“Stop on the roads… and ask about ancient paths, where there is a good road, then follow it.” — Jeremiah 6:16
After a few days of illness, a sharp deterioration began. It became clear that my husband needed urgent help. In the reception department, he was immediately offered to go to the hospital. Day by day, the patient gradually got better, but there was no talk of discharge yet. And I faced a difficult choice: to stay with my husband or go on an important business trip. The man assured that everything would be fine with him. But my heart was torn between him and work.
God’s people at the crossroads of life decisions needed help from above. That is why Moses convinced the Israelites to “choose life” by following His commandments (Deut. 30:19). Subsequently, the prophet Jeremiah called on his compatriots to follow the path revealed to them by the Creator: “Stop on the roads and look, and ask about ancient paths, where there is a good road, then follow it” (Jer. 6:16). The ancient ways of the Scriptures and God’s care in the past can help us determine the direction.
I imagined myself at a crossroads and applied Jeremiah’s pattern of wisdom. My husband needed me. But I was also needed at work. And just at that time, my boss called and offered to stay at home. I sighed with relief and thanked the Lord for His help. God’s guidance is not always so clear, but it is there! When we find ourselves at the crossroads of life, let us turn to the One who can show us the way.
Where do you need God’s guidance today? How can God show you where to go?
God, when I am not sure of myself, help me to seek your advice.
Author: Eliza Morgan
“And they carefully took care to live quietly, do their own business and earn with their own hands.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:11
At first I did not pay attention to him. I spent the night in a hotel and went down for breakfast. The hall was perfectly clean. The buffet table is set with dishes, the refrigerator is full, the cutlery is carefully stacked in the container. It couldn’t have been better.
And only then did I see him. An inconspicuous employee was adding something, wiping something, while not drawing attention to himself at all. The longer I looked at it, the more I admired it. He worked quickly, noticed everything. I am a veteran in the field of public catering and therefore evaluated his work from a professional point of view. Everything was perfect, he worked conscientiously, although hardly anyone looked at him except me.
While watching the worker, I remembered the words of the Apostle Paul, who persuaded the Thessalonians to “take care to live quietly, to do their own business and earn with their own hands… to… behave decently before strangers, and not to depend on anyone” (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Pavlo knew how a conscientious worker can win the respect of those around him, being a silent testimony of a changed life. After all, the Gospel gives meaning and purpose to any ministry, even one that seems insignificant in the eyes of people.
I don’t know if the man I watched was a Christian. But I am thankful that his quiet diligence reminded me to trust in God and work quietly, reflecting His faithfulness in all things.
How does faith affect your work? Why is diligence in the workplace a strong testimony?
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that there is no small work in Your Kingdom, and to serve You faithfully every day.
Author: Adam Holtz
“May Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us when we put our hope in You.” — Psalm 32:22
Oceanographer Sylvia Earle knows first hand about the problems of coral reefs. She founded the organization “Mission Blue”, which is engaged in creating “glimpses of hope”. These are special places on the planet that are “critically important for the health of the ocean.” Thanks to the purposeful care of these places, scientists have seen how underwater ecosystems are restored and endangered species are preserved.
In Psalm 32, the author declares that everything that exists was created by God, who today cares about the preservation of His creation (Ps. 32:6-9). He reigns over the nations (vv. 11-19), preserves life and revives hope. However, the Lord also calls us to care for the world and the people He has created.
Each time, glorifying God for the rainbow that shines in the cloudy gray sky, or for the waves of the ocean breaking on the rocky shore, we will proclaim His “mercy” and put our hope in Him (v. 22).
Sometimes we are visited by despair or fear because of everything that is happening in the world, and then it seems that nothing can be changed. But if we take care of God’s creation at least in a small way, then we honor Him as the Creator and create “glimpses of hope”, seeing which people will want to trust Christ.
How has God used nature to strengthen your hope in Him? How can you participate in His work to preserve creation?
Loving Creator, help me create glimmers of hope in this dark world.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“And the sun rises and the sun sets.” — Ecclesiastes 1:5
One of Ernest Hemingway’s novels tells about friends who abuse alcohol. Having recently survived the First World War, they are literally and figuratively scarred and try to numb the pain with drunkenness and debauchery. They are all deeply unhappy.
The title of Hemingway’s book “And the Sun Rises” is taken directly from the pages of Ecclesiastes (Eccl. 1:5). There, King Solomon states: “Everything is vanity!” (v. 2), and then asks: “What is the benefit to a person in all his work” (v. 3). Solomon sees the sun rising and setting, the wind blowing here and there, rivers endlessly flowing into the sea, which never overflows (vv. 5-7). And, in the end, everything is forgotten (v. 11).
Ecclesiastes and Hemingway in their works show the harsh reality of the meaninglessness of life. However, Solomon weaves vivid hints of another spiritual world into his book. It has permanence and real hope. Ecclesiastes shows us not only ourselves, but also God. “Everything that God does remains forever,” he says (Eccl. 3:14). And this is our hope. Because God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to us.
Without the Lord, we are adrift in an endless, insatiable sea. However, through Jesus Christ we are reconciled to the Creator, finding meaning, value and purpose.
What is your time filled with? How can you change your priorities to follow Christ?
Heavenly Father, help me to find completeness in You.
Author: Tim Gustavson
“Look what love the Father has given us.” — 1 John 3:1
“I’m not who I used to be. I’m a new person.” These simple words my son spoke at a school assembly reflected the change God had made in his life. Jeffrey used to be a drug addict and had an addiction to heroin. So, he perceived himself through the prism of his sins and mistakes. And now he is God’s child.
The Holy Scriptures contain a beautiful promise: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, but the new has become” (2 Cor. 5:17). Regardless of who we were or what we did in the past, we become new people when we trust Jesus Christ for salvation and receive forgiveness through His death on the cross. Since the time of the Garden of Eden, the guilt of sin separated us from God, but now He “reconciled the world to Himself in Christ, not considering their sins” (v. 19). We are His beloved children (1 John 3:1-2), washed and recreated in the likeness of His Son.
The Lord Jesus frees people from the power of sin and restores their relationship with God, in which they are free to live not for themselves, but “for the One who died and rose again for them” (2 Cor. 5:15). As we enter the New Year, let us remember that His heart-changing love gives us a new identity and a new purpose. This will help us to point those around us to our Savior – the One who can make them new people.
What does a new beginning with God mean to you? How should the new creation live?
Abba, Father! Thank you for the Son who saved me. Please direct me to those who need You too.
Author: James Banks
“Let him perfect you in every good deed.” — Hebrews 13:21
On the eve of the New Year 2000, Detroit authorities carefully opened a century-old time capsule. Inside the copper box were hopeful predictions from some of the city’s leaders, who expressed their vision for prosperity. However, the mayor’s message suggested a different approach. He wrote: “Let me express a hope that surpasses everything else … that you, as a nation, a people and a city, will realize that you have grown in righteousness, because it is this that exalts the nation.”
More than success, happiness and peace, the mayor wanted future citizens to grow up in true justice and honesty. Perhaps he took an example from Jesus, who blessed those who seek His truth (Matthew 5:6). However, it is easy to despair when looking at God’s perfect standard.
Thank God that we don’t have to rely on our own efforts to grow. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews said about it this way: “May the God of peace… perfect you in every good work, to do His will, doing in you what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ” (Heb. 13:20-21). We Christians are sanctified by His Blood the moment we believe in Him (v. 12), while He actively grows the fruit of righteousness in our hearts throughout our lives. We will often stumble along this path, but we look forward to the “city…of the future” where God’s righteousness will reign (v. 14).
What traits of Christ’s character would you like to possess? How can you encourage others to seek God’s righteousness?
Dear God, do in me what pleases You.
Author: Karen Pimpo
“Blessed is the man who endures the test.” — James 1:12
Twelve-year-old Lee Adianez decided to take part in a five-kilometer race. Afraid of being late, she lost track of time and started fifteen minutes early with a group running a half-marathon (over twenty kilometers). Lee Adianez kept up with the other runners and even ran ahead. Already at the sixth kilometer, when she saw that there was no finish line anywhere, she realized that she was in a longer and more difficult race. However, instead of getting off the course, she continued to run on. The random “half-marathoner” finished her race in 1,885th place out of 2,111 runners who made it to the finish line. This is persistence!
During the persecution in the first century, many Christians wanted to run away from the faith, but James encouraged them to keep running. If they patiently endured trials, God promised them a double reward (James 1:4, 12). First, “patience… has a perfect rank, so that you may be perfect and blameless, and have no faults in anything” (v. 4). Secondly, God will give them the “crown of life” – life in Christ on earth and then eternal life in His presence (v. 12).
Sometimes it seems that the Christian race is not what we agreed on, because it is longer and more difficult than we expected. However, because God gives us what we need, we are perfectly capable of persevering and continuing to run.
What difficulties are you currently experiencing? How do you stay faithful to God during trials?
Dear God, my legs are tired and I want to give up. Please strengthen me.
Author: Marvin Williams
“If you really pledge your neighbor’s clothes, you will return them to him before sunset.” — Exodus 22:25
Philip’s father suffered from a severe mental disorder and left home to live on the streets. After Cindy and her young son, Philip, spent an entire day searching for him, Philip became unreasonably concerned for his well-being. He asked his mother if his father and other homeless people were warm. So, they started collecting and distributing blankets and clothes to homeless people in that area. For more than ten years, Cindy has considered this her life’s work, thanking her son and her deep faith in God for helping her understand the difficulties of not having a warm place to sleep.
The Bible has long taught us to respond to the needs of others. In the book of Exodus, Moses laid out a list of principles that should guide us in dealing with those who do not have sufficient resources. If we seek to meet the needs of others, we should not treat it as a business and try to make a profit out of it (Ex. 22:24). If a person’s clothing is taken as a pledge, it must be returned before sunset, “for it is his only covering, it is a garment for his body; on what will he lie?” (v. 26).
We ask God to open our eyes and hearts to see how we can ease the pain of those who are suffering. Whether we seek to meet the needs of many or one person, we honor the Lord by treating them with dignity and care.
How has God met your needs through others? Whose needs could you meet?
Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see the needs of others.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“The fruit of the righteous is the tree of life, and the wise acquires life.” — Proverbs 11:30 a.m
The postman became worried when she saw that the mailbox of one of her customers was full. She knew that the elderly woman lived alone and usually took the press away. Making a wise decision, the post office worker told the woman’s neighbors about her concern. It turned out that one of them had a spare key to her house. Together they entered the apartment of an elderly woman and found her lying on the floor. She fell four days ago and could not get up to call for help. The wisdom, care and determination of the postman probably saved the life of a single woman.
In the Book of Proverbs it is said: “A wise man gains life” (Prov. 11:30). The understanding that comes when we do right and live according to God’s wisdom can bless not only ourselves but also those we meet. The fruit of a life that glorifies God can bring blessings to others. It also motivates us to care for others and care for their well-being.
As the author of the Book of Proverbs states, wisdom can be found if we rely on God. Wisdom “is better… than pearls, and all jewels are not equal to it” (Prov. 8:11). The wisdom that God gives us accompanies us throughout our lives. It can save lives for eternity.
How can you find wisdom to help someone today? How much do you value wisdom?
Heavenly Father, please give me the wisdom to follow Your ways and follow Your instructions. Help me to care for others.
Author: Katara Patton
“And Maria kept all these words, entertaining, in her heart.” — Luke 2:19
After all the joy of Christmas, the next day brought us many troubles. We stayed the night with friends, but did not sleep well. Our car broke down on the way. Then it snowed. We left the car and took a taxi home through the snow and ice, feeling terrible.
We’re not the only ones feeling down after Christmas. Whether it’s from overeating, Christmas carols suddenly disappearing from the airwaves, or maybe the gifts we bought last week are now on sale for half price, the wonderful Christmas atmosphere can quickly dissipate!
The Bible does not tell about the day after the birth of Jesus. However, one can imagine that after the journey to Bethlehem, the search for a place to live, Mary’s painful childbirth, and the shepherds who visited them unannounced (Luke 2:4-18), Mary and Joseph were exhausted. However, cradling the Newborn, I can imagine how Mary reflected on the angel’s message (Luke 1:30-33), on Elizabeth’s blessing (vv. 42-45) and on her own awareness of the fate of her Child (vv. 46-55). Mary “rejoiced” in her heart over all these things (Lk. 2:19), which should have eased the fatigue and physical pain of that day.
We will all have hard days, maybe even the day after Christmas. Let us meet them like Mary, thinking about the One who came into our world to illuminate it forever with His presence.
Do you have “falls” after “highs”? Can you reflect today on what Jesus brought into the world?
Dear Jesus, I praise You for coming into our dark world and forever brightening my days with Your presence.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
