“Life appeared, and we saw, and we testify.” — 1 John 1:2
In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine attracted the attention of the whole world. When the scale of the accident became apparent, government officials rushed to the critical task of containing the radiation. Deadly gamma rays from the highly radioactive debris continued to destroy the robots involved in the disaster response.
So we had to use “biorobots” – people! Thousands of heroic people became “Chernobyl liquidators”, disposing of hazardous material in “shifts” of ninety seconds or less. People, risking their own lives, did what technology could not do.
Long ago, our rebellion against God also caused a disaster that led to all other disasters (see Gen. 3). Because of Adam and Eve, we divorced our Creator and turned our world into a toxic mess. We would never have been able to clean it ourselves.
This is the meaning of Christmas. Apostle John wrote: “Life has appeared, and we have seen it, and we testify, and we announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to us” (1 John 1:2). Then John proclaimed: “The blood of Jesus Christ, [God’s] Son, cleanses us from all sin” (v. 7).
Jesus provided what His creation could not provide. When we believe in Him, He restores us to right relationship with His Father. He eliminated death itself. And life appeared.
How do you go about cleaning up your own mess? How can you give your problems to Jesus today?
Loving God, thank you for sending your Son into this world to clean up our mess.
Author: Tim Gustavson
One of the most important topics in the Bible is your own heart. Throughout the story of the Bible, God shows that He is not as interested in your money, time, or services as He is in your heart.
Why is this important? Jesus taught His disciples that the heart is the center of our life. Our emotions and desires flow from the state of our heart. If God gains access to our heart, the rest of our life follows.
In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. The things we value in our lives reveal where our heart really is. What we think about, what we spend our money on and use our energy to achieve is where our heart is.
But it is not enough to simply prevent our hearts from focusing on these things. Instead, we need to train our hearts to focus on Jesus. The Apostle Paul encourages us to focus on what is of God:
In conclusion, my brothers and sisters, I will tell you this: think only of what is true, noble, just, pure, pleasant, honorable, excellent, and worthy of praise!
Philippians 4:8
Such thinking prompts our hearts to treasure Jesus as our treasure above all things on earth.
If you are honest with yourself, where would you say your treasure is right now? What are you spending time and money on? Think about how these things show where your heart really is. Spending time in God’s Word and prayer is a great way to turn our hearts to God.
“And he began to ask everyone to cling to the Lord with a resolute heart.” — Acts 11:23
“Solid inspiration”. With this phrase, John Tolkien described the personal support that his friend and colleague Clive Lewis gave him during the writing of the epic trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”. Tolkien’s work on the series was painstaking and demanding, and he personally rewrote his lengthy manuscripts more than twice. When he sent them to Lewis, he replied, “All the long years you’ve spent on this are worth it.”
Perhaps the most famous inspiration in the Bible was Joseph of Cyprus, better known as Barnabas (meaning “son of comfort”), the name given to him by the apostles (Acts 4:36). It was Barnabas who interceded for Paul before the apostles (Acts 9:27). Later, when the pagans began to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Luke tells us that Barnabas “began to ask everyone to cling to the Lord with a determined heart” (Acts 11:23). According to Luke, he “was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith”, and through him “many people joined the Lord” (v. 24).
The value of words of encouragement cannot be measured. When we offer words of faith and love to others, God, who gives “everlasting comfort” (2 Thess. 2:16), can work through what we share to change someone’s life forever. May He help us to offer someone today “solid inspiration”!
Who would you like to cheer on? How can you share God’s love with them through a kind deed or a kind word?
Dear God, please help me to be an encouragement to someone today.
Author: James Banks
Have you ever stumbled in a dark room or tried to walk at night when there was no light? You may have bumped into a wall or kicked something. Do you remember how great it was to turn on the lights so you could see where you were going?
God’s word says that we also walk in darkness. Our life without Jesus is characterized by just that – darkness. When we try to live life on our own, we inevitably fail and create problems.
Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness of the surrounding world and in our own lives. He illuminates the truth of the world so that we do not remain prisoners of our old ways, but can be transformed by Jesus through forgiveness.
Without His light that shines in the darkness, we would not recognize the truth.
Jesus is also the One who directs our paths. Just as we stumble in darkness without physical light, Jesus is the light that illuminates our path in life.
John 1:5 also tells us that the light of Jesus cannot be defeated. There are no spiritual forces or cultural events that can surpass the light of Jesus. And there is nothing anyone can do to separate us from God’s love and light.
No matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, we are called to walk in the light of Jesus. The physical world illuminates the world around us, but the light of Christ illuminates beauty in everything.
Spend some time in prayer today, thanking Jesus for the salvation you have and asking Him to continue to illuminate your path in life. Then let the light of Jesus shine through you, through your love for the people around you.
“Who is a God other than You, who forgives iniquity?” — Micah 7:18
On the eve of the national holiday of Thanksgiving, the President of the United States welcomes two turkeys to the White House before granting them a presidential pardon. Instead of becoming the main course of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, turkeys will live out the rest of their lives safely on the farm. Although the birds cannot grasp the freedom granted to them, this unusual annual tradition highlights the life-giving power of mercy.
The prophet Micah understood the meaning of pardon when he wrote a stern warning to the Israelites who were still in Jerusalem. He said that God testifies against the people (Mic. 1:2) for their desire for evil and indulgence in greed, dishonesty, and violence (Mic. 6:10-15).
At the same time, despite these disobedient actions, Micah ends his book with hope, which is based on the promise that God is not angry forever, that He forgives iniquity and forgives sin (Mic. 7:18). As the Creator and Judge of all things, He can authoritatively declare that He will not hold our works against us because of His promise to Abraham (v. 20), which was finally fulfilled through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
To be forgiven of all sins is an undeserved gift that brings great blessings. As we grasp more and more of the benefits of God’s full forgiveness, we will respond to Him with praise and thanksgiving.
What are the benefits of forgiveness that God offers? How does it encourage gratitude?
Merciful Father, help me to live with a sense of gratitude for the forgiveness You have given me.
Author: Lisa Samra
Scripture is absolutely clear that Christians are to be known for their love. Again and again the Word of God tells us that love should be our most important quality.
You may be familiar with the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, where He says that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our being. But it is equally important that we love others.
Jesus even says in John 13:35 that everyone will recognize us as His disciples by how we love others. We are not recognized by our knowledge of the Bible, by our families, by the career path we choose, or by the amount of time we spend in church. While all of these are important, Jesus says that the most important quality is how we love other people.
Peter 4:8 tells us the same thing: we should be among the most beloved people on earth, and our goal should be to love one another deeply. Peter, the author of this verse, also says that love is the key to forgiving others. Just as Jesus forgave us, our love for others should move us to forgive those who have wronged us.
Forgiving those who have wronged us is one of the most difficult tasks: for this we must love deeply. This is why forgiveness is the evidence of a life marked by God’s love.
So, if your closest friends were asked about your best qualities, what would they say? Would your greatest quality be how much you love others? If not, know that you are not alone. None of us are perfect and we all need to do better.
So what steps can you take to love others more? Are there people who hurt you that you need to forgive? Are there people you’ve offended that you need to make up with? Make a list of ways you can show love to other people. Take some time today to ask God to help you become more loving.
“God is light.” — 1 John 1:5
When the lights went out on the streets of Highland Park, Michigan, there was a longing for another source of light – the sun. The city did not have enough funds to pay the utility company. Energy workers turned off the street lighting and removed the bulbs from 1,400 lanterns. This left the residents in danger and in the dark. “There’s a couple of kids walking, they’re going to school,” a local resident told a news crew. “There’s no lights. They just have to take their chances walking down the street.”
The situation changed when a non-profit group appeared in the city and decided to install solar street lights. By working together, the humanitarian organization saved the city money on its electricity bills while providing a source of light that helped meet the needs of residents.
In our Christian life, the reliable source of light is Jesus Himself, the Son of God. Apostle John wrote: “God is light, and there is no darkness in Him” (1 John 1:5). He also noted: “When we walk in the light, as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (v. 7).
Jesus himself proclaimed: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). With God’s Holy Spirit guiding our every step, we will never walk in darkness. His light always shines brightly.
How have you felt the light of Jesus in your life? Who can you tell about Him today?
Dear God, let Your light shine brightly in every corner of my life.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“You give them to eat.” — Mark 6:37
My friend and her husband could not conceive a child. Doctors recommended that she undergo an appropriate medical procedure. But she hesitated, “Isn’t prayer enough to solve our problem? Do I really need to do this procedure?” My friend was trying to understand what role human actions play in seeing how God works.
The story of how Jesus fed the crowd can help us in this (Mark 6:35-44). We may know how this story ends: thousands of people were miraculously fed with bread and fish (v. 42). But notice who fed this crowd? Pupils (v. 37). And who provides the food? They (v. 38). Who distributes the food and cleans up afterwards? Disciples (vv. 39-43). “You give them something to eat,” said Jesus (v. 37). Yes, Jesus did a miracle, but it was because of the actions of the disciples.
A good harvest is a gift from God (Ps. 64:10-11), but the farmer must still work the land. Jesus promised Peter a “catch” of fish, but the fisherman still had to cast his nets (Lk. 5:4-6). God can care for the earth and work miracles without us, but usually He chooses to work in partnership with man.
A friend of mine went through this procedure and later successfully became pregnant. Although this is not a miracle formula, it has become a lesson for us. God often does His miraculous work through methods He puts into our hands.
When are you tempted to just pray and do nothing? What is God calling you to do right now?
Dear God, thank you for including me in Your wonderful work. Please take what is in my hands and work miracles through it.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
“Therefore apply all vigilance to this, and show virtue in your faith.” — 2 Peter 1:5
The family gathered at the bedside of Dominic Bukhur, a seventeenth-century grammarian who was dying. Having taken his last breath, he, according to tradition, said: “I am about to die or already dying; any expression will be correct.” Who cares about grammar on their deathbed? Only to those who have devoted their whole life to grammar.
By the time we reach old age, we have already largely decided on our paths. We have had a whole life for our choices to be confirmed in habits that later turn into character – good or bad. We are who we choose to be.
It is easier to develop godly habits while our character is young and flexible. Apostle Peter urges: “Therefore, pay all attention to this, and show virtue in your faith, and in virtue, knowledge, and in knowledge, temperance, and in temperance, patience, and in patience, piety, and in piety, brotherhood, and in brotherhood, love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7). Practice these virtues, and then “the entrance to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be generously opened for you” (v. 11).
Which traits from this list are most characteristic of you? Which ones still need to be worked on? Ask the Lord to change you and give you strength. It can be a slow and difficult journey, but Jesus “specializes” in giving us exactly what we need. Ask Him to change your character so that you will be more and more like Him.
What traits of your character would you most like to change? How to seek God’s strength and His provision and begin to change?
Dear Jesus, please make me more like You so that others can see You clearly.
Author: Mike Whittmer
In the midst of long periods of life and difficult circumstances, God, as before, invites us to come to Him. And one of the best ways to draw closer to God is to spend time in His Word. His words connect our hearts with His truth and remind us of His faithfulness.
So here are five steps you can take right now to help yourself pause, rest, and trust God every day.
Prepare your heart
You are my Counselor, my Protector, I rely on Your words with all my heart!
Psalm 119:114
Begin your quiet time by reading this psalm, then write down your worries and concerns. Imagine putting together a box of everything that claims your attention and then giving that box to God.
Ask God to speak to you
Before you dive into the scriptures, ask God to help you understand His Word and show you how to apply the Scriptures in your life. He promises to give us His wisdom when we ask for it.
Open passage
When was the passage written? Who was the target audience? What is the main topic? Are there repeated words and phrases (if so, why)? What does this passage tell you about God and other people?
Read the passage several times, answering the following question each time. Pay special attention to any phrases and ideas that continue to attract attention.
Briefly summarize the scriptures
Spend a few minutes asking God to show you truths in His Word, and then write down 1-3 key takeaways from this passage. This will help you think through the ideas that God is showing you.
Application
Write down 2-3 ways you can apply the scriptures you have studied, and then regularly review your progress. You can even turn your goals into prayers in the YouVersion app and set reminders to pray for them!
After you have finished meditating on the scriptures, spend a few minutes in silent meditation, and then reflect on what you have learned throughout the day.
