In The Box: Five Day Devotional

Here are a few additional resources to guide your quiet time this week:

• Watch the replay of In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

• Use this small group discussion guide with family, friends and co-workers.

• Join us for our 6 AM Prayer Call, Monday through Friday (EST)

Day 1: What Are You Really Hungry For?

Based on the Message: "In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

"Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."- Luke 18:9-14

Devotional: Have you ever noticed how your deepest desires reveal themselves in the most unexpected moments? When we gather to pray, something profound happens - our true cravings are exposed. Are we there because we're genuinely hungry for God's presence, or are we secretly hoping others will notice our spirituality? The Pharisee in Jesus' parable positioned himself strategically where everyone could see and hear his elaborate prayer. He wore impressive religious garments and spoke loudly about his spiritual accomplishments. But his heart revealed what he truly craved - human approval and recognition.

Meanwhile, the tax collector stood at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes toward heaven. His simple plea for mercy came from a heart genuinely hungry for God. No performance, no show - just raw, authentic need. This isn't about condemning public prayer or religious expression. It's about examining our motivations. When we worship, serve, or pray, what drives us? The applause of people or the approval of God? The beautiful truth is that God sees past our performances straight into our hearts. He's not impressed by our religious resume or how eloquently we can pray. He's looking for authenticity, humility, and genuine hunger for Him.

Today, let's pause and honestly examine what we're truly craving. Are we performing for an audience, or are we genuinely seeking the One who loves us unconditionally?

Quote: "Our desires expose our hearts. Are we hungry and thirsty for God, or are we satisfied with the attention of man?" - Pastor Sheana Elliott

Question: When you pray or worship, what motivates you more, the desire to be seen by others or the genuine hunger to connect with God?

Prayer: Lord, search my heart and reveal my true motivations. Help me to hunger for You above all else, not for the approval of others, but for authentic relationship with You. Strip away any performance and help me come to You with genuine humility and need. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 2: When Praise Becomes Performance

Based on the Message: "In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." - Matthew 15:8-9

Devotional: We've all seen it - maybe even done it ourselves. The perfectly timed "Amen," the raised hands that seem more choreographed than spontaneous, the spiritual language that flows effortlessly but feels hollow. It's possible to master the art of looking spiritual while our hearts remain distant from God. The Pharisees were experts at this. They knew exactly how to position themselves, what to wear, and what to say to appear righteous. Their phylacteries were wide, their tassels long, and their prayers elaborate. Everything was designed for maximum visual impact. But Jesus saw through their performance.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: anyone can fake praise. Some of us have been in church so long that we know all the right moves, all the right words, all the right responses. We can go through the motions while our hearts are miles away, checking our phones or planning our afternoon. But authentic worship can't be manufactured. When we've truly encountered God's presence, something changes. We don't want to leave. We're not watching the clock or thinking about lunch plans. We're captivated by the One who loves us beyond measure. The tax collector's worship was raw and real. No fancy words, no impressive posture - just a broken heart crying out for mercy. His body language spoke volumes about the condition of his soul. God isn't looking for perfect performances. He's looking for authentic hearts that recognize their need for Him.

Quote: Outward praise does not always reflect the posture of the heart. God invites us beyond the motions and into sincerity." - Pastor Sheana Elliott

Question: Can you identify moments when your worship has been more about going through the motions than genuinely connecting with God?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I've offered You empty praise and hollow worship. Help me to worship You in spirit and truth, with a heart that is genuinely engaged and hungry for Your presence. Break through any religious routine and make my worship authentic. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 3: The Language of a Broken Heart

Based on the Message: "In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God." -Luke 18:13-14

Devotional: Sometimes the most powerful prayers are the ones with the fewest words. The tax collector's entire prayer was just seven words: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." No eloquent phrases, no impressive theological language - just raw, honest desperation. What made his prayer so powerful wasn't what he said, but how he said it. His body language told the whole story. He couldn't even lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his chest in genuine sorrow. Every gesture communicated what words alone could never express - his deep awareness of his need for God's mercy.

Contrast this with the Pharisee's lengthy prayer, filled with self-congratulation and comparison to others. He had all the right religious vocabulary, but his heart was in the wrong place. He was talking to God about himself rather than talking to God about God. The beautiful truth is that God doesn't need our fancy religious language. He doesn't require perfect theology or impressive spiritual vocabulary. What He desires is authenticity - hearts that recognize their desperate need for His grace and mercy. Sometimes our most honest prayers happen when we're too broken to find the right words. When life has stripped away our pretenses and left us with nothing but our need for God. In those moments, our hearts speak a language that heaven understands perfectly. God hears the prayers of broken hearts more clearly than the most eloquent religious speeches. He's drawn to humility, not performance.

Quote: "When words fail, humility speaks. Broken hearts pray a language heaven understands." - Pastor Sheana Elliott

Question: When have you experienced God most powerfully - during elaborate prayers or in moments of simple, honest desperation?

Prayer: Lord, help me to come to You with the simplicity and honesty of the tax collector. When I'm overwhelmed by life, remind me that You hear my heart even when I can't find the words. Thank You for receiving my broken prayers and meeting me in my need. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 4: The Gift Inside the Package

Based on the Message: "In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." -2 Corinthians 4:7

Devotional: Have you ever been so captivated by beautiful gift wrapping that you almost forgot to open the present inside? The Pharisees fell into this exact trap. They became so enamored with the external trappings of faith - the robes, the rituals, the religious status - that they missed the greatest gift of all: Jesus Himself.

Religious traditions and practices aren't bad. Phylacteries containing Scripture, prayer shawls, and ceremonial robes all have their place in expressing faith. But when these external elements become more important than the relationship they're meant to represent, we've lost our way. The Pharisees knew God's law inside and out. They could quote Scripture, perform rituals perfectly, and maintain impressive religious appearances. But they missed the spirit behind it all. They understood the rules but not the heart of the One who made them. Jesus came to fulfill the law and offer something the law could never provide - grace, mercy, and relationship with God through faith. He reworked the plan to include everyone, not just those who could master religious requirements.

Our righteousness isn't found in how well we perform religious duties or how impressive our spiritual resume looks. It's found in Jesus alone. He is the gift that gives meaning to every religious practice and tradition. Don't get so caught up in the packaging that you miss the precious gift inside. Jesus is the treasure we're all searching for.

Quote: "Don’t get caught up in the package and miss the gift. The Pharisees were so enthralled with the adornments of faith that they failed to adore the gift-Christ." - Pastor Sheana Elliott

Question: Are there religious practices or traditions in your life that have become more important to you than your actual relationship with Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to see You clearly through all the religious practices and traditions. Don't let me get so focused on the external expressions of faith that I miss the relationship You desire with me. You are the treasure I seek above all else. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 5: Everyone Needs Jesus

Based on the Message: "In The Box" by Pastor Sheana Elliott

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."- Matthew 9:13

Devotional: One of the most beautiful truths about the gospel is its universal application. Jesus didn't create an exclusive club for the spiritually elite. He opened the door wide for everyone - thieves and Pharisees, business leaders and beggars, the morally upright and the obviously broken. The tax collector in Jesus' parable represents all of us who know we're sinners and desperately need God's mercy. But the Pharisee also represents those who need Jesus just as much, even though they might not realize it.

Pride, self-righteousness, and spiritual arrogance are just as much sins as theft or adultery. Jesus came to rescue us all from darkness. Whether you're struggling with obvious moral failures or subtle spiritual pride, whether you're a new believer or have been in church your whole life, you need Jesus. We all do. The hardest way to live is without God, trying to fix ourselves through human effort, therapy, or self-improvement. While these things might help with symptoms, only Jesus can address the root problem of sin and separation from God. Salvation is both instant and progressive. The moment we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, we are justified - declared righteous before God. But the process of becoming more like Jesus continues throughout our lives. God wants to transform your life, whether you're taking your first step toward Him or your thousandth. There's room at the cross for everyone.

Quote: "We all need to recognize our need for Jesus." - Pastor Sheana Elliott

Question: How does knowing that everyone - including yourself - needs Jesus change the way you view others and yourself?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation available to everyone. Help me to remember that I need You just as much today as the day I first believed. Use me to help others see that Your love and grace are available to them too, regardless of their background or current condition. In Jesus' name, Amen.