Dying to yourself may seem like a bad thing. Most people want to applaud, magnify, and promote themselves.
But in God’s Kingdom, dying to self is necessary.
“So I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I live now in my body by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
A piece of clay cannot become a work of art unless it is shaped. A container of paint cannot be used to create a masterpiece if it is not poured first. A coal deposit must change to become a diamond. A caterpillar must give up its old way of life to become a wonderful butterfly.
An invitation to die is actually an invitation to live.
When we give our lives to God, we choose to give up our plans, our desires, and our gifts. And it can be difficult. But we also know that there is something better on the other side—and Someone better.
God can rearrange our plans, change our desires, and redirect our gifts for His glory.
The apostle Paul, the author of the letter to the Galatians, knew firsthand about the life-changing power of Christ. The power of Christ radically changed Paul, transforming him from a persecutor of believers to an ardent follower of Jesus.
Through this experience, Paul knew that the only way to live was to surrender every area of his life to Christ. And that is why he invites us to do the same.
Jesus could not be resurrected without first being crucified, and the same is true for us.
So what do you need to give to Jesus today? What behavior, habit, or thought do you need to “crucify”? Come to Jesus as you are and let Him transform and renew your life.
Have you ever thought about what you think? Did you realize that your thoughts have power? Have you ever thought about how over time you become what you think about?
Writing from a Roman prison to the believers in the Greek city of Philippi, the apostle Paul knew firsthand how important it is to fight difficult things with true thoughts. He regularly faced opposition, weakness, difficulties, and persecution.
But Paul also knew that the followers of Jesus were called to a different way of thinking…
“In conclusion, my brothers and sisters, I will tell you this: think only on what is true, noble, just, pure, pleasant, honorable, excellent, and worthy of praise!”
Philippians 4:8
Even in a broken world, God has created good, and He has empowered us to notice and praise Him for it.
The Apostle James also reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, and Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, when we focus on what is good and full of truth, our thoughts are directed to God, the giver of good and the author of all that is true.
Focusing on what is good can look like thinking about Jesus’ sacrifice for you. It may mean that you remember a time when you felt God protecting, providing, or preparing you. Or it can look like thanking God for the promises He has kept and the love He has shown you.
Following Paul’s advice is not about practicing positive thinking, it’s about focusing our thoughts on God to develop the mind of Christ in our daily lives.
So think about what you’re thinking about today. Look for a rhythm of gratitude and worship. Thank God for the opportunity to shed light on a dark world. And seek that which is good and pure and true wherever you go.
We can see many things: trees, stars, mountains, oceans, people, penguins, our best friend’s smile, elephants, skyscrapers, coffee beans, sunsets, and tulips, just to name a few.
All these things were created by God. He created the natural world, and even the laws that govern it.
But there are also things that we cannot see: beyond the breath of the wind, beyond the depths of the universe, beneath the foundations of love. Through Christ all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16).
And while our mortal eyes may not be able to see wind, infrared light, or the Spirit of God, we can still feel their effects. Because there are so many more things than we can see. There is more beyond this life.
Paul’s friends, the Corinthians, had great difficulties. They were chased and persecuted because they believed in Jesus—that He was the long-awaited Messiah. Some were even threatened with death. But Paul urged them to endure such fleeting trials with a hope that is beyond the limits of this world. He wrote:
“… we do not look at the visible, but at the invisible, because the visible is temporary, and the invisible is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
Human eyes can only see a certain number of things. The human mind can grasp only a limited field of knowledge. But we can trust God with all that we cannot see or understand.
God is real. We may not be able to see Him with our physical eyes today, but we can feel His influence. Jesus sacrificed Himself so that you could live, and life awaits you in abundance, both on earth and in heaven. There is something more than the here and now.
So, will you turn your gaze to the visible or the invisible? Will you trust your five senses or start trusting Him?
Imagine you are planting a seed. If you want it to grow into a flower, you take care of it and give it everything it needs.
Now think about the people who are with you in times of trouble. Those who support you and with whom you enjoy spending time. Such relationships are like seeds, we must take care of them so that they not only grow, but also flourish.
I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3
In the Bible we learn that Paul started a church in Philippi. While he lived with the church, people were generous and kind to him, sharing the Gospel with him. But even after Paul went on his way, the church in Philippi continued to support him.
When Paul was put in prison, he wrote them a letter. He could have written to them about his problems, but instead he prayed for his friends and encouraged them to continue living lives that glorified the Lord despite hardships and persecution. Paul was aware of the sacrifices they made, so he thanked and supported them.
We can also strengthen our relationships with people who are important to us by showing gratitude.
We can pray for them, support them with a kind word, or serve them despite our busy schedule. We can set things aside to listen carefully, or express gratitude for something that would otherwise go unnoticed.
God gave us the desire to be in relationships with the people around us. This means that just like Paul and the Philippians, we have the opportunity to support each other and follow the Lord together. To do this, we need to take care of our relationships, and purposefully protect them and keep them healthy. And one of the best ways to do that is to stop and thank the people who help and support us. Let’s find time today to thank God for the people who have made a great contribution to our lives and pray for them.
Jesus healed people who were sick and fed people who were hungry. That is why great crowds followed Him.
But He wanted them to know that He was more than what He had to offer…
“Jesus answered: “I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
God could have created us to need nothing, but instead He made us dependent on things like food, water, oxygen, sleep, sunlight—and on Him. He created this world on purpose, with certain needs and certain limitations.
We are needy by default.
Just as food and water are essential to human life, everyday realities point us to spiritual truths.…
We need Jesus even more than we need the things of life.
We can seek satisfaction in our work and relationships, as well as in money, fame, power, sex, achievement, and adventure. But all this leads to emptiness. All this is like chasing the wind.
So let us follow Jesus not only for what He has to offer, but also for Who He is. We need to realize that this world will never satisfy, but we already have access to real food.
We can come to Him to be satisfied because He is the bread of life.
Philip says to Him: “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us!” — John 14:8
Author and pastor Erwin Lutzer recalls one TV show where host Art Linkletter had a conversation with a little boy who had set out to draw a picture of God. Surprised, Linkletter remarked, “You can’t do that because nobody knows what God looks like.” “When I draw, everyone will know!” – answered the boy.
We often wonder, “What is God like? Is He really good? Is He kind? Does He care about us?” The simple answer to all these questions lies in the words that Jesus said in response to Philip’s request: “Jesus said to him: “I have been with you so long, Philip, you do not know Me? He who has seen Me has seen the Father, so how do you say: Show us the Father?”” (Jn. 14:8-9).
If you long to see God, look to Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, born before all creation” (Col. 1:15). Read again the Gospels from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Meditate deeply on what Jesus did and said. And when you do, you will have a better idea of who God is.
A friend of mine once told me that the only God he could believe in was the one he saw in Jesus Christ. And I’m sure that when you read about Him, your heart will start to beat faster because Jesus is the God You’ve been looking for all your life – although you may not have known it.
Lord, we are very apt to think of You as You are not. Help us to see You more clearly in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Learn to reflect You in your life.
“The deeper God reveals himself to us, the more clearly we see ourselves.” — Erevi Lutser
Author: David Roper
Maybe it’s a dream you’re holding on to or a promise you’ve been made. Perhaps you are waiting for a person to change or a situation to change. Perhaps you are waiting for an answer to prayer, hoping to come, joy to replace sadness, or clarity and hope to replace confusion and chaos.
In the midst of pain, loss, and suffering, it can be difficult to hold on patiently to the One who promises to come for us.
Isaiah was a prophet to the leaders of Judah in a time of national corruption and spiritual poverty. He foretold that his people would be driven into exile because they trusted in idols, political rulers, and other fleeting things.
But Isaiah also reminded the people that God is sovereign, God will bring them out of exile, and that one day God will send a savior to save them forever.
Isaiah did not live to see all of his prophecies fulfilled, but he kept the hope he prophesied about, and his words to the nation of Israel can continue to encourage us today…
Trust the Lord, even when circumstances don’t make sense.
Trust the Lord even when you suffer.
Trust in the Lord even when your heart breaks.
Whatever happens, trust in the Lord.
Seasons may change, situations may change, people may leave or betray you, but the one who remains constant throughout history is God over history. The Lord is unchanging and indestructible. Nothing can stand against Him or overcome Him.
He knows what it’s like to suffer because He suffered for us. And so we can trust God because He keeps His promises—and He has promised to fight for us, never leave us, make a way for us, love us, protect us, and be faithful to us.
Because God is our salvation, we can trust Him and not be afraid.
So, no matter what happens, let’s choose to trust in the Lord.
Sometimes life can be hard. We all go through times of hardship, grief, or loss. And even if you haven’t experienced it yet, you’ve probably had moments when you got tired of doing good. As much as we want to live well and do good for others, the truth is that we all get tired of it at some point.
In Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah says that those who hope in God will find renewed strength. The key to persevering through tough seasons isn’t just pushing through and trying harder. Strength is not simply hoping that our circumstances will change.
God’s Word says that true strength comes when we put our hope in God. Because God is all-powerful, only He has the power to change our circumstances. But God also knows that we as humans get tired and restless. We often rely on temporary solutions when we should be relying on God who can really help us.
But when we place our hope in God alone, the Scriptures tell us that we will find renewed strength to endure life’s trials. We will be like birds that soar in the sky not by our own strength, but by the strength that God gives.
Relying on God means letting go of our own control and letting Him lead us. It means that we stop trying to force our future and allow God to work in our lives in His timing. Trusting in God means trusting in His promises, even if we do not see them fulfilled in our lifetime.
Take some time today to renew your hope in God. Let Him search your heart. Pray that you will be filled with the strength and hope that only God can give.
Lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, how they have already been halved for the harvest! —John 4:35
At the end of the summer, we went for a walk in the New Forest in England. We had fun picking blackberries in the forest and admiring the horses playing nearby. Enjoying the sweet and free berries, I remembered the words that Jesus once said to His disciples: “I have sent you to reap where you have not worked” (Jn. 4:38).
I love the generosity of God’s Kingdom reflected in these words. God’s grace allows us to enjoy the fruits of someone’s labor. For example, we can carry the love of Jesus to a person, and he has the opportunity to hear the Good News thanks to the fact that his family prayed for him for many years. I also like the principle of limitation that is hidden in Jesus’ words. After all, we know that we will not be able to reap some of the sown seeds – they will be harvested by others. Thus, we can calm down internally while doing our work. We must understand that we are not responsible for the result. Ultimately, God’s work does not depend on us. The Lord has all the resources to grow a bountiful harvest. And our involvement in this work is just a great privilege.
I wonder how many fields around us are already ready for harvesting? Let us heed the loving call of Jesus: “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, how they have already been halved for the harvest!” (John 4:35).
Lord, we thank You for so generously allowing us to be involved in Your work. Teach us to see the opportunities that You give us to testify about the Good News.
We can reap what others have sown.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m not smart enough.”
“I’m not strong enough.”
“I’m not enough.”
Every day we are bombarded with lies that try to convince us that we don’t have what it takes to follow Jesus. Whenever we make mistakes, our insecurities show up and tell us that we will always be weak and never experience the freedom that Jesus said we could have. But the Scriptures remind us that it is the divine power of Jesus that gives us everything we need to live a godly life. Because of His strength, when we fall, we can still get up again.
God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because of the power of Christ, nothing can hold us back. No fear, no worry, no doubt, no defeat, no disappointment, no loneliness, no hardship or pain.
Because of Jesus, we have everything we need to fight against that which tries to steal our rightful identity.
The Word of God is alive, active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It was breathed out by God and it corrects, teaches and encourages us. God’s Word illuminates our paths.
God’s Word is filled with reminders of who we really are. It may remind you that…
You are enough because you are a child of God. (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)
You can rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 4:12-19, James 1:2-4)
You are loved very much, and you can love others as you have been loved. (John 15:9-14)
Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:37-39)
When you understand who you are, then you can really do all things by the power of Christ.
So let’s begin to apply the life-giving truth we find in the Bible to move from victimhood to victory. Embrace who you are in Christ.
And the next time a scary situation arises or a threatening thought comes into your head, remember that you can overcome it because of the divine power of Jesus working in you and through you. You don’t have to go through life alone — and you weren’t meant to.
