The Ruler of Everything
If you were to look at a map of the world, you would see many different countries divided by territory lines. Each of those countries has a ruler who is responsible for what happens in those borders. Ever since the beginning of creation, humans have had ownership as rulers over portions of land.
It can be easy to look at the world and think those rulers alone have ultimate control over what happens within their land. As we look at Scripture though, we see that even though humans rule over various countries—it is God who truly rules over everything.
While many leaders have power over their land and people, God’s Word tells us that only God has true power. He is the One who created everything that exists, so He is the only one who is truly great and powerful.
Everything on earth and in heaven ultimately belongs to God, and regardless of what happens in the world, God is still the ruler over everything. No matter what earthly rulers decide, God is ultimately in control of everything. This is why God is deserving of all praise and glory for His greatness and power.
So take some time today to think about the greatness of God who made everything that exists, and yet still desires a relationship with His people. God is not some lofty ruler who makes decisions in a far off place, but He is present in the lives of those who call Him Lord.
Cultivating Honest Conversations about God...
Cultivating Honest Conversations with God
Prayer is one of the most important habits we can develop. Not only does Scripture command us to pray often, but there are tremendous benefits to building a life of prayer.
Prayer connects us relationally to God. We can thank God for who He is and what He has done for us during our prayer time. We can ask Him for things that we need.
Even though we know we should pray, we often do not take the time to do it. Unless we set aside time to talk to God, it doesn’t always find a way into our daily schedules. But Paul, the writer of the letter to the Ephesians, urges Christians to build a life of prayer. He says that every occasion is a chance to talk to God.
All of our requests and needs should be given to God. However, our time praying should not only be asking God for things. We should also spend part of our time in worship—thanking God for who He is and all He has done.
Paul also encourages us to pray for other people. In fact, part of our responsibility towards others is to advocate for them through prayer. We typically remember to pray for others when something negative is happening to them. But God’s Word says we should always be praying for the people in our life.
As we pray, we should not be discouraged when we don’t see immediate change. God is always working in our lives, even if it doesn’t match our desired timeline. We may not receive the answers we want, but we can rest assured that God is always listening and working on our behalf.
Take some time today to pray to God. Thank Him for all He has done for you. Tell Him your needs. Think of a few people in your life that you can pray for. Throughout your week, use every opportunity to pray to God.
If You Can Only Bring One Weapon...
f You Can Only Bring One Weapon…
Before Jesus left His disciples, He spoke words that were both realistic and encouraging:
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Even though Jesus has won the ultimate victory, He knew there would be a time between His resurrection and return when His people would still be vulnerable to attack. But Jesus spoke with confidence to encourage His followers: He is both willing and able to overcome anything and everything the world might throw at us.
We can withstand any spiritual attack because of who we stand with: Jesus. It is the armor of God: Jesus’ truth, Jesus’ righteousness, Jesus’ peace, and Jesus’ salvation which we wear. He has given us all the protective gear we need… with one notable offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit.
The Bible is no mere book. It is God’s Spirit-filled, powerful, living, and active tool for change, both in our own hearts (Hebrews 4:12) and in any spiritual battles we may face. We can join in on the offensive against the enemy using this spiritual weapon, God’s Word.
The time you are spending in God’s Word right now is powerful. It is sharpening you and preparing you for whatever happens today so that after all is said and done, you will stand.
Don’t be surprised when you face trouble. Just remember that Jesus prepared you for this day and has given you all you need to face it.
Dressed by the Spirit...
Dressed by the Spirit
One of the first tasks we teach children is to dress themselves. Learning how to fasten buttons and tie shoes is a life skill they'll need daily. We teach children how to put on their clothes and what items are appropriate to wear. Will it be hot or cold? Will they be going somewhere formal or jumping in rain puddles?
The Holy Spirit teaches us, as children of God, how to dress ourselves. If we are to face spiritual enemies and battles, we will need the armor of God. And just as we needed training on how to tie the laces on our physical shoes, we need to learn about spiritual shoes and belts, too.
It is the truth of Jesus that 'holds everything together,' as a belt does. He is the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father except by Jesus … and everyone who comes to Jesus finds the Father (John 14:6-7). There are no shortcuts.
A breastplate protects the wearer’s vulnerable organs. Paul likens the righteousness (or right standing) that comes from having Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross to a breastplate. If Satan tries to land a fatal blow by accusing us of sin, Jesus’ righteousness protects us from condemnation every time (1 Peter 3:18).
Lastly, just as the right shoes can help us to run further and faster without getting injured, the right spiritual shoes will help us go the distance as we prepare to speak of the good news—or gospel—of peace between sinful people and a holy God. This gospel of peace bridges gaps between people who were formerly enemies: that’s good news we can always be ready to share.
Armor for Everyone, Everything, and Everywhere...
Armor for Everyone, Everything, and Everywhere
In the first century, Roman armor would have been made of metal and treated leather. Today, we might imagine a soldier or police officer's bulky tactical gear with bulletproof vests and helmets. Not many of us wear this kind of head-to-toe protective gear before heading out in the morning.
But the Bible urges us to consider spiritual armor essential. Why?
Because unseen spiritual adversaries exist, and we're vulnerable to their attacks. Here are two vital things to notice about our "armor."
First, God is the one who gives us armor. It's the armor of God. We can't possibly protect ourselves from spiritual attacks. But God supplies all we need.
Second, we don't put on our armor or fight alone. The mental image of the lone soldier standing in an arena against an enemy is not what Paul has in mind. The instructions to put on spiritual armor aren't given to you, the individual—they're given to all of us, together, who make up the church.
We all suit up together in God's armor, and we stand, pray, praise, and defend… together.
God graciously gives us armor so that when we experience a spiritual attack, we will stand and fight by His strength. Today, imagine standing strong in God's protective armor. How might this imagery influence how you endure and remain resilient in the face of spiritual battles and uncertainties?
Your Battle is Won!...
Your Battle is Won
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances or wondered why you kept fighting the same struggle?
Jesus taught us that life as a Christ-follower will be difficult. Our world is filled with broken people who do broken things. There will be trials.
When Adam and Eve decided to pursue something “good” apart from God, their decision allowed evil to enter the world. This means there is a spiritual battle that we cannot see, and it impacts our everyday lives.
When we give our lives to Jesus, we join His team—but this also means we become a target of the devil, our enemy. Every bad thing that happens to us is not necessarily a direct attack from Satan—sometimes it’s just a result of living in a fallen, broken world. But there is a spiritual element to every situation because the devil is always trying to draw the world away from God, and he is looking for people to destroy.
When struggles happen, the devil will try to get you to believe lies about God, your situation, yourself, or other people. He will try to get you to doubt your identity and your God-given authority. But God, who has victory over Satan, is always fighting for you.
Nothing can overcome God, and so when we rely on God—nothing can overcome us.
In every situation, we are more than conquerors because God deeply loves us. This is why we don’t have to be afraid of the spiritual fight—God has already won it. We need to remind ourselves of this truth so that way we can withstand the attacks from Satan when they come.
But attacks will end, because God will win.
So today, fill your mind with truth. Hold fast to your faith, and guard your heart. Walk in peace toward everyone, and memorize Scripture so that way you can wield it as a weapon against any spiritual attack that comes your way.
And know that no matter what you face—God is already fighting for you. He is in control, and He will never leave you. He will never let you fall as long as you keep clinging to Him.
When you belong to God, you have the power to subdue, crush, and overthrow anything the devil throws at you. God’s power makes you more than a conqueror.
Get Ready...
Get Ready
Would a doctor begin an operation without surgical gear? Would a firefighter run into a burning building without a protective suit? Would a soldier head into a battle without armor?
With the exclusion of extreme situations, of course they wouldn’t.
In fact, not only do they spend years preparing for such moments, but they also learn to protect themselves from harm. If they aren’t prepared, they cannot do their job.
Writing to the believers in Ephesus from a Roman prison, the apostle Paul said:
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
Every day, we face battles that we can’t fully see. And if we’re not prepared, we cannot do our job of loving God and people well.
God’s armor is readily available, but we must make the intentional decision to dress ourselves for battle.
And what does that armor consist of?
- The belt of truth: If we don’t know what’s true, how can we discern a lie? We must look to God’s definition of truth, which is found in Scripture. His truth is unchanging, but also constantly being revealed to us. So look for what you know to be true of God, and then apply it to your life.
- The breastplate of righteousness: The only way for us to be righteous is to be covered in Jesus’ righteousness. We have to daily choose to remember that Jesus alone makes us worthy of God’s unending love.
- The shoes of peace: Jesus said that He was leaving us with a gift—peace of mind and heart. This peace isn’t something we can get from the world around us. It’s a peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit inside of us. It’s a peace that transcends our circumstances and informs our decisions.
- The shield of faith: Trusting in God’s ways and character helps to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy. When attacks like anxiety, disappointment, fear, or depression come whizzing at us—faith helps us stand our ground and press forward. When we cling to faith, we cling to the hope we have in the One who fights with and for us.
- The helmet of salvation: Salvation comes through Christ alone, and nothing can separate us from Him. So when we trust in Christ for salvation, our souls are protected, our eternity is secure, and we can put our hope in the finished work of the cross.
- The sword of the Spirit: Scripture clearly describes this “sword” as the Word of God, which can be used both defensively and offensively. We “wield” this “sword” by memorizing Scripture and applying its teachings. When we know what God’s Word says, we can confidently deflect the half-truths the devil tries to tell us.
It’s important to remember that while we do have an enemy, it’s not each other.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
We need spiritual weapons to fight a spiritual battle.
When we intentionally dress ourselves in the armor of God, we can be ready for the attacks that will inevitably come our way.
Finding Your Purpose...
Finding Your Purpose
The story of Esther is a powerful testimony within the Scriptures. It tells about Esther who risked her life in order to save the people of God from danger. Esther faced the decision between what was easy and what was difficult, and she chose the more difficult way because it was the right thing to do.
Esther 4:14 points out that Esther’s purpose in life was tied to this very moment. She was crafted and shaped by God in order to fulfill His purposes in her generation. She was placed in this unique situation by God.
While most of us might not be servants in the house of a king or queen, we all have difficult decisions to make in life. Every day we are faced with situations that have easy answers, and some that are difficult.
The story of Esther teaches us that God has gifted each of us for a specific purpose. Even though the journey isn’t always easy, God promises to be with us as we follow the path He’s called us to.
Additionally, Esther did not accomplish her purpose alone. She had the support of her community fasting and praying for her. Similarly, we cannot make it through life alone. We need the support of our community praying for us. And they need us in their lives as well.
Take some time today to think about your own story. How is it similar to Esther’s? Consider the unique purpose that God has created you for. Pray to Him for strength to make the right decision in life, and to persevere in following where He leads.
Come, See, Go, Tell...
What we hear affects what we know.
What we know influences what we believe.
What we believe impacts what we do.
That’s why it is so important to listen to God’s truth.
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
Romans 10:17 NLT
Throughout the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see Jesus inviting His followers to “come and see,” to “go and tell,” and to “listen and understand.”
Paul explains why “going and telling” matters in his letter to the Romans:
“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
Romans 10:13-15 NLT
So what is this “Good News”?
To truly understand it, let’s first look at the bad news: we’ve all messed up. Our sin separates us from a good and holy God, and there’s nothing we can do to bridge that gap.
Now, the good news: God loves us so much that He has already made a way for us. He put on skin, paid the ultimate price by dying a criminal’s death (even though He was innocent), and has conquered the grave by rising again. He has granted us the right to become His!
This is why “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
So right now, take a moment and thank God for the gift of His Word, and the ability to receive His Good News. Then, ask Him to strengthen your faith by showing you how to share your hope with others.
Live Prepared...
Pause and think of the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, or pastors.
But does your list include you?
As followers of Jesus, we are called to…
“…Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 NIV (Emphasis added)
We can’t expect people to observe what Jesus has commanded us unless we are also observing His commands ourselves.
Do we want people to learn about God’s love? Then we need to show God’s love to people. Do we want people to learn about Jesus’ compassion? Then we need to be compassionate. Do we want people to give generously? Then we need to be good stewards of our money. Do we want people to study God’s Word? Then we need to study it for ourselves.
When you give Jesus control over your life, you allow His love, joy, and hope to transform you. As this happens, your life becomes an act of worship that reveals His hope within you.
When you live like Jesus, people are drawn to Jesus in you.
As you worship Jesus with your life, you will be able to honestly say that Christ in you is your hope and glory—and people will believe it because they see the evidence.
They might not like who you are or agree with what you believe, but they won’t be able to find a logical reason to hate you when your life is centered around loving people the way Jesus loved you.
So as you go about each day, aim to live with gentleness and respect toward everyone—and let Jesus’ joy, love, and hope permeate your heart, mind, and relationships.
Holy is His Name...
Have you ever found yourself feeling uncertain and weighed down by your circumstances? In times like these, it can feel almost impossible to praise the Lord for all He has done.
Life's trials can often cloud our vision, making it difficult to see past our present struggles. Mary's declaration in Luke isn't solely about her blessings; it's a testament to the unchanging character of God. Despite her uncertainties and forthcoming challenges, she found the strength to proclaim the greatness of God and the holiness of His name:
"For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name."
Luke 1:49 NIV
Even when we don’t have all the answers, we can declare, "Holy is his name."
Even when we’re faced with hardships threatening to steal our praise, we can declare, "Holy is his name."
Even when the weight of fear presses down on us, we can declare, "Holy is his name."
Our declaration, like Mary's, is rooted in the belief that God’s faithfulness remains unwavering. The belief in God’s faithfulness strengthens our resolve to glorify Him—especially in the midst of uncertainty.
So, take a moment today to recall the "great things" the Mighty One has done for you. As you do, pray that your heart may be stirred to praise His holy name, remembering He has done great things not just for others but for you, too.
Sharing the Good News...
Just before Jesus left earth and ascended to heaven, He gathered His disciples who had been with Him for the past three years. While they were sitting around a table sharing a meal, Jesus commissioned them to continue the work that He had begun.
Jesus had spent most of His ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, which is the rule and reign of God. The right response to this arrival was for people to turn from their old ways and believe in Jesus.
The very first words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are in Mark 1:15, and they are an announcement of the arrival of God’s Kingdom. And Jesus’ last words to His disciples, starting in Mark 16:15, build upon His first announcement. The call Jesus left us with was to continue to tell others the good news of the Gospel.
This good news is that Jesus has brought the arrival of the Kingdom of God to earth, and that through His death and resurrection, He has made a way for all people to have a new life in Him.
This task of evangelism, or telling others about Jesus, was the first thing that Jesus asked His followers to do as He left earth. Telling others about what Jesus has done for them is one of the most important things that we can do with our time. We have been given the greatest gift of all—eternal life with God. But that free gift is freely available to the rest of the world as well.
So take some time today to pray for those in your life who do not know the hope that Jesus gives. Pray for their salvation, but also pray for opportunities to share your own faith story with them.
Telling others about Jesus doesn’t mean you have to stand on a street corner shouting, but it does mean you should seek out intentional and meaningful conversations with others. When we tell others about the new life and new Kingdom available to them, we are continuing the work that Jesus left us to do.
Part of the Plan...
In the beginning, God created everything.
Galaxies and volcanoes, fireflies and diamonds, oak trees and great white sharks. Finally, saving the best for last, He created humans in His image—to fill the earth, reign over its creatures, and cultivate a world that magnifies Him.
But even before the beginning, God was already there. He spoke time and space into existence, while existing outside of time and space. And long before you were born, He already knew all about you—your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures.
He knew all about you and chose to make you… because He loves you!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
You are God’s handiwork—sometimes translated as masterpiece, workmanship, or work of art.
You are also God’s masterpiece because of the unique spirit, personality, and gifts that have been uniquely wired in you.
Because we know that God is more brilliant than we could ever imagine, and because He loves us more than we could dare to hope, and because we know He writes great stories, we can trust what He has planned from beginning to end.
And His plan includes you. Yes, you! He has prepared good things for you to step into—meaningful relationships and impactful work. He is continually putting people and opportunities in your path, as well as working inside of you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).
He has empowered you to partner with Him as we experience the greatest story on earth.
So as you consider how God has intentionally designed you and placed you at this specific point in history, what passions and callings has He placed on your heart? This could be one big thing, or several small things. As you think about that, what step do you need to take to pursue your calling with God-given confidence?
Finish Well...
One of the most important parts of running a race is keeping your eyes on the finish line. If you happen to look at the other competitors, it can ruin your focus, causing you to slip up. Staying focused is crucial.
The writer of the letter of Hebrews uses this same idea when talking about our own spiritual lives. The writer encourages his readers to keep their eyes focused on Jesus while running the race of life.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus and our thoughts focused on Him, we are reminded of His great love and goodness. Keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us to not grow discouraged.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, we can lose focus on what really matters. We can become fixated on the priorities of the world around us rather than the mission of God. We can also lose our sense of value and worth if we lose sight of the love of God.
One of the reasons the author encourages his readers to focus their eyes on Jesus is because Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the reason we have faith, but He is also the one who continues to sanctify our hearts and strengthen our faith.
Jesus endured the pain of the cross with joy because He kept His own eyes on the finish line—sitting in a place of authority next to God the Father, and achieving salvation for His followers. We now experience the benefit of salvation because of His endurance.
Jesus’ example allows us to run the race of life with endurance and focus. So if you find yourself tired and wanting to give up, take some time to pray and think about Jesus who gave everything for you. Ask God for endurance so that you can continue to grow in your faith, and finish well.
The Art of God...
For an artist, there's a true honor and joy in showcasing their work. Others are able to witness the creativity and craftsmanship of the artist while being captivated by the story behind their artwork.
In 1 Chronicles 16:24, the writer calls God’s people to display God’s greatness among all nations, showcasing His marvelous deeds for others to witness and come to know this divine artist—God, the creator of the universe.
Each day is an opportunity for us, as God’s people, to showcase God’s glory through our words and actions. And just as artwork captivates distant onlookers, our lives should draw others in to witness and experience God and His story of redemption. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
So, consider these three ways you can embrace the call to display God’s glory as you engage the world around you:
- Celebrate His Glory: We should seek to celebrate others' (and our own) unique gifts, experiences, and abilities because it offers us a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of God's creativity.
- Reflect His Glory: We should seek to reflect God’s attributes of love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and justice.
- Share His Glory: We should actively use our God-given gifts to share the message of God's love and salvation with others.
In a world desperate for hope, we have the true joy and honor of showcasing God’s glory as a part of His story of redemption.
Justified by Faith...
The letter to the Romans is packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live. Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them.
One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means that we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.
Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous, because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.
However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we stand innocent before God because of Jesus.
It’s through being justified that we become children of God. We can have a relationship with God because of our status in Christ. We have access to God Himself, knowing that He is transforming us through our relationship with Him.
This means none of us can brag or boast about being a child of God. We all receive grace freely through faith. So right now, take a few moments to thank God for the incredible gift of salvation that He offers you. Then, reflect on what it means to be included in His family.
Love in Action...
Love in Action
Scripture has a lot to say about the way we treat people. If we have been saved by God, and have been shown the mercy and goodness of God, then we ought to show mercy and goodness to other people. Essentially…
…what we believe should determine how we act.
All of us who have received grace freely from God ought to also give grace freely to others. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he encourages them to be kind and compassionate to others. This idea is spread across all of God’s Word…
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11 NIV
“…All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
1 Peter 3:8 NIV.
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Luke 6:36 NLT
Showing other people compassion is one of the primary ways that we can communicate God’s love to other people. If we fail to love other people, we also fail to show them God’s love.
Paul also says we should forgive other people in our life, just as we have already been forgiven by Jesus. Forgiveness and compassion go together. When we do not forgive others, we fail to show them the same compassionate love that Jesus has shown us. A love that, as it suffered for us and because of us, still allowed Jesus to say, "Father forgive them—because they don't know what they're doing." We ought to be careful that we do not deny others the same love we’ve been freely given.
If you want to learn more about how to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward others, you can read through the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry found in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
But right now, take some time to think about the people in your own life who you may have the opportunity to show compassion to. Is there someone in need who you can help? Is there a person you can forgive? Is there someone who you can encourage?
Today is a great day to show people the same love, compassion, and forgiveness that you have received.
A Faithful and Just God
One of the central aspects of the gospel message is that every human has fallen short of God’s moral standard. We have all sinned, or missed the mark of living rightly. We’ve all messed up, made mistakes, and acted in a way that goes against God’s way of living.
Sin separates us from being in a right relationship with God. But while we were separated from God, Jesus made a way for us to return back to God through His death and resurrection.
Now, we can be in a relationship with God again. But even though we’ve been forgiven for our sins, it doesn’t always feel that way. We frequently carry around the guilt and shame from our sinful actions even though we’ve been forgiven by Christ.
That’s why 1 John 1:9 is a great reminder: when we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us. Our forgiveness is not based on our own faithfulness— it’s based on God’s faithfulness. Since we know God is faithful and cannot lie, we can trust that He will forgive us and purify us from everything that keeps us from Him.
This means that we don’t need to live under the weight of our own guilt. We have truly been freed in Christ. Forgiveness should empower us to continue to live righteous and faithful lives with God.
Take a moment and thank God for forgiving your sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thank Him that you are now a child of God, free from the guilt of the past. Ask Him to strengthen you as you walk in that truth.
How to Live with Wisdom...
How to Live with Wisdom
The world is full of ways to grow in knowledge and become smarter. We can learn from schools, books, or other means. But more important than gaining knowledge is growing in wisdom. Wisdom increases when we apply ourselves well in relationships and circumstances, and make good decisions.
However, Scripture also says that true wisdom begins with God. While there are many people on earth who are wise, in God’s eyes real wisdom begins with our relationship with Him. God is perfect in truth and knowledge, so all wisdom must begin with Him.
Those who live with true wisdom will be a bright light for God in a dark world. How we act and speak matters. We are representatives for God to the rest of the world, so it is important that we act wisely.
One aspect of living wisely is being righteous. Righteousness is living in accordance with God’s law and ways of life. When we live according to God’s Word, we are living in accordance with His design for our life.
Jesus says that other people will know we are His disciples by the way we love others (John 13:35). That means that loving others is living according to God’s Word. And, by loving God and loving others, we will point other people to Jesus.
This is why Jesus says we are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, and a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14). Daniel 12:3 says that as we live wisely and righteously, we will shine bright like stars in the darkness.
The way we live, think, and act matters. Those are the primary ways that other people will see the love God has for them. So consider your own life. Think of ways you can live in accordance with God’s Word. Write down one or two ways you can shine the light of Jesus by loving others in tangible ways.
How to Fight Fear...
How to Fight Fear
Think back to a time when you were genuinely scared.
As much as we’d prefer to never experience fear, fear is a part of the human experience. But when we are afraid, we have options…
We can panic, stress, get overwhelmed with worry, overthink every worst-case scenario, and attempt to numb out the anxiety-inducing situations around us in unhealthy ways … or, we can echo David’s words:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3 ESV
Something worth noting is that these words were penned after David had been captured by the Philistines. He was being harassed by his enemies and was scared for his life.
But David refused to settle for scared.
He resisted the urge to let fear have the final say. He decided to fight back with Truth…
…And so can we.
We never have to fight alone. God has given us something more powerful than ordinary weapons: He’s given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Even when we don’t have access to the perfect inspirational sermon or a timely word of encouragement, we can pause and remember the truth: that God fights for us, He’s with us, and He’ll never leave us.
When we shift our minds from our overwhelming fear to God’s overwhelming faithfulness, everything changes. So, today, if you’re scared, anxious, terrified, overwhelmed, or uncertain—speak this out loud:
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.