“So that your will does not become an occasion to please the flesh, but to serve one another with love.” — Galatians 5:13
When my uncle Emory passed away, it was a grand farewell. However, all this honor reflected one idea: Emory showed his love for God through service to others. Nowhere was this more evident than in the context of his military service as an orderly during World War II. He received high military awards for his bravery. But Emory is best remembered for his compassionate service, both during and after the war.
Emory’s dedication was in line with the apostle Paul’s call to the Galatians. He wrote: “For you, brothers, are called to free will, but that your will does not become an occasion to please the flesh, but to serve one another with love” (Gal. 5:13). But how? By our sinful nature, we are programmed to put ourselves first, not others. So where does this unnatural dedication come from?
In the Epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul encourages: “Have the same mind as in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Paul describes Christ’s willingness to even endure death on the cross because of His great love for us. Only when His Spirit forms the mind of Christ in us are we set apart and enabled to sacrifice for others, reflecting the supreme sacrifice that Jesus made when He gave Himself for us. Therefore, let us follow the action of the Spirit in us.
When has someone sacrificed for you? How can you serve others, starting with your own family?
Loving Father, thank you for the perfect example of Jesus and His sacrifice. Please help me to have the mind of Christ.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Your faith, O daughter, has saved you.” — Mark 5:34
During a Saturday morning Bible study, a father was perplexed that his beloved but wayward daughter had returned to town and her behavior made him uncomfortable in his home. Another member of this small Bible study group was not feeling well, as the physical effects of prolonged illness and aging began to show. Numerous visits to doctors did not bring any results. The woman was desperate. By God’s design, the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Mark was the passage they were studying that day. And after completing the Bible study, they finally felt hope and joy.
In this chapter it is said that Jairus, the father of a sick child, cried out, “My daughter is dying!” On the way to the girl, Jesus healed the woman from her long illness, saying: “Your faith, O daughter, has saved you” (v. 34). Jairus and the woman, believing in Jesus, sought Him and were not disappointed. However, in both cases, things went from “bad to worse” before meeting Jesus.
Regardless of gender, age, race, or class, we all face situations that leave us stumped and searching for answers. Instead of allowing difficulties to distance us from Jesus, let us try to let them move us to a deeper faith in the One who feels our faith when we touch Him (v. 30) and Who can heal us.
What situation prompts you to seek Jesus? What are you earnestly praying for today?
Dear Jesus, You know every painful situation in my life. Despite the complexity of life’s circumstances, please make me strong in faith.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“But you must be vigilant in everything … do the work of the evangelist, fulfill your service.” — 2 Timothy 4:5
When the Titanic hit an iceberg in April 1912, pastor John Harper found a place for his six-year-old daughter in one of the lifeboats. He then gave his life jacket to one of the passengers and began to share the Gospel with all who would listen. When the ship was sinking and hundreds of people were waiting for an unlikely rescue, Harper swam from one person to another and said: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
At a meeting of Titanic survivors in Ontario, Canada, one man called himself “John Harper’s last convert.” After rejecting Harper’s first call, he accepted Christ when the preacher called him again. He saw Harper devote the last moments of his life to witnessing for Jesus before he suffered hypothermia and went to the bottom of the icy water.
Addressing Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages him to the same selfless evangelization. He instructs Timothy to preach with patience and vigilance (2 Tim. 4:1-2). The apostle reminds the young preacher to remain focused, despite the fact that some will reject Jesus (vv. 3-5).
Our days are limited, so every moment is important. We can be sure that our Father has prepared a place for us in heaven as we proclaim, “Jesus saves!”
How does knowing that our days are limited increase your willingness to share the Good News of Jesus’ love? How will you reach out to others today?
Lord Jesus, please enable me to share Your love with others.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“Let everyone give as his heart allows.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
At the after-school Bible club where my wife Sue serves once a week, students were asked to donate money to help children in war-torn Ukraine. About a week after Sue told our eleven-year-old granddaughter, Maggie, about the project, we received an envelope from her in the mail. In it was $3.45 and a note: “This is all I have for the children in Ukraine. I will send more later.”
Sue did not offer to help Maggie, but perhaps the Lord prompted her to do so. And Maggie, who loves Jesus and wants to live for Him, responded.
We can learn a lot when we think about this small gift from the heart. It reflects some of the instructions regarding giving given by Paul in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 9). First, the apostle called us to sow “generously” (v. 6). Giving “all that I have” is certainly a generous gift. Paul also wrote that our gifts should be given with joy, according to God’s guidance and our ability, and “not under compulsion” (v. 7). In addition, he mentioned the value of gifts to the “poor” (v. 9), citing Psalm 111:9.
When there is an opportunity to give gifts, let’s ask what kind of response God expects from us. If we are generous and joyfully direct our gifts to the needs of the needy, then through our gift we give “thanks to God” (2 Cor. 9:11). This is a gift from the heart.
What motivates you to show generosity to others? How do you aim to meet their real needs?
Dear God, please help me to be the kind of generous giver You want me to be – a reflection of Your generous heart.
Author: David Brenon
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35
When her young son underwent another round of treatment for muscular dystrophy, Carey wanted to take her time away from her family’s problems and do something useful for someone else. Therefore, she collected her son’s shoes, which were too small for him, but were in good condition, and donated them to the ministry. Her donation encouraged friends, family members and even neighbors to join the cause, and soon more than two hundred pairs of shoes were collected!
Although the purpose of the shoe drive was to bless others, Carey felt that her family was the most blessed: “The whole experience really lifted our spirits and helped us focus on the outside world.”
The apostle Paul understood how important it is for followers of Jesus to show generosity. On the way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped in Ephesus. He knew that this would probably be his last meeting with the believers of the church he had founded there. In his farewell address to the elders, Paul reminded them how diligently he had served God (Acts 20:17-20) and encouraged them to do the same (v. 35). In conclusion, he quoted the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35).
The Lord wants us to sacrifice sincerely and humbly (Luke 6:38). If we trust His guidance, He will give us opportunities to do so, and we will be surprised at the joy we will experience.
How might God call you to be generous? When have you been gifted with someone’s generosity?
Dear Father, help me to truly give of my time and resources to others.
By Alison Kieda
“When He sat down with them at the table, He took bread, blessed it, and, breaking it, gave it to them.” — Luke 24:30
After a busy day at the hospital, my friend was rushing home, wondering what to make for dinner before her husband also got home from work. On Sunday she cooked the chicken, and on Monday she served what was left of it. On Tuesday, she made chicken again, but this time it was baked. When she got home, my friend found two pieces of fish in the freezer, but she knew that fish fillets were not her husband’s favorite food. Finding nothing else, she decided to cook fish.
After putting the dish on the table, she spoke somewhat apologetically to her husband, who had just returned home: “I know this is not your favorite dish.” Instead, her husband looked up and said, “Honey, I’m just happy we have food on the table.”
His attitude reminds me how important it is to be thankful for what we receive from God on a daily basis. Thanksgiving for daily bread, for all food is modeled by the example of Jesus. During a joint meal with two disciples after His resurrection, Christ “took bread, blessed it, and, breaking it, gave it to them” (Lk. 24:30). He thanked his Father, as when he fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish (Jn. 6:9). When we give thanks for our daily food and other provisions, we follow Jesus’ example and honor our Heavenly Father. Let’s thank God today.
How often do you thank Jesus? How does this glorify Him?
God, I thank You for daily bread and for the satisfaction of all other needs.
Author: Katara Patton
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came out of the womb, I consecrated you.” — Jeremiah 1:5
It seems that “likes” – those little hearts or thumbs up on Facebook – have always been with us. But it turns out that this virtual symbol of approval only appeared in 2009.
Favorites designer Justin Rosenstein said he wanted to help create “a world where people lift each other up, not tear them down.” However, Rosenstein later noted that his invention may have caused an unhealthy dependence of users on social networks.
I believe that Rosenstein’s invention reflects our innate need for self-affirmation and connection. We want to make sure that others know us, notice us, and like us. “Like” is a fairly new concept. However, our desire to know and be known is as old as the creation of man by God.
However, the like button doesn’t quite do the job, does it? Fortunately, we serve a God whose love is much deeper than a digital symbol. In the Book of the prophet Jeremiah, we see God’s deep connection with the prophet whom He called to Himself. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came forth from the womb, I sanctified you” (Jer. 1:5).
God knew the prophet even before his conception and appointed him for a life full of meaning and mission (vv. 8-10). God also calls us to a purposeful life when we get to know the Father, who knows and loves us so closely.
How does a deep knowledge of God affect the way you treat others? How can a purposeful life bring peace?
Heavenly Father, help me to rest in Your love and calling, knowing that You care deeply for me and shape me for each day that You have planned for me.
Author: Adam Holtz | See other authors
“As that deer flows to the streams of water, so flows to You, O God, my soul.” — Psalm 41:2
My friends and I were going to complete one of our bucket list items – a hike to the Grand Canyon. However, already at the beginning of our trip, we thought: will we have enough water, the reserves of which, in the end, quickly ran out; and it was still far to the edge of the canyon. It became difficult for us to breathe. Then we turned a corner and what we consider a miracle happened. We saw three water bottles hidden in a rock crevice with a note that said, “I knew you’d need this. Enjoy!” We looked at each other in surprise, whispered thanks to God, took a couple of the much-needed sips, and then set off on the last stretch of our journey. I have never felt so thirsty and at the same time so grateful in my life.
The psalmist had not been to the Grand Canyon, but he must have known how a deer behaves when it is thirsty and perhaps frightened. The word “thirst” (Ps. 41:2) speaks of a thirst to such an extent that if you do not quench it, you may die. The author equates the degree of the deer’s thirst with his longing for God: “As the deer leans toward the streams of water, so my soul leans toward You, O God” (v. 2).
God is our constant help. We long for Him because He brings new strength and freshness to our weary lives, equipping us for whatever lies ahead along the way.
Did you feel very thirsty, hungry or afraid? Why do you long for God’s presence?
Loving God, thank you for the renewed strength I feel as You fill my life. Forgive me for looking for a source other than You.
Author: John Blaze
“He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us.” — 1 John 1:9
My first short-term mission trip was to the Amazon jungle in Brazil, where I helped build a church on the banks of a river. One day we visited a house in this area that had a water filter. When the owner poured cloudy well water into the upper part of the device, in a matter of minutes all impurities were removed: clean, transparent drinking water appeared. Right there, in this man’s living room, I saw an image of what it means to be cleansed by Christ.
When we first come to Jesus with our guilt and shame, ask Him to forgive us, and accept Him as our Savior, He cleanses us of our sins and makes us new. We are purified in the same way that muddy water is transformed into clean drinking water. How joyful it is to realize that thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are in a proper state before God (2 Cor. 5:21), and God removes our sins as far “as the east is far from the west” (Ps. 102:12).
At the same time, the apostle John reminds us that this does not mean that we will never sin again. If we sin, we can be sure of the effectiveness of the “water filter” and take comfort in knowing: “when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
So, let’s live with confidence, knowing that we are constantly being purified by Christ.
Why is it so important to ask Jesus to forgive our sins? How does it feel to realize that you no longer need to be a prisoner of sin?
Dear God, thank You that You are faithful and just and forgive me if I confess my sins to You.
By Nancy Gavilanes
Starting tomorrow, our Sunday worship service will be held in a new location at:
7/2 Volodymyra Pokotylo str, Kyiv, Ukraine (entrance from the back).
We will be glad to see you all!
