With Open Hands Pt 2 - Stewarding Gods Calling – Mission, Vision, Purpose
Daily Devotional Sept 15th - Sept 19th
Day 1 – Monday, Sept 15
Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Devotional Thought:
When Jesus declared the Great Commission, He rooted it in His authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” That’s a staggering claim. It means the One who conquered death now reigns over heaven and earth, and from that place of authority He sends us. Our mission is not based on fear of failure or hope of success—it’s anchored in His sovereignty.
To steward this mission means we don’t see evangelism or discipleship as optional extras. They are central to what it means to follow Jesus. But notice He also promises His presence: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mission without His presence would crush us. Presence without mission would stagnate us. But mission with His presence transforms the world.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You hold all authority in heaven and on earth. Help me to see myself as Your disciple and Your witness. Give me courage to share Your love and wisdom to know how to point people to You this week.
Action Point:
Identify one person in your circle of influence who doesn’t yet know Christ. Pray for them today by name and look for a natural opportunity to connect with them this week.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 – Tuesday, Sept 16
Scripture: Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Devotional Thought:
Acts 1:8 shows us that vision is not something we manufacture; it’s something the Spirit ignites. Left to ourselves, our vision is always too small, too safe, and too self-centered. But when the Spirit comes, ordinary people dream God-sized dreams. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth—this is not just geography; it's progression. God starts with where you are and expands outward. That’s what vision does: it keeps us from settling. Stewarding vision means not only asking God, “What do You want to do in my church?” but also, “What do You want to do through me in my everyday spaces?” We must remember: the Spirit’s power is not given for private comfort but for public witness. Vision without the Spirit is fantasy. Vision with the Spirit is destiny.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power. Give me eyes to see my community the way You see it. Break my heart for what breaks Yours and open my heart to the vision You have for my family, my neighborhood, and my city.
Action Point:
Take a walk or drive through your neighborhood and pray over the homes and people you see. Ask God to give you a fresh vision for where He’s calling you to bring Christ and community.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 – Wednesday, Sept 17
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Devotional Thought:
The picture Paul paints in Ephesians 4 is of a body where every member is active and vital. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are not meant to be “stars of the show” but equippers of the saints. Ministry doesn’t belong to a few professionals—it belongs to the people of God.
Stewarding God’s purpose means realizing that the church is not just about what I get but what I give. God has placed gifts in you that this body needs. When you step into them, the body grows in unity, maturity, and strength. But when you hold back, the whole body feels the loss.
This means your purpose is not small or insignificant. Even the quietest act of faithfulness—the prayer whispered, the child discipled, the meal shared—ripples into eternity. Purpose is not just about what you do for God but about what God does through you as you yield to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You have given me gifts and a purpose in Your kingdom. Help me not to shrink back or underestimate what You’ve placed in me. Equip me by Your Word and release me by Your Spirit to serve, love, and build up the body of Christ.
Action Point:
Take time today to write down two or three gifts, passions, or skills God has given you. Pray and ask Him how He wants you to use those gifts to serve in this season.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4 – Thursday, Sept 18
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Devotional Thought:
Ephesians 3:20–21 is a doxology, a burst of praise, but it also carries a vision-shaping truth: God is able to do “immeasurably more” than we ask or imagine. Paul doesn’t say “a little more” or “somewhat more.” He says immeasurably more. Why? Because God is not limited by our imagination, resources, or strategies. He works according to His power at work within us. This verse forces us to ask: are we praying and dreaming too small? Often our prayers reflect what we think is possible; God invites us to pray for what only He can do. When we live open-handed, we become conduits for His abundance. Our role is not to figure out how He will do it but to believe that He can and will do it for His glory.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are able to do more than I could ask or imagine. Forgive me when my vision is too small. Strengthen my faith to believe that You can use me—and us as a church—to impact lives and communities beyond what we can see.
Action Point:
Take five minutes to write down one “immeasurably more” prayer for your own life and one for Tables Church. Ask God to move in ways that only He could get credit for.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 – Friday, Sept 19
Scripture: John 20:21 (ESV)
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’”
Devotional Thought:
When Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you,” He tied our purpose directly to His. Think about it: the Son of God was sent into the world to embody the Father’s love, to proclaim the kingdom, and to lay down His life. Now He says to us, “In the same way, I am sending you.” This is not a casual suggestion—it’s a commissioning. Every believer is a sent one. To steward mission, vision, and purpose means we don’t clutch the blessings of God but carry them into the world. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now empowers us to live sent lives. In a world marked by division, confusion, and isolation, what it needs most is people who live as sent ones—carrying the presence of Jesus into their homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Being sent is not about geography—it’s about posture. It’s about living every day with open hands, ready to say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for sending me as You were sent by the Father. Give me courage to live as Your ambassador in every space You’ve placed me—in my home, at work, in my relationships. Send me with open hands and an open heart to live the Gospel every day, to everyone, everywhere.
Action Point:
Today, intentionally serve someone in a way that points them to Jesus—buy a meal, offer encouragement, extend forgiveness, or invite someone to church. Live sent.
Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Devotional Thought:
When Jesus declared the Great Commission, He rooted it in His authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” That’s a staggering claim. It means the One who conquered death now reigns over heaven and earth, and from that place of authority He sends us. Our mission is not based on fear of failure or hope of success—it’s anchored in His sovereignty.
To steward this mission means we don’t see evangelism or discipleship as optional extras. They are central to what it means to follow Jesus. But notice He also promises His presence: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mission without His presence would crush us. Presence without mission would stagnate us. But mission with His presence transforms the world.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You hold all authority in heaven and on earth. Help me to see myself as Your disciple and Your witness. Give me courage to share Your love and wisdom to know how to point people to You this week.
Action Point:
Identify one person in your circle of influence who doesn’t yet know Christ. Pray for them today by name and look for a natural opportunity to connect with them this week.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 – Tuesday, Sept 16
Scripture: Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Devotional Thought:
Acts 1:8 shows us that vision is not something we manufacture; it’s something the Spirit ignites. Left to ourselves, our vision is always too small, too safe, and too self-centered. But when the Spirit comes, ordinary people dream God-sized dreams. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth—this is not just geography; it's progression. God starts with where you are and expands outward. That’s what vision does: it keeps us from settling. Stewarding vision means not only asking God, “What do You want to do in my church?” but also, “What do You want to do through me in my everyday spaces?” We must remember: the Spirit’s power is not given for private comfort but for public witness. Vision without the Spirit is fantasy. Vision with the Spirit is destiny.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power. Give me eyes to see my community the way You see it. Break my heart for what breaks Yours and open my heart to the vision You have for my family, my neighborhood, and my city.
Action Point:
Take a walk or drive through your neighborhood and pray over the homes and people you see. Ask God to give you a fresh vision for where He’s calling you to bring Christ and community.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 – Wednesday, Sept 17
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Devotional Thought:
The picture Paul paints in Ephesians 4 is of a body where every member is active and vital. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are not meant to be “stars of the show” but equippers of the saints. Ministry doesn’t belong to a few professionals—it belongs to the people of God.
Stewarding God’s purpose means realizing that the church is not just about what I get but what I give. God has placed gifts in you that this body needs. When you step into them, the body grows in unity, maturity, and strength. But when you hold back, the whole body feels the loss.
This means your purpose is not small or insignificant. Even the quietest act of faithfulness—the prayer whispered, the child discipled, the meal shared—ripples into eternity. Purpose is not just about what you do for God but about what God does through you as you yield to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You have given me gifts and a purpose in Your kingdom. Help me not to shrink back or underestimate what You’ve placed in me. Equip me by Your Word and release me by Your Spirit to serve, love, and build up the body of Christ.
Action Point:
Take time today to write down two or three gifts, passions, or skills God has given you. Pray and ask Him how He wants you to use those gifts to serve in this season.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4 – Thursday, Sept 18
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Devotional Thought:
Ephesians 3:20–21 is a doxology, a burst of praise, but it also carries a vision-shaping truth: God is able to do “immeasurably more” than we ask or imagine. Paul doesn’t say “a little more” or “somewhat more.” He says immeasurably more. Why? Because God is not limited by our imagination, resources, or strategies. He works according to His power at work within us. This verse forces us to ask: are we praying and dreaming too small? Often our prayers reflect what we think is possible; God invites us to pray for what only He can do. When we live open-handed, we become conduits for His abundance. Our role is not to figure out how He will do it but to believe that He can and will do it for His glory.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are able to do more than I could ask or imagine. Forgive me when my vision is too small. Strengthen my faith to believe that You can use me—and us as a church—to impact lives and communities beyond what we can see.
Action Point:
Take five minutes to write down one “immeasurably more” prayer for your own life and one for Tables Church. Ask God to move in ways that only He could get credit for.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 – Friday, Sept 19
Scripture: John 20:21 (ESV)
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’”
Devotional Thought:
When Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you,” He tied our purpose directly to His. Think about it: the Son of God was sent into the world to embody the Father’s love, to proclaim the kingdom, and to lay down His life. Now He says to us, “In the same way, I am sending you.” This is not a casual suggestion—it’s a commissioning. Every believer is a sent one. To steward mission, vision, and purpose means we don’t clutch the blessings of God but carry them into the world. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now empowers us to live sent lives. In a world marked by division, confusion, and isolation, what it needs most is people who live as sent ones—carrying the presence of Jesus into their homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Being sent is not about geography—it’s about posture. It’s about living every day with open hands, ready to say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for sending me as You were sent by the Father. Give me courage to live as Your ambassador in every space You’ve placed me—in my home, at work, in my relationships. Send me with open hands and an open heart to live the Gospel every day, to everyone, everywhere.
Action Point:
Today, intentionally serve someone in a way that points them to Jesus—buy a meal, offer encouragement, extend forgiveness, or invite someone to church. Live sent.