If a bully, twice your size, is picking on you, you have a reason to fear. But if you have a friend, twice the bully’s size, standing next to you, the bully has a reason to fear.
When you know that someone bigger, greater, and more powerful than your enemy has your back, confidence is the result.
Perhaps this is why the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote a letter to the believers in Rome—reminding them of the truth:
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Romans 8:1-2 NLT
Because the Roman believers belonged to Jesus, they no longer had to live fearfully. God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, and one day, He will make everything—including our dying bodies—brand new.
The truth about their identity emboldened Paul…
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
Romans 8:31 NLT
If the Creator and Sustainer of everything that exists has put Himself on our side, who can be against us? Who can even touch us? Who would even think about picking a fight that they ultimately could not win?
Someone might hurt our feelings or even our bodies, but they cannot touch our souls. They cannot come against the living God and succeed. They cannot turn against God’s chosen people without answering for their decisions. This means that whatever wrong has been done to us can be left in God’s reliable hands.
We can rely on God as our just Defender and our righteous Judge.
When we become His by trusting in Jesus as our Savior—by grace through faith—the strongest defense in the universe, God in His fullness (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), is forever on our side.
You Are known and Not Alone...
When we decide to follow Jesus, we’re given a new life in Christ. But what exactly does that mean?
Jesus came and died for everyone who ever lived — that’s us — and when we give our lives to Him and make the choice to follow Him, we get a new life in Him. We get adopted into His eternal family, with all the rights that go along with that.
When we say “yes” to Jesus, we are choosing to believe everything about Him is true. We’re agreeing that He lived a perfect life, died for us, and rose from the dead. When we believe this, we are adopted into God’s family as His children.
Being God’s children means we get unlimited, constant access to God’s presence, love, and authority. And the great news? No one can separate us from God.
We don’t receive new life as God’s children from our parents or earn it from our good deeds—it’s something God freely offers us. He alone has the authority to adopt us into His eternal family, and He promises to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
At the moment of our adoption, our old identities no longer matter. Every unkind name we were given, every mistake we’ve made, every hurt we’ve experienced (or caused)—it’s all erased. Our identity, security, and future are now rooted in the God who loves us and died for us.
Take a few moments right now and reflect on that. If you belong to Jesus, you are not alone. You are known by the Creator of the universe who calls you His child, knows you by name, and loves you unconditionally.
A Sacrifice of Praise...
Have you ever thought about how your life brings pleasure to God? All throughout Scripture, we learn about how we can use our lives to please God. In fact, we were created for God’s pleasure.
Since we have been given new life in Christ, and we’ve experienced God’s grace, we should desire to please God. Since He has given us everything in life, we ought to give Him everything we are.
The writer of Hebrews tells us two distinct ways we can please God. The first is in Hebrews 13:15. The writer says that our first sacrifice to God is praising Him. This is what the Bible calls "worship."
Worship is the orientation of our entire life to live in awe of who God is and what He has done for us. We can worship God not only by the songs we sing, but also the way we live our lives.
Hebrews 13:16 tells us another way that we can please God: by loving others. When we love others, we are reflecting the love that God has for them. That is why it matters how we treat people.
Our actions are a reflection of how God has loved us. And since we’ve been loved by God, we ought to do good to those around us.
These are two ways that we can bring pleasure to God—by worshiping Him and loving others. This is similar to what Jesus says the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22:36-40. He sums it up by telling us to love God and love others. We love God by worshiping Him and praising Him. We love others by doing good to them and sharing with them.
How are you doing at loving God and loving others? Do you spend time each day in Scripture and prayer, praising God for who He is? If we don’t love God first and foremost, we won’t be able to truly love other people in our lives.
The Lamb of God...
Have you ever waited a really long time for something important? Maybe you spent weeks waiting to see an old friend, for news about a medical diagnosis, or for someone to respond to a message you sent them.
In the first century, the people of God had waited hundreds and hundreds of years for the coming of a Savior. John the Baptist was sent to be the forerunner of that coming Savior. God planned for John to prepare the people for Jesus’ arrival, and call them back to repentance.
John waited his whole life for Jesus. He spent his days in eager anticipation of the coming of a Savior who would save his people. And on that day when Jesus did arrive, John the Baptist cried out in excitement.
John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In the old covenant, lambs were sacrificed on behalf of the sins of the people. Their sacrifices were a temporary means to restore a person's relationship with God.
But Jesus' coming heralds a new covenant between God and His people.
Jesus’ death is a sacrifice on our behalf, but one that is permanent and complete. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection pave a path for us to enjoy a restored relationship with God, and to live in freedom from sin. This is the new covenant that John the Baptist is describing—Jesus takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Take a moment this morning to thank God for the amazing gift that Jesus gives to each and every one of us. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness, we can walk in new life and enjoy a restored relationship with God.
Think of one small step you can take to share this good news with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. This free gift is great news for every single person, and we are given the privilege of sharing it with everyone.
One Selfless Act...
t's hard to imagine an innocent person willingly accepting the punishment of someone facing a guilty verdict. Yet, this is the depth of God's sacrificial love Peter expressed in 1 Peter 3:18:
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
Once for sin.
Never to be repeated.
All covered, in one selfless act.
God's love and grace toward sinners like us go beyond what we can comprehend. Through Christ, God reveals His immense love and offers us a pathway to restoration. He invites us into a relationship where our sins are exchanged for Christ's righteousness, allowing us to stand blameless before God.
What great love!
This profound love should shape our understanding of self and connection with the One who sacrificed everything for our restoration.
Take a moment now to ponder the weight of this truth: How does comprehending God’s sacrificial love transform your understanding of love? How might embracing this love influence how you engage with God and others today?
God So Loves You...
If you’ve experienced any part of the Bible, you probably know that John 3:16 highlights a vital part of the gospel message…
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
Think about it:
“For God so loved the world …”
God didn’t merely like the world, but He loved the world. He loved you so much that He created you, made a way for you, and desired a forever relationship with you.
“… that he gave his one and only Son …”
Because of God’s immense love for the world, He gave—generously and sacrificially—His one and only Son … because it’s only through His death that we can have life.
“… that whoever believes in him …”
It’s not enough to know that Jesus existed as a real, historical person—James 2:19 reminds us that even the demons believe that and shudder. Believing in Jesus means we choose to trust Him as Savior and Master of our lives.
“… shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We cannot earn our salvation, but we can trust the One who saves us. God created us for eternity, but He also gave us the ability to choose Him. Eternity isn’t something for the distant future, but it’s already in motion right now.
A Christ-Like Aroma...
Studies have shown that specific scents can evoke strong emotional memories and activate our brain in unique ways. The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, directly links the brain's areas associated with memory and emotion.
In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul describes a unique kind of scent—not one we can smell with our noses, but one that is evidence of a life lived in imitation of Christ: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Just as scents linger and leave an imprint, when we imitate Christ–choosing love over indifference, forgiveness over resentment, and selflessness over self-interest–our lives become a fragrant aroma to God and to those around us.
It’s not always easy to mirror Christ's love. It is, however, always a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God that permeates our relationships, workplaces, and communities, even if we don’t see it or feel it.
So consider your actions, words, and attitudes today. Reflect on the fragrance they might emit. How aligned are they with the love and sacrificial nature of Christ? Imagine Christ's love as a transformative fragrance, not just lingering but deeply impacting. Meditate on one specific way you can imitate Christ's love and sacrificial nature in your daily interactions.
Finding Worth in Christ...
One of humanity's deepest pursuits is finding our identity–we want to know who we are! It’s often tempting to seek definition and significance in a world that offers a myriad of labels. But when we chase validation in temporary sources, hoping they'll define us, we only find fleeting satisfaction.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul describes an eternal identity gifted to us by Christ: "For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Jesus took on the weight of all sin—absorbing its penalty—without ever sinning Himself. He did this so that we might be reconciled to God with a new identity defined by Christ's righteousness, not our own and not this world. Christ has sacrificially given us a new identity and purpose.
Our yearning for identity can only find its fulfillment in Christ. We are recipients of His righteousness. And in Him, our identity is forever secure.
Consider today how this truth shapes your sense of worth. Are you seeking worldly validation, or are you resting in Jesus’ righteousness? How might recognizing your identity in Christ transform how you view yourself and interact with the world?
Loving Difficult People...
Matthew 5-7 is often referred to as The Sermon on the Mount, which is a series of teachings that Jesus gives near the beginning of His ministry. Most of what Jesus talks about is not necessarily new teaching, but rather a reorientation of how the Jewish people understood the Old Testament laws.
The command to love your neighbor was a common one. It is easy to love people who are close to us. It’s also easy to love those who are similar to us, and even those who love us as well.
But Jesus’ command isn’t just to love those who are easy to love. Jesus says we should also love our enemies. We should love the people who are least deserving of our love.
He also says to pray for those who persecute us. This isn’t a prayer for them to stay away, but rather a prayer for their good. We should be praying for the salvation of those who intend us harm, asking that they would recognize their actions and turn to God.
There are two clear reasons why we should show love to our enemies:
- This is how God treated us. When we were enemies of God, He still showed love to us. He gave us breath and life, and also sent Jesus to restore our relationship with Him.
- Showing love to our enemies is a counter-cultural action that displays God’s love for them. Romans 12:20-21 tells us that when we love our enemies, we can overcome evil with good. Loving someone who is mean to us provides a way for God’s love to reach those who are far away.
Take a moment to consider some people in your life who are difficult to love. Begin by praying for them. Pray for their salvation if they’re not Christians, and pray for their wellbeing. Think of one or two ways you can show love to your enemies and share the hope of Jesus.
Forgiveness Matters... And Here's Why...
One of the most profound Biblical examples of forgiveness is found in a story Jesus told about a king who wanted to settle his debts. One man owed the king a lot of money that he couldn’t repay, but the king had mercy on him and forgave the debt.
Afterward, the forgiven man encountered someone who owed him a small debt. But instead of showing mercy and forgiveness, he sends the man to prison until the debt is repaid. When the king hears about this, he is outraged at the hypocrisy, and has the forgiven man arrested.
If we’re being honest with ourselves, we probably fit into this story somewhere. How often have we chosen not to forgive someone while happily receiving the forgiveness that God offers us?
We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all rebelled against God. And all wrongdoing is contrary to God’s ways. Some sins have bigger consequences—but every mistake causes us to fall short of God’s perfection.
Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily erase the hurt caused, but it does help us heal and move forward. We will never know someone else’s entire life story. We won’t always understand what experiences impact the decisions someone makes. That’s why empathy matters.
Showing empathy requires placing ourselves in the position of the person who’s offended us, and choosing to understand their burdens. This is what Jesus did when He came to earth, experienced what it was like to be human, and then took our sins on Himself when He died for us. Although we have all wronged Him, He gave up His life to forgive and rescue us.
Scripture isn’t asking us to do something that Jesus hasn’t already done for us. And, Scripture also says that to the extent we forgive, we will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). So if we truly want to experience God’s forgiveness, then we need to extend forgiveness to others—even when we can’t forget what they’ve done.
So is there someone you’re withholding forgiveness from? Ask God to show you who you need to forgive. Then, allow God to shift your perspective and soften your heart toward that person. Let Him give you the strength and empathy you need to forgive.
How to Have a Healthy Church...
All of us, together, are part of Jesus’ body—the Church. Together we reflect who He is and what He has done. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to live like Jesus by equipping us with unique gifts we can use to strengthen and encourage the Church. And when we listen to the Holy Spirit, He draws us closer to God and to each other.
And because it is the same Spirit at work within each of us, anyone who belongs to Jesus is part of His body, and has a unique role to play. But just as a physical body will not function unless everything works together, the Church will not function the way it was intended unless we are receptive to the work of the Spirit in us, and committed to putting Jesus first.
The Church is healthy when it works together—united in its desire to love people like Jesus did, and serve others the way Jesus did.
Practically, this could look like serving the people we see at the store, on the street, or at a church service. It could look like inviting someone to your house for a meal, helping someone find a job, being a safe space for a vulnerable family, or financially supporting a non-profit.
If we are Christians, then we are part of Jesus’ body—His Church—and we have a unique role to play in building it up. We are called to use the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us to encourage and sacrificially serve each other, staying united in our love for our Savior. When we do that, Jesus shines through us and touches a broken world in need of hope.
So today, what can you do to serve and support the body of Christ? Jesus’ body is our body—so let’s treat it with care. It is this body that God has chosen to show His love to a hurting world.
God of Mercy...
The prophet Micah once asked a rhetorical question: “Who is a God like you…?”
The answer is—no one.
Micah is making a significant distinction among the nations of his day. Other religions and peoples worshiped all sorts of gods, none of which offered forgiveness of sins … but Micah’s God did.
Over and over God forgave the Israelite people, pardoning their idolatry and disobedience. And, He always provided a way for His people to be obedient and find forgiveness when they sinned against Him.
Today, this is still one of the unique distinctions between Christianity and other religions.
Through Jesus, Micah’s words, “You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” have come to pass. No other world religion has a god who came to die for his people. No other religion offers us a restored, personal relationship with God through the sacrifice of God Himself.
Paul wrote in Romans—
“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.”
Romans 3:23-25a ESV
According to the Christian faith, all have strayed from God and yet all have the chance to be brought back to God through Jesus.
Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice,and the ultimate show of mercy to a broken world. The Bible teaches that anyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. So if you haven’t yet made the decision to trust in Jesus, consider calling on the One who delights in showing you mercy.
Remembered by God...
Remembered by God.
People may forget your good deeds, but God never does.
Maybe they never said thank you.
Maybe they never publicly honored your service.
Maybe they never remembered what you did…
God always does. People may forget our good deeds, but God never does.
Sometimes, we may wonder if our good deeds matter or will ever be acknowledged. Hebrews 6:10 reassures us that the God who blesses a faithful life will never forget our acts of kindness and service.
Think of it this way: God has a perfect memory, and He sees, knows, and remembers every act of obedience done in His name, even if the world labels it a failure and considers you a fool. Your just and faithful God is taking note, and He will reward you.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10 NIV)
So, when you're tempted to think your efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated. When you feel forgotten or overlooked. When you’re tempted to think that what you contribute doesn’t matter, remember and hold on to the promise of Hebrews 6:10. Because God won’t forget your kindness, your faithfulness, and your service.
People may forget your good deeds, but God—He never does.
Help for the Weak...
Sometimes, in our fast-paced world, admitting vulnerability seems like admitting defeat. But if you've found yourself feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure of yourself, there's good news to cling to: “Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2 NIV)
For those in Christ, we’re not in this alone; God is our help. God’s Spirit is working in us and through us to accomplish His purposes—even when we don’t see it or feel it. He’s bringing things to mind, putting people along our path, and stirring up our hearts with that which matters to Him.
God’s Word says that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and it’s actually in our weakness that He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
So the pressure to do everything, have everything, and be everything is off. You have a Helper who meets you in your vulnerability and offers you strength in every moment. So, how can you begin to trust Him to help you when you are weak?
Hearing vs. Listening...
Throughout the pages of Scripture, there’s a word that gets repeated:
"hear," or a related word, "listen." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "Shema" translates into English as "hear" or "listen" and is often used to emphasize the act of listening, understanding, and obeying.
Today’s culture places value on doing many things at once; we often try to listen while focusing on other tasks, which divides our focus. The sound of someone’s voice might come into our ears, but if we’re also scrolling social media, doing schoolwork, or making a meal, we might not fully understand their words.
But in the biblical context, "hearing" does not simply include sound reception; it also involves active obedience and an effort to understand.
In Mark 4:9, Jesus invites us to listen—to hear and obey, encouraging us to pay careful attention to His words: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus isn't just asking us to audibly hear His words and carry on with our personal agenda; He's urging us to actively listen and obey, to live by His truth. Listening and obeying are what build our faith in Jesus Christ. Hearing the Word of God should lead to a transformed life marked by fruitfulness.
As you reflect on the idea of listening in Scripture, consider your heart and spiritual receptivity. Are you attentive to God's Word, allowing it to transform your life, or is your hearing divided, causing you to resist His call?
The Unconditional Pursuit: A Call to Belong...
Relentlessly pursuing Jesus? Wandered off the path from Jesus? On the fence about Jesus?
Here’s what’s true: You matter to Jesus. Yes, you.
There are no qualifications for God’s love and pursuit of you. You matter to Jesus; He calls you by name to come to Him, and He desires you to be with Him.
Reread those words: He desires you to be with Him. In Matthew 18:12, Jesus shares this parable:
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”
It’s not just a story; it's a reassuring reality of Jesus’ love and commitment to every single one of His own. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never gives up on His sheep. Never. He diligently seeks out the one who wanders.
We all have moments when we feel like the wandering sheep. Sometimes, we feel like we’re straying off the path. But remember this: you are not forgotten, and you matter to Jesus. He cares for the one who has strayed just as much as He does the ninety-nine who stayed close (Matthew 18:13). So draw near to Him today.
Because no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Jesus is seeking after you, calling you by name to not only follow Him but to be with Him.
Unity Beyond Uniformity...
Unity Beyond Uniformity
Can you imagine living in a house with a cracked foundation? Over time, the walls will begin to cave in, and the ceiling could buckle or split in two.
It might not happen right away, but eventually, everything slowly falls apart. In Mark 3:25, Jesus vividly portrays the impact of division…
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
Jesus wasn't merely discussing political entities or physical homes. He was teaching a powerful principle applicable to every area of life: where there is unity, there is strength. But when division seeps into a social structure—a family, a community, a neighborhood, a workplace, or a church—it weakens.
Division often feels inevitable, but Christians are called to examine our lives to see how we can be agents of unity. But not uniformity—unity doesn't demand that we all sound and act the same, but it does mean we should strive for harmony amidst diversity.
So, consider this: How can you begin to foster unity in the spaces and relationships God has placed you in? It could be overlooking a minor offense (Proverbs 19:11), listening with understanding to someone with differing viewpoints (Philippians 2:3-4), redirecting a conversation rooted in gossip (Proverbs 20:19), or apologizing for a hasty response (James 5:16). Every day you have a choice to pursue unity. So, how is God calling you to foster the spirit of unity today?
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)?
The Unknown Day and Hour...
The Unknown Day and Hour
Imagine you work in someone’s home. One day, the master of the home leaves and entrusts you to steward their property, and you have no idea when they will return. What would you do?
Take a nap? Throw a party? Eat all the food in the pantry? Ignore instructions?
No. A faithful servant would follow their master’s directions and keep the home ready for their return.
Jesus’ parable in Mark 13:32-37 illustrates that the same is true of what our Master, Jesus, has given us—possessions, gifts, talents, and the like. It’s not really ours, after all—He left it in our care temporarily. We don’t know when He will return, "whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn" (Mark 13:35, NIV). But God’s Word tells us what we should do in the meantime. Here are a few tasks our Master has for us while we wait:
- Stay alert and vigilant. (Mark 13:33)
- Pray for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
- Serve one another with our spiritual gifts. (1 Peter 4:10)
- Care for the needy. (James 2:14–17)
- Practice humility. (Philippians 2:3–4)
Let’s stay on guard for when “someday” becomes “today.”
Pray Persistently...
“Don’t give up.” These are the words every tired marathon runner, every exhausted parent, and every weary heart needs to hear. It takes courage to start a project, but often, it takes even more courage to persist when we are stuck in the middle, and we’re not sure we will make it to the end.
In Luke 18, Jesus taught the parable of the persistent widow. Through this story, Jesus teaches us how to pray persistently because He knows how easy it is to get weary and discouraged. He shows us that tirelessly bringing our needs and concerns to God is not nagging or irritating to Him, but rather a sign of faithful trust in Him.
Are you weary of praying for something? Relief from some hardship? The salvation of a loved one? Justice, peace, or deliverance? Imagine Jesus Himself standing on the sidelines of this long, long race and whispering to you: “Don’t give up talking to me about this.”
There are some prayers God will answer immediately, while others may take days, weeks, months, years, or even lifetimes. While it might seem like those requests have been forgotten or denied, Jesus’ challenge to us is this: if He were to return right now, would we still trust His faithfulness?
Will you offer Him your praise, gratitude, trust, and needs today and every day that comes after? He is faithful and just and will not leave your petition unanswered.