Breaking Hard Ground
Imagine yourself as a farmer, and your life is a vast field. You sow seeds on soil sparingly, and these seeds represent your intentions, choices, and actions.
Hosea uses a similar analogy in Hosea 10:12 to describe God’s people. Israel had sown seeds of sin and unrighteousness, causing the soil of their hearts to become unreceptive to God's commands. And right as God's people were about to reap a harvest of God’s judgment, the prophet Hosea spoke with urgency:
"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12
Just as a farmer reaps far more than they sow, our God promises that we, too, will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). But, this verse also shows us it’s not enough to sow righteousness. We must also break up the uncultivated ground (Hosea 10:12).
Our hearts become like idle ground when we allow it to grow hard and stubborn—resisting God's Word and work in our lives. But God wants His people to prepare the soil of their hearts to receive the seed of His Word by seeking Him. Seeking the Lord is like the early rain in farming season; it’s that essential ingredient that softens the soil and readies it for growth.
Don't wait. Seek Him eagerly and expectantly today. Meditate on Hosea 10:12; let it move you to examine your own life: Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and reaping the fruit of unfailing love?
It is never too late to seek the Lord—turn your heart to the One who promises to shower His abundant mercy and grace upon you.
Calm in the Storm...
Calm in the Storm
One of the most well-known stories in Jesus' life is the calming of the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25).
Think about the disciples hanging out on a boat with Jesus when a life-threatening storm erupts on the water. They’re unprepared to face it. Panicking, they realize they might die. The entire time this is happening, Jesus is sleeping peacefully.
Instead of looking at Jesus’ reaction to their situation, the disciples allowed their situation to dictate their reactions.
After begging Jesus to do something, He calms the storm … but not before asking them, “Why are you afraid?”
His gentle rebuke wasn’t because they didn’t believe Jesus could save them from the storm, but because they struggled to believe He would see them through it.
They knew Jesus was in their boat, they just didn’t understand what He was fully capable of doing.
Jesus was their strength through the storm and over the storm.
Jesus was their provider, protector, healer, and leader.
Jesus was their source of peace and power.
And the same God who was with the disciples in the boat is with us. No matter what your current storm looks like—Jesus is near. There is not a situation you have gone through that Jesus hasn’t endured beside you.
Jesus was, and is, and is to come. He was there at the beginning of time, and He will be there at the end of it. He has seen every event in human history, and He has not forsaken anyone who cries out for Him and trusts in Him.
Nothing is impossible for God, and His character never changes. He is for you, and not against you—that’s why you have nothing to fear. And that is why today, you can make Isaiah 41:13 your own personal promise:
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
The Ruler of Everything...
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.
Learning to Fight the Good Fights...
Learning to Fight Good Fights
When we became Christians and first believed in Jesus, we began a journey of faith. We committed to becoming a disciple of Jesus, who follows His commands, and trusts in Him.
The apostle Paul, in his instructions to Timothy, encourages him to fight the good fight of faith. This implies that the journey of faith will often be difficult. It will sometimes be messy, hard, and harrowing. Paul’s words serve as a reminder that sometimes—faith looks like a fight.
However, rather than a fight against people, this journey of faith is a fight for goodness, beauty, and faithfulness. We are fighting against our own broken natures, but also against God’s enemies within the spiritual realm.
Fighting often looks like making the right decision even if it’s not the easiest decision. It might mean being gentle when we want to be harsh. It might mean choosing love when it would be easier to be selfish.
Fighting well means remaining faithful to Jesus over the course of your life. You were called to a new life in Christ when you came to faith, and you are called to remain faithful over the course of your life.
So how do you remain faithful? One of the ways you can cultivate faithfulness is by reading God’s Word every day. When you regularly spend time with Him, you begin to love what God loves, and hate what He hates.
But as you seek God in this way, it’s also important to have friendships with people who can encourage you. Having two or three people in life who can help keep you accountable is a necessary part of your faith journey. As you consider what next steps you need to take to fight well, remember that you do not fight alone. God is with you—and when you draw near to Him, He will empower you with the strength you need to finish your faith journey well.
Seeing God Today...
Seeing God Today
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t see God? In John 9, we meet a man who was born blind. While others were seeing the miracles of Jesus, watching Him and following Him, this man saw nothing. That is, nothing until Jesus touched his eyes and opened them. After this miraculous healing took place, the man was brought in for questioning by the religious leaders. He didn’t shy away from declaring the truth of the healing he had experienced. The religious leaders didn’t like that, and they threw him out.
But this man’s journey with Jesus wasn’t over. After hearing that the religious leaders cast him out, Jesus sought him out and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35 NIV). A term used as a name for the Messiah, the man asks Jesus who the Son of Man is. Jesus responds, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you” (John 9:37 ESV).
Jesus is telling this man that He Himself is the Messiah. In one glorious miracle, this man goes from being lost in blindness to not only seeing the world around him, but seeing the Messiah Himself.
There are times in life where all of us are blind. Maybe we can’t see with our physical eyes. Maybe we’re walking with God, but are struggling to see His hand in our everyday lives. Or maybe we aren’t walking with God yet, and are therefore living in darkness. This story shows us how Jesus wants to open our eyes. He wants to help us see.
Oftentimes, our transformation depends on what we’re looking at. Every time we open God’s Word, we have the opportunity to see Jesus. Truly looking at Jesus will transform all of us. Like the man given sight, we too can attest to the healing hand of God in our life.
The great news? Jesus is as invested in our transformation as we are.
Every day, keep your eyes on Him. God is faithful to reveal Himself to us. If you look for Him, you will find Him.
The Road to Scripture...
The Road to Scripture
Every time we open God’s Word, we hold a treasure in our hands.
Scripture has led many generations of God's people—uncountable lives, times, and cultures have been influenced and transformed by God’s Word throughout history. God’s Word is a treasure—a treasure we have at our fingertips.
Sometimes, all the richness of God’s Word may come with a challenge. How can we comprehend the nuances, the context, all the many stories and teachings within God’s Word?
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:35
In Acts 8, Philip, a follower of Jesus, crossed paths with an important official from Ethiopia who was reading the book of Isaiah, but struggling to understand it. Philip kindly helped him understand that the passage he was reading (Isaiah 53:7-8) was referring to Jesus and the death He would die for the sins of all. Philip shared the Gospel with this man, showing him how the prophecies of the past pointed to the Messiah, Jesus, and all He would do to save and redeem humanity.
Philip showed him that from the books of the law to the prophets, every part of Scripture points to our Savior. The man didn’t understand what he was reading, and God used that as an opportunity to open his eyes to the Gospel.
When you read the Bible, ask yourself: do I understand what I am reading?
When this man opened himself to understanding Scripture, he encountered Jesus and His love. He believed in him with his whole heart, and his spirit was transformed forever.
The transformation he experienced can be yours as well. Remember that:
1. The Bible tells the story of redemption through Jesus and each book of the Bible points to Him in a beautiful way.
2. Jesus is alive and faithful to reveal himself to an open heart.
3. You aren’t alone on your Bible journey. Just like God sent Philip to teach the man from Ethiopia, he often puts people around us who we can learn from.
Today, take a moment to intentionally dive into Scripture. As you do so, seek Jesus in the text. Ask God what it says about His character. And ask yourself: how can this be applied to my life? How can it transform me?
At the end of today’s verse, the Bible says that the man from Ethiopia went on his way rejoicing. How can we not, when we realize how great God’s love is upon us?
Who Are You Living For?
Who Are You Living For?
Saul had it all. He knew the right people, had the right job, and came from the right place. Only one problem—He was a violent opponent to the followers of Jesus. He’d specifically seek them out to imprison or kill them.
One day, Saul was traveling to the city of Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus and bring them to Jerusalem. Suddenly, a bright light appeared before Saul. Falling to the ground, he heard Jesus ask, “Why do you persecute me?” After this encounter, Saul was blind for three days. God instructed Ananias to restore Saul’s sight.
Saul’s encounter with Jesus began a radical transformation in His life. No longer was he interested in making life difficult for followers of Jesus, but he was eager to join them! Eventually, Saul became known as the Apostle Paul—who traveled great distances to share the Gospel. He also wrote a large portion of the New Testament.
Paul’s new life was very different from the one he left behind. Instead of holding an important religious position, he was a wandering street preacher. Instead of being highly regarded by important people, he was often falsely accused and sent to prison.
God’s transforming power took a strong opponent to Jesus and made him a strong advocate for the Gospel! Paul no longer cared about gaining the approval of important people or being highly regarded. In fact, he wrote, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (Philippians 3:7 NLT).
Do you ever feel like you struggle to change? Today, remember that the same God who transformed Saul into Paul is alive and active! And, He wants to help you. Bring the areas where you’re struggling to change before Him in prayer—and watch God work!
A Transformed Person...
A Transformed Person
Have you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter did as well.
Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, invited by Jesus Himself to leave his life as a fisherman and join Him during His ministry on earth. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him to the sham trial. The people in the area were openly and aggressively hostile to Jesus. Imagine what that must have felt like, to be surrounded by people who may choose to treat Peter the way they were treating Jesus at that very moment.
In Matthew 26 and Luke 22, we see that Peter chose to keep a low profile. He wanted to go unnoticed by the angry mob. That didn’t work for long, though—three different people recognized him as a follower of Jesus and asked him about it. Each of the three times, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus.
If we skip ahead in Scripture, though, we find Peter doing the exact opposite. In Acts 2, Peter is standing in front of a big crowd, filled with people who may persecute him. Rather than denying knowing Jesus, he proclaims the secret to life: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the Holy Spirit.
This is risky. What will people think? What if they turn on him the way that they did Jesus? Yet, he was bold anyway. He was a transformed person compared to who he had been earlier in the story.
How did Peter transform? He was restored by Jesus. He also received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Two major things happened between these passages of scripture: Jesus visited Peter, and with grace, restored him. Secondly, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven for the followers of Jesus. With the Holy Spirit came power, empowering the believers to live bold, transformed lives (Acts 2).
Many of us face moments like this: moments where the right answer is boldness for Jesus, but the easy answer is to keep our heads down. What will people think? What will they do?
Here’s some great news: we’re never alone. We don’t have to be bold on our own. The Holy Spirit is with us every day, giving us the power to be bold and transformed. We can walk out our newness each day with His help.
You can start today. Boldness is now. The Holy Spirit is ready to walk with you.
Transformation...
Transformation
Do you want to be new?
All around the world, humans long for change. We long to throw off old habits and ways of thinking if they aren’t serving us anymore. Thousands of self-help books, podcasts, articles, all kinds of media exist for this very reason. We want to change! And yet, it can feel impossible! Paul, one of Jesus’ disciples, shares this powerful truth in Romans 12:2 (NIV):
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does this mean?
Transformation is a massive change. It’s thorough. Complete. A total difference. Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, transformation brings an end to the old and a beginning to the new.
Paul is showing us that transformation isn’t work we do from the outside in. Transformation happens from the inside out. It begins with our mind. And for our minds to change, we need Truth to grab hold of.
God’s Word is this Truth.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
“... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 NIV
God’s Word guides us when we are lost, strengthens us when we are weary, challenges us when we are compromising, and encourages us when we are overwhelmed. God’s Word changes everything.
And this very moment, you hold God’s Word in your hand. Transformation is in your grasp. Read the Bible closely, dig into its verses, wrestle with its teachings, and treasure what you discover about the love and grace of God.
The best place to bring your desire for newness is to God and His Word. God’s Word renews our minds. Transformation inside-out begins here.
The Place to Start...
The Place to Start
There are so many places that we can go to learn about something new and grow in knowledge. Books are full of free access to learn anything you can dream up. The internet is packed full of content and ways to learn about any subject imaginable.
While those are great places to start when building knowledge, Scripture tells us that the beginning of all knowledge is fear of God. This means that while we can learn things from anyone, the beginning of true knowledge begins with God.
What does it mean to fear God? One thing it means is that we should live our lives in awe of Him. We do this first by recognizing who He is. He is the creator and source of all things. He is all-powerful and all-knowledgeable. God’s Word says He holds the power of life and death in His hands. These are certainly attributes that should cause us to be in awe of God.
Scripture also tells us that God is loving, gracious, and merciful. Even though we, His own creation, previously abandoned Him and rebelled against Him, God graciously gave us access back to Himself through His Son, Jesus. The God who created the universe loves each and every one of us.
Knowing God rightly and being in awe of who He is and what He has done is the beginning of all knowledge.
We would be foolish to turn away from such a powerful and gracious God. While we can learn a lot about many different things through a book or the internet, the most essential and important knowledge begins with God, His Word, and how we view Him.
Spend some time with God in prayer, thanking Him for who He is and what He’s done for you. Begin a habit of reading Scripture regularly so that you can come to know Him more and more.
Trusting God's Story...
Trusting God’s Story
Imagine Mary and Joseph getting ready to become parents. They probably asked a lot of the same questions expectant parents do today: Is the baby healthy? Are we prepared to care for this child? Where will we have the baby? Are we ready for the birth?
Near the end of Mary’s pregnancy, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that everyone within the Roman world return to their hometown for a census (Luke 2:1-4). This meant that Mary and Joseph had to leave their home in Nazareth to take the four-day journey to Bethlehem, the city of David, who was Joseph’s ancestor.
Because of the census, Bethlehem’s inns were full of people making the journey home. And so, when the time came, Mary gave birth to Jesus in the only place available to them: a stable. She placed him in a manger—a feeding trough—because that’s all there was. Surely this was not the birth that Mary would have planned for her firstborn child.
And yet, it was exactly what God had ordained. God showed us a lot about His Kingdom through the circumstances around the birth of His Son.
He showed us that Jesus is humble. Jesus was born in a stable and placed in a manger. The King of all Creation, yet such a humble beginning.
He showed us that the Kingdom of God is accessible. This King wasn’t tucked away in a castle or a mansion, separated from His people and surrounded by luxuries—shepherds and wise men alike were able to come visit Him.
He showed us that we can trust the story. Mary had to trust God’s story. Joseph had to trust God’s story. Imagine how the story would have been different if Mary and Joseph had demanded that room be made for them in an inn, shouting, “This is the Messiah, people! Make room!” But they didn’t do that. They accepted the situation in front of them, trusting God’s story regardless of how strange or undesirable the setting seemed.
And from that surrendered posture and strange set of circumstances, God brought forth His Son, exactly as He had planned.
We can trust the story because God is the Author. Jesus’ humble birth was not an accident—it was a message, a picture to all of us of what God’s Kingdom is truly like. It’s also an invitation for us to surrender our plans, our ideas of how the story should be, and trust the trustworthy hand of God in our lives. We can trust God.
The Story God is Writing...
The Story God is Writing
Mary had quite the unique journey to motherhood. An unmarried virgin, she carried the Son of God. Mary could have easily felt lonely or isolated, but she was not alone in the story God was writing.
For decades, Mary’s relative Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah prayed and asked God for a child. After many years, God answered their prayers. When an angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, she went straight to Elizabeth, who was a few months along in her own miraculous pregnancy.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting upon her arrival, the baby in her womb leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaiming, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (Luke 1:42 NIV).
Keep in mind, Mary had only just found out about her pregnancy. It would have been so easy, so understandable to be overwhelmed, afraid, or distressed. Mary hadn’t even married her husband, Joseph yet. And yet, watch the trust and confidence in her response:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46-47 NIV
They celebrated the work of God together. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Imagine the conversations they must’ve had: prophecies fulfilled, the future of the Kingdom of God, what would their sons’ lives look like?
Mary made a choice to rejoice in the story God was writing, a story of trust and celebrating the work of God.
Today, how does Mary’s story encourage you to trust God? What is your response to the story God is writing in your life? Take a moment to reflect on how you can glorify in the Lord and rejoice in God today.
A Humble Beginning...
A Humble Beginning
Generations of anticipation. Prophets foretold it and the people hoped for it. There, in a simple town, it happened. The Son of God took on the vulnerability, frailty, and weakness of man by beginning His life as we all do—as a baby. Holiness and power were made present in humanity. And to Mary, He was born.
Do you think anyone imagined, after all the prophecies of Jesus’ coming, that He would begin His life on earth as a baby? That He would grow from an infant to a child to a teenager to an adult, the same way that man has since the offspring of Adam and Eve? Even during His ministry, people loved to view Jesus as a conqueror—a man of power that was going to topple the Roman government and establish Himself as their king. They wanted Jesus to show His power in a way that gave them power, too.
And yet Jesus was humble to His core.
He willingly began His time on earth completely powerless, born to His mother Mary into a simple life.
Jesus went from being one with the Father in Heaven, powerful and supreme, to willingly taking on a human beginning, being born as an infant inherently dependent on others. Such humility marked of His life and ministry. He did not come to topple governments but, by His loving sacrifice, topple sin by taking on a human life and then giving it up of His own accord.
The Son of God. Mary’s son. God’s perfect plan made manifest at last.
Humility. It marked Him from the beginning.
Jesus is Exactly Who We Need
Jesus is Exactly Who We Need
Have you ever put your hope in someone, only for them to let you down? We live in a broken world, and even the best people will fall short and cause pain. But Isaiah knew that someone was coming who would be different. He’d be reliable, consistent, and exactly what we need.
In Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah is pointing to a king with four titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. But what do those names mean?
A wonderful counselor is someone wise, intelligent, and compassionate. They’re the kind of leader who provides support, advice, and direction in life.
Someone with “mighty” in their title is strong, resilient, and willing to stand up for what’s right.
This king will be an everlasting father, someone who views His people as His children rather than His servants.
And a prince of peace describes someone devoted to building bridges between diverse groups and ensuring that everyone has what they need for a whole and healthy life.
On Christmas morning, the son with all of these wonderful titles was born. Not in a palace or castle, but in a humble, ordinary manger.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see Him consistently model these qualities. He supported and advised people with questions. He stood strong in the face of threats and temptations. He cared deeply for everyone He met. And Jesus gave His life to restore peace between God and humanity for eternity.
Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Have you seen Him in each of these roles in your own life? How have you seen Jesus’ wisdom, strength, kindness, and consistent care in your life?
God is With You...
God Is With You
The prophet Isaiah wrote the words of Isaiah 7:14 nearly 600 years before Jesus was born. At the time of this writing, the Israelites were doing all the right religious things, but weren’t practicing justice as God commands. Like many prophets during Isaiah’s time, this was a warning against that injustice. But among that warning was a glimmer of hope that God would set things right.
Here, the prophet Isaiah is giving the people of Israel a reason to hope because of God’s good promise—the promise that He will provide a sign and He will show up for us. Because that’s what Immanuel means: God with us.
But what does “God with us” mean for us today?
It means we can share in that hope by fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting in Him. We can trust that from Christ’s birth to His current reign in Heaven—Jesus is God with us.
He’s with us in our pain when we lose a loved one.
He’s with us in our anger when see injustice and don’t know where to turn.
He’s with us in our sadness when we grieve what has been lost.
He’s with us in our joy when we celebrate with others.
He’s with us in our peace, when we’re merciful to a suffering world.
And He’s with us in our hope, lighting the way to a brighter future.
He is with us.
No matter where life has brought you to in this moment—through the good and through the bad—Jesus has been with you, drawing you to Him. He is the promised Immanuel. He is God with us.
God Keeps His Promises...
God Keeps His Promises
“'The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.'”
Jeremiah 33:14 NIV
A lot of people would have laughed at Jeremiah when he said these words. Why? Because it seemed like God had abandoned both Israel and Judah.
At this point in the story of the Bible, Israel is gone—wiped out by an invading army. Now Judah is alone, and another massive army is at their gates to destroy them, too. The situation couldn’t have been more hopeless.
Have you experienced a moment like that? Maybe it was a life-changing loss, or impossibly difficult news. In those painful moments, it can feel impossible to trust God’s promises. The people listening to Jeremiah probably felt the same way. But it wasn’t the end of their story because circumstances can’t ruin God’s promises.
Yes, the enemy broke in and took God’s people into captivity for decades. But God didn’t abandon His people or give up on His promises. Over time, He rescued His people from captivity and brought them back home.
God hasn’t abandoned you in your pain either. You might feel like there’s no way out of your situation, or that your choices disqualify you from God’s love. But God keeps His promises.
For generations after returning from captivity, God’s people struggled. They continued to face heartbreak, setbacks, invasions, and captivity. But when they least expected it, God fulfilled His promise. He sent His son, Jesus, to lead everyone, including the people of Israel and Judah, into a new and better future.
God's promise of a better future applies to you, too. When we pursue God with our whole lives, we find peace, strength, and contentment. And we live with confidence knowing that one day, we’ll get to spend eternity with Jesus. We have new life believing that God has fulfilled His promise.
Loving Others Well...
Loving Others Well
Do you know what love means? Many people grow up with imperfect pictures of love. It can be difficult to think about when we may not have ever experienced true love. It can be even harder to love others when we aren’t sure what that means.
Jesus spoke a lot about love, and He also commanded His followers to love people. More than that, Jesus modeled love in His life and ministry. He gave us a picture of what pure love looks like.
Jesus instructed His disciples multiple times to love one another. The Old Testament also contains commands to love others. Jesus’ command is new, not because it was the first time it had ever been said, but because He uses Himself as the standard.
He doesn’t command us to love people until we’re tired. He doesn’t say to love others until we don’t feel like it. He says to love others in the same way He has loved us.
Jesus loves us unconditionally. He does not hold anything back from us. Instead, He gave His entire life up for us. And He didn’t do this to please other people—but because He loved His Heavenly Father, and His Heavenly Father deeply loved us. It was unconditional love that led Jesus to the cross.
Jesus cares about the quality of our love toward others, and the measure of the quality of our love is Jesus, not people. We shouldn’t compare our acts and thoughts against other people, because the only person we’re called to be like is Jesus Himself.
Think about the past few days and reflect on how loving you were toward other people. Did you go out of your way to help someone? Were you selfless in showing love? Consider a few practical ways you can love others the way Jesus loves you. Spend some time in prayer, and then take a step toward showing someone love.
The Greatest Commandment...
The Greatest Commandment
In Matthew 22:37 NIV, Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This verse is a powerful reminder of the greatest commandment, calling us to a wholehearted devotion to God. It challenges us to examine the depth and sincerity of our love for Him, urging us to go beyond following the rules of religious traditions and to cultivate an intimate, all-encompassing relationship with our Creator.
Loving God with all our heart means that our emotions and desires are aligned with His will. It means that we prioritize Him above all else, allowing His love to shape our affections and guide our decisions. When we love God with all our soul, we are committing our very being to Him. Our identity, purpose, and existence are rooted in His love, and we find our true fulfillment in living for His glory.
To love God with all our mind is to engage our intellect in the pursuit of knowing Him more deeply. It involves meditating on His Word, seeking His wisdom, and allowing His truth to transform our thoughts and perspectives. This holistic love for God is not a one-time event but a daily, intentional choice to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him.
Reflecting on this commandment, we’re reminded that our love for God should be evident in every area of our lives. It should influence how we interact with others, how we spend our time, and how we use our resources. As we grow in our love for God, we become more attuned to His presence and more responsive to His leading.
Today, let’s surrender our hearts, souls, and minds to God. Let us seek to deepen our relationships with Him, knowing that as we do, we will experience the fullness of His love and the abundant life He promises.
A Belief Stronger than Death...
A Belief Stronger Than Death
Imagine: Your brother has been dead for four days. The grief is so overwhelming that every part of you feels numb. Your tears have run dry, but the pain is far from gone.
Then, Jesus—your friend, the one thought to be the prophesied Messiah, the Savior of the world, the one who’s been doing astonishing miracles—shows up. Only … He wasn’t there to stop your brother from dying in the first place.
But then He does something that’s completely unexpected: He tells your dead-for-four-days brother to come out of his grave … and your brother listens. Lazarus walks out—alive.
Jesus knew that the raising of Lazarus was merely a foretaste of what was still to come. He’d eventually conquer death—for good. In the end, the grave would not have the final say. Those who believe in Him will never truly die, but go from this broken world to something much better.
That’s why the same words Jesus spoke to Lazarus’ sister, Martha, just before Lazarus’ miraculous moment are the same words Jesus would speak to you…
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 NLT
Martha probably had a billion questions and possibly just as many doubts. But she had been with Jesus, she had seen His power, and she couldn’t deny His love. And that’s why Martha responded with:
“‘Yes, Lord,’ … ‘I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.’”
John 11:27 NLT
Though our earthly bodies will die, God has more in store than we can dare to fathom.
Do you believe this?
Let us echo Martha’s heart—to believe that the Lord is exactly who He says He is. Let’s trust God with more than what our eyes can see. Let’s have the faith to follow Him to the end.
Jesus Our Light...
Jesus Our Light
Have you ever stumbled through a dark room, or tried to walk around at night when there were no lights? Maybe you ran into a wall or hit your foot on something.
Do you remember how great it was to turn on the light so you could see where you were walking?
God’s Word says that we similarly walk in the darkness. Life apart from Jesus is characterized by darkness. When we try to live life by our own sight, we inevitably fail.
Jesus is the light that shines within the darkness of the world around us, and within our own lives. He illuminates the truth so that we don’t have to remain captive to our old ways, but can be transformed by Jesus and His grace.
Without His light shining in the darkness, we would be lost and without hope.
Jesus is also the one who directs our paths. Just like how we stumble through darkness without a physical light, Jesus is the light that illuminates the way of life for us.
John 1:5 also tells us that the light of Jesus cannot be overcome by anything. There are no spiritual powers or world events that can overcome the light of Jesus. And there is nothing that anyone can do to separate us from the love and light of God.
Spend some time today in prayer, thanking Jesus for the salvation that you have, but also asking Him to continue to illuminate the path of life for you. Then, let the light of Jesus shine through you in the way you love those around you.