DATE POSTED
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

 ⁷ I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

⁸ Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

¹⁰ One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. ¹¹ For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. ¹² When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Unlike many of Paul’s other New Testament letters, Romans was written to a church he did not establish. Yet from the very beginning of this letter, we see his deep love and concern for these believers. Although Paul had never visited them, he recognized the evidence of God’s work among them.

In these few verses, we discover several characteristics of a healthy church. It is made up of people who know they are loved by God and called to live holy lives. It is known for a faith that others can see. It is strengthened through faithful prayer, and its members desire to grow spiritually while encouraging one another.

Those same qualities should be evident in our churches today.

As children of the King, we are deeply loved by the God of this universe—far more than we can fully comprehend. Through His Word, He teaches us the ways of Christ and calls us to live lives that reflect His holiness. Every day we have the opportunity to become more like Jesus in our words, attitudes, and actions.

One truth that especially stands out in this passage is Paul’s attitude toward the church. Instead of looking for reasons to criticize believers, he thanked God for them. He prayed faithfully for them. He longed to encourage them, while also acknowledging that he would be encouraged by their faith. Even the great Apostle Paul understood that every believer needs the encouragement of fellow Christians.

How different our churches might be if we spent less time criticizing and more time praying, encouraging, and supporting one another. God’s Word reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Our pastors, elders, teachers, and ministry leaders are not perfect people—they are servants seeking to follow Christ. They need our prayers, our encouragement, and our support. As we faithfully lift them up before the Lord, we help strengthen the church’s witness and advance the work of God’s kingdom.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE Take time today to pray intentionally for your local church and its leaders. Ask God to give your pastors wisdom, protection, and joy in their ministry. Reach out to a church leader or fellow believer with a simple message of gratitude. As we await the return of Jesus for His bride, the church, may He find us faithful to His calling, and contributing to the health of the church through our prayers, gifts and constantly encouraging one another.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for placing us in the family of God and giving us the privilege of serving alongside other believers. Help us to love our church as You love Your church. Forgive us for the times we have been quicker to criticize than to encourage.

Teach us to faithfully pray for and encourage our pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, and fellow believers. May our words strengthen rather than discourage, and may our lives reflect the love and holiness of Jesus Christ.

Help us to use the gifts You have given us to build up Your church until the day Christ returns for His bride. May You find us faithful, serving with joyful hearts and bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!