“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!
“He who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His will and grace.” — 2 Timothy 1:9
As a child, my daughter loved to play with Swiss cheese during lunch. She would put the yellow square on her face and say, “Look, mom,” and her bright green eyes would peek out from two holes in the cheese. When I was a new mother, this swiss cheese mask best represented my attitude toward my efforts—sincere love, yet so imperfect.
Oh, how we long to live a holy life – a life dedicated to God, characterized by our likeness to Jesus. However, time passes, and our holiness still seems unattainable. Instead of it, our “holeness” remains.
In the 2nd Epistle to Timothy 1:6-7, the apostle Paul calls him to live according to his holy calling. Paul further explains: “[God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His will and grace” (v. 9). A holy life is possible, however, not because of our character, but because of God’s grace. Paul continues: “[This grace] was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages” (v. 9). Can we accept God’s grace and live based on the strength it gives us?
In raising children, in marriage, in work or in showing love to our neighbor, God calls us to a holy life, which becomes possible not thanks to our efforts to be perfect, but thanks to His grace.
How do you understand personal holiness? How will you ask God to remind you of His all-encompassing grace that brings holiness into your life?
Dear God, please help me to rely on Your grace and not on my own efforts to live a holy life.
Author: Eliza Morgan
“And to those who hesitate, be merciful.” — Jude 1:22
The invitation to dinner from church leader Harold and his wife Pam warmed my heart and made me a little nervous at the same time. The thing is, I joined a Bible study group in college that taught ideas that contradicted some of the Bible’s teachings. “Will they reproach me for this?”
We ate pizza. Harold and Pam talked about their family and asked about mine. They listened attentively as I talked about my homework, my dog, and the boy I was in love with. Only later did they gently admonish me about the group I attended and explain what was wrong with its teachings.
Their warning turned me away from the false teaching presented at that group and brought me closer to the truths of Scripture. In his letter, Jude uses strong expressions against false teachers and calls believers to “fight for the faith” (Jude 1:3). He reminded that “in the last time there will be delusions… [which] are separated from unity… [and] do not have the spirit” (vv. 18-19). At the same time, Jude calls believers to be merciful to those “who hesitate” (v. 22), showing compassion, but not yielding to the truth.
Harold and Pam knew that I was not yet strong in my faith, so instead of judging me, they first offered me their friendship and then their wisdom. May God grant us love and patience, that we may show wisdom and compassion in dealing with those who have doubts.
Who can you help deal with doubts about faith? How can you lovingly guide them to the truths of Scripture?
Heavenly Father, I need Your wisdom and Your guidance to help those who have been hurt by false teaching. Please give me the words I need.
Author: Karen Huang
“Be kind and merciful to each other.” — Ephesians 4:32
“What do I regret?” This is exactly the question best-selling author George Sanders answered in his 2013 commencement address at Syracuse University. His approach was that of an older person sharing one or two regrets with young people who could learn something from his example. He listed several things that people might think he regretted, such as being poor and working a horrible job. However, Sanders said he doesn’t really regret it at all. Instead, he regrets that he did not show kindness, that he missed opportunities to be kind to someone.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, answering the question: “What does the Christian life look like?” It’s tempting to rush into answers, such as having certain political views, avoiding certain books or movies, or worshiping in a certain way. However, Paul’s approach was not limited to contemporary problems. He mentions abstaining from “rotten” words (Eph. 4:29), from bitterness and anger (v. 31). He essentially ends his “speech” with an appeal to the Ephesians: “And be kind to one another” (v. 32). And the basis for this is God’s kindness to us in Christ.
One of the things that we find to be the hallmark of living in Jesus is certainly kindness.
Think of a recent time when you failed to show kindness? How to find it today?
Dear Jesus, help me to show others the kindness you showed me.
Author: John Blaze
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang to God.” — Acts 16:25
During a short-term mission trip to Ethiopia, our team accompanied a local group of Christians who visited young people who had fallen on hard times and lived in shacks in a landfill. We were very happy to meet them: we shared testimonies, encouraged and prayed together. One of my favorite moments of the evening came when a member of the local team played guitar and we worshiped with our new friends under the shining moon. What a sacred moment! Despite their desperate situation, these people had the hope and joy that can only be found in Jesus.
In the 16th chapter of the book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles, we read about another case of impromptu praise. This time it happened in the prison of the city of Philippa. Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten and thrown into prison for serving Jesus. However, instead of despairing, they glorified God, “prayed and … sang” in their prison cell. “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken! And now all the doors were ajar, and the shackles fell off everyone” (vv. 25-26).
The prison guard, waking up, wanted to end his life, but when he realized that the prisoners had not escaped, he trembled before God. Salvation came to his family (vv. 27-34).
God rejoices when we glorify Him. Therefore, let us worship Him both in ups and downs.
How has God helped you to praise and worship Him even in times of trouble? How did He reveal Himself in a miraculous way at such moments?
Dear God, please help me to glorify You in all circumstances.
By Nancy Gavilanes
“To give them adornment instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a dark spirit.” — Isaiah 61:3
One evening I noticed neat lines in the wasteland near my house. Each row contained small green leaves from which tiny buds peeked out. The next morning I even stopped when I saw beautiful red tulips sprouting in the plot.
Last fall, a group of people planted a hundred thousand bulbs in vacant lots on the South Side of Chicago. They chose the color red to show how the application of “red-lining” (a discriminatory lending practice by banks) has affected predominantly minority areas. Tulips symbolized the houses that could stand on these plots.
God’s people experienced many trials – from expulsion from their native land to discrimination like the “red border”. But we can still find hope. The prophet Isaiah reminds Israel that God will not leave them. He will give them “decoration” instead of ashes. Even the poor will be “praised” (Is. 61:1). God promised to replace the spirit of despair with “garments of praise.” All these images point to God’s greatness and bring joy to people who, in the end, will become “oaks of righteousness” (v. 3).
These tulips also show that God can create greatness even out of dirt and discrimination. I look forward to seeing those tulips each spring, and even more so to the renewed hope in my neighborhood and other communities.
Where in your community have you seen despair replaced by beauty? How can you help create beauty in places of despair?
God, thank you for the beauty You give me to see, even when circumstances seem bleak.
Author: Katara Patton
“Here we are as ambassadors instead of Christ… we beg you… be reconciled to God!” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
My college friend Bill Tobias served as a Pacific Island missionary for many years. He told a story about a young man who left his hometown in search of happiness. A friend brought him to church, where he heard the Good News about Jesus and believed in Him as his Savior.
The young man wanted to bring the Gospel to his people, who were “stuck in witchcraft”, so he was looking for a missionary who could help in this. But the missionary told him: “Just go and tell them what God has done for you” (see Mr. 5:19). He did so. As a result, several people in his hometown accepted Jesus. However, the biggest breakthrough occurred when the city healer understood that Christ is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Having believed in Jesus, the former healer told about Him to the whole city. Within four years, the testimony of one young man led to the establishment of seven churches in this region.
In the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul lays out a clear plan for how to bring the Gospel to those who do not yet know Christ. This plan coincides with what the missionary told the young believer to do. We should be “ambassadors of Christ”, His representatives, as if God Himself speaks through us (2 Cor. 5:20). Every believer can tell a unique story about how Jesus made him a “new creation” and reconciled him to God (vv. 17-18). So, let’s tell others about what God has done for us!
What does salvation in Jesus mean to you? How can you best prepare to tell your story to others?
Dear God, please help me to share my faith story with others.
Author: David Brenon
