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.
Do you desire to grow spiritually?
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."
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.
How to Share About Jesus
How to Share About Jesus
If you’re a procrastinator, you’re not alone. We struggle, too. And most of the time, procrastinating is pretty harmless. Like, when we avoid a homework or work assignment, laundry, or calling a distant relative we’re forced to talk to once a year… I mean, we still manage to get it done eventually.
But with some things, procrastinating might not be the best thing.
Conversations about God can be super awkward and scary, making them really easy to put off. But the Gospel is called the Good News for a reason. And, if you’ve experienced the power of Jesus’s sacrifice for us, then you know why. Life is still hard, but living for Jesus unlocks a whole new love, purpose, and joy in life, even during difficult times.
Knowing this doesn’t necessarily mean awkward conversations get any less so, but it makes those awkward moments feel more worth it. What’s one minute of awkwardness if it means another person experiences the love of God?
It can be intimidating to know how to share Jesus with others, especially if you’re worried about seeming pushy or saying the wrong thing. But, if it’s God’s timing, the Holy Spirit will give you the right words and the right circumstances—you don’t have to force anything on your own.
So many people are ready to hear the Gospel, and God has tasked us with sharing his love. Yes, it’s scary, but we have a Counselor to lean on, helping us not waste a second.
The Truth of God
The Truth of God
What is truth? Various generations have had different ways of answering that question. It's a popular belief in today’s culture that truth can be whatever you want it to be. This is the idea that truth is relative and unique to every individual person.
But if everyone lives their own truth, then nobody can truly know which one is right. And if one person’s truth contradicts another person’s truth, one of them must be wrong.
Scripture tells us that there is an objective truth available; a truth that we can live by. Rather than truth being grounded in the individual, it is grounded in something much bigger than ourselves.
Truth is sourced from God.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and everything that exists, and the one from whom truth and beauty come. God’s Word contains the truths that He has spoken to us—so that we might live according to His truth and His ways.
Jesus says that His teachings are true because they come from God. He goes on to say that anyone who knows the truth of God will be set free in their life.
When we know the truth, we are no longer living according to a lie. God’s Word tells us the truth and leads us to life. This is why Jesus says that the truth will set us free. That's when we become truly free to live according to how God designed us to live.
An important part of learning what's true and what isn’t is reading God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and all that He has spoken is true. When we read and memorize God’s Word, we learn more and more about God.
Take some time today to thank God for revealing Himself to us through His Word, and for illuminating our lives with His truth.
God Our Rock...
God Our Rock
There are hundreds of different names and titles for God throughout Scripture. And since the Psalms are written from various seasons of life, there are many different perspectives of how God acts within those seasons.
Psalm 18 is written at a time when the author, King David, was delivered from his enemies by God. In this Psalm, David almost immediately calls God his rock, because God was dependable and stable. There was nothing that could overtake God or move Him. And this truth wasn't just for David, but for anyone who relies on God.
When we belong to God, He is a rock and a fortress for us as well. Everything in the world is constantly shifting, but we belong to a God who never changes. He is our protection from things that might seek to harm us.
We belong to a God who can protect us throughout our lives. Even if we don’t have physical enemies, we can run to God when life gets difficult. That’s why, like David, our response to God should be filled with praise. We need to remember what God has done—so we can praise Him for who He is.
Take some time today to thank God for how He has led and protected you so far in your life. And if you’re currently in a difficult season, run to God and ask Him for help. He is able and willing to be your rock.
Standing for God...
Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, believed that the gods of his nation were greater than Israel's God, the God Daniel served, and the God who calls us by name.
But just because Judah fell to Babylon doesn't mean that God was powerless to stop it. It meant that He allowed it to happen.
For nothing is outside of God's control.
When Nebuchadnezzar commanded that all the vessels from the temple and all the nobility be brought to Babylon, it was a power move. He was asserting his dominance over everyone. He sought to re-educate Daniel, his friends, and the young princes from all the other nations he conquered. He wanted to remake them in his own image.
He took the best and decided he would make them better. Or so he thought.
It was politically savvy. By making the best and brightest from all the other nations forget their homelands and give them the resources and pleasures of Babylon, they'd forget their homelands and have no desire to return. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar's power would last. That was the plan.
But he'd never met someone like Daniel, or his friends Hananiah, Mishael, or Azariah, before.
Daniel and his friends resolved not to defile themselves. They refused the royal rations of food and wine, rejecting the meat offered to idols (and its protein-infused nutrition). They opted for a simple diet of vegetables and water.
The secret to their success and elevation wasn't a meal plan or a fitness routine, however. It was faithfulness and trust in God.
God advanced them. God saw their act of faith and humility to honor Him. And God responded.
Today's passage highlights that God allowed Daniel and his friends to receive favor and compassion from the master of the palace. Their act of resistance could have ended their lives on the spot. But they were given time to be tested and, as a result, show God's power.
They stood for the truth. They stood firm in their belief that there is one God and He alone should be honored, no matter what.
Reflection
Are there any messages or beliefs that are being pushed on me by others that don't reflect who God says I am or line up with what He has asked me to do?
How can I stand for truth in this area today?
Prayer
Thank you, God of heaven and earth, that You are in control. I trust You where I am. I trust that I am in Your will. I choose to honor You and ask for Your favor in my circumstances. Give me courage to stand for truth and to be faithful to You today.
The Power of Words
The Power of Words
Words have power.
We use thousands of them every day to communicate. They help us share joy and sadness. They help us learn and grow. We use them to build each other up—or to tear each other down. And yet, we often underestimate the impact of our words.
Are you giving thought to the words you speak over yourself or about others daily? Are they words rooted in doubt, fear, and insecurity, or do they come from the truth, goodness, and security in God’s promises?
In Psalm 46:1, the Psalmist makes a powerful declaration of God's truth and promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
And this declaration leads to action in the next verse: “Therefore we will not fear” (verse 2).
Our declarations have the power to guide our actions. So what is it that you are declaring? Maybe today, you need the reminder to speak the truth of the words that come from God—your refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
As God's child, you have been given freedom in Christ to choose and use words wisely (Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29).
So today, as you remember that God is your refuse and strength, choose words of life. May your tongue be an instrument of blessing, as you declare what is true, pure, admirable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Trusting God's Generosity
Trusting God’s Generosity
The deceptive yet popular story in our world is one of scarcity, convincing us that resources are limited. That story makes us stingy or anxious, causing us to see others as competition or obstacles to getting what we need. But Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount invites people to live according to a different story, one built on trust in God’s generosity.
When Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about your life,” he is likely not talking about anxiety disorders. In the sermon, Jesus invites us to think deeply about the times that we choose to worry. He’s saying that choosing to worry leads to nothing good. Worrying about things like food, shelter, and clothing can be an energizing, adrenaline-pumping experience. It can make us feel alive and responsible, but it quickly turns corrosive.
Instead, he asks us to consider the birds that God cares for and the way nature works when operating properly. God is a good provider, he says. Not only is he aware of all our needs, he is also the creator who cares for them—generously.
When we live with trust in God and his generous provision for his creation, we will begin to see opportunities for generosity everywhere. We can start sharing with others, not out of obligation but because we trust in God. When we live like this, we can enter a way of peacefulness and freedom, experiencing and giving God’s generous life for all.
Learning to Live Humbly
Learning to Live Humbly
Have you ever met an angry Christian?
You may have come across Christians who seem to grumble, complain, or even speak harshly about other people. Maybe you’ve even been that person at times in your own life.
If we're not careful, we can easily become self-righteous within Christianity. After all, we know the truth and others may not. You might see how tempting it can be to look down on others, demean them, or consider them as worse off than ourselves.
But this misses the point of the gospel of Jesus.
The gospel tells us that all of us begin at the same starting point. And it’s only by grace through faith that we come to salvation and learn the truth about God’s love for us.
That doesn’t make us any better than other Christians! In fact, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:2, we should actually be humble and gentle with others, rather than harsh and critical. He says we are to be patient with one another, helping each other in every way possible so we can all grow together.
These ideas aren’t original to Paul. They actually came from how Jesus lived his life. As followers of Jesus, we too should strive to be gentle, humble, and patient with everyone in our lives. Regardless of whether they look or think a different way, every person deserves dignity, patience, and love.
Take some time today to consider a few ways that you can grow in patience, humility, and love with others. It could be slowing down long enough for people to know you care, saying something encouraging to someone, or admitting that you’ve made a mistake.
Make the decision today to live in humility and grace with others.
Tears of Faith...
Tears of Faith
Have you ever had your heart broken? Or your dreams shattered? Or had your plans crushed by reality?
That happened to the Jewish people when they were forced to leave their homes and become exiles in a foreign land. Their grief was surely deep and their questions surely plenty, but even their tears couldn’t stop new growth.
Recorded in Psalm 126, regarding the time “when the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem…”
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”
Psalms 126:5 NLT
Like the Israelites, you might be in a season of unexpected sadness, but joy, fruit, and abundance are waiting on the other side.
Are you worried about someone in your family? Are you frustrated with someone at work? Are you devastated or numb regarding a situation in your life? Are you baffled by what you see on the news? Is your health failing you? Is this season not quite what you’d hoped?
Maybe you truly want to make a difference and you want the people around you to know God, but it’s hard—because you’re trudging forward through tears.
The great news is, seeds aren’t picky about moisture, and tears can be a catalyst for growth.
Like any good book or movie, there’s conflict before there’s resolution. Like a woman in labor, there’s pain before there’s new life. Like a prisoner, there’s the angst of captivity before there’s the relief of freedom. Like any real farmer knows, there’s dirt and sweat before there’s any kind of harvest.
We don’t always get to choose the environment in which we sow seeds. But regardless, we—people made in the image of God—are called to love Him and love people, to be fruitful and multiply, to go and make disciples, and to trust Him with our grief.
Joy is often preceded by tears, which should give us great hope.
So, let’s continue to do the good work God has put before us. Let’s continue to plant seeds in faith, even through tears. Let’s honor Him as we sow our seeds and trust Him with the harvest.
Be Strong and Courageous...
Be Strong and Courageous
When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church, he was writing to believers experiencing intense division.
Power and politics within the church community were causing Christians to stray from Jesus’ teachings and compete with each other. Because of this, the poor were suffering, people were confused about theology, and immorality was being tolerated.
After calling out their mistakes and showing them how to live Spirit-filled lives, Paul summarized his desire for the Corinthians with these words…
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
Be on guard…
Paul uses this phrase to remind his friends to keep watch over their lives, their community, and their choices. He knew that if they didn’t stay aware and awake, they wouldn’t notice the lies, tricks, or deceptions the devil was using to infiltrate their community.
Stand firm…
Immorality was a major issue in the Corinthian church. But instead of addressing this problem, Corinthian Christians were tolerating it. So Paul reminded them that they are one body. If one person was allowed to disrespect God, then they were all part of the problem. They needed to learn how to stand firm in their faith so that their ultimate desire would be to please God, not people.
Be courageous. Be strong…
In order to resist spiritual attacks, the Corinthians needed to stand strong together. They needed to courageously use their gifts and talents to strengthen their church community and help it grow—even when it seemed counter-cultural and uncomfortable.
And do everything with love...
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that if he could be perfect, do everything right, never sin, and always keep God’s commands—but he didn’t have love, it would mean nothing. Strength, courage, and commitment—none of it matters if God’s love isn’t at the center of everything we think and do.
If God’s love doesn’t define us, standing firm can become self-righteousness, strength can turn into stubbornness, and courage can become arrogance.
So, what steps will you take to stand firm in what you believe with strength and courage? As you determine what choices you need to make, remember that God fights for you, and His Spirit is with you. He can empower you to boldly share His love.
Called to Love...
Called to Love
You’ll never fully agree with another person—because there’s not a single person just like you. That means there won’t be anyone with your exact viewpoint on life, politics, money, relationships, or religion.
You are unique, and so is the person next to you.
But even though we're all different, we are still called to love each other. Jesus Himself has said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV).
When Jesus commanded us to love others, He didn’t say that we had to agree with people first. In fact, in the book of Matthew, He specifically tells people to love even their enemies (Matthew 5:44). So if love is for everyone, what does love look like?
Love considers others first.
Love looks for the best in people.
Love shows respect.
Love seeks unity.
Love isn’t selfish.
Love displays patience.
To love means to give of yourself. Love involves revealing your heart to people who could potentially wound it, and thinking about the needs of others before we think of our own. Loving others in this way isn’t easy—but it’s how Jesus loves us.
When we love people like Jesus, we reflect His love to the world, which helps build His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
There will always be things we have to “agree to disagree on.” There will always be people we don’t understand or relate to. There will still be times when we get hurt, or unintentionally hurt others. But Jesus’ command to love people wasn’t reliant on our feelings or circumstances.
So if we want the world to be radically transformed by His love, then we need to learn how to put our differences aside, and love each other like Jesus loves us.
Keep Doing Good...
Keep Doing Good
Do you remember the last time you were completely exhausted? Maybe you spent your entire day or week working on a hard project. Maybe you felt depleted after helping other people in your life. Or maybe hard situations and setbacks made you feel like giving up. All of us grow tired at some point.
Paul, the writer of Galatians, knew that the people he was writing to would also become weary of the work they were doing. During Paul’s time, there was a lot of persecution and hurting people, and Paul was writing to encourage them in the work they were doing.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9
Inside Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians is this truth: Even good people will tire of doing good things.
That’s why Paul encourages everyone to continue to push forward in doing good. We should continue to help people. We should continue to share the hope of Jesus with people. We should continue to try and live as God would want us to.
God knows that we’ll eventually grow weary. And when we grow tired and frustrated, we’ll probably begin to question why we’re doing any of this to begin with. (Maybe you’ve already asked yourself this.)
But Galatians 6:9 encourages us to persevere in doing good things. Similar to how a farmer must work diligently to plant his crops and wait months before the actual harvest, Paul says there will be a harvest for those who do not give up.
Just like the Christians in Galatia, we also need to persevere in living godly lives and helping those around us. If we do not give up, Scripture says there will be a reward for us. We may receive that reward during our time on earth, or in heaven—but regardless of when we receive it, we should persevere in doing good.
That means that your work matters. There is value to how you live and love others.
So spend some time today considering the good that you have done and can continue to do for others. Who can you help? Who can you share the hope of Jesus with? How can you continue to persevere in living a godly life?
If you’ve grown weary or defeated, make a commitment today to never give up. Choose to persevere through whatever season of life you’re in, knowing that there will be a harvest for those who finish well.
The Three Figs: Prayer, Belief, and Forgiveness
The Three Figs: Prayer, Belief, and Forgiveness
Have you ever heard of an object lesson?
If you’ve ever taught children — in school or in ministry — the chances are high that you have, or that you’ve at least done one without knowing.
If you haven’t, an object lesson is a teaching method that uses physical items or some other visual aid as the centerpiece of a lesson. Think of using a seed to teach about faith that grows or a piece of armor to explain the armor of God.
Or a fig tree to teach about prayer, belief, and forgiveness.
That’s exactly what Jesus does in Mark 11. But the disciples don’t get it at first. It takes a question from Peter (always the talker) for Jesus to explain the meaning of the withered fig tree. Here are three takeaways from what he says.
First: Nothing is too big for God.
In Mark 11:23, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
How often do we settle for praying small prayers? Prayers that hide behind insecurity at best, or doubt at worst.
Here, Jesus is raising the bar. He tells us to pray mountain-moving prayers. We have a big God that can do big things.
Second: We should pray with total belief in God.
“... believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Notice the past tense here? Once again, Jesus is raising the stakes (spot a theme?).
Our belief in God’s power should be so strong, so absolute, that we should consider our prayer answered as we pray for it. Wow!
How can Jesus say that? Because our confidence rests not in the strength of our belief, but in the God we believe in.
And our prayers should align with God’s will. A good key for interpreting this verse is 1 John 5:14:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
Asking for a mansion and a million dollars? Perhaps you need to reconsider what Jesus was actually teaching through the fig tree and the temple cleansing that follows.
Asking for forgiveness or reconciliation? Even as you ask, Jesus says it’s already yours.
And last: Forgiveness is pivotal to prayer.
In Mark 11:25, Jesus ends His object lesson by commanding forgiveness.
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Isn’t it interesting how two of Jesus’ most extensive teachings on prayer — here and in the Lord’s Prayer — blend forgiveness in as such an important piece? Here, He even ties it to the Father’s forgiveness of our sins. If prayer is a recipe, forgiveness is one of the most integral ingredients.
And if we’re going to bear the kind of fruit that is pleasing in the Lord's eyes, forgiveness can’t be missing from our branch.
[Today's devotional was written by Compassion International.]
Living in God's Love...
Living in God’s Love
Have you ever met someone who was exceptionally kind and caring? Good friends are like this—welcoming, eager to know how you’re doing, giving their undivided attention. A good friend reminds us who we are. They listen to everything, the good and the bad, with compassion and love.
God is a friend like this. He listens. He empathizes. He cares so much for us, and is kind in His responses. In fact, God does more than just show love—He is love. It is impossible for Him to be anything else because love is His very essence. His love is pure. It isn’t selfish, disengaged, bitter, resentful, or passive. We can trust this kind of love. We can trust God.
In 1 John 4:16, we find a beautiful reminder of what life with God is like: "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
How do you feel after you’ve spent time with a good friend? Maybe you feel more relaxed, you have a spring in your step, or you find that you have more courage to keep going. You might even find yourself loving others better because you feel so loved. The ripple effect of living in God’s love is just like this and more. You can’t help but love others when you know and experience how much God loved you.
This is the life we are invited to. A life that knows and relies on the love God has for us, and then loves others because of it. Today, how will you discover the love God has for you? When you know and experience the love God has for you, everything changes.
The Path to Success...
The Path to Success
There are many definitions for success in today’s culture. For some, success is defined by the number of accomplishments we’ve made, or the number of possessions we’ve attained.
Jesus’ definition of success is counter-cultural. It has nothing to do with our accomplishments or our possessions—it has everything to do with our character, and our faithfulness.
Jesus’ teaching in Luke 16:10 is primarily about the content of our character. He says that those who are trusted with small things will be entrusted with larger things. Those who are faithful with what they’ve been given will have even more opportunities. And those who are dishonest, unfaithful, and untrustworthy, will do the same with what they’re given.
It’s not ultimately important to Jesus whether or not we are financially successful in life. What’s more important is what we do with what we’ve already been given.
Little acts of faithfulness every day is how our character is shaped over time. The small decisions and the hard decisions are what create us into people of trust and honesty.
If you’re asking God for more in life, make sure you’re being faithful with the things He's already given you. Use the resources and opportunities you've been given to build trust and honesty with other people.
God is looking to use people of character rather than people of success. So pray for God to increase your character and to give you opportunities to become a person who is faithful and honest in every area of life.
Always Dependable...
Always Dependable
Do you ever feel like life has knocked the breath out of you? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s no secret that this world is full of both beauty and trouble—of good things and hard things.
King David, whose life was recorded in various parts of the Old Testament, was highly accustomed to trouble—constantly threatened by legitimate enemies and faced with the reality of impending death.
Yet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he wrote:
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
Psalm 34:19 NLT
If there’s one thing you can depend on, it’s that God is alive, active, and ever-present in your life … even the hardest parts of your life.
But who is the “righteous person” David speaks of in this particular Psalm, when other parts of the Bible say things like, “no one is righteous—not even one”? (Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:3). There’s a trick to understanding this at-first-glance contradiction:
Righteousness can’t be achieved, but it can be given.
When we trust in God, as well as His Son, Jesus Christ (who sacrificed His life so that we could truly live), we’re trusting that His righteousness will extend to us as well.
To put it simply, a righteous person is one who relies on God’s righteousness.
Seems unfair and unmerited, doesn’t it? But that’s grace. It’s by grace, through faith, that we—that you—can be counted as righteous. You can’t work for it and you can’t buy it.
Because of that, when we’re facing hard things, we can expect God to show up in a million unique ways. Not because we’re righteous on our own, but because He is righteous on His own. And His righteousness has no limits.
So how does God show up?
He guides. He comforts. He corrects. He reroutes. He reminds us of true things. He helps us persevere. He brings wisdom and discernment to our minds. He inspires others to help us. He compels us to help others. He gives us peace in the midst of trouble. He encourages us as we stand boldly in faith. He works and works and works in mysterious ways.
And just when you might wonder if your neediness is becoming a nuisance to God, remember: God’s presence is inexhaustible and His resources are limitless.
It’s good to need God every moment of every day. To breathe. To survive. To flourish.
So yes, trouble will come. But God will never leave your side.
The Empty Pursuit of More...
The Empty Pursuit of More
Greed.
It wears like an invisible cloak, blending seamlessly into the fabric of modern culture. It silently seeps into our desires, clouds our judgment, and distorts our values. Greed always seeks more—more validation, more status, more comfort, more things.
But the irony of greed is this: the more earthly possessions, status, or validation we gain, the more we are left dissatisfied.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns how this illusion of fulfillment through relentlessly collecting more blinds us to true contentment and purpose and is an empty pursuit:
“Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
True fulfillment doesn’t happen when we store up possessions or pursue unending comfort. True fulfillment is found when we’re anchored in contentment, gratitude, and a deep relationship with God that leads to seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Luke 12:31).
Where do you have an endless craving for more—more validation, more comfort, more possessions? Are there areas of your life where the constant pursuit of more might be overshadowing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Luke 12:31)?
Immeasurably More...
Immeasurably More
What’s the boldest prayer you can think to pray? Or the most incredible thing you can dare to imagine?
Did you know that God can top it?
Paul said it like this:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
You know those quiet dreams in your heart? God put them there. You know that ache for something better than this broken world? God gave you that desire. You know the deepest longings of your soul? God knows how to fulfill them.
Like Paul said, God can do more than we ask or imagine, but we also must remember the second part of his words: according to His power at work within us.
It’s all God’s power and His plan. But He has invited us into it.
So what’s our part in this process?
We can give glory to Him—knowing that it’s Him who gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). He created us, loves us, and has entrusted us with sharing His message with the world.
We can submit ourselves to His plan—knowing that it’s all God, but He chooses to work in and through His people to accomplish His purposes. He doesn’t need us to be perfect, He just wants us to be willing.
We can trust Him with the process—knowing that He is good, righteous, worthy, strong, and eternal. We don’t have to know all the answers because we already have Him, and He can do more than we can ask or imagine.
The Power of Life and Death...
The Power of Life and Death
Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of undeserved gossip. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone else’s words.
Words matter. Your words matter. And God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them.
Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or stimulate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?
“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.
Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.
Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm. We don’t want to be unkind or critical. But James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.
So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?
Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t manufacture controlling our tongues on our own. But, we do have a part to play in the process: we need to stick close to Jesus.
When we read His Word, seek His face, and walk in His ways (no matter how many times we mess up and have to begin again), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to grow in our lives. The biblical term is abiding: staying, continuing, or remaining in Jesus’ presence.
As we abide with Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to curb the way we speak and change the way we act. When that happens, our words start to bring life and hope to the people around us.
So this week, how will you use your words to bring healing and hope to people? If this isn’t something you’re used to doing, it’s never too early to speak words that spark life.
A Way Out...
A Way Out
Life is full of difficulties and challenges.
Especially as Christians, our desire to follow God’s paths for our lives can sometimes go directly against what our culture tells us to do. Living according to God’s way can be particularly difficult because of various temptations that might cause us to get distracted.
1 Corinthians 10:13 casually acknowledges that we will all experience temptation. It also does not promise that all of our temptations will be easy to overcome.
But it also says that God promises to be faithful to help us through whatever temptations we face. God will provide a way for us to escape every temptation. God will strengthen us so we can endure through trials.
God has given us instructions and a pathway for right-living in His Word. Everything that we need in order to live a healthy, godly life is included in Scripture.
Paul, the author of the letters to the church in Corinth, cautions his readers not to be prideful in their spiritual life. When we are prideful, we can falsely believe that we’re immune to temptations. But when we’re prideful, we are actually most susceptible to fall into temptation.
So rather than being arrogant, we should be humble. We ought to depend on God’s power rather than our own. It is only through a growing relationship with Jesus that we truly find the strength to endure trials and temptations.
If you find yourself caught in temptations, draw near to God. Ask Him to give you His strength so that you can endure. Make it a priority to strengthen your relationship in Him through reading God’s Word and praying to Him.
Never forget that God always provides a way for you to escape temptation. He is always faithful and always with you.