“Guard your heart, because life comes from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
The human heart is an amazing organ. This fist-sized pumping station weighs between 300 and 450 grams. Every day, the heart beats about 100,000 times and pumps seven and a half thousand liters of blood through one hundred thousand kilometers of blood vessels in our body! With such a strategic role and heavy workload, it is clear why the health of the heart is crucial to the well-being of the entire body. Medicine encourages us to adopt healthy habits because the condition of our heart and the quality of our health are closely related.
While medical science speaks authoritatively about our physical heart, God speaks with even greater authority about the “spiritual heart.” It appeals to the mental, emotional and moral “center” of our being. Since the heart is the central processor of life, it must be protected: “Guard your heart, for out of it comes life” (Prov. 4:23). Guarding the heart will help us with our speech (v. 24), cause us to have discerning eyes (v. 25) and choose the best paths for our feet (v. 27). Regardless of age or stage of life, if we guard our hearts, our lives are preserved, our relationships are protected, and the Lord is glorified. J
What do your lifestyle and habits say about the condition of your heart? If you haven’t asked God to change your heart yet, what’s stopping you from doing so today?
Dear God, search me and know my heart. Create a pure heart in me. Let me hide Your truth in my heart, so that I do not sin before You.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“He gave Himself for our sins in order to free us from the evil modern age.” — Galatians 1:4
A few friends set out on a boat across the English Channel, hoping that the forecast for stormy weather would change. But the wind rose, the waves became restless. This threatened the safety of their vessel, so they radioed the Royal National Rescue Institute for help. After several tense minutes, they saw their rescuers in the distance and were relieved to know that they would soon be safe. As my friend later gratefully said: “Regardless of whether people ignore the rules of behavior at sea or not, rescuers will still come to help.”
As he told this story, I thought about how Jesus leads God’s search and rescue mission. He came to earth to become a Man and live among us. By His death and resurrection He gave us a plan of salvation, when sin and disobedience separated us from God. This truth is emphasized by the apostle Paul: “[Jesus] gave Himself for our sins, to free us from the evil modern age” (Gal. 1:4). Paul reminded the Galatians of the gift of new life they had received through the death of Christ, that they should glorify God day by day.
Jesus, our Savior, willingly died to save us from destruction. Thanks to this, we have life in God’s Kingdom, and in thanks for this we can share the saving news with other people in our community.
How do you express your gratitude for the gift of salvation? Who can you share the good news with?
Dear Jesus, You give life and salvation. Please help me to accept Your love and show it to others.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“The fool is angry and the brave.” — Proverbs 14:16
Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island in England connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Twice a day, the sea covers the dam. Signs warn visitors of the dangers of crossing at high tide. However, tourists regularly ignore warnings and often find themselves on the roofs of submerged cars or swimming to rescue houses. The tide is as predictable as the sunrise. Warnings are everywhere, it is impossible not to notice them. However, as one writer put it, Lindisfarne is “a place where the reckless try to outrun the tide”.
The Book of Proverbs tells us how dangerous it is to be reckless and careless (Prov. 14:16). A reckless person pays little attention to wisdom or wise counsel and does not show consideration or diligent care for others (vv. 7-8). However, wisdom helps us to listen and think, so that we are not carried away by hasty emotions or half-hearted ideas (v. 6). Wisdom teaches us to ask the right questions and consider the consequences of our actions. While the fool moves forward without regard to relationships or consequences, “the wise consider his steps” (v. 15).
Although sometimes we need to act decisively and quickly, we can resist rashness. If we accept and practice God’s wisdom, He will give us the guidance we need when we need it.
Have you witnessed reckless living? How can you avoid this lifestyle?
Dear God, we live in a reckless world. Please help me to be wise and live wisely.
Author: Wynn Collier
“So many of us are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.” — Romans 12:5
Most of the three hundred residents of the town of Whittier, Alaska, live in one apartment complex, which is why Whittier is called “the city under one roof.” Amy, a former resident, says, “I didn’t even have to go outside the house. The grocery store, the notary, the school and the post office were all on the first floor. Take the elevator down and you’re there!”
“Because life there was extremely comfortable, I thought I didn’t need anyone anymore, – shares Amy. – But the residents of the city are so friendly. They take care of each other. And I realized that they need me, and they need me.”
We also sometimes want to avoid socializing with other people. Instead, Scripture says that Christians should have a healthy balance of solitude and fellowship with other believers. The Apostle Paul compares the church to a human body. Just as every part of the body has a function, so every believer has a role (Rom. 12:4). Just as a separate part of the body cannot exist autonomously, so a believer cannot live a life of faith in isolation (v. 5). Only in the community do we use our gifts (vv. 6-8; 1 Pet. 4:10) and grow, becoming like Jesus (Rom. 12:9-21).
We need each other; our community is in Christ (v. 5). By caring for one another, we can develop a deeper relationship with God and show others His love.
How has the community in Jesus Christ helped you in your walk with God? How did other believers encourage you?
Dear God, thank you for my brothers and sisters.
Author: Karen Huang
“You are no longer strangers and strangers, but fellow citizens of the saints, and at home for God.” — Ephesians 2:19
“You don’t belong here.” These words broke the heart of an eight-year-old girl, and the pain caused remained with her forever. Her family emigrated from a refugee camp in a war-torn country to another country, and her immigration card read: “Foreigner”. She felt that she did not belong here.
As an adult, although she believed in Jesus, she still felt alienated. The thought that she was an unwelcome guest in a new country did not leave her. While reading the Bible, the woman discovered the promises recorded in the 2nd chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians. In the 12th verse, she saw that old, disturbing word: “Aliens.” “At that time you were without Christ, separated from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” However, as she continued to read, she saw how Christ’s sacrifice changed her status. The woman came to the 19th verse, which said: “You are no longer strangers and foreigners.” She became a “fellow citizen” of God’s people. The realization that she had become a citizen of Heaven caused her great joy. She will never be a stranger again. God accepted her.
Because of our sins, we are alienated from God. But we don’t have to stay that way. Jesus brought peace to everyone, including the “far off” (v. 17), making everyone who trusts in Him fellow citizens of His eternal Kingdom, united in the Body of Christ.
In what sense do you feel alienated? What does it mean to you to realize that God has called all His children to unity in Him?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to communicate with You and with other people who love You and trust You.
Author: David Brenon
“I told you this so that you may have peace in Me.” —John 16:33
A photo of my five-year-old daughter, who triumphantly won the fun competitive game “Gutters and Stairs,” appeared on the Facebook social network. We also played this board game a lot when we were kids. The game, which was invented in ancient India, helps people learn to count and gives the thrill of climbing the ladder and winning by reaching the 100 mark faster than others. But be careful! If you land at 98, you’ll slide far down the chute, delaying or even preventing victory.
Isn’t that like life? The Lord Jesus lovingly prepared us for the ups and downs in our lives. He warned: “You will suffer in the world, but be of good courage: I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33). We should not be afraid of trials. Why? Because Christ has overcome the world! There is nothing greater than His power. Therefore, we can meet everything that comes our way with the manifestation of “His mighty power” that He has given us (Eph. 1:19).
As in the game “Gutters and Stairs”, life sometimes presents us with stairs that we happily climb up, and sometimes we fall down a slippery mountain. However, we must not play the game of life without hope. We have the power of Jesus to get us through it all.
What challenges do you need help with? How can focusing on Jesus’ power to overcome life’s trials and tribulations encourage you?
Dear Jesus, thank you for reminding me that You have overcome the world! Help me rely on Your strength to handle the ups and downs of life.
Author: Katara Patton
“You will show me the way of life: joy is great with You.” — Psalm 15:11
The pandemic was winning. That’s what it looked like for Jason Persoff, an emergency room doctor who dedicated himself to saving patients with the coronavirus. What helped him to study “to the fullest”? In his off-hours, he relaxed by photographing something small, such as individual snowflakes. “Perhaps it sounds rather strange,” says Dr. Persoff, “but finding joy in something small, yet beautiful, is an opportunity to reunite with the Creator, and also to see the world as few see it.”
A wise pursuit of joy to reduce stress and increase resilience is a high value in the medical profession, the doctor believes. And to all of us he gives the following advice: “You have to breathe. You have to find a way to breathe and enjoy life.”
This opinion was expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 15, when he proclaimed the wisdom of finding joy in God: “The Lord is part of my inheritance and my cup… Because of this, my heart rejoices and my spirit rejoices, and my body rests safely” (vv. 5, 9).
People do a lot of stupid things in an attempt to relax. Instead, Dr. Persoff found a wise way – one that pointed him to the Creator who gives us the joy of His presence. “You will show me the way of life: joy is great with You, bliss is always at Your right hand” (v. 11). In Him we find eternal joy.
How does finding wise joy bless your life? How might reading Psalm 15 inspire you to identify ways in which you find joy in God?
God, bless me in my life’s journey, that I may wisely find the joy that originates in You.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“He will not break a broken reed, and a smoldering wick will not be extinguished.” — Isaiah 42:3
When I pet our fluffy Norwegian Forest cat, Mystique, when I play with her or when she falls asleep in my lap at night, it’s hard to believe that this is the same cat we met years ago. She used to live on the street, was underweight and afraid of everyone. However, this gradually changed when I started bringing her food every day. One day she finally let me pet her and the rest is history.
The Mystic Transformation is a reminder of the healing that can come with patience and love. This reminds me of God’s heart described in the 42nd chapter of Isaiah. It tells about the Servant, filled with God’s Spirit (v. 1), who will work tirelessly to establish God’s “truth” (v. 3-4).
However, this Servant, Jesus (Matt. 12:18-20), will not carry out God’s justice through violence or the pursuit of power. Instead, He will be quiet and gentle (Is. 42:2), tenderly and patiently caring for those rejected by others – the “broken” and wounded (v. 3).
God never leaves His children. He has plenty of time to tend to our wounded hearts until they finally begin to heal. Thanks to His gentle, patient love, we gradually learn to love and trust again.
What kind of transformation have you seen through patient love? How can you grow in feeling God’s love and in showing it to others?
Dear God, thank you for never leaving me, but patiently loving and caring for my wounded heart. Help me to love others with patience.
Author: Monica La Rose
“And yourselves, as if those stones are alive, build a spiritual house.” — 1 Peter 2:5
There are many names for groups of animals in the world. No doubt you have heard of a flock of sheep, a herd of cattle, or even a flock of geese. But some names may surprise you. For example, have you heard of the building of rooks (Eurasian crows)?
In fact, the building is one of the biblical names for the community of believers in Jesus Christ. “You are… God’s building,” wrote the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 3:9). There are other names for believers: “flock” (Acts 20:28), “body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27), “brethren” (1 Thess. 2:14), etc.
The metaphor of the building is repeated in the 1st Epistle of the Apostle Peter, where he tells Christians: “And yourselves, as living stones, build a spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5). Then, in the sixth verse, Peter quotes the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen, cornerstone, precious stone” (Is. 28:16). Jesus is the foundation of His building.
It may seem to us that building the church is our job, but Jesus said: “I will build my church” (Mt. 16:18). We are chosen by God to “proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9). By uttering this praise, we become instruments in God’s hands as He does His good work.
How does the Lord Jesus build His Church? How can you get involved in this work?
Dear God, forgive me for what I sometimes think: everything depends on me. Use me for Your glory and the benefit of my neighbors in the building of Your church.
Author: Bill Crowder
“And he went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God.” — 2 Kings 5:14
The best seller at Jocelyn’s stall was her rice porridge. She mixed the rice very carefully until it had a uniform consistency. So Jocelyn was surprised when a regular customer once said, “Your cereal tastes different today. The texture isn’t as uniform.”
This time, new assistant Jocelyn made the porridge, and she explained why this dish is different: “I didn’t stir it as long as the recipe says, because that’s how I make it at home. And I added more sesame oil. I think it tastes better that way.” She decided to ignore the recipe and do things her own way.
This is how I sometimes respond to God’s instructions. Instead of fully obeying His commandments written in the Holy Scriptures, I go my own way.
Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was on the verge of a similar error. After receiving God’s instructions through the prophet Elisha to wash seven times in the Jordan to be cured of leprosy, the proud warrior became angry. He had his own expectations of how his need should be met, believing that his opinion was superior to God’s command (2 Kings 5:11-12). However, the servants persuaded him to listen to the words of Elisha (v. 13). As a result, Naaman was healed.
If we act in God’s way, we experience a peace that cannot be described. Therefore, let us cooperate with the Lord in the fulfillment of His purposes.
Do you allow your own views to compromise your obedience to God? How does this affect His work in your life?
Dear God, please help me to obey You completely because Your commands are far more important than my own thoughts.
Author: Karen Huang
