“He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:31
James Morris was once called an “ignorant layman with a hot heart”, but God used him to lead Augustus Toplady to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Toplady, the author of the well-known Christian hymn “This Gracious Rock”, described Morris’s sermon as he heard it: “It is amazing that I … drew near to God … among a small group of believers gathered in a barn, and through the ministry of one who could barely speak his own name. It is certainly the work of the Lord’s hands, and it is amazing.”
God does do amazing things in the most unexpected places and through those we may think of as “unqualified” or just ordinary people. In the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds us: “Look, brothers, at your called, that few are wise according to the flesh, few are strong, few are noble” (1 Cor. 1:26). Although the Corinthian believers were ordinary citizens, by God’s grace they did not lack gifts and usefulness (see v. 7). And God, who knows how to put boasters in their place (vv. 27-29), acted among them and through them.
Do you consider yourself “normal” or even think that you are worse than others? Don’t bother. If you are with the Lord and want Him to work through you, that is enough. Let the words: “God, use me!” sound more often in your prayer.
Who comes to mind when you think of those whom God has used effectively? What can you do to shift your focus from what you have or don’t have to what God can do through you?
Heavenly Father, forgive me for focusing more on myself than on You. Use me in Your holy service.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“For His mercy has not ended, it is new every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22-23
For three years, Susan didn’t buy anything for herself, except for basic necessities. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected my friend’s income and she has switched to a frugal lifestyle. “One day, while cleaning the apartment, I noticed how shabby and faded my things looked, – she shared. – It was then that I began to miss new things, the feeling of freshness and excitement. Everything around seemed dim and seemed to hint that there was nothing to look forward to in the future.”
Unexpectedly, Susan found encouragement in the book of Lamentations of Jeremiah, which the prophet wrote after the fall of Jerusalem. In it, Jeremiah describes the unhealed wound of grief that the prophet himself and his people suffered. However, in the midst of the despair of sorrow lies a reliable ground for hope – God’s love. “For His mercy does not end, it is new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Susan realized that God’s deep love is constantly breaking out every day. When circumstances make us feel like we have nothing left to hope for, we can remember God’s faithfulness and expect His provision. We can confidently hope in God, knowing that our hope will never be in vain (vv. 24-25) because it is based on His steadfast love and mercy.
“God’s love is my ‘something new’ every day,” says Susan, “and I can look forward with hope.”
When did you think your circumstances were hopeless? How does the promise of God’s unfailing love give you hope?
Dear God, thank you that each day brings with it your steadfast love.
Author: Karen Huang
“I will send you to Pharaoh, and bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” — Exodus 3:10
Two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln freed enslaved people and the Confederacy surrendered, the state of Texas still did not recognize the freedom of enslaved people. So, on June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and demanded that all slaves be freed. Imagine the shock and joy when the shackles fell and those in slavery heard the proclamation of freedom.
God sees the oppressed, and He will eventually proclaim freedom to those burdened by injustice. This is the same truth as it was in the time of Moses. God appeared to him in the burning bush with an urgent message: “I have truly seen the trouble of My people in Egypt” (Ex. 3:7). The Lord not only saw Egypt’s cruelty towards Israel, He also planned to do something: “I have come down to deliver him… and to bring him out of this land to a good and wide Land” (v. 8). He intended to proclaim Israel’s freedom, and Moses was to become His “mouthpiece.” “I will send you to Pharaoh, and bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (v. 10).
Although God’s timing may not come as quickly as we hope, one day He will free us from all slavery and injustice. He gives hope and liberation to all the oppressed.
Have you seen how God helps the oppressed? How does He invite you to join His work?
Dear God, there is so much oppression in the history of our world that it is easy to despair. Please help me to remain focused on Your purpose to proclaim freedom.
Author: Wynn Collier
“When you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, you do not return to take it – it will be for the stranger, the orphan and the widow.” — Deuteronomy 24:19
Several years ago, our church was asked to take in refugees who were fleeing their country after a violent change in political leadership. Whole families came with only a small bag of belongings. Several families from our church opened their homes to the refugees, including those who had little free space.
Their hospitality reminds us of God’s commandment given to the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land (Deut. 24:19-21). Being farmers, they understood the importance of the harvest, which was necessary to survive until the next year. Therefore, God’s command: “when you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, you do not return to take it, it will be for the stranger, the orphan and the widow” (v. 19), is a call to trust God. The Israelites were to practice generosity, not when they knew they had enough, but when they gave from the heart.
The manifestation of such generosity was also a reminder that the Israelites themselves were slaves in Egypt (vv. 18, 22). They were once oppressed and destitute, but God’s mercy freed them from slavery.
Christians are also called to be generous. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “[Christ], being rich, became poor for your sake, that you might become rich through his poverty” (2 Cor. 8:9). We give because He gave to us.
Did someone help you in times of trouble? How will you help others by relying on God’s provision?
Dear Father, please open my eyes to the needs of the disadvantaged in my community.
Author: Matthew Lucas
“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
