“And Moses was afraid, and said to himself, “Truly, the matter has become known!”” – Exodus 2:14
The crime was horrific, and the person who committed it was sentenced to life in prison. In the following years, while in solitary confinement, he repented and turned to Christ, finding in Him mental and spiritual healing. After that, he was allowed limited contact with other prisoners. By God’s grace, some of them, through his testimony, also accepted Christ as their Savior and received forgiveness of sins.
Moses, now a recognized hero of the faith, somehow also committed a crime. Seeing “an Egyptian who was beating a Jew from among his brothers… he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand” (Ex. 2:11-12). But despite this sin, God by His grace did not turn away from His imperfect servant. Later, He chose Moses to deliver the Israelites from oppression (Ex. 3:10). In the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul writes that “the gift of grace is a justification from many sins” (Rom. 5:16). Grace changes and reconciles us to God, regardless of past sins.
It may seem to us that the evil committed deprives us of the right to God’s mercy and service for His glory. But through His grace in Christ, we can change ourselves and help others.
How has God and His grace changed you? What changes is He calling you to make now?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace that transforms.
By Our Daily Bread Ministries
“Jehoshaphat… decided to turn to the Lord.” — 2 Chronicles 20:3
My son needed orthopedic surgery. The elderly surgeon assured us that during his lifetime he had helped thousands of patients with the same problems. However, before the operation, he prayed and asked God for a successful outcome. And I am very grateful that the Lord answered.
Jehoshaphat, the pious king of Judah, when he was in danger, also prayed. The three nations united in a military campaign against Jerusalem. And although Jehoshaphat had been reigning for more than twenty years, he decided to turn to God for help. “We… will cry to You out of our distress, and You will hear and save,” he prayed (2 Chron. 20:9). In addition, he asked God for His guidance: “We do not know what we will do, because our eyes are on You!” (v. 12).
Jehoshaphat’s humble approach to solving the problem that arose opened his heart to God’s involvement, which manifested itself in the form of prophecy and supernatural intervention (vv. 15-17, 22). No matter how much experience we have, a prayer for help reveals in us a holy hope in God. It reminds us that the Lord knows more than we do, and He controls everything in the world. It brings us to a state in which the Lord gives us help and support, whatever the final result may be.
How has prayer helped you? In solving which of the current problems can it help?
God, thank You for listening and answering prayers. I worship You, the all-knowing and all-powerful God. Help me in all the trials of today.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
“For we, being in this tent, sigh under the burden.” — 2 Corinthians 5:4
“The tent is tired!” This is the saying of my friend Paul, a pastor of a church in Nairobi (Kenya). Since 2015, the local community has been meeting in a tent-like structure. Paul wrote to me: “Our tent is worn out and leaks when it rains.”
My friend’s complaint about the age of their humble structure reminds me of the words of the Apostle Paul about the frailty of our earthly bodies. “Our outward man perishes… For we, being in this tent, groan under the burden” (2 Cor. 4:16; 5:4).
Although the awareness of the ephemerality of our existence in this world comes to us quite early, we really think about it only as we approach old age. The joie de vivre of youth reluctantly gives way to the realities of old age (see Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). Our bodies – our tents – get tired.
But the tiredness of the body does not mean the tiredness of the spirit. Hope and faith should not fade with age. “Therefore we do not grieve,” says the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 4:16). He who created our bodies dwelt in them with His Spirit. And when this body refuses to serve us, we will move into a home that is immune to disease and injury. We “have a building from God in heaven, a house not made with hands and eternal” (2 Cor. 5:1).
How do you feel when you remember that Christ lives in you by His Spirit (2 Cor. 5:5)? When you sigh, how does prayer help you?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your constant presence. As my body weakens, help me to trust in You as I wait to be transferred to an eternal home.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you about the hope you have, with meekness and fear.” — 1 Peter 3:15
Last spring, we decided to aerate the lawn – saturate the soil with oxygen. The night before this procedure, a strong wind blew the seeds off the maple tree in our yard. When the aeration machine loosened the soil, hundreds of maple seeds fell into the ground. So, after two weeks, a maple forest began to sprout in our yard!
Looking at this disparity, I was amazed at the variety of new life that one single maple can make. Each miniature tree became for me an illustration of a new life in Christ, which I, an ordinary person, can pass on to others. Throughout our lives, each of us is given many opportunities to talk about our “hope” (1 Peter 3:15).
If we suffer “for the truth” with hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 14), those around us who will see this may become interested in God, whom they do not yet know. We will be ready to answer their questions and thereby sow the seeds of a new life. It is not necessary to immediately express everything that we know, otherwise it will be like a spiritual storm. It is better to calmly and respectfully place the seed of faith in a heart that is ready to receive it.
Who among your acquaintances is interested in your hope? What will you talk to him about?
Lord Jesus, thank You for growing seeds of faith in my life. Help me to tell about You to those who ask. Give them the grace to grow in knowledge of You and love for You.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“The words of the slanderer are like sweets.” — Proverbs 18:8
There was a report in the newspaper that Pep had killed a cat that belonged to the governor’s wife. However, he did not do this. The only thing he could be accused of was that he liked to bite the couch in the governor’s mansion.
Pep was a young, restless Labrador retriever owned by Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot in the 1920s. Later, the dog was sent to Eastern State Prison, where his photo was taken with an inmate identification number. When a newspaper journalist found out about it, he made up a story about a cat. Since his article was published in the newspaper, many people believed that Pep was indeed a cat killer.
King Solomon of Israel was well aware of the power of misinformation. He wrote: “The words of a slanderer are like sweets, and they go down into the bowels of the womb” (Prov. 18:8). Sometimes our sinful human nature leads us to believe things that are not true.
However, even if others believe lies about us, God can still use us for good. In fact, the governor sent Pep to prison to be a friend to the inmates, and he served as a therapy dog for many years.
God’s purpose for our lives remains the same no matter what others say or think. If someone gossips about you, remember that God’s opinion and His love for you is what matters most.
How encouraged are you that God is in no way affected by what others say or think about you? How will you glorify His perfect love today?
Abba, Father, thank you for making me Your child. Help me to show Your love to others.
Author: James Banks
? 04/30/2023 10:06 a.m. #broadcast “The 11th commandment – do not destroy” has begun on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 04/30/2023: https://youtu.be/ELKmqXEf7KE
“The Lord supports all the fallen, He straightens all the bent!” — Psalm 144:14
I often worry. I feel worst early in the morning when I am alone with my thoughts. So, I taped Taylor Hudson’s words to my bathroom mirror. There I could read them when I felt vulnerable: “There is a living God. He speaks through the Bible. He says what He thinks and fulfills what He has promised.”
Taylor’s words were born from many years of being with God and remind us of who God is and what He can do for us in times of sickness, poverty, loneliness and grief. Taylor not only knew that God was trustworthy, he felt His trustworthiness. Because he relied on God’s promises and obeyed Him, thousands of Chinese devoted their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The experience of God and His ways helped David to know that the Lord is reliable. David wrote Psalm 144, a song of praise to God for His goodness, compassion, and faithfulness to all His promises. If we trust God and follow Him, we realize (or better understand) that He is Who He said He is, that He is true to His Word. And we, like David, glorify Him and tell others about Him (vv. 10-12).
If we experience difficulties, God can help us not to doubt Him, because He is reliable (Heb. 10:23).
What has been troubling you lately, and what promises of God can you rely on? How can knowing that the faith of Taylor Hudson and King David was not in vain encourage you and give you hope?
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to me. Please help me to remember Your faithfulness as I trust You and listen to You every day.
Author: Karen Huang
“God made me laugh, everyone who hears will laugh at me.” — Genesis 21:6
Comedian John Brenyan said: “We didn’t invent laughter; it wasn’t our idea. Laughter was given to us by God, who knew we would need it in life. He knew we would face hardships, suffering, He knew… everything that was going to happen… That’s why laughter is a gift.”
A quick look at creatures created by God can cause laughter, for example, because of their strange appearance (such as the platypus) or their antics (playful otters). He created mammals that live in the ocean and long-legged birds that cannot fly. God obviously has a sense of humor. Because we are made in His image, it is also natural for us to laugh.
The word “laughter” first appears in the Bible in the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised this deceased couple a child: “He who comes from your womb will be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Then He said: “Look at the sky, and count the stars… Such will be your offspring” (v. 5). When Sarah finally gave birth at the age of ninety, Abraham named their son Isaac, which means “laughter.” Sarah said: “God made me laugh, everyone who hears will laugh at me” (Gen. 21:6). She was amazed that she could raise a child at her advanced age! God changed her skeptical laugh (Gen. 18:12) to a laugh of genuine joy.
Let’s thank God for the gift of laughter!
When did laughter become “good medicine” for you? How can a sense of humor help even in the most difficult moments of life?
Dear God, thank you for the gift of laughter.
By Alison Kieda
“And I say: walk in the spirit, and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
This spring, our yard was attacked by weeds, as if from “Jurassic Park”. One of them was so big that I, trying to pull it out, was afraid of injuring myself. While looking in the utility room for a shovel to dig up some weeds, I saw my daughter start watering them. “Why are you watering the weeds?!” I exclaimed. “I want to see how big it gets!” – answered the daughter with a mischievous smile.
We never intentionally water weeds. However, I have come to realize that sometimes we water the “weeds” in our spiritual life, indulging in desires that hinder our growth.
The Apostle Paul writes about this in Galatians 5:13-26, where he shows the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. He says that only following the rules does not free life from “weeds”. Instead, we need to “walk by the spirit.” Paul adds that only constant presence with God frees us from the temptation to satisfy the “lust of the flesh” (v. 16).
It is not easy to fully understand the teachings of the Apostle Paul, but I like the simplicity of his guidance: if we do not want the growth of unwanted selfish desires, we must nurture the fruit of the Spirit, and then we will reap the harvest of a godly life (vv. 22-25).
What areas of your spiritual life need to be cleared of “weeds”? How to dedicate yourself to God and be with Him?
Heavenly Father, sometimes I water the weeds in my life. Help me to be with You so that spiritual fruit grows in me.
Author: Adam Holtz
“The stone that its builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” — Psalm 117:22
The young minister of the student group was worried. He was puzzled when I dared to ask if he was praying… for God’s guidance… for His help. Does he pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul encouraged. In response, the young man admitted: “I’m still not sure that I believe in prayer.” He frowned. “Or that God is listening. You just look at what’s going on in the world.” This young leader “built” the ministry on his own and, unfortunately, failed. Why? He rejected God.
Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the church, has always been rejected, and what is most impressive is that His people did this (Jn. 1:11). Many people still reject Jesus, trying to build life, work and even churches on a different basis – on their own schemes, dreams and other unreliable foundations. However, our good Savior is the only one who can give strength and protection (Ps. 117:14). Indeed, “the stone that its builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v. 22).
If Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives, He provides guidance in all that believers seek to do for Him. Therefore, we pray to Him and ask: “Lord, save! Lord, grant success!” (v. 25). Result? “Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s Name!” (v. 26). Let’s thank God that He is strong and good!
What are your dreams and plans in building a ministry for God? How to make Christ the cornerstone of your plans?
Lord Jesus, I praise You, for You are the cornerstone. The church and my life rest on You alone.
Author: Patricia Raybon
