Listen to today’s devo!

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Phil. 1:27)

Expanded Passage: Philippians 1:27-30

Pastor John didn’t realize he was on speakerphone and later had to apologize. He and his wife had rented from a single, older, neighbor woman and tried helping her with repairs through the years. He agreed to remove old moldy carpet and paint the floors for her, for free. A few years later he purchased a home, completely stretching his limited funds.

Then she shocked him, asking for reimbursement for changes he had made while renting—including the cost of the spent carpet. He decided it best simply to pay her $2,500 in order not to become involved in a debate. After all, he was the pastor of a small church in their small Indiana town. He wrote the check with a nice note and planned to move on. Then she called and said, “Thanks for the check, but I’m still suing you.” Stunned, he called his wife and began ranting about their unethical, ill-willed neighbor. Unfortunately, a young couple was seated in their dining room and the phone was on speaker; his outburst was heard.

Conduct in unpredictable situations usually stems from what we can predict—including calculated times of study, worship, and prayer. The measure of who we are is what we do when we’re alone and often becomes manifest in actions when we’re not. We all need spiritual practices for times when our conduct is broadcast widely.

Calculate how to represent Christ even when something is less than ideal.

Jerry Pattengale is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and the codirector and cofounder of the Lumen Research Institute. He has authored and edited over forty books including Faith Made Real (WPH).

© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.