“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” — Luke 10:20
We have known Ka for more than a year. He came to our weekly small group meetings where we shared what we had learned from the Bible over the past few days. Once, during another meeting, Ka remembered that he had participated in the Olympic Games. The mention was accidental and went almost unnoticed. Almost… Soon I found out that he was competing for a bronze medal at the Olympics! I couldn’t understand how he hadn’t mentioned it before. But our new friend looked at life that way. Although sports played an important role for him, there were things that he considered much more important: family, environment and, most importantly, faith.
One of the events described in the Gospel of Luke shows what should be the main thing for all of us. Seventy disciples, whom Jesus sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God, returned from their missionary journey and joyfully announced: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your Name” (Lk. 10:17). However, Jesus, while admitting that he had given them special authority, also said that they did not have their priorities quite right. They should have been much more pleased that their names were “written in heaven” (v. 20).
Whatever abilities God has given us and whatever we have achieved, the main reason for our joy should be eternal salvation! If we believed in Christ, then our names are also written in the book of life, and the Lord promised us His constant presence during our earthly life.
What secondary focus might you be focusing on? How can you shift your focus to an eternal perspective?
Heavenly Father, thank you for writing my name in heaven. I am glad that I know You.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and poor.” — Psalm 24:16
In his book Adoption for Life, Dr. Russell Moore describes how he and his family traveled to an orphanage to adopt a child. There was an unusual, eerie silence in the hall for babies. Babies in cribs did not cry, because no one approached them anyway.
When I read about it, my heart sank with pain. I remember when our own children were young. They regularly woke us up: “Dad, I’m in pain”, “Mom, I’m scared!” We got up and rushed to help. The children knew that we loved them, so they did not hesitate to reach out.
The majority of psalms in the Bible are psalms of lamentation, or, in other words, appeals to God for help. The Israelites were a nation that God called His “firstborn” (Exod. 4:22). Therefore, they regularly called the Heavenly Father for help. One of such sincere appeals can be seen in Psalm 24: “Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and poor! The torment of my heart has spread, deliver me from my oppression” (Ps. 24:16-17). Children who are sure of their parents’ love and care are not afraid to call them for help. Today, God calls us His children who believe in Him. In His great love, He hears us and is always ready to come to our aid.
Is it easy for you to call on God for help? Why? How can you express your feelings to Him today?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your promises to hear me and answer my call.
Author: John Blaze
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inside are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15
One summer evening, birds suddenly started making noise near our house. This went on for quite some time, until finally, at sunset, a large hawk rose into the air from the top of a tree. Birds from the surrounding trees flew away, fleeing from danger and giving loud alarm signals.
Regarding the spiritual life, alarming warnings can be seen throughout the Holy Scriptures. There are especially many warnings about false teachings in it. With His love, the Heavenly Father does everything to make such spiritual dangers visible to His children.
The Lord Jesus taught: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Mt. 7:15). And he continued: “By their fruits you will know them. For are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So every good tree will bear good fruit, but an evil tree will bear bad fruit. Behold, by their fruits you will know them” (vv. 16-17, 20).
“The wise man sees evil and hides, but the foolish go and are punished,” reminds the ancient sage (Prov. 22:3). In such warnings God’s love is manifested, which keeps us from danger.
As the birds warned each other about the predator, we will heed the warnings of the Bible and run from spiritual dangers to God’s reliable shelter.
What spiritual dangers have you faced? How did the Bible warn you about them?
God, thank You for the warnings You have left in the Bible. Help treat them with all seriousness.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“All this happened to them as examples, and it was written for our knowledge, because in our time the end of the age has come.” — 1 Corinthians 10:11
In order not to repeat in the future mistakes similar to those that destroyed the world economy in 1929 and 2008, the Library of Errors was founded in Edinburgh (Scotland). It has a collection of more than two thousand books for teaching new generations of economists. The library is a great example of how, according to its curators, “smart people keep doing stupid things.” Curators believe that the only way to build a strong economy is to learn from the mistakes of the past.
The Apostle Paul wrote in the Epistle to the Corinthians that in order to overcome temptations and gain spiritual strength, it is important to learn from the mistakes that God’s people made in the past. The apostle gave examples of events from the forty-year journey of the Israelites through the desert. The Jews fell into idolatry, debauchery, complained about God and rebelled against those whom He put in charge of them (1 Cor. 10:7-10). Paul mentioned these historical images so that his readers would not repeat the same mistakes in their lives (v. 11).
The Lord wants to help us. So, let’s learn from mistakes – our own and others’ – so that our heart is obedient to Him.
What warning should we remember if we are tempted to sin? How can we learn from our mistakes and those of others?
God, help me learn from my mistakes to become obedient to You.
Author: Marvin Williams
“Who among you wants to be great, let him be your servant.” — Mark 10:43
Actress Nichelle Nichols is best known for her role as Lieutenant Uhura in the Star Trek series. Landing this role was a major achievement for Nichols. She turned out to be one of the first African-American women in a major television project. But she had an even more significant achievement ahead of her.
After the first season, Nichols wanted to leave Star Trek and return to the theater. But Martin Luther King met her and asked her not to go. According to him, African-Americans were first shown on television as intelligent people capable of anything, including space flight. Playing the role of lieutenant, Nichols showed black women and children what they could become.
This incident reminds me of how James and John asked Jesus to give them the main positions in His Kingdom (Mark 10:37). What an achievement it would be to obtain these places! In response, Jesus not only showed the brothers what difficult trials are associated with their request (vv. 38-40), but also called them to higher goals: “Whoever wants to be great among you, let him be your servant” (v. 43). His disciples must not only aspire to great achievements, but, like Himself, use these achievements to serve others (v. 45).
Nichelle Nichols stayed on Star Trek for the greater good she could bring to African Americans. Therefore, we will also use our position to serve others in the Name of Christ.
What are your personal and career goals? How can you serve people right now?
Lord Jesus, show me how I can use my position to serve others.
Author: Sheridan Voysey |
“He took our infirmities and bore our pains.” — Isaiah 53:4
As a result of the earthquake-induced accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011, a large amount of radioactive substances was released. More than one hundred and fifty thousand residents of the surrounding areas were forced to evacuate. One of them said: “It is as if invisible snow fell on Fukushima, and continues to fall, covering the ground.” High levels of radiation were recorded in plants and animals many kilometers away from the power plant. As a countermeasure, people started planting sunflowers – plants that are known to absorb radiation. More than two hundred thousand seeds were planted, and now millions of sunflowers are blooming in Fukushima.
These sunflowers are a miniature reflection of the universal feat of the Lord Jesus Christ, capable of healing the whole world. The prophet Isaiah said that He “took our infirmities and bore our pains… He was tormented for our sins, the punishment was on Him for our peace” (Is. 53:4-5). He “absorbed” our crimes. On the cross, Jesus Christ suffered not for His own, but for our iniquities (v. 5). And now, because He died for us, we receive salvation and fullness of life. “By his stripes we are healed” (v. 5).
Jesus Christ does not just stand aside and forgive us. He took upon Himself our toxic evil and is now spiritually healing us.
What sins did the Lord Jesus forgive you? How does the fact that He took them upon Himself change your view of God’s forgiveness?
God, You protected me, protected me and walked beside me. Help me now to care for others in the same way.
Author: Wynn Collier
“So think about Him who endured such a rebuke … so that you do not faint and fall on your souls.” — Hebrews 12:3
During my studies at the seminary, we had services every Sunday. At one of them, we sang the hymn “Our Great God”, and I drew attention to three teachers who performed this hymn with inspiration and enthusiasm. Their faces radiated the joy that is possible only when people sincerely and fervently believe in God. Years passed, and all three passed through an incurable disease. But faith helped them to persevere and become a good example for others.
Today, the memories of these teachers inspire me to keep moving forward against all odds. But this is only a small part of the many inspiring stories of people who lived by faith. They followed the instruction of the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews to look at Christ, “who, instead of the joy that was before Him, endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2).
When trials (persecution or life’s difficulties) prevent us from moving forward, let us remember the example of those who believed God’s Word and relied on His promises. “Let us run with patience the struggle that is before us” (v. 1), remembering the Lord and many others who have gone before us and were able to stand. “So think about the One who endured such a rebuke… so that you do not faint and fall on your souls,” the author convinces (v. 3).
My teachers, who are rejoicing in heaven today, would probably say, “The life of faith is worth it. Keep going.”
Who inspires you to be steadfast in your faith? How does their example of patience and faith help you through trials and tribulations?
Lord Jesus, help me not to take my eyes off You. Thank you for your example and the example of others who have gone before me.
Author: Karen Huang
“Because God was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord blessed him.” — Genesis 39:23
While in a refugee camp in the Middle East, Reza received a Bible from which he learned about Christ and believed in Him. His first prayer contained the following words: “Make me Your worker.” When the young man left the camp, God answered that prayer by sending him a job at an aid agency. So Reza got to the camp again, but now to serve the people he knew and loved. He organized a sports club, language courses, provided legal advice – anything that could give people hope. For him, these are ways to serve and share God’s wisdom and love.
Reading the Bible, Reza immediately saw similarities between his fate and the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. The Lord used Joseph in His work while he was in prison. The warden put him in charge of all the prisoners, and things went so well that he even stopped paying attention to what was going on. God was with Joseph and in everything he did, the Lord gave success (Genesis 39:23).
God promises to be with those who serve Him. No matter what happens to us, whether we find ourselves in prisons – literally or figuratively – facing hardships, forced displacement or heartache, He will never leave us. As He enabled Reza to minister to those in the camp, and Joseph to lead in the prison, He will be able to use us.
Has there been anything in your life similar to what happened to Joseph and Reza? How does the story of Joseph help us to trust God more?
Savior God, You never leave me, even in the most difficult circumstances. Strengthen my hope and give me the ability to see Your work in my life.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” — Romans 5:8
Nicholas was driving late at night and suddenly saw a house engulfed in flames. He stopped, rushed into the burning building and brought the four children to safety. But then a teenage girl, hired to look after babies, saw that one child was missing. Without thinking, Nicholas plunged into the fiery hell again. On the second floor, he found a six-year-old girl, broke the window and, taking her in his arms, jumped down. It was at this time that rescuers arrived at the scene.
Nicholas demonstrated true heroism: he was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of others. His act reflects the sacrificial love shown by the Lord Jesus – another voluntary “Savior” who freed us from sin and death at the cost of his life. “For Christ, when we were still infirm, in due time died for the wicked,” wrote the apostle Paul (Rom. 5:6). He emphasized that Jesus, perfect God and perfect Man, decided to pay a price for our sins that we could never pay on our own. “God proves His love for us by the fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners” (v. 8).
We will thank Christ, our Savior, and entrust our lives to Him. He will give us the strength to show the same love to others in words and deeds.
How do you feel when you think of the price Christ paid for you? How can you put the needs of others before your own this week?
Lord Jesus, help me to trust in Your care and to value others more than myself.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“And having opened their treasuries, they offered Him their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11
The Epiphany is a celebration of the event sung in the Christmas carol “Behold, the wise men come from the east.” It is believed that the pagan sages visited the Baby Jesus on this day. Various legends have been made about them, for example, that they were three kings from far eastern lands. It is unlikely that they were kings and came from India or China. We also don’t know how many there were.
However, there were really three gifts, and each of them is considered in the song. The evangelist Matthew reports that the wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem and, “opening their treasuries, offered Him their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). These objects symbolized the future ministry of Jesus. Gold represents Him as King. The incense that was used to burn incense in the sanctuary speaks of His divinity. And on myrrh it is worth dwelling in more detail.
The fourth verse of the song says: “They gave myrrh for the sufferer and put it at his feet, they brought this gift for the future and those who are grieving.” We probably wouldn’t have included such a scene in the Christmas story, but God did. Jesus’ death is central to our salvation. Herod even tried to kill Him as a child (v. 13).
The last couplet connects all three themes into one whole: “Glory is He, the Risen Lord! The king and God suffered for the people.” It gives fullness to the Christmas story, inspiring us to respond, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Heaven sings to Him.”
How do you feel when you think that Jesus was born to die for you? What does His resurrection inspire you to do?
Heavenly Father, may Your Spirit help me to live with gratitude that Your Son gave His life for me.
Author: Tim Gustavson
