“Before the mountains were born… from time immemorial and forever – You are God!” — Psalm 89:2
After another health problem, I felt fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. Once, while reading an article in the magazine “Forbes”, I learned that scientists had studied the increase in the “speed of rotation of the Earth” and declared that the Earth had “wobbled” and was “rotating faster.” They said that we “may need, for the first time in history, a second drop, that is, the official removal of a second from world time.” While a second doesn’t seem like much of a waste, realizing that the Earth’s rotation could change seemed like a big deal to me. Even a little instability can shake my faith. However, knowing that God is in control helps me to trust Him no matter how scary or shaky our circumstances may be.
In Psalm 89, Moses said: “Before the mountains were born, and while you created the earth and the world, you are God forever and ever!” (v. 2). Realizing God’s unlimited power, control, and authority over the entire world, Moses said that time cannot limit God (vv. 3-6).
As we seek to learn more about the Lord and the wonderful world He has created, we learn that He is still in perfect control of time and all creation. God can be trusted in everything that is unknown or new to us in life. All creation remains safe in God’s loving hands.
How does understanding that God is in control of time and all of creation help you trust Him when you face the unknown in life? How can you glorify God with the time He has given you?
Immutable Creator, thank you for keeping every second of my life in Your safe hands.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“My strength is exercised in weakness.” — 2 Cor. 12:9
As a child, I considered adults to be wise and infallible. “They always know what to do. One day, when I become an adult, I will always know what to do too,” I thought. Well, that “day” came many years ago, but I still often don’t know what to do. Be it illness in the family, be it problems at work, be it conflict in a relationship – such moments shatter all illusions of personal control and power. And I have only one option left – to close my eyes and whisper: “Lord, help.”
The apostle Paul understood this feeling of helplessness. The “thorn” in his body, which could have been a physical ailment, caused him a lot of frustration and pain. However, it was through her that Paul felt God’s love, His promises and blessings, which are quite sufficient to endure and overcome his difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9). He realized that personal weakness and helplessness do not mean defeat. If they trust God, they become instruments for His work in these circumstances (vv. 9-10).
Just because we’re adults doesn’t really mean we know everything. Of course, we grow wiser with age, but our weaknesses often reveal how powerless we really are. Our real strength is in Christ: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). To truly grow is to know, trust, and submit to the power that comes when we realize that we need God’s help.
What difficulties forced you to admit your own helplessness? How to obey God’s guidance?
Heavenly Father, thank you for being my help and strength.
Author: Karen Huang
“No one has greater love than the one who would lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13
“Everybody loved him”, – this is how Don Giuseppe Berardelli from the Italian city of Cazenigo described him. Don was a beloved man who rode around the city on an old motorcycle and always began his greetings with the words: “Peace and goodness.” He worked tirelessly for the good of others. However, in the last years of his life, he had health problems, which worsened when he was infected with the coronavirus. In response to this, the community purchased an oxygen machine for him. However, when his condition became severe, he gave up the ventilator, deciding instead to give it to a younger patient who needed it. Hearing about his refusal, no one was surprised, because it was simply in his character.
“Beloved for love” is a call that the Apostle John repeatedly repeats in his Gospel. Feeling love and loving others is like a church bell that rings day and night, regardless of the weather. In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John, the apostle’s words reach a certain climax, because he shows that the greatest manifestation of love is not the love of all, but the love of all: “…how would a man lay down his life for his friends” (v. 13).
Examples of sacrificial love always inspire us. However, they are nothing compared to God’s love. However, do not forget about the challenge associated with it, because Jesus commanded: “…that you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). So, love everyone.
To be loved and to love others. Don’t you get it confused sometimes? Why yes or no? What does it mean to you to lay down your life for a friend?
Lord Jesus, please help me to love as You love me.
Author: John Blaze
“The reward of obedience and the fear of the Lord is wealth, and glory, and life.” — Proverbs 22:4
Like many teachers, Kerry devotes countless hours to her career, often late into the evening checking assignments and talking with students and their parents. To support these efforts, she relies on the camaraderie and practical help of colleagues. A recent study of educators found that the benefits of collaboration increase when those we work with demonstrate humility. If colleagues are willing to admit their weaknesses, others feel safe sharing their knowledge with each other and effectively helping everyone in the group.
The Bible speaks of the importance of humility, and not just to improve cooperation. The consequence of the “fear of the Lord”, that is, the correct understanding of who we are in comparison with the beauty, power and majesty of God, is “wealth, and glory, and life” (Prov. 22:4). Humility leads to community life, which is fruitful in God’s house-building, because we seek to benefit our neighbors, who also bear God’s image.
We show fear of the Lord not in order to get “riches, and glory, and life” for ourselves, because then it would not be a manifestation of true humility. Instead, we follow Jesus, who “humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7), so that we can become part of His body, which humbly cooperates for the fulfillment of God’s work, His glorification and spreading the message of life in the world.
What does humility mean to you? Have you witnessed how someone’s humility benefited others?
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with humility.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“If I… don’t have love, then I won’t have any wealth.” — 1 Corinthians 13:3
Jim and Lanida fell in love with each other in college. They got married and their life was happy for many years. Then Lanida started behaving strangely, getting lost and forgetting scheduled meetings. At the age of forty-seven, she was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. After ten years as her primary caregiver, Jim was able to say, “Alzheimer’s disease has given me the ability to love and serve my wife in ways I never imagined when I said ‘I do’ on our wedding day.”
Explaining the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote a lot about the virtue of love (1 Cor. 13). He contrasted heartless acts of service with those actions that come from a loving heart. A strong word is good, Paul wrote, but without love it is like a meaningless noise (v. 1). “If I give my body to be burned, and I have no love, I will have no possessions” (v. 3). After all, Paul said: “The greatest of these is love” (v. 13).
While caring for his wife, Jim deepened his own understanding of love and service. Only constant and strong love could give him the strength to support his wife every day. However, the only perfect example of sacrificial love is God’s love for us, which prompted Him to send Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). And this sacrifice, motivated by love, changed our world forever.
Have you tried to serve others without love? What actions can your love for God and your neighbors inspire you today?
Dear God, thank you for your love for me. Help that all my words and deeds come from a loving heart.
Author: Karen Pimpo
“When your sins are like crimson, they will become white as snow.” — Isaiah 1:18
The color red is not always found in the things we make. How to transfer the rich red color of an apple to a T-shirt or lipstick? In ancient times, red pigment was obtained from clay or red stones. In the 1400s, the Aztecs invented a way to use cochineal insects to produce a red dye. Today, these same tiny insects provide the world with the color red.
In the Bible, the color red indicates kingly power, as well as sin and shame. In addition, it is the color of blood. When the soldiers “stripped [Jesus’] clothes and put a purple robe on Him” (Mt. 27:28), these three symbols merged into one heart-rending image of red: Jesus was mocked as if he were royalty, He was covered with shame and clothed in the color of the blood He would soon shed. At the same time, the prophet Isaiah promised that Jesus would cleanse us of the red color that stains us: “When your sins are like crimson, they will become white as snow” (Is. 1:18).
And one more aspect regarding the insects from which the red dye is obtained. In fact, they are milky white from the outside. Only when crushed do they release red blood. This little fact echoes other words of Isaiah: “He was wounded for our sins” (Is. 53:5).
Jesus, who knew no sin, came to save us from sin. He allowed Himself to be clothed in purple so that we could become white as snow.
How do sins stain your life? How can Jesus restore you and make you clean again?
Dear God, thank You for Your Son Jesus and for the saving grace of His shed blood.
Author: Kenneth Petersen
“And I say to you: Love your enemies… and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
The American Civil War created many bitter feelings, but Abraham Lincoln saw fit to say a good word about the South. Afterwards, one woman, shocked by his words, asked how he could do that. Lincoln replied, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Reflecting on these words centuries later, Martin Luther King commented, “That is the power of redemptive love.”
In urging Christians to love their enemies, King referred to the teachings of Jesus. He noted that although it may be difficult for believers to love those who persecute them, this love grows out of “constant and complete submission to God.” King said: “By showing such love, we know God and experience the beauty of His holiness.”
King referred to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in which the Lord said, “Love your enemies … and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father” (Matt. 5:44-45). Jesus opposed the generally accepted principle of loving only your loved ones and hating your enemies. Instead, God the Father empowers His children to love those who oppose them.
It may seem impossible to love our enemies, but if we turn to God for help, He answers our prayers. He gives courage to accept this radical practice, because, as Jesus said, “all things are possible with God” (Mt. 19:26).
Who is your enemy? If it seems incompatible to show love to those who oppose you, how can you bring these feelings to God?
Loving God, You created me and my abusers in Your image. Help perceive them as you perceive them.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“I praise You, Lord, among the nations, I sing to Your name!” — 2 Samuel 22:50
During her seventy-year reign of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II approved only one biography about her life with a personal preface – “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves.” The book, published in honor of her 90th birthday, tells the story of how her faith guided her while serving her country. In her foreword, Queen Elizabeth thanked all those who prayed for her and thanked God for His unfailing love. At the end, she concluded: “I really saw His faithfulness.”
Queen Elizabeth’s simple words resonate with the testimonies of many men and women who have personally experienced God’s faithful care in their lives. This very theme is the basis of a beautiful song that King David wrote while reflecting on his life. It is recorded in the 22nd chapter of the Second Book of Samuel. This song tells about God’s faithfulness in protecting David, in providing for his needs and in saving him when his life was threatened (vv. 3-4, 44). In response to his experience of God’s faithfulness, David wrote: “To Your name I sing!” (v. 50).
As witnesses of God’s faithfulness, we must tell others about His care in our lives. If we realize that in life we are not guided by our own abilities, but by the faithful care of a loving Father, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and praise.
How has God’s faithfulness been manifested in your life? How to express your gratitude to God?
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that in every season of life, in sadness or joy, I have seen Your faithfulness.
Author: Lisa Samra
“You have known the Holy Scriptures since childhood, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 3:15
When Christine wanted to buy a special book for her Chinese husband, Xiao-Hu, the only book in Chinese she could find was a Bible. Although neither of them were Christians, she hoped he would still appreciate the gift. At first, the man was angry when he saw the Bible, but in the end he took it in his hands. Reading the Bible, he became more and more convinced of the truth expressed in its pages. Upset by such an unexpected turn of events, Christine herself began to read the scriptures to prove her husband wrong about his new views. However, to her surprise, she also believed in Jesus, convinced of the truth of what she had read.
The Apostle Paul knew that the Holy Scriptures change people. Writing from a Roman prison, he called on Timothy to “prove what you have been taught,” because “you have known the Holy Scriptures from childhood” (2 Tim. 3:14-15). In the Greek language, the word “to try” means to “abide” in what the Bible reveals. Knowing that Timothy would face opposition and persecution, Paul wanted him to be ready for the challenges. He believed that Timothy would find strength and wisdom in the Bible by meditating on its truth.
God, through His Spirit, makes the Scriptures come alive for us. If we are in biblical truth, He changes us so that we become like Him. God did the same with Xio-Hu and Christine.
How has reading and meditating on the Bible changed you? When did the Scriptures come alive for you?
Creator of all things visible and invisible, thank you for making the Bible a life-giving book. Help me to obey You by reading the Scriptures.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” — Rome. 13:8
At the age of thirty, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart by faith, and I had many questions. And when I started reading the Bible, even more questions arose before me. I turned to my friend: “Is it possible to fulfill all God’s commandments? I just yelled at my husband this morning!”
“Just keep reading the Bible,” she said, “and ask the Holy Spirit to help you love the way Jesus loves you.”
I have now been with the Lord for more than twenty years, and this simple but wise advice still helps me to follow the three steps that I call “the cycle of God’s love.” First, the apostle Paul claimed that love occupies a central place in a Christian’s life. Secondly, by continuing to pay the “debt of love to one another”, Christ’s followers show obedience to Him, “for whoever loves another has fulfilled the Law” (Rom. 13:8). After all, we fulfill the law, because “love does no harm to a neighbor” (v. 10).
Experiencing the depth of God’s love for us, revealed through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can respond with gratitude. Our grateful devotion to Jesus motivates us to love others with our words, actions, and attitudes. True love comes from the one true God, who is love himself (1 John 4:16, 19).
Loving God, help us to follow the path of Your great love!
When have you tried to feel that Jesus loves you, or tried to love as He loves? How does understanding that Jesus loves you completely and unconditionally affect how you show your love to others?
Dear Jesus, please help me to believe that You love me and to continue to show that love to others.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
