Devotional Library
Weekly devotionals and faith-building resources to encourage your walk with God and strengthen your faith.
I Will Bless the Lord
In this week’s devotional, “I Will Bless the Lord,” Pastor Cornell Owens reflects on Psalm 34:1–8, reminding us that thanksgiving is more than a response to favorable circumstances—it is a decision rooted in our confidence in God. Through David’s example, we are encouraged to praise God in every season, trust His faithfulness through uncertainty, and allow our gratitude to become a testimony of His goodness. Discover how choosing thanksgiving can transform our perspective and strengthen our walk with Christ.
Abiding: Keep Walking
In this week’s Abiding: Keep Walking, Pastor Cornell Owens shares an encouraging message on Consistency After Failure, reminding us that our past mistakes do not have to define our future. Through John 21:15–19, Philippians 3:12–14, and Hebrews 12:1–2, discover how God’s grace restores us, strengthens our faith, and calls us to keep moving forward with our eyes on Jesus. No matter where you have stumbled, there is still a next step to take. Keep walking, keep trusting, and keep following Christ.
When You Walk Away
When You Walk Away: Coming Home to the Father, by Pastor Cornell Owens, explores repentance, grace, and the loving invitation to return to God through the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Discover how turning back to the Father opens the way to forgiveness, renewed faith, and a closer walk with Christ.
When Consistency Is Compromised
When Consistency Is Compromised: Trusting God Enough to Obey, by Pastor Cornell Owens, explores the difference between partial obedience and genuine surrender. Through Saul’s story in 1 Samuel 15:22, we are reminded that faith requires more than good intentions or religious activity—it calls us to trust God enough to follow His direction, even when obedience is difficult. Discover how surrendering our excuses, fears, and desire for approval can help us grow in faith and become more like Christ.
When You’re Tired Of Waiting
Waiting on God can be difficult, especially when the answers we seek seem delayed. Through the story of Abraham and Sarah, Pastor Cornell Owens reminds us that waiting does not mean God has forgotten us. Discover how trusting God's timing, surrendering control, and remaining faithful can strengthen our relationship with Him, even in seasons of uncertainty.
Consistency When Tested
In this week’s devotional, Pastor Cornell Owens shares a powerful reminder through the story of Daniel: our faith is strengthened through consistency. When Daniel’s circumstances changed and his faith was tested, he continued seeking God just as he had before. Pastor Owens encourages us to build our relationship with God in the ordinary moments so we can remain faithful and connected to Him in every season.
Consistency in Character
Life brings seasons of success, disappointment, waiting, and change—but our circumstances do not have to change our character. Joseph’s story reminds us that consistency means remaining faithful to God in every season, choosing integrity when no one is watching, and trusting His presence even when life does not go as planned.
Consistency When Tested
How consistent is our faith when life puts us under pressure? Continuing the reflection from Sunday’s service, this week’s midweek devotional explores Numbers 20:1–13 and the story of Moses. We’re challenged to examine how frustration, disappointment, and familiar struggles can test our obedience—and what our responses reveal about what we truly believe.
Positioned for the Promise
God's promises are not only about where He is leading us—they are about who He is shaping us to become along the way. This devotional explores how a life of consecration, faith, and obedience positions us to experience God's promises. Through the examples of Joshua, Jeremiah, and the words of Jesus, we are reminded that God often calls us to trust Him before we see the miracle, knowing His plans are filled with hope, purpose, and a future for those who faithfully follow Him.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on July 19, 2026.
Abiding in Self-Control
Self-control is not about simply having more willpower—it is about allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our thoughts, choices, and desires. This devotional explores how surrendering our lives to God leads to true freedom, spiritual maturity, and the ability to reflect Christ’s character in the way we respond, live, and love others. Through Jesus’ example, we are reminded that self-control is not a limitation, but a pathway to a life of purpose and peace.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on July 12, 2026.
Abiding in Gentleness
In this message from Pastor Cornell Owens, we are reminded that gentleness is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of Christ’s strength, humility, and love. Through the example of Jesus, we discover that a gentle heart responds with compassion, speaks truth with grace, and brings healing to those around us. As we abide in Christ, may we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and help us reflect the gentle heart of Jesus in our everyday lives.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on July 5, 2026.
Abiding in Faithfulness
Building on Sunday's message, "Abiding in Faithfulness," we invite you to continue reflecting on what it means to remain faithful to God in every season of life. Our church family gathered outdoors for Worship Beyond the Walls, so we were not able to livestream or record this week's service. We pray this devotional serves as a meaningful opportunity to revisit the heart of Sunday's message.
Rooted in 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)—"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."—this week's devotional reminds us that God values faithfulness over recognition, perseverance over popularity, and obedience over achievement. As you read, reflect on how God is calling you to faithfully steward the responsibilities He has entrusted to you, trusting that every act of obedience, no matter how small, brings glory to Him.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on June 28, 2026.
Leaving a Legacy: Every Man Has Influence
Building on Sunday’s message, Men Who Shape the Next Generation, we turn our attention to Psalm 78:4 (ESV): “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
This midweek devotional reminds us of the importance of faithfully passing down the knowledge of God’s works and character. As we reflect on Titus 2:1–8 (ESV)and the call for godly, sound living, Psalm 78:4 (ESV) reinforces the responsibility we all carry to speak openly about the goodness, power, and faithfulness of the Lord so that the next generation may know Him and walk in His truth.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on June 21, 2026.
Abiding in Goodness
In this message from the Abiding in the Spirit series, Pastor Cornell Owens explores what it means to abide in goodness through the lens of Matthew 5:16 and Psalm 34:8. Discover how experiencing God's goodness transforms the way we live, serve, and shine His light to those around us. Be encouraged to reflect God's love, grace, and faithfulness as you walk daily in the fruit of the Spirit.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on June 14, 2026.
Abiding in Kindness
What does it mean to truly abide in kindness? In this message from the Abiding in the Spirit series, Pastor Cornell Owens explores how kindness reflects the heart of Christ and serves as a powerful expression of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Through Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12–14, Luke 6:31, and Proverbs 11:17, believers are encouraged to extend compassion, forgiveness, and love to others, even in challenging circumstances. Discover how abiding in kindness can strengthen relationships, impact communities, and glorify God.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on June 7, 2026.
Abiding in the Spirit: Abiding in Patience
Waiting is never easy, but God's timing is always perfect. In this message on Abiding in Patience, Pastor Cornell Owens explores how patience is developed through faith, perseverance, and trust in God's promises. Drawing from James 5:7–8 (ESV), believers are encouraged to be patient "as the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth," establishing their hearts as they look to the Lord with expectation. Discover how abiding in the Holy Spirit equips us to endure seasons of waiting with confidence, knowing that God is faithfully working in and through every season.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on May 31, 2026.
Abiding in Peace
Pastor Cornell Owens delivers an encouraging message in Abiding in the Spirit: Abiding in Peace, reminding believers that true peace is found through remaining connected to God and trusting Him in every season of life. Rooted in John 14:27 and Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV), this sermon explores how the peace of Christ guards our hearts and minds even in the midst of uncertainty, fear, and life’s challenges.
Through this powerful teaching, Pastor Cornell Owens shares how abiding in God produces calm, confidence, spiritual endurance, and unwavering faith. This message encourages believers to release anxiety, surrender control, and embrace the lasting peace that only comes through trusting God daily.
If you are seeking spiritual encouragement, biblical teaching on peace, or a deeper understanding of what it means to abide in the Spirit, this message serves as a timely reminder that God’s peace sustains us, strengthens us, and keeps us grounded through every circumstance.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on May 24, 2026.
Abiding in Joy
Pastor Cornell Owens delivers an encouraging message in Abiding in the Spirit: Abiding in Joy, reminding believers that true joy is found through remaining connected to God and led by the Holy Spirit. Rooted in Philippians 4:4, Galatians 5:22, and James 1:2–3 (ESV), this sermon explores how joy is a spiritual fruit that strengthens us through every season of life.
Through this powerful teaching, Pastor Cornell Owens shares how abiding in God produces endurance, peace, gratitude, and unwavering faith—even during trials and challenges. This message encourages believers to move beyond temporary happiness and embrace the lasting joy that comes from trusting God daily.
If you are seeking spiritual encouragement, biblical teaching on joy, or a deeper understanding of the Fruit of the Spirit, this message serves as a timely reminder that God’s joy gives us strength and helps us remain steadfast in every circumstance.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on May 17, 2026.
Abiding in Love
Inspired by the message shared by Pastor Cornell Owens, this week’s devotional reminds us that true spiritual fruit is not produced through striving, but through remaining connected to God. Epistle to the Galatians 5:22 (ESV) reminds us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…,” revealing that love is the natural evidence of a life led by the Spirit.
Through this message, Pastor Owens emphasized that God is not simply focused on outward actions or performance, but on what is being produced within us. As we remain connected to Him through prayer, His Word, and daily obedience, His love begins to shape how we respond to others—with patience, grace, mercy, and compassion.
This message encourages us to stop relying solely on our own strength and instead remain rooted in God’s presence. When we abide in Him, His love flows naturally through our lives and becomes visible in how we serve, forgive, encourage, and care for others each day.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on May 10, 2026.
Faith That Overcomes
In this week’s devotional, inspired by the message shared by Pastor Cornell Owens, we are reminded that our victory is not determined by what we face—but by our faith in God. 1 John 5:1–5 (ESV) encourages us that those who are born of God overcome the world, and that it is our faith that secures that victory.
Through this message, Pastor Owens emphasizes the importance of trusting God beyond what we see. Even in moments of pressure, uncertainty, or doubt, we are called to stand firm, shift our focus to Him, and declare His promises over our lives. As we continue to walk by faith, we can be confident that challenges will not have the final say—God does.
Originally preached at Central City Church MKE on April 26th, 2026.