“Clothe yourself… in sincere charity.” — Colossians 3:12
How does a person feel when they walk in the shoes of members of the royal family? Angela Kelly, the daughter of a longshoreman and a nurse, knows this first hand. She was the late Queen Elizabeth’s official wardrobe during the last two decades of the monarch’s life. One of her duties was to carry new shoes for the late queen as she walked around the palace in them. There was a reason for this: compassion for an elderly woman who sometimes had to stand for a long time at ceremonies. Because they wore the same shoe size, Kelly was able to save the queen from discomfort.
Kelly’s personal approach to Queen Elizabeth reminded me of the apostle Paul’s warm encouragement to the church in Colossae: “Clothe yourselves…with sincere charity, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12). If our lives are “built on” Jesus (Col. 2:7), we become “like God’s chosen, holy and beloved” (Col. 3:12). He helps us to put off the “old man” and “put on the new man” (vv. 9-10), to become those who love and forgive others, because God loved and forgave us (vv. 13-14).
All around us are those who need us to show them compassion in the daily difficulties of life. If we do this, then we are walking in the shoes of the King, Jesus, who always shows us compassion.
How has God shown you compassion? Who can you show His love to today?
Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and love. Help me not only to receive them from You, but also to give them to others.
Author: James Banks
“I have not closed the door to you.” —Revelation 3:8
When I moved to a new school near a big city, the head teacher assigned me to the lowest-performing English class. Before that, I worked at an inner-city school with great test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s writing award. However, the door to the “best” literature class in the new school was closed to me, because the headmaster decided that I was not suitable and not ready.
The church in ancient Philadelphia would have fully understood such failures. A small and modest community; her city has experienced earthquakes in recent years that have left behind great destruction. In addition, believers faced satanic opposition (Rev. 3:9). Such a neglected church had “little…power”, however, the resurrected Jesus said: “You have kept My Word, and you have not turned away from My Name” (v. 8). That is why God “did not close the door” to the church (v. 8). Indeed, “what He opens, no one will shut, what He shuts, no one will open” (v. 7).
The same applies to efforts in service. Some doors do not open. At the same time, God really opened the door for my literary activity for Him, allowing it to reach an international audience. A closed door will not hinder you, because Jesus said: “I am the door” (Jn. 10:9). So let us enter the door He opens and follow Him.
What doors has God opened for you? How is your ministry and life thriving while you wait for Him to open the door?
Dear God, if the door is closed to me, help me to turn to You and follow You.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“How long, Lord, will you forget me forever?” — Psalm 12:2
Great Britain is “full” of history. Everywhere you go, there are plaques commemorating historical figures and important events. At the same time, one of these monuments reflects the British sense of humor. A weathered memorial plaque near a small hotel in the town of Sandwich reads: “Nothing happened on this spot on September 5, 1782.”
Sometimes it seems to us that nothing happens after our prayers. We pray and pray, bringing our requests to Heavenly Father in the expectation that He will answer right now. The psalmist David expressed the same frustration when he prayed, “How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever, how long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 12:2). We may also have thoughts: “Lord, how long will we have to wait for You to answer?”
However, God is perfect not only in His wisdom, but also in terms of time. David was able to say: “I trust in Your mercy, my heart rejoices in Your salvation!” (v. 6). The book of Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” The word pregarny means “beautiful” or “pleasant”. God does not always answer prayers when we want him to, but He is always working to bring about His wise purposes. Therefore, let us not doubt that His answer will come exactly when it is right, good and beautiful.
When you prayed for something, did it seem like God ignored your requests? What did you learn while waiting?
Loving God, please help me to show in prayer the patience born of trust in You.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Always rejoice! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A colleague of mine once shared how her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was amazed, thinking that perhaps our difficult leader shared some spiritual truths with her and influenced the way she prayed. However, I was wrong. My friend continued to explain, “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her prayer life improved because she prayed more before every conversation with him. She knew that she needed God’s help in a difficult work relationship with her supervisor, so she began to turn to the Lord more.
I also adopted my colleague’s custom of praying in difficult times and during communication. This is also a biblical practice, which is mentioned in the 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians, where the Apostle Paul reminds Christians: “Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything” (1 Thess. 5:17-18). In all circumstances, prayer is always the best practice. It maintains our connection with God and invites His Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16). It helps us live in peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13), even in the face of conflict.
Thanks to God’s help, we can rejoice in Him, pray for everything and give thanks often. All this will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
What relationships do you need to pray about more often? How does prayer help us follow God’s guidance and not be guided by human inclinations?
Heavenly Father, please help me to pray constantly in the pursuit of a harmonious life with other people.
Author: Katara Patton
“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
