how He sees us: we are worth being sought after, even at great cost.

Scripture Readings

“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” – Luke 15:8

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:45–46

“You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20

Reflection

Jesus tells us plainly: you are the coin that stirred heaven to action. You are the pearl of great price. The Father looked upon you—not as one face in a crowd but as His treasure. The desperation of the woman searching for her coin and the costly sacrifice of the merchant speak of God’s relentless pursuit of you through Christ.

Your worth is not found in your achievements, your appearance, or your failures. Your identity is sealed in Him, bought with the blood of Jesus. When God sees you, He doesn’t see “just another person”, He sees His beloved, chosen, and cherished child.

And if He went to such great lengths to claim you, how could you ever believe you are worthless? You are godly special, not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for you.

Application

Remember: Start today by declaring over yourself, “I am God’s treasure, bought at a price.”

Reflect: Where have you allowed lies of worthlessness to creep in? Bring them before God in prayer.

Respond: Treat yourself and others with the value Christ has already declared over you. Search for the “lost coins” around you, those who need to be reminded of their worth in Him.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for searching for me when I was lost, for counting me as priceless, and for purchasing me with the precious blood of Jesus. Help me live each day rooted in my true identity as Your child. May I reflect Your love by seeing others as treasures too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Part 3 – From Darkness to Light

Opening Thought

Nicodemus came to Jesus under the cover of night, cautious and uncertain. Jesus spoke to him of new birth, eternal life, and the power of light. The imagery of darkness and light threads through John 3: those who do evil love darkness, but those who live by the truth step into the light.

Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up in plain sight for all to see, Jesus was lifted up publicly on the cross. His death was not hidden in a corner but displayed openly—an invitation for all to come out of hiding.

Scripture Reading

John 3:19–21

Reflection

Darkness conceals, but it also enslaves. Sin thrives in secrecy, where shame and fear keep us silent. But the light of Christ does not expose to condemn—it exposes to heal.

When we step into His light, we are freed from hiding. Our lives become testimonies of His grace. Healing is not only forgiveness but transformation. We are invited to walk differently—to live openly, honestly, and courageously in the light.

Application

• Identify shadows: Ask: What part of me am I still keeping in the dark? Where do I resist God’s light?

• Confession and accountability: Share one hidden struggle with God in prayer—or with a trusted friend who can walk with you.

• Walk in the light: Choose one practical way to live more transparently today (a word of honesty, an act of integrity, a confession of weakness).

Closing Prayer

Jesus, You are the Light of the world. Draw me out of the shadows and into Your healing presence. Give me courage to live honestly before You and others, not in fear but in freedom. Let my life shine as evidence that Your light is stronger than any darkness. Amen.

Part 2

Opening Thought

John 3:16 is the most quoted verse in Scripture, yet sometimes the familiarity dulls its power. This verse is not simply about salvation—it is about God’s heart. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” The cross is not primarily a story of human failure, but of divine love.

Scripture Reading

John 3:16

Reflection

Israel’s healing in the desert was temporary; they eventually died, even after being healed of snakebites. But Jesus declares that His lifting up offers something eternal. Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Notice the verbs: God loved, God gave, so that we may believe and live. Love was the motivator; giving was the action; belief is our response; life is the result.

This is not a reluctant salvation. God didn’t save because He was forced, but because His love compelled Him. The cross is the ultimate demonstration that God would rather sacrifice His Son than lose His children.

Application

• Personalize God’s love: Write down your name into John 3:16 (“For God so loved [your name]…”). Read it aloud.

• Release unworthiness: Reflect on an area where you feel unloved or unworthy. Replace that lie with the truth of God’s deep love.

• Practice generosity: Because God gave, look for one way to give sacrificially today—whether time, encouragement, or resources.

Closing Prayer

Father, I am overwhelmed by Your love. You gave Your Son for me, not because I was worthy, but because You are love itself. Teach me to rest in this truth and let it shape every corner of my life. Help me to reflect Your giving heart in the way I love others. Amen.

Three part weekly series

Part 1

Opening Thought

In the wilderness, Israel’s grumbling and rebellion opened the door to suffering. Venomous serpents invaded the camp, and many were bitten. As panic spread, so did the cries for mercy. God did not remove the snakes but gave a surprising remedy: Moses was to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole. Whoever was bitten could look up in faith and live.

It wasn’t logical. How could looking at a symbol heal poisoned blood? Yet God’s way was not about human reasoning—it was about trust and obedience. In John 3, Jesus ties this moment directly to His mission: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). The cure for sin’s venom is not self-improvement, but faith in the One lifted up.

Scripture Readings

• Numbers 21:4–9

• John 3:14–15

Reflection

The serpent bite was deadly, just as sin’s infection is deadly to the soul. Israel’s only hope was to look outside themselves for healing. That’s our story, too. We spend much of life trying to numb the sting of sin—through distractions, achievements, or denial—but the venom keeps spreading.

Jesus lifted up on the cross becomes our only remedy. His suffering absorbs our curse. Looking to Him means more than glancing; it means fixing our gaze on the cross as the center of our healing. It requires humility to admit we can’t cure ourselves. But the moment we look, life flows in.

Application

• Examine: Where have you tried to numb or cover sin’s poison on your own?

• Shift your gaze: Each time guilt or shame rises today, whisper: “I look to You, Jesus.”

• Encourage others: When someone shares their hurt, resist the urge to give quick solutions. Point them first to Christ, who heals deeper than advice ever can.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess I have often tried to cure myself of sin’s poison. But today, I choose to look to You lifted high. Heal me, cleanse me, and remind me that my life is found only in Your cross. Give me courage to keep my eyes fixed on You, not on my wounds. Amen.

A Devotional on Identity and God’s Image

Opening Thought

Have you ever had someone stop you in your tracks with a simple but powerful reminder of who you are in Christ? My friend Dave has this way of saying, “WOW! You’re Godly created. You carry His image. His presence drips off you. WOW!” Those words carry weight because they echo a truth we often forget: you are not ordinary. You were made in the image of God, and His Spirit dwells within you.

Scripture Readings

• “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27

• “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

• “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27

Reflection

We live in a world that constantly tells us we are not enough. Not good enough, not successful enough, not beautiful enough, not spiritual enough. But the Word of God tells a different story: you are already stamped with His image. You reflect Him in ways you may not even see.

When people encounter you, they don’t just see you—they see the fingerprints of your Creator. His presence lingers on you, like oil that drips down and leaves a fragrance. That’s why encouragement like Dave’s hits so deeply. It’s a reminder that your very existence is proof of God’s handiwork.

Application

• Pause and Reflect: Each morning this week, look in the mirror and remind yourself, “WOW! I’m Godly created. I carry His image.”

• Soak in Scripture: Choose one of the verses above and meditate on it daily. Let it shape the way you see yourself.

• Speak Life: Just like Dave’s words, find someone you can remind this week of their identity in Christ. Speak truth over them—they may need it more than you know.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image. Help me see myself the way You see me—full of Your presence and purpose. Let my life drip with Your glory so that when others encounter me, they encounter You. Teach me to encourage others with the same truth, reminding them of the beauty and dignity of being Yours. WOW, Lord—what a gift it is to belong to You. Amen.

Opening Thought

A few days ago my friend Dave sent me a short yet timely message that said, “See Jesus today, no distractions.” Those words have been stirring in my heart ever since. It felt like both an invitation and a reminder. I thought about how many mornings I set out to focus on the Lord, yet my attention drifts as the noise of the day begins. Even good things like work, family, and responsibilities can quietly take His place if I am not careful.

Scripture Readings

Hebrews 12:2 – “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”

Luke 10:41–42 – “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one.”

Reflection

Seeing Jesus is more than a morning prayer or a quick reading of Scripture. It is a posture of the heart that says, “Lord, You are my priority, everything else can wait.” The enemy often does not attack us with something obvious. Instead he uses distraction. He fills our day with urgent but unimportant things until the most important thing, seeing Jesus, gets lost. When our focus is on Him, we respond with grace instead of reacting in frustration. We rest instead of striving. We live anchored instead of adrift.

Application

Pause before you start. Before checking your phone, email, or to-do list, sit quietly and pray, “Lord, I want to see You first today.”

Choose one verse to carry with you. Repeat it when distractions start to pull you away from Him.

Limit what captures your attention. Silence unnecessary notifications or take a short break from social media.

Create small moments with Jesus. Whisper His name as you drive, thank Him in the middle of your work, or step outside and notice His creation.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, today I choose to see You above everything else. Remove the clutter in my mind and guard my heart from distractions. Keep my thoughts fixed on You from the moment I wake until I lay my head down tonight. May I not miss a single moment You are showing Yourself to me. Amen.

A Devotional Rooted in Psalm 42

Opening Thought

There are moments when worship feels like breathing and others when it feels like choking. Psalm 42 reminds us that worship doesn’t come only from mountaintops but from valleys too. The psalmist cries out from a place of deep thirst and soul-wrenching sorrow. That’s where real worship begins—from the depth of our humanity, the muddy middle, the holy ache.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 42:1-3 — “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night while people say to me all day long ‘Where is your God?’”

Reflection

This is not clean or curated. This is raw. This is worship from the depths. The psalmist doesn’t mask the pain or pretend everything is fine. He brings the tears, the ache, the longing. And in that honest surrender, he worships emphatically.

God is not impressed with noise. He is not seeking a polished performance. He wants your heart. Your mind. Your full attention and full affection. Even if it’s shattered. Even if it’s tired. Even if it’s confused. Worship can happen in the waiting. In the crying. In the remembering.

Worship is connection. It is blessing and honor. It is healing and breakthrough. It is how we declare that God is still good even when our soul is downcast. It is how we fight back when hope feels distant.

Application

Take a deep breath. Let Psalm 42 be your starting point. Ask yourself

What am I truly longing for today? Have I tried to worship without being honest? Am I offering God a cymbal crash or a heartfelt cry?

Open up the places you’ve kept hidden. The dark corners. The tired questions. Let worship become the way you heal. Let it pierce the fog and light a fire in your soul again.

Closing Prayer

God I thirst for you. My soul is dry and weary. But I know you are near. I bring my whole self to you now. Not just the good parts. Not just the cleaned-up story. But everything. My ache. My confusion. My love. My praise. I worship you from the depths. Meet me here. Heal me here. Remind me that I will again praise you, my Savior and my God. Amen.

Opening Thought:

This morning, a single word stopped me in my tracks — lavished. It came while I was reading a devotional from Ephesians 1. And man, it hit deep. Lavished means “to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities.” Not just given. Not just offered. But poured out beyond measure.

Scripture Reading:

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered (lavished) his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”

— Ephesians 1:7–8 (NLT)

Reflection:

God didn’t hold back. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wait until we deserved it — because the truth is, we never could.

While we were still sinners, He lavished us with grace.

He lavished us with mercy.

He lavished us with love.

Not little sprinkles of kindness here and there. Not grace in measured doses.

But an overwhelming downpour — one we couldn’t earn and still can’t explain.

What kind of love does that?

What kind of mercy sees the mess, the rebellion, the brokenness — and still says,

“I choose you anyway”?

The answer is found in the cross.

The power to overcome the grave wasn’t given to the deserving.

It was given to the desperate.

To the lost.

To us.

Application:

Today, I’m asking God for a truly humble and gentle heart — for everyone I encounter. Because this kind of grace? It should change how we treat people.

None of us earned it.

None of us deserved it.

But God gave it anyway.

Let’s carry that kind of love into our homes, workplaces, grocery store lines, and tough conversations.

Let’s be people who lavish grace, because we’ve been lavished with it first.

Closing Prayer:

God, thank You for pouring out grace I didn’t deserve. Thank You for loving me while I was still far from You. Soften my heart today. Make me humble. Make me gentle. And let Your extravagant love flow through me to everyone I meet. Amen.

Trusting God in Times of Change

Opening Thought

You ever feel like something shifted but you can’t quite name it? You wake up and everything looks the same, but it doesn’t feel the same. Maybe it’s a new job, a move, a shift in your relationships, or maybe it’s just an internal stirring that something’s about to change. You’re not broken. You’re just in transition.

And it’s okay.

We all walk through seasons. Some are loud and obvious, others are quiet and slow like the soft turning of leaves before fall. But every season has a purpose. Even this one.

Scripture Readings

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Isaiah 43:19 – “See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Reflection

Sometimes we stay too long in a season that God has already left. Not because we’re bad, but because we’re human. We crave comfort, familiarity, rhythm. But God often stirs us when He’s calling us to grow. He nudges us out of our normal and into the new.

It might not feel “better” right away. This new thing? It might not look greener. But maybe it’s healthier. Maybe it’s where your soul can breathe again. Maybe it’s where you rediscover purpose. Or maybe it’s where you finally let go of what’s been weighing you down.

Transition can feel like chaos but what if it’s God rearranging things to set you free?

Application

• Reflect: Where are you sensing change? Is there an area of your life where you’ve felt restless or stirred?

• Pray: Ask God if He’s leading you into a new season and for the courage to follow.

• Act: Take one small step of faith today. Update the resume. Reach out to that friend. Walk the new path, even if you can’t see the whole trail.

• Stay Rooted: Keep time in the Word. Let God’s voice be louder than fear or comfort.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for being constant, even when everything around me is shifting. Help me embrace the change, even when I don’t fully understand it. Give me peace in the transition and trust in the unknown. If You’re calling me out, help me go boldly. If You’re planting me somewhere new, help me grow deeply. I believe every season You lead me into has a purpose and I trust You with mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.