“Carry one another’s burdens, and thus you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
When a woman in our newly formed Bible study group experienced a problem, we all unexpectedly began to share a deep personal experience. Someone’s father died. Someone went through a divorce. Someone had a completely deaf baby. Someone barely managed to bring the child to the hospital in time. These are all burdens that are difficult to bear. Awareness of our own vulnerability prompted us to open up to each other. We cried and prayed together. In just a few weeks, we turned from strangers to close friends.
Being members of the same Body, believers can in a special way support each other in times of difficulty. We have become brothers and sisters in Christ, and our relationship is not defined by common interests or the time period of our acquaintance. We are called, as the apostle Paul wrote, to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Relying on God’s strength, we listen, empathize, help and pray. We try to “do good to all, but especially to those who believe” (v. 10). The Apostle Paul says that this is how we fulfill the law of Christ (v. 2) – to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. Life’s burdens can be heavy, but the Lord gave us the church to lighten them.
Who is suffering around you? How can you lighten their burdens today?
Dear God, thank you that no matter what my circumstances are, You always walk beside me. Help me to show this love to other people as well.
“May your reward be full from the Lord… that you have come to hide under His wings!” — Ruth 2:12
Maria decided to have lunch at a fast food restaurant. When she sat down at an empty table and started eating a hamburger, she noticed a young man sitting nearby. His clothes were dirty, his hair was disheveled, and he was holding an empty paper cup in his hand. He was obviously hungry. But how to help? Giving him money is unlikely to be a smart decision. If you buy him lunch, he may feel humiliated.
Suddenly Mary remembered the story of Ruth, a destitute widow from Moab, who was invited by Boaz, a wealthy landowner, to gather ears of corn in his field. He ordered his servants: “And let her glean between the sheaves, and do not offend her. And also throw her some of the sheaves, and leave her alone, and she will glean, and you do not scold her” (Ruth. 2:15-16). In a culture where women could only survive because of men, Boaz showed the attitude and care of God Himself. In the end, he married Ruth and saved her from trouble (Ruth 4:9-10).
Getting ready to leave, Maria put a whole bag of fried potatoes on the nearby table and looked kindly at the young man. If he was hungry, he could gather “ears” in her “field”. In the Bible stories, God’s heart is revealed; in them you can always find creative solutions for encouragement.
Is there someone whom you can invite today to “gather the ears” in the bountiful field of your life? Ask God to show you the needs of the people around you so that you can show His care.
Dear Father, show me those who need me to show them Your love.
“Only kindness and mercy will accompany me all the days of my life.” — Psalm 22:6
One day I was walking down the street and another man was walking a block away. He had several packages in his hands. Suddenly he tripped and fell. Passers-by helped him to get up and collect the scattered things. However, they did not notice something – a wallet that was left on the sidewalk. I picked it up and ran after the stranger to give him this surely important item. “Sir! Sir!” I called and finally got his attention. He turned back just as I ran up to him. I will never forget his look, in which surprise changed to joyful gratitude.
At first I was just following this person, but then my following turned into stalking. In the final verse of Psalm 22 it is said: “Only goodness and mercy will accompany me” (v. 6). The word “accompany” fits well with the overall context of the passage, but the original Hebrew word has a more dynamic meaning. It literally means “to pursue or pursue,” like a predator hunting prey (think, for example, of a wolf chasing a sheep).
God’s goodness and mercy do not follow us slowly, like a dog lazily following its master. No, they’re after us! As I overtook a passer-by to give him a wallet, so the Good Shepherd, Who loves us with eternal love, overtook us (vv. 1, 6).
Do you believe that God’s mercy is really “pursuing” you? If not, then why does the Bible use this word?
Good Shepherd, thank you that Your goodness and mercy always follow me.
“She… spoke about Him to everyone who was waiting for the liberation of Jerusalem.” — Luke 2:38
On a busy day before Christmas, an elderly woman walked into the post office. Watching her slow walk, a patient post office worker greeted the woman: “Greetings, young lady!” His words sounded friendly, but some may have heard in them a hint that it would be better if she were younger.
The Bible shows that the elderly can revive our hope. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord (Lk. 2:23; see Ex. 13:2, 12), two elderly believers suddenly became the center of attention.
At first, Semyon, who had been waiting for years for the moment when he would be able to see the Messiah, “took [Jesus] in his arms, gave praise to God and said: “Now, Lord, you are letting your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all nations” (Lk. 2:28-31).
And then they were joined by Anna, a prophetess who “lived to a very old age” (v. 36). The widow, who lived in marriage for only seven years, never left the temple until the age of eighty-four, “serving God day and night with fasting and prayers.” Seeing Jesus, Anna began to praise God and speak “about Him to all who were waiting for the liberation of Jerusalem” (vv. 37-38).
These two optimistic ministers call us always and at any age to rely on God, putting great hopes on Him.
What have you learned from older people about God’s faithfulness? How does their hope inspire you?
Dear Father, if we lose hope, remind us of the need to trust in You.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11
One Saturday morning, our young children decided to get up early and prepare breakfast for themselves. And my wife and I tried to sleep at least until seven in the morning after a hard week. But suddenly there was a rumble in the kitchen. I jumped up and rushed down the stairs to find a broken bowl, scattered oatmeal, and our five-year-old Jonas desperately trying to clean up the goo from the floor. The children were hungry, but decided not to ask for help. They wanted to be independent. The result was not a culinary masterpiece.
In earthly life, children, growing up, should become independent from their parents. But in a relationship with God, maturity means moving in the opposite direction: from independence to dependence on Him. One of the areas where we practice this dependence is prayer. When Jesus taught His disciples (and all those who believed in Him) to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11), He taught the prayer of dependence. Bread is a metaphor for care, salvation, and guidance (vv. 11-13). In all this and much more, we depend on God.
There are no self-sufficient Christians. And we will never stop needing Christ’s grace. We will begin our entire lives each day by accepting a dependent position before our Heavenly Father (v. 9).
What “bread” are you praying for today? What does your hope in God show when you turn to Him?
Lord Jesus, You are my Creator and Protector. Please help me to trust You.
“And whatever you do, do it from the heart, as if for the Lord, not for people!” — Colossians 3:23
Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first black American woman to receive a doctorate in medicine. However, according to Rebecca herself, during her life (1831–1895) she was “ignored, despised and considered worthless.” Still, she remained faithful to her calling. Many treated her badly because of race and gender, but she was always full of “determination and courage to go where duty calls.” She believed that caring for women and children, as well as providing medical care to freed slaves, was a way to serve God. Unfortunately, Rebekah did not receive recognition for her achievements during her lifetime. It came to her only a century later.
There are times when people around us do not notice and do not appreciate us. But the Holy Scriptures remind us that when God has called us to do something, we should not seek earthly glory, but do everything “from the heart, as for the Lord, and not for men” (Col. 3:23). By focusing on serving God, we can do even the most difficult work with diligence and joy because of His strength and guidance. In addition, we will think less about recognition from people and wait for the reward that only the Lord can give (v. 24).
How often have people overlooked the good you have done? How can you focus on God while doing your work?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the call to do good for Your sake. Help me to be faithful in what You have called me to do.
“I have indeed seen the trouble of My people who are in Egypt… and I have come down to deliver them.” — Exodus 3:7-8
It seemed that the Christmas tree was engulfed in fire. Not artificial, made of electric garlands, but real! Friends invited our family to a traditional German holiday, “like in the good old days”, with a national treat and real candles on the Christmas tree (for safety reasons, candles were lit on a freshly cut Christmas tree and only once).
Looking at the “burning Christmas tree”, I remembered how God appeared to Moses in the thorn bush. He was herding sheep in the desert when he saw a bush that was on fire and for some reason did not burn. Moses went to look, and then God spoke to him. Although the fire in the Bible is a symbol of God’s anger, the message of salvation for the people of Israel was not heard from the flames of the bush. The Lord saw the suffering and humiliation of His people in Egyptian slavery and decided to “liberate them” (Ex. 3:8).
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, but all the people of the earth needed salvation – and not only salvation from physical suffering, but also from the influence of evil and death on the whole world. Many centuries later, God sent the Light into the world – His Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:9-10). The Lord did not send Him “so that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn. 3:17).
How can you rejoice in salvation in Jesus Christ? What Christmas traditions point to Him?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.
“Be an example for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity!” — 1 Timothy 4:12
In 2011, after ten years of childlessness, my wife and I decided to move to another country. Although it was exciting to move, I had to leave the radio job I loved. Feeling devastated, I asked my friend Liam for advice.
“I don’t know what my calling is anymore,” I told him sadly.
– There are no options here on the radio? he asked. I said no.
– And how is the family?
Surprised by such a change of subject, I replied that Merin and I were fine. We struggled with the absence of children, but we became closer to each other.
“Consecration is the core of the Gospel,” Liam replied with a smile. “The world needs to see marriages like yours! You may not realize it, but you make more of an impact by who you are than by what you do.”
When Timothy also began to feel sad because of difficulties in the ministry, the apostle Paul did not set high goals for him in terms of career growth. Instead, he urged him to live a life pleasing to God and set an example for people with his words, behavior, love, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12-13, 15). Timothy could best influence others by his faithfulness.
People tend to measure the significance of their lives by success at work, while the most important thing is character. I forgot about it. But a word of truth, a good deed, and faithfulness in marriage can do a great deal. Through them God’s grace touches this world.
Who has influenced your life? What qualities did these people have? How can you set an example of faithfulness?
God, help me to remember that my work is not as important as my character. Please make me more like You.
“But encourage one another every day as long as it’s called ‘Today’.” — Hebrews 3:13
After another week of exhausting health problems, I collapsed on the couch. I didn’t want to think about anything. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I couldn’t even pray. Disappointment and doubts were a heavy burden on the soul. I turned on the TV and started watching a commercial where a girl told her younger brother: “You’re a champion!” She tried to cheer him up. The more she spoke, the wider the baby’s smile became. And mine too.
God’s people have always struggled with discouragement and doubt. Citing Psalm 94, the author of Hebrews urged believers to avoid the mistakes of the Israelites during their journey through the desert (Heb. 3:7-11). “Beware, brothers, lest any of you have an evil heart of unbelief, which would depart from the Living God! But encourage one another every day,” he wrote (vv. 12-13).
Putting our hope in Christ, let’s not neglect another effective means that is given to us to maintain faithfulness – mutual encouragement in communication with other Christians (v. 13). If one believer begins to be overcome by doubts, another can support him with a kind word and help him. God gives strength to his people, and we can pass that strength on to each other through mutual encouragement.
How has God supported and comforted you in a difficult hour through your brothers and sisters in the faith? How can you personally encourage others today?
Loving God, help me to live for You and support others with my words and deeds.
