You judge peoples with truth and lead tribes on earth! — Psalm 66:5
During a conference in Asia, I had two instructive talks in just a few hours. First, a pastor told me how he spent 11 years in prison until it was discovered that he did not commit the murder he was accused of. Then several families told how they spent all their savings in their homeland to save themselves during religious persecution. However, they were betrayed by the very people they paid to save them. And now, after many years of living in a refugee camp, they no longer believe that they will find a new home somewhere.
In both cases, people suffered greatly because of the lack of justice, which is one of the proofs of the sinfulness of this world. But evil will not always reign on earth.
Psalm 66 calls God’s people to bring the message of God to this suffering world. This news brings joy – and not only because we know God’s love, but also because we bear His justice. “Let the tribes rejoice and sing,” says the psalmist, “for You judge the nations with truth and lead the tribes on earth!” (Ps. 66:5).
While the biblical writers understood that truth was the key to God’s love, they also knew that justice would come only in the future. When He comes, “justice will flow like water, and justice like a mighty stream!” (Am. 5:24).
Father, help us to carry Your truth where we live, although the day has not yet come when You will destroy all wrongdoing. We are so waiting for your arrival!
Care for justice and pray for mercy.
Author: Bill Crowder
Have you ever asked yourself, “How did Jesus live?” “What does obedience to Him look like?” “How does Jesus want us to live?”
These are great questions that help us understand what God expects of those who love Him.
In 1 John 2:4-6 it is said: “Whoever says that he knows Him, but does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. And whoever keeps His word, God’s love is truly perfect in him. From this we know that we are in Him. Whoever says that he abides in Him must live as He lived.”
When Jesus was with His disciples, He said to them: “This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
When His followers loved one another, it was a sign of their obedience to Jesus—and the same applies to us. John, in his letter to a group of Christians, tells us that God’s commandment is that “we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he commanded us” (1 John 3:23).
Our love for the members of the worldwide Church is a sign of obedience and a sign that God lives in us. By doing this, we know that God dwells in us. To walk as Jesus walked means to love the members of the Church with mercy, faithfulness and humility. It is by this love that the world will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).
Living like Jesus doesn’t mean ticking off a list of things we should or shouldn’t do. It means living a life that is so rooted in God’s love that we seek to obey all of His commandments.
To live like Jesus means to sacrificially love the people whom God created and for whom he sent his Son to die, starting with those who call Jesus their Savior.
Much of the New Testament is devoted to encouraging believers to live with one another. So this week, take time to read the letters of the apostle John in the New Testament and look for ways you can live out Jesus’ commandment to love one another.
Remember a time when you were genuinely scared.
As much as we would like to never feel fear, fear is part of the human experience. But when we are afraid, we have options…
We can panic, stress, be overwhelmed with worry, re-imagine all the worst-case scenarios, and try to drown out the anxiety-provoking situations around us in unhealthy ways… or we can repeat the Words of David:
“But as soon as I am terrified, I trust in God.”
Psalms 56:4
It is worth noting that these words were written after David was captured by the Philistines. He was harassed by his enemies, and he feared for his life.
But David refused to settle for fear.
He resisted the urge to let fear have the last word. He decided to fight back with the Truth…
…And we can too.
We will never have to fight alone. God has given us something more powerful than ordinary weapons: He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Even when we don’t have access to the perfect inspirational sermon or timely word of encouragement, we can stop and remember the truth: that God is fighting for us, He is with us, and He will never leave us.
When we turn our minds from our overwhelming fear to God’s overwhelming faithfulness, everything changes. So today, if you are scared, anxious, overwhelmed, or uncertain, say it out loud:
When I’m afraid, I rely on You.
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.
