“And when I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.” — John 14:3
“There’s no better place than home,” Dorothy says, clicking the heels of her ruby pumps. In The Wizard of Oz, this was all it took to miraculously transport Dorothy and Toto from Oz to their home in Kansas.
Unfortunately, there are not enough ruby shoes for everyone. Many share Dorothy’s longing for home, but finding that home – a place of belonging – is sometimes quite difficult.
One of the consequences of living in a fast-moving world is a feeling of alienation – doubting whether we will ever find a place of true belonging. This feeling may reflect an even deeper reality described by Clive Lewis: “If I find within myself a desire that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most likely explanation is that I was made for another world.”
On the night before the crucifixion, Jesus assured His friends of the presence of such a house, saying: “Many dwell in My Father’s house; but if it were not so, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2). Home is the place where we are expected and loved.
However, now we can also be at home. We are part of God’s family, the Church, and we live in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ. And until that day when Jesus takes us to the home our hearts long for, we can live in His peace and joy. We are always at home with Him.
What makes you feel at home? How does knowing that Jesus will take you to Himself forever help you live on earth?
God of love and grace, help me to look forward to the time when I will be in Your presence forever.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Seek first the Kingdom of God.” — Matthew 6:33
Lando, a jeepney driver (a form of public transportation in the Philippines), was drinking coffee at a roadside stand. After the lifting of the quarantine due to Covid-19, daily trips around the city also resumed. “And today’s sporting event,” thought Lando, “guarantees a large number of passengers. I will finally be able to pay off my debts.”
He was about to get behind the wheel when he suddenly noticed the janitor Roni on a bench nearby, looking worried, as if he needed to talk. “But every minute counts,” Lando thought, “I can’t delay.” However, Lando sensed that God wanted him to approach Roni anyway, and he did.
Jesus understood how difficult it is not to worry (Matt. 6:25-27), so he said that Heavenly Father knows our needs (v. 32). He reminds us to trust Him and devote ourselves to fulfilling what the Lord wants from us (vv. 31-33). If we accept His goals and fulfill them, we can be sure: “When I sow the grass that is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, God will clothe it like this”, then He will provide us with everything we need (v. 30).
Thanks to this conversation, the janitor eventually repented and believed in Christ. Lando says that despite the time spent talking, “God still provided me with enough passengers that day. The Lord reminded me that my needs are His concern and my job is to simply follow Him.”
What anxieties are weighing on your heart? What steps can you take to give your worries to God?
Dear God, help me not to worry, because You promised to take care and provide for me.
Author: Karen Huang
“The earth was empty and empty, and darkness was over the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the water.” — Genesis 1:2
Seth took all the medicine he could find in the medicine cabinet. He grew up in a family full of disorder and disorder, and his own life was chaotic. His mother was regularly abused by his father until he committed suicide. Now Seth also wanted to “end” himself. But then it occurred to him: “Where will I go when I die?” By God’s grace, Seth did not die that day. Later, after studying the Bible with a friend, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Part of what led Seth to God was that he saw beauty and order in creation: “I…see things that are just beautiful. Someone made all of this.”
In Genesis chapter 1, we read that God did create everything. Although at first “the earth was empty and void” (v. 2), the Lord put everything in order: “separated the light from the darkness” (v. 4), placed the dry land in the middle of the seas (v. 10) and created the plant and animal world “according to its kind” (vv. 11-12, 21, 24-25). Seth realized that the Creator of heaven and earth (Is. 45:18) continues to bring peace and order to the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to Christ.
Life can be chaotic and complicated. However, let us give glory to God, because He “is not a God of disorder, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). Let’s turn to Him today and ask Him to help us find the beauty and order that only He can give.
What kind of chaos do you feel in your life? How can God help you bring order and peace to it?
God the Creator, thank you for the peace and order that only You can give. In You, even broken things become beautiful.
Author: Tom Felten
“And the next night, the Lord stood before him and said: “Be of good cheer! For as you testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” — Acts 23:11
Nora joined the peaceful protest because she was concerned about justice. As planned, the demonstration was silent. Protesters passed through the city center in complete silence. However, then two buses arrived, from which agitators from another area jumped out. A riot soon broke out. With a broken heart, Nora left the demonstration. It seemed that the good intentions of the protesters were for naught.
When the apostle Paul came to the Jerusalem temple, he was seen there by “Asiatic Jews” who opposed him (Acts 21:27) and perceived the preaching of Jesus as a threat to their own way of life. Shouting false rumors about Paul, they quickly made a fuss (vv. 28-29). The crowd dragged Paul out of the temple and began to beat him. Soldiers came running.
During his arrest, Paul asked a Roman officer if he could address the crowd (vv. 37-38). When he was allowed, he spoke in his own language, surprising them and attracting their attention (v. 40). This is how Paul turned rebellion into an opportunity to share his salvation story (Acts 22:2-21).
Some people like violence and strife. However, do not lose heart. They will not win. God is looking for courageous believers to share His light and peace with our despairing world. What seems like a crisis can be your opportunity to show someone God’s love.
Have you been in a crisis situation from which you could not find a way out? How do you think the Holy Spirit can help you find wisdom in what to do at a time like this?
Heavenly Father, my heart aches for our broken world. Help me to realize that the presence of Your Spirit is much stronger than any attack from the sinful world.
Author: Tim Gustavson
“The valleys are covered with grain, they shout and sing!” — Psalm 64:14
I often joke fondly with my mother-in-law about her ability to talk to her dogs. She responds to their barking with love and understanding. Maybe now she and dog owners around the world will listen to the laughter of their four-legged friends, too, because scientists have discovered that many animals, including dogs, cows, foxes, seals and parrots, have “vocal play signals” known as laughter. Identifying these accompanying sounds helps distinguish an animal’s play behavior from what might look like a fight to humans.
That animals express laughter and joy gives us a wonderful glimpse of how another creation can glorify God in its own way. When King David looked at the world around him, it seemed to him that “the hills were girded with joy”, “and the valleys… shout… and sing” (Ps. 64:13-14). The psalmist was aware that God takes care of the earth and enriches it, giving beauty and everything necessary.
Even if our environment does not “sing” in the literal sense, it still testifies to God’s active work in the world and calls us to glorify Him with our voices. Therefore, let us be filled with reverence before His miracles and sing joyful songs to Him (v. 9). Do not doubt. God will hear and understand these songs.
How does your environment encourage you to glorify God? What else have you seen His works do?
God, thank you for your constant work in the world.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“I will give You as a testament to the people… to open the eyes of the blind.” — Isaiah 42:6-7
Genevieve was the “eyes” for her three children, who were born with congenital cataracts. Whenever they headed to their village in the West African Republic of Benin, she strapped the baby to her back and held the hands of the two older ones, always on the lookout for danger. In a culture where blindness was considered the result of witchcraft, Genevieve was desperate and begged God for help.
One day, a man from the village told her about the “Ships of Mercy” – a medical service that performs important operations, following the example of Jesus Christ, who gave hope and healing to the poor. Not sure if the doctors would be able to help, she went to them anyway. When the children woke up after the operations, they could see!
In the Bible, it is often mentioned how God went to meet those who were surrounded by darkness and brought them His light. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed that God would be “a Light to the Gentiles” (Is. 42:6), to “open the eyes of the blind” (v. 7), restoring not only physical sight, but also spiritual vision. God also promised to “hold firmly by the hands” of His people (v. 6). He restored sight to the blind and brought light to those in darkness.
If you feel that darkness has overtaken you, hold on to hope by accepting the promises of a loving Father and asking for His light.
How did God physically or spiritually open your eyes? How can He heal you of blindness?
Heavenly Father, You do not want anyone to live in darkness. Show your love to those who are blinded by something, so that they see.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” — Romans 13:12
I was so excited when I first put on my new glasses, but after a few hours I wanted to throw them away. My eyes were watering and my head was throbbing. The ears hurt from the uncomfortable frame. The next day I groaned when I remembered that I had to wear them. I had to decide several times a day whether to use glasses, so that my body would adapt to them. This process lasted several weeks, but after that I hardly noticed that I was wearing them.
Wearing something new takes some getting used to, but over time we get used to it and feel better. We can even see things we have not seen before. In the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul instructed the followers of Christ: “Let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). They had already believed in Jesus, but they seemed to have fallen into a “slumber” and calmed down. Instead, they had to “wake up” and start acting, behave decently and reject any sin (vv. 11-12). Paul encouraged them to put on Jesus and be like him in thought and deed (v. 14).
We do not begin to reflect the loving, gentle, kind, grace-filled and faithful ways of Jesus overnight. It is a long process of daily choosing to “put on the armor of light”, even if we don’t want to, because it’s inconvenient. However, over time, God changes us for the better.
What does “clothing” look like in Jesus? How does Christ-likeness become more comfortable over time?
Lord Jesus, thank you for changing me every day.
Author: Karen Pimpo
“The city rejoices in the goodness of the righteous.” — Proverbs 11:10
In 2022, France and Argentina met in the final of the World Cup. It was an incredible match. In the last seconds of extra time, the score was tied at 3:3, and the football teams were forced to shoot post-match penalties. After Argentina scored the winning goal, the country erupted in celebration. More than a million Argentines filled the center of Buenos Aires. Drone footage of the tumultuous scene surfaced on social media. In one of the reports of the BBC, it is described how the city trembled with an “explosion of joy”.
Joy is always a wonderful gift. The Book of Proverbs describes how the city can experience even deeper and longer joy: “The city rejoices in the goodness of the righteous” (Prov. 11:10). When those who truly live according to God’s design for humanity begin to influence society, it is good news because it means that God’s justice is gaining strength. Greed decreases. The poor find support. The oppressed are protected. When God’s right way of life flourishes, then joy and “blessing” reign in the city (v. 11).
If we really walk in God’s ways, the result will be good news for everyone. The way we live will make the society around us better and more whole. God invites us to join His work of healing the world. He invites us to bring joy to the city.
Where do you see the need for joy in your city? How can you bring God’s joy there?
Dear God, help me to join You in bringing joy to others.
Author: Wynn Collier
“Thank the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever!” — Psalm 106:1
According to research, people who are consciously grateful for what they have have better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness and a greater sense of happiness. These are impressive benefits. Psychologists even suggest keeping a “gratitude journal” to improve our well-being, writing down five things for which we are grateful each week.
The Holy Scriptures have long encouraged people to show gratitude. The Bible calls us: everything, from food and marriage (1 Tim. 4:3-5) to the beauty of creation (Ps. 103), to accept as gifts and thank the Giver for them. Psalm 106 lists five things for which Israel can be especially thankful: deliverance from the wilderness (vv. 4-9), freedom from captivity (vv. 10-16), healing from sickness (vv. 18-22), safety at sea (vv. 23-32), and prosperity in a barren land (vv. 33-42). “Let them give thanks to the Lord,” the psalm repeats, because all these are signs of God’s mercy (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).
Do you have a notebook at hand? Why not write down five good things you are grateful for right now? It could be the food you just enjoyed, your marriage, or God’s salvation in your life today. Give thanks for the birds singing outside the window, for the aroma from the kitchen, for the comfort of your chair, for the whispers of loved ones. All this is a gift and a sign of God’s mercy.
Why do you think the Scriptures so often exhort us to be thankful? What five good things are you grateful for today?
Heavenly Father, I am grateful for every good thing you have brought into my life. But most of all I am grateful for You.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
“Put on the new man, created according to God.” — Ephesians 4:24
Our blue spruce was dropping cones and needles. A specialist in tree diseases looked at her and explained what the problem was: “It’s just a spruce.” I was hoping for a better explanation or medicine. But the forester shrugged his shoulders and repeated: “It’s just a spruce.” By its very nature, a tree sheds its needles, and this cannot be changed.
Fortunately, our spiritual life is not limited to fixed actions or attitudes. The apostle Paul emphasized this liberating truth to the new converts in Ephesus. Gentiles were “dizzy in mind”, closed to God. They were hard-hearted, committed “all kinds of wickedness”, sought only pleasure and were greedy (Eph. 4:18-19).
However, since the believers came to know Jesus, the apostle called to “reject… the old man who fades away” (v. 22). Paul said that our old nature “melts away in seductive lusts.” Therefore, he encourages “to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, created according to God in justice and holiness of truth” (vv. 22-24).
He then listed ways to live in a new way. Don’t cheat. Do not give in to anger. Do not curse. Do not steal. “It is better for him to work and do good with his hands, so that he may give to the needy” (v. 28). Our new nature in Christ enables us to live up to our calling.
What does it mean to “put on a new man”? How to strive to follow the path of the Savior?
Dear Jesus, renew my nature. I aspire to be like You.
Author: Patricia Raybon
