A staple among hymns in Methodism is A Charge to Keep I Have. Written in 1762 by Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist movement with his brother John Wesley, this one remains among his most enduring because of its call to holiness, service, and accountability before God. The hymn is rooted in Leviticus 8:35, which speaks of the charge given to priests to keep the ordinances of God faithfully. John Wesley included this verse in his personal Bible notes, and Charles transformed the theme into a hymn of personal consecration. Its title echoes Matthew Henry’s commentary on the passage, where Henry wrote that every Christian has “a charge to keep, a God to glorify.”
The words reflect Methodist emphases on personal holiness, social responsibility, and readiness to give account to God. Each verse carries a distinct charge: to glorify God with one’s life, to serve the present age, to live watchfully in God’s sight, and to rely wholly on God in prayer.
The hymn has been especially influential in African American church traditions, where the call to “serve the present age” has been applied to struggles for freedom, justice, and community uplift. It often opens church conferences, anniversaries, and special services, reminding worshipers of their sacred responsibility.
Today, A Charge to Keep I Have continues to resonate as a declaration of purpose and stewardship. Whether applied to caring for one’s personal faith, preserving the church for future generations, or engaging the world with courage and love, the hymn remains a timeless summons to live faithfully before God.
Each devotional this month’s takes us deeper into this hymn as we examine our place as those who are called to be in the world, but not of it. Enjoy.
SHE
Dr.
The Secret Chamber | A Digital Devotional October 2025 Edition
The Secret Chamber, the Department of Church Growth and Development’s daily devotional guide, is herein recognized as an aid to worship; it is also made an official periodical of the Church and listed in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the annual report of the pastor on periodicals.
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Erika D. Crawford, Commission Chair
The Reverend Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, Executive Director
African Methodist Episcopal Church Department of Church Growth and Development
The Reverend Dr. Susan Hillary Ephraim, Copy Editor
The Reverend Jarrett Britton Washington, Graphic Editor
With the onset of growingArtificial Intelligence (AI) research, this edition provides a “ChatGPT Experience” to demonstrate how you might use AI as a resource to share encouragement with others. While AI programming provides a great shell, we recognize that nothing replaces our own voice in writing. Each Open AI ChatGPT experience included was enhanced by an actual person to fit the context of this edition. Visit https://openai.com to explore the possibilities.
Text generated by ChatGPT, September 25, 2025, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com. Edited for style and content.
Wednesday | October 1, 2025
Proverbs 18:16
A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.
Your Gifts Will Make Room For You
How often do we truly believe this not only in our spiritual lives but in every area where God calls us to serve? In A Charge to Keep I Have, I challenge readers to “swing for the fences,” to use every God-given talent and boldly step into opportunities that stretch us beyond our comfort zones.
Too often, we live with a false divide between the sacred and the secular. We assume that our corporate skills have no place in the church or that our spiritual values must be hidden in the boardroom. Yet the truth is this: the best life is an integrated life one in which our faith informs our work, and our discipline at work strengthens our faith. Christ is the cornerstone, and everything else is built around him.
My own journey as both CEO and pastor has taught me that spiritual principles and sound business practices are not in conflict they are complementary. When combined, they create sustainable, mission-driven growth that honors God and uplifts people.
So I ask you today: who are you not to shine? Why hide the light God placed within you? Embrace your faith, your skills, and your passion. Trust that God has uniquely equipped you for impact. Step boldly into the spaces where your gifts are needed most. Let your life fully integrated, fully surrendered be a living testimony to God’s glory.
Today, choose courage over comfort and purpose over fear. Your gifts will make room for you.
Reflection Question: Where might God be inviting you to use your gifts more boldly at work, at home, or in your church?
Pray: Lord, thank you for the gifts you have placed within me. Give me courage to step into every space you have called me to and confidence to let my light shine for Your glory. Amen.
Reverend Kevin T Taylor
revkttaylor@hotmail.com
Israel AME Church Albany, New York
www.revkttaylor.com
Thursday | October 2, 2025
Proverbs 22:3
The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Trust But Verify
In A Charge to Keep I Have, I share one of the most sobering lessons I have learned in leadership: trust is essential but trust alone is not enough. True stewardship requires that we “trust but verify.” This principle is not about suspicion but about strengthening relationships and protecting the mission by ensuring that actions align with promises.
I once learned this lesson the hard way when I trusted verbal financial commitments regarding a parsonage only to find myself facing an uninhabitable home and significant personal distress. That painful season taught me that “a handshake contract is worth the paper it’s printed on.”
Trusting others is a Christlike posture, but wise leaders also document agreements, clarify expectations, and revisit commitments over time. This is how we build not only relational trust but also organizational stability. “Putting everything on paper” honors both parties and reduces misunderstandings that can fracture communities and derail ministry.
As I lead today, I remind myself that trust and verification are not in conflict they work together to create clarity, accountability, and peace.
Reflection Question: Where might God be prompting you to clarify an agreement or formalize a commitment to protect the mission and relationships involved?
Pray: Lord, teach me to lead with wisdom and integrity. Help me trust others fully while taking steps to protect what you have entrusted to my care. Amen.
Israel AME Church Albany, New York www.revkttaylor.com
Friday | October 3, 2025
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
Leading When It Hurts
In A Charge to Keep I Have, I confront one of the most painful realities of leadership: personnel matters should never become personal. This doesn’t mean ignoring the humanity of those involved far from it. It means treating people with dignity and respect while having the courage to separate personal feelings from organizational needs for the sake of the greater good.
I know how tempting it is to delay difficult conversations or avoid decisions that may cause pain. But true leadership demands courage and faithfulness. Whether addressing performance concerns, shifting responsibilities, or making a staffing change, my first responsibility is to prepare the way offering clear, consistent feedback so no one is caught off guard when a decision must be made.
When the moment comes, I have learned that “less is more.” Speak the truth plainly, deliver the message with compassion, and allow space for the other person to process. Even in a church setting where relationships are deeply personal and resistance to change can be strong clear and empathetic leadership protects the mission and strengthens the body.
I am learning that the hardest decisions, made prayerfully and with integrity, often create the very space God uses for new growth and renewed vitality.
Reflection Question: What difficult conversation or decision is God asking you to face with both courage and compassion?
Pray: Lord, help me speak truth in love, lead with integrity, and trust you with the outcome. Amen.
Reverend Kevin T Taylor revkttaylor@hotmail.com
Israel AME Church Albany, New York www.revkttaylor.com
Saturday | October 4, 2025
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Stop Playing Small: Dare To Be ARich Church
In A Charge to Keep I Have, I teach that stability is the backbone of every thriving organization especially our churches. True stability isn’t just about financial reserves or balanced budgets; it begins with a compelling, Spirit-led vision that calls people higher, shapes a growth mindset, and keeps our focus on meaningful impact.
I know how easy it is to slip into a scarcity mentality, always worrying about immediate needs. But that mindset, rather than securing our future, actually destabilizes our faith communities. God calls us to more. We must dare to be a “rich church” not in possessions, but in purpose. That means clearly articulating why we exist, demonstrating the real impact of our giving, and inviting every member to take part in the work of ministry.
I have seen how focusing on genuine impact like providing book scholarships for students or care packages for those away at school turns giving into a joyful act of life-change. When we shift to an abundance mindset and align our efforts with God’s vision, generosity flows naturally, and stability follows.
So today I ask: what vision has God placed in your heart for your church, your family, your community? Write it clearly. Speak it boldly. Live it faithfully. Trust that what God has promised will come to pass and that through your obedience, others will be inspired to grow in faith and build something that lasts.
Reflection Question: What is one practical step you can take this week to clarify and communicate your God-given vision?
Pray: Lord, open my heart to your vision and teach me to trust your timing. Replace my fear with faith, my scarcity with abundance, and let my obedience inspire others to join in your work. Amen.
Reverend Kevin T Taylor
Israel AME Church Albany, New York www.revkttaylor.com
Sunday | October 5, 2025
Romans 12:10
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
The Ministry Of payingAttention
In A Charge to Keep I Have, I share a truth that continues to shape my life and leadership: the best way to lead others is to truly know them. It’s not just about what people do, but who they are their stories, their struggles, their values, and the passions that move them.
Too often we look for grand, sweeping gestures to make a difference, but I’ve learned it’s the small, consistent actions that build trust and connection over time. A handwritten note, a call to check in, celebrating a milestone, or simply listening without rushing these are the building blocks of real community.
As leaders whether in the home, the church, or the workplace our calling is to create environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued. When we take the time to understand and honor those around us, we move beyond surface-level interactions and give people permission to bring their whole selves to the table.
When we lead with empathy and genuine interest, we strengthen relationships, inspire courage, and reflect God’s love. This is how teams become families and congregations become communities of purpose.
Let us commit today to notice, honor, and celebrate the incredible people God has placed in our lives.
Reflection Question: Who in your life needs to be seen, heard, or encouraged by you this week?
Pray: Lord, open my eyes to truly see others as you see them. Help me honor their worth and reflect your love in every interaction. Amen.
Reverend Kevin T Taylor revkttaylor@hotmail.com
Israel AME Church
Albany, New York www.revkttaylor.com
Monday | October 6, 2025
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
When Strength Runs Out
Lord, when the pressure of life presses in and the daylight feels too heavy, I often reach for strength that isn’t there. I lift my hands in the quiet moments; sometimes I have nothing to give but a whisper. In those places of weakness sickness, heaviness of spirit, days I can barely rise God’s nearness is not measured by my ability to perform but by God’s promise to be present. I have to realize that feeling overwhelmed or withdrawn does not mean I have been abandoned. It means I am human, and the God who hears the faintest prayer draws close my fainting heart.
Yes, I am weary. But I have a charge to keep. I confess my emptiness and the heaviness in my chest. Touch me where I am weak. Breathe hope into my small, tired prayers. When I cannot speak, hear me still. When I cannot move, carry me. Replace my sense of defeat with your gentle presence. Remind me that your spirit does not leave me to fight alone. Restore a small measure of strength today enough to stand, to breathe, to whisper your name. Fill the room where I hide with your quiet peace and lead me back toward community and rest when I am ready.
Reflection Question: When my strength runs out, how can I remember that keeping my charge is not about my ability alone, but about trusting God’s Spirit to carry me forward?
Pray: Lord, help me lean on your Spirit, not my own might. Amen.
Ms. Cynthia D Muldrow cdmuldrow@suddenlink.net West Arkansas Conference WMS Arkansas, USA
Tuesday | October 7, 2025
Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go.
The Lord, Our God!
Recognizing that we, in a company of believers, though many of us are Gentiles, are an extension of Israel, and as I reflect and paraphrase today’s verse, humbly opining, it makes quite a difference in its impact. And as such, “this is what the Lord, our Redeemer the Holy One declares, he is the Lord, our God who teaches us for our benefit, and who leads us in the way we should go.” We have a charge to keep.
We are blessed to have the compassionate voice of God, “the Holy One of Israel,” identify Himself to us with, “I am the Lord your God,” and then enhanced by a portion of God’s glorious activities, “who teaches (us) for (our) benefit, (and) who leads (us) in the ways (we) should go.”
Mere humans that we are, we are often apt to say, “talk is cheap,” but “God talk,” For when God speaks, it is in no way, as James Brown sang, “talking loud and saying nothing,” but it is, instead, more in line with the hymn writer who mused, “Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.”
Reflection Question: How does hearing God’s voice “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your benefit and leads you in the way you should go” shape the way you carry out the charge God has placed on your life?
Pray: Lord, help me to remain inspired, encouraged, and motivated by the life-Giving words and activities of the Lord, the Holy One of Israel!
Reverend Frederick Douglas Forsh fdforsh@outlook.com St. James AME Church Macon, Georgia www.facebook.com/SJAMEC
Wednesday | October 8, 2025
1 Samuel 7:10-12
As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel, but the Lord thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them down as far as beyond Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, for he said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
How Good Is Your Memory?
There are countless instances in the Bible where God performed a feat so miraculous that the people wanted to memorialize the spot where the miracle occurred with a stone. After God helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines in 1 Samuel 7, Samuel placed a stone between Mizpah and Shen and named it "Ebenezer" meaning, "The Lord has helped us to this point." God is still helping us today. The question is, how good is your memory?
When you have times of tribulation - you know, those times Jesus said will come - do you find yourself crying out in fear? Do you find yourself awake at night with anxiety? Do you find yourself murmuring and complaining, or are you able to recall the times God made a way out of no way? Do you remember when God was your shelter in a time of storm? Are you able to look back over your life and remember the times that God has helped you to this point?
As you go throughout your day, think back to the countless instances where God has performed miraculous feats in your life. Those times when it looked like all hope was lost but somehow you made it through. Find a way to memorialize it so that when tribulation comes, you will remember the ways God has helped you to this point. And this memory will give you the strength to carry on because guess what? You have a charge to keep.
Reflection Question: When new trials arise, how can remembering the “Ebenezer stones” of God’s past help in your life strengthen your resolve to keep the charge God has entrusted to you?
Pray: Lord, help me to remember the ways God has already helped and strengthen me.
Sister Kendra C. Childs-Jones kendrachildsjones@gmail.com St. Peter AME Church Clarksville, Tennessee
Thursday | October 9, 2025
Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Quitting Is Not An Option
The saying “Failure is not an option” sounds good, and it may even seem motivating. However, it is toxic and leaves no space for growth, grace, or the lessons found in stumbling. We are human, and failure is inescapable. Each of us will experience it in some form. Yet with God, failure is never final. What we see as defeat, God uses as discipline, direction, and development. Every fall is an invitation to rise again with greater wisdom and deeper faith.
Let’s be honest, failing hurts. Sometimes failure can shake our confidence and make us question our worth. But rest assured that God will always meet us in those low places. God will lift us with God’s love and remind us that our story does not end at the point of our mistakes. What feels like failure is often God building something greater in us.
Rather than saying failure is not an option, let’s hold on to the truth that quitting is not an option. We have a charge to keep. God has already begun a good work in us, and God is faithful to finish what God started. Sometimes what feels like failure is actually God teaching us, stretching us, or preparing us for our next chapter or level of service. On the days when it is all too much, we do not have to have it all together. Let grace abide and take one small step, trusting God is still leading us toward what God promised. Whatever you do, remember, quitting is not an option.
Reflection Question: When you face setbacks, how can you view them not as a reason to quit, but as God’s shaping hand preparing you to keep the charge entrusted to your life?
Pray: Teach me to see challenges as lessons, disappointments as direction, and struggles as places where you are still at work. Amen.
Reverend Lorarine Loving lorarineloving@gmail.com Saint Andrew AME Church Memphis, Tennessee
Friday | October 10, 2025
Luke 12:27-31
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you you of little faith! And do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
God’s Prescription
Anxiety and worry are distress responses to the circumstances of life in this fallen world. They are both the result of fear-the fear of man, the fear of loss, or the fear of the future.” (Learn.ligonier.org) Anxiety and worry are often used interchangeably, however Wisdombegun.com says it’s important for Christians, who want to grow in emotional resilience and spiritual peace, to know the difference between the two. Wisdombegun.com further states: “While worry tends to stay in our minds, anxiety shows up in our bodies.” (Example: clenched teeth; stomach ulcers, etc.) “Fear, worry, and anxiety show up together and feed into each other in various situations where danger lurks.” (Biblicalcounselingcenter.org)
Prescriptions for these emotions are found throughout God’s word. (1) We may worry because the cost of living is skyrocketing. God’s prescription for worrying is found in Luke 12:22-31: We are told to seek God’s Kingdom and everything else we need will be given to us as well. (2) The prescription for Anxiety is found in 1Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on [God], because [God] cares for you.” As Biblicalcounselingcenter.org, states: “Fear, worry and anxiety, show up together,” therefore: (3) Our prescription for fear, brought on by any situation, is found in Isaiah 41:13: “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” We cannot live in fear; we have a charge to keep.
Reflection Question: When fear, worry, or anxiety rise up in your life, how can turning to God’s Word as your prescription strengthen you to keep faithfully walking in the charge God has given you?
Pray: Lord, may we constantly ingest God’s prescriptions and stay encouraged today.
Presiding Elder Ella Mae Samuels, Retired epesmiley@gmail.com St. Paul AME Church
Dr. Larry McDonald, Pastor Raleigh, North Carolina
Saturday | October 11, 2025
Daniel 3:17-18
If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.
Faith That Holds In The Fire
Life often places us in the heat of trials where compromise seems easier than conviction. The three Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before the fiery furnace not because they lacked faith, but because they had it. They believed God could deliver them, but their trust went deeper: “Even if God doesn’t, we still won’t bow.”
That is the kind of faith that holds in the fire. It’s not a faith built on convenience, but on covenant. It’s not a faith that wavers when prayers aren’t answered on our timeline, but one that declares, “My God is still worthy, even if I must walk through the flames.”
We live in a world that constantly demands our bow bow to fear, bow to money, bow to power, bow to culture. But obedience to God requires a backbone stronger than the furnace before us. The fire may be real, but so is the God who walks with us in it.
Today, let us choose the faith that doesn’t flinch. A faith that trusts God’s hand, even when it cannot see God’s plan. Because in the end, the same God who stood in the furnace with the three Hebrew boys is the same God who stands with us now. We woke up today because we have a charge to keep.
Reflection Question: What situations in your life tempt you to bow to fear or compromise, and how can you stand firm in faith, trusting that God is with you in the fire?
Pray: Lord, help me to trust you not only for what you can do, but for who you are. May my obedience be firm, my worship unwavering, and my testimony unshaken. Amen.
Reverend Jason Rouse jrouse33141@gmail.com
Greater St John AME Church Trio Community, Andrews, South Carolina www.greaterstjohntrio.org
| October 12, 2025
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
ACharge Entrusted
A Charge to Keep I Have reminds us that every believer has been given a sacred charge. This charge is not simply a task to be completed, but a life to be lived in full devotion to God. It is a reminder that the breath we breathe and the time we are given are not our own they are entrusted to us for God’s glory. To live with this awareness means seeing each decision, each interaction, and each opportunity as an offering back to the One who created us. Too often, we separate our faith from our daily responsibilities, but the hymn insists they are one and the same. To glorify God is to live with purpose in every moment, to embody faith not just in the sanctuary but also in the home, the workplace, and the community. This charge asks us to live with integrity and intentionality.
Reflection Question: How am I honoring God today with the life God has entrusted to me?
Pray: Lord, help me to live faithfully and honor the charge you have placed in my hands. ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Monday | October 13, 2025
2 Corinthians 12:9
“’My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
God’s Strength For The Task
Carrying out the charge often feels like more than we can bear. Our energy fades, our resolve weakens, and our confidence slips away. Yet God never intended for us to fulfill our charge alone. God’s Spirit equips, sustains, and strengthens us for every step. A Charge to Keep I Have serves as a reminder that while the work is urgent, it is not carried out by human willpower alone. God’s strength is perfect in our weakness, and God’s grace supplies what we lack. Too often, we push forward in our own might, only to find ourselves weary and defeated. Instead, we are called to lean into the sufficiency of God, trusting that God provides what is needed at the right time. The charge is not diminished by our frailty; it is magnified by God’s power working through us.
Reflection Question: In what area of my charge do I need to lean more fully on God’s strength instead of my own?
Prayer: Lord, fill me with your Spirit so I may serve with strength beyond myself.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Tuesday | October 14, 2025
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Witness InAction
A Charge to Keep I Have calls us to live lives that reflect the gospel, not merely through our words but through our works. Faith that is only spoken can sound hollow, but faith that is lived in love and service carries weight and credibility. To keep the charge is to live as a witness of Christ’s transforming power, embodying kindness, justice, and mercy. This witness is not about perfection, but about allowing others to see God’s love at work in us.
Each act of service, each choice of compassion, and each moment of integrity becomes a testimony that points beyond ourselves to the One we serve. The world does not simply need more words; it needs living examples of faith in action. The hymn’s urgency reminds us that our charge is not passive it is active, visible, and lived daily in front of others.
Reflection Question: How can I demonstrate Christ’s love in a tangible way this week?
Pray: Lord, let my works speak of your goodness more loudly than my words.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Wednesday | October 15, 2025
Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Endurance In The Journey
The charge we are given is not a sprint; it is a lifelong journey that requires endurance. Many begin the path with excitement, but the weight of trials, disappointments, and delays can cause weariness. Yet A Charge to Keep I Have reminds us that the call is ongoing, and faithfulness must be cultivated over time. God promises to complete the work God begins in us, but perseverance is needed to stay the course.
Endurance does not mean never stumbling it means refusing to give up when stumbling occurs. It means trusting God’s hand when the path is unclear and holding fast to hope when results seem slow. Endurance is built when we remind ourselves daily of the charge, drawing on God’s strength for every step forward. To endure is to live with the assurance that God is faithful, even when the journey is long.
Reflection Question: Where do I need to practice patience and endurance as I fulfill my God-given charge?
Pray: Lord, give me staying power to remain faithful to your call until the end.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Thursday | October 16, 2025
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Faith Over Fear
A Charge to Keep I Have reminds us that to keep the charge means choosing faith over fear. Fear tempts us to shrink back, to compromise, or to bow to pressure, but faith emboldens us to stand firm.
Remember the story of the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace? It is a clear picture of this truth. They stood unshaken because their faith was anchored in God, not in outcomes. We too face furnaces times when culture, circumstances, or inner doubts demand that we bow. To live the charge is to declare that God is worthy of our obedience, even when fear is loud, and the fire is hot. This kind of faith is not reckless; it is rooted in trust that God is with us no matter what comes.
Fear may rise, but faith chooses to remain steadfast, keeping the charge at all costs.
Reflection Question: What fear is trying to distract me from the charge God has given me?
Pray: Lord, give me bold faith to stand firm in you when fear rises.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Friday | October 17, 2025
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
Passing The Torch
Our charge is not only personal it is also generational. What we do with our lives sets an example for those who come after us. A Charge to Keep I Have focuses us on trust, not just for today, but for tomorrow. Faithfulness today becomes a testimony that inspires others to follow Christ. Parents, mentors, teachers, and leaders all carry this responsibility, but so does every believer who bears witness to God’s goodness. Passing the torch means showing those around us that faith is worth keeping, that the charge is worth carrying, and that God is worth serving. It is about living in such a way that our words and actions leave an imprint of faith that others can follow. This charge does not end with us; it continues through those we influence.
Reflection Question: How can I model a faithful life that inspires the next generation to keep their charge?
Pray: Lord, let my life be a legacy of faithfulness that points others to you.
Saturday | October 18, 2025
John 17:15-16
I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
Serving The PresentAged With Integrity
We live in a culture that constantly pressures us to compromise. Whether through workplace shortcuts, social media performance, or the pursuit of recognition, the world tempts us to dilute our witness. A Charge to Keep I Have calls us to serve the present age, which means not withdrawing from the world but engaging it with integrity.
To serve well is to remain faithful to Christ while navigating the complexities of daily life. Jesus prayed not that we be taken out of the world, but that we be kept from the evil one. Living with this charge means being fully present in our responsibilities while refusing to be shaped by corruption. God has placed us here for this time, and our charge is to let our light shine even when darkness surrounds us.
Reflection Question: Where am I most tempted to compromise my faith in order to fit in with the world?
Pray: Lord, keep me grounded in your truth as I live with integrity in this present age.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Sunday | October 19, 2025
Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness.
Calling With Courage
Every believer carries a calling uniquely fitted for this present moment. Yet answering that call takes courage because the values of the kingdom often run counter to the values of culture. To keep the charge is to be courageous enough to choose obedience to God over the approval of people.
Today, courage may mean speaking truth in love when silence feels safer. It may mean prioritizing service over self-promotion. It may mean rejecting systems of injustice rather than benefiting from them. Serving this age is not about blending in but about standing out in ways that glorify God. Courageous disciples are needed now more than ever to bring God’s kingdom to bear in everyday spaces.
Reflection Question: What situation in my life right now requires me to choose courage over comfort?
Pray: Lord, strengthen me to answer your call with boldness in this present age.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Monday | October 20, 2025
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Focused InADistracted World
The world offers constant noise news cycles, endless scrolling, and voices demanding our attention. A Charge to Keep I Have centers us today on engaging "all [our] powers.” To do our Master’s will, we must guard against distraction and fix our eyes on Christ. Distraction does not always look sinful; it often appears as busyness or divided attention. But when our energy is scattered, our calling is left undone.
Scripture calls us to set our minds on things above, grounding our priorities in what truly matters. In a distracted world, focusing on God’s will is both countercultural and essential. It is how we remain in the world without being consumed by it.
Reflection Question: What distractions most often keep me from engaging fully in my charge for God?
Pray: Lord, help me fix my eyes on you and focus my life on your will.
Tuesday | October 21, 2025
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Focused InADistracted World
The world offers constant noise news cycles, endless scrolling, and voices demanding our attention. A Charge to Keep I Have centers us today on engaging "all [our] powers.” To do our Master’s will, we must guard against distraction and fix our eyes on Christ. Distraction does not always look sinful; it often appears as busyness or divided attention. But when our energy is scattered, our calling is left undone.
Scripture calls us to set our minds on things above, grounding our priorities in what truly matters. In a distracted world, focusing on God’s will is both countercultural and essential. It is how we remain in the world without being consumed by it.
Reflection Question: What distractions most often keep me from engaging fully in my charge for God?
Pray: Lord, help me fix my eyes on you and focus my life on your will.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Wednesday | October 22, 2025
John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Engaging The World With Love
To serve the present age is not to retreat from it, but to engage it with the love of Christ. Our world is fractured by division, marked by injustice, and desperate for hope. Believers are called to bring Christ’s presence into these spaces not by conforming to the world’s patterns, but by embodying his compassion, truth, and justice. Engagement means listening, serving, and advocating in ways that reflect God’s heart.
Love becomes the force that sustains our work and distinguishes our witness. Jesus said the world would know we are his disciples by our love. To keep the charge in this age is to live love boldly, offering a countercultural witness that points people back to God this is our charge.
Reflection Question: How can I show Christ’s love in a way that challenges the brokenness of the world around me?
Pray: Lord, let my life be marked by love that reflects you in this present age.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Thursday | October 23, 2025
Psalm 139:1-2
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
Living Before God’s Eyes
A Charge to Keep I Have teaches us that we live every moment in the sight of God. Nothing is hidden, and every action is seen by the One who searches our hearts. This is not meant to create fear but reverence an awareness that our lives are sacred offerings before God. In a world that often says, “do what you want, no one is watching,” the believer knows that God is always near. To live in God’s sight is to seek integrity, even when no one else notices. It is to let the awareness of God’s presence shape how we speak, work, love, and serve. Keeping the charge requires that we cultivate this holy attentiveness daily.
Reflection Question: How might remembering that I live every moment before God change the way I act today?
Pray: Lord, remind me that I live always in your presence and help me walk with integrity.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Friday | October 24, 2025
Romans 14:12
So then each of us will be accountable to God.
ALife OfAccountability
One day we will give an account of our lives before God. This is not about condemnation but about responsibility for how we handled the charge entrusted to us. In a culture that often avoids accountability, disciples are called to embrace it. Every resource, every gift, every opportunity is a trust from God, and one day we will answer for how we used them. This truth should not weigh us down in fear but inspire us to live wisely and faithfully. To live accountable is to live with purpose, knowing that nothing done for God is wasted. A Charge to Keep I Have means being mindful that our choices echo into eternity.
Reflection Question: What area of my life needs greater accountability to reflect God’s will?
Pray: Lord, prepare me to give a faithful account of the life you have entrusted to me.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Saturday | October 25, 2025
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Guarding The Heart
A Charge to Keep I Have’s plea, “arm me with jealous care,” requires vigilance. The heart can easily be pulled away by temptation, distraction, or compromise. Guarding the heart means setting boundaries, watching what we allow in, and asking God to strengthen us against sin’s subtle pull. In today’s world, where temptations are only a click away, this prayer is even more urgent. To keep the charge is to remain attentive to the condition of our hearts and alert to the things that can dull our devotion to Christ. God equips us with the Holy Spirit to guard what has been entrusted to us.
Reflection Question: What influences in my life do I need to guard my heart against right now?
Pray: Lord, guard my heart and keep me faithful as I live in your sight.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Sunday | October 26, 2025
2 Corinthains 5:10
For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
Living With Eternal Perspective
The charge reminds us that life is not aimless we live with eternity in view. To “prepare a strict account to give” means remembering that our time here matters beyond the present moment. This world says to focus only on now, but God calls us to live with eyes fixed on what is eternal. Every act of kindness, every step of obedience, every sacrifice of love is recorded by the One who sees. This perspective reshapes how we use our time, talents, and treasures. Living with eternity in mind keeps us from being consumed by what fades and helps us invest in what lasts forever. Our charge is an eternal one.
Reflection Question: How would my daily priorities shift if I lived more intentionally with eternity in mind?
Pray: Lord, help me to live today in light of eternity and to value what lasts forever.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Monday | October 27, 2025
Matthew 26:41
Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Watchfulness InADistracted World
A Charge to Keep I Have urges us to live watchfully. Jesus also told his disciples to stay awake and pray, for temptation is always near. In today’s world, distraction is one of the enemy’s sharpest tools. We become so busy, entertained, or overwhelmed that we fail to notice when our devotion slips. To watch means to be spiritually alert to examine our hearts, pay attention to our habits, and remain aware of the Spirit’s leading.
Prayer keeps us grounded in God’s presence, steadying us against the pull of the world. Keeping the charge means being vigilant, not fearful, but intentional in living faithfully each day.
Reflection Question: What distractions most often pull me away from being spiritually alert?
Pray: Lord, keep me watchful and prayerful so I remain steady in my devotion to you.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Tuesday | October 28, 2025
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reliance On GodAlone
When we sing A Charge to Keep I Have, we confess our dependence on God: “on thyself rely.” Our charge is too great to bear without God’s strength. The world tempts us to trust in money, influence, or even our own wisdom. Yet these foundations shift and crumble. True reliance is found only in God, who never fails. To live this way means daily surrender acknowledging our limits and leaning into God’s sufficiency. Prayer becomes not just a request for help, but an act of reliance, reminding us that we are not alone in our charge. Faithfulness grows as we trust more in God and less in ourselves.
Reflection Question: In what areas of my life am I relying on myself instead of on God?
Pray: Lord, teach me to rely on you fully and trust your strength above my own.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Wednesday | October 29, 2025
Luke 16:10
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
GuardingAgainst Betrayal
A Charge to Keep I Have speaks with sobering honesty: if we betray our trust, we lose the life God intends. Betrayal is not only a dramatic rejection of faith it can be the slow drift of neglect, compromise, or disobedience. God calls us to faithfulness, not perfection, but this verse reminds us that our choices matter.
In a culture that often minimizes sin, the hymn pulls us back to reality: our devotion to God requires vigilance. Guarding against betrayal means nurturing intimacy with God, surrounding ourselves with accountability, and choosing obedience even when it costs us. This is the seriousness of the charge.
Reflection Question: What small compromises in my life could grow into betraying the trust God has given me?
Pray: Lord, keep me faithful and guard me from betraying the trust you have placed in me.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Thursday | October 30, 2025
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
Assurance In Christ
Though A Charge to Keep I Have warns of eternal loss, it also points to assurance in Christ. Our hope is not in flawless living but in God’s unfailing grace. We watch and pray, not in fear of falling, but in confidence that God holds us. Assurance does not make us careless; it deepens our devotion, reminding us that we are secure in Christ’s finished work. In a world where so much is uncertain, assurance anchors us. We do not keep the charge alone Christ keeps us even as we keep faith. This assurance strengthens our watchfulness and deepens our reliance.
Reflection Question: How does the assurance of God’s grace give me strength to remain faithful to my charge?
Pray: Lord, thank you for the assurance that your grace holds me as I strive to remain faithful.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Friday | October 31, 2025
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Caring For God’s House Of Worship
Our charge is not just personal it extends to the community of faith and the physical church entrusted to us. Our ancestors built sanctuaries with sacrifice, determination, and prayer. These houses of worship became more than brick and wood; they became spaces of refuge, teaching, and transformation.
To keep the charge is to honor their legacy by caring for the church in our time. This means maintaining the building, but also preserving the mission of the church as a beacon of hope. Neglect dishonors the sacrifices made, but stewardship ensures that future generations will find the same strength and community we have known. Caring for God’s house is an act of gratitude and faithfulness, remembering that it belongs to God and must be used for God’s glory.
Reflection Question: What am I doing to help preserve the church as a place of worship and refuge for generations to come?
Pray: Lord, help me to care for your house with the same devotion shown by those who came before me.
