“Do not turn pleasing the body into lust.” — Romans 13:14
Augustine’s autobiography “Confession” describes his long and winding road to Jesus. One day he was going to the palace, where he was to make a flattering speech before the emperor. He was thinking about his speech and suddenly saw how a drunken beggar was “joking and laughing”. He realized that he already had everything to feel fleeting happiness and without much effort. Augustine was affected by what he saw, and he stopped striving for worldly success.
However, he was still a prisoner of his own desires. He knew that he could not return to Jesus without first turning away from sin, so he continued to struggle with sexual immorality. He prayed: “Give me purity, but not now.”
Augustine fell again and again until it was enough. Inspired by those who accepted Jesus, he opened the text from the Epistle to the Romans 13:13-14: “Let us act virtuously, not in gambling and drunkenness, not in adultery and fornication… but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not turn the pleasing of the flesh into lust.”
With the help of these inspired words, God broke the chains of sin and brought Augustine “to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). Augustine became a bishop. He was still tempted by fame and lust, but now he knew who to turn to. He turned to Jesus. And you?
What prevents you from dedicating your life to Jesus? How will your life change if you give it to the Lord Jesus?
Dear Father, let nothing stand between me and You.
“Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” — Exodus 16:4
Legends were made about Aunt Margaret’s thrift. After her death, her nieces began to go through her things with nostalgia in their hearts. In a box, neatly placed in a small plastic box, they found a set of short strings. On the box was written: “Threads too short to use.”
What motivates a person to keep and sign something that cannot be used? Perhaps this person once experienced great difficulties.
When the Israelites came out of Egyptian slavery, they left behind a difficult life. However, they quickly forgot about God’s miracle of their salvation and began to complain about the lack of food.
God wanted them to trust Him. He gave them manna to eat in the desert and told Moses: “The people will go out and gather every day as much as they need for the day” (Ex. 16:4). God also commanded them to collect a double portion on the sixth day, because manna will not fall from heaven on the Sabbath (vv. 5, 25). Some of the Israelites obeyed, and some did not, with the expected consequences (vv. 27-28).
In times of abundance and in times of need, people tend to grab what they can and hoard what they get, in a desperate attempt to control everything. However, there is no need to take matters into our own hands. There is no need to store “remains of threads” and accumulate all this. We believe in God, who promised: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
How do you sometimes try to control everything? How has God proven His faithfulness in the past?
Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to Your hand and trust You in everything.
“Little children, let’s love not with word or tongue, but with deed and truth.” — 1 John 3:18
While waiting for a train at a station in Atlanta, Georgia, a young man dressed in a business suit sat down on a bench. Seeing how he was trying to tie his tie, the elderly woman asked her husband for help. As the man bent down and began to teach the young man how to tie a tie, the stranger took a picture of the three of them. Later, this photo appeared on the Internet and began to spread quickly. Many Internet users left comments under the photo about how to show kindness to strangers.
For Christians, showing kindness to others reflects the sacrificial care that God has shown to people. This is a reflection of God’s love, which He wants to see in His disciples: “that they love one another” (1 John 3:11). Apostle John equates hatred of a brother or sister with murder (v. 15). Then he talks about Christ, who gave an example of the manifestation of love in practice (v. 16).
It doesn’t have to be an incredible display of sacrifice. Selfless love simply requires recognizing the value of all people who bear God’s image and prioritizing their needs…every day. Everyday moments of caring, when we notice the needs of others and do what we can to help, are acts of self-sacrifice if we are motivated by love. If we look beyond our own needs and step out of our comfort zone to serve, we are loving like Jesus.
When have you experienced selfless love from another person? How will you show that love to others this week?
Loving Father, please help me to be ready to show compassion and selfless love wherever You direct me.
? 04/23/2023 10:03 a.m. The #broadcast “Pain, anxiety or peace?” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel. | Pastor Haydarenko Anna Mykolayivna | 04/23/2023: https://youtu.be/Wt_SofCSDqY
“You, Lord, are kind and forgiving, and abundantly merciful to all who call to You.” — Psalm 85:5
In 2021, the news reported the kidnapping of seventeen missionaries by a criminal gang. The bandits threatened to kill the entire group (including the children) if their ransom demands were not met. Amazingly, all the missionaries were either released or managed to escape. Once they were safe, they sent a message to the kidnappers: “Jesus taught by His word and example that forgiving love is stronger than cruel hatred. Therefore, we forgive you.”
The Lord Jesus spoke a lot about the great power of forgiveness. In particular, He said: “As you forgive people their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Mt. 6:14). Later, answering Peter, Christ explained how often one should forgive: “I do not say to you – up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven times” (Mt. 18:22; see verses 21-35). And on the cross, He showed forgiveness when He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).
The fullness of forgiveness is revealed when both parties seek healing and reconciliation. Although forgiveness does not eliminate the consequences of the damage caused and the need to restore the destroyed relationship, it does lead to the restoration of these relationships, reflecting the manifestation of God’s love and power. So, let’s look for ways to show forgiveness and thereby glorify God.
When is it hardest to forgive? How to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit in showing forgiveness?
Lord Jesus, help me to forgive others and thus testify to Your power and goodness.
“He has the depths of the earth in His hand.” — Psalm 94:4
Krubera Voronya in Georgia is one of the deepest caves discovered so far on planet Earth. A team of researchers descended into the dark and scary labyrinths of a vertical cave, the depth of which reaches 2197 meters! There are about four hundred similar caves in other regions of the country and around the world. With the opening of new caves, new depths are recorded.
The mysteries of creation continue to unfold, deepening our understanding of the universe in which we live and awe-inspiring the infinite creativity of God in creating the earth we are to care for (Gen. 1:26-28). The psalmist calls us to joyfully glorify God’s majesty (Ps. 94:1). So, let’s reflect on God’s incredible work of creating everything visible and invisible. All that is in the world, whether revealed or not, prompts us to bow down in worship to God (v. 6).
He knows not only the boundless physical spaces of the universe, but also the secret depths of our hearts. Sometimes, as in the caves of Georgia, we have to go through dark and perhaps dangerous periods in life. However, we know that God keeps even those difficult times under His strong yet caring control. In the words of the psalmist, we are God’s people, “the flock of His hands” (v. 7).
How has God brought you through dark times in your life? In what place or in what way does He call you to trust Him?
God, help me to rely on Your care even in the darkest places!
“Forgetting what is behind and hastening to what is ahead, I chase.” — Philippians 3:13-14
While jogging in the forest, I tried to cut short and ran along an unfamiliar path. Wondering if I had suddenly gotten lost, I asked a runner running the other way if I was on the right track.
“Yes,” he answered confidently. However, seeing my confused look, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’ve already tried all the wrong ways! It’s okay, it’s part of running too.”
What a wonderful description of a spiritual journey! How many times have I drifted away from God, succumbing to temptation and being distracted by secondary things? However, God forgave me each time and helped me to move on, knowing that I would stumble again. God knows our tendency to go astray. However, He is always ready to forgive if we confess our sins and allow His Spirit to change us.
The apostle Paul also knew that all of this is part of the journey of faith. Fully aware of his own sinful past and present shortcomings, he still had to strive for Christlikeness (Phil. 3:12). “But only,” he added, “forgetting what is behind and hastening to what is ahead, I rush to the goal” (vv. 13-14). Stumbling is part of our journey with God; it is through our mistakes that He perfects us. His grace helps us, forgiven children, to persevere.
What mistakes can you confess to God today? How does His assurance of forgiveness help you persevere in your journey of faith?
God, thank you for your mercy. Help me to lead a life that pleases You, knowing that Your Spirit is working to make me like Your Son.
“But for whom do I care and deprive my soul of good?” — Ecclesiastes 4:8
In today’s world, more and more people feel lonely. Since 1990, the number of friendless Americans has quadrupled. In some European countries, the percentage of those who feel lonely has increased to 20, and in Japan, elderly people even resorted to committing crimes in order to have friends at least in prison.
To overcome the epidemic of loneliness, entrepreneurs invented a “solution” – renting a friend. A friend “rented” for an hour will meet you in a cafe to chat or accompany you to a party. One of such “friends” was asked who mostly orders such a service. “Single professionals from 30 to 40 years old who work a lot and don’t have time for friendly relations,” he answered.
In the 4th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, a person is described who is completely alone, without “son or brother”. And “there is no end” to her tireless work, however, the achieved success does not bring satisfaction (v. 8). “But for whom do I care?” she asks. It is much better to invest in relationships that will lighten the workload and provide support during times of difficulty (vv. 9-12). Because, after all, success without friendship is “vanity” (v. 8).
Ecclesiastes says that “the triple thread is not soon broken” (v. 12). However, it does not weave quickly. Since you don’t rent true friends, let’s invest time in developing friendships in which God is the third thread that holds us together.
How do you invest time in your friendships and make efforts to develop them? Who can you invite to your circle of friends?
Heavenly Father, help me to be a kind and faithful friend to others.
“I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.” — Jeremiah 32:42
Sara lost her mother when she was just fourteen years old. She and her siblings lost their house soon after and became homeless. Years later, Sara wanted to provide her future children with an inheritance that could be passed down from generation to generation. She worked hard to purchase a house, giving her family the stable home she never had.
Investing in a home for future generations is an act of faith toward a future you don’t yet see. God told the prophet Jeremiah to purchase land just before the violent siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:6–12). To the prophet, God’s instructions didn’t make a lot of sense. Soon all their property and belongings would be confiscated.
But God gave Jeremiah this promise: “As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them” (v. 42). The prophet’s investment in property was a physical sign of God’s faithfulness to someday restore the Israelites to their homeland. Even in the midst of a terrible attack, God promised His people that peace would come again—homes and property would be bought and sold again (vv. 43–44).
Today we can put our trust in God’s faithfulness and choose to “invest” in faith. Although we may not see an earthly restoration of every situation, we have the assurance that He’ll someday make everything right.
Reflect & Pray
What causes you to lose sight of God’s faithfulness? How can you “invest” in light of the restoration He promises?
Dear God, help me to invest today for the future I can’t yet see.
When our congregation built the first church building, people wrote words of thanks on the bare walls and concrete floor before the interior of the building was finished. If you remove the plasterboard from the walls, you will see these inscriptions there. We left there Bible verses and prayers of thanks, for example: “You are very good!” We left them as evidence for future generations that despite all the difficulties, God was good and cared about us.
We need to remember what God has done for us and tell others about it. The prophet Isaiah gave an example, writing: “I will remember the favors of the Lord, the praises of the Lord for all that the Lord has done for us” (Is. 63:7). Subsequently, the prophet mentions the manifestation of God’s compassion for His people throughout history, even saying that “in all their oppression He was also distressed” (v. 9). However, as you read the chapter further, you will notice that Israel is again in trouble, and the prophet pleads with God to intervene.
Memories of God’s goodness in the past help in a difficult period of life. Difficulties come and go, but God’s faithfulness remains the same. Turning to God with gratitude for all that He has done, we will again realize that He is worthy of our praise.
What kindness has God shown you in the past? How does praising Him for this kindness help you get through a difficult time?
Heavenly Father, You rule over all creation. I praise You because Your goodness is unchanging and You are always with me.
